A new week means it's time for our look at the best NBA
teams of each conference and how they have fared this past week and what we can
expect in the coming seven days. Have any teams fallen out of the rankings?
The Chicago Bulls may have the best record in the league but
the Miami Heat are bearing down quickly and are now just a half-game back for
the top seed in the Eastern conference.
In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain the team to
beat and that doesn't appear likely to change any time soon. Kevin Durant and
Russell Westbrook are tearing it up and show no signs of slowing down (Check out the Tuesday NBA pick on the Thunder and Jazz).
What else is happening in the two conferences? Well...
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls (23-7 SU, 18-12 ATS)
The injury bug simply will not go away in the Windy City as
Rip Hamilton remains out and Derrick Rose is now dealing with back problems.
Still, the Bulls are 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS over their last seven so nothing to
really worry about I guess.
Miami Heat (22-7 SU, 14-15 ATS)
Winners of three straight and six of their last seven, the
Heat continue to play terrific ball. They'll face a tough challenge against the
Pacers this Tuesday though, that's for sure.
Philadelphia 76ers (20-9 SU, 18-10-1 ATS)
Are people waiting for the 76ers to start losing or
something? There still seem to be non-believers out there but Philadelphia isn't
paying any attention. The only worrying thing is they've lost three of their
last four home matchups.
Indiana Pacers (17-10 SU, 13-14 ATS)
I know the Pacers have lost three straight but this team is
still extremely talented. They'll figure it out soon. It helps that after their
game against Miami, they'll play seven straight against teams with losing
records.
Orlando Magic (18-11 SU, 16-13 ATS)
The last spot goes to the Magic, just barely (and I mean
barely) above the Hawks and surging Celtics. Orlando's gone 6-2 SU over their
previous eight games and scored a big double-digit win over the Heat this past
week.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Oklahoma City Thunder (21-6 SU, 15-12 ATS)
The Thunder are showing they can win both at home and on the
road too. They have the conference's best road record at 12-5. Six of their
next seven games will be in Oklahoma City however and I'm sure they're not
complaining.
San Antonio Spurs (19-9 SU, 17-11 ATS)
No team is hotter than the Spurs, who've won seven
consecutive matchups. Included in there was a 11-point win over the Thunder as
well as another impressive double-digit victory, this time on the road over the
76ers.
L.A. Clippers (17-9 SU, 15-11 ATS)
Chauncey Billups may be lost for the season, but CP3 and the
Clippers have adjusted decently well and are still winning games. Mo Williams
will finally get the minutes he's been after so let's see how he does.
Dallas Mavericks (18-11 SU, 17-12 ATS)
Now that Dirk Nowitzki (averaging 25.7 PPG over last six
games) is healthy and performing, the Mavericks are playing their best
basketball of the season. They've won four in a row with three of those
victories coming against Denver, Portland and the L.A. Clippers.
Denver Nuggets (16-12 SU, 16-12 ATS)
The Nuggets beat out the Lakers simply because they're much
more balanced and their bench is miles better too. Nonetheless, Denver has lost
five of six so they really have to turn it around in a hurry.