Only one team in the league has a winning streak of more than 4 games currently, but that team fell from #1 to #2 by allowing three weak opponents to keep games close this week, opening the door for a new top team. There is also only one team that has lost more than 4 in a row, and they took a tumble as well. Here are my current rankings, with teams grouped by similar level of performance.
TW. (LW) Team (Week) Overall
1. (2) Oklahoma City (2-2) 33-10
2. (1) San Antonio (4-0) 34-11
3. (3) LA Clippers (1-3) 32-12
4. (4) Miami (1-0) 27-12
5. (5) New York (1-1) 26-14
6. (6) Memphis (3-1) 27-14
7. (7) Denver (2-1) 26-18
8. (9) Brooklyn (3-0) 26-16
9. (13) Golden State (3-1) 26-15
10. (11) Chicago (3-1) 25-16
11. (14) Indiana (2-1) 26-17
12. (12) Utah (2-0) 23-19
13. (10) LA Lakers (0-3) 17-25
14. (8) Houston (1-3) 22-22
15. (18) Atlanta (2-2) 24-18
16. (19) Dallas (1-1) 18-24
17. (17) New Orleans (1-2) 14-28
18. (20) Milwaukee (2-0) 22-18
19. (15) Boston (0-4) 20-22
20. (21) Detroit (2-1) 16-26
21. (22) Portland (1-2) 21-21
22. (16) Toronto (2-2) 16-27
23. (23) Minnesota (1-2) 17-22
24. (24) Phoenix (2-0) 15-28
25. (28) Washington (2-2) 9-31
26. (26) Philadelphia (1-2) 17-25
27. (25) Orlando (0-4) 14-28
28. (27) Cleveland (1-1) 11-32
29. (29) Sacramento (1-3) 16-27
30. (30) Charlotte (1-3) 10-32
Washington had another strong week, heading to the road for four games, two of which they won and two of which were close losses to the Clippers and Jazz, both probable playoff teams. Prior to this two-week hot streak, the Wizards spent three weeks at the bottom of my rankings, but if they can keep up this pace, they may be able to contend for a playoff spot in the East, where a winning record isn't a prerequisite for the postseason.
After making a coaching change last weekend, the Phoenix Suns have pulled off two straight wins for the first time in over a month, giving Lindsey Hunter a perfect 2-0 record as a coach. Last night they beat the Los Angeles Clippers, which is something nobody saw coming, even with Chris Paul sitting out with a knee injury. If they can keep the streak going tomorrow at San Antonio, then they really might have something.
Detroit won back-to-back home games by 15 points each against Boston and Orlando, neither of which is playing well, but they were big wins nonetheless. They weren't able to continue their success in Chicago on Wednesday, and tonight probably isn't the night that they start another winning streak, because they are tipping off in Miami in a few minutes.
Atlanta moved up a few spots this week with a 2-2 record, but both losses came in close games against hot teams, the Spurs and the Nets. The wins came against Minnesota and Charlotte, so they didn't pull off any upsets, but at least they are winning when they should and losing only when they are expected to, which should lead to a 2-1 record this week.
Predictions
Upset picks are in italics.
Minnesota at Washington - Wizards by 1
Boston at Atlanta - Hawks by 4
Detroit at Miami - Heat by 10
Milwaukee at Cleveland - Bucks by 1
Golden State at Chicago - Bulls by 3
Brooklyn at Memphis - Grizzlies by 4
Houston at New Orleans - Hornets by 1
San Antonio at Dallas - Spurs by 6
Oklahoma City at Sacramento - Thunder by 13
Utah at LA Lakers - Lakers by 3
Prediction Results
NBA: 1-2 (.333) 419-211 overall (.665)
Upsets: 0-1 (.000) 77-57 overall (.575)
College Basketball: 5-2 (.714) 501-113 overall (.816)
Upsets: 1-0 (1.000) 42-39 overall (.519)
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