Pistons driving to secure home court edge in playoffs

With less than two weeks to go in the regular season, the playoff races are at a fever pitch. The Bulls and Sixers are fighting for the No. 8 spot in the East. The Lakers, Kings, Hornets and Jazz are battling it out for the final two spots in the West. Meanwhile, teams in the middle are jockeying for position.

The most significant race by far is at the top, for the NBA's best overall record. The Pistons are close to wrapping it up, which would be a major boon to their title hopes. A healthy Detroit team would be extremely tough to beat in any potential Game 7 at the Palace.

This week's high riser: Bulls (No. 16 from 20)
This week's big drop: Pacers (No. 18 from 14)

NBA Power Rankings Rank LW Team 1 2 Detroit Pistons (61-14) They won at Miami on Thursday to make it six straight and reclaim the top spot in these Rankings. Their final goal: secure the NBA's best record and home court advantage throughout the playoffs. 2 1 San Antonio Spurs (58-17) Wednesday's loss to the Kings snapped their four-game win streak and dealt a blow to their hopes of catching Detroit. But they can all but clinch the West's No. 1 seed with a victory over the Mavs on Friday. 3 4 New Jersey Nets (46-28) The NBA's hottest team, they dumped the Bobcats on Wednesday to run their win streak to a league season-high 14 games. Next up for these newfound Beasts of the East: LeBron's Cavs on Saturday. 4 3 Dallas Mavericks (56-19) Reign Man in Big D? Shawn Kemp is among the candidates to replace injured forward Keith Van Horn (hand). More important, they hope to get Adrian Griffin and Devin Harris back this week. 5 5 Miami Heat (49-26) Yes, they were missing James Posey, Jason Williams and Alonzo Mourning in Thursday's loss to the Pistons. But the reality is they need to worry more about the Nets right now. 6 8 Los Angeles Clippers (44-30) They're not only closing in on their first playoff berth since 1996-97. With back-to-back victories over division leaders Denver and Phoenix, they're also playing as if they intend to stick around in the postseason for awhile, too. 7 6 Memphis Grizzlies (43-32) With 83 victories as Grizzlies coach, Mike Fratello has already tied Hubie Brown for most in franchise history. But no matter how hard he tries, he'll never pass him for best hairstyle in franchise history. 8 7 Cleveland Cavaliers (45-30) Without Zydrunas Ilgauskas (ankle), they lost at New York on Wednesday to snap their nine-game win streak. However, Z should be back soon, and the return of Larry Hughes (finger) has made them whole again. 9 10 Denver Nuggets (42-34) Carmelo Anthony's late jumper lifted them to victory over the Lakers on Thursday as they won without Kenyon Martin (sore knee). It marked 'Melo's eighth such game-winning shot this season alone. 10 11 Washington Wizards (39-35) Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler are the NBA's highest-scoring trio (66.5 points per game). But it has been Arenas' dishing that has been the secret to their success of late.