Contenders

1. San Antonio Spurs (36-11) PR: 3

The Spurs have won 8 straight and have the best record in the entire league, playing the 4 of their last 5 without Tim Duncan. San Antonio hosts the Bobcats and Wizards before embarking on their 9-game “Rodeo Roadtrip.”

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2. Oklahoma City Thunder (34-11) PR: 1

The Thunder finally get back to the confines of their beautiful home after going 3-3 on their season-long 6-game road trip. The Thunder allowed 106 points and 46.6 % shooting on this trip which is very alarming.

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3. Miami Heat (28-13) PR: 5

Rebound, rebound, rebound!!! Their defense is creating missed shots, but they aren’t able to secure the boards. If they are to repeat, they will have to do better than LAST in rebounding (39.5 RPG). The good news is that Chris Bosh is averaging just under 12 RPG over his last 3 contests.

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4. Los Angeles Clippers (33-13) PR: 2

Lost 3 of their last 4 games while CP3 has missed four straight and 7 of the last 9 overall (bruised right knee cap). Blake Griffin has averaged 23.5 points and 9.5 assists with Paul out over his past two games.

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5. Memphis Grizzlies (28-15) PR: 4

Hopefully the Grizz won’t be without PG Mike Conley for long after turning his left ankle Sunday. Conley is the engine to this machine and makes sure the Bigs get their touches. Memphis has outscored 6 straight opponents in the paint. Zach Randolph recorded his 28th double-double of the season Sunday, the most in the league this season.

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6. New York Knicks (27-15) PR: 6

Got PG Raymond Felton back Saturday after missing 12 games. The Knicks went 6-6 during that stretch. It didn’t take Felton long to get back in a groove, recording his first double-double since Thanksgiving and registering 10+ assists for only the 3^rd times this season Sunday.

Sleepers

7. Chicago Bulls (26-17) PR: 11

8. Denver Nuggets (27-18) PR: 9

9. Golden State Warriors (26-17) PR: 7

10. Brooklyn Nets (26-18) PR: 8

11. Indiana Pacers (26-18) PR: 10

12. Houston Rockets (21-17) PR: 12

13. Atlanta Hawks (25-19) PR: 13

14. Milwaukee Bucks (23-19) PR: 16

15. Utah Jazz (24-20) PR: 17

16. Portland Trail Blazers (22-22) PR: 14

17. Los Angeles Lakers (19-25) PR: 19

Pretenders

18. Dallas Mavericks (19-25) PR: 20

19. Philadelphia 76ers (18-25) PR: 18

20. Boston Celtics (21-23) PR: 15

21. Detroit Pistons (17-27) PR: 23

22. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-32) PR: 29

23. Washington Wizards (11-31) PR: 30

24. New Orleans Hornets (15-29) PR: 26

25. Phoenix Suns (15-30) PR: 25

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-24) PR: 21

27. Toronto Raptors (16-28) PR: 24

28. Sacramento Kings (16-29) PR: 27

29. Charlotte Bobcats (11-32) PR: 28

30. Orlando Magic (14-29) PR: 22