NBA: Power Rankings 2016
Isaiah Thomas and the Boston Celtics are one of the teams on the outside looking in at the power rankings.The NBA is humming along, and as more and more games are played, it is becoming easier to put teams in distinct categories. After a slow start, the Clippers are slowly trying to but themselves into the list of title contenders, as they are riding a 10 game winning streak and building their statistical profile in the process.The West is looking as top heavy as ever, with teams 5-15 looking farther away from the pack than we have seen over their run of dominance in the league. Meanwhile, the East seems to have a bunch of slightly above average teams all fighting to show they have the chops to eventually challenge the Caveliers in the conference finals come May.If one of these six or seven teams can find a way to get hot and string some dominant performances together, they will become the East’s second best team, but as it stands, everyone in this group can’t get it together for more than a few games. As we push towards the All Star break, the league picture will become more and more clear.All stats via NBA.com
#10 Miami Heat
Last Week: 1-3
The Miami Heat bit the dust hard this week as trugged through the middle part of a six game, West Coast road trip. After getting a win at lowly Phoenix, they lost three straight by double digits vs Western Conference playoff teams.
They are still stuggling to score consistently highlighted by the play of Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade, their two lead guards who have failed to mesh since last season’s midseason trade. For the Heat to challenge the Cavs in the Eastern Conference, they need these two guards to figure out the best way to play with each other or else the offense will never be able to function in the playoffs.
Next Week: Four games are up on the docket as they finish up their West Coast road trip before playing one quick game at home before embarking on another five game roadie. Their game on Sunday vs Oklahoma City stands out, as this will push their top defense to the limit as they work to contain the 1-2 punch of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. A win here could show the Heat have the ability to lock down top defenses while also scoring enough to come out with a win.