Here they are, the last Power Rankings of the season.

And I didn’t pull a Heisler and give five teams a No. 1 ranking — although I think we all understood his point when he did that last Wednesday.

As painful as it is to write this, watch out for the Hawks and Pacers in the East. Yes, they aren’t all that fun to watch. But you may be watching both of them in the second round.

The first round is shaping up as kind of boring, no? A Heat-Knicks series would be a treat, and Grizzlies-Clippers has the potential to be a seven-game thriller.

But let’s face it, the rest of the first round has the potential to make baseball fans out of the most die-hard NBA fans. (Just kidding. We are two different species.)

RANK	TEAM	THE RUNDOWN	LAST
1	SPURS (46-16)	LAST WEEK: 4-0 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: WED at PHX Let’s run down the accolades: 2nd in the NBA in scoring; 2nd in the NBA in point differential; the only team with two, count ‘em two, 11-game winning streaks. The deepest roster Tim Duncan says he has ever had. How will the ghosts of 2011 impact their final week? Remember, Manu Ginobili messed up his elbow in a meaningless Game #82 last season. But this year, home court throughout playoffs may be at stake.	2
2	BULLS (48-16)	LAST WEEK: 3-2 THIS WEEK: 2 games KEY GAME: WED at IND If they win out, they cannot be surpassed by the Spurs for No. 1 overall record — the Bulls have the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the only game between the teams this season. Their lineup was whole Saturday night for only the 14th time this season, but afterward Derrick Rose said his ankle was “throbbing.” Have NBA’s No. 1 defense allowing 88.4 ppg — 1.5 points ahead of 2nd-place Boston.	1
3	THUNDER (46-17)	LAST WEEK: 2-1 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: SUN at LAL Sunday is a good measuring stick game — or maybe a good tank game. They are probably going to face either the Lakers or the Clippers in the second round, and they are 2-0 vs. the Lakers but only 1-3 vs. the Clippers. Mail one in this afternoon, and Lakers are in driver’s seat in Pacific and the accompanying No. 3 seed. How ’bout this stat: They are 30th (!) in the NBA in assists.	3
4	HEAT (45-18)	LAST WEEK: 4-1 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: TUE at BOS The injuries never cease for Dwyane Wade. Now it is a dislocated index finger, and luckily for the Heat it is on his left hand instead of his right. They’ve done just fine without him this season, but you know they’ll need him in May and June. The chatter I hear is that LeBron James is the clubhouse leader for MVP. But is that fair to Chris Paul? Just asking.	4
5	LAKERS (40-24)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: FRI at SA A victory Sunday over OKC (which could be motivated to lose, see above) would move them closer to locking up the Pacific Division over the Clippers, reducing their magic number to 1. Kobe Bryant and his sore shins are back from a seven-game break, no team in the West can match the firepower of their twin towers, and Ramon Sessions is giving them 12.8 points, 6.4 assists and making 50 percent of his 3s.	4
6	CLIPPERS (39-24)	LAST WEEK: 2-1 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: WED at NY Some week they have coming up: They are still in contention for the division title, but they have to go on the road for two games against Eastern Conference playoff teams and run the risk of dropping all the way to the 5 seed (if Memphis passes them). They are 13-3 in last 16. Blake Griffin is losing patience with hard fouls. Can he keep his cool when that keeps happening in playoffs?	5
7	PACERS (41-23)	LAST WEEK: 3-1 THIS WEEK: 2 games KEY GAME: WED vs CHI The last two games are meaningless, right? Well, actually no. Because you never know what’ll happen in the playoffs, and if these guys somehow manage to come out of the East, home court vs. Lakers, Clippers or Grizzlies would be assured if they finish 2-0. Frank Vogel has climbed to No. 2 (behind Thibodeau) on my tentative COY ballot (yes, I am an official voter).	7
8	GRIZZLIES (39-25)	LAST WEEK: 4-1 THIS WEEK: 2 games KEY GAME: THU vs ORL That loss last Sunday to New Orleans is going to come back and haunt them, as they lose tiebreakers to both Lakers and Clippers and will likely open on the road. They are 14-4 in their last 18, and you have to wonder whether Lionel Hollins is going to trust Gilbert Arenas to be on the court late in 4th quarters. They’ll need a Hibachi from long range, though Mayo and Gay have been pretty hot lately.	6
9	HAWKS (38-25)	LAST WEEK: 3-1 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: TUE vs LAC If they win two of their last three, they will have homecourt advantage in the first round over the Celtics, who they went 1-2 against — all three games were very close. In none of those games did they have Al Horford, who is now expected to be available in the first round. Let’s see Greg Stiesma, Sean Williams and Ryan Hollins try to stop him. The epitome of a playoff sleeper team.	9
10	CELTICS (37-27)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 2 games KEY GAME:  TUE vs MIA If they defeat the Heat on Tuesday night, they will be the only East team to win the season series against Miami. Incredible story from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo this week that they were prepared to move Ray Allen to Memphis and Paul Pierce to New Jersey before the deals fell through on deadline day. Stat to keep in mind for the playoffs: They are 30th (last) in the NBA in rebounding.	8
11	NUGGETS (35-28)	LAST WEEK: 3-1 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: WED at OKC Shame on me for underestimating them week after week, as my Denver tweeps always tell me. The Lawson-Afflalo backcourt has been tremendous over the past month, Manimal Faried has moved up to 2nd on my tentative ROY ballot. Wednesday vs. Thunder could be first-round preview, but Nuggets are 0-2 thus far against them (and 1-3 against Lakers).	15
