The Complex NBA Power Rankings (Week 13)

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This is how weird the NBA continues to be in this strange, tortured, and oddly compelling season: In the most shocking development of the week leading up to the trade deadline, one of the league's elite (or almost elite at least) stunned everybody by not trading their superstar. Of course it's not like Orlando actually had any say in the matter. But now that speculation season is over, it's time for the stretch run of actual games. In the West, nobody's made a real challenge to Oklahoma City's chokehold on the No. 1 spot, while five teams are within four games of the final playoff berth. The East is exactly the opposite: Miami and Chicago figure to duke it out until late April for the 1 seed, while it's just the Knicks and Bucks fighting for the last card to the playoffs. Spring is in the air, which can mean only one thing: Glorious, glorious playoff basketball is just weeks away. All that and more in the Complex NBA Power Rankings.

30. Charlotte Bobcats

Record: 7 - 36
Last Week's Rank: 30
Last Week's Results: W @ New Orleans 73-71, (Mon); L @ Houston 87-107, (Wed); L @ Dallas 96-101, (Thu); W vs. Toronto 107-103, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Philadelphia, Monday (3/19); vs. Milwaukee, Friday (3/23); @ New Jersey. Saturday (3/24)

Two weeks ago, the Bobcats had four wins all season. Over the last 14 games, however, Charlotte has nearly matched that total with three victories. And while a 3-11 record isn't a great accomplishment, this team should feel a sense of pride because they're still young (only one guy in their starting lineup is over the age of 25) and trying to find their way in a shortened NBA season. If they can continue to gel together while shoring up the holes in the roster during the off-season, the 'Cats should be a lot better next year. —Jose Martinez

29. Washington Wizards

Record: 10 - 34
Last Week's Rank: 29
Last Week's Results: L @ San Antonio 97-112, (Mon); L @ Dallas 98-107, (Tue); W @ New Orleans 99-89, (Thu); L @ Atlanta 88-102, (Fri); L @ Memphis 92-97, (Sun)
This Week: @ New Jersey, Wednesday (3/21); vs. Indiana, Thursday (3/22); vs. Atlanta, Saturday (3/24); @ Boston, Sunday (3/25)

With JaVale McGee gone, Washington is facing a huge problem: Who is going to give the fans their daily dose of spontaneous, ill-advised entertainment? But on a more serious note, the Wizards are looking at a glaring weakness in the center position. While they do sport three guys on their roster at 6-foot-11, all of them are listed as power forwards. Maybe it's time to wake up the ghost of Jan Vesely. He should try going through his lumps now when the season is already lost. —Jose Martinez

28. New Orleans Hornets

Record: 11 - 34
Last Week's Rank: 28
Last Week's Results: L vs. Charlotte 71-73, (Mon); L vs. LA Lakers 101-107, (Wed); L vs. Washington 89-99, (Thu); W @ New Jersey 102-94, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Golden State, Wednesday (3/21); vs. LA Clippers, Thursday (3/22); vs. San Antonio, Saturday (3/24)

The Hornets dropped three-straight games this week before beating the Nets on Saturday, another woeful stretch on the court but maybe the team's best week off of it. It's reported that a group of investors could purchase the Hornets from the league and assume a binding lease that would keep the Hornets in New Orleans for the next decade. The team has some young talent and a good coach. A little front office stability could be all the NOLA needs to have one of the West's brightest futures. —Sean Evans

27. New Jersey Nets

Record: 15 - 31
Last Week's Rank: 24
Last Week's Results: L vs. Milwaukee 99-105, (Mon); W vs. Toronto 98-84, (Wed); L @ Orlando 70-86, (Fri); L vs. New Orleans 94-102, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Cleveland, Monday (3/19); vs. Washington, Wednesday (3/21); @ Atlanta, Friday (3/23); vs. Charlotte, Saturday (3/24)

