NBA Team Recap – March 18, 2013

Miami Heat (51-14)

The Heat survived a scare to their winning streak at the Sixers and now it’s up to 22 games. Matching or breaking the record of 33 seems feasible. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

San Antonio Spurs (51-16)

The Spurs handled the Thunder to retain the No. 2 ranking, but more importantly its hold on best record in the West Conference as the team has regained it's bearings since losing Tony Parker a couple of weeks ago. (Photos by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images)

Oklahoma City Thunder (50-17)

The Thunder just managed to beat the Mavs in Dallas and now face a rising Nuggets team this week. Kevin Martin, the replacement for James Harden, may be the key to how it’s playoff run goes. (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets (45-22)

The Nuggets have an 11-game winning streak and are surely eyeing the No. 3 seed - needing to leap frog the Grizzlies and Clippers. (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Memphis Grizzlies (44-21)

Maybe not unsettling to lose to a hot Nuggets team in Denver, but the Grizzlies followed that up with another loss to the Jazz. The Grizzlies look to regroup with games this week against the Thunder and Celtics. (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Los Angeles Clippers (46-21)

Probably can’t tell too much with handling a depleted Knicks team in LA, but Chris Paul's scoring ability the last few games shows he is healthy and ready to lead the Clippers. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers (36-32)

Beating teams without Kobe Bryant has never been a recipe for the Lakers, but they pulled it off twice this week - including a huge win on the road over the Pacers. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

Boston Celtics (36-29)

The Celtics should be energized and focused looking to thwart the Heat tonight after playing the dregs of the league last week with two games against the Bobcats and Raptors. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers (40-26)

Perhaps the Pacers are still reeling from losing to the Lakers without Kobe at home, because the team looked lethargic while losing to the Sixers in Philly as no one could stop Jrue Holiday. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Atlanta Hawks (37-29)

Brooklyn Nets (38-28)

The Nets have a chance to grab the top spot in the Atlantic with a slumping Knicks, but their personality seems to be Jekyll and Hyde - unable to sustain success. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Chicago Bulls (36-29)

Strange week with a blowout loss to the Kings and a blowout win over the Warriors. Have a feeling though Derrick Rose will return soon. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Houston Rockets (36-31)

The Rockets may not win a playoff round, but everyone knows it will be exciting to watch. (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors (38-30)

Despite going 5-5 over the last ten games, that has [after a slump] re-established the Warriors as a likely playoff team. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

New York Knicks (38-26)

The injury bug is devouring the Knicks, having already bitten Amare Stoudmire and Carmelo Anthony and just got Tyson Chandler. A collapse seems imminent - currently on a four-game losing streak. (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks (33-32)

The Bucks got a welcomed visitor in the Magic after losing three straight (Mavs, Wizards & Heat). But it took a fourth quarter comeback down 12 points to beat the Magic, outscoring them 45-28. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks (31-35)

Even an aged Jason Kidd would be welcomed back as the point guard play has wrecked the Mavs all season as Derek Fisher, who left the team only to sign with the Thunder, returned this week to boos from the crowd. (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

Utah Jazz (34-32)

The Jazz got a well needed win over the Grizzlies, led by newly inserted starter Gordon Hayward and his 17 points to keep the playoffs in sight. The Jazz are just one game behind the Lakers for the eighth spot. (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

Portland Trail Blazers (31-34)

J.J. Hickson has been a nice pick-up for the Blazers who averaged 15 points and 15 rebounds in wins over the Knicks and Pistons. (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

Washington Wizards (23-42)

John Wall is showing that he is not an under-performing No. 1 pick by playing the best ball of his career and the Wiz are on a three-game winning streak. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Toronto Raptors (26-41)

The Raptors battled the Heat until reality set in with the champs going on a 17-2 run in the fourth quarter. Amir Johnson grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds in a win over the Bobcats. (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)

Cleveland Cavaliers (22-44)

Kyrie Irving is out for a few weeks and maybe the season after suffering a shoulder injury - giving Shaun Livingston more quality playing time who, after overcoming a devastating knee injury years ago, has continued to plug away. (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

Philadelphia 76ers (25-40)

The Sixers seemed revitalized after battling the Heat at home provided the impetus to hang a “L” on the visiting Pacers - led by the backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves (23-41)

Second-year and high draft pick Derrick Williams has responded with being inserted into the starting lineup back in January with 28 points and 7 rebounds in a win over the Hornets. (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings (23-44)

The Kings tied with the Magic for 29th in scoring margin (Bobcats are 30th) with -6.4 point game differential per game. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Detroit Pistons (23-45)

Eight-game losing streak with a blast from the recent past in Rodney Stuckey going for 22 and 32 in respective losses to the Warriors and Blazers. (Photo by Cameron BrowneNBAE via Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns (22-45)

Usually, even bad teams can point to injuries that derailed their season, but that wasn't the case for the Suns until Marci Gorat went down in early March. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

New Orleans Hornets (22-45)

From Elias: Seven players, excluding rookies, have established a new career high in points this season against the Hornets. (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Orlando Magic (18-49)

Highlight of the season for the home crowd was booing visiting Dwight Howard and the strategy to Hack-a-Howard gave the fans plenty of opportunities in another losing effort. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)