NBA Power Rankings

Rank  Category  Current   Last Week   Team   SU   ATS  Betting Notes 1 1 64-16 44-36 The Heat have proven they can probably beat the Bucks with their backups, so this first-round series promises to be brief. Considering how competitive the 4-5 matchup should be, Erik Spoelstra's team should be extremely rested when their real work begins. 2 3 59-21 49-29-2 Russell Westbrook ends up with more shots than Kevin Durant, yet the Thunder have notched more regular-season wins than ever during their run in OKC. Count on hearing on Westbrook apologists make this argument often this postseason, but the offense should still always run through K.D. 3 2 58-22 39-39-2 The Spurs axed Stephen Jackson because they saw his unhappiness as a potential distraction, but it's undoubtedly a dangerous gamble. Even with Kawhi Leonard likely to make Gregg Popovich look good as a guy that needs to be out there, it puts added pressure on Manu Ginobili and Gary Neal to stay healthy. 4 4 55-25 48-31-1 George Karl was the favorite in the Coach of the Year race before surviving Danilo Gallinari's injury, so remaining in the hunt for the Western Conference's No. 3 spot has probably cemented it. These Nuggets will set a record for most wins in the franchise's NBA history, so it's a good year to reward him for the first time in his storied career. 5 8 54-26 44-36 The Clippers stole the one result they had to have over the weekend, stopping potential first-round opponent Memphis on the road to claim a potential tie-breaker. If they hold serve in games they'll be favored in, they'll open the postseason at Staples Center on a seven-game winning streak. 6 7 53-27 45-33-2 Carmelo Anthony is going to spoil LeBron James' bid of winning every Player of the Month this season, which might wind up being good enough to net him second place in the MVP voting. His efforts have solidified the Knicks first 50-win season since 2000 and first Atlantic Division title since 1994. 7 5 54-26 44-34-2 Ed Davis didn't play much in must-win games against the Rockets and Clippers, which suggests he might finds minutes hard to come by in Lionel Hollins' shortened playoff rotation. The former lottery pick has had a few bright moments since being acquired in the Rudy Gay deal, but is probably still a year away from being a serious x-factor with the Grizzlies. 8 6 49-31 42-38 David West has proven to be well worth the two-year, $20 million investment that the Pacers made last Summer, so negotiations to keep him should hinge on offering the soon-to-be 33-year-old security. He's been a rock for an otherwise young squad. 9 11 47-33 38-39-3 That Gerald Wallace admitted he's out of confidence came as a surprise, but it was evident to anyone who has watched him play the past few months. He shot under 40 percent in February, dipped to 34 percent in March and was 3-for-10 before leaving the court injured in Boston on Wednesday. Hurting his heel isn't going to do his game any favors in regaining a rhythm for the first round. 10 9 45-35 41-38-1 With Chandler Parsons' calf threatening to be an issue through the rest of the regular season, the Rockets could enter the playoffs with one of their key x-factors out of rhythm. He'd scored in double-figures in 20 of 21 games prior to sitting out. 11 10 45-35 40-39-1 Jarrett Jack isn't getting much love in the Sixth Man race because of top candidates Jamal Crawford and J.R. Smith, but the Warriors wouldn't be a playoff team without him. He's been essential in the development of starters Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, allowing them to play to their strengths. 12 12 44-36 37-41-2 Josh Smith told ESPN-LA that he expects his Hawks will surprise everyone with how high they fly this postseason. To make that happen, he and Al Horford will both have to be 20-10 guys for the duration of their run, Jeff Teague must be consistent and shooters Kyle Korver and John Jenkins can't slump. 13 13 43-37 35-45 It really wouldn't hurt the Bulls chemistry if Derrick Rose did pop back in for the postseason since they have such little built up. Joakim Noah has been sidelined for weeks, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich have been in and out of the mix and Rip Hamilton just returned. Who is he going to throw off? Nate Robinson? He's rolling, but Tom Thibodeau will live with that. 14 15 42-38 41-38-1 Al Jefferson tied a season-high with 40 points to keep Utah's playoff hopes alive against Minnesota in what was probably his final regular season home game in a Jazz uniform. It was a heck of a way to go out for him to go out, as he's been a steady rock for a franchise that has been in transition throughout most of his three-year stint. 15 16 41-39 36-41-3 The Celtics wanted the Knicks, targeting them as a good first-round matchup despite winning only one of four meetings this season. That includes losing the last two in late March by a combined 34 points, so while finishing seventh helps avoid Miami, they've still got their hands full. 16 14 44-37 33-46-2 Kobe Bryant had been so dominant that few believed he would retire after next season. Now, post-Achilles tear, there's almost no question he'll be back. Bryant will want to go out on his terms, still dropping jaws, but the fact his skills had only declined gradually sets a ridiculously high bar to try and come back to reach. Playing basketball at the level he's reached has to be awfully addictive. 