The San Antonio Spurs hold a three-game edge on the field for the NBA’s best overall record. As a result, the Spurs once again hold the top spot in KP’s latest edition of NBA Power Rankings.
Riding a fiery eleven-game win streak, LeBron James and the Miami Heat move into second place. Miami is followed by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies round out the top five. The Clippers are doing it with high-octane offense and as for the Grizzlies, it’s more with a defensive mindset.
The full set of NBA Power Rankings feature some February thoughts and stats for all thirty teams, because hey… we are all about some good stats at The Wife Hates Sports.
KP’s NBA Power Rankings: February 25, 2013
The Spurs and Heat have a firm grasp on the top two spots. Then, there’s the Thunder and Clippers in a tight chase for the third spot in the NBA Power Rankings. The Grizzlies sit in fifth place with the Knicks not far behind.
* Games and statistics include results up to 7pm Eastern on February 25, 2013
1. San Antonio #Spurs (134 points) – San Antonio’s 23-11 record on the road is easily the best away from home mark in the #NBA.
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
The road record is the key to holding off Miami this week. How many people are dreaming of a Spurs-Heat Finals, because how fun would that be?
2. Miami #Heat (123 points) – Miami has won 11 straight, including double-digit victories over the Clippers, Bulls and Thunder. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
The Heat are crushing key opponents in recent weeks. Then again, with LeBron and Co. in South Beach, none of this should surprise us.
3. Oklahoma City #Thunder (108 points) – In February, Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook have combined to score more than 50 pts per game #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
The duo of KD and Westbrook is easily the most entertaining in the league. Yes, that includes over LeBron and Wade.
4. Los Angeles #Clippers (106 points) – The Clippers have won five out of six, scoring 100 points or more in each of the victories. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Triple digits! Good luck outscoring the Clips, especially during this stretch.
5. Memphis #Grizzlies (84 points) – Memphis has won seven straight, the largest current win streak in the Western Conference #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Could it be that the Grizzlies are being overlooked? With seven straight wins, that’s probably unlikely.
6-10: Knicks to Nuggets
6. New York #Knicks (74 points) – Tyson Chandler is averaging 13 total boards per game (five offensive) during the month of February. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Chandler has been a monster on the offensive boards, and that’s been the real key for New York.
7. Indiana #Pacers (72 points) – Indiana is first in the NBA in rebounds (46 per game) and points allowed (89.4 ppg) #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Good luck stopping the Pacers in the paint, or anywhere, really.
8. Brooklyn #Nets (58 points) – Joe Johnson, Deron Williams and Brook Lopez are all averaging more than 16 points per game in February #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
But why is there little talk about Brooklyn’s three-headed monster? The scoring balance has the Nets in the top ten this week.
9. Atlanta #Hawks (55 points) – Amidst numerous trade rumors, Josh Smith has averaged 18.8 pts and 10.1 boards in February. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
The trade talks are apparently not a distraction for Smith. Because he’s averaging a double-double and clearly showcasing his talents for opposing teams.
10. Denver #Nuggets (54 points) – Ty Lawson is averaging 22.7 points per game in the month of February #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
The former North Carolina standout has been fantastic in February. He may be small, but he’s scrappy and a slasher.
11-15: Bulls to Celtics
11. Chicago #Bulls (53 points) – Joakim Noah is averaging 11.1 rebounds per game in the month of February. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Fiery, scrappy and a bulldog in the paint – that’s Joakim Noah.
12. Golden State #Warriors (45 points) – The Warriors followed six straight L’s w/ three straight W’s, incl. an OT win over the Spurs #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
The overtime win over the Spurs is a momentum builder, and the top ten isn’t far away.
13. Houston #Rockets (38 points) – James Harden is averaging 29.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in the month of February. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
What, Harden couldn’t manage thirty points a game? C’mon, man. But seriously, is there a better scorer in the league?
14. Utah #Jazz (38 points) – Al Jefferson is averaging 19.8 ppg and 8.2 boards per game in the month of February. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Big Al can block, too.