12	MAVERICKS (36-29)	LAST WEEK: 2-3 THIS WEEK: 1 games KEY GAME: THU at ATL No team will go into the playoffs more rested than these guys, who play only one game this week. If they win it, they get the sixth seed and a likely rematch with the Lakers, who they swept last season but were swept by this season. I am not a big believer in their chances of getting out of first round. Haven’t beaten quality opponent since April 4 against Memphis.	10
13	KNICKS (33-30)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: WED vs LAC If they want, they can tank their way into a first-round matchup with the Chicago Bulls, if they find that preferable to playing the Heat. Methinks they’d rather have a shot at Miami, both for weather and competitive reasons. If they play the Heat, the pressure is all on Miami — and the stands are 25 percent blue and orange. Their make-or-break playoff player, IMHO, is J.R. Smith.	12
14	JAZZ (34-30)	LAST WEEK: 3-0 THIS WEEK: 2 games KEY GAME:  TUE vs PHX Win out, and they’re in. And wouldn’t that be a testament to an incredible franchise turnaround since 14 months ago when Jerry Sloan and Deron Williams were still around. (Plus they have Golden State’s No. 1 pick if it is no better than No. 8). Would they have a chance vs. top two? Maybe more against Spurs cuz of size advantage.	17
15	SUNS (33-31)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 2 games KEY GAME: TUE at UTA It was all coming together for them, and then it all came tumbling down in Saturday night’s second half of their home loss to the Nuggets. They aren’t out of it, but they need a 2-0 finish and for the Jazz to lose their final two, including a last-night matchup with an unmotivated Portland team. Summer prediction: If Suns overpay ($24M for 3 years), Nash will stay.	16
16	MAGIC (36-27)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: WED vs CHA Only one win away from clinching sixth spot, and then it’ll be bombs away in the postseason as they try to beat the Pacers with 3-point shots. The big man positions are a mess, with Stan Van Gundy calling out rookie Daniel Orton as clueless for his play in OT loss at Utah. On plus side, Ryan Anderson has my Most Improved vote.	13
17	SIXERS (33-30)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: TUE vs MIL Do they get booed onto the court when they play Game 3 of their first round series? Regardless of what happens vs. Bucks, they are going to get there, right? Only have to beat Jersey or the Pistons, and they can do that, right? Or did they leave it all in Indianapolis on Saturday night?	18
18	ROCKETS (33-31)	LAST WEEK: 1-4 THIS WEEK: 2 games KEY GAME: SUN at MIA Their season is on the line tonight against a Heat team that has shut down the intensity and may just shut down LeBron James for another game — although that would violate NBA protocol since it is a game with playoff implications. Were fun to watch 2 weeks ago; a train wreck ever since.	14
19	BUCKS (30-33)	LAST WEEK: 1-2 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: WED vs MIL They can end the drama by mailing it in Monday night against the Raptors, but we should not expect that to happen. More likely is some resemblance of grit against the 76ers two nights later, then a summer of worrying about whether Ersan Ilyasova will leave, where they can find a center, and whether they’ll be seeking a new coach.	19
20	BLAZERS (28-36)	LAST WEEK: 0-4 THIS WEEK: 2 games KEY GAME: NONE Glad to see Paul Allen is a regular reader of John Canzano, one of America’s best sports columnists. Wish Paul would listen rather than mock. Memo to Jamal Crawford: Opt out, and get out.	20
21	WOLVES (26-38)	LAST WEEK: 1-2 THIS WEEK: 2 games KEY GAME:  NONE Does Rubio take 2nd in ROY race after missing half the season? He won’t have that spot on my ballot. Manimal will.	21
22	HORNETS (20-43)	LAST WEEK: 3-1 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE Winners of five of six, that did not go unnoticed. A season-high ranking. Still a long, long way from contention.	25
23	PISTONS (23-40)	LAST WEEK: 1-2 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE Sorry to bring it up, but trading for Allen Iverson was almost a worse offense than drafting Darko. Again, does Dumars survive?	23
24	NETS (22-42)	LAST WEEK: 0-3 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE From Piscataway to Exit 16W to the Purgatory Center, the New Jersey era finally ends Monday night. But wait, they’ll continue to practice in East Rutherford? Does Dwight know that?	22
25	WIZARDS (17-46)	LAST WEEK: 3-0 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE C’mon guys, make it six Ws in a row, would ya? Give the folks something to remember you for by beating Miami twice in six days. OK?	29
26	RAPTORS (22-41)	LAST WEEK: 1-2 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE Will be last team to face an opponent with “New Jersey” written on its jerseys. Something for Smitty’s Top 100. Or 200.	24
27	CAVALIERS (21-41)	LAST WEEK: 1-3 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: NONE Congratulations to Kyrie Irving, Rookie of the Year. Now, let’s let the D.J. Kennedy era begin!	26
28	WARRIORS (22-41)	LAST WEEK: 0-4 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE What poor soul has to sit in their seat on draft lottery night (they lose pick if it isn’t top 7).	27
29	KINGS (20-43)	LAST WEEK: 1-2 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE Bet this wasn’t what they envisioned when they claimed Travis Outlaw off waivers.	28
30	BOBCATS (7-55)	LAST WEEK: 0-4 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: NONE An utter disgrace to the game of basketball.	30

