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Ladies and gentlemen and NBA fans of all ages, welcome to this special two-week edition of Slam Dunk Central’s NBA Power Rankings for the period of March 14-27, 2011.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was away during the period of March 20 (last week’s usual NBA Power Rankings date), thus the special two-week edition.

The past two weeks has seen some turbulence in terms of the rankings as the Los Angeles Lakers are reverting back to their normal selves, while the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are picking up steam. Meanwhile, we also have a new King of the Hill at the top as San Antonio has dropped four straight.

Who is the new top team in the power rankings? Find out as Slam Dunk Central presents their NBA Power Rankings for the period of March 14-27:

Listed below are the teams, their win-loss record as of March 27 and last week’s ranking:

1. Los Angeles Lakers (53-20) (4) The combination of San Antonio with their current losing streak, combined with the Lakers gelling at the perfect time, with the playoffs right around the corner elevates them to the top spot. Their schedule this week includes: Dallas, @Utah and Denver.
2. Chicago Bulls (53-19) (2) Winners of six out of their past seven (prior to Monday’s loss), the Bulls – like the Lakers – are gelling at the right time. Derrick Rose has elevated his play, hence his likelihood of getting the NBA MVP this year. But he can’t do it alone as Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng will need to “man up’ for the stretch run if they want a favorable seeding come playoff time.
3. San Antonio Spurs (57-16) (1) How the mighty have fallen. The long-time occupants of the top spot in the NBA Power Rankings have fallen upon hard times, as of late. Combine their losing streak, along with injuries to Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker and you have the recipe for a potential collapse of major proportions – at the absolute wrong time.
4. Miami Heat (51-22) (5) Winners of six of their past seven, the Heat – recurring theme here – are “heating up” at the right time. Yet there is still the issue of their bench contributing more. The lack of firepower from the bench may come back to haunt Miami during the playoffs.
5. Boston Celtics (51-21) (3) Mediocre play is the main culprit here as they lost to some teams they would beat under normal circumstances (Memphis, Charlotte, New Jersey, Houston and Indiana). This weeks finds the Celtics playing San Antonio (game of the week), Atlanta and Detroit. This week is key, in terms of hoping to overtake Chicago for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
6. Dallas Mavericks (52-21) (6) This is a team that has flown under the radar and could possibly make a long run during the Western Conference playoffs. Coach Rick Carlisle’s playoff rotation appears to be set and there is the possibility that Caron Butler may return for the postseason. They tour the West Coast this week, taking on the Lakers and Clippers, Golden State and Portland.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder (48-24) (7) Winners of six of their last seven, the Thunder mirror the Mavericks in many ways. They’re in the playoffs, yet can’t rest on their laurels. They face a slew of West Coast teams this week and beyond, with Golden State, Phoenix, Portland and the Clippers. Scary thought: They’re relatively injury-free.
8. Orlando Magic (47-26) (8) The good news is that the Magic are in the playoffs. The bad news is that injuries have bitten them, as Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick, Quentin Richardson and Chris Duhon (all of them guards) are beaten up. Right now, Gilbert Arenas starts for Nelson; Jameer’s return will probably dictate the fortunes of Orlando when the playoffs roll around.
9. Denver Nuggets (44-29) (9) They’re sneaking up on teams, which works to their advantage. Bringing Al Harrington from off the bench has paid dividends as he’s scoring at nearly 20 PPG in his last three games. Their bench play will dictate how far the Nuggets go in the Western Conference playoffs.
10. Portland Trail Blazers (42-31) (12) If they want to keep their playoff hopes alive, they will need to win often this week as they face New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Dallas. And they’re relatively healthy – something that often couldn’t be said this season for this team.
11. New Orleans Hornets (42-32) (11) The loss of David West is huge for the Hornets, thus the signing of Patrick Ewing, Jr. to a 10-day contract. The play of Trevor Ariza and Carl Landry will be key for New Orleans as they look to earn a playoff berth. Their schedule’s not a cakewalk, either as they face Portland, Memphis and Indiana this week.
12. Atlanta Hawks (42-32) (10) Safely in the playoffs, it is to their advantage to win as much as possible (and remain focused), in terms of a better seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They have to get past Orlando, Boston and Houston first this week. Getting Joe Johnson back from a thumb injury would be a big help to Atlanta, as well – no offense, Marvin Williams.
13. Memphis Grizzlies (41-33) (13) The Grizzlies are safely in the #8 spot in the Western Conference – or so it seems. Just 2 1/2 games in front of the Houston Rockets, they need to continue their inspired play. The question remains whether the loss of Rudy Gay will come back to haunt them – assuming they make the playoffs.
14. Philadelphia 76ers (37-36) (15) This is a team that’s going to cause problems in the upcoming NBA playoffs. Both the starters and bench are getting it together and Andre Iguodala’s game has stepped up. Not to be overlooked is the coaching of Doug Collins; he gets my vote – if the season ended today – as the NBA Coach of the Year.
15. Houston Rockets (38-35) (14) Winners of five of their last six games, the Rockets are in the position where they have to “put up or shut up” – in other words, they have to basically win out, along with some help from some other teams. They’re on the East Coast this week as they face New Jersey and Philadelphia before returning home to host San Antonio and Atlanta.
