NBA Power Rankings Week 20: What history will Milwaukee Bucks make?
By Phil Watson
110. . 38-22. Previous: . Miami Heat. 7. team
Last week: Lost at Cleveland 125-119 (OT), lost to Minnesota 129-126, beat Dallas 126-118, beat Brooklyn 116-113
This week: Monday vs. Milwaukee, Wednesday vs. Orlando, Friday at New Orleans
The Miami Heat bounced back from a pair of inexplicable losses early in the week to close out with a pair of solid wins at home over the Mavericks and Nets, but the fact 12 of their 22 losses have come to teams that are below the .500 mark this season has to be something of a concern heading into the final six weeks of the regular campaign.
Since getting to 24-8 with an overtime win over the 76ers on Dec. 28, Miami is just 14-14 and finished February with a lackluster 6-7 loss that included defeats at the hands of such juggernauts as the Kings, Trail Blazers, Hawks, Cavaliers and Timberwolves.
All-Star Bam Adebayo continued to produce, averaging 18.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 blocks in 33.9 minutes per game over last week’s four contests, shooting 50.0 percent overall while missing his only 3-point try.
team. 79. . 36-24. Previous: . Dallas Mavericks. 6
Last week: Beat Minnesota 139-123, won at San Antonio 109-103, lost at Miami 126-118
This week: Sunday at Minnesota, Monday at Chicago, Wednesday vs. New Orleans, Friday vs. Memphis
With four wins in their last six games, the Dallas Mavericks have got things righted at least a bit, but still remain seventh in the Western Conference race, one game behind Oklahoma City. A loss Friday at Miami prevented the Mavs from closing out a 3-0 week, but they won’t face anyone with a winning record this week.
Dallas will play a road back-to-back at Minnesota and Chicago before returning home to host the Pelicans and Grizzlies after finishing out a mediocre February at 7-5.
Kristaps Porzingis helped the Mavericks to a tough road win at San Antonio on Wednesday with 28 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in just 29 minutes and for the week averaged 22.3 points, 11.3 boards, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks in 31.0 minutes a night. Porzingis hit 44.9 percent overall and 36.7 percent on 10.0 3-point attempts a game.