As the NBA heads into the final week of the regular season, all eight playoff seeds have been clinched but that actual seeding order of the teams is still very much in question. The LA Lakers have the best record in the conference and are one win away from locking up the top seed. At 52-27, Denver has a ½ game lead over Phoenix and Dallas for the second seed. Utah is currently 51-28 and one game back in the fifth spot. Three teams; Portland, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City are all tied at 48-30. The way it stands now the Thunder could end up being the number two seed if they win out and the Nuggets could end up in the eighth spot if they lose their last three, so the next few games for all these teams are still extremely important. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.
Los Angeles Lakers (55-23) Current Odds to Win the NBA Championship: 8/5
The Lakers suddenly do not look all that invincible heading towards the playoffs, as they are just 5-5 in their last 10 games and are just 1-4 in their last five. After getting blown out 81-100 by San Antonio on Sunday night they blew another shot to clinch the West by losing to the Nuggets 96-98. Through 78 games Kobe Bryant leads in points per game with 27.1 and assists with five. Pau Gasol is the leading rebounder with 11.2. The final four regular season games for the Lakers are the Timberwolves tonight on the road and then back home against the Trail Blazers on Sunday and the Kings on Tuesday. In their season finale against the Clippers on Wednesday, April 14th they will be considered the away team.
Phoenix Suns (51-27) Current Odds to Win the NBA Championship: 25/1
Phoenix remains the hottest team in the league, winning 11 out of their last 12 games with the only blemish over this stretch being a 98-107 loss to the Bucks that snapped a 10 game winning streak. In their last game they beat the Spurs 112-101 to get back on track. Through 78 games Amar’e Stoudemire leads the team in points; averaging 23 per game and rebounds; averaging 8.8. Steve Nash leads in assists with 11 per game. The final four regular season games for the Suns are the Thunder tonight on the road, back home to play the Rockets on Sunday and the Nuggets on Tuesday, and then back on the road to face the Jazz on Wednesday, April 14th.
Dallas Mavericks (51-27) Current Odds to Win the NBA Championship: 15/1
Over the past two months the Mavs have been one of the streakiest teams in the league. Back in mid February they won 13 games in a row and then proceeded to lose four out of their next six. They have now won four out of their last six including a 110-84 win over the Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Through 78 games Dirk Nowitzki is the leading scorer; averaging 24.7 points per game and the leading rebounder; averaging 7.7. Jason Kidd leads in assists with 9.1. The final four regular season games for the Mavericks are the Trail Blazers tonight, the Kings on Saturday, and the Clippers on Monday on the road, and then back home to close it out against the Spurs on Wednesday, April 14th.
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