As the drama builds for the ultimate honor that Sheridan Power Rankings (Wednesday Edition) can confer, the leader going into the last week is….

What leader?

I can’t think of anyone who should be No. 1, or at least who deserves to have it to itself, so I have a five-way tie for No. 1.

No one has led anything lately.

Chicago has the best record, plays the best ball night-in and night-out and would be an easy pick… if Derrick Rose didn’t keep making U-turns every time they try to get him back on the floor.

Happily for the Heat, they are healthy. Their guys just can’t play well enough for Coach Erik Spoelstra to settle on a rotation.

San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich is resting regulars in the middle of a torrid race for No. 1 in the West. Of course, he did that so his old guys could be fresh for the next night’s game, hosting the Lakers, who routed them, rested or not, before revenge came last night.

Oklahoma City’s Scott Brooks confirmed he’s going to try to win the West title Tuesday in Los Angeles, before the Clippers, who trailed by 10 in the second quarter, held his team to 25 points in the second half and won by 15.

The Lakers don’t look much different than they have all season, don’t have Kobe Bryant at the moment, but are winning some games.

And those are the elite teams.

Happily, we don’t have to sort these teams out, even if we do it all season to kill time. We have the playoffs for that.
As you can tell, if we’re not yet in the presence of greatness, it’s going to be interesting.

