Winning streaks in the NBA are like the Harlem Shake videos, everybody’s doing them – or so it seems.
In the 2012-13 season there have been six teams who have crossed the double-digit mark when it comes to consecutive victories. Long winning streaks don’t always translate into titles; just ask last season’s Spurs who won 20 straight in the regular season and were bounced in the Western Conference Finals by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Still, with the playoffs fast-approaching, the odds are strong that the eventual championship club will emerge from this super six.
Miami Heat – LeBron James and Co. caught the imagination of the sports world by challenging the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers’ all-time mark of 33 consecutive victories. The Heat didn’t quite make it to glory after the Chicago Bulls roughed them up en route to ending the streak at 27 games.
Still, the defending champion Heat remains the odds-on favorite to win it all this season as King James has gotten more comfortable in his role as the leader of the team and the best player in the game. The streak’s end may have been a blessing in disguise, as coach Eric Spoelestra has taken advantage of the team’s pole position in the standings to gain some extended rest for his stars.
Los Angeles Clippers – L.A.’s other team cemented its amazing franchise turnaround with an impressive 17-game winning streak in Nov. and Dec. In his first full season with the Clippers, Chris Paul has elevated Lob City to heights beyond the reach of even Blake Griffin. The squad has already earned its first Pacific Division title and first 50-win season.
More impressively, the Clippers earned its first ever season sweep of the Lakers with a 109-95 win Sunday night. Out of the four victories over the Lakers, only one win was by less than 10 points. If Kobe Bryant wants another ring in L.A. before he hangs ‘em up, he might have to switch jerseys.
Denver Nuggets – The Nuggets surprised just about everyone when they rattled off 15 wins in a row in Feb. and March. The feat was nearly swept under the rug as it occurred during as the Heat were chasing the all-time record. The Mile High hoopers are the consummate team. While they lack a bonafide superstar, the team has been able to get solid production out of rotation. Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried have particularly stepped up this season for the young team which has also won 20 straight home games.
Sadly, the Nuggets just lost its second-leading scorer, Danilo Gallinari, for the season. His absence will likely keep the Nuggets for pulling off a Wichita State-esque deep playoff run.
New York Knicks – The Knicks’ winning streak sits at 12 games and counting (as of Monday). Barring an unbelievable return to action by Derrick Rose, Team Spike is the only legit threat to knock the Heat off in the Eastern Conference. Carmelo Anthony brings star power and is nearly unstoppable on the offensive end.
Health and consistency remains the Knicks Achilles heels. If they want an extended run in the playoffs, they’ll need all hands on deck, especially Tyson Chandler, who was the key behind the Dallas Mavericks’ surprise win over the Heat in 2011.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Despite being fifth on the list of streaks, with a dozen wins in Nov. and Dec., the Thunder remains the team to beat out West. Despite shipping James Harden to Houston and watching him blossom into an All-Star, OKC is still firing on all cylinders. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook remain a powerful yin and yang.
They undoubtedly remember the stinging, bitter taste of defeat to Miami last season. They’ve bounced back with another strong season and with championship dreams. While many fans have a love/hate relationship with Westbrook, his attacking-style is just what the team will need to be successful in the playoffs. They have the star-power to upend the Heat. Will they be confident and tough enough to make it happen?
San Antonio Spurs – It’s unsurprising that Greg Popovich’s Spurs team sits at the end of this list. Pop’s M.O. is to maintain excellence but somehow manage to fly under the radar. With its meager 11-game streak, the Spurs may not stand out much in the crowd, but that’s when they’re the most dangerous.
Once again San Antonio finds itself atop the Western Conference standings, yet the high-flying Thunder and Clippers get all the love. What the Spurs lack in flash, they make up for in efficiency. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan know how to win games. The superstars are getting up there in age but their championship experience is immense and their poise is tremendous.
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