What a disasterous season this turned out to be for the New Jersey Nets. After months of waiting and hoping, Dwight Howard chose to stay with Orlando for at least one more year. This ultimately means Deron Williams will not be opening up that brand spanking new stadium in Brooklyn. Poor guys. They did pick up Gerald Wallace, though! We doubt that move changed D-Will's mind. The Nets can start to rebuild with this year's lottery pick, this season is a wash. Jigga's going to have to perform before every home game to sell some tickets next year. —Angel Diaz

26. Sacramento Kings

Record: 16 - 29
Last Week's Rank: 25
Last Week's Results: L vs. Golden State 89-115, (Tue); L vs. Detroit 112-124, (Wed); W vs. Boston 120-95, (Fri); W vs. Minnesota 99-115, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Memphis, Tuesday (3/20); vs. Utah, Thursday (3/22); @ Golden State, Saturday (3/24)

The Kings had their second .500 week in a row. And with that, interim head coach Keith Smart declared, "We have the potential to do this, to be good.” Wow, pretty bold words from a man whose team is 16-29 and currently in 14th place out West. He must be talking about the 2012-13 season. Actually, scratch that. He means they have the potential to be good in 2013-14. Draft picks, FTW.—Ralph Warner

25. Toronto Raptors

Record: 15 - 30
Last Week's Rank: 27
Last Week's Results: W @ Cleveland 96-88, (Tue); L @ New Jersey 84-98, (Wed); W @ Memphis 114-110, (Fri); L @ Charlotte 103-107, (Sat)
This Week: @ New York, Tuesday (3/20); vs. Chicago, Wednesday (3/21); vs. New York, Friday (3/23); @ Chicago, Saturday (3/24)

Toronto hangs around in most of their games, but always seem to struggle in the fourth quarter and end up losing the game. They had another losing week even with their fearless leader Andrea Bargnani making his return. The Raptors squandered a 10-point halftime lead to the Bobcats. They should look into hiring Mike D'Antoni for that Euro-league roster. Jose Calderon is really the loser in all of this, the god sprained his ankle and has missed five games ending all hopes of being traded out of NBA Siberia. Toronto plays the Knicks and the Bulls two times each this week, pray for them. —Angel Diaz

24. Detroit Pistons

Record: 16 - 29
Last Week's Rank: 26
Last Week's Results: L @ Utah 90-105, (Mon); W @ Sacramento 124-112, (Wed); L @ Phoenix 101-109, (Fri); L @ LA Clippers 83-87, (Sun)
This Week: @ Denver, Wednesday (3/21); vs. Miami, Friday (3/23); @ New York, Saturday (3/24)

A telling quote from forward Jonas Jerebko after the Pistons lost to the Clippers yesterday to bring their record to 1-3 last week during a West Coast road trip: "I felt like we had it [Sunday], but I felt like we had every game on this road trip. We could have been 4-0." Ah, yes. Hasn't it been that kind of year for Detroit, though? They play pretty hard and, in some cases, actually look pretty decent on the court. But their record just doesn't reflect it. —Chris Yuscavage

23. Golden State Warriors

Record: 18 - 24
Last Week's Rank: 22
Last Week's Results: W @ Sacramento 115-89, (Tue); L vs. Boston 103-105, (Wed); L vs. Milwaukee 98-120, (Fri); L @ Utah 92-99, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Minnesota, Monday (3/19); @ New Orleans, Wednesday (3/21); @ Houston, Thursday (3/22); vs. Sacramento, Saturday (3/24); @ Portland, Sunday (3/25)

The Warriors played pretty poorly this week. Many Bay Area fans are saying the team's front office moves were just as bad if not worse. In the first big move leading up to the trade deadline, Golden State dealt their star guard, Monta Ellis, and promising forward, Ekpe Udoh, to the Bucks for Andrew Bogut who will likely be out for the season with a fractured ankle. They were able to acquire Richard Jefferson but that's not saying much for this 18-24 squad. Time will tell if trading their most marketable and talented player for a seemingly injury-prone center will turn out to be as bad as many predict. The Bay, where they go dumb? Yup. —Ralph Warner