RANK	TEAM	THE RUNDOWN	LAST
1	SPURS (44-16)	LAST WEEK: 4-1 Another SH Power Rankings (Wednesday Edition) No. 1 flops: The day after their promotion to top dog, Lakers came into town and beat them by 14 after leading by 26.	1
1	THUNDER (44-17)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  Beyond doubt, they’re the best young team in West (for whatever that’s worth.) Unfortunately, they lost the season series, 2-1, to Spurs, who are still on their tail, Pop or no Pop.	3
1	BULLS (46-15)	LAST WEEK: 2-1   If it’s too soon to panic, stay tuned: Back after three weeks, Rose has only a “day-to day” foot injury—but it’s seventh different one he’s been treated for this season (ankle, groin, back, toe, elbow, shin.)	5
1	HEAT (43-17)	LAST WEEK: 3-1  Something besides their rotation is “tightening up,” as Spoelstra drops Anthony, Cole out of rotation after losing two to Celtics, once to Bulls.	6
1	LAKERS (39-23)	LAST WEEK: 3-1  Gave Peace a Chance: Pretty or not, they’re 29-12 since starting 10-8. The former Ron Artest, thought to be former NBA player, just averaged 17—and shot 52%!–as they shocked the world, winning four in a row without Kobe.	7
6	PACERS (40-22)	LAST WEEK: 5-0  No one expects much in their second playoff appearance in six years—only because 37 wins got them in last spring, for five games vs. Chicago—but they’re hottest team in East, on 15-4 roll.	8
7	CLIPPERS (38-23)	LAST WEEK: 4-0  Just won 12 of 14, trying to overtake Lakers. Unfortunately, Lakers won the season series, 2-1, and went on a roll, themselves.	9
8	GRIZZLIES (36-25)	LAST WEEK: 3-2  Drive to catch Clippers ends when Marc Gasol leaves with bruised knee, leaving them two games behind Clips, who won season series. Now they’re on track to meet in first round, with Games 1-2-6-7 in Staples.	4
9	HAWKS (36-25)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  One for all and all for one: With Big Al cleared—well, to lift weights—trying to return for playoffs, five Hawks are averaging in double figures this month, inclding backup four Ivan Johnson.	10
10	CELTICS (36-26)	LAST WEEK: 3-2 Love that Atlantic: If not for winning their, uh, rebuilding division, they’d be looking at being on the road in the first round.	2
11	KNICKS (32-29)	LAST WEEK: 3-1 You walk into the room with your pencil in your hand, you see Melo averaging 30 this month and you say, “Who is that man?” Yes, something is happening with the Knicks and you don’t know what it is, do you, Mr. Jones?	15
12	NUGGETS (34-27)	LAST WEEK: 3-1  Must read: Lee Jenkins’ SI profile on JaVale with Mom, uh, discussing circumstances of his birth and even MWPeace cutting JVM up (“I don’t think he watches tape. I think he plays video games and he could possibly have an Atari.”)	14
13	MAGIC (36-25)	LAST WEEK: 2-1 Dwight’s already mad at Magic for quote, telling Stan he wanted him fired–after publicly zinging coach for years. How will D12, out with quote, bad back, feel about losing on road in first round?	11
14	MAVERICKS (34-28)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 Remember their run after starting 0-4, when they won 20 of 27? They’re 14-17 since. Dirk’s free throw attempts down to 11-year low 5.6 a game	13
15	SUNS (32-29)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  As one GM put it, just getting this bedraggled bunch, now tied for No. 8 with Rockets, close to playoffs makes Alvin Gentry one of the coach of the year leaders.	16
16	JAZZ (32-30)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  Missing piece of puzzle: Second-year two Gordon Hayward, who looked promising but deferential, steps up, averaging 18 this month, shooting 49%, knocking down 18 of 36 threes in nine games.	17
17	ROCKETS (32-29)	LAST WEEK: 0-4 One of the season’s biggest surprises, which just won eight of 11 with Lowry, Kevin Martin both missing all but one of them, picked a bad time to lose four in a row.	12
18	BUCKS (29-31)	LAST WEEK: 1-2 No longer have a chance to catch the Knicks but look who just dropped onto their radar….	18
19	SIXERS (31-30)	LAST WEEK: 1-3  Bloom’s off Collins’ miracle after players he inherited from 27-55 team went 41-41 last season, started this one 20-9. They’re 11-22 since as Bucks close in… with season series 1-1 and tie-breaker in Milwaukee next week.	19
20	WOLVES (25-38)	LAST WEEK: 0-5  Beasley says he wants to go back to starting next season. With Woofies more inclined to move his $8.2 mill salary, the question is for whom. Could be Lakes, who wanted him at trade deadline.	20
21	BLAZERS (28-34)	LAST WEEK: 1-3  Who are Chad Buchanan, Kaleb Canales, Luke Babbitt and Johnny Flynn? Portland’s interim GM, interim coach, interim small forward and interim point guard, respectively.	21
22	PISTONS (23-38)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  Been down so far, this almost look like up. At least they got a new owner after horrific interregnum following death of Bill Davidson that hung over them for better part of two seasons.	22
23	HORNETS (19-42)	LAST WEEK: 4-0  They’re staying? Stern fleeces, er, gets $366 mill from Saints owner Tom Benson, so other 29 owners who bought Shinn out and covered losses since, get their money back. Hornets go 4-0, with joy presumably overwhelming good sense.	28
24	CAVALIERS (20-40)	LAST WEEK: 1-4  If you’re going to tank, don’t just paddle around out there: Cavaliers, who were 16-23 on March 11, now tied for fourth-lowest win total after dropping 17 of 21.	23
25	WARRIORS (22-38)	LAST WEEK: 0-4  Just discovered new direction: down: Five losses in a row drop them into a three-way tie for fifth-worst record with Nets and Raptors, trailing (you know what I mean) Kings and Cavs at 20 Ws, Wiz at 15, incomparable Bobcats at 7.	24
26	NETS (22-40)	LAST WEEK: 1-2 Dynamic, if largely absentee owner Prokhorov, makes his semi-annual visit, gets update on ever-longer odds of keeping DWill–but Avery reports he and the Big Russkie remain united in their vision! Yeah, like “OK, so we’re starting over.”	25
27	RAPTORS (22-40)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  Remember their glory days when they anguished about losing Vince or Bosh as free agents? These days, they don’t even have anyone worth anguishing about.	27
28	WIZARDS (15-46)	LAST WEEK: 1-2  Randy Wittman after temps James Singleton, Cartier Martin lead win over Orlando: “We might have to go to all 10-day contracts next season.”	29
29	KINGS (20-41)	LAST WEEK: 1-2  Former Donald Sterling Award to be named for Maloofuses, who never wanted to stay and just defied Stern, pulling out of NBA-endorsed arena deal–too late to apply to move. Now for yet another season from hell.	26
30	BOBCATS (7-53)	LAST WEEK: 0-4  After losing 17 in a row, must split their last six to avoid becoming fourth posting fourth single-figure victory total in NBA history…. On a positive note, there’s only one week of this left.	30

As Mark Heisler continually points out in his Power Rankings (Wednesday edition), we have an actual postseason tournament to properly rank the teams, but placing them from 1-30 on a weekly basis is not only fun, it gives us a chance to check in on the relative strengths and weaknesses of teams we otherwise might pay little or no attention to.

