No matter how decimated the Boston lineup is (only 9 healthy players in their last outing), as long as the Big Four are on the floor the Celtics have a chance. They are some of the best closers in the game, and the recent narrow wins support that fact. It is hard to imagine any team in the Eastern Conference other than Chicago taking down Boston in a seven game series as long as Rondo, Allen, Garnett, and Pierce are all healthy and active.

The Spurs bench was extremely productive earlier in the year, helping San Antonio jump out on the rest of the Western Conference. But now that injuries have forced those same players into more prominent roles, they are no longer an intimidating presence on the court. With 19 games remaining, they will need to fight to maintain the best record in the league and secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Lakers are back on one of their invincibility kicks since the All Star Break. Not only have they not lost, but they have looked completely dominant against any opposition. Now, the hottest elite team will travel to Miami to face the coldest. The fireworks are sure going to be fun on Thursday.

Sure, the Mavericks have been winning. A lot. But the recent string of wins might not be as impressive as it sounds. Of the last 12 Dallas wins, 8 of them have been over teams with a sub-.500 record. Now the challenges will get significantly tougher. We will learn a lot more about he Mavericks as they are tested in the weeks leading up to the postseason.

The Bulls have been on fire in recent weeks, winning 6 of their last 7 and taking control of the second spot in the Eastern Conference. Derrick Rose has been nothing short of amazing, and with Dwight Howard’s suspension and LeBron’s failure to close in the clutch; Rose’s MVP chances are slowly increasing.

As Chris Webber said: “no more talk.” These postgame press conferences are becoming pretty unbearable to watch. James turns the focus back to the playoffs, Coach Spo pulls his inspirational speeches from Disney movies, it is time the Heat shut up and play ball. They have two of the best players in the league, but can’t find a way to win. Do not count out this crew in the playoffs, but in order to prepare they need to click now.

Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard’s suspension may have severely damaged his MVP chances, but his role as the voice and leader of this team has not changed. Orlando plays 9 of their next 11 games on the road, beginning Wednesday night in Sacramento. This will be a time for the team to get a gut-check and figure out exactly what kind of ball they are going to play heading into the postseason.

Nate McMillan picks up a two-year extension as the Blazers have graciously welcomed Gerald Wallace to the Portland style of basketball. Wallace has meshed perfectly into the rotation, adding an All Star to an already productive bench. With Brandon Roy healthy, the Blazers have become one of the most clutch teams in the league, something that comes in handy in March/April.

So far the news has been all good in Denver. After many feared the Nuggets would collapse after dealing their superstar, Denver has answered by going 5-2 since the blockbuster trade. The new unit continues to mesh, but there is very little time for mistakes. Four teams are within 1.5 games of each other in the Western Conference standings. Finish at the top of that pile and you give yourself a chance to win a series. Finish at the bottom you likely face San Antonio or Los Angeles in the first round. Have fun with that.

The talk may have been about titles in the future when the Denver Nuggets shipped Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony to New York, but the present issues include avoiding the 7 seed in the playoffs. Despite their upgrades, New York does not want to face Boston or Chicago in the first round. Currently 3 games behind Atlanta in the 5th spot, New York must keep winning to keep a surging Philly squad at 7.

Doug Collins still has this 76ers team cruising, and now they are closing in on climbing another rung in the standings. Philadelphia gets it done by utilizing a deep bench of athletes to play tough defense and getting the transition game going. They play loose and fast, and are a ton of fun to watch. Not an easy out for anyone in the first round.

Al Horford has been literally carrying this team recently with his performance. But it has not been enough as the Hawks have dropped four of their last five. The makeup of the team has not changed dramatically since shipping off Mike Bibby, but Atlanta is hoping that Hinrich’s defensive presence will be enough to make a difference in the postseason.

Wins over San Antonio, Dallas, and Oklahoma City have the league taking the Grizzlies very seriously heading down the stretch. What’s even scarier? They are doing it without Rudy Gay. Tony Allen and Sam Young have continued their superb play as Memphis clings onto that 8th playoff spot with everything they’ve got.

With Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza out, the Hornets will be forced to get more production from Jarrett Jack and Wilie Green. As well as both have played in spots for New Orleans this year, it is not a position that makes head coach Monty Williams feel comfortable.

Despite looking as good as dead recently, the Suns have made a charge back into playoff contention. They currently sit 1.5 games behind Memphis, and as well as the Grizzlies have been playing every game will count down the stretch for Alvin Gentry’s squad.

Utah Jazz

Unlike Denver, things have not gone well for the Jazz since trading their All Star. The team has struggled to mesh and it took an overtime victory over the lowly Kings to end a seven game home losing streak. Utah used to be one of the most feared opponents in the league, particularly at home. But not the Ty Corbin-era Jazz, who are 2-7 since Sloan’s departure.

Tuesday night did not treat the Rockets well. Not only did they combust on the final play after charging back on Phoenix in the 4th, but Luis Scola left the game with a knee injury. The Argentinian has not only had a successful 2010-2011, but has played in 311 straight NBA games. That streak will likely end, as has Houston’s playoff hopes.

Now that Andrew Bogut has returned to the lineup Milwaukee can try and make charge back to the postseason. Unfortunately it feels like a little too late for the Bucks, who are currently sitting 2.5 games behind Indiana with a challenging schedule down the stretch.

The Pacers seem intent on giving away their playoff spot. I understand that the Celtics are intimidating, but if Frank Vogel wants to make his new seat permanent he will likely need to get Indiana to the postseason. The Pacers have lost four in a row and if the Bobcats weren’t equally cold they could find themselves out of the playoff picture.

Trading away Gerald Wallace was explained to the Bobcats fanbase as a move for the future. Initially, it looked like the present might not suffer, and Charlotte could still make the postseason. But with Stephen Jackson nursing a re-aggravated hamstring injury, the Bobcats on the floor look radically different from last year’s inaugural playoff squad.

After entering All Star Weekend having won 7 of 9, the Warriors have lost 6 of 8 since the break. They have been close losses, but Golden State’s failure to capitalize on the longest homestand in the NBA is now coming back to bite them with a brutal home stretch to the regular season schedule.

As much excitement as there seems to be around the Clippers with Mo Williams and this three game winning streak, it is still difficult to think this can go on much longer without their leading scorer, Eric Gordon, on the floor. The Clips have talent, but they have not been able to get comfortable with a rotation yet this season due to a consistently occupied injury report.

Detroit Pistons

You know, with how poorly the teams ahead of them are playing, it would not be completely out of question to think that Detroit could make up the 4 games that separate them from the Eastern Conference playoffs. Then you remember who is on the court, and how they have performed all season long.

Perhaps a pair of gritty wins in London against the Raptors can turn around the Deron Williams era in New Jersey. Williams will miss Wednesdays night for the birth of his fourth child. But with the Warriors and Clippers coming East to visit this week, there is no reason to think the Nets shouldn’t have an opportunity to continue the success in front of their home crowd.

After failing to close out the New Jersey Nets in London, the Raptors will have one of their best shots at collecting some feel-good late season wins in the weeks ahead. Between Utah, Indiana, Charlotte, Detroit, and Washington; only the Jazz have a record over .500. After that it will be off on a Western Conference road swing, which does not promise very fruitful results for the Raps.

Baron Davis has actually been playing some pretty strong ball since suiting up in the #85 for Cleveland. It is too bad that Jamison is out as well and Byron Scott can’t even see what the two former All Stars can do together. Cavs just can’t catch a break.

Advantages to Washington’s injury woes – more NBA experience for Kevin Seraphin, the talented rookie from France. Disadvantages – everything else.

Unfortunately, the team seems destined for Anaheim is appears. It did not help that the Kings have the NBA’s worst home record at 8-24. Rookie Demarcus Cousins has continued to improve on the offensive and defensive end, but it just another small moral victory amidst a large collection of losses.

Heading into Wednesday’s showdown against the Pacers, Kevin Love’s 51 consecutive double-double’s gives him the record since the merger, and puts him one more game away from having the all-time NBA record. As Love said himself, “I’d be jumping if we were winning and everyone was playing great, including myself” Yikes. Timberwolves have now dropped 11 of 13.