NBA Power Rankings: Heading Down The Stretch

team. 118. The Jazz had about as easy of a schedule as you can ask for, taking on the Timberwolves, Nets, Kings, and Pelicans. They lost to the Timberwolves, before winning the next three games. No team is more balanced than Utah, which makes them a dangerous team down the stretch. They have a difficult week ahead against the Rockets, Thunder, and Clippers. They’re four games behind the Rockets for the third spot, so they really just need to stave off the Clippers for home court advantage in the first round.. (40-24). Previous: 5th. Utah Jazz. 5

Previous: 4th. Houston Rockets. 4. team. 169. The Rockets played three western playoff teams this week. Beating the Clippers in Los Angeles and the Grizzles in Houston, before losing to the Spurs in San Antonio at the hands of <a rel=. (44-20)

It was not the best week for the Cavaliers. They started the week with a tough loss to the Celtics, then beat the Hawks in a high scoring, highly contested game, before losing both games in their home and home with the Heat. <a rel=. (42-20). Previous: 2nd. Cleveland Cavaliers. 3. team. 156

(49-13). Previous: 3rd. San Antonio Spurs. 2. team. 29. The Spurs won four close games this week. They beat the Pacers by one point, behind a turn around jumper from Kawhi Leonard with 2 seconds left. Then they beat New Orleans in overtime by three points with a DeMarcus Cousins game tying attempt going left. Next the Timberwolves gave them a good game, also going into overtime, but the Spurs broke away for a seven point lead. And finally, beat Houston on Kawhi’s second game winning shot of the week, followed by a monster block and rebound to seal the deal. The Spurs are two and a half games behind the Warriors for the top seed, which is still in range with the <a rel=

team. 41. Since losing Kevin Durant in the first quarter against the Wizards, the Warriors are 2-2, and looking a lot less dominant. The week opened with a loss in Chicago, then they finished their five game road trip with wins over the Knicks and Hawks. The Warriors are still a very good team, but it’s noticeable that they’ve lost Andrew Bogut and <a rel=. (52-11). Previous: 1st. Golden State Warriors. 1