The NBA Standings have stopped being relevant, but because the Finals are approaching, it's only fair to see which are the hottest teams heading into the Conference Finals. The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are still alive and battling for the final spot available in the Eastern Conference Finals. Here are the best records through the first month of the NBA Playoffs.
Miami Heat: 8-1
Is there any surprise that the defending champs with the best basketball player in the world have been unstoppable in the playoffs? They only have one loss though it seems like the Chicago Bulls did more damage. So far for the Heat, they have swept the Milwaukee Bucks and then lost one to the Bulls before winning the next four games in a row.
The Heat are awaiting for an opponent in the East as the Knicks and Pacers play for the final spot in the following round. The Heat might have a tough time with both of these teams. During the regular season, the Heat went 2-5 against both of these teams. However, these are the playoffs and the Heat are healthy.
San Antonio Spurs: 8-2
Similar to the Heat, when looking at the Spurs record, a double take is necessary. The Golden State Warriors were another team that took a toll on the Spurs and seemed to have created more damage. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are still running the team's offense successfully. Many wonder how the Spurs are doing it, but in the end the answer is fundamentals over flash.
Memphis Grizzlies: 8-3
The Grizzlies have played better than a 8-3 team. In reality, they have only been out of just one game in the playoffs and that came in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. The Grizzlies are undefeated at home and after losing games, they have the knack of stringing together wins in groups of fours.
The took out the Clippers after being down 0-2 in the series. They then gave the Oklahoma City Thunder their first four-game losing streak of the year in the playoffs after being down 0-1.
Indiana Pacers: 7-4
The Pacers might be in trouble as they are missing George Hill, but this piece isn't about their future, it's about what they've already accomplished. They breezed by the Atlanta Hawks although they looked incapable of winning away from the Fieldhouse in Indiana. The Pacers took out the Hawks 4-2 and are now just one win away from sending the Knicks packing. It's not really an upset since the Pacers are ranked No. 3, but many expected the Knicks to win this series since they looked like the strong team heading into the series. Speaking of the Knicks...
New York Knicks: 6-5
Record wise, they are the worst team remaining in the playoffs. They have a stack of talent, but it seems like Mike Woodson is having trouble putting the right lineup on the floor against the Pacers. They are one loss away from going .500 and being eliminated from the playoffs. Is this how they are going to wrap up their 54-win season?
The Heat are beatable and the Knicks beat them three times in the regular season, though Heat fans will claim that one of the victories was without LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on the floor. Guys, a win is a win. If the Knicks could beat the Heat's bench then it's a good sign for them heading into the playoffs.
There's one fact. You would rather be 6-5 and still in the playoffs than already fishing with your buddies and making vacation plans.
Knicks vs. Pacers Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. We'll find out if they'll be a Game 7 and if the Knicks will be able to at least finish these playoffs with a winning record.