16. Phoenix Suns (36-36) (18) Unless they get some help, you can safely assume that the Suns will sit at home during the playoffs. I still contend that if Marcin Gortat had started at center instead of Robin Lopez, Phoenix wouldn’t be in this predicament that they’re in. Not only are their playoffs dreams likely broken, so is Gortat’s nose. Now that’s adding insult to injury – or just plain bad luck.
17. New York Knicks (35-37) (16) It wasn’t that long ago when the Knicks were safely in the middle of the pack of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt. But losing six of seven put them in a position where they could fall off the playoff map unless they correct themselves. Good thing for them that they face New Jersey, Cleveland this week, although lately, the Cavs spanked the Heat at the Q.
18. Utah Jazz (36-38) (17) With their playoff chances evaporated, the Jazz can now turn towards next season and possibly giving some players who ride the bench some much-needed playing time. Gordon Heyward should se a bump in minutes, along with Derrick Favors.
19. Indiana Pacers (32-42) (21) Only in the Eastern Conference can a team that’s nearly 10 games under .500 hang onto the #8 seed in the playoff chase, yet that’s exactly where the Pacers are currently at, with Charlotte and Milwaukee in the rear view mirror. Good news for Indiana: Mike Dunleavy is due back at any time, which means more offense, if anything else. The rest of this week is favorable for the Pacers as they face Detroit, Milwaukee and New Orleans.
20. Charlotte Bobcats (30-42) (20) Somehow, they’re hanging to playoff hopes by the tip of their claws; however, they need to continue winning and get some help, to boot. To illustrate how under the radar this team is, ESPN opted not to televise their game on April 13 against Atlanta. By the way, Charlotte has a mixed bag this week as they face Cleveland, Orlando and Washington.
21. Golden State Warriors (32-42) (19) Although they are out of the playoff chase in the Western Conference, the warriors haven’t given up – yet. But they, like other teams in Golden State’s situation, can now focus on playing seldom-used players from off the bench.
22. Los Angeles Clippers (29-45) (23) Ryan Gomes and DeAndre Jordan are getting more minutes, which makes sense as the Clippers look towards next season. It should be interesting in terms of who remains here next season, as Kaman and a few others may either be released or traded. Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin and Mo Williams are locks; anyone else is fair game, a tthis point.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (29-43) (22) It’s amazing that even at this late stage of the NBA season, the Bucks are still in playoff contention. But at the risk of being retentive, Milwaukee will need to basically win out and get lots of help from other teams. But with their lack off offense, things aren’t looking good.
24. Detroit Pistons (26-47) (25) Coach John Kuester (make that fired after the season’s over) has made some odd roster moves during games this season. And I think the end result of these moves are bearing spoiled fruit. Richard Hamilton is finally getting playing time, yet Kuester gave Charlie Villanueva a DNP (Villanueva’s first this season). Firing this coach will be the easiest post-season move that team president Joe Dumars makes.
25. Anaheim Las Vegas Any team with an arena with luxury boxes Sacramento Kings (20-52) (28) One name defines the Kings’ recent winning streak: Marcus Thornton. While the Kings higher-ups are figuring this relocation mess, the team itself have won three straight (four if you count their win against Phoenix Tuesday night). But Thornton has been the catalyst, plus the return of Tyreke Evans to the lineup has made things somewhat bearable in California’s state capital.
26. New Jersey Nets (23-49) (24) Coach Avery Johnson, despite his team’s run of bad luck, is still trying to keep his team focused. Which isn’t easy to do considering that all there is to play for any more is for a favorable lottery pick in next year’s draft. But ehy’ll have lots of salary cap space, so the 2011-12 season should be interesting. to say the least.
27. Toronto Raptors (20-53) (27) These days, the Raptors have played very much unlike their team name and more along the lines of their PBS counterpart, Barney the Dinosaur. And the player frustration is showing, as well. Coach Jay Triano is in the unenviable position of keeping some form of cohesion on this team in place as the season winds down.
28. Washington Generals Wizards (17-55) (29) Only two things of note for the Wizards: They got a rare road win against Utah and rookie John Wall is showing why this team got rid of Gilbert Arenas. Expect Washington to mimic the New York Stock Exchange as players will get either released or traded. Don’t be shocked if Andray Blatche is one of them.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-57) (26) Losers of seven straight, the T-Wolves are reverting back to form. Perhaps they can change that as Kevin Love is expected back as early as Wednesday. The losing streak likely will continue as thy have the unfortunate task of playing Chicago, Miami and Memphis this week. All of a sudden, Cleveland’s chances of rising from the cesspool that is #30 of our NBA Power Rankings have markedly improved. Speaking of the Cavaliers …
30. Cleveland Cavaliers (14-58) (30) They have been, believe it or not, playing better basketball (they beat Miami Tuesday, which is all you need to know) lately. Yet one has to wonder what roster changes Cleveland makes after this seaosn ends. Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson seem safe; everyone else – not so much. And I would love nothing better to have the Cavaliers climb out of this spot next week. Nothing that a few wins wouldn’t cure.