HOW THEY RANK
1. GOLDEN STATE: Last regular-season motivational carrot left is to get best record to secure home court in playoffs. (1)
2. CLEVELAND: Picking up the defense. During 17-game home winning streak, only one opponent scored 100-plus points. (2)
3. SAN ANTONIO: Extended NBA record of winning at least 50 games in a season to 16 straight. (6)
4. ATLANTA: Still making history. Needs just two more wins to set a franchise record for wins in a season at 58. (3)
5. HOUSTON: Playing all-out for two seed in West to face Dallas in playoffs. A three seed probably means facing Spurs. (4)
6. CLIPPERS: Responded to tough loss to Warriors with big win at Portland. Trying to secure home court for playoffs. (5)
7. MEMPHIS: Locked in a battle with Rockets for two seed. Grizzlies would rather face seventhseeded Mavericks. (8)
8. CHICAGO: Pau Gasol has 50 double-doubles, the first Bull to have at least 50 since Charles Oakley had 53 in 86-87. (7)
9. PORTLAND: Won Northwest Division title. But can the Trail Blazers get the home-court advantage in the playoffs? (9)
10. NEW ORLEANS: Pelicans keep heat on the Thunder. Just a half-game behind OKC for the eighth playoff spot. (15)
11. BROOKLYN: Making a move. Won season-high six straight games to move to seventh spot in East playoff race. (17)
12. DALLAS: Probably will be the seven seed in the West. Will need a healthy Chandler Parsons (sore right knee). (12)
13. TORONTO: Kyle Lowry (back) has missed seven of eight games. Raptors went 4-4 with All-Star point guard out. (11)
14. WASHINGTON: John Wall carrying Wizards. Career-high 18 assists, 33 in last two games, 91 points in three-game span. (13)
15. OKLAHOMA CITY: Can Russell Westbrook carry team down stretch? Two straight losses show he needs help. (10)
16. MILWAUKEE: Win two, lose two, win two. Though up and down, Bucks still have hold on sixth playoff spot. (14)
17. MIAMI: Bad news: Dwyane Wade injured knee. Good news: Knee just sore. OK news: Clinging to eighth playoff spot. (19)
18. BOSTON: This under-.500team still in playoff hunt for eighth spot in East despite being 2-2 in last four games. (24)
19. PHOENIX: Has lost NBAhigh five times on go-ahead basket with less than five seconds left in the game. (18)
20. INDIANA: Paul George (right leg) to return after missing entire season. All-Star forward will help playoff push. (20)
21. CHARLOTTE: May shut down Al Jefferson (knee) after losing five of last seven games. Playoff chances diminishing. (21)
22. DETROIT: Andre Drummond first Piston to have at least 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 100 blocks two seasons in row. (22)
23. UTAH: Despite not going to playoffs, back winning again with three-game win streak after losing four in a row. (24)
24. ORLANDO: Nikola Vucevic had 37 points against T’Wolves. His 43 double-doubles tied for third best in NBA. (26)
25. DENVER: Back to losing ways, the Nuggets have dropped three consecutive games, and seven of last nine games. (23)
26. SACRAMENTO: Doing it all, DeMarcus Cousins had back-toback triple-doubles, including a career-high 13 assists. (25)
27. LAKERS: Other than impressive play by rookie Jordan Clarkson, there’s little to say – except “Lotto. Lotto.” (28)
28. PHILADELPHIA: May not be tanking (wink-wink!), but the 76ers did lose to lowly Lakers twice over eight days. (27)
29. MINNESOTA: Has lost at least 60 games for ninth time in franchise history. Rookie Andrew Wiggins gives hope. (29)
30. NEW YORK: In letter, video to season-ticket holders, Phil Jackson asked fans to “remain optimistic” for next season. (30)