How Do the Top 6 NBA Teams in Record Fare Against Each Other?

Coming through February, most of the top NBA teams have played each other at some point this season. In the past few weeks we've seen some highly contentious duels between some of the premier teams in the league. Let's take a look at each team's record against the other top 5 teams in the NBA. The teams we will rank are the Spurs, Celtics, Heat, Mavericks, Bulls, and Lakers.

1. Boston Celtics (7-4, .636 Win %)
The Celtics hold the highest winning percentage against the top teams in the NBA. The Celtics have 3 wins against the Miami Heat, and hold a losing record against only the Mavericks, who they are 0-2 against. The Celtics are 5 GB of the Spurs for best record in the NBA, and one thing to watch after the All-Star break is how the Celtics' aging roster holds up down the stretch.

2. San Antonio Spurs (5-3, .625)
At the All-Star break, the Spurs are still red-hot at the All-Star break, and have only lost 10 games in the season, 3 of them against top teams. Their losses have come to Boston, Dallas, and most recently a tough loss against Chicago in which Derrick Rose scored 42 points. DeJuan Blair has asserted himself as a solid player for San Antonio, and Parker, Ginobli, and Duncan are all playing well. The Spurs also have an aging roster, so watch how their team finishes out the season.

T-3. Chicago Bulls (6-4, .600)
The Bulls come in tied for 3rd in the rankings with a 6-4 record. The Bulls have .500 or above records against each team except for the Celtics, who they have a 1-2 record against. The Bulls have an interesting roster, led by Derrick Rose, who is considered by many to be a serious MVP candidate. Rose could certainly use some help, but he's demonstrated this season that he's more than capable of putting this team on his back.

T-3. Dallas Mavericks (6-4, .600)
Dallas' roster that includes Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, and Tyson Chandler, all players that have shown they have the ability to help a team to get to the playoffs. The Mavs have a 5-0 record against the Lakers, Celtics, and Heat, the 3 preseason favorites for the title. Dallas has always struggled to cap off their seasons on high notes, and perhaps this year they can finally close out a championship.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (2-6, .250)
The Lakers and the Heat, regarded as the favorites to compete in the NBA Finals in June, but these two teams have both struggled against the top teams in the NBA, who they will more than likely have to defeat in order to get to the Finals. The Lakers' 2 wins have come against the Celtics and Bulls, two quality teams, but they have struggled overall this season against good teams. More troubling are their losses to lower tier teams such as Milwaukee and Charlotte. The defending champs still have a strong team, but they're going to have to play a lot better to win it all again.

6. Miami Heat (1-6, .167)
The Heat, who came together this offseason to win a title, can't seem to beat the best teams the league has to offer. The Heat gained a strong win over the Lakers on Christmas day, but they've fallen in all 3 matchups against Boston, and lost both games to Dallas. The Heat are yet to play the Spurs this season, and have an 0-1 record against Chicago. The Heat have been shaky all season, and like the Lakers, they definitely have the talent to win it all, they just need to bring it all together to win.

Previewing the NBA's Christmas Day Games

Tomorrow on Christmas Day, all 5 NBA games will be nationally televised. Each features a solid matchup. Let's look at each of tomorrow's matchups.

Chicago Bulls (18-9) at New York Knicks (17-12), 12 PM EST, ESPN
The Bulls have won 9 of their last 10 games, and come into Madison Square Garden against the Knicks who are going through a rough patch in the season here. Despite losing Joakim Noah to thumb surgery, the Bulls got star post player F Carlos Boozer, who is averaging 21.2 points and 9.7 rebounds in his last 10 games. New York attempts the most 3-pointers in the league, and Amare Stoudemire had 9 straight games with at least 30 points earlier in the month. Both teams have played well recently, but I think if the Knicks shooters show up, they might be able to win this game.
Pick: New York Knicks

Boston Celtics (23-4) at Orlando Magic (17-12), 2:30 PM EST, ABC
The Celtics have won 14 straight games, and are red-hot. The Magic have built up an even stronger team through trades this week, acquiring Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Earl Clark, trading away Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, and Marcin Gortat. The amazing thing about the Celtics' win streak is the fact that they've suffered some important injuries during the streak. Guards Rajon Rondo and Delonte West, and C Shaquille and F Jermaine O'Neal have both missed time, and starting C Kendrick Perkins still hasn't played all year. The Magic are still getting together as a team, and even without Rajon Rondo, I think the Celtics extend their winning streak.
Pick: Boston Celtics

Miami Heat (22-9) at Los Angeles Lakers (21-8), 5 PM EST, ABC
The marquee matchup of the day pits the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers against LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat. The Heat have struggled against top teams this year, losing twice to the Celtics and twice to the Mavericks already this year. The Lakers are coming off one of their worst losses of the season, losing by 19 at home to a Bucks team without Brandon Jennings. Dwayne Wade is questionable for the game. Both teams are extremely motivated to win this game, but I think the Lakers will come out on top.
Pick: Los Angeles Lakers

Denver Nuggets (16-11) at Oklahoma City Thunder (20-10), 8 PM EST, ESPN
The Thunder are coming off a loss on Wednesday against the Knicks, and take on the Nuggets on Christmas day. The Nuggets are going to short-handed on Christmas, as Carmelo Anthony will be missing the game due to the death of his sister. The Thunder have played well at home this year, and I think that without Anthony, the Nuggets will fall to the Thunder.
Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder

Portland Trailblazers (15-14) at Golden State Warriors (10-18), 10:30 EST, ESPN
The final matchup of the day may not have the marquee records and teams, but both teams have top players and this should be a great matchup. The Blazers are searching for their 4th consecutive win. LaMarcus Aldridge is leading the Blazers in Brandon Roy's absence, averaging 29.3 PPG over this week. Monta Ellis of the Warriors, always an explosive scorer, is pushing it even further this week, averaging 35 PPG this week. Both players are on a tear, but I see the Warriors winning this game due to injuries to key players for the Blazers.
Pick: Golden State Warriors

Merry Christmas and enjoy the games!

