NBA Power Rankings: Heat Catch Fire As Teams Gear Up For Stretch Run

by abournenesn

Mar 7, 2016

You’ve probably heard it a thousand times by now: In this NBA season, it’s the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and everyone else. But since we’ve talked enough about the epic achievements of those two teams, it’s time to turn the discussion to everyone else.

In the Western Conference, the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers are climbing further up the ladder while the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets hit roadblocks. Yet the biggest drama is playing out in the East, where fewer than six games separate the Nos. 3 and 9 seeds.

That means playoff spots are up for grabs as we enter the final six weeks of the 2015-16 campaign, and the Miami Heat certainly have seized that opportunity by winning eight of their last 10 games to pull within a half game of the No. 3 seed Boston Celtics.

Where does the rest of the league stack up? Find out in our Week 19 NBA Power Rankings, which account for all games played through Sunday, March 7.

1. Golden State Warriors (55-6): Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson went a combined 1-for-18 from 3-point range in Sunday’s shocking loss to the Lakers. Three of Golden State’s six losses have come against teams with records of .500 or worse. Last week: 1

2. San Antonio Spurs (53-9): The Spurs stretched their latest win streak to eight games, got Manu Ginobili back from a painful injury and signed an experience scorer in Kevin Martin. The best are getting better. Last week: 2

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-17): The drama hasn’t stopped in Cleveland (please take a break from Twitter, LeBron James), but neither have the wins, as the Cavs snapped out of a rough patch by winning three straight. Last week: 3

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (43-20): OKC is reeling, having lost six of eight games before salvaging a win Sunday over the Bucks. The good news: The Thunder still own a two-game edge over the Clippers for the West’s No. 3 seed. Last week: 4

5. Toronto Raptors (41-20): The Cavs’ winning streak has put a little distance between them and the Raptors, who look like a lock for the No. 2 seed barring any late-season drama. Last week: 5

6. Los Angeles Clippers (41-20): The Thunder’s recent struggles are leaving the door open for the Clippers, but efforts like an 18-point fourth quarter in Saturday’s loss to the Hawks won’t help L.A.’s cause. Last week: 6

7. Memphis Grizzlies (37-25): Memphis has lost just twice in its last seven games. Both of those losses came to the Suns, who own the NBA’s third-worst record. We can’t make this stuff up. Last week: 7

8. Boston Celtics (38-26): The Cavs finally brought the Celtics back to Earth on Saturday with a definitive 17-point win, and the C’s will need to respond during a tough five-game stretch that includes games against the Grizzlies, Thunder and Raptors. Last week: 8

9. Miami Heat (37-26): Joe Johnson is Miami’s savior! OK, maybe not, but the veteran went off for 24 points in his Heat debut, and the Heat are 5-0 since scooping him off waivers. Last week: 9

10. Atlanta Hawks (35-28): The Hawks have been rolling lately, beating the Clippers by 10 on Saturday and taking the Warriors to overtime Tuesday. Do they have enough juice to catch the streaking Heat? Last week: 10

11. Charlotte Hornets (33-28): Charlotte is feasting on the bottom of the East’s apathy, posting an 8-2 record in its last 10 games to move within just one game of the No. 5 Hawks. Last week: 14

12. Dallas Mavericks (33-30): Back-to-back losses to the Kings and Nuggets isn’t a good strategy when the surging Blazers are breathing down your neck. Last week: 11

13. Portland Trail Blazers (33-31): See above. Despite dropping its last three games, Portland now is just a half game from overtaking the Mavs for the No. 6 seed and setting up a highly entertaining first-round playoff matchup with the Thunder. Last week: 12

14. Indiana Pacers (33-30): The Pacers are hanging on by a thread in the East’s playoff race thanks to Paul George, who dropped 38 points in Saturday’s win over the Wizards. Last week: 13

15. Chicago Bulls (31-30): Jimmy Butler scored 24 points in his return Saturday to rescue the reeling Bulls. But can he do enough to keep Chicago in playoff position? Last week: 15

16. Detroit Pistons (32-31): The Pistons sit outside the playoff picture as of Sunday, but a postseason spot is there for the taking: Three of Detroit’s next seven games are against the Sixers, Kings and Nets. Last week: 16

17. Houston Rockets (31-32): James Harden’s 40 points Sunday helped the Rockets knock off the Raptors and keep hold of the No. 8 seed in the West. And now for Houston’s embarrassing moment of the weekLast week: 17

18. Washington Wizards (30-32): The injury bug continues to bite Bradley Beal, who suffered a sprained pelvis at what might be the worst time for the 10th-seeded Wizards. Last week: 19

19. Utah Jazz (29-33): The Jazz topped 100 points Saturday for the first time in nearly two weeks to snap a five-game losing streak. They’re somehow just one game out of a playoff spot despite their recent struggles. Last week: 18

20. Orlando Magic (27-34): Orlando managed just 84 points in Friday’s loss to the Suns, who randomly have decided to start winning games. As for the Magic, their playoff hopes look all but dashed. Last week: 20

21. Milwaukee Bucks (26-37): Milwaukee isn’t the third-worst team in the East anymore thanks to the incredible tanking efforts of the Knicks. Last week: 23

22. Sacramento Kings (25-36): The Kings went 1-5 during a brutal stretch that included matchups against the Clippers and Thunder and two games against the Spurs. Last week: 22

23. New York Knicks (26-38): Thanks to New York’s continued struggles, the Atlantic Division now boasts the three worst teams in the East in the Knicks, Nets and Sixers. Last week: 21

24. Denver Nuggets (25-38): The Nuggets apparently have a flair for the dramatic, as three of their last five games have gone to overtime. Two of those were against the Mavs, who Denver toppled Sunday in a 116-114 thriller. Last week: 25

25. New Orleans Pelicans (23-38): The Pelicans really have nothing to play for at this point, but at least their fans can enjoy watching Anthony Davis while he’s still around. Last week: 24

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (20-43): If you’re a Wolves fan looking for hope for the future, Minnesota shot a franchise-record 68.4 percent from the floor in Saturday’s win. It was against the Nets, but still. Last week: 26

27. Brooklyn Nets (18-45): Good news, Celtics fans: Brooklyn returned to its losing ways this week and now is just one game ahead of the Suns for the NBA’s fourth-worst record. Last week: 27

28. Phoenix Suns (17-46): The Suns have more wins in their last two games than the Warriors. Hey, facts are facts. Last week: 28

29. Los Angeles Lakers (13-51): Presented without comment: Last week: 29

30. Philadelphia 76ers (8-55): Philly has balanced out the Suns’ and Lakers’ surprising success by embarking on an epic 12-game losing streak. Nice work, guys. Last week: 30

Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images

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