22. Cleveland Cavaliers

Record: 16 - 26
Last Week's Rank: 23
Last Week's Results: L vs. Toronto 88-96, (Tue); L @ Milwaukee 105-116, (Wed); L vs. Atlanta 103-97, (Sun)
This Week: @ New Jersey, Monday (3/19); @ Atlanta, Wednesday (3/21); @ Orlando, Friday (3/23); vs. Phoenix, Sunday (3/25)

Sorry, Cavs, but your season is officially over. Last week, you traded away Ramon Sessions and Christian Eyenga for Luke Walton, Jason Kapono, and a 2012 first-round pick. So it's clear you're already looking forward to next year. We can't say we blame you for doing it, either. In reality, it's not like you were going to make the playoffs. And by trading Sessions away now—rather than letting him walk during free agency next summer—you made sure that you got something in return for him. It might not provide the instant gratification that a lot of NBA teams look for these days. But you can rest easy knowing that your team is going to be in a better place in the future. —Chris Yuscavage

21. Portland Trail Blazers

Record: 21 - 24
Last Week's Rank: 20
Last Week's Results: L @ Indiana 75-92, (Tue); L @ New York 79-121, (Wed); W @ Chicago 100-91, (Fri); L @ Oklahoma City 111-95, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Milwaukee, Tuesday (3/20); vs. Memphis, Thursday (3/22); @ LA Lakers, Friday (3/23); vs. Golden State, Sunday (3/25)

Crushed by Indiana, destroyed by New York, and dismissed by Oklahoma City, the Portland Trail Blazers did muster up enough energy—between trading vets, waiving the 2007 No. 1 pick, and firing their coach—to beat the Bulls by nine in Chicago. Nope, we don't understand it, either. What we do understand is that the Blazers ship be sinkin', as they dismissed longtime coach Nate McMillan and traded center Marcus Camby to the Houston Rockets for iffy projects Jonny Flynn and Hasheem Thabeet. Although with Camby gone and Greg Oden finally released, Thabeet might get a chance. —Russ Bengtson

20. Minnesota Timberwolves

Record: 22 - 24
Last Week's Rank: 15
Last Week's Results: W @ Phoenix 127-124, (Mon); L @ Utah 105-111, (Thu); L @ LA Lakers 92-97, (Fri); L @ Sacramento 115-99, (Sun)
This Week: @ Golden State, Monday (3/19); @ San Antonio, Wednesday (3/21); @ Oklahoma City, Friday (3/23); vs. Denver, Sunday (3/25)

A three-point win over the Phoenix Suns is all that kept the Timberwolves from once again occupying the Northwest Division basement — as of midnight Sunday, they were a whole thousandth of a percentage point clear of the Portland Trail Blazers, who recently celebrated their near-.500 record by firing longtime coach Nate McMillan. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves, who've lost their phenom point guard for the season and didn't trade Michael Beasley after all, have four more road games (including San Antonio and OKC) before finally returning home. Whether they'll still be clear of the bottom then is anybody's guess. —Russ Bengtson

19. Milwaukee Bucks

Record: 20 - 24
Last Week's Rank: 21
Last Week's Results: W @ New Jersey 105-99, (Mon); W vs. Cleveland 115-105, (Wed); W @ Golden State 120-98, (Fri)
This Week: @ Portland, Tuesday (3/20); vs. Boston, Thursday (3/22); @ Charlotte, Friday (3/23); vs. Indiana, Saturday (3/24)

We're going to say something that we never thought we'd say: We LOVE the Milwaukee Bucks! Now that they've brought in Monta Ellis to team up with Brandon Jennings and gotten rid of Andrew Bogut, who could never seem to stay healthy anyway, this team is must-see TV whenever they're on. And, don't look now, Knicks fans, but this also might be the team that keeps your squad out of the playoffs this season. Who would have thought? —Chris Yuscavage

18. New York Knicks

Record: 21 - 24
Last Week's Rank: 17
Last Week's Results: L @ Chicago 99-104, (Mon); W vs. Portland 121-79, (Wed); W vs. Indiana 115-100, (Fri); W @ Indiana 102-88, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Toronto, Tuesday (3/20); @ Philadelphia, Wednesday (3/21); @ Toronto, Friday (3/23); vs. Detroit, Saturday (3/24)