Which NBA Team Has Improved the Most This Offseason?

Many teams this season have made some important transactions in the free agent market. Obviously, the Heat have improved a lot with LeBron James and Chris Bosh joining, so I won't include them in this list. Teams I will look at will be the Bulls, Lakers, Jazz, and the Celtics.

1. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have almost become the Utah Jazz East, signing three former Utah players (F Carlos Boozer, G/F Kyle Korver, and G Ronnie Brewer). These three players, along with G CJ Watson, and F Kurt Thomas, have greatly improved the Bulls team. Also, they fired coach Vinny Del Negro, and hired Tom Thibodeau. They did lose Brad Miller and Kirk Hinrich, but Boozer can fill the hole in the post nicely for Chicago, and Watson, Brewer, and Korver can fill in there. Derrick Rose is a very good young PG, and Joakim Noah is a solid rebounder and post player. The Bulls will definitely be playoff contenders next season.

2. Los Angeles Lakers
Yes, the defending champs have improved. They not only kept coach Phil Jackson and PG Derek Fisher, but they also signed G Steve Blake, F/C Theo Ratliff, and F Matt Barnes. Barnes is the key signing for the Lakers, giving them a top defensive perimeter player off the bench. Ratliff is also a good shot blocker and a decent back-up in case injury strikes Andrew Bynum again. They lost Jordan Farmar (to the Nets) and Josh Powell (to the Hawks), but Steve Blake can run the point with the 2nd unit for the Lakers, and Ratliff can replace Powell.

3. Utah Jazz
The Jazz did lose several players (Boozer, Brewer, and Korver as mentioned before, as well as G Wesley Matthews), but the sign and trade deal with Minnesota that landed them Al Jefferson was huge. Jefferson will be a great fit in the Jazz offense, and Raja Bell is a great defender, and has a history of matching up against Kobe Bryant.

4. Boston Celtics
The Celtics had a great offseason in terms of keeping their team together. There were rumors that Ray Allen might leave, or that Paul Pierce would go elsewhere, but the Celtics were able to retain these two, as well as G Nate Robinson and G Marquis Daniels. Coach Doc Rivers also has agreed to return to the team. F Rasheed Wallace retired, and F Tony Allen signed with Memphis and F Shelden Williams signed with Denver, but these three losses shouldn't hurt the Celtics that much. F Jermaine O'Neal was the Celtics only major free agent signing, but he can replace Wallace (and Williams, who didn't contribute much to the team), but Allen could be missed as a spark off the bench.

Overall, I think the Bulls made the most improvements, followed by the Lakers, the Jazz, and the Celtics.

Previewing the Western Conference Semis

Taking a break from the NFL Draft recaps, let's take a look at the NBA playoffs. The Eastern Conference still has one series (Bucks-Hawks) going to game 7, but the Western Conference bracket is set for the semis. Let's take a look at each matchup.

(1) LA Lakers vs. (5) Utah Jazz
The Lakers played a solid series against the young Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, winnning 4-2 on a Pau Gasol putback buzzer beater to win in game 6. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 4-2 in a very good series for Utah. Kobe had a good first round, averaging 21.8 PPG, but Pau Gasol is really the Lakers' key player. Gasol averaged a double-double against OKC, with 20 PPG and 11 RPG. Deron Williams played a huge series against the Nuggets, averaging 28 PPG and 12 APG. Carlos Boozer also average a double-double, with 23 PPG and 12 RPG. The Jazz had three other players average double figures, in Paul Millsap, CJ Miles, and Wesley Matthews. I feel that the Jazz have great guard play, and that Williams should play well against veteran Derek Fisher for the Lakers, but the Jazz are similar to the Thunder in that they don't have a real big man to compete with Bynum and Gasol. I like the Jazz roster, but I think the Lakers advance to the Western Conference Finals in 6 games.

(3) Phoenix Suns vs. (7) San Antonio Spurs
The Suns beat the Blazers in 6 games, with solid play from Jason Richardson averaging 24 points a game. Amaré Stoudemire contributed 20 PPG and 6 RPG. Steve Nash provides solid play at the PG postition, and Channing Frye has emerged this year as a decent offensive option. For the Spurs, they topped second seeded Dallas in 6 games. Manu Ginobli and Tim Duncan each averaged 19 PPG, and Tony Parker and George Hill amassing a combined 30 PPG. The key to this series will be the Suns' ability to handle the three guard attack San Antonio will throw at them, with Hill, Parker, and Ginobli. A key for San Antonio will be the play of Richard Jefferson. If he can play better than the Dallas series (8 PPG), the Spurs can throw a multitude of scorers at Phoenix. Phoenix needs to get Jason Richardson going to win this series. I'll take San Antonio in 7.

Tomorrow the Celtics-Cavs series starts, and the Eastern Conference bracket is yet to be finalized. I'll post a preview of the Eastern Conference later this weekend. Enjoy the playoffs!