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.

2010 NBA Mock Draft: Picks 11-20

After finishing the first ten picks, now I'm going to look at the next 10 picks, from 11 to 20. The first pick in this group goes to the New Orleans Hornets.

11. New Orleans Hornets - F/C Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania
A European 19 year-old is an unknown in the US, but many scouts are very high on him. He has the ability to go to both sides, and is a huge matchup problem for any big men (he's 7'0") with his versatility. He is also very quick and agile, and he also possesses strong ball handling skills. Motiejunas also has improved on the low post, and has great offensive potential. He's still a project, but he can definitely improve on both sides of the ball to get better.

12. Memphis Grizzlies - G James Anderson, Oklahoma State
The Grizzlies don't really have that many teams, and were in the hunt for the eighth seed for a while. Anderson is a great shooter, and can provide them some extra depth at the guard position (they already have OJ Mayo and Ronnie Brewer), but Anderson is a strong offensive player, and I think the Grizzlies could use some more young offensive talent.

13. Toronto Raptors - F Xavier Henry, Kansas
The Raports have some good players, but they are in need of a strong wing player to start for them. Henry is very big for a wing, and has a very NBA-ready body. He's polished offensively, and plays defense at a very high level. He could fit into the gaping hole Toronto has on the wing.

14. Houston Rockets - C Hassan Whiteside, Marshall
Whiteside is a freakish athlete (he measured a 7'7"wingspan in a pre-draft camp) who was largely unknown coming into the season. However, he emerged as the CUSA Freshman of the Year, and he led the NCAA in blocked shots. He is still very raw, but has shown some great potential to known down mid-range shots and handle the ball.

15. Milwaukee Bucks - G Gordon Hayward, Butler
Hayward was a surprise entrant from National runner-up Butler. The sophomore star of the team, he possesses a solid jumper and good speed. The Bucks drafted Joe Alexander a few years ago, a similar player to Hayward, but Hayward seems much more skilled.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves - F/C Larry Sanders, VCU
Sanders became a prolific and efficient scorer this year at VCU, and now looks like a productive player in the paint. He is a great athlete and a huge wingspan, but needs to add strength to grow into a solid NBA player. The Timberwolves have Kevin Love and Al Jefferson in the front court, but Sanders is a solid player to add.

17. Chicago Bulls - F Paul George, Fresno State
George is a late bloomer and very unknown in college basketball, but he is very dynamic and fluid. He could put on some weight, but he stands a solid 6'9". George played AAU with future UCLA-bound guards Malcolm Lee and Jrue Holliday. George could definitely find some untapped potential and become a solid player.

18. Miami Heat - F/C Epke Udoh, Baylor
A lot of mock drafts have Udoh going much higher, even in the lottery, but I think Udoh still has more to prove as a post player to be drafted that high. He is a great shot blocker and athlete, and the Heat can definitely use someone down low, and to try and keep Dwayne Wade.

19. Boston Celtics - G Elliot Williams, Memphis
Williams, a transfer from Duke, is a little bit of a reach for the Celtics here, but they really need to start finding the eventual replacement for Ray Allen, and Williams can definitely score with a great deal of ease. If he improves his shooting a little bit, he can be a very potent offensive threat for Boston.

20. San Antonio Spurs - F Luke Babbitt, Nevada
Babbitt is another unknown player who will most likely be drafted in the first round. He is not that athletic, but is a solid scorer inside and out. He stands 6'7", so he probably won't be able to play PF, but can still be a solid player for San Antonio.

So with picks 11-20, I'll finish out the rest of the first round, and talk about other guys, who could be taken in the first round and early second round. Sorry for the delay in this post. Enjoy!

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!