NBA Power Rankings – Cavaliers overtake Lakers for top spot
Even NBA betting players were focusing on the NCAA Tournament, but with the playoffs coming up, the NBA power rankings are returning with a new No.1 team, and some movement in the top 10.
1. (2) Cleveland Cavaliers (63-15): The Cavs finally take the top spot, but a blowout loss in Orlando last Friday is worrying. Sunday’s visit from Boston should be entertaining.
2. (1) Los Angeles Lakers (62-16): The Lakers didn’t do much to lose the top spot, but losing in Charlotte didn’t help. Andrew Bynum should be back very soon to join the Lake Show for their playoff run.
3. (3) Orlando Magic (58-20): The Magic could run the table for the rest of the season, which could result in the No.2 seed in the East. If their three-point shooters stay hot, watch out.
4. (7) Denver Nuggets (53-26): The Nuggets have surged past San Antonio for the No.2 spot in the West, but to be a legit NBA betting contender, they’ll have to step up their defense.
5. (3) Boston Celtics (59-19): The Celtics have won five in a row, but to repeat as NBA champions, they need Kevin Garnett close to 100 per cent.
6. (9) Houston Rockets (45-38): The Rockets have three of their last four on the road, and they need to prove they can consistently win away from home.
7. (6) Portland Trailblazers (50-28): If only Greg Oden could stay healthy for more than 20 minutes.
8. (5) San Antonio Spurs (50-28): Yes, NBA betting players can never count out the Spurs, but with no more Ginobili and a Tim Duncan with balky knees, how far can they go?
9. (12) Atlanta Hawks (45-34): Shoutouts to the Hawks for gaining homecourt advantage with a No.4 East seed. This a team that could make some noise in the playoffs.
10. (11) New Orleans Hornets (48-30): The Hornets just haven’t been consistent this year, but if they get San Antonio in the first round, anything can happen.
11. (8) Utah Jazz (47-31): There is no good reason why this team is so bad on the road. They need Carlos Boozer to get back to game shape, and fast.
12. (10) Miami Heat (41-37): Michael Beasley is finally starting to come around, and if he can be a viable No.2 threat for Dwayne Wade, the Heat is another team that could cause some playoff headaches.
13. (18) Chicago Bulls (38-40): The Bulls are playing their best ball of the year right now, and if they can keep this nucleus together, glory days may not be far behind.
14. (13) Dallas Mavericks (47-31): A final surge pushed the Mavericks to the playoffs, but it’s not looking likely that they’ll make it past the first round. NBA betting players shouldn’t put too much stock in the Mavs.
15. (14) Detroit Pistons (38-40): The Allen Iverson experiment, coupled with Chauncey Billups’ effect in Denver, will probably go down as the worst move of the year, possibly in any sport.
16. (16) Philadelphia 76ers (40-37): Hey, they made the playoffs. Outside of Andre Igoudala and Andre Miller, though, it’s slim pickings in Philly.
17. (15) Phoenix Suns (43-35)
18. (21) Indiana Pacers (34-44)
19. (19) Charlotte Bobcats (35-43)
20. (20) New Jersey (32-46)
21. (17) Milwaukee Bucks (32-47)
22. (23) New York (30-49)
23. (27) Minnesota Timberwolves (24-55)
24. (22) Oklahoma City (21-57)
25. (25) Toronto Raptors (30-48)
26. (26) Memphis (22-56)
27. (24) Golden State (28-50)
28. (29) Washington Wizards (18-61)
29. (28) Los Angeles Clippers (18-60)
30. (30) Sacramento Kings (16-61)
Poor Phoenix, who switched to a defensive style to make the playoffs, but they were terrible at it, so they went back to their old run-and-gun style, and still missed the playoffs. The Knicks were bad under old Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni, but at least they were fun to watch. As for the bottom three or four teams, NBA betting players will be watching the lottery closely.
One reply on “NBA Power Rankings: Cavs On Top”
I think heading into the playoff the Cavaliers are starting to put some distance between them and the rest of the NBA. We all know how good the Lakers are, but something tells me this year it is Cleveland’s title to win or lose.