2014 NBA Handicapping
The time has come for the final power rankings of the 2013-14 regular season. The playoff picture in each conference is just about set, with just a couple precious spots in the West still to be locked up. We now have a good idea of what to expect once the playoffs roll around. [ad-4468020]
Here are the power rankings entering the 25th week of the NBA schedule.
1. San Antonio Spurs (62-18)
The Spurs have locked up home court advantage throughout the postseason, and got back Tony Parker from a two-game absence this week. The team is 32-8 on its homecourt, and clinching early afforded their comfortable situation afforded them the ability to rest Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili on Friday. They appear poised for a long run in the postseason.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (58-22)
The team bounced back from a tough start to their four game road trip with wins over the Kings and Clippers to follow up losses to the Rockets and Suns. They’ve all but locked up the second spot in the Western Conference, assuring they won’t run into San Antonio until at least the conference finals.
Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s NBA Season Package Today!
The team also has Kendrick Perkins and Thabo Sefolosha back on the court, allowing them to field their desired starting five.
3. Los Angeles Clippers (56-24)
The team isn’t going to catch Oklahoma City for the second seed and home court in a potential second round matchup, but the Clippers have been rolling along just fine. Blake Griffin continues to play at another level, and when they can supplement his scoring with returning Jamal Crawford and Danny Granger, they’re going to look like world-beaters.
4. Miami Heat (54-26)
The Heat took the Eastern Conference’s top seed from the Pacers, but then promptly gave it right back. Even still, the Heat are the team to beat in the East right now, particularly given the current form of the Pacers, who look lost right now. Getting Dwyane Wade back from a hamstring injury that cost him eight games is a big boost, but how much longer can he be expected to remain on the court?
5. Houston Rockets (53-27)
Two losses in their last three games and five losses in their last nine have the Rockets floundering as they get set for the playoffs, but the team can make a serious statement on Monday night when they host the Spurs. James Harden hasn’t looked right at times in recent weeks, and letting Corey Brewer drop 51 points on them has to be considered one of the franchise’s low points.
6. Chicago Bulls (47-33)
Seven consecutive wins entering Sunday’s action tell the tale of how well the Bulls have figured things out post-Derrick Rose. The team has allowed the fewest points in basketball at 91.7 points per game, and Joakim Noah has found another gear this season. The lack of scoring depth could pose a problem somewhere down the line, but right now, the Bulls are tough out.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (48-32)
The Grizzlies have reeled off 13 consecutive wins at the FedExFourm. Unfortunately for them, their big showdown with Phoenix on Monday will be on the road, and played on the second night of a back-to-back. They’ll close things out on Wednesday against a Dallas team that has already clinched.
8. Toronto Raptors (47-33)
The Raptors have flexed their muscles at home in the new year, going 20-7 at the Air Canada Centre since the calendar flipped over to 2014. If they can carry their home dominance over to the playoffs, they could pose a problem for even the East’s top teams. Kyle Lowry showing he’s just fine after what could have been a disastrous knee injury has saved their season.
[ad-6571516]
9. Indiana Pacers (55-26)
Getting a win over Oklahoma City on Sunday helps, but it won’t erase the memories of Friday’s embarrassing loss in Miami. Even with that win, the Pacers are just 4-8 in their last 12 games, and they’re running out of time to figure things out by the playoffs. Luckily for them, they should have a cupcake matchup in the first round to help tune them up.
10. Portland Trail Blazers (53-28)
The Trail Blazers are going to end up with a pretty favorable matchup in the first round against a Rockets team that is perfectly content to play the up-tempo style the Blazers like. However, the team has built up its record on the back of bad teams, so don’t get too excited.
11. Golden State Warriors (49-31)
12. Dallas Mavericks (49-32)
13. Phoenix Suns (47-33)
14. Brooklyn Nets (44-36)
15. Charlotte Bobcats (41-39)
16. Washington Wizards (42-38)
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (40-40)
18. New York Knicks (35-45)
19. Denver Nuggets (36-44)
20. New Orleans Pelicans (32-48)
21. Atlanta Hawks (37-43)
22. Sacramento Kings (28-53)
23. Cleveland Cavaliers (32-49)
24. Detroit Pistons (29-52)
25. Los Angeles Lakers (25-55)
26. Utah Jazz (24-56)
27. Orlando Magic (23-57)
28. Boston Celtics (25-55)
29. Milwaukee Bucks (15-65)
30. Philadelphia 76ers (17-63)
