Everything Falling Into Place for Cavs

NBA Power Rankings: Ours is much more of an emotional look than most. Recent events matter, and long-term projections are (mostly) ignored. After all, no one wants to simply read the Vegas odds for winning the title each week, right?

Much like that silly, underhanded half-court shot that Lebron James hit during pregame warm-ups, everything seems to be falling into place for the Cavs. They are riding a nine-game winning streak, and lead the league-wide standings by a game over the Lakers. If they hang on, they get to avoid both the Celtics and the Magic until the last round of playoffs in the East, and would have home court advantage throguhout. Pretty sweet. How about everyone else? Ranked as follows:

1. Cavaliers (57-13) | Prev.: 1
The Cavs shouldn't be considered just title contenders anymore. They should be considered the favorites. Nine straight wins heading into tonight's game against New Jersey, on pace to win 65-plus games and only one loss at home this season. What more do they have to do? (Matt Steinmetz)
2. Lakers (56-14) | Prev.: 2
Despite Smush Parker's contention otherwise, Kobe Bryant seems to be high on the list as someone NBA players would like to have as their teammate. (BP)
3. Celtics (54-18) | Prev.: 6
Really just biding their time and making sure everyone's as close to 100 percent as possible once the post-season begins. Kevin Garnett is back, but the team is monitoring his minutes closely. (BP)
4. Magic (52-18) | Prev.: 3
At a precipice. They can either fall back to the pack, to "almost good enough" like their last game with Cleveland, or they can go on a tear and roll into the playoffs with enough momentum to push for the ECF. They're going to need a ton of momentum to get past their second round opponent, so they need to start tonight. Against who will probably be that second round opponent. Boston. (Matt Moore)
5. Hornets (44-25) | Prev.: 14
Why not put these guys at five? After the top four teams, it's pretty much ~~a cluster~~, um, anybody's guess. 12-3 in their last 15 makes them somewhat worth as well. (BP)
6. Spurs (46-24) | Prev.: 4
Scraping by against the Warriors. Beaten by Houston. Ginobili is the bright light at the end of the week's tunnel, but at some point you have to rest Timmy. A normally very reliable Spurs team is completely up in the air over the last three weeks of the season. They could be flawless, they could be disappointing. It's a coin flip. And they cannot afford ANY more injuries. (MM)
7. Hawks (42-29) | Prev.: 7
Shhh! No one pay attention to the Hawks who have won 8 of 10, suddenly are paying defense again, and how Joe Johnson has remembered how to put the little round thing in the circle thing with the net! Go about your business! Nothing to see here! This team will end up being the most picked against four seed in history. (MM)
8. Jazz (44-26) | Prev.: 10
Focused. Talented. Surging. These three words make up the Utah Jazz at home. Not. So. Much. These three words make up the Utah Jazz on the road. Any questions? (MM)
9. Nuggets (45-26) | Prev.: 8
Before dropping a close one to the Suns, these guys were playing well enough to win five straight games. Will the referees listen to George Karl's complaints about how his team is officiated? Time will tell. (BP)
10. Rockets (47-26) | Prev.: 5
Tuesday's loss to Utah notwithstanding, Houston has to be considered in the same dangerous class with San Antonio, Denver, Portland and New Orleans. I mean, it's been said ... but it's true: everyone between the Lakers and Suns are basically interchangeable. It's all about match-ups; fortunately for the Rockets, a versatile roster with numerous good defenders should help out against everyone (but Utah, apparently). (Tom Ziller)

