5. Los Angeles Lakers (6): Yes, the Lakers did cap off their week with a 14-point loss to Orlando, but that’s not because they weren’t trying or playing intense basketball. They simply looked tired. Playing four games in five days on the road is a lot tougher than it sounds, especially when they are against New Orleans, Boston, New York and Orlando in that order. The front line is looking good, and although Kobe is apparently feeling under the weather, things could be much, MUCH worse in Laker Land.
4. Miami Heat (3): My favorite stat of the weekend: Going into their game against Boston on Sunday morning, the Miami Heat’s Big Three (LeBron, Wade and Bosh) had attempted 1,174 free-throws this season. Can you guess how many free-throws the ENTIRE Boston Celtics team had shot coming into that same game? You guessed it: 1,174. That is insane! Yeah, it’s great for Miami that those three guys get to the line that many times; but it was widely apparent in their third loss to Boston this season, that if the Heat don’t get deeper, they are going to have a hard time getting past the Cs in the playoffs.
3. Chicago Bulls (4): Feb. 24. The day Joakim Noah is set to return. The day that everything is going to begin to fall into place for the Bulls. Just watch out for them. Derrick Rose is one of the most phenomenal players I have ever seen touch a basketball, and do not be surprised to see Chicago take over the No. 1 spot in the East in the near future.
2. Boston Celtics (2): Blowing a 15 point lead to the Lakers at home wasn’t great, but following that up with a win over the “Heatles,” wasn’t so bad itself. Now 3-0 against LeBron, Wade and Co., it’s pretty obvious who the real King of the East is for now (see No. 3 after Feb. 24!).
1. San Antonio Spurs (1): Philly handed them their ninth loss of the season in an offensively-challenged 77-71 final score, which the Spurs followed up with a 14-point routing of the Washington Wizards. I don’t expect the Spurs to fall of during the regular season, and they will probably capture home court throughout the playoffs, but this team just does not have the defensive presence it will need to compete with the Lakers or Boston.
