NBA power rankings for March 15, 2016

As the NBA season approaches the final stretch before the playoffs, the top and bottom of the league continue to hold pretty steady. The Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets continue to lose, while the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers continue to pace the Association.

It's the middle of the pack where the shifts happen, and this week is no exception. With that in mind, here are this week's NBA power rankings.

30. Philadelphia 76ers

Despite a win against the equally hapless Brooklyn Nets last week, Philadelphia is still on pace to lose 70-plus games. It represented the team's first win in 14 attempts and was followed up by a 14-point loss to the Detroit Pistons the following night. With Jahlil Okafor now lost for the season, Philadelphia can't even look forward to him gaining the necessary experience down the stretch.

29. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers fell to the New York Knicks at home on Saturday. Considering New York had won just three road games since the start of January, that's a pretty amazing accomplishment. Now on pace to lose 65 games, it's starting to look like Los Angeles will put up the worst regular season in franchise history. The good news here is that rookie D'Angelo Russell is averaging 19.9 points while shooting at a solid 46 percent clip over the past 10 games.

28. Brooklyn Nets

Bad losses to Philadelphia and Milwaukee to close out last week aren't good looks for a Nets squad that hasn't defeated a winning team since the end of January (Oklahoma City). More than anything, it's simply a lack of talent that has Brooklyn among the bottom rung of the NBA. How else would you explain scoring 89 points against Philadelphia? Unfortunately for Brooklyn, its first-round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft is heading to Boston. How does this team add the necessary talent during the summer? It's going to be a difficult task for new general manager Sean Marks.

27. Phoenix Suns

Phoenix jumps Brooklyn in the latest power rankings simply due to how competitive the team has been recently. Including a hard-fought loss to the Warriors on Saturday, the Suns have actually put up a 3-3 record in their past six games. Considering this team had tallied a total of just three wins in its past 33 games, that's a start. Averaging 17.3 points and 12.2 rebounds over the past 10 games, Alex Len has stepped it up big time, proving he's going to be one of the franchise cornerstones moving forward.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves

Here's your weekly Karl-Anthony Towns watch. Including a 17-point, 10-rebound performance in Monday's loss to Phoenix, the rookie has put up double-doubles in 19 of his past 25 games. Overall, Towns is averaging 21.3 points and 10.8 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field over the past 10 games. In a clear sign that he doesn't have the necessary help in Minnesota, the Wolves have lost seven of those 10 games.

25. Sacramento Kings

As the DeMarcus Cousins situation boiled over once again this past week, the backdrop in Sacramento included four consecutive losses, including bad performances against New Orleans, Orlando and Utah. Now losers of nine out of their past 10, the Kings are completely out of the playoff race. That's going to more than likely cost George Karl his job and might very well lead to Cousins being traded in the summer.

24. New Orleans Pelicans

Injuries on top of injuries. With Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans among those sidelined Monday night against Golden State, the Pelicans put up a solid first-half performance before being manhandled in the second half. That's been the story of this team throughout what has been a disappointing 2015-16 campaign. Now losers of four consecutive heading into the week, New Orleans is a season-worst 18 games under .500.

23. New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony is 100 percent correct. New York simply needs to find a way to add more talent. Once rookie Kristaps Porzingis hit that wall everyone knew was coming, there was not a single member of the team able to step up behind Anthony. That has led to continued struggles for this fledgling franchise. As it relates to Porzingis, he was shooting just 34 percent from the field in the five games prior to his current stomach ailment and subsequent inaction Sunday against the Lakers.

22. Denver Nuggets

If you're one of those non-playoff teams that's unlikely to win the lottery, the biggest key down the stretch is showing improvement from earlier in the year. That's exactly what the Nuggets and their young core have done recently. Despite a narrow loss to a good Miami Heat team on Monday, Denver has won six of 10. During this span, rookie Emmanuel Mudiay is showing everyone why he was a top 10 pick last June. He tallied 30 points Thursday night against Phoenix before putting up 23 points and 10 assists against Miami on Monday.

21. Milwaukee Bucks

It's going to be too little too late for the Bucks' playoff aspirations, but their current three-game winning streak tells us a story of a talented team that's prepared to compete consistently throughout the remainder of the season. As one of the best young players in the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the primary reason why Milwaukee has turned it around recently. He's tallied four triple-doubles over the past 11 games while averaging 21.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.9 blocks during that span. Ridiculous!

20. Orlando Magic

With the playoffs now considered unlikely, the Magic simply needs to find out what it has behind Nikola Vucevic in the pecking order. He's the only legitimate All-Star-caliber player on the roster. The team will also have in excess of $50 million to spend in free agency this summer. Can Brandon Jennings be a part of the team's future after shooting at just a 35 percent clip in his first dozen games with the team? Is there a role for a struggling Victor Oladipo? Can Aaron Gordon turn his elite-level athleticism into more consistent performances? At 28-37 following a 37-point loss to Portland over the weekend, these are the only real dramatic situations remaining in Orlando's season.

19. Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal can't stay healthy, and it's really impacting Washington's playoff aspirations. Prior to a dominating 43-point win over Detroit on Monday, the Wizards had lost five consecutive games, including defeats at the hands of the Nuggets and Jazz. It's not a coincidence that Beal was able to return Monday after missing the previous three games (all losses). John Wall may be performing at an incredibly high level, but he needs his running partner back at 100 percent for the remainder of the year if the 31-35 Wizards are going to sneak in to the playoffs.

18. Houston Rockets

Without a winning streak of more than three games since early January, the Rockets continue to tread water. The past week was a prime example of this. Prior to handing an undermanned Grizzlies team a 49-point loss on Monday, the Rockets fell to Charlotte by 16 over the weekend. This came on the heels of a solid three-game wining streak, which ultimately followed three losses in their previous four games. Despite this lack of consistency, Houston currently finds itself tied for the seventh seed out west. Interestingly, the play of the recently signed Michael Beasley has been a boon for the team. He's averaging 13 points and five rebounds in five games with Houston.

17. Utah Jazz

After losing seven of its past eight games, the Jazz now finds itself in the midst of a three-game winning streak following a strong nine-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. That game saw second-year guard Rodney Hood put up 28 points. Overall, Hood is averaging 17.5 points over the past four games. With one of the top frontcourts in the Association, Utah is going to need to continue getting this type of production from one of its guards if it's going to earn one of the final two playoff spots out west.

16. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas put up its best performance in nearly two months in an 11-point win against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. It was the Mavericks' first win in six games and kept them two games ahead of Utah for the final playoff spot out west. It was also the first time since early February that the Mavs have given up less than 100 points. That type of defensive effort must continue with a five-game stretch coming up against Cleveland, Golden State (twice) and Portland (twice).

15. Chicago Bulls

Jimmy Butler was able to return to action in Monday's narrow win over Toronto after missing the past three games due to aggravating his knee injury. While he only put up 12 points in 34 minutes, Butler's presence was felt. That's going to be the biggest key moving forward with Chicago, a team that's now tied for the final playoff spot back east. If Butler is able to return to old form, it's going to be huge for the Bulls. Add in the recent stellar play of Derrick Rose (18.6 points and 6.2 assists in the past 10 games), and the Bulls could be a dangerous lower seed should they earn that playoff spot.

14. Indiana Pacers

Based primarily on the lackluster play of those behind them, the Pacers have maintained their positioning as a top seven seed. This has not necessarily been due to their overwhelmingly great play on the court. A 29-point road loss to Atlanta over the weekend broke a three-game winning streak that included an impressive win over San Antonio. That's the crux of the issue here. Simply put, Indiana has been among the most inconsistent teams in the NBA this season. With games coming up against Boston, Toronto and Oklahoma City over the next week, Indiana is facing its most important stretch of the season.

13. Portland Trail Blazers

Following a torrid stretch that saw them win 17 of 21 games, the Blazers have cooled down considerably over the past two weeks. Their last three losses have come by an average of 23.3 points, with Damian Lillard shooting 35 percent from the field in those games. This tells us a story of a surprising Blazers squad that relies a great deal on the All-Star snub. That might work against inferior competition, but with games coming up against San Antonio, Dallas (twice) and the Clippers over the next 10 days, the Blazers will need to get some more help behind Lillard and backcourt partner C.J. McCollum.

12. Detroit Pistons

A 43-point loss against what was a struggling Wizards team on Monday was about as embarrassing as it gets. That game saw Detroit turn the ball over 20 times while hitting on just 3-of-23 three-point field goals. But hey, everyone has bad performances. We saw that with Golden State's loss to the Lakers earlier this month. It's the Pistons' entire body of work over the past three weeks that has the team just outside of the top 10 here. Wins against Cleveland, Toronto and Portland during that span tells us a story of a team that can go up against top-end competition and come out on top. Even as one of the two squads tied for the eighth seed back east, Detroit could be a load to handle down the stretch.

11. Atlanta Hawks

Just 1.5 games out of a top three seed back east, Atlanta is currently playing its best basketball since the first week of the season. A 29-point win over Indiana on Monday was just a continuation of a two-week-plus stretch of basketball that has seen the Hawks win seven of nine games. Now 38-29 on the season, Atlanta can set its sights on earning home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. With games coming up against fellow Eastern Conference playoff contenders Detroit (twice), Washington (twice) and Chicago over the next two weeks, the Hawks need to continue this recent momentum down the stretch.

10. Memphis Grizzlies

With Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, Lance Stephenson and Vince Carter all sidelined on Monday, Memphis fell to Houston by a ridiculous 49 points. This isn't a representation of how well the Grizzlies have played since Gasol's season-ending injury and the trades of both Courtney Lee and Jeff Green. Instead, it was a representation of a shorthanded team not having enough bodies. In reality, that could be the largest issue for the current fifth seed out west. With two games remaining against both San Antonio and Golden State on the season, Memphis simply needs to get healthy if it's going to be able to maintain its current positioning in the conference.

