The Complex NBA Power Rankings (Week 17)

Record: 7 - 52
Last Week's Rank: 30
Last Week's Results: L vs. Washington 85-113, (Mon); L @ Cleveland 90-103, (Tue); L vs. Detroit 85-109, (Thu); L @ Miami 82-105, (Fri); L vs. Boston 94-82, (Sun)
This Week: vs. New Orleans, Monday (4/16); vs. Chicago, Wednesday (4/18); vs. Memphis, Friday (4/20); vs. Sacramento, Sunday (4/22)
Just seven more games, Bobcats fans, and this nightmare season is over! Charlotte hasn't won a game since March 17; despite an eight-game stretch in March where they won three games, the Bobcats are again on the cusp of history. If they lose out and go 7-59, they'll finish with a winning percentage of .106, .004 lower than the previous worst team in NBA history, the 1972-73 9-72 76ers. Think about it 'Cats fans, your team control's its own destiny! —Jose Martinez

Record: 14 - 46
Last Week's Rank: 29
Last Week's Results: W @ Charlotte 113-85, (Mon); W vs. Orlando 93-85, (Tue); L @ New York 65-103, (Fri); L vs. Cleveland 89-98, (Sat)
This Week: @ Chicago, Monday (4/16); vs. Milwaukee, Wednesday (4/18); @ Miami, Saturday (4/21)
Hey, whataya know. The Wizards still have some fight left in 'em. With two wins this past week over the lowly Bobcats and the Dwight Howard-less Magic, Washington has ensured themselves of not finishing with the worst record in the league. Those two wins can somewhat diminish that horrid performance against the Knicks. Only 65 total points. They went 12 minutes without scoring. When the front office looks at what they need to improve on, offense may need to be near the top of the list (second only to "everything"). —Jose Martinez

Record: 18 - 42
Last Week's Rank: 28
Last Week's Results: L vs. LA Lakers 91-93, (Mon); W vs. Sacramento 105-96, (Wed); W vs. Utah 96-85, (Fri); W vs. Memphis 88-75, (Sun)
This Week: @ Charlotte, Monday (4/16); @ Memphis, Wednesday (4/18); vs. Houston, Thursday (4/19); @ LA Clippers, Sunday (4/22)
The Hornets lost by two to the Lakers (without Kobe) and went 3-0 the rest of the week, including a Sunday night win against the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies. NOLA will finish the season with an atrocious record but they're not as hopeless as many of their bottom-feeding brethren. They have ownership that will keep them in New Orleans for the foreseeable future, they have a nucleus of young talented players, and Monty Williams seems to provide some stability to the team. It's a wrap on 2012 but 2013 could be a turning point in the franchise. — Sean Evans

Record: 20 - 41
Last Week's Rank: 27
Last Week's Results: L @ Dallas 100-110, (Tue); L @ New Orleans 96-105, (Wed); L @ Oklahoma City 89-115, (Fri); W vs. Portland 104-103, (Sun)
This Week: vs. San Antonio, Wednesday (4/18); vs. Oklahoma City, Friday (4/20); @ Charlotte, Sunday (4/22)
The good news for Sacramento fans is that they only have to endure another five games this season. The bad news? They may not even have a squad to watch next year. The deal for a new arena in Sacramento has hit a few obstacles, most of which are centered around the Maloof family who seems a little hesitant on finalizing the deal that will give the Kings a new home in Sacramento. Can't the basketball gods show a little mercy towards Kings fans?—Ralph Warner

Record: 22 - 38
Last Week's Rank: 26
Last Week's Results: L @ Orlando 89-118, (Mon); W @ Charlotte 109-85, (Thu); L vs. Milwaukee 97-113, (Fri); L vs. Chicago 100-94, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Cleveland, Tuesday (4/17); @ Atlanta, Wednesday (4/18); vs. Minnesota, Thursday (4/19); vs. Toronto, Sunday (4/22)
Pistons head coach Lawrence Frank unleashed a very telling quote about his team after they lost to the Bulls on Sunday. "We did everything we needed to do to win the game," he said, "other than winning the game." Um...yeah. That about sums up the Pistons season. It's not that they haven't tried to win all year. They've just had a hard time actually doing it.—Chris Yuscavage

