SECAUCUS, NJ, March 31, 2008 -- The postseason is less than three weeks away, and it's time to drop the whole "Let's rearrange the playoff format" argument. Because the East isn't looking so bad these days. Really.
(And of course, the logistics of a balanced schedule and all-in-one-bracket format is headache inducing.)
As it stands, the Hawks are the only team under .500 in position to make the playoffs, and they're starting to play well, having won seven of their last nine games. The Sixers and Wizards are playing well also, and the Raptors may be turning it back around after a rough patch. Up top, the Celtics and Pistons are arguably the two best teams in the league, the Magic may be the most overlooked, and the Cavs are the defending conference champs.
So, while a very good team out West will miss out on the postseason, the First Round in the East may have be more interesting than we previously thought, with Agent Zero coming back, great 4-5 and 3-6 matchups no matter who they are, and a couple of feel-good stories in Atlanta and Philly.
Of course, the First Round in the West should be incredible. Ignore the seeds, sit back and enjoy.
If you've got any questions or comments about this week's rankings, you know what to do. I'll answer mail later this week.
Chalk Team of the Week: San Antonio (4-0) Cinderella Team of the Week: Milwaukee (0-4)
High jumps of the week: Detroit (+4), Denver (+3), Toronto (+3) Free falls of the week: Milwaukee (-5), Golden State (-2), L.A. Lakers (-2), Phoenix (-2), Portland (-2)
Off: Points scored per 100 possessions Def: Points allowed per 100 possessions The league averages 91.6 possessions (per team) per game and 108.9 points per 100 possessions.
TEAM (LAST WEEK)
REC.
BREAKDOWN
1
Boston (1)
58-15
Off: 111.9 (10), Def: 100.4 (1) -- The Celtics dropped Monday's game to the Sixers (blowing an 11-point, fourth-quarter lead), but impressive 20-point wins over the Suns and Hornets keep them in the top spot. With games against the Bulls, Pacers and Bobcats this week, they could clinch home court throughout the playoffs by Saturday.
2
San Antonio (4)
51-23
Off: 109.8 (13), Def: 104.0 (3) -- Since dropping four straight, the Spurs have won seven in a row. And let the "If Michael Finley continues to play like this..." discussion begin. Fin is shooting 31-for-45 (.689) over his last four games and the Spurs' offense is looking pretty sharp.
3
New Orleans (2)
50-22
Off: 113.2 (5), Def: 107.6 (9) -- Chris Paul is certainly deserving of the MVP love (I've got him and KG as my top two right now), but let's not dismiss the impact of David West this year. His game-winner in Cleveland on Wednesday and 24 points in the first half in Toronto on Sunday have helped the Hornets start their six-game trip 3-1 and hold on to the top spot in the West.
4
Detroit (8)
52-21
Off: 112.8 (7), Def: 104.6 (4) -- The Pistons got some nice production from Rodney Stuckey in the absence of Rip Hamilton (who returned for Saturday's blowout of the Cavs). They haven't quite clinched the two seed, but the next four games (@ Minnesota, New Jersey, @ Miami, New York) should do the trick.
5
Phoenix (3)
49-24
Off: 114.7 (2), Def: 109.7 (17) -- The Suns fell short in their two potential Finals previews this past week, but beating the Sixers in Philly is a good win. And now, with four of their nine remaining games against the Nuggets, Warriors and Mavs (beginning with a back-to-back home-and-home with Denver Monday and Tuesday), the Suns will play a large role in determining who misses the playoffs.
TEAM (LAST WEEK)
REC.
BREAKDOWN
6
Houston (6)
49-24
Off: 108.1 (16), Def: 103.3 (2) -- Are they 3-4 since the streak ended, or are they 25-4 over their last 29? What matters is that the Rockets have got a pretty comfortable cushion between them and the three teams fighting for the last two spots, and their next five games are against non-playoff squads.
