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The 140: NBA Power Rankings, Week 22 - Spurs' furious rise takes them to No. 2

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

It's the third-last edition of The 140. Pour some out, but not in sadness. The playoffs are only three weeks away. 

And enjoy Tuesday night: Golden State Warriors in L.A. to face the Clippers. Yes. 

1. Golden State Warriors (60-13)
(Last Week: 1; Playoffs: Clinched)

This is what dominance looks like:

2. San Antonio Spurs (47-26)
(Last Week: 3; Playoffs: 100%)

The Spurs are 11-3 In March, with a 13.5 Net Rating (tied with the Warriors for first). They're back. But were they ever gone?

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-27)
(Last Week: 4; Playoffs: Clinched)

Only the Raptors play worse defense than the Cavaliers among playoff teams. Also, great read about Kevin Love. Also, Timofey frigging Mozgov.

4. Atlanta Hawks (56-18)
(Last Week: 5; Playoffs: Clinched)

Kyle Korver forever:

5. Los Angeles Clippers (49-25)
(Last Week: 7; Playoffs: Clinched)

Oh, Tuesday night is going to be good:

One more:

Also, Clippers versus Knicks, never forget:

DeAndre Jordan vs. the Knicks = Imperial Walker vs. Ewoks

6. Houston Rockets (50-24)
(Last Week: 6; Playoffs: Clinched)

This team can probably win a title without Patrick Beverley. That's how good James Harden is. 

Smoove Jazz James

7. Memphis Grizzlies (51-24)
(Last Week: 2; Playoffs: Clinched)

They beat the Kings, yeah, but lost three straight to Cleveland, Golden State, and San Antonio, which gave us this:

8. Portland Trail Blazers (48-25)
(Last Week: 8; Playoffs: Clinched)

"Rip Cityyyyyyyyyyyyyy!"

And, holy shit:

9. Oklahoma City Thunder (42-32)
(Last Week: 9; Playoffs: 91%)

I live my life believing this was about Kevin Durant, who I will miss deeply this spring:

10. Chicago Bulls (45-29)
(Last Week: 11; Playoffs: Clinched)

No. Never. Fools. 

11. Dallas Mavericks (45-29)
(Last Week: 10; Playoffs: 99.9%)

Required reading, with crazy numbers, about Nowitzki's incredible career in Dallas. "I'm really happy we turned this franchise around."

12. Toronto Raptors (44-30)
(Last Week: 13; Playoffs: Clinched)

The Raptors beat a winning team. It happened. I only hope someone told Karter Lowry.

lol!!! #icantstoplaughing!!! #heputsasmileonmyfacenomatterwhat

And shout out to DeMar DeRozan:

13. New Orleans Pelicans (39-34)
(Last Week: 12; Playoffs: 9.1%)

I trust Anthony Davis' judgement, even though he's only 22, and a therefore a child.

14. Miami Heat (34-39)
(Last Week: 16; Playoffs: 77.8%)

The Heat are playing their best ball in March (1.9 Net Rating) and are 1.5 games out of sixth. Respect, Spoelstra and D-Wade. 

More reading: "There are times during certain games when Heat coach Erik Spoelstra just walks away from the team huddle and lets Udonis Haslem have the floor."

15. Washington Wizards (41-33)
(Last Week: 15; Playoffs: Clinched)

Big, if true:

Blame the media for the Wizards' struggles:

16. Boston Celtics (33-41)
(Last Week: 17; Playoffs: 21%)

"The Celtics have made the leap to mediocrity so fast that they may have no easy way out." (Zach Lowe at Grantland)

17. Phoenix Suns (38-37)
(Last Week: 14; Lottery: 0.5%)

How to not make the playoffs:

I would bench all 5 players for playing defense like this.

18. Utah Jazz (33-41)
(Last Week: 18; Lottery: 0.8%)

Life needs villains, but I'm damn proud of you, Jazz fans: 

Enes Kanter embracing the boos on Utah

19. Milwaukee Bucks (36-38)
(Last Week: 19; Playoffs: 98.1%)

Milwaukee has the 26th-best - or fourth-worst - Net Rating since the All-Star break. But at least their spirits are up:

20. Brooklyn Nets (32-40)
(Last Week: 21; Playoffs: 38.8%)

21. Indiana Pacers (32-41)
(Last Week: 20; Playoffs: 44.2%)

I want to see Paul George in one of these. 

22. Charlotte Hornets (31-42)
(Last Week: 23; Playoffs: 19.7%)

For the female Hornets supporter in your life (you can thank me later):

23. Denver Nuggets (28-46)
(Last Week: 22; Lottery: 4.9%)

I see you, Ty Lawson:

Hardwood Paroxysm's post on Vine

24. Sacramento Kings (26-47)
(Last Week: 25; Lottery: 5.1%)

"Sauce Castillo" is definitely one of the greatest things to happen this NBA season. 

(Courtesy: Deadspin)

"Air Castillo!"

AIR CASTILLO dunks on Ajinca! [?: CSNCA]

25. Detroit Pistons (28-45)
(Last Week: 24; Playoffs: 0.5%)

Reggie Jackson averaged 28.3 points, 9.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds on 57.4 percent shooting last week. Life can be beautiful. 

26. Los Angeles Lakers (20-53)
(Last Week: 29; Lottery: 12.1%)

The Lakers really needed to lose against the 76ers. They won, of course. Good one, Jordan Clarkson:

27. Philadelphia 76ers (18-57)
(Last Week: 26; Lottery: 15.4%)

The Sixers have the league's eighth-best defense post All-Star break (100.4). Brett Brown is a god. 

28. Orlando Magic (22-52)
(Last Week: 27; Lottery: 9.4%)

Shaq, like the rest of us, has regrets. But not this:

(Courtesy: @NBAHistory)

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-58)
(Last Week: 28; Lottery: 19.9%)

Andrew Wiggins, oh my god. "This is all we could ever want from March NBA." (Grantland)

Vinnyviner's post on Vine

30. New York Knicks (14-60)
(Last Week: 30; Lottery: 24.7%)

The Knicks have a -14.9 Net Rating since the All-Star break. "Worst" doesn't do this team justice. 

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