NBA Power Rankings: Only Two Weeks Until Playoffs
By Reid Mueller
170. The Hornets have been playing solid basketball as of late, winning five of their last six games. This week they went 2-2, beating the Hawks and Magic, with losses coming to the Cavaliers and Milwaukee. Charlotte sits just three games behind the Heat for the eighth seed. Two weeks ago this team was dead in the water, now they have dying hopes to return to the playoffs. Hats off to Steve Clifford. It still doesn’t look good, but they didn’t give up.. (33-41). Previous: 20th. Charlotte Hornets. 20. team
(34-40). Previous: 16th. Detroit Pistons. 19. team. 64. Detroit self destructed to begin the week, losing their first three games against the Bulls, Magic, and Knicks. A team looking to make the playoffs has to win at least two of those games. They finished the week with a loss to the Miami Heat, putting them in a desperate place heading into next week. With speculation regarding <a rel=
The Bulls jump one spot in the rankings due to a successful 2-1 week. Chicago is playing for their playoff lives, and aren’t backing down from the challenge. Between Coach Hoiberg being on the hot seat, and <a rel=. (35-39). Previous: 19th. Chicago Bulls. 18. team. 24
Previous: 17th. Denver Nuggets. 17. team. 73. The Nuggets went 2-2 this week, but fell out of the eighth spot. After starting the week with wins over the Cavaliers and Pacers, the Nuggets fell to the Pelicans and Trail Blazers. The Nuggets sit a game behind Portland with two weeks left in the season, but have lost the season series, and therefore the tiebreaker with Portland. Six of their last eight games come on the road.. (35-39)
Previous: 15th. Miami Heat. 16. team. 110. The Heat finally lost more than they won this week, going 1-2. Miami struggled against the hot Raptors and Celtics, before beating the struggling Pistons. They have a one game lead over the Bulls for the final spot in the playoffs. They’ll have their chance to get things going again, starting next week with a home and home against the Knicks, before taking on the Nuggets. Their final week of the season is going to be tough, unless the Wizards, Cavaliers, and Raptors are all resting players.. (36-38)