By: Danny Grugan, contributor 
The 82 game marathon is almost over, teams can start to see the finish line. Let’s go around the league as the playoffs approach…
Heat, Grizzlies refuse to fold
Following the All-Star break and trade deadline, two teams were expected to plummet in their respective conferences' standings and possibly even out of the playoffs. Well, it appears the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies didn’t get the memo. These proud franchises haven’t just survived in the face of adversity, they have thrived. The Heat have won five in a row and eight of 10. They are currently in the fourth spot and just a half game behind Boston for the three seed. Miami is absolutely a threat to get to at least the Conference Finals in what’s becoming a more wide open East by the day. The Heat will face the Bucks tonight in Milwaukee.
Memphis is now a season high 13 games over .500. They’ve won seven of 10 including an improbable win in Cleveland on Monday night where they were missing four starters and only had eight guys available. Tony Allen was terrific. It was arguably the most impressive win in the league this season. The Grizzlies only need to go 12-7 the rest of the way for what would basically be their fifth straight 50 win season (won 41 in 2012 lockout) in a pretty loaded Western Conference. Mike Conley is an unrestricted free agent this summer, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol aren’t getting any younger and at some point the Grizzlies as we’ve come to know them will cease to exist. Their ceiling without Marc Gasol remains probably only scaring the crap out of the Clippers or the Thunder in round one, but you know neither of those teams is looking forward to playing them. Memphis has a tough game tonight in Boston with tipoff slated for 7PM on ESPN.
Hawks and Hornets maintaining pace in the East
Two other teams worth mentioning are Atlanta and Charlotte. The Hawks obviously won’t match last seasons' 60 wins, but I never jumped off the bandwagon and after a collective exhale following the trade deadline, the Hawks are starting to come together. They just completed a 3-1 West Coast trip that included a win at the Staples Center over the Clippers and a four-point overtime loss to the Warriors. They are second in the league in defensive efficiency (points allowed per 100 possessions) and also second in assists. Those are their staples. They defend and share the ball and while they still may not have a “superstar”, Al Horford, Paul Milsap and Jeff Teague are three pretty damn good players. I really like this team and a return trip the Conference Finals is not out of the question.
Following a loss to the Thunder on January 20th, the Hornets had fallen to 19-23. They have gone 15-5 since and at 34-28, Charlotte currently sits at sixth in the East, just percentage points behind Atlanta (tied in the loss column). Kemba Walker has been fantastic, but they’ve also gotten huge contributions from Marvin Williams and Nicholas Batum as well. Jeremy Lin, Cody Zeller and rookie Frank Kaminsky have helped the teams' strong play too. For the Hornets to be where they are, considering Kidd-Gilchrist has only played seven games and Al Jefferson has missed most of the season, is a tremendous accomplishment. Head coach Steve Clifford should and will get Coach of the Year consideration in what will be a crowded field. The Hornets are nice team and won’t be an easy out in the first round. Some people choose to take shots at owner Michael Jordan, and I get it, he’s an easy target. The reality is he’s a done a very good job. Pro Basketball is alive and well in the Queen City. If only we could say the same here.
Growing tired of the King
Weather it’s cryptic tweets or mid- week visits to Miami to workout with buddy Dwayne Wade, Lebron James’ passive aggressive act is tired. To whom much is given, much is expected. Just go win dude. That’s all! Just go out and get it done. He’s basically handpicked every teammate he’s had since at least 2010, changed cities twice in an attempt to ensure titles and yet it’s still always about injuries, or the young guys not realizing what it takes and on and on and on. Maybe it’s you shooting 6-of-44 from three-point range in the fourth quarter this season or falling asleep defensively on a nightly basis. Lebron James sat at the podium last year during the NBA Finals and declared he was the best player in the world and while I still agree, but enough with the excuses and drama and just go deliver.
Golden State and the chase to 73
Following Sunday’s loss to the Lakers, many want to believe the Warriors are suddenly vulnerable. They’re not. It’s just a long long season and nearly impossible to be locked in to the task at hand every night.It was an early start against an inferior opponent and they didn’t show up. It happens. It’s no biggie. But it is why I still say they’ll ultimately fall short of 73. They need to go 17-3 the rest of the way. Full disclosure, I revere those 90’s Bulls teams and do not want to see Golden St break the record despite them being absolutely worthy of it. Next game tonight home against the Jazz.