For this week’s rankings, I am including two wishes: A Miami-New York first-round series, to give a new generation a taste of just how exciting a postseason series between those two teams can be (I covered a bunch of them in the late ’90s), and a surge by the Memphis Grizzlies that puts them into third place ahead of both the Lakers and Clippers, who would then meet in a 4-5 matchup to end all 4-5 matchups.

Heisler will be weighing in with one more edition of his Wednesday rankings, and I’ll have my final PRs next Sunday.

After that, rankings are unnecessary and afternoon naps will be mandatory in order to stay up late on the final four nights of the regular season, and then through the West Coast playoff games.

RANK	TEAM	THE RUNDOWN	LAST
1	BULLS (45-14)	LAST WEEK: 2-1 THIS WEEK: 5 games KEY GAME: THU at MIA Back in the top slot. Why? Most wins, fewest losses, deepest bench (OK, maybe a tie there with the Spurs), ballsiest head coach (beating Miami with five reserves? Dang). May the basketball gods smile upon us all and put Derrick Rose and/or LeBron James in a game-winning or game-clinching situation late in the 4th on Thursday night.	2
2	SPURS (42-16)	LAST WEEK: 3-2 THIS WEEK: 5 games KEY GAME: FRI vs LAL We’ll see whether the top spot in the West means anything to them (they claim it doesn’t) when we see who sits and who plays in the road back-to-back-to-back to start the work week: Monday at Warriors, Tuesday at Lakers, Wednesday at Kings. Regardless of whether they finish No. 1 or No. 2, I have changed my preseason pick (Oklahoma City) and now believe these guys are coming out of the West. Three reasons: Depth, poise and experience.	1
3	THUNDER (44-16)	LAST WEEK: 4-1 THIS WEEK: 5 games KEY GAME: MON at LAC Need to finish ahead of Spurs to win West, as San Antonio has the tiebreaker, but have an easier schedule. Kevin Durant’s 43 against Minnesota on Saturday night moved him within three-tenths of a point of Kobe Bryant for the league’s highest scoring average. No one has won scoring title three straight times since Michael Jordan in 1997-98. Worth mentioning that Durant is shooting.503; Bryant .430.	4
4	HEAT (41-17)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 5 games KEY GAME: THU vs CHI Heisler has them 5th in his rankings, and Bernucca bags on them in his Sunday column with this stat: Since the All-Star break, Miami’s only road win vs. a winning team was March 16 at Philadelphia, where they almost gave away a 29-point lead. Since the All-Star break, Miami is 2-7 vs. teams currently holding one of the top four seeds in either conference.	3
5	LAKERS (38-22)	LAST WEEK: 3-0 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: FRI at SA A 3-0 week without Kobe Bryant will get you a bump over the Clippers, who were in this spot a week ago. Play Spurs twice this week, but first one at Staples on Tues. will be second night of a back-to-back for S.A., hence some key players will be rested. The Friday matchup should be better. Metta World Peace scored in double figures 4 of the last 5. Before that, he did it 10 times all season, never reaching 20.	6
6	CLIPPERS (37-23)	LAST WEEK: 3-1 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: MON vs OKC Fold your hands and pray to the basketball gods that the Grizzlies win the rest of their games and finish 3rd with a better record than both Clippers and Lakers. That would give us the best 4-5 matchup of all time (OK, that’s hyperbole, but you get what I’m saying) in the first round of the playoffs. Season series at stake on their key game Monday against Thunder. In 42 seasons, Clips have never won a division title — the longest such streak in all U.S. professional sports.	5
7	GRIZZLIES (35-24)	LAST WEEK: 3-1 THIS WEEK: 5 games KEY GAME: SAT vs POR As noted in Clippers entry, if Memphis wins out they can pass both L.A. teams and set up a great 4-5 series. Winning out is possible, too, for a team that has gone 7-2 thus far in April. Remaining schedule is New Orleans (twice), Minnesota, Charlotte, Portland, Cleveland and Orlando. Coach Hollins says Zach Randolph will continue to come off the bench. Why mess with what’s working, eh?	7
8	PACERS (38-22)	LAST WEEK: 4-0 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: THU vs MIL Speaking of teams having strong Aprils, these Hoosiers are 8-1 — and they’ll have a huge impact on who gets in from the East and who doesn’t by playing the Sixers twice and the Bucks once in the upcoming week. Roy Hibbert is doing some campaigning, but Frank Vogel has uphill battle to defeat Thibs, Pop. Pacers are 30-5 when outrebounding their opponent.	10
9	CELTICS (35-25)	LAST WEEK: 4-1 THIS WEEK: 5 games KEY GAME:  SUN at CHA If they are capable of losing to the Raptors, are they capable of losing to the Bobcats on the third night of a back-to-back-to-back? We shall find out tonight. (Vegas has them only -8 1/2). Avery Bradley made three 3-pointers Saturday night after making only nine all season. Looks like he’ll stick as the starter — and not only for his defense. Rondo’s double-figure assist streak is up to 21.	9
10	HAWKS (35-24)	LAST WEEK: 1-1 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: FRI vs BOS They swept the Magic in the season series, and they should go 3-0 in their first three games this week vs Toronto (twice) and Detroit. After that, should they tank their final four to drop below Orlando to sixth place to face the Pacers in the first round? Or do they believe they can beat Boston in a first-round series (they are 0-2 vs. Celtics, though both games were very close).	8
11	MAVERICKS (34-26)	LAST WEEK: 3-0 THIS WEEK: 5 games KEY GAME: WED vs HOU Last week we told you it was imperative for them to go 3-0 in an easy week, and they got the job done. They look like a playoff lock, even with four of last six on the road (beginning today against Kobe-less Lakers) because they own tiebreakers over Jazz, Nuggets and Suns. J.Kidd barely missed first triple-double of season on Bollywood Night in Oakland (we kid you not) with 9 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.	13
