NBA Power Rankings: Gaps Tightening At The Top Of Both Conferences

73. The Nuggets started their week with a loss to the Washington Wizards, but turned it around beating the Celtics, Kings, and Lakers, to pull within three games of .500. Next week brings tougher competition as they host the Clippers and Rockets, with a road game in Houston to finish the week. Three games against playoff teams can open up the race for eighth for Portland.. (32-35). Previous: 16th. Denver Nuggets. 15. team

14. team. 64. After losing to the Pacers to start the week, the Pistons settled in for a big win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and added a win against the Knicks. Tuesday night they lost to the Cavaliers by 28 points to fall a game under .500. Detroit has won four of their last six games, as they sit a game ahead of the Heat and Bulls to stay in the playoffs. Tobias Harris has returned to the starting line up, and is putting up points, scoring 22, 15, 28 and 17 this week.. (33-34). Previous: 14th. Detroit Pistons

13. team. 100. The Pacers played the low end of the East this week. Indiana split their four games, beating the Pistons, Heat and losing to the Knicks and Bucks. They still sit three games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the fifth seed in the East, but have a tough week ahead. They’ll host the Hornets and Jazz, but travel to take on the Raptors. Paul George needs to dominate if they want the fifth seed the rest of the season, and will probably need the Hawks to fall apart a bit.. (34-33). Previous: 13th. Indiana Pacers

The Hawks had a busy week with four games, starting with two wins at home against the Nets and Raptors. They then went to Memphis for a win, before losing to the Spurs in San Antonio. They need to stave off the Pacers, but only sit two games behind the fourth placed Raptors, Atlanta is still dreaming of home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Next week is another busy four game stretch, starting with two home games against the Grizzles and Trail Blazers. Then, two road games against the Hornets and Wizards.. (37-30). Previous: 12th. Atlanta Hawks. 12. team. 125

211. Memphis entered the week on a three game losing streak. They started the week with two losses against the Clippers and Hawks, to push their losing streak to five games. They won their next game against the Bucks to get back on track. Memphis sits a game behind the Thunder for the sixth seed in the West, and even though the Rockets are no easy task, I’m sure they want to avoid the Spurs or Warriors.. (37-30). Previous: 10th. Memphis Grizzlies. 11. team