7
L.A. Lakers (5)
50-24
Off: 114.1 (3), Def: 107.2 (6) -- After inexplicable losses to the Bobcats and Grizzlies at STAPLES Center, the Lakers needed OT to beat the Wizards after blowing a late lead. With Derek Fisher playing through a partially torn tendon in his foot, are the Lakers looking vulnerable? Fortunately, Pau Gasol should be back on Wednesday.
8
Utah (7)
48-26
Off: 115.4 (1), Def: 108.6 (13) -- It seems like every couple of weeks or so, the Jazz have one of those inexplicable road losses, and Sunday's defeat in Minnesota certainly qualifies. Fortunately, with their Northwest lead down to two games, five of their last eight are at home, where they're an NBA-best 32-4.
9
Denver (12)
45-28
Off: 111.5 (11), Def: 107.4 (7) -- The Nuggets have finally put together a winning streak (five straight), and are in ... for now. Now, they just have to hold on. They have the tiebreaker over the Mavs, but the April 10 matchup at Golden State could break a tie with the Warriors.
10
Orlando (9)
47-27
Off: 113.1 (6), Def: 107.9 (10) -- It went somewhat unnoticed around the league, but the Magic had a serious scare when Hedo Turkoglu injured his right wrist against the Spurs on Tuesday. It turned out to be just a sprain and Turkoglu did not miss any action, but he did shoot just 4-for-13 on Friday in Milwaukee.
11
Philadelphia (11)
37-37
Off: 107.5 (19), Def: 106.8 (5) -- Sunday's finish in Cleveland was a good test of the Sixers' playoff-readiness ... and they failed, going scoreless in the final two minutes (after an incredible drive by Andre Iguodala). One would hope that they're not getting complacent, because the difference between the six and seven seeds in the East is big.
12
Golden State (10)
45-28
Off: 113.9 (4), Def: 110.8 (23) -- The Warriors have been on a one-win, one-loss pattern for their last 11 games. They'll need to put a couple of Ws together in order avoid being the odd man out. But they begin a four-game trip through the Southwest Division (save Houston) on Tuesday in San Antonio.
13
Washington (13)
38-35
Off: 110.2 (12), Def: 110.2 (19) -- A few interesting stories came out of Sunday's OT loss in L.A. The first was Antonio Daniels reinjuring his left wrist. Another was Nick Young going off for a career-high 27 points and being the go-to guy down the stretch. And finally, there was Gilbert's curious comments before the game. We're sure to get a clarification in his blog sometime this week.
14
Toronto (17)
37-36
Off: 112.1 (9), Def: 108.8 (14) -- Whether it was because Jose Calderon gave up his starting spot or not, Wednesday's win over the Pistons stopped the 1-7 bleeding. Now, they can focus on holding on to the six seed, or get back the five spot from the Wizards.
15
Dallas (14)
45-28
Off: 112.3 (8), Def: 107.5 (8) -- The perfect record continues. The Mavs are 10-0 against losing teams and 0-10 against winners since Jason Kidd arrived. With six of their nine remaining games against winning teams, they'll have to break the pattern in order to make the playoffs.
16
Cleveland (15)
41-33
Off: 107.7 (18), Def: 108.1 (12) -- The Cavs had lost three straight and were on the brink of No. 4, but Delonte West (who finished with 18 points, six boards and 11 dimes - his best game as a Cav) hit two huge shots and LeBron got another game-winner as they pulled out a W over the Sixers. Just when one Cavs fan was ready to give up on the season.
17
Atlanta (18)
33-40
Off: 107.5 (20), Def: 109.5 (16) -- The Hawks are up three in the loss column on the Nets and Pacers, and have won seven of their last nine. It's looking good for their first trip to the playoffs since 1999, but they've still got five of their last nine on the road, where they're not very good.
