| RANK | TEAM | THE RUNDOWN | LAST |
| 1 | HEAT (58-16) |
Thank heaven that the streak is over. How would they have liked six more games like that war with the Bulls last week and this one? | 1 |
| 2 | SPURS (55-19) |
Pop couldn’t have expected to win the West while resting regulars since November but still may. Race comes down to Thursday’s game at OKC, with Spurs leading series, 2-1. | 2 |
| 3 | THUNDER (54-20) |
Kids still aren’t all right, or at least what they were: Thunder, which used to roar down stretch, has won 15 of 20 but went 1-4 against Spurs, Grizzlies, Nuggets and Clippers. | 3 |
| 4 | NUGGETS (50-24) |
Perils of running wide open down the stretch: Karl says Ty Lawson could miss “a couple of weeks” – in other words, rest of regular season — with dread plantar fasciaitis. | 4 |
| 5 | GRIZZLIES (50-24) |
Not you guys again: Grizzlies hanging tough with defense, 12-0 run at home and looking at another playoff matchup with Clippers, who beat them 4-3 in last spring’s first round and lead season series, 2-1. | 6 |
| 6 | PACERS (48-27) |
UninHibberted: It’s a good sign when their 7-foot, space-occupying, shot-changing center, who shot 41 percent before the break, bumps it up to 51 percent since and fuels unbeaten West Coast trip. | 7 |
| 7 | KNICKS (47-26) |
I read J.R. Smith had financial problems, but this looks like he sold his soul to the devil, like Joe Hardy in “Damn Yankees.” Supersub averaging 21, shooting 44 percent since break with Knicks on 9-0 roll. | 8 |
| 8 | CLIPPERS (49-26) |
Spinout continues with four losses in a row. Bench Mob that ruled early in season now MIA with Lamar Odom, who averaged scandalous 6.6 points last season, down to 4.1 ppg in his “comeback.” | 5 |
| 9 | NETS (42-31) |
Backcourt of the ‘90s (cont.): D-Will is back to being D-Will, but J.J. looks every bit his 31 years, leaving lineup three times since break, missing eight of their 20 games. | 9 |
| 10 | ROCKETS (41-33) |
Whoever gets them in first round won’t throw a party to celebrate: Rockets didn’t go over .500 to stay until Jan. 25 but have won 13 of last 18. Lin, who shot 43 percent and 31 percent on threes before break, at 47-39 since. | 11 |
| 11 | WARRIORS (42-32) |
Took the next step, largely without Andrew Bogut, who was hurt as usual. But Warriors, who went just 4-9 in February, are 9-5 since Aussie’s March 4 return. | 10 |
| 12 | HAWKS (42-33) |
Coach Larry Drew, on expiring contract with new GM, keeps doing it with mirrors and vets, like Devin Harris. If you lost track of him, he just worked his way off bench to average 12 points per game since break. | 12 |
| 13 | BULLS (40-33) |
Not knowing if he could play this season was understandable, but Rose’s refusal to announce he won’t to allow teammates to get on with their season is standard, all-about-me diva behavior. | 13 |
| 14 | JAZZ (39-36) |
Five-game winning streak following nosedive to 34-36 puts Jazzmen back in the race! Of course, Lakers help by losing four of seven. | 17 |
| 15 | LAKERS (39-36) |
Sure enough, defense went to hell with Pau back in starting lineup, allowing 108 points per game in first five, losing four. Also lost Metta World Peace for duration and Nash for a week. Aside from that, it was an OK week. | 14 |
| 16 | MAVERICKS (36-38) |
Winners of 15 of 24 since vowing not to shave until they reach .500, Mavs blow two chances vs. Pacers and Lakers. Unfortunately, this raises the possibility of coming to camp next fall with beards longer than ZZ Top. | 16 |
| 17 | CELTICS (38-36) |
No wonder GM Danny Ainge was paying such close attention to LeBron: It’s too painful watching his own team lose seven of nine with Bass- Green-Pierce front line, none of whom is 6-8 in stocking feet. |
15 |
| 18 | BUCKS (36-37) |
Brains and attitude separate talented young guys who become stars from those like Brandon Jennings – back at 39 percent from field after edging over 40% for first time last season – noting after being pulled, “I don’t see any All-Stars in this locker room.” | 18 |
| 19 | BLAZERS (33-41) |
No. 11 pick Meyers Leonard gets shot with Aldridge out, averaging 15-6 over three games. With Lillard’s breakout, if young 7-footer lives up to his potential, that’s almost another Roy-Aldridge draft. | 19 |
| 20 | SIXERS (30-43) |
Drive to nowhere continues: Sixers up to seven wins in last 11, developing positive habits, if a lower draft pick. | 21 |
| 21 | WIZARDS (28-46) |
Wall keeps kicking it higher, now headed for orbit: Averaging 26-6-7 over five, scoring career-high 47 in one game, 35 in another. Meanwhile, Wizards have won eight straight at home. | 20 |
| 22 | HORNETS (26-48) |
Aminu is No. 25 in rebounds per minute with 7.6 a game, but at 7.1 ppg with shooting stroke gone, the guy who made 20 of his first 37 threes as Clippers rookie may be on way out. | 22 |
| 23 | RAPTORS (27-47) |
Picking up pace, rookie Valanciunas, fifth overall pick in 2011, averages 14-8 over last 10. That’s good because they need someone to replace Bargnani, top overall pick in 2006, or as local bloggers wonder, “worst No. 1 pick ever?” | 23 |
| 24 | WOLVES (27-46) |
Derrick Williams at two-year mark: No. 2 pick everyone liked in 2011 draft can score (16 ppg last month). But he isn’t explosive, rebounds some but not a lot (6.2), isn’t very athletic or much good at anything else. | 24 |
| 25 | KINGS (27-47) |
Billionaire buyers for Sacramento and Seattle groups head to New York for this week’s showdown. Meanwhile, in nod to past, Kings lose (last?) home game to Lakers. | 25 |
| 26 | SUNS (23-51) |
Robert Sarver, who hasn’t done anything right in eight years as owner, gives president Lon Babby two-year extension, apparently impressed he’s done such a good job of tearing team down so they can rebuild. | 26 |
| 27 | CAVALIERS (22-51) |
Kyrie returns after all, going for his usual 31 in first game. On down side, this is the third season in a row – counting his lone year at Duke – that he missed at least 15 games. | 27 |
| 28 | PISTONS (25-50) |
Now, this is a rebuilding program: Wherever they draft, it won’t be because they got crazy and started winning down the stretch: 4-17 with no home wins since the break. | 28 |
| 29 | MAGIC (19-56) |
Moe Harkless, Tobias Harris averaging 17 ppg apiece over last 10. With development of Vucevic, all they have to do is find a star and hope this one doesn’t wind up with the Lakers. | 29 |
| 30 | BOBCATS (17-57) |
Rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, still working on that J, goes 15-22 from floor for 35 points in two games, even if they included only three makes over 15 feet. | 30 |
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Mark Heisler is a regular contributor to SheridanHoops, LakersNation and the Old Gray Lady. His power rankings appear every Wednesday during the regular season. Follow him on Twitter.
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