17 18 40-40 47-33 O.J. Mayo is unlikely to take his player option and come back without testing the market, while the Mavericks have decisions to make regarding Darren Collison and Roddy Beaubois, who both disappointed this season. Another new backcourt combo may be in the cards for Dallas in 2013-14. 18 17 37-43 35-45 The Bucks sure took their foot off the gas after clinching their first postseason appearance since 2010, dropping all four games of a Southern road swing that featured losses at Orlando and Charlotte. Faltering against the teams with the two worst records in the NBA makes it difficult to fathom taking even one game from Miami in a playoff series. 19 20 33-47 38-41-1 Evan Turner's development has been slow, but he has improved in his third season. Specifically, he's become a proficient 3-point shooter for the first time in his career and handled the ball more with mixed results. Next year will be the final one of his rookie deal before qualifying offers begin, so he'll be under the microscope. 20 23 32-48 39-40-1 DeMar DeRozan went off for 36 points to help upset Brooklyn in the Raptors' final Sunday matinee, but most impressive was him going 3-for-4 from 3-point range. He is shooting 23 percent from beyond the arc this season, a slight improvement on his career mark. If he's able to elevate this part of the game significantly as he gets older, he'll be in the All-Star mix. 21 19 29-51 44-34-2 Despite losing their home finale to the 76ers after blowing an early lead, the Wizards still finished with their first winning record at the Verizon Center since last making the playoffs in 2008. They were 18-6 at home once John Wall returned. 22 25 30-50 37-40-3 Ricky Rubio's shoulder woes derailed him this month, contributing to a stretch where he shot 6-for-41 from the field. The second-year Spanish guard did come up with a season-high 24 points against the Suns and appears to be healthy again, making the Timberwolves a potentially dangerous spoiler for the Jazz and Spurs this final week. 23 21 33-47 34-42-4 J.J. Hickson joined his four other partners in the starting lineup as a 1,000-point scorer for the season. It's no surprise given the Trail Blazers' lack of bench production, but was the first time it has happened in Portland since 1989-90, accomplished by Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Buck Williams, Jerome Kersey and the late Kevin Duckworth. 24 22 28-52 36-42-2 No matter where they end up, it's a good sign that this team is only committed to one player beyond 2015, because they need a major overhaul. That one guy, power forward Jason Thompson, will be the lone King to play in every game this season, is signed long-term at a reasonable rate and gives you an honest effort every time out, not trying to be someone he's not. 25 26 28-52 38-41-1 The Pistons need to upgrade on the wing in this draft, so they'll be crossing their fingers come the May 21 lottery. Between Ben McLemore, Marcus Smart, Victor Oladipo, Otto Porter and Shabazz Muhammad, there appear to be plenty of options. 26 24 27-54 40-41 Bring on the Pelican era. It remains to be seen whether Eric Gordon will join Anthony Davis as a pillar of the franchise going forward, but the team is well-structured for improvement as the Hive gives way to the Nest. Stinging puns must be replaced by preying on, or more accurately, throat pouch expansion. Fun. 27 27 24-56 40-38-1 Tristan Thompson is genuinely playing for his coach's job, taking a stand and really busting it in support of Byron Scott. He's made significant strides since having to shoulder more of the burden when Anderson Varejao was lost for the season, so there will be expectations for further growth in 2013-14, regardless of who the head coach is. 28 28 24-56 31-47-2 Because of Michael Beasley's failures, Goran Dragic's slow start and Marcin Gortat's predictable regression minus Steve Nash, there's still a vacancy sign up for a face-of-the-franchise type. Winning the lottery would help ease that burden, even if there isn't a clear-cut top choice. Heck, the Mercury are likely to end up with Britney Greiner. The Suns need a No. 1 to get excited about, too. 29 30 20-60 36-42-2 Jacque Vaughn might have had a disappointing first season as far as his win-loss record goes, but he's done everything that has been asked of him as far as player development goes. The Magic play hard for 48 minutes and have attempted to make the best of a season besieged by injuries in addition to rebuilding. 30 29 19-61 29-50-1 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has had an uneven rookie season, but he's finished strong. MKG was banged up and hit the wall throughout most of 2013, but picked it back up these last few weeks, as evidenced by a few eye-popping double-doubles.

Updated Mon, Apr. 15, 1:00 PM ET