Woodsonity! The Knicks had a wild week. D'Antoni quit, rumors of Melo wanting out were flying and there was talk of Lin being benched. Carmelo has been looking more engaged and finally happy out there. The Knicks are on a three-game winning streak with two big wins against the Pacers and Jeremy Lin played well in both. New York has a soft schedule this week (minus Philly on Wednesday), which should extend their streak to at least four. So far it's looking like D'Antoni's stubbornness and not Anthony's was the problem. —Angel Diaz

17. Phoenix Suns

Record: 23 - 22
Last Week's Rank: 18
Last Week's Results: L vs. Minnesota 124-127, (Mon); W vs. Utah 120-111, (Wed); W @ LA Clippers 91-87, (Thu); W vs. Detroit 109-101, (Fri); W vs. Houston 86-99, (Sun)
This Week: @ Miami, Tuesday (3/20); @ Orlando, Wednesday (3/21); @ Indiana, Friday (3/23); @ Cleveland, Sunday (3/25)

Don't look now but the Suns are only a half game out of the 8th seed in the West. A couple months ago it didn't seem like Phoenix had any chance of being a contender and the idea of trading Steve Nash made sense. Well, they held onto the veteran point guard who's leading the league with 11.3 APG. That's right, these young'ns don't have shit on grandpa Nash. #noshots —Ralph Warner

16. Utah Jazz

Record: 23 - 22
Last Week's Rank: 19
Last Week's Results: W vs. Detroit 105-90, (Mon); L @ Phoenix 111-120, (Wed); W vs. Minnesota 111-105, (Thu); W vs. Golden State 99-92, (Sat); W @ LA Lakers 103-99, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Oklahoma City, Tuesday (3/20); @ Sacramento, Thursday (3/22); vs. Denver, Friday (3/23); @ Atlanta, Sunday (3/25)

Four wins in five games—including a dogfight on Sunday in L.A. — and the Jazz are back over .500 and out of the Northwest basement. And with Al Jefferson out, the young guys are getting a chance to shine. In the aformentioned win over the Lakers, rookies Enes Kantner and Alec Burks each scored 17 points off the bench. They host OKC and Denver this week, so the rooks will need to continue to contribute. —Russ Bengtson

15. Houston Rockets

Record: 24 - 22
Last Week's Rank: 14
Last Week's Results: W @ Oklahoma City 104-103, (Tue); W vs. Charlotte 107-87, (Wed); L @ LA Clippers 91-95, (Sat); L @ Phoenix 86-99, (Sun)
This Week: vs. LA Lakers, Tuesday (3/20); vs. Golden State, Thursday (3/22); vs. Dallas, Saturday (3/24)

Highlighted by a trade for Marcus Camby, the Rockets made a handful of moves before the trade deadline that made them marginally better and a lot older. With rumors of possibly landing Dwight Howard or Pau Gasol there has to be a sense of disappointment in Houston. The exhausted and short-handed Rockets lost Sunday to the Suns. Without a major deadline move and with Lowry still out, Houston would be lucky to hang on to their eight-seed. —Sean Evans

14. Boston Celtics

Record: 23 - 21
Last Week's Rank: 16
Last Week's Results: W @ LA Clippers 94-85, (Mon); W @ Golden State 105-103, (Wed); L @ Sacramento 95-120, (Fri); L @ Denver 91-98, (Sat)
This Week: @ Atlanta, Monday (3/19); @ Milwaukee, Thursday (3/22); @ Philadelphia, Friday (3/23); vs. Washington, Sunday (3/25)

Don't be fooled by Boston's inconsistency so far. OGs know how to save energy, especially in this lockout shortened season. The C's are just hanging around losing to teams they should beat, at the same time playing well against the L's elite. None of the Big 4 were dealt at the deadline. The road will get tougher down the stretch with Chris Wilcox out for the season due to heart issues (a la Jeff Green) and Jermaine O'Neal is out for the year as well with a wrist injury.Those two losses will rob them of depth and size. Let's see how the seasoned Celtics weather this storm. —Angel Diaz