Record: 22 - 39
Last Week's Rank: 25
Last Week's Results: L vs. Philadelphia 88-107, (Tue); W @ Philadelphia 95-89, (Fri); L vs. Boston 82-94, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Miami, Monday (4/16); vs. New York, Wednesday (4/18); @ Milwaukee, Saturday (4/21)
The Nets have been playing better since the All-Star break mostly due to the additions of Gerald Wallace and Gerald Green. Green has been lighting it up on the low, dropping 32 vs. the Cavs and 23 against the Sixers in victories. We knew he was dead serious about that life when he did this. They have a difficult schedule the last week, but it doesn't matter. They'll more than likely tank the rest of the way to get a shot at the Top 3 draft picks. Can they just forfeit the rest of the way? Anthony Davis in BK? Deron Williams hopes so. —Angel Diaz

Record: 22 - 39
Last Week's Rank: 24
Last Week's Results: L @ Indiana 98-103, (Mon); L vs. Philadelphia 75-93, (Wed); W vs. Boston 84-79, (Fri); W @ Atlanta 102-86, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Atlanta, Monday (4/16); @ Miami, Wednesday (4/18); @ Detroit, Sunday (4/22)
The Raptors have been an anomaly all season. Sometimes they beat good teams, a lot of times they lose to bad teams. For example, this week they beat Boston and Atlanta in back-to-back games after losing four straight. I'm pretty sure the Knicks and the Sixers are grateful. We'll tell you who else is grateful and that's Andrea Bargnani. He's out for the rest season due to that nagging calf injury and doesn't have suffer through the last five games. Toronto gets to do it again vs. Atlanta tonight and try to show up against Miami on Wednesday. —Angel Diaz

Record: 22 - 37
Last Week's Rank: 22
Last Week's Results: L @ Denver 84-123, (Mon); L @ Portland 110-118, (Wed); L vs. Dallas 103-112, (Thu); L @ LA Clippers 104-112, (Sat)
This Week: vs. San Antonio, Monday (4/16); vs. LA Lakers, Wednesday (4/18); @ Dallas, Friday (4/20); @ Houston, Saturday (4/21); @ Minnesota, Sunday (4/22)
If the Warriors hadn't been so terrible all year long, we'd say they were tanking in hopes of securing a higher draft pick. Want to know how many minutes Andrew "Bogus" Bogut has logged since becoming a Warrior? Nada, fam. Meanwhile, Steph Curry and that fragile ankle of his haven't seen any playing time since March 11. When dudes like Klay Thompson start to log 30 MPG this team can expect nothing but Ls for the rest of the year. Speaking of which, how many days till 4/20? —Ralph Warner

Record: 20 - 39
Last Week's Rank: 23
Last Week's Results: W vs. Charlotte 103-91, (Tue); L vs. Indiana 98-104, (Wed); L @ Indiana 83-102, (Fri); W @ Washington 98-89, (Sat); L vs. Orlando 100-84, (Sun)
This Week: @ Detroit, Tuesday (4/17); vs. Philadelphia, Wednesday (4/18); vs. New York, Friday (4/20); @ San Antonio, Sunday (4/22)
If the NBA season was a race, it'd be a marathon, not a sprint. And, right now, the Cavs are at the 24.5-mile mark of that marathon and they're walking. They're walking very, very slowly. Part of that is because they're banged up. But, the other reason is that they just don't have the pieces in place right now to compete with anyone except the Bobcats and Wizards. They're not going to quit as a result of either of those things. But, we're warning you: The end of their marathon isn't going to look very pretty.—Chris Yuscavage

Record: 28 - 33
Last Week's Rank: 21
Last Week's Results: L vs. Houston 89-94, (Mon); W vs. Golden State 118-110, (Wed); L vs. Dallas 94-97, (Fri); L @ Sacramento 104-103, (Sun)
This Week: @ Phoenix, Monday (4/16); vs. Utah, Wednesday (4/18); @ Memphis, Saturday (4/21)
Joel Pryzbilla must be thinking "I came back for this?" (Which reflects fans thinking "Why did Joel Pryzbilla come back to average 2.1 ppg?") Three losses by a total of nine points are still three losses, and a 1-3 week featuring a win over reeling Golden State is no way to end a season. Finish strong, Blazers — this may be the last time a whole mess of you get to play together. —Russ Bengtson