15. Boston #Celtics (35 points) – Jeff Green is averaging 16.2 points per game during the month of February. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Jeff Green is on a hot streak and pushing Boston up the charts.
16-20: Lakers to Blazers
16. Los Angeles #Lakers (28 points) – The Lakers have won three straight and are 8-3 in the month of February. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Despite the hot streak, the Lakers are still in the middle of the pack. But let’s see how they do during the stretch run.
17. Milwaukee #Bucks (22 points) – Newly acquired J.J. Redick scored 16 points in his first game with the Bucks. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Everyone knows the story with Redick. He’s a sharpshooter that you can’t leave open for long.
18 Dallas #Mavericks (10 points) – In 26 games, Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 16.0 points, well below his career average of 22.7 ppg #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Dirk is aging, but still an impact player in Dallas. But should Dallas be concerned by the fact that he’s averaging nearly seven points a game less this season?
19. Toronto #Raptors (8 points) – In 10 games with the Raptors, Rudy Gay is averaging 21.4 points per game. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Rudy Gay is a scoring machine and a headache for opposing defenses.
20. Portland #TrailBlazers (-6 points) – In the last few weeks, the Blazers have lost to the Suns, Magic and Hornets #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
It hasn’t been a good stretch for the Blazers. Three painfully ugly losses and Portland is near the bottom ten.
21-25: Sixers to Cavs
21. Philadelphia #76ers (-8 points) – Jrue Holiday leads the Sixers in points (19.2 ppg) and assists (8.7 apg). #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Another hot stretch and Holiday could be averaging a double-double per game.
22. Detroit #Pistons (-13 points) – The Pistons lost by a combined 50 points in back-to-back losses to the Pacers. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Detroit simply cannot match Indiana’s defense and domination in the paint. Then again, not many teams in the NBA can.
23. New Orleans #Hornets (-14 points) – In his rookie season, Anthony Davis is averaging 12.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 1.77 bpg. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Big things are coming for Anthony Davis. Just you wait, as he can do it all. This guy is going to be a superstar in New Orleans.
24. Minnesota #Timberwolves (-15 points) – Minnesota has eight players averaging in double figures this season #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Talk about balance in Minnesota, but why isn’t there more winning? The Wolves need to learn how to win games.
25. Cleveland #Cavaliers (-24 points) – Kyrie Irving is averaging 23.3 points per game in 45 games this season. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
How are those Kyrie jersey sales looking?
26-30: Wizards to Bobcats
26. Washington #Wizards (-26 points) – It’s a slow climb up the charts, and the Wizards are actually 6-4 in February. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
A winning record in February is just what the doctor ordered, but can the Wizards sustain it?
27. Phoenix #Suns (-47 points) – The Suns have just two wins in the month of February. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
It has been an abysmal stretch in the desert. At this point, the only way is up.
28. Sacramento #Kings (-50 points) – The Kings scored 100 points or more in six straight games from Feb 9-22. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
Can they defend? To this point, that answer is no and no – and then also no again.
29. Orlando #Magic (-56 points) – Orlando has just one win since January 18th. #NBA
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
There’s little magic in O-town these days. Well, except at Disney. Mickey always brings the magic.
30. Charlotte #Bobcats (-67 points) – Charlotte’s -9.2 points differential is the worst in the #NBA by an average of two points per game.
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 26, 2013
The Bobcats know how to lose in style and lose big. When a team averages a loss by nearly double digits, it has to be a challenge to put butts in seats.
* All stats per NBA.com
The Wife Hates Sports NBA Power Rankings system has a method to its madness. It attempts to be different and not just rank by popularity and record. It mixes a secret formula of six completely different categories, meshed into a points system. The categories don’t just include team results regarding record, but how each team has performed recently. It also incorporates statistics on both a team’s offense and defense, too.
Hey, I just sent you an email suggesting some more cross-pollination. Let me know what you think.
Oh, and I’m curious to find out, what’s the lowest the Heat have dropped in your power rankings this season?