13. Dallas Mavericks

Record: 26 - 20
Last Week's Rank: 10
Last Week's Results: W vs. Washington 107-98, (Tue); W vs. Charlotte 101-96, (Thu); W vs. San Antonio 106-99, Saturday (3/17)
This Week: @ Denver, Monday (3/19); vs. LA Lakers, Wednesday (3/21); @ San Antonio, Friday (3/23); @ Houston, Saturday (3/24)

The Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde season continues in Dallas. All season long the Mavericks have countered horrible stretches with flashes of brilliance. In the midst of a season-destroying slide, the Mavs won three-straight games this week in a recovery that couldn't come soon enough. In a string that will either establish Dirk and Co. as contenders—or knock them out of the playoff picture entirely—Dallas plays nine straight games against teams above .500. Stay tuned. —Sean Evans

12. Atlanta Hawks

Record: 26 - 19
Last Week's Rank: 12
Last Week's Results: L @ Denver 117-118, (Tue); L @ LA Clippers 82-96, (Wed); W vs. Washington 102-88, (Fri); W @ Cleveland 103-97, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Boston, Monday (3/19); vs. Cleveland, Wednesday (3/21); vs. New Jersey, Friday (3/23); @ Cleveland, Sunday (3/25)

The Hawks are winning the games they are supposed to win. That's the good news. The bad news? They're still losing against the tougher opponents. Last week was a prime example. Even though they got the Ws over Washington and Cleveland, Atlanta lost a close one in Denver and followed that up by falling short against a struggling Clippers team. Overall, the Eastern Conference is so lousy that the Hawks will end up in the playoffs barring a complete collapse, but that's when they will face stiffer competition—and we know how that goes. —Jose Martinez

11. Denver Nuggets

Record: 25 - 20
Last Week's Rank: 13
Last Week's Results: W vs. Atlanta 118-117, (Tue); L vs. Oklahoma City 90-103, (Thu); W vs. Boston 98-91, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Dallas, Monday (3/19); vs. Detroit, Wednesday (3/21); @ Utah, Friday (3/23); @ Minnesota, Sunday (3/25)

Two wins out of their last three, seven of their last 10—the Denver Nuggets are solidly entrenched in second place in the Northwest Division, and moving on up. While they have essentially no shot at catching the Thunder (who handed them their sole loss last week), they should be able to stay in front of the Jazz, Wolves and Blazers. Still, the Nuggets should expect more than that. This week's games at Utah and at Minnesota should allow them to gain even more ground. —Russ Bengtson

10. Indiana Pacers

Record: 25 - 18
Last Week's Rank: 9
Last Week's Results: W vs. Portland 92-75, (Tue); W vs. Philadelphia 111-94, (Wed); L @ New York 100-115, (Fri); L vs. New York 102-88, (Sat)
This Week: vs. LA Clippers, Tuesday (3/20); @ Washington, Thursday (3/22); vs. Phoenix. Friday (3/23); @ Milwaukee, Saturday (3/24)

Talk about bad timing. If the Pacers had played the Knicks on back-to-back nights before Mike D'Antoni got fired last week, they probably would have won both games. But, instead, they got the suddenly-rejuvenated Knicks after D'Antoni resigned and, as a result, they fell right back into the same slump they were in last week after seemingly righting the ship with wins over the Blazers and Sixers. Can they get out of it with the schedule they've got this week? We think so. And they better. After all, they've only got two more weeks 'til the Knicks come back to town!—Chris Yuscavage

9. Philadelphia 76ers

Record: 25 - 20
Last Week's Rank: 11
Last Week's Results: L @ Indiana 94-111, (Wed); L vs. Miami 78-84, (Fri); L @ Chicago 80-89, (Sat)
This Week: @ Charlotte, Monday (3/19); vs. New York, Wednesday (3/21); vs. Boston, Friday (3/23); @ San Antonio, Sunday (3/25)