11. Blazers (44-27) | Prev.: 9
It would be weird if the Blazers played the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, since neither team strikes me as second round material. For a detailed look at where the Blazers (and everyone else in the West playoff picture) might end up, head on over to Blazer's Edge. (BP)
12. Suns (39-31) | Prev.: 15
Even if the Suns don't make the playoffs, they're giving their fans some hope for the future with this late season run. The win over Denver had a playoff atmosphere; I'm guessing Wednesday night's game against the Jazz will feel the same way. (BP)
13. Mavericks (42-28) | Prev.: 13
The Mavericks are still in control of their own destiny, and would really have to collapse to not make the playoffs at this point. Still, it's probably best if they wrap things up before that home game against the Suns on April 5. (BP)
14. Heat (38-32) | Prev.: 11
Dwyane Wade not on the floor? Broom magnet in the first round. Dwyane Wade on the floor? There's not a team in the playoffs that want to see them. The rookies on this team are about to get introduced to the reality of playoff basketball. How they handle it will determine the Heat's ceiling. (MM)
15. Sixers (36-33) | Prev.: 12
Philly finishes a 3-2 West Coast road trip with an exclamation point victory in Portland on Monday. The bad news is that the Sixers are a little too far away from thinking home-court. The good news is they're safely in front of the ninth-place Bobcats. (MS)
16. Bulls (34-38) | Prev.: 16
Interesting read over at TrueHoop about the implications a possible Bulls-Cavaliers first round playoff matchup might have in the White House. (BP)
17. Pistons (34-36) | Prev.: 19
With Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton and Allen Iverson sidelined, the Pistons are once again in freefall. Don't take a playoff appearance for granted. (Matt Watson)
18. Bobcats (31-39) | Prev.: 17
Rolling...Rolling... Rolling ... Almost ... there ... BAM! Lose to completely inferior teams to fall two games back of the 8th spot. The Bobcats only went 6-4 through their easy part of the schedule, and now face an uphill battle against a surging Bulls squad for the 8 seed. Unless they play flawlessly for the next three weeks and get some luck on their side as well, the second half surge for this team will only result in a mid-round pick. (MM)
19. Bucks (31-40) | Prev.: 18
A recent update from @CV31, who's sticking to his diet: "Aight, I was going to go for a Filet-O-Fish, but I punked out. I'm sticking to my diet plan. Going grocery shopping instead at Wholes Food." (BP)
20. Pacers (29-42) | Prev.: 21
Just crushed the Bobcats in their last outing, which is kind of a big deal when you look at the race for that eighth playoff spot in the East. (BP)

21. Nets (30-40) | Prev.: 22
Vince Carter's doing a lot, but sorry: No Devin Harris, no playoffs. (BP)
22. Knicks (28-42) | Prev.: 20
That the Knicks were recently still in the playoff race should be a reminder that while Cleveland, Orlando and Boston are fantastic, the West still runs deeper -- Phoenix (No. 9 in the West) would be No. 5 in the East. But let this not discourage the 'Bockers, who -- yes Martha -- have improved this season. (TZ)
23. Raptors (25-45) | Prev.: 23
Happy 25th birthday, Chris Bosh! (What, is there something else going on that I should know about?) (BP)
24. Warriors (25-46) | Prev.: 25
There were signs of life in the Warriors' one-point road loss to the Spurs on Tuesday. But it still turned out to be Golden State's 22nd consecutive defeat in San Antonio, and the Warriors have never won in AT&T Center. (MS)
25. Thunder (24-43) | Prev.: 24
Phil Jackson tweaked the crowd in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, saying they get too excited early in the game and really don't know their NBA hoops. After seeing a group from Thunder-land in Phoenix screaming their guts out after every play (COME ON, THABO!! WAY TO GO, JEFF!!!), I'd say he's right on point. (BP)
26. Grizzlies (17-53) | Prev.: 26
Here's a fun game to play with your friends. Split a bottle of vodka with three buddies. Now each of you throw a dart at a map of the United States and Canada. That's as good a guess as to where Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, and the Memphis Grizzlies are going to be in three years. (MM)
27. Timberwolves (20-51) | Prev.: 27
With the season having long since ended in Minnesota, it's time for a little draft talk. (BP)
28. Wizards (16-56) | Prev.: 28
What's more irrelevant, Arenas coming back for a handful of games in limited minutes, or the Wizards' season in general? The fact that Pollin isn't itching to blow this thing up is beyond me. Always next year Cubs... I mean, Wizards fans. (MM)
29. Clippers (17-54) | Prev.: 29
Rumors of Jerry West taking over the general manager duties from Mike Dunleavy came and went in L.A.. The Clippers seemed unaffected by it all, losers of three in a row and 11 of their past 13. (MS)

30. Kings (15-55) | Prev.: 30
Sacramento has played two fewer games than Washington, and remains a full game ahead in the race for the bottom. Narrowly avoiding an embarrassing 0-30 season against the East provided the Kings with a not-at-all embarrassing 1-29 season against the East. Can they complete the task and finish Worst in the League? Stay tuned! Kings basketball! OH! BOY! (TZ)