Record: 25 - 36
Last Week's Rank: 20
Last Week's Results: L vs. Phoenix 90-114, (Mon); L @ Denver 107-113, (Wed); L vs. LA Clippers 82-95, (Thu); L vs. Oklahoma City 110-115, (Sat)
This Week: @ Indiana, Monday (4/16); vs. Memphis, Tuesday (4/17); @ Detroit, Thursday (4/19); vs. Golden State, Sunday (4/22)
Farewell Minnesota Timberwolves, we barely knew you. Four games, four losses, and the Wolves are suddenly 11 games under .500 with five games remaining. And as if losing Ricky Rubio wasn't bad enough, Kevin Love took an errant elbow to the dome and suffered a concussion for his trouble. This year's over, folks—give Love the rest of the year off, and tell him to stay in a darkened room. Preferably one without a TV. —Russ Bengtson

Record: 29 - 31
Last Week's Rank: 19
Last Week's Results: L vs. Oklahoma City 89-109, (Mon); L vs New York 107-111, (Wed); W @ Detroit 113-97, (Fri); L vs. Indiana 99-105, (Sat)
This Week: @ Washington, Wednesday (4/18); @ Indiana, Thursday (4/19); vs. New Jersey, Saturday (4/21)
The Bucks picked a really bad time to start struggling. They're fighting for the eighth and final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference and they lost three important games at home last week. If they have any chance of making it, they'll basically have to win the rest of their games and have the Knicks lose a handful of them. Impossible? No. Likely? Eh, not really. But, the Bucks are young. So, even if they come up short, they need to use the situation they're in now as a learning experience so that it doesn't happen again next year. —Chris Yuscavage

Record: 31 - 29
Last Week's Rank: 18
Last Week's Results: W @ Minnesota 114-91, (Mon); L @ Memphis 93-104, (Wed); W @ Houston 112-105, (Fri); L @ San Antonio 91-105, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Portland, Monday (4/16); vs. Oklahoma City, Wednesday (4/18); vs. LA Clippers, Thursday (4/19); vs. Denver, Saturday (4/21)
The Suns are so close but if they're going to capture that eighth seed in the West they'll have to play their best basketball of the year. Phoenix trails Houston by one game with six games remaining. Of those six games, five of them are against teams with winning records. Grant Hill made his return to the lineup on Friday but has only scored a total of eight points over two games. Homie better rub some Bengay on that knee of his and step his game up. You got all summer to heal up, fam! —Ralph Warner

Record: 31 - 29
Last Week's Rank: 14
Last Week's Results: L @ Chicago 86-98, (Tue); W @ Milwaukee 111-107, (Wed); W vs. Washington 103-65, (Fri); L @ Miami 93-85, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Boston, Tuesday (4/17); @ New Jersey, Wednesday (4/18); @ Cleveland, Friday (4/20); @ Atlanta, Sunday (4/22)
The Knicks have been playing well with their depleted squad, and coach Woodson has them playing with a sense of urgency. Carmelo Anthony is continuing his apeshit spree and is carrying this team on his back right now, but not for long. STAT is due back Wednesday against the Nets just in time for the postseason. Now if they can somehow sneak into the sixth seed and play Indiana instead of Chicago or Miami. One thing is for sure, if Stoudemire's back holds up, the Knicks will be a very dangerous first round draw. —Angel Diaz

Record: 33 - 27
Last Week's Rank: 17
Last Week's Results: W vs. Golden State 123-84, (Mon); W vs. Minnesota 113-107, (Wed); L @ LA Lakers 97-103, (Fri); W vs. Houston 101-86, (Sun)
This Week: @ Houston, Monday (4/16); vs. LA Clippers, Wednesday (4/18); @ Phoenix, Saturday (4/21); vs. Orlando, Sunday (4/22)
Barring a historic collapse over their last six games, the Denver Nuggets are virtually assured of finishing second in the Northwest. Then again, this is the Nuggets. That said, they had a decent week last week, starting with a 39-point romp over Golden State and concluding with a 15-point win over Houston, marred only by a six-point loss to the Lakers at Staples (a game in which only one Denver starter scored in double digits). Gallo doesn't seem to have his groove back yet, but youngster Kenneth Faried looks like a keeper. —Russ Bengtson

