Updated: May 1, 2012, 1:13 pm ET

NBA Power Rankings Week 17

4/23/12 – The San Antonio Spurs jump right back to the top.  They’re the strongest team in the NBA over the second half of the season and a threat to finish with the best overall record.  Fourteen teams have clinched playoff spots.  The Philadelphia 76ers, who have stalled just a little bit less than the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, have a magic number of one.  The Utah Jazz, a team that should have been counted out a couple of weeks ago, have held tough while the Houston Rockets have dive-bombed.  The Phoenix Suns are still in the mix.  The final seed in the West may be decided by the Tuesday night game between the Suns and Jazz (in Utah).  Meanwhile, the bottom-feeders are still jockeying for lottery position.  The NBA, 17 weeks in . . .

NBA Power Rankings Week 17

Team Rank Last Standing Comments
1
 3 47-16 The Spurs are one win away from locking in the top seed in the West.
2
 4 46-18 The HEAT are dealing with some minor injuries to Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade who absolutely need to be healthy for playoffs.
3
 1 48-16 The Bulls have the tiebreaker over the Spurs should both finish with the same record.
4
 2 46-18 The Thunder lose James Harden to a concussion, via Metta World Peace’s elbow.
5
 5 41-24 How many games for Ron “Peace” Artest?
6
 6 40-24 The Clippers remain one of the league’s hottest teams but any loss (or Laker victory) means second in the Pacific.
7
 8 41-23 The Pacers will probably draw the Dwight Howard-less Magic in the first round.
8
 9 39-25 Should the Grizzlies even been considered a dark horse anymore?
9
 7 37-27 The Celtics still have a shot at home court advantage but the Hawks will be their first-round opponent.
10
 10 36-28 The Spurs, Thunder and Nuggets all score about 103 a night.  The difference between the first two and Denver is the additional five points a game the Nuggets give up.
11
 12 38-26 The Hawks have the tiebreaker over the Magic and since the Celtics can’t fall below four, the fifth seed is it.  Home court is still up in the air.
12
 11 36-29 The Mavericks will finish seventh unless Denver loses a game and Dallas wins out.
13
 15 34-30 The Knicks have a shot to catch the Magic at six but are more likely to the seventh or eighth seed (to play either the Bulls or HEAT).
14
 19 34-30 The Jazz have done everything they needed to do to jump past both the Suns and Rockets.  Utah is in charge of its destiny but the game against the Suns on Tuesday is a must win.
15
 13 36-28 The Magic are in free-fall.  All that Dwight Howard drama all season and he’s not healthy for playoffs.
16
 16 33-31 Just like the Jazz, the Suns control their destiny as well.  Win out and Phoenix will be in the playoffs.
17
 17 33-30 The Sixers have really struggled recently but the early season cushion has held up.  Philly is three full games ahead of the Bucks with three to play.
18
 14 33-32 Houston peaked too soon.
19
 18 30-33 The Bucks had a real window and while the Knicks didn’t make it easy, Milwaukee lost some games they shouldn’t have.
20
 20 28-36 Unless the lottery defies the odds, the Blazers will pick 11th in the 2012 NBA Draft.
21
 22 22-40 Greg Monroe has been a one of the best surprises this surprises – not enough attention to Detroit’s second-year player.
22
 21 22-42 Deron Williams may have packed it in a week early.
23
 25 20-44 To preserve their odds in the top three, the Hornets would be best served to not win another game.
24
 23 22-42 The Raptors can still climb to fourth in the lotto although other teams can tank with the best of them.
25
 24 26-39 The Wolves won a game in April for the first time in franchise history (an exaggeration).
26
 26 23-41 Quite the unfortunate win given their pick is top-seven protected and the extra victory likely makes the Warriors eighth.
27
 27 21-42 The Cavaliers can finish tied with the Kings if they lose out, both teams right outside the top three.
28
 28 21-43 DeMarcus Cousins, despite how awful Sacramento has been this year, has shown some signs of real dominance.
29
 29 17-46 The Wizards can afford to win some without giving up lottery position, although winning out would be a negative.
30
 30 7-56 Twenty-straight losses.  That’s quite impressive.
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