The final power rankings of the regular season are dedicated to those 16 teams that will be entering the NBA Playoffs. While many of the clubs have seen ebbs and flows throughout the year, some are peaking at the right time. The Western Conference, for example, has just 1 game separating the current 2 seed (Denver) from the 5 spot(Utah). The 6, 7, and 8 spots are all tied for the same record as well. It may take plenty of statistical tiebreakers to finalize who will play where in round 1, we try our best to rank them.
16. Bulls – Chicago may have overtaken the Raptors for the 8 seed in the East, but with a date looming with Lebron in the first round, their playoff run will be short.
15. Bobcats – Charlotte still has an outside chance of catching Miami for the 6 spot overall, which would allow them to play Boston/Atlanta instead of Orlando. The difference of getting swept compared to winning a game or two.
14. Bucks – The Bucks have been sitting pretty in the 5 spot much of the year in the East, however will be simply overmatched against either the Celtics or Hawks in the first round.
13. Heat – Dwyane Wade’s team is truly an enigma. Just when you want to write them off, they rise to the occasion with an impressive win. I don’t think Wade will have enough to get out of the first round though.
12. Blazers – Portland has done very good in prying their way out of the 8 seed out West, and now have their sights set on securing the 6th spot overall. A Phoenix/Portland first round series could be very entertaining.
11. Thunder – MVP candidate Kevin Durant never ceases to amaze, and the OKC Thunder are on of those teams that neither the Lakers or Nuggets want any part of in the first round.
10. Hawks – Atlanta needs to lock down the 3 seed in the East, not only for their morale to hold off Boston, but also position themselves to avoid the Cavs till the East Finals.
9. Spurs – San Antonio is peaking at the right time, and the vets are all healthy. Watch out for them.
8. Celtics – The series I really wanna see is Celtics/Cavs in the East Semis. David Stern make it happen!
7. Jazz – If the Jazz secure homecourt via the 2 seed, watch out. They are very tough to beat in Salt Lake.
6. Mavericks -Dallas, like Miami, has had quite a season of ups and downs. At one point, many thought they had enough to challenge the Lakers, and now they may not even have homecourt in the first round.
5. Magic -Orlando knows the road back to the NBA Finals will have to go through Cleveland, and they have the experience of being there last year on their side. Look for Stan Van Gundy to get his troops ready for the playoff war.
4. Suns – Steve Nash and company have put it all together, and their run-n-gun style has them in contention for a high seed. Whether or not that play will result in playoff wins remains to be seen.
3. Nuggets – The only team I believe that can beat the Lakers in a series out West is not completely healthy yet, but if they get there, don’t be shocked if Melo gets to the NBA Finals.
2. Lakers – This Lakers team doesn’t seem to have “it”. The same “it” that they showed over the past 2 seasons. Not sure if they will be able to just turn “it” on or not….
1. Cavs – Shaq is on his way back, and the rest of the crew is getting valuable stretches of game time without Lebron on the floor to operate. Mike Brown knows the pressure is squarely on him more than any other coach to win it all this season. Can he deliver?
9. Spurs –
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