NBA Power Rankings

RANK	TEAM	THE RUNDOWN	LAST
1	HEAT (56-14)	By the way, I still don’t think they will get there with bad teams, like the Cavaliers who led them by 27 points, posing as much of a threat as games vs. Chicago (tonight) and at San Antonio (Sunday).	1
2	SPURS (53-17)	With Tony Parker back early, they still get edged by a point at Houston, cutting lead to 1 1/2 games over OKC, with Denver, Clippers and Heat in town within five days.	2
3	THUNDER(52-19)	No-longer-golden children who always used to come up big lose at home to Nuggets, then blow six-point lead in last 46 seconds of regulation in Memphis, lose in OT.	4
4	NUGGETS (49-23)	We were in the right place but it must have been the wrong time: Potentially heading for tonight’s game in San Antonio on a 16-game winning streak – with two vs. OKC, one vs. LAC, Memphis, LAL – Nuggets lose at New Orleans by 24.	3
5	CLIPPERS (48-23)	CP3, littlest MVP – and one whose name you never hear in connection with award – scores 17 in fourth quarter, bringing Clips from 8 down to beat Nets. Unfortunately, that’s the highlight of the month as they plateau at 5-5.	6
6	GRIZZLIES (47-23)	We were in the right place but it must have been the wrong time II: Grizzlies rally to beat OKC, then lose at resurgent New Orleans and Washington, where Wall drops 47 on them and fall to fifth in West.	5
7	PACERS (44-27)	Psycho T, unleashed! Pacers human Brahma bull — that’s Tyler Hansbrough to the uninitiated — who had been playing 16 minutes a game, gets chance with David West out, averages 14-10 in last five.	7
8	KNICKS (43-26)	Tailspin ends as Knicks, who lost four in a row by an average of 20 while starting Manny, Moe and Jack, get Melo back with Tyson reportedly on his way and win five in a row.	9
9	NETS (41-29)	Who’s got the best player in Gotham? D-Will puts ankle woes behind him, averaging 23 and shooting 48 percent since break compared to 17 ppg and 41 percent before it as they win six of eight.	10
10	WARRIORS (41-31)	Was this their Finals? Steph Curry, a game-time decision, goes 43 minutes, scoring 25 with 10 assists as Warriors bomb Lakers back to Stone Age, running up 23-point lead in 109-103 win.	11
11	ROCKETS (39-31)	Lakers, who were talking about climbing to No. 6, lose ground to No. 7 Rockets, who win five of seven, boosting lead to three games with 2-1 lead in season series.	14
12	HAWKS (39-32)	Just clinched playoff berth, a major accomplishment for a team in transition with almost all upcoming free agents on its roster, even if it is only in the East.	13
13	BULLS (38-31)	Still kept on keeping on, as more wheels came off, literally. Noah out with foot injury. Rose still contemplating return, saying, “It’s in God’s hands.” Who are the Bulls to fathom His plans?	12
14	LAKERS (36-35)	Happy Days (Not) Here Again: Pau, Kobe return to starting lineup, assist in blowing 18-point lead in home loss to Wizards, getting butts shot off in Golden State. Now all but locked into No. 8 seed and Spurs or OKC in first round.	8
15	CELTICS (36-34)	Doc melts down in 110-106 OT loss at Memphis, pulling regulars and noting, “I don’t care who’s on the floor, I want our guys to believe every night.” As if helping him make his point, hoop gods sideline KG for two weeks.	15
16	MAVERICKS (35-36)	West race for No. 8 has an underdog to root for: Mavs just won nine of 12 with Mike James, who played 15 games the last two seasons, starting at point and Brandan Wright at center.	18
17	JAZZ (35-36)	You’ve heard of stepping up to the challenge? This ain’t it as Jazz lose nine of 13, falling behind meandering Lakers into tie with hard-charging Mavs.	16
18	BUCKS (34-35)	Nice race: Just lost six of eight. In good news, having locked up season series with 76ers, Bucks’ magic number over No. 9 Philly is down to five.	17
19	BLAZERS (33-37)	Six losses in their last eight games takes Trail Blazers out of West race into lottery, where, truth be told, they prefer to finish anyway.	19
20	WIZARDS (26-44)	OMG, it’s happening: Wall caps best spurt in three-year career, averaging 26-4-8 over five, going for 47-7-8 vs. defensive-minded Grizzlies. Wizards were 5-28 when he returned but have won 16 of last 24.	23
21	SIXERS (27-43)	Now you figure it out? Haunted by updates on Bynum and players they traded for him, losers of 33 of 46, 76ers make belated rally starting much-maligned Hawes, journeyman Damien Wilkins, winning one here and there.	21
22	HORNETS (25-46)	Showing they have a future, even if it’s not right how, Hornets/Pelicans arise to knock off Celtics, Grizzlies and Nuggets.	28
23	RAPTORS (26-44)	Wait til next, or one of these, seasons: 6-2 boomlet in Gay’s first eight ended 16 games ago, of which they lost 12. Making return trip to the lottery official, Gay’s out with back problems.	20
24	WOLVES (25-44)	Star-Tribune asks which readers most interested in: 1. Gophers in NCAA tourney; 2. Vikings sign Greg Jennings; 3. undefeated Gophers women’s hockey team; 4. Twins near Opening Day; 5. Gophers men’s hockey; 6. NHL Wild leads division; 7. state high school tournament. Wolves don’t make list.	22
25	KINGS (25-46)	Not their season: Fans boo every move by ex-King Spencer Hawes for saying he hopes team goes to his native Seattle. He gets 14-10, anyway, as 76ers hand Les Miserables yet another defeat.	24
26	SUNS (23-48)	Medical staff, known for salvaging careers, does it again with Jermaine O’Neal, averaging 8-5 in 18 minutes. Now if they could just run the basketball operation.	25
27	CAVALIERS (22-47)	It was (kinda) fun while it lasted: Injury list now includes Kyrie, first-round pick Dion Waiters, center Anderson Varejao, or everyone they have that anyone cares about.	26
28	PISTONS (24-48)	Confirming what everyone already suspected, coach Lawrence Frank says, “We have to restore pride in being a Piston.”	27
29	MAGIC (18-53)	Magic’s way is clear for 18-win finish with leading scoeer Afflalo joining Big Baby as out for the season and double-double machine Vucevic hurting.	29
30	BOBCATS (16-54)	Try “never”: Rotoworld columnist who noted McRoberts injury offered opportunity for Mullens, who then went for 5-2, acknowledges this doesn’t look like “the year (or time) to trust him.”	30