29. Washington Wizards (29): Washington is 14-46, giving them the second-worst record in the NBA only to the potential recording-breaking Bobcats. Then again, what else would you expect from the Wizards?
27. Minnesota Timberwolves (26): Any promise that the Timberwolves’ 2011-2012 season had is still be sullied by a current nine-game losing streak. Unlike the Lakers, Minnesota wasn’t able to overcome the loss of their impact player.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (28): The only reason the Cavaliers moved up at all from last week is because other teams moved down. They’re still among the NBA’s worst teams and have only won three of their last 16 games.
Next Page: NBA Power Rankings: 25-21
24. Detroit Pistons (23): After a promising start to the month of April, the Pistons struggled through their last five games and solidified their position as a subpar team. At least they get some easy matchups against Cleveland and Minnesota to finish out the season.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (20): The Blazers’ chances at making the playoffs were already thin. With LaMarcus Aldridge now shut down, any hope they had just went down the drain. Better luck next season.
22. Toronto Raptors (24): Surprisingly, the Raptors are on a two-game winning streak (impressive right?). What’s more impressive is that those two wins came against the Celtics and Hawks. Still, they’re record is 22-39. Enough said.
21. New Jersey Nets (21): Well Gerald Green certainly gave the New Jersey fans some excitement as the team headed down the final stretch. Although the Nets’ season is nearing its end, there are several opportunities for them to play spoiler this week.
Next Page: NBA Power Rankings: 20-16
20. New Orleans Hornets (25): The Hornets finally have an owner other than the NBA’s own dictator and are on a three-game winning streak after toppling the red-hot Grizzlies. It’s obviously too late, but at least they’re making the most of what little basketball they have left.
19. Philadelphia 76ers (18): With the way that the 76ers have been playing, you’d think that they don’t want to make the playoffs. They’ve won only two of their seven games in April and are feeling the pressure from the Bucks’ postseason push.
17. Orlando Magic (13): What are the Magic without Dwight Howard? The big man has been shelved by a back injury that has put his postseason presence in jeopardy. Orlando’s stock just dropped drastically.
16. Houston Rockets (11): All of the sudden, the Rockets are within one game of going on an early vacation. After a tough loss to the Nuggets, they’re going to have to play perfect basketball from here on out.
Next Page: NBA Power Rankings: 15-11
14. Denver Nuggets (19): In two days, the Nuggets can go from sitting on the fence between the postseason and watching from home to having a solid grip on the seventh seed. They won the first game against the Rockets on Sunday and need a repeat on Monday to strengthen their standing.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (12): The Bucks are still in the hunt for the East’s eighth seed, but a 1-3 record this past week will have them on the outside looking in soon enough. A tough last six games isn’t going to make it any easier.
12. Memphis Grizzlies (8): Just when it seemed like the Grizzlies were making a name for themselves as a team to avoid in the playoffs, they drop a pitiful game to the worst team in the West. Memphis doesn’t seem so intimidating anymore.
11. Phoenix Suns (15): The Suns continue to win the easy ones, but are dropping games against playoff teams too often. Considering that their last six games are against some of the best teams in the league, Phoenix might soon be watching from the comfort of home.
Next Page: NBA Power Rankings: 10-6
10. New York Knicks (14): Despite a tough loss to the Heat, the Knicks have been doing what’s necessary to hold on to their playoff spot. It’s not going to matter, though, if someone other than Carmelo Anthony or J.R. Smith can’t create some scoring in the postseason.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (7): The Clippers are staying with the Lakers stride for stride, but still trail by 1.5 games and are slated for a playoff matchup with the Grizzlies. Memphis isn’t the team you want to start the playoffs against, which means CP3 and Griffin will be tenaciously tested.
7. Indiana Pacers (9): In the month of April, the Pacers have won all but one of their nine games. They’re cruising towards the playoffs and are one of the hottest teams in the East. Watch out; Indiana could be the dark horse to represent the East in the 2012 Finals.
6. Miami Heat (3): Inconsistency is going to be killer when the Heat face off against playoff-caliber teams night in and night out. They continue to lose against top-tier teams, including losses against Boston and Chicago this past week.
Next Page: NBA Power Rankings: 5-1
5. San Antonio Spurs (1): A blowout loss to the Lakers exposed the Spurs’ vulnerability. To make matters worse, they still have two more meetings with the Lakers before season’s end. It seems like age is catching up to this veteran team.
3. Los Angeles Lakers (10): Just when you thought that the Kobe-less Lakers were doomed, they go on a four-game winning streak. The bench has been revitalized and World Peace is looking more like Ron Artest. They’re picking up a full head of steam as the playoffs come within view.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (4): The Thunder bounced back and recaptured control of the Western Conference with a 3-1 week. Despite some late-season struggles, don’t think for a second that Durant and Co. won’t be ready when the playoffs begin.
1. Chicago Bulls (2): Arguably the league’s hottest team right now, the Bulls are running on all cylinders with the playoffs just around the corner. Derrick Rose is finally back in the lineup and they’re the early favorites to take the Eastern crown.