NBA Power Rankings: Golden State still on top, LeBron James is ready for playoffs
By Mark Carman
25. Denver Nuggets
Danilo Gallinari followed up a career-high 40 points last week at Orlando with eight points on 3-10 shooting at home in a 14-point loss to the Sixers. Denver finished the week 1-2. Interim Coach Melvin Hunt praised point guard Ty Lawson for having “special speed.” The Nuggets surprisingly beat the Jazz by 14 at home in a game they never trailed. Hunt is 8-7 since taking over for Brian Shaw. He has earned a shot to coach the Nuggets next year.
24. Sacramento Kings
DeMarcus Cousins is making it harder and harder to doubt him. In a 14-point loss to the New Orleans Pelicans and premier defender Anthony Davis, Cousins had 39-points and 20-rebounds. In his last three games, Cousins has 96-points and 48-rebounds combined or 32/16 on average. PHENOMENAL.
Cousins has been battling both calf and foot issues, but has not wanted to sit out despite George Karl urging his star to take a breather. He will miss Monday’s game versus Memphis. The Kings had won four in a row before losing to New Orleans.
23. Detroit Pistons
In his last five games, Detroit guard Reggie Jackson has averaged 25-points and 10-assists and the Pistons have won four of five. Jackson had a triple-double versus Orlando and just missed one against Boston, one rebound short. He is also shooting an impressive 54 percent. Jackson is getting help in the backcourt from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who contributed 53-points in wins over Boston and Toronto. Detroit has to win out and get some serious luck to make the playoffs, but the Pistons are still mathematically alive. Their next win will be Stan Van Gundy’s 400th, a milestone reached by only 42 other NBA coaches.
22. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets started off the week losing their first three, then got a gift from Atlanta who sat all five of their starters after clinching the Eastern Conference’s number one seed the night before. Charlotte won by 15, but these Hornets don’t belong in the playoffs. Kemba Walker is not the same player since knee surgery and despite solid play from Mo Williams, the Hornets struggle mightily to score.
21. Utah Jazz
Former Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter came back to Utah and torched his former teammates and organization.
"“I think the difference is, I like playing basketball there, ( in OKC) I think that’s the most important thing. I never liked playing basketball before in my NBA career, and this is the first time I felt like playing basketball, for my team, for the fans, for my teammates for my coaches, for everybody. So, that’s the first time.”"
The Jazz had lost four in a row, including at home to Minnesota. The beat Kanter and the Thunder by five. Kanted had 18-points and 11-rebounds and a quick flight back out of town.
20. Indiana Pacers
Seven losses in their last nine for the still waiting for Paul George to return Pacers. George has been practicing and looks good according to Roy Hibbert:
"“The things he does in practice looks like the old PG, so whenever he comes back he’ll be good. People are going to be surprised. He is going to have a big play his first couple of possessions back.”"
With only eight games to go it seems like Pacers management may be content to play out the season without George and let him come back next year full strength. They have a large investment on the line and it might be best to protect the player from himself.
19. Boston Celtics
Two home losses to the Pistons and the Heat hurt the Celtics chances to be the lucky number eight seed. Important conference games this week with Charlotte, Indiana, Milwaukee and Toronto. Boston got drilled by the Clippers at home, but the Clippers are playing their best basketball of the year. A little dicey but the Celtics did beat the Knicks taking the season series 3-1 for the first time since the 2010-2011 season.
Next: No. 18 - No. 11