Record: 32 - 28
Last Week's Rank: 15
Last Week's Results: W @ Portland 94-89, (Mon); L vs. Utah 91-103, (Wed); L vs. Phoenix 105-112, (Fri); L @ Denver 101-86, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Denver, Monday (4/16); @ Dallas, Wednesday (4/18); @ New Orleans, Thursday (4/19); vs. Golden State, Saturday (4/21); @ Miami, Sunday (4/22)
You hear that noise? It sounds like a Rocket exploding. Houston has played its way right out of the postseason thick, and Sunday's loss to Denver (their third straight) broke a deadlock tie for the conference's final playoff spot. The Rockets have outperformed all expectations this season but with five games in the next seven days may prove to be the team's overdue market correction. Road games against the Heat and the equally desperate Mavericks are crucial and Monday's matchup against Denver is a “must-win' if they plan to play in May. —Sean Evans

Record: 31 - 30
Last Week's Rank: 16
Last Week's Results: W vs. San Antonio 91-84, (Mon); W @ Houston 103-91, (Wed); L @ New Orleans 85-96, (Fri); L @ Memphis 98-103, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Dallas, Monday (4/16); @ Portland, Wednesday (4/18); vs. Orlando, Saturday (4/21)
Playing for pride isn't something that goes over very well in the pro ranks—you play to win, and ideally win championships—but if this incarnation of the Utah Jazz can finish above .500, that says a lot for the team and head coach Tyrone Corbin. The Jazz went .500 last week, keeping their collective heads one game above water with five games left. It's Dallas, Portland twice, Orlando and Phoenix—a daunting task, but then again in the past two weeks they've split a pair with the Spurs. Never count these guys out. —Russ Bengtson

Record: 34 - 27
Last Week's Rank: 13
Last Week's Results: W vs. Sacramento 110-100, (Tue); W @ Golden State 112-103, (Thu); W @ Portland 97-94, (Fri); L @ LA Lakers 112-108, (Sun)
This Week: @ Utah, Monday (4/16); vs. Houston, Wednesday (4/18); vs. Golden State, Friday (4/20); @ Chicago, Saturday (4/21)
Well it took some doing, but the Dallas Mavericks are officially the most dysfunctional team in the NBA. When the Mavericks won last season's title, they were celebrated underdogs, heralded for doing things as a team, the right way. This year, they're a reality show. Lamar Odom was dismissed from the team this week after an altercation with Mark Cuban and Sunday's showcase loss to the Kobe-less Lakers have Dirk and Co. just two games in the loss column away from being on the outside looking in when the postseason starts. #getittogether —Sean Evans

Record: 31 - 28
Last Week's Rank: 12
Last Week's Results: W @ New Jersey 107-88, (Tue); W @ Toronto 93-75, (Wed); L vs. New Jersey 89-95, (Fri)
This Week: @ Orlando, Monday (4/16); vs. Indiana, Tuesday (4/17); @ Cleveland, Wednesday (4/18); @ Indiana, Saturday (4/21)
The Sixers aren't the same team everyone was slurping (ayo!) during the first half of the season. They're backing into the playoffs and have plummeted from the third seed to the seventh. They received a bit of luck with the news of Dwight Howard's herneated disk which could give them a chance to move up (they're currently trailing Orlando by 3.5 games). But Philly has a challenging last week ahead which should tell us a lot about them. No one wants those last two spots in the East. —Angel Diaz

Record: 35 - 25
Last Week's Rank: 9
Last Week's Results: L @ Boston 86-88, (Wed); W @ Orlando 109-81, (Fri); L vs. Toronto 102-86, (Sun)
This Week: @ Toronto, Monday (4/16); vs. Detroit, Wednesday (4/18); vs. Boston, Friday (4/20); vs. New York, Sunday (4/22)
Good thing the Hawks played a Magic squad sans Dwight Howard because if that weren't the case, Atlanta probably would've lost all their games this past week. This team is on one slippery slope. They have shown that they can defeat the lower-tier teams but when it comes to the playoff-bound squads, they've struggled throughout the season. If you're a Hawks fan, prepare for another somewhat early playoff exit. #justbeinghonest—Jose Martinez