18
Portland (16)
38-36
Off: 108.6 (15), Def: 109.5 (15) -- John Canzano has a good take on the Greg-Oden-pickup-game situation. Now let's move on. No harm done ... which is good, because Brandon Roy didget hurt this week.
19
Indiana (19)
30-43
Off: 107.8 (17), Def: 110.0 (18) -- Of their final nine games, only three are against winning teams, but even if the Pacers can't catch the Hawks, Indiana fans are pretty happy with the effort they're seeing.
20
Sacramento (20)
33-40
Off: 109.0 (14), Def: 111.4 (25) -- There are many challenges that coaches face every day, and one of the biggest is developing young players while still trying to win games. That challenge seems to be at the top of Reggie Theus' list these days. Meanwhile, eight of the Kings' nine remaining games are against the West's top nine, so Theus' rotation decisions could impact playoff positioning.
21
New Jersey (21)
31-43
Off: 105.4 (25), Def: 110.6 (22) -- While the Nets' offense has been more potent than it has been in a long time, they just can't get stops when they need them. Now, they need help, as well as a couple of wins that they're not supposed to get, in order to get back the eighth spot.
22
Charlotte (24)
28-45
Off: 105.5 (24), Def: 110.6 (21) -- With three straight road wins (including Wednesday's stunner), the Bobcats are still alive in the East. And it's some hot shooting that's getting it done. On their four-game trip, which started with a loss in Utah, the Bobcats shot .484 from the field and .456 from downtown.
23
Minnesota (22)
19-53
Off: 104.7 (27), Def: 111.9 (27) -- The kids are learning how to win. The Timberwolves are 7-5 in their last 12 and have won four straight at Target Center, including Sunday's impressive W over the Jazz. A more efficient offense has been the key, and it's been different guys every night, but Ryan Gomes has stepped up, averaging 17.8 points on .500 shooting in the last dozen.
24
Chicago (23)
29-44
Off: 105.0 (26), Def: 107.9 (11) -- Joakim Noah has scored in double-figures in four of his last five games, including a career-high 18 (to go along with 15 boards) in Saturday's win over the Bucks. In 23 games as a starter, he's averaging 8.8 points and 7.5 boards.
25
L.A. Clippers (27)
22-51
Off: 103.3 (28), Def: 110.5 (20) -- The Clippers ended their 10-game losing streak with a win over the Grizz on Saturday, in which Al Thornton scored 39 points, the highest for a rookie since Charlie Villanueva scored 48 two years ago. Elton Brand is good to go, so we may see him in action this week.
26
Memphis (26)
19-54
Off: 106.5 (22), Def: 112.9 (28) -- While most of Memphis was paying attention to their other basketball team, the Grizzlies went and beat the Lakers on Friday thanks to 28 from Rudy Gay and one of those random good games from Darko Milicic.
27
New York (28)
20-53
Off: 105.5 (23), Def: 113.1 (29) -- The Knicks have dropped 14 of their last 16, with the only two wins coming against the Heat. The new boss could sign up this week though.
28
Seattle (30)
17-57
Off: 102.2 (29), Def: 111.3 (24) -- Last week I called two wins for the Sonics on this seven-game homestand. They got No. 1 against the Blazers on Monday and narrowly missed against the Wizards and Bobcats. Wednesday's game against the Clippers should get me (and them) No. 2 though.
29
Miami (29)
13-60
Off: 102.1 (30), Def: 111.5 (26) -- If it weren't for the Bucks, the Heat would be on a 14-game losing streak, but Pat Riley would just be on a 10-game slide. Yesterday's drubbing at the hands of the Celtics wasn't on his schedule.
30
Milwaukee (25)
24-48
Off: 106.5 (21), Def: 113.9 (30) -- Losing to the Heat twice in the span of seven days gets you the No. 30 spot, even if you beat the Cavs in between. Losing to the Knicks at home tomorrow would cap off the terrible trifecta, and would finally eliminate them from the playoffs (Yes, they're still alive).
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