9. Miami Heat

Since dropping to 23-21 following a 20-point loss to Toronto in January, the Heat has won 16 of its past 23 games and is now squarely in the hunt for a top three seed back east. Though, road losses to both Toronto and Milwaukee sure did hurt last week. The loss to a non-contending Bucks team was the real issue. Miami had been taking care of business against weaker competition, putting up a 7-0 record against losing teams since its last loss (also to Milwaukee) back in January. With only seven games against sub-.500 teams remaining on the schedule, it's going to be important for the Heat to take care of business there.

8. Charlotte Hornets

A poor shooting performance against Dallas on Monday night ended Charlotte's seven-game winning streak. That's bound to happen from time to time and really shouldn't be a major concern here. What we do know is that the Hornets have won 13 of 16 since dropping to two games under .500 in early February. This includes double-digit home wins over Detroit and Houston over the past week. The play of guard Kemba Walker has been the primary key to this resurgence. He's averaging 25.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists over the past 10 games. With a clear shot at a top three seed back east, it's important Charlotte bounces back following Monday's bad performance. With games coming up against Miami and San Antonio over the next week, that's going to be key.

7. Oklahoma City Thunder

Despite a 32-point win over Portland on Monday, things haven't necessarily gone according to plan for Oklahoma City in the month since the All-Star Break. It's lost eight of 13 during that span, including bad defeats at the hands of Minnesota and New Orleans. As we have seen all year, the biggest issue here has been the inability of anyone to consistently step up behind Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. In fact, those two are combining for nearly half of the Thunder's points over the past 10 games. Now just two games ahead of the Clippers for the third seed out west, the goal here has to be avoiding a potential series with the Warriors in the second round.

6. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers find themselves stuck in neutral as the fourth seed in the Western Conference. They have lost three of five with all three defeats coming by double digits, including a disastrous 24-point loss to Cleveland over the weekend. Really needing Blake Griffin back in a big way, Los Angeles still finds itself in the hunt for the No. 3 seed. The biggest issue here recently is that the Clippers simply haven't gotten up for some games. That's going to have to change over the next week with road dates against San Antonio, Houston, Memphis and Golden State looming.

5. Boston Celtics

Just when we think Boston is going to take a step back, Brad Stevens and Co. prove us wrong. A home loss to Houston last week hurts, as does dropping a 17-point game to Cleveland days earlier. But if Boston continues to win seven of 10 from here on out, it might be on to something. Winners of 17 of their past 23, that's exactly what the Celtics have done for the past quarter-plus of the season. A couple duds here and there don't change this. Proving that his All-Star Game appearance wasn't a fluke, Isaiah Thomas continues to light it up. He's averaging 23.8 points and nearly seven assists over the past 10 games. He's also tallied 30-plus in three of the past five games.

4. Toronto Raptors

After struggling through a tough stretch that saw them lose to Denver, Minnesota and Chicago during a six-game span last month, the Raptors are back on path. Even after dropping a hotly contested affair with the aforementioned Bulls on Monday, Toronto has won nine of 12. Five of those wins have come against playoff teams. In reality, it's been the DeMar DeRozan show recently. He's averaging 29.7 points while shooting at a solid 49 percent in seven games this month. That very same span has seen the All-Star put up 30-plus four times. Still just 2.5 games behind Cleveland for the top seed, Toronto needs its all-world off-guard to continue at this clip moving forward.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

Elite performances against good teams and major letdowns against bad teams — that's been the name of the game for Cleveland this month. Following an inexcusable nine-point loss to Utah on Monday, the Cavaliers are left asking themselves if they are nothing more than pretenders. This comes following a loss to what was an extremely undermanned Memphis team a week earlier. In between, the Cavaliers have knocked off the Clippers by 24 points on the road. Notice a theme here? If Cleveland is going to maintain its status as the top seed back east, it's simply going to need to play better against lesser competition.

2. San Antonio Spurs

While we all wait for the Spurs' showdown against Golden State in San Antonio this weekend, Kawhi Leonard and Co. must take care of business against good Blazers and Clippers teams at home before then. With 41 consecutive home wins, that's a good bet. This past week saw the 56-10 Spurs take out both Chicago and Oklahoma City in well-rounded performances. And in a clear sign he's finally getting comfortable in San Antonio, LaMarcus Aldridge is averaging 25.2 points while shooting 59 percent from the field this month. If he continues this stellar play, San Antonio could very well put Golden State on notice leading up to the playoffs.

1. Golden State Warriors

How do you follow up a dud of a performance in a 17-point loss to the Lakers? Well, if you are the Warriors, this would entail averaging 122 points in your next five games (all wins). Now 60-6 on the year, Golden State has a clear shot at 73 wins. In order for this to happen, the team has to post a .867 winning percentage the rest of the way. Through 66 games, it has won 91 percent of its games. Continuing to show everyone why he's the best on the planet, Stephen Curry has been ridiculous during this latest winning streak, averaging 30 points while shooting 54 percent from the field. Now four games ahead of San Antonio, the Warriors' focus has to be on securing that top seed out west. That starts this weekend against the Spurs.