Record: 35 - 25
Last Week's Rank: 11
Last Week's Results: W vs. LA Clippers 94-85, (Mon); W vs. Phoenix 104-93, (Wed); L @ San Antonio 97-107, (Thu); W vs. Utah 103-98, (Sat); L @ New Orleans 88-75, (Sun)
This Week: @ Minnesota, Tuesday (4/17); vs. New Orleans, Wednesday (4/18); @ Charlotte, Friday (4/20); vs. Portland, Saturday (4/21)
With the Spurs and Thunder pretty much a lock for the top two seeds in the West, the scramble is on for No. 3 spot in the West. Why would the Clippers and Lakers scramble for a spot with no tangible advantages? Memphis has 'em shook, son! The Grizzlies have won 10 of their last 13 games and they haven't lost at home in over a month. They're as healthy, deep, and complete a team as any in the NBA's second tier and they've proven themselves a threat in the playoffs. Look for Memphis to be the sleeper team this postseason. —Sean Evans

Record: 35 - 25
Last Week's Rank: 10
Last Week's Results: W vs. Detroit 119-89, (Mon); L @ Washington 85-93, (Tue); L vs. Atlanta 81-109, (Fri); W @ Cleveland 100-84, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Philadelphia, Monday (4/16); @ Boston, Wednesday (4/18); @ Utah, Saturday (4/21); @ Denver, Sunday (4/22)
Do the Magic need Dwight Howard back in the lineup or what? Since going down with a back injury, Orlando hasn't looked as effective as they did for most of the year. Unfortunately, the word on Howard is that he'll probably miss the rest of the regular season and a portion of the playoffs. Stan Van Gundy better have those LinkedIn contacts handy. —Jose Martinez

Record: 38 - 22
Last Week's Rank: 8
Last Week's Results: W vs. Toronto 103-98, (Mon); W @ Cleveland 104-98, (Wed); W vs. Cleveland 102-83, (Fri); W @ Milwaukee 105-99, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Minnesota, Monday (4/16); @ Philadelphia, Tuesday (4/17); vs. Milwaukee, Thursday (4/19); vs. Philadelphia, Saturday (4/21)
Talk about ending the season on a high note. In the month of April, the Pacers are an impressive 8-1. Did a few of those wins come against teams like the Wizards, Raptors, and Cavaliers? Sure. But, they need to keep them coming in to ensure themselves home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. And, with the way their schedule looks between now and the end of the year, that shouldn't be a problem. —Chris Yuscavage

Record: 37 - 23
Last Week's Rank: 6
Last Week's Results: L @ Memphis 85-94, (Mon); W @ Oklahoma City 100-98, (Wed); W @ Minnesota 95-82, (Thu); W vs. Golden State 112-104, (Sat)
This Week: vs. Oklahoma City, Monday (4/16); @ Denver, Wednesday (4/18); @ Phoenix, Thursday (4/19); vs. New Orleans, Sunday (4/22)
With only six games left on their schedule, the Clippers remain in the hunt for the Pacific Division lead (they're currently 1.5 games behind the Lakers). Despite their loss to Memphis, they bounced back with three straight victories. In their current position as the fourth-seed in the West, the Clips would face Memphis if the playoffs started today. But things are so tight in the West that Dallas, Denver, Houston, Phoenix and even Utah all still have a shot at the fifth seed. One thing is certain though: A win tonight against the OKC would clinch a playoff berth. If they're able to secure what would be their second playoff appearance in the last 15 seasons they should definitely bump this right after the buzzer. #itsonlyright —Ralph Warner

Record: 39 - 22
Last Week's Rank: 5
Last Week's Results: W @ New Orleans 93-91, (Mon); W @ San Antonio 98-84, (Wed); W vs. Denver 103-97, (Fri); W vs. Dallas 112-108, (Sun)
This Week: vs. San Antonio, Tuesday (4/17); @ Golden State, Wednesday (4/18); @ San Antonio, Friday (4/20); vs. Oklahoma City, Sunday (4/22)
Who needs Kobe? We kid. But the Lake Show did prove that they're not a one-man team. They have a 7-foot toddler who's able to lead them to Ws when he's not heaving up threes. While the Black Mamba sat out nursing a shin injury, Andrew Bynum averaged 21 points and 16 boards over four games. The highlight of the week came against the Spurs when Bynum grabbed 30 rebounds and summed up his performance in this classic post-game interview. The Lakers are still only 1.5 games ahead of the Clippers with five games left to play (two of which are against the Spurs). —Ralph Warner