12	KNICKS (31-28)	LAST WEEK: 3-1 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: TUE vs. BOS Highest ranking of the season for the ‘Bockers, who should have Amare Stoudemire back for a couple tuneup games before the playoffs begin. Last Sunday’s home victory over Bulls was electric, even though Derrick Rose made it all possible by bricking two late FTs. J.R. Smith is getting into somewhat of a groove, and Baron Davis finally had a breakout game on his 33rd birthday. I know, he looks closer to 43. But he will be a weapon in postseason.	16
13	MAGIC (34-25)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: MON vs PHI Are we witnessing a freefall, or what? They are 2-5 this month, they won’t have Dwight Howard (herniated disk) until the playoffs begin (and maybe not even then), and they play three of their final four on the road vs. good Western Conference teams (Utah, Denver, Memphis). Went 3-1 vs. likely first-round playoff opponent, Indiana.	11
14	ROCKETS (32-27)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 5 games KEY GAME: MON vs DEN If they split with the Nuggets on Sunday and Monday, the season series will be 2-2 and the next tiebreaker will be conference winning percentage, which will go to the Rockets. Have two games left vs Hornets and one vs. Warriors. Nuggets have tougher closing schedule. Would lose tiebreaker to Jazz, and vs. Suns it would come down to conference record.	12
15	NUGGETS (32-27)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: SAT at PHX How many rebounds will they allow to Marcus Camby in their back-to-back set tonight and tomorrow? I will place the over/under at 32 1/2. Six of final seven games are back-to-backs, and there are no gimmes (No, not even Orlando w/o Dwight Howard; or Minnesota w/o Kevin Love on last night of the regular season).	18
16	SUNS (31-29)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: THU vs LAC Just when it looked like they’d surge all the way into the West’s top 8, Steve Nash has an irritated and inflamed hip socket. Ouch. Play five of their remaining six games against teams over .500, and have only one road game left — next Tuesday at Utah, who they are 2-0 against.	14
17	JAZZ (31-30)	LAST WEEK: 2-3 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: MON vs DAL If they miss the playoffs, they’ll look back on the 13-0 run they surrendered to Tom Benson’s Hornets in the fourth quarter at New Orleans on Friday night as the moment that did them in (their 22nd road loss). Derrick Favors (four double-doubles in last 5 games) finally looking worthy of No. 2 pick in 2010 draft.	15
18	SIXERS (31-28)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: WED at CLE Tuesday night against Indiana is their final home game of the season, then they play five straight on the road including one at Milwaukee a week from Wednesday that will decide the tiebreaker between the teams. If they get in as eighth seed, they are getting swept by Bulls.	19
19	BUCKS (29-31)	LAST WEEK: 1-3 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: THU at IND The next two Thursdays (at Indiana, at Boston) will be crucial, though not as crucial as April 25 home game vs. Philly. If they finish 4-2 including win over Philly, need Sixers to finish 2-5 to make playoffs. Not impossible.	17
20	BLAZERS (28-32)	LAST WEEK: 1-2 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE Memo to those hoping Paul Allen sells the team: He gets rejuvenated on draft night, and Blazers will likely have two lottery picks (their own, and New Jersey’s).	20
21	WOLVES (25-36)	LAST WEEK: 0-4 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME:  NONE Have lost 25 consecutive April games. Tempted to drop them, but played Thunder tough on Saturday night. Anthony Randolph defended Russell Westbrook in 4th.	21
22	NETS (22-39)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE They beat Philly once in two meetings last week, and they have three chances to play spoiler this week vs Miami (fat chance), New York and Milwaukee. Have one more after that vs. Philly to end Jersey era.	22
23	PISTONS (22-37)	LAST WEEK: 1-3 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: NONE Does Joe Dumars get to stick around for another season? With new ownership in place for a while now, it is a pertinent question.	23
24	RAPTORS (21-39)	LAST WEEK: 1-3 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE Beat the Celtics last week. Any time you can say that, it wasn’t a totally lost week.	26
25	HORNETS (17-42)	LAST WEEK: 2-1 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: NONE They just handed the Jazz a huge loss. They have a new owner. They are sticking around long term in one of America’s best cities. It’s all good.	27
26	CAVALIERS (20-38)	LAST WEEK: 2-3 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: NONE Last quality win was March 11 against Houston. That was a long time ago. Memo to Moondog: Watch who you mess with. David West is a big dude.	28
27	WARRIORS (22-37)	LAST WEEK: 0-4 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: NONE Little known fact: Nate Robinson likes the nickname “Nater-Tot.”	24
28	KINGS (19-41)	LAST WEEK: 0-4 THIS WEEK: 3 games KEY GAME: NONE Sacramento media overruns a David Stern news conference yet again. That’s 2 in a row.	25
29	WIZARDS (14-46)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: NONE Congrats on second two-game winning streak of season. One more coming with back-to-back against Bobcats and Cavs?	29
30	BOBCATS (7-51)	LAST WEEK: 0-4 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: NONE If they lose out, they are the worst team (percentage-wise) in NBA history. Nice job, Michael.	30

