Updated: May 1, 2012, 1:22 pm ET

NBA Power Rankings Week 14

4/2/12 – The Oklahoma City Thunder are young, talented and dangerous. They’ve reeled off wins over the Miami HEAT, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls. At what point do they become more than just the favorite in the West but favorite overall? Meanwhile a long list of teams are clumped close together starting with the two Los Angeles teams all the way down to the 29-23 Philadelphia 76ers. The Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks still expect to make the postseason. The Portland Trail Blazers still have an outside shot. The NBA, 14 weeks in…

NBA Power Rankings Week 14

Team Rank Last Standing Comments
1
 2 40-12 At some point in the playoffs, Derek Fisher is going to hit a big-time shot for the Thunder. It’s inevitable.
2
 1 42-12 The Bulls have done exceptionally well to date without Derrick Rose but at some point it’s all about Derrick Rose.
3
 4 36-14 “Keep ignoring us,” say the Spurs as they reel off seven-straight wins.
4
 3 37-14 The HEAT have been on the road for most of March and it’s shown in the loss column.
5
 6 33-20 The Lakers get a scare with an Andrew Bynum sprained ankle (which isn’t “thought” to be serious).
6
 10 31-21 Is it odd that the Clippers five-game win streak happens to coincide with Mo Williams’ toe injury?
7
 15 30-22 The Celtics make a jump. Despite their injuries, they’re still a team no one wants to see in the postseason.
8
 9 30-23 After flirting with ninth place, the Mavs are fifth in the West with designs on catching either LA team (or both).
9
 5 32-21 The Magic are fading in the East, just 2 1/2 games above the seventh-place Sixers.
10
 8 28-22 The Grizzlies are still finding their footing with a healthy Zach Randolph but are a near-lock for the top eight in the West.
11
 11 31-21 Prediction: The Pacers get home-court in the first round of the playoffs.
12
 7 31-23 The Hawks still have a number of bottom-feeder teams on the schedule.
13
 13 29-24 The Nuggets still play two teams right behind them twice apiece (Rockets and Suns). The Jazz are a third threat, owning the tiebreaker over Denver.
14
 12 29-23 The Sixers have just four games left at home with 10 on the road. That’s not good news for a team that has struggled lately.
15
 18 27-26 Jeremy Lin and Amar’e Stoudemire are both out, making the rest of the Knicks’ season a question mark.
16
 17 28-25 Goran Dragic has become a very impressive player.
17
 14 26-26 The Suns are still in the mix but the schedule ahead is difficult.
18
 16 27-26 It’s not a good time for the Jazz to lose three straight . . .
19
 19 24-28 The opportunity is there for the Bucks, given the Knicks’ injuries, but Milwaukee needs to take care of their end to make the playoffs.
20
 21 25-28 J.J. Hickson off the waiver wire? A steal.
21
 20 25-29 It’s been a great year for the Wolves but their playoff run has stalled.
22
 26 19-35 Deron Williams dishes 35 assists in two games. The Nets have won four of their last five.
23
 27 19-33 Greg Monroe continues to have a rock-solid sophomore season.
24
 22 20-31 Klay Thompson can play.
25
 25 18-35 Jerryd Bayless is done for the season, playing 31 games while shooting a career-high 42.3% from three.
26
 24 18-34 The Kings pick up Terrence Williams for the rest of the season.
27
 23 17-33 The Cavaliers, when healthy, were solid. Add in another lottery pick and the future is bright.
28
 28 13-40 Eric Gordon should be back any game now. The Hornets have a big decision to make this summer on their bounty from the Chris Paul trade.
29
 29 12-40 Nene’s numbers are better in Washington than they were in Denver but wins are still rare for the Wizards.
30
 30 7-43 The Bobcats have lost seven straight. Actually, they’ve won seven all year.
<Next Article
Last Article>

Your comments are important to us, so please share your thoughts. We will be rolling out prizes and giveaways for our active Commenters. Please keep the comments above board and respectful to everyone and you could win some great stuff from us at HOOPSWORLD.