We’re heading down the home stretch in the NBA season. In just a couple of weeks, we’ll be handicapping the playoff series. Typically, you want to bet on teams that are red hot going into the playoffs. On the flip side, you want to avoid teams that are struggling. The teams that are having a hard time at this point in the season generally foreshadows some vulnerabilities that will be exposed.
There are a number of top teams in both conferences that have shown some signs of weakness. It is possible that they just need a couple of days off. It is also possible that one of them will be exposed come playoff time. With that in mind, here are four teams struggling as we get closer to the playoffs.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Trend: 8-10 in last 18 games
The Cavaliers are coming off a miserable month of March in which they posted a brutal 7-10 record. Cleveland is just 9-11 since the All-Star break. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only twice in league history has a team posted a sub-.500 record after the All-Star break and gone on to win a championship. The last time it happened was 1968-69 with the Boston Celtics.
The Cavaliers have already conceded top spot in the Eastern Conference standings but they are still just one-half game back of the Boston Celtics for top spot. Cleveland needs to get back to what has worked from them in the past. That means elite defense and better shooting from the field. The Cavaliers posted the second-worst defensive efficiency rating in March as teams consistently topped the 100-point mark against them. If LeBron James and company can improve their defense, then they will slowly start to turn things around.
Houstlon Rockets
Trend: Lost 3 of 4; 6-4 in last 10
There is a strong likelihood that part of the problem in Houston is that they can’t climb any higher in the Western Conference standings. The Rockets are almost certain to finish third and that could mean a first round playoff series with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Houston followed up a four-game win streak with three straight losses. However, two of those defeats were on the road at Portland and Golden State, while the other was home to the Warriors. The Rockets have five games left to get back on track before the postseason begins. Considering their overall position, there really shouldn’t be any reason to worry about their recent struggles.
Los Angeles Clippers
Trend: 18-17 in last 35 games
While Houston likely won’t climb any higher or fall any lower, the same can’t be said for the struggling Clippers. Los Angeles has fallen one-half game back of the Utah Jazz for fourth in the standings, with the higher seed between those two likely getting home court advantage for a first round playoff series. The Clippers are just 7-6 over their last 13 games, so they definitely need to start showing more urgency. It’s really starting to feel as though time has ran out for the core group in Los Angeles as they are running out of time to turn things around.
Washington Wizards
Trend: 5-7 in last 12 games
Washington turned a lot of heads by shooting up in the NBA standings with a 19-7 run throughout the months of January and February. However, the Wizards definitely slowed down over the second half of March with a 6-7 record since March 13th. Washington did put together an impressive four-game win streak that included a 127-115 win over the Cavaliers on March 25th. However, they have followed that run up with three straight losses. Consistency on the road has been a major issue.
The Wizards are currently just one game back of the Toronto Raptors for third in the NBA standings. Although, with Cleveland struggling maybe John Wall and company might be better off finishing fourth and avoiding a second-round matchup with the Cavaliers. At the same time, Washington has just five games remaining before the postseason begins. The Wizards need to get back on track with three of their final five games on the road. Each of their final five opponents are below them in the standings so they should be able to bounce back.
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