The 76ers lost three straight last week and lost to a Rose-less Bulls team on Saturday. They're coming back down to Earth somewhat, but still have a choke hold on the Atlantic. Nocioni was bought out and Spencer Hawes is back in the lineup, which can shore up the rotation and give them much needed size in the paint. Spencer has missed a lot of games so far and Philly was winning early with him and continued to have success with him out. It should be interesting to watch him fit in chemistry-wise and see if they can stay in that fourth spot in the playoff race. —Angel Diaz

8. Memphis Grizzlies

Record: 25 - 18
Last Week's Rank: 8
Last Week's Results: L vs. LA Lakers 111-116, (Tue); L vs. Toronto 110-114, (Friday); W vs. Washington 92-97, (Sun)
This Week: @ Sacramento, Tuesday (3/20); @ Portland, Thursday (3/22); @ LA Clippers, Saturday (3/24); @ LA Lakers, Sunday (3/25)

An unexpected speed bump in Zach Randolph's return to Memphis as the Grizz dropped a pair of overtime games before beating the Wizards on Sunday. Randolph scored 25 points in his homecoming which bodes well for the Western Conference dark horse. With nine of their next eleven games on the road against the likes of Oklahoma City, Miami and a pair of teams from Los Angeles, the Grizzlies are going to need to be at full strength to keep pace in the West. —Sean Evans

7. Los Angeles Clippers

Record: 26 - 18
Last Week's Rank: 7
Last Week's Results: L vs. Boston 85-94, (Mon); W vs. Atlanta 96-82, (Wed); L vs. Phoenix 87-91, (Thu); W vs. Houston 95-91, (Sat); W vs. Detroit 87-83 (OT), (Sun)
This Week: @ Indiana, Tuesday (3/20); @ Oklahoma City, Wednesday (3/21); @ New Orleans, Thursday (3/22); vs. Memphis, Saturday (3/24)

The Clippers had an OK week as they went 3-2 against mid-level contenders (not including the Pistons, of course). Gritty wins against the Rockets and Pistons prove that the Lob City crew isn't all about making highlight plays, they've got some heart, too. Especially Chris Paul who had 19 points, 15 assists and 9 boards in L.A.'s overtime win against Detroit. The Clippers remain 1.5 games behind the Lakers in the Pacific division. The battle for L.A. continues... —Ralph Warner

6. Los Angeles Lakers

Record: 28 - 17
Last Week's Rank: 6
Last Week's Results: W @ Memphis 116-111, (Tue); W @ New Orleans 107-101, (Wed); W vs. Minnesota 97-92, (Fri); L vs. Utah 99-103, (Sun)
This Week: @ Houston, Tuesday (3/20); @ Dallas, Wednesday (3/21); vs. Portland, Friday (3/23); vs. Memphis, Sunday (3/25)

This past week the Lake Show made more headlines for front office moves than on the court ones. They made improvements at the point guard position by acquiring Ramon Sessions in a trade with the Cavs and they added another big man in Jordan Hill from the Rockets. They cleared some some cap room by sending Luke Walton to Cleveland and Derek Fisher to the Rockets. Losing the veteran point guard means they'll give up a bit of leadership in the locker room as Fisher was alongside Kobe Bryant for each of his five championship runs. As far as on the court moves go, the Lakers had a solid 4-1 week. But a point of concern came in Sunday's game against the Jazz when Kobe went 3 for 20 from the field in a 99-103 loss. When you take into account the fact that Andrew Bynum went off for 33 points, you have to wonder why the Black Mamba didn't just defer to the All-Star center on such a bad shooting night. Or better yet, why didn't Mike Brown tell Bryant to ease up on his shooting? Hmmm... —Ralph Warner

5. San Antonio Spurs

Record: 29 - 14
Last Week's Rank: 4
Last Week's Results: W vs. Washington 112-97, (Mon); W vs. Orlando 122-111, (Wed); W @ Oklahoma City 114-105, (Fri); L @ Dallas 99-106, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Minnesota, Wednesday (3/21); vs. Dallas, Friday (3/23); @ New Orleans, Saturday (3/24); vs. Philadelphia, Sunday (3/25)

