| RANK(LAST WK) |
TEAM |
REC. |
COMMENT |
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1 (8) |
Detroit Pistons |
7-3 |
To win in Orlando without Chauncey Billups (hamstring) was huge for the Pistons. After some early letdowns against the Sixers, Detroit looks ready to advance yet again to the Eastern Conference Finals. |
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2 (2) |
San Antonio Spurs |
6-3 |
The Spurs looked old, slow and overmatched but once the series returned to San Antonio, it was a completely different story. Taking two from the Hornets bumps them over the Lakers who are struggling now against the Jazz |
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3 (1) |
Los Angeles Lakers |
6-2 |
The Lakers may be in serious trouble if Kobe Bryant's back isn't right. Both games were close in Utah but now the Lakers must win two out of the next three (with a pair at STAPLES) to advance. |
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4 (3) |
New Orleans Hornets |
6-3 |
The Hornets are giving the 2006/7 NBA Champs all they can handle. While no one would call this season a disappointment if they don't make it to the Western Conference Finals (considering how much they've already exceed expectations), New Orleans still has an excellent chance to win this series. |
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5 (5) |
Utah Jazz |
6-4 |
The Jazz have not been a good road team most of the season but proved their worth at home, where they rarely ever lose. Can they get one in Los Angeles? |
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6 (7) |
Boston Celtics |
6-5 |
The Celtics have home court advantage so technically they can afford to lose every single road game this postseason and still win the title. So far they're a perfect 6-0 in Boston and 0-5 in Atlanta/Cleveland. |
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7 (6) |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
5-5 |
LeBron James had a nightmare pair of games in Boston to open the series but has bounced back nicely in Cleveland. The Celtics are throwing everything they have at James, forcing his teammates to beat him. Role players tend to play better at home; can they sustain the effort back in Boston? |
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8 (4) |
Orlando Magic |
5-4 |
The Magic had a double-digit lead but let it slip away. Hedo Turkoglu was huge in the fourth quarter of Game 3 but with all his success, the final shot didn't drop and Orlando is in a pretty deep hole. |
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9 (10) |
Atlanta Hawks |
3-4 |
The Hawks eclipse the Rockets in the playoff standings with their gutsy seven-game series against the Celtics. It was disappointing they didn't show for the final game, but the Hawks as a team finally came of age. |
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10 (9) |
Houston Rockets |
2-4 |
Houston's streak of losing in the first round continued, although injuries to Yao Ming and Rafer Alston put Tracy McGrady at a serious disadvantage. Under Rick Adelman, next year may be different if this team can find a way to stay healthy. |
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11 (11) |
Philadelphia 76ers |
2-4 |
Philly's brief lead over the Pistons faded quickly as Detroit closed out the series with three straight wins. The Sixers weren't even supposed to make the playoffs this year but managed a respectable showing. |
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12 (12) |
Washington Wizards |
2-4 |
Gilbert Arenas blogs that his return to the Wizards is dependent on the team re-signing Antawn Jamison. That's the plan out of Washington but free agency can sometimes take some odd turns. Stay tuned . . . |
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13 (14) |
Dallas Mavericks |
1-4 |
Rick Carlisle is a solid coach but he's somewhat exacting. Will his style work with Jason Kidd who is better in the open floor? The Mavericks probably have personnel issues to resolve. Avery Johnson may have been a factor to the Mavericks' downfall, but shouldn't be the scapegoat. |
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14 (15) |
Toronto Raptors |
1-4 |
The Raptors need a tough big to play alongside Chris Bosh. Unfortunately Andrea Bargnani is more of a skilled player. Now that Mike D'Antoni is off the radar, the heat is temporarily off Sam Mitchell. |
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15 (13) |
Phoenix Suns |
1-4 |
Vinnie Del Negro? Dan Marleje? Eddie Johnson? Considering the short window the Suns have to win with Steve Nash and Shaquille O'Neal, do they try a rookie coach or find someone more experienced? |
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16 (16) |
Denver Nuggets |
0-4 |
The Nuggets are open to the idea of whole scale change but don't expect Carmelo Anthony to be traded. |
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17 (17) |
Portland Trail Blazers |
41 - 41 |
What if they win the lottery? |
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18 (18) |
Golden State Warriors |
48 - 34 |
The offseason negotiation with Baron Davis is not going well. While an extension is still being discussed, Davis may be better served not opting out and looking for a long term deal next summer. |
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19 (19) |
Los Angeles Clippers |
23 - 59 |
The Clippers are slotted sixth in the draft. LA will go best player available but if the talent level is close, they've got to go point guard. |
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20 (20) |
Sacramento Kings |
38 - 44 |
The Kings too need to the draft best player available if they pick at 12. In addition to a point guard, they could use another young big to play with Spencer Hawes. |
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21 (21) |
Indiana Pacers |
36 - 46 |
The Pacers were the only team in the Eastern Conference to average over 100 ppg and not make the playoffs (104.0 ppg). |
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22 (22) |
Charlotte Bobcats |
32 - 50 |
A roster makeover usually folows Larry Brown. Now that he's been hired as head coach, everyone on the roster is on notice. |
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23 (29) |
New York Knicks |
23 - 59 |
Mike D'Antoni was a good hire. Not everyone will agree with that but over time the Knicks will once again become a respectable basketball team. |
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24 (23) |
Chicago Bulls |
33 - 49 |
Chicago was banking on Mike D'Antoni. Back to the drawing board . . . |
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25 (24) |
New Jersey Nets |
34 - 48 |
The Nets need size. |
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26 (25) |
Miami Heat |
15 - 67 |
Do you pair up Derrick Rose with Dwyane Wade or go for size with Michael Beasley? Probably Beasley, no? |
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27 (26) |
Seattle SuperSonics |
20 - 62 |
Oklahoma City is now prepared to sue someone (Seattle?) if they don't get their team. |
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28 (27) |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
22 - 60 |
The Wolves probably need a point guard more than a power forward. Would Michael Beasley next to Al Jefferson at the four/five respectively be a good core? |
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29 (28) |
Memphis Grizzlies |
22 - 60 |
The Grizzlies need size, perhaps Brook Lopez. |
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30 (30) |
Milwaukee Bucks |
26 - 56 |
The core of Andrew Bogut and Yi Jianlian is safe. No one else is untouchable although the odds are high they keep Michael Redd |