Record: 36 - 25
Last Week's Rank: 7
Last Week's Results: W @ Miami 115-107, (Tue); W vs. Atlanta 88-86, (Wed); L @ Toronto 79-84, (Fri); W @ New Jersey 94-82, (Sat); W @ Charlotte 94-82, (Sun)
This Week: @ New York, Tuesday (4/17); vs. Orlando, Wednesday (4/18); @ Atlanta, Friday (4/20);
How the hell did Boston crack the top 5? Never count grizzled vets out. The C's are 21-8 since the All-Star break and have Miami and the Bulls shaking in their sneakers. It seems insane—even with the baggage—they even entertained trading Rajon Rondo. He is by far the best player on the team and should be seriously considered for MVP. He dropped 15 dimes on Miami and followed that up with a triple-double, including 20 assists against Atlanta in an OT win. They play New York in an important division game and can all but lock up the Atlantic with a victory. —Angel Diaz

Record: 42 - 17
Last Week's Rank: 3
Last Week's Results: L vs. Boston 107-115, (Tue); L @ Chicago 86-96, (Thu); W vs. Charlotte 105-82, (Fri); W @ New York 93-85, (Sun)
This Week: @ New Jersey, Monday (4/16); vs. Toronto, Wednesday (4/18); vs. Chicago, Thursday (4/19); vs. Washington, Saturday (4/21); vs. Houston, Sunday (4/22)
Miami picked up a nice win against the Knicks at the Garden on Sunday despite Melo going off for 43 points. The Heat weathered that storm and gave a glimpse of the playoff-ready team they need to be as they were able to close out a game on the road. But their play on the road may be a concern in the playoffs: 13 of Miami's 17 losses have come in away games. Then there's that whole thing about LeBron lacking a clutch gene. #kingproblems —Jose Martinez

Record: 42 - 16
Last Week's Rank: 1
Last Week's Results: L @ Utah 84-91, (Mon); L vs. LA Lakers 84-98, (Wed); W vs. Memphis 107-97, (Thu); W vs. Phoenix 105-91, (Sat)
This Week: @ Golden State, Monday (4/16); @ LA Lakers, Tuesday (4/17); @ Sacramento, Wednesday (4/18); vs. LA Lakers, Friday (4/20); vs. Cleveland, Sunday (4/22)
The Spurs don't need a hype machine, they just win. In the past two months, San Antonio has had two 11-game winning streaks. No other team in the league has had a winning streak longer than nine. The Spurs have more playoff experience than their title contending counterparts without any of the crippling hype. And perhaps most importantly, Gregg Popovich has coached 181 playoff games in his career, that's 109 more than Erik Spoelstra, Tom Thibodeu, and Scott Brooks combined. See y'all in late June. —Sean Evans

Record: 44 - 16
Last Week's Rank: 4
Last Week's Results: W @ Milwaukee 109-89, (Mon); L vs. LA Clippers 98-100, (Wed); W vs. Sacramento 115-89, (Fri); W @ Minnesota 115-110, (Sat)
This Week: @ LA Clippers, Monday (4/16); @ Phoenix, Wednesday (4/18); @ Sacramento, Friday (4/20); @ LA Lakers, Sunday (4/22)
Two-point loss to the Clippers aside, it was a more or less perfect week for the Oklahoma City Thunder—they didn't even have to use their AKs. They crushed Milwaukee and Sacramento by 20-plus apiece, and beat the Love-less Timberwolves by a merciful five. The only thing is, with just six games remaining in the season, they're only two games up in the win column on the Spurs for the best record in the West. Lose the best in the West title, and Kevin Durant's slim MVP chances likely drop to none. But they have bigger goals in sight. —Russ Bengtson

Record: 45 - 14
Last Week's Rank: 2
Last Week's Results: W vs. New York 98-86, (Mon); W vs. Miami 96-86, (Thurs); W @ Detroit 100-94, (Sun)
This Week: vs. Washington, Monday (4/16); @ Charlotte, Wednesday (4/18); @ Miami, Thursday (4/19); vs. Dallas, Saturday (4/21)
With just seven games left on their schedule, the Bulls have a healthy 3.5-game lead over the Heat for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. And even though their last regular season matchup is Thursday night, we don't see the Heat having much of a shot of catching them, even if they do manage to win that game. So, unless the Bulls slip up against someone like the Wizards or the Bobcats (FOH), they should be able to coast comfortably into the playoffs and earn a first-round matchup against...the Knicks? Uh-oh. For some reason, we think there are a whole lot of Bulls fans out there suddenly rooting for the Knicks to move up in the standings. Let scoreboard watching begin.—Chris Yuscavage