After a brief win-one-lose-one stretch, the Spurs got back on track going 3-1 this week. In an underrated trade deadline move, San Antonio signed Stephen Jackson who, if he returns to form, could put the Spurs over the hump. Danny Green's been San Antonio's unsung hero of late with solid defense and a 21-point outburst in their win against Oklahoma City. With role players taking form and as healthy a backcourt the Spurs have had all year, things are looking bright in the Lone Star State.—Sean Evans

4. Orlando Magic

Record: 29 - 17
Last Week's Rank: 5
Last Week's Results: W vs. Miami 104-98, (Tue); L @ San Antonio 111-122, (Wed); W vs. New Jersey 86-70, (Fri); L @ Miami 81-91, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Chicago, Monday (3/19); vs. Phoenix, Wednesday (3/21); vs. Cleveland, Friday (3/23)

The trade deadline has passed and Dwight Howard is still a member of the Magic. Hard to believe considering all that led up to this point, but Orlando has to be relieved to get passed that chapter. With a strong MVP candidate in D12 still rocking with the Magic, this team can now refocus their attention on winning and causing problems in the Eastern Conference once the playoffs roll around. —Jose Martinez

3. Miami Heat

Record: 33 - 11
Last Week's Rank: 3
Last Week's Results: L @ Orlando 98-104, (Tue); L @ Chicago 102-106, (Wed); W @ Philadelphia 84-78, (Fri); W vs. Orlando 81-91, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Phoenix, Tuesday (3/20); @ Detroit, Friday (3/23); @ Oklahoma City, Sunday (3/25)

The Heat have been going through a tough month of March with a disappointing 6-4 record. While their losses have been to legitimate competition, like the Bulls and Magic, these are all playoff-bound teams in the Eastern Conference. Yeah, Miami did beat Orlando last night, but that only improved their season series to 2-2. Remember, this is a team that isn't expected to fall short of a championship for a second year in a row. If they can't defeat their conference foes during the regular season, what does that say about their chances in the postseason? —Jose Martinez

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Record: 34 - 11
Last Week's Rank: 2
Last Week's Results: L vs. Houston 103-104, (Tue); W @ Denver 103-90, (Thu); L vs. San Antonio 105-114, (Fri); W vs. Portland 111-95, (Sun)
This Week: @ Utah, Tuesday (3/20); vs. LA Clippers, Wednesday (3/21); vs. Minnesota, Friday (3/23); vs. Miami, Sunday (3/25)

Are the Thunder mortal at home after all? They dropped two of four last week — a one-point loss to the seemingly innocuous Rockets, and a come-from-behind loss to the Spurs where they were down by as much as 27 before pulling within two and finally losing by nine. The true test could come this week, as they host the Heat on Friday. They're still the favorites to emerge as the one-seed in the West, but the Spurs have earned some renewed hope. —Russ Bengtson

1. Chicago Bulls

Record: 37 - 10
Last Week's Rank: 1
Last Week's Results: W vs. New York 104-99, (Mon); W vs. Miami 106-102, (Wed); L vs. Portland 89-100, (Fri); W vs. Philadelphia 89-80, (Sat)
This Week: @ Orlando, Monday (3/19); @ Toronto, Wednesday (3/21); vs. Toronto, Saturday (3/24)

Is it just us—or has Derrick Rose turned into the most injury-prone point guard in the NBA? Seriously. It seems like every time we tune into a Bulls game, he's sitting on the bench with another injury. That might actually be trouble for the rest of the league, though. Because despite Rose's multiple injuries, the Bulls are still winning and sitting atop our Power Rankings list. And when the playoffs roll around, he's going to be the most well-rested superstar in the league thanks to all of these injuries he's suffered. As an added bonus, his injuries are giving guys like C.J. Watson and John Lucas III time to shine, too. So when the playoffs start, this entire team is gonna be a problem.—Chris Yuscavage