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NBA Power Rankings, March Madness edition: Blake Griffin back, Serge Ibaka, Manu Ginobili down

By Mark Carman

Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; A view NBA logo during the NBA All Star Jam Session at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; A view NBA logo during the NBA All Star Jam Session at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) moves the ball down the court followed by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) moves the ball down the court followed by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

10 Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers kept above playoff water, 9-6, while Blake Griffin was out. Griffin came back Sunday after missing 15 games from surgery to remove a staph infection is his right elbow. There was some rust, but Griffin still contributed 11 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists in a two-point home loss to Houston. Too bad he couldn’t shoot free throws for DeAndre Jordan, 1-8. Hack-a-Jordan will continue indefinitely with those type of numbers as painful as it is for basketball fans to watch.

Dec 18, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) and Washington Wizards power forward Nene Hilario (42) celebrate against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Barclays Center. The Wizards won the game 113-107. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) and Washington Wizards power forward Nene Hilario (42) celebrate against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Barclays Center. The Wizards won the game 113-107. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

9 Washington Wizards

Three wins in a row in a perfect week for the Wizards, who got to see old friend Andre Miller on Saturday when they rallied from a 21-point, third-quarter deficit to win by 16, a 37-point swing. Miller was scapegoated during the Wizards epic slide, sent-off for Ramon Sessions who has had worse numbers than Miller. John Wall has played better of late after admitting the Wizards slide belonged on his shoulders. That is a little unfair to Wall, but if the Wizards are going to resurface as a real contender in the Eastern Conference they will need Wall at his best to do it.

Jan 2, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) and Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) slap hands during the second half of the Dallas Mavericks 119-101 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) and Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) slap hands during the second half of the Dallas Mavericks 119-101 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

8 Dallas Mavericks

Bizarre week for the Mavs who lost to Cleveland by 33 then beat the Clippers by 30. Here’s to hoping Dallas doesn’t see the Cavs in the finals, although Dirk and company have beaten LeBron once before. Chandler Parsons was not on that Mavs team, but he has been a boon for this one. Parsons is back after missing seven games with a sprained ankle and has found his shooting touch quickly, 15- 24, in his last two games. Dallas went 3-4 without Parsons. They need a high level Parsons to have a fighting chance.

Feb 4, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) loses his shoe during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) loses his shoe during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

7 Memphis Grizzlies

The record says the Grizzlies are at the top of the Western Conference while there play in the second half screams first round exit, now 7-6 since the break. The offense has been spotty, especially this week in losses to both Boston and Washington where they scored 92 and 87 respectively. Here are four reasons while the Grizzlies have been struggling. Four more games this week highlight by a road tilt with Dallas.

Jan 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) heads down court after a three point basket in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Trailblazers won 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) heads down court after a three point basket in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Trailblazers won 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

6 Portland Trailblazers

Wes Matthews going out for the year with an achilles injury was supposed to be the end for the Blazers. That has not been the case. Arron Afflalo has helped minimize the loss impact for the Blazers, now 3-1 since the Matthews injury and 6-1 in March. Portland has four-games left on the road trip before they come home next Tuesday night to face Golden State.

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