Wednesday night marks the end of an interesting regular season,
with one team looking to end with a perfect 10-0. So, let’s get to it.
1. (1) Suns [9-0] CLINCHED
1ST ROUND BYE
The Suns soundly defeated the Heat during Sunday’s action to
improve to 9-0 on the season. The team has been perfect all year, with their
only flaw being a forfeit win against the Celtics. Who knows, the Celtics
could’ve pulled that one off. The Suns head into Wednesday night with a matchup
against a top-tier team in the Lakers. This game is a great test for the team
heading into the playoffs, even though they are now an official lock as the #1
seed heading into the postseason.
2. (2) Nuggets [7-2] CLINCHED
1ST ROUND BYE
The Nuggets beat the Mavericks on Sunday by 10 points, putting them
in as a lock for a top four seed heading into the postseason. The team's two
losses this year have come at the hands of the Lakers and Suns, two very
talented teams. The problem is both were in blowout fashion, which can raise
some concerns about the Nuggets playing top teams. I don’t think they should be
worried, since the return of senior James Fox has rejuvenated the team's
presence in the paint. The team finishes the season off against the Knicks in a
game they should have no problem winning.
3. (3) Bulls [6-3] CLINCHED
1ST ROUND BYE
The Bulls dropped 90 on the Jazz on Sunday. No I’m not kidding,
the team actually scored 90 points. They did it against a short-handed Jazz
team, and by the final ten minutes, I don’t think anyone cared. The Bulls have
been a sleeper during these past weeks, as they have slowly climbed the
rankings. Even though the team lacks experience, the Bulls have been able to
put on three-point fiestas against opponents all year. The team finishes the
year off against a big Mavericks team, but the teams outside shooting should
prove fatal against the Mavs.
4. (4) Lakers [6-3] CLINCHED
1ST ROUND BYE
The Lakers rebounded from their recent struggles by beating the
Cavaliers… via forfeit. Well, a win is a win, and the team probably would’ve
beaten the Cavs anyway. The Lakers started the season hot, but have played
questionable basketball for the past few weeks. The team’s two recent losses
have come from the Bulls and Celtics, but the team grabbed a big win against
the Nuggets a couple weeks back. Overall, the team needs to finish the season
strong against the Suns, which would be a monumental upset heading into the
playoffs.
5. (8) Wizards [4-5]
With the lower part of the league struggling against the top
teams, it makes it hard to consistently rank teams, which makes this three-spot
jump for the Wizards a bit odd. The Wizards were able to stop the streaking
Celtics on Sunday, but were only able to do so by two points. The Wizards have
been up and down all year, with their longest win streak being two games and
their longest losing streak being two games. The team is going to be mediocre
at best heading into the playoffs, but it is always that mediocre team that
makes a miracle run to the championship. The team finishes the season off against
a struggling Cavaliers team.
6. (5) Heat [4-5]
The Heat return to their #6 spot after falling to the Suns on
Sunday. It wasn’t a bad loss for the team, as they only lost by nine points.
This loss shows the team’s ability to compete against top-tier teams, which
will help heading into the playoffs. With scoring options TJ Adiletta and Davis
Nixon (both seniors) on the perimeter and senior Sam Bowtell in the paint, the
team can make a serious run heading into the playoffs. That being said, they
will need to be able to control the board against bigger opponents when Bowtell
is resting. The team finishes against one of the league's worst teams in the
Nets, so look for the Heat to finish .500.
7. (6) Jazz [4-5]
The Jazz let up a league-high 90 points during Sunday’s game
against the Bulls, which has to be some sort of record. The team was
shorthanded and pretty relaxed during the game, as I don’t think a single
player on that team cared about what was going on. At one point, senior Patrick
Winter was on the court playing while on his phone, which will probably be a
nomination for moment of the year. The team has a solid amount of talent, but
the lack of attendance is the reason the team is 2-5 since starting the season
2-0. The Jazz finish the season off against the Celtics who have been hot in
recent weeks.
8. (9) Knicks [3-6]
The Knicks regain their #8 spot after beating one of the
league's worst teams in the Nets. The team has been nothing short of impressive
during this three game span where they are 2-1, as they have easily beaten both
the Cavaliers and the Nets while losing to the Suns by only two. The team is a
huge dark horse heading into playoff action, and could make a deep run in the
playoffs as a lower seed. The team has all the talent with Connor Mulliken and
the Trifone twins (all juniors), along with the size in the paint with juniors
Mark Schmidt and Dolan Gregorich. And when senior Calvin Crosby shows up, the
team can be deadly. The team finishes the season against the Nuggets, and will
look to upset the #2 team heading into the postseason.
9. (7) Celtics [3-6]
The Celtics three-game winning streak ended at the hands of the
Wizards on Sunday, as the team lost by two points. The team’s three-game win
streak is the highlight of their season, as the team's defense is ranked as the
second worst in the league behind the Jazz. The Celtics are allowing 50 points
a game, which makes life so much harder for the team’s offense. If the team can
improve its defense, it can be a sleeper heading into the postseason, but if
not, they will be out early. The Celtics finish the season off against the
Jazz, and a win would give them momentum heading into the playoffs.
10. (10) Mavericks [3-6]
The Mavericks fell to the Nuggets on Sunday, losing by 10
points in the process. The team has struggled all year long, as two of their
wins have been by forfeit, and are letting up 44 points a game. The team is
incredibly talented and well sized, but the Mavs have been unable to utilize
these strengths throughout the season. If the team is able to miraculously
harness all this talent and become a solid team, they can easily make a run in
the playoffs. The team finishes off against a hot Bulls team on Wednesday.
11. (12) Nets [2-7]
The team with the worst record isn’t ranked as the worst team?
I will explain in the next ranking. Anywho, the Nets fell to the Knicks on
Sunday, putting their current losing streak at four games. The team continues
to struggle even with the emergence of junior Andrew Washer, as the lack of
production from senior Jack Griffiths is hurting the team, even though
Griffiths claims to be “born to shoot the perimeter”. So yeah, the league's
worst team record wise everyone. Oh, they end the season against the Heat.
12. (11) Cavaliers [3-6]
The Cavs have lost six straight, but the sad thing is their
last two losses have been by forfeit. So you know my usual rules, if you don’t
show, you don’t get much written about you. The team ends the season against
the Wizards.
FINAL WEEK PREDICTIONS
Celtics vs. Jazz
The Pick: Jazz
The Jazz have struggled recently due to the teams attendance,
but they should be able to defeat the Celtics with senior Anthony DiMeglio and
his outside shooting ability.
Cavaliers vs. Wizards
The Pick: Wizards
I want to pick the Cavs, but the fact that they have forfeited
two straight games hurts their stock.
Heat vs. Nets
The Pick: Heat
We will see a monstrous showdown between Sam Bowtell and Jack
Griffiths, but the Heat will prevail… But Griffiths will win the battle.
Bulls vs. Mavericks
The Pick: Bulls
Alright, yeah it is my own team, but I still think the Bulls
will win. Junior Jamie Schofield is too much to handle, and the mid-range game
of senior Jack Feeley is absurd.
Knicks vs. Nuggets
The Pick: Nuggets
The return of James Fox has been huge, and he will go off
against the Knicks if Dolan Gregorich does not show up.
*Game of the Week*
Lakers vs. Suns
The Pick: Suns
The Suns overall talent is way too good, and I think they will
prevail against a solid Lakers team. It will be close however, and I think the
Lakers will stage a huge comeback but fall short.
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