We have a little shakeup at the top of the rankings, or say good-bye to the Thunder (now No. 3), Bulls (5) and Heat (6).

And our newest leader, and The New Team No One Wants to Meet in the Playoffs is….

The Spurs?

OK, there’s a stipulation. This is only if Gregg Popovich brings his whole team, since he doesn’t always.

While the other good teams have been taking it between the eyeballs, the Spurs coach saw his team win 11 in a row, taking over first place in the West.

Or as the one and only Pop must have thought when the press told him about the latest deveopoments in the West race:
“What race?”

In a new wrinkle in his years-long practice of resting his stars, Popovich left Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker home as everyone else flew to Salt Lake City and lost to the Jazz.

Meanwhile, the Thunder, which has no plans to rest Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, since they might not get to 50 wins without them, won in Milwaukee to take back first place in the West “race.”

Unfortunately, before that, the Thunder, once more overcome at being No. 1 in the Sheridan Hoops Power Rankings (Wednesday edition), lost three in a row and there went their billing as hot-hot-hot.

The Bulls still have the best record but with Derrick Rose returning and leaving… yet again… they’re now focused on smaller, more realizable goals, like seeing if he can play two games in a row.

The Lakers lost Kobe Bryant for two games and counting. Even if they surprised everyone by winning one, the only people they scare now are their fans.

Miami just lost home-and-home to the Celtics.

Yes, as I said all along, don’t write off the Celtics!

Or the Grizzlies!

Or (tune in next week).

