Mar 22, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes (22) shoots past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
If you’re new to this, RWB power rankings are a special version of your typical power rankings where I rank teams that one thing in common: Team colors are red, white, and blue. These teams are the 76ers, Clippers, Wizards, Hawks, and Pistons.
Los Angeles Clippers: 1 (1)
Week Record: 2-1 (I predicted 3-0)
RWB Record: 7-1
The Clippers lost to the Nuggets on the road while beating the Cavaliers and Pistons at home. Let’s hope they don’t plan on relying solely on home-court during the playoffs. Here’s a team that is gearing for a good playoff run. Their team is gelling at the right time. With that game against the Pistons, the Clippers are done facing teams in the RWB division. Being in the West, they only face East teams twice. So, two times four is eight. And they’ve played all eight.
This week, they will be tested on the road. They start off at home against the Bucks. Easy. Should be. But then, they visit the Pelicans, Mavericks, and Rockets. This team has lost only 21 games, but, 16 of them were on the road. At the same time, the Clippers are a combined 7-0 against these teams. Sigh. I say beat the Bucks and Pelicans. I also say beat the Mavs. I think they lose to Rockets. 3-1
Atlanta Hawks: 2 (3)
Week Record: 2-1 (I predicted 1-2)
RWB Record: 6-4
The Hawks return to the number two spot after a solid week. The game they lost was the game I thought they would win. Cool. Anyway, they beat the Raptors and Bobcats while losing to the Pelicans. They are in 8th place in the East and are fighting for their playoff lives. They have a neat little cushion of four games over 9th place Knicks.
We’ll see if they can hang on. They face the Raptors, Suns, T-Wolves, Blazers, and RWB rival Wizards. Hoo-boy. Well, I can see a win over the Suns and T-Wolves. I see losses to the Wizards, Blazers, and Raptors. 2-3
Washington Wizards: 3 (2)
Week Record: 1-2 (I predicted 1-2)
RWB Record: 7-6
The Wizards made my prediction look good. They beat the Lakers while losing to the Kings in OT and to the Blazers. However, I thought they would beat the Kings and lose to the Lakers. Anyway, this is only a minor setback for this team, in my opinion.
Nuggets, Suns, Pacers, and Hawks. I’m going to very bold. I think they beat the Nuggets. I already said they would beat the Hawks. Lose to the Pacers. and beat the Suns again. So, 3-1 Pull this off, and second place is surely theirs.
Detroit Pistons: 4 (4)
Week Record: 0-3 (I predicted 1-2)
RWB Record: 6-6
The Pistons have lost five in a row. They are getting closer and closer to being eliminated from playoff contention. However, their loses this week were by single digits (doesn’t mean they weren’t blown out and caught up in garbage time!). They lost to the Suns, Nuggets, and you already knew about the Clippers.
This week looks interesting. They have the Jazz, Cavaliers, Heat, and 76ers. I think we all can agree the Pistons beat the Sixers. The Pistons are currently 3-0 against them this season, and none of the games were on this streak the Sixers are currently in. I can see a win over the Jazz. Loss to the Cavs and Heat. 2-2
Philadelphia 76ers: 5 (5)
Week Record: 0-4 (I and the rest of you predicted that)
RWB Record: 1-10
The 76ers have had some of the greatest teams in league history. they have also had some of the worst. This current team is the latter. Losers of 24 straight, my Sixers seem destined for losing greatness. They lost to the Pacers, Bulls (twice) and Knicks. Each game was good though. I mean, if you think this team is adopting a losing culture, you’re probably not watching the games. Trust me, they play hard. If a team sleeps on this team, the streak will end this season. The Sixers keep on knocking.
Will it be this week? Will the streak end? Or will be witness NBA history? They have the Spurs. Yeah, right. 25 straight. What about the Rockets? 26 straight. The Pistons. That’s the only team that seems beatable but, the Pistons have abused the Sixers ALL SEASON. Ladies and gents, we might see 27 straight losses for an NBA team. Man. 0-3