The last time we updated our Power Rankings, The Suns seemed to be making a move towards the top, while the top four were the Lakers, Celtics, Cavs, and Spurs. Well, while some things have stayed relatively the same, others have changed. Phoenix has wilted recently, partly due to injuries, and partly their own play. Meanwhile, the Jazz have surged in the right direction, as long as they aren’t playing on the road. Check the latest Contenders and Pretenders Sweet 16 list, fresh with some surprises.
The Pretenders:
16. New York Knicks - Yeah, those Knicks. They are only 1 game out of the 8 seed in the East, and the schedule the rest of March will make or break New York’s playoff hopes. Starting tonight, the Knicks have to play at Cleveland, Orlando twice, New Orleans, at Charlotte, at Utah, and at Denver before April 1. By the next time we update this power rankings, the Knicks will either be still hovering around the 14-16 ranking, or nowhere to be found.
15. Detroit Pistons – Detroit is 1 game over .500 at home and 1 game over .500 on the road. That sums up their 2008-09 season. They will be good enough to make it into the playoffs, and may even win a game or two in the first round, but don’t expect much more. With Allen Iverson having been sat down due to a back injury, the re-insertion of Richard Hamilton into the starting lineup gave Detroit a lift for a while. Detroit, who is currently sitting in the 6 seed, is 2.5 games behind Miami for fifth, and would perhaps welcome a matchup with the Magic in Round 1.
14. Philadelphia 76ers – The Sixers, like the Knicks, have a very tough schedule to end the month of March, and if they aren’t careful, could find themselves sliding down to the 8th seed.
13. Atlanta Hawks – Atlanta doesn’t get enough respect, and I will be the first to admit that. Winners of four straight games, Atlanta is currently sitting 10 games over .500, and desperately wants to hold on to home court advantage in their looming first round match against Miami. To do so, Atlanta will have to beat the teams that they are looking up too in the rankings later this month, including the Blazers, Mavs, Celtics, Spurs, and Lakers.
12. Miami Heat – The MVP-elect Dwyane Wade has not only lifted his play to another level, but inspired teammates like Jamario Moon, rookie Mario Chalmers, and Jermaine O’Neal to play their best basketball all season at the right time. Miami, who wants to lock up home court in the first round, have a relatively easy end of the month of March, and could rack up a few more wins to pad their hopes.
11. Dallas Mavericks – The Mavericks have all but ended any hopes of the Suns making the playoffs, and now they have a new goal: Avoid the 8th seed. Dallas sits only 1 game out of the 7th spot, and 2 games out of the 3 seed out West. They will have a chance to make up some ground in the next week and a half, and may surprise some if they can quickly go from no chance in the first round to hosting a playoff series.
10. Houston Rockets – For Houston, life without Tracy Mcgrady has been pretty good. While they have taken a few losses as of late, the current number 3 seed is trying to stay ahead of the pack and hold on to a home court first round match. In order to do so, Houston will be able to go head to head with many of they potential first round foes, including the Spurs, Hornets, and Jazz.
9. Denver Nuggets – The Nuggets lack of a scoring presence inside could be their downfall in the playoffs, and their recent play in March has fans concerned. The good news for Denver is that there is still time to right the ship, and get things back in order before the playoffs. The better news, the remaining schedule in March has games they should win.
The Contenders:
8. Utah Jazz – As long as the Jazz don’t play on the road, they are among the best in the league. Unlike some other great home teams, Utah’s play on the road is dreadful, and while they currently sit 8th in the rankings, that can change very quickly given their upcoming stretch of games. The Jazz wrap up March with games against Orlando, a home and home with Phoenix, Houston, and Portland.
7. Portland Trailblazers – Brandon Roy has quietly put together a MVP-like season in the Pacific Northwest, and the Blazers are one of the most dangerous teams in the league heading into the playoffs. The Blazers remaining schedule in March is pretty favorable, and all eyes will be on moving up in the playoff race.
6. New Orleans Hornets – The Hornets made the best move of the trade deadline, by having the Tyson Chandler deal not go through. Since that no-trade, the Hornets have been on a roll, and Chris Paul and company seem to have a renewed life on the floor. Perhaps winning 6 of their last 8 cures any blues you have as well. Who wants to see Chris Paul in the first round out West?
5. Orlando Magic – Orlando seems to be settled in the 3 seed, though with only 1.5 games between them and Boston, the need for home court is important. Orlando’s bench play has improved lately, and with big games against both the Cavs and Celtics to close out March ahead, Orlando can make up some room in the standings, and send a message that they will be a force in April.
4. San Antonio Spurs -The Spurs, who collectively have not been healthy all season, know that any idea of moving up to the 1 seed is not probable, so making certain their stars are ready for the playoffs, while keeping a stranglehold on the number 2 spot in the West is their goal heading into April.
3. Boston Celtics – The Celtics have been decimated by injuries over the last few months, and barring any unforeseen change of events, will not have homecourt if and when they clash with Lebron James and the Cavs in the playoffs. However, if they can get everyone healthy, that won’t matter for Kevin Garnett. In the eyes of Boston, to be the champs, you will have to beat the champs, and none of them believe they can lose four games out of seven to any team.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – The Cavs have two races they are trying to finish first in. Not only do they want to lock up the 1 seed in the East, but they have to keep looking at the scoreboard to see how the 52-13 Lakers are doing each night as well. If the Cavs and Lakers end with identical records, the Lakers will have homecourt advantage in the NBA Finals. Cleveland’s remaining schedule this month includes 8 of their last 9 games at home, a place they are nearly unbeatable at.
1. Los Angeles Lakers – The Lakers hold onto the top spot is not as strong as just a month ago, as the Cavs are poised to overtake Los Angeles for the best record in the league. Kobe Bryant would surely trade another MVP trophy for a NBA Championship this season, but in order to see that occur, there are some areas the Lakers will have to improve on. With that being said, it is hard to pick against the best closer in the game(Bryant) right now.
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