TANK Power Rankings (based on chances to finish with No. 1 lottery odds)
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New York (12-47)
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PHILADELPHIA (13-47)
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Minnesota (13-46)
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LA Lakers (16-43)
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Orlando (19-42)
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Denver (20-39)
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Sacramento (21-37)
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Detroit (23-36)
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Boston (23-35)
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Utah (24-35)
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Don’t sleep on Indiana, who are now poised to climb the Eastern Conference standings and get into a more comfortable playoff position. Only half a game out of a playoff spot, the Pacers have gotten into a groove as they start to get some of the injured pieces from earlier back into action. One soon set to join them would be Paul George, and regardless of how rusty he is, he will undoubtedly be a boost to the lineup and their playoff hopes. I expect them to fade from the tanking picture.
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The Isaiah Thomas acquisition, a few weeks in, looks like it has a negative influence on the Celtics’ tanking plan. A few days ago, he nearly helped them beat the mighty Golden State Warriors. The game before that, he dropped 28 points off the bench. It was a puzzling move to begin with, just because of how crowded Boston’s back court is. It will be interesting to see if his minutes get more relaxed, and how he fits in their long-term plans.
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The Sixers seem to be playing their back ups a bit more, something Brett Brown has indicated he wanted to do. A few days ago, he expressed regret that Furkan Aldemir more minutes, which factored into the decision to waive JaVale McGee. On Monday night, Aldemir received 14 minutes, Jerami Grant played 29, Hollis Thompson played for 24 and Thomas Robinson got 24 points. While it is not necessarily a move motivated by tanking, it indirectly helps as they have (in theory) worse players on the floor.
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George Karl has turned the Kings into a team that is no longer a guaranteed victory the way they were about six weeks ago, as they have been playing .500 basketball.
TANK games to watch:
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Wednesday- Hornets vs. Nets (only one team, if either of the two, will be able to make the playoffs).
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Wednesday- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves
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Friday- Kings vs. Magic
