Ready and rested after the All-Star break, the Houston Rockets will look to extend their seven-game winning streak when they get back to action this week. James Harden and Dwight Howard are playing particularly well of late, so not even the Rockets’ upcoming five-game West coast road trip figures to be a problem.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Next Games: vs. ORL, @ TOR, vs. WSH, vs. TOR
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS since firing general manager Chris Grant. It also helped that the firing coincided with the Cavs facing four teams below .500 and a Grizzlies team without Mike Conley. Cleveland can further extend its great run if it can capitalize on three winnable home games this week.
3. Miami Heat
Next Games: @ OKC, vs. CHI
Don’t look now, but LeBron James looks like he’s about to go on a Kevin Durant-like tear. King James has gone for 37, 36 and 42 points in his last three contests, all wins. Miami is 4-1 SU and ATS in its last 5 games, and will take on Durant and the Thunder this Thursday.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
Next Games: vs. DEN, vs. IND, @ PHI
The Milwaukee Bucks are marooned at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, no thanks to a 2-5 SU record in their last seven games. Even so, Milwaukee has been playing better one might expect. The Bucks are keeping their contests close, and have collected an impressive 6-1 ATS mark in their last seven.
5. Chicago Bulls
Next Games: @ TOR, vs. DEN, @ MIA, @ ATL
As long as Tom Thibaudeau is the head coach, the Chicago Bulls will not tank. Despite losing Derrick Rose and trading Luol Deng, the Bulls still find themselves in line for homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Chicago is 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five games, thanks to the all-around effort of All-Star Joakim Noah (13 PPG, 12 RPG, 6 APG, 1.6 BPG in February).
