1. (1) Suns [8-0]
The Suns pulled off a close win against the Knicks on
Sunday, as they won the game by a score of 42-40. The game marks the closest
thing to a loss the Suns have experienced this season. The average margin of
victory for the team this season has been nine points a game, which provides a
solid cushion for the team. The team should finish strong heading into the
playoffs, and have a solid shot at ending the season undefeated.
Remaining Schedule:
Heat, Lakers
Projected Record [10-0]
2. (3) Nuggets [6-2]
The Nuggets return back to their #2 spot after spending a
week at #3. The team has remained in the top five for most of the season,
proving their ability to stay consistent. On Sunday, the Nuggets absolutely
drop-kicked the Jazz by a score of 68-52. The team struggled on defense, but
their offensive attack saved them at the end of the day. Even though the team
stands at 6-2, their defense has been mediocre, as, although they have scored
355 points, they have also allowed 355 points. If the team wants to make a run
for the championship, they need to improve their defense before the season
ends.
Remaining Schedule:
Mavericks, Knicks
Projected Record [8-2]
3. (5) Bulls [5-3]
The Bulls move up to the #3 spot after upsetting the Lakers
on Sunday. I honestly thought we had lost when sitting on the bench at the end
of the game, but the team managed to pull off a 34-28 win. The Lakers played
with six guys minus junior Timmy Graham, which allowed for the Bulls to utilize
their full roster and win with speed. The team has won five of their last six
after starting the season 0-2, which shows great improvement from the young
team. Overall, the team will need to rely on the skill of junior Jamie
Schofield and senior Jack Feeley down low to make a run in the playoffs.
Remaining Schedule:
Jazz, Mavericks
Projected Record [6-4]
4. (2) Lakers [5-3]
The Lakers drop down to #4 after losing to the Bulls on
Sunday. This marks the team’s second loss in three games, with one of those
losses coming against the Celtics. This slump may raise concerns for the team,
however during both contests, the team was missing vital pieces on their
roster. Sunday’s missing piece was junior Timmy Graham, which put pressure on senior
John Mackie to carry the team. However, Mackie dominated, yet could not push
the Lakers to a victory. When this team shows up, they should continue the
dominance they had at the beginning of the season, and should make a solid run
in the playoffs.
Remaining Schedule:
Cavaliers, Suns
Projected Record [6-4]
5. (6) Heat [4-4]
The Heat make a jump back into the Top 5 after beating the
Wizards by one point on Sunday. An interesting fact to take into consideration
is that three of the Heat’s wins have come by a one point margin, which is a
scary thing to know heading into the playoffs. The team’s inability to finish
games and play defense can hurt them going into the playoffs, but their offense
should carry them into the postseason. The team is also showing great ability
without having senior Sam Bowtell on the court, which was an issue the team
struggled with in the early parts of the season.
Remaining Schedule:
Suns, Nets
Projected Record [5-5]
6. (4) Jazz [4-4]
The Jazz got spanked by the Nuggets on Sunday, letting up a
league season high of 68 points. The story of the Jazz’s season has been their
struggle on the defensive side of the ball, as they have allowed 49 points per
game this season. Luckily, their offense has been able to save them on multiple
occasions, but it won’t be able to help them come playoffs against elite teams
who can score and play defense. The Jazz get a good test against the Bulls on
Sunday, which should give us a good look to see if this team can still be
considered a contender.
Remaining Schedule:
Bulls, Celtics
Projected Record [6-4]
7. (10) Celtics [3-5]
The Celtics are beginning to figure things out, as they are
riding a three game win streak against the Lakers, Mavericks and Nets. Greens
Farms Academy senior Henry Soule is beginning to take full responsibility on
the offensive side of the ball, as he scores the majority of the team’s points.
The team is finally rounding out its kinks, and could be a dark horse heading
into the postseason. The team finishes the season against the Wizards and the
Jazz, and they should be able to win one of those to round out an impressive
finish to the season.
Remaining Schedule:
Wizards, Jazz
Projected Record [4-6]
8. (7) Wizards [3-5]
The Wizards dropped to 3-5 after losing to the Heat by one
point. The game still shows the Wizards’ ability to play with top-tier teams in
this league, which should help their stock come the playoffs. The team stands
at a one point difference between points allowed and points scored with the
latter being larger. The team however has had some pretty close losses, which
further validates their ability to compete come playoffs. The team finishes the
season off against the Celtics and Cavaliers, and they should be able to take
one of those games to end the season barely under .500.
Remaining Schedule:
Celtics, Cavaliers
Projected Record [4-6]
9. (8) Knicks [2-6]
The Knicks came close to upsetting the mighty Suns, as they
only lost by two points, which is one of the closest games for the Suns all
season. The team continues to show sparks of brilliance, but has been unable to
finish games in the second half. They also stand at a one-point difference
between points scored and points allowed, showing their inability to pull away
during games. The team still should be a dark horse heading into the playoffs,
as they have lost some pretty close games and almost took down the last
undefeated team in the league.
Remaining Schedule:
Nets, Nuggets
Projected Record [3-7]
10. (12) Mavericks [3-5]
The Mavericks won via forfeit, so like the other times teams
have decided not to show up, theirs isn’t much to write about. Just a quick
thing here, two of the Mavericks wins have been via forfeit, with their other
win being against the Jazz. So I really have no clue what to expect from this
team come playoffs.
Remaining Schedule:
Nuggets, Bulls
Projected Record [3-7]
11. (9) Cavaliers [3-5]
The Cavaliers dropped their fifth straight game after
starting the season 3-0. I know, you are getting bored of reading about the
team’s self-destruction over the past five games. The sad thing is they didn’t
even show up to the game Sunday. So, not much to write about.
Remaining Schedule:
Lakers, Wizards
Projected Record [3-7]
12. (11) Nets [2-6]
In what many dubbed the battle between the league's worst
teams, the Nets were defeated by the Celtics in a game that wasn’t even very
close. The Nets continue to struggle as they are getting little production out
of senior Jack Griffiths, and are having to rely on the talents of St. Luke’s
junior Andrew Washer, who has carried some of the load for the team. The team
will have to look to senior Stephen Barston and Washer to make a miracle
playoff run come the postseason.
Remaining Schedule:
Knicks, Heat
Projected Record [2-8]
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