RANK	TEAM	THE RUNDOWN	LAST
1	SPURS (40-15)	LAST WEEK: 3-1 Of course, this assumes Pop doesn’t rest Timmy, Tony and Manu the rest of the week.	2
2	CELTICS (33-24)	LAST WEEK: 3-2 No, I don’t believe they’re vaguely the second-best team but they’re the second-hottest. As Doc said all along (the last five years), everyone’s 0-0 when playoffs start.	8
3	THUNDER (42-15)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  Face it, who’s really surprised when they lose three of four? The surprise was seeing them go 39-12 before that.	1
4	GRIZZLIES (33-23)	LAST WEEK: 3-1  Here’s to Coach Lionel Hollins, GM Chris Wallace: What was once a collection of scorers holds opponents to 91 a game and 41% from field in 8-2 run, beating LAL, LAC, OKC, Miami and Dallas..	10
5	BULLS (44-14)	LAST WEEK: 2-1   Yeah, I know they’re better than this, in theory. What have they done for anyone lately?	3
6	HEAT (40-16)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  They’ve done even less than the Bulls and they had at least one superstar in all of them.	4
7	LAKERS (36-22)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  May not even wind up as team to beat in Los Angeles, much less the West. If Kobe’s not back soon, how about going on road for entire West draw?	5
8	PACERS (35-22)	LAST WEEK: 3-1  Not that this is a turnaround season, but a 7-2 finish would give them their most wins in six seasons, all of which had 82 games.	6
9	CLIPPERS (34-23)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  Clips learn how Nick Young got that knucklehead rap: Shooting 36% for them and putting it up every time he touches it.	9
10	HAWKS (34-23)	LAST WEEK: 3-0  Good as it gets, for them: Three-game win streak makes them 26-19 without Horford. Six of last nine at home. Big Al holding out hope of rejoining them in playoffs.	11
11	MAGIC (34-24)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 GM Otis Smith is as dead a duck as Coach Stan Van Gundy. Only question is whether Dwight stays—for a season—to break in the new guys.	7
12	ROCKETS (32-25)	LAST WEEK: 3-0 As everyone said before the season, they’ll go as far as Goran takes them: Rockets win eight of 11 with Dragic averaging 20.	14
13	MAVERICKS (32-26)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 Last thing they wanted to do was to pay LO off and watch him trot back to L.A., sign with the local teams and watch him go back to being Lamar Odom against them.	12
14	NUGGETS (31-26)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  Rookie Kenneth Faried, monster athlete with supposedly no skills, goes for 27-17 in win over Warriors, averaging 11-9 in 25 minutes this month. In rebounds per minutes, he’s No. 10 in NBA.	13
15	KNICKS (29-28)	LAST WEEK: 2-1 Even at 11-4, Woodson’s no cinch to be rehired with John Calipari eyeing a return to the NBA, repped by CAA, which also reps ‘Melo and half the Knick front office.	18
16	SUNS (30-27)	LAST WEEK: 3-1  In good news they go 5-1. In bad news, upcoming free agent Nash, who has always insisted he wanted to stay, says he’ll take the call if Miami phones.	17
17	JAZZ (30-28)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  A .500 season would still be an accomplishment: That’s good because playoffs are slipping away.	16
18	BUCKS (28-29)	LAST WEEK: 3-1 Still going: 4-1 run keeps them on Knicks’ tail with teams meeting in Milwaukee tonight, and Bucks leading season series, 2-1.	20
19	SIXERS (30-27)	LAST WEEK: 1-3  Wheels have come off. 76ers lose 10 of 14 as Iggy wonders aloud why Lou Williams can’t defend better. Of course, Lou must wonder why Iggy can’t hit the ocean from a boat.	15
20	WOLVES (25-33)	LAST WEEK: 0-3  Six-game losing streak makes them 18-13 in games Rubio started, 4-13 since he was lost.	19
21	BLAZERS (27-31)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  Owner Paul Allen says there’s “no joy in losing money.” Unfortunately for Trail Blazer fans, he denies reports he’s once more seeking to sell the team.	21
22	PISTONS (21-36)	LAST WEEK: 1-3  Gordon and Villanueva, who got $80 million between them three years ago, still have $25 mill and $16.5 coming, respectively. Unfortunately Pistons can only amnesty one.	22
23	CAVALIERS (19-36)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  Varejao, who broke wrist Feb. 10, close to returning. Cavs were 10-15 when he left but now, why rush him back and ruin a good lottery position?	23
24	WARRIORS (22-34)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  Charles Jenkins goes back to being Charles Jenkins: Rookie point from Hofstra averages 14 in seven-game breakout, then 5.3 over his last three.	24
25	NETS (21-38)	LAST WEEK: 2-2 Prokhorov jokes about “crushing” Mark Cuban in kickboxing if Mavs sign DWill away. Unfortunately for Nets, it won’t come down to the better kickboxer.	26
26	KINGS (19-39)	LAST WEEK: 0-4  Remember Jimmer Fever? Keith Smart found a cure, limiting him to 14 minutes a game in February and March, but the rookie’s averaging 11 points in 24 minutes this month.	25
27	RAPTORS (20-38)	LAST WEEK: 1-3  Insiders once thought Mike D’Antoni would wind up working for Bryan Colangelo, his boss in Phoenix. Of course, that was before Raptors became developmental team.	27
28	HORNETS (15-42)	LAST WEEK: 2-2  When did you guys sense this wasn’t your season? When CP3 left? When Stern rejected Laker deal? Gordon returns—as Jarrett Jack leaves for season with stress fracture.	28
29	WIZARDS (14-44)	LAST WEEK: 2-3  Well, it’s a little better: Just won two in a row, including one in Orlando, making them 5-14 since dumping two of their knuckleads at trade deadline, when they were 9-32.	29
30	BOBCATS (7-49)	LAST WEEK: 0-5  Only three (other?) NBA teams have ever posted single-figure win totals: 9-73 76ers in 1972-73; 8-42 Vancouver Grizzlies and 9-41 Clippers in lockout-shortened 1998-99 season.	30