20. Golden State Warriors (19): If they get just one defensive stopper, they will be set. Offensively, the Dubs have essentially no flaws. However, as good as they are scoring they rock, their inability to stop the other team from doing so, offsets any amount of offensive prowess. Unfortunately for them, Andris Biedrins isn’t the center they thought he was going to be. Finding a defensive minded big man should be priority 1A heading into the offseason.
19. Indiana Pacers (20): A brutal southwest road trip against Oklahoma City, Dallas and Houston put any chance the Pacers had at a cushion between them and the ninth seed, on hold. However, they have Philadelphia, Minnesota and Toronto as their next three opponents, so that opportunity hasn’t vanished in any regards.
18. Utah Jazz (18): I think the Jazz are going to take a lottery pick and be happy with it. With Okur, Favors, Millsap and Al Jefferson all under contact for next season, expect the Jazz to essentially clean house and start building for the future under Ty Corbin and his motley crew of youngn’s.
17. Phoenix Suns (12): They were able to shut down Kevin Durant on Sunday, but I think they forgot about everyone else, as Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Serge Ibaka combined for 75 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds. It’s not that the Suns are awful, they just don’t have enough defensive-minded players to shut down a team as offensively potent as Thunder U.
16. New York Knicks (15): Come on Knicks – 0-3 against the Cavaliers? You are better than that. I realize that they lack a considerable amount of defensive personnel, but there’s no way that a starting lineup of: Ramon Sessions, Anthony Parker, Alonzo Gee, Samardo Samuels and JJ Hickson should beat a team with Carmelo Anthony or Amar’e Stoudemire on its roster. That’s embarrassing.
Next: 15-11