NBA Southeast Division
Miami Heat
The Heat had lost four of six coming into this week, but they are still in the lead in the division by a game over Washington, who has had struggles of their own. Miami suffered back to back losses last week, one being a brutal home loss to Sacramento. Miami has been on the court a ton lately, and entering the Charlotte game last week, they had been on the court five times in eight days. Miami is on the road this week, adding to complications. They play at Dallas tonight, at Cleveland on Wednesday, at Philadelphia on Friday, and at Detroit Saturday. It's another tough run, and with the Wizards right on their heels.
Washington Wizards
Washington has lost four of six games coming into the week, and it is starting to show up in frustrations on the court, specifically with John Wall getting into it with Dallas PG JJ Barea in a 23 point loss to the struggling Mavs. The Wizards have a shot to still make some noise, however, as they still trail Miami by just a game. Wall missed the 129-104 win over Atlanta over the weekend with a sore knee, so his status bears watching moving into the week. Washington's last two wins are against teams with losing records, so there is trouble on the horizon. The weekly schedule is brutal, as the Wizards open the week with Oklahoma City tomorrow night, followed by a home game against Toronto Thursday, and a road trip to pesky Orlando on Saturday.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are not nearly in a playoff race, and word had leaked that they would take offers on Kemba Walker, but Michael Jordan back stepped on those stories, saying that while he would listen to offers, he was not shopping Walker to anyone. Typical conflicted Michael Jordan, so stay tuned on that developing story. The Hornets are 4-3 in their last seven games, and are showing some life, but remain eight games under .500. They start the week tonight on the road in Indiana, and then visit Atlanta on Wednesday night. Indiana comes to town on Friday night, and then it is back on the road Sunday to begin a west coast road swing in Phoenix.
Orlando Magic
Orlando remains 20 games under .500, and the Magic are strictly in a spoiler role right now. They have lost two straight since beating Boston last week, and the ship is back in full sinking mode. Orlando recorded losses to both Indiana and Sacramento last week, so a great week it was not. They visit Houston Tuesday night, and then come home for the Lakers on Wednesday. They close out the week at home on Saturday against Washington.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are the worst team in the Eastern Conference by a half game, and are 23rd in scoring defense in the league. They have lost four of five games, and are going nowhere, and Kent Bazemore is still very much available to be traded. The week starts tonight with Minnesota coming to town, and then they host Charlotte on Wednesday. The Hawks travel to Boston on Friday, and then to New York on Sunday.
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