Squeeze the ORANGE NBA Power Rankings April 3, 2012.....the SPURS and POPS making their move...BULLS and HEAT struggling to the Finish Line..annnnnd THUNDERup for LOUD City

The NBA Regular Season ends on April 26th and the Seeds in the EAST from 3 through 6 are still up for grabs. In the WEST the Seeds 3-8 are all within 4-5 games and everyone still has to play each other at least once going don the stretch.

The THUNDER have enjoyed their latest win streak as they have out that distance between the SPURS and the rest of the WEST. POPS Crew has to be happy as they sit firm in the #2 spot in the West.

The BULLS and the HEAT have both struggled with the WEST SIDE Story Report playing without reigning NBA MVP D-ROSE and it is starting to take its toll. The HEAT on the other hand have just been playing bad basketball and within the last week or so look tired.

Squeeze the ORANGE NBA Power Rankings April 3rd, 2012 sponsored by there are no more ON and OFF switches at your local hardware store so dig deep and show some VALENTINE or go home:

1. THUNDERup (2) 40-13: They have Uncle RUSS, @kdTREY5, and Mr. Harden and you don't. The THUNDER really have no inside presence but they feed off of those 3 and it can work with a solid front court in PERK and IBAKA. They look like the favorites to WIN it ALL right now and that is subject to change though.

2. BULLS (1) 42-13: Ok they need ROSE like a FAT KID needs cake....and we know that. They have played well but games coming up vs the GREEN TEAM and KNICKS, who are not a threat but next on the schedule, will be a test for the BULLS. They have to just play and quit worrying about who is not playing. They lead the EAST and the NBA but they are officially on shaky grounds.

3. SPURS (4) 36-14: You think POPS and his SPURS are not #TRENDING towards the PLAYOFFS. The last power ranking on MARCH 19th they were 29-14 and now they are 36-14...which makes them 7 in a row and they have found that SPURS Mojo. Western Conference that is a problem as for the THUNDER....the SPURS know who they are.

4. HEAT (3) 37-14: On any other team a 37-14 record through 51 would get you props but in South Beach it gets you scrutiny. Calm Down 305 patrons you still have WADE County, Ostrich Man BOSH, and King JAMES...your good. The HEAT also have about 3 or so weeks to get a good rhythm for the PLAYOFFS but if they can't find that.....then you worry.

5. CELTICS (14a) 30-22: They put in on the HEAT this past SUNDAY and the C's all of a sudden have that look like we will have a say in the EAST and it may not be representing the EAST but we will take you 12 Rounds. Rondo and the emergence of his under study Avery Bradley has the GREEN TEAM thinking...YES WE CAN....Lookout EAST... Mi LUV Mi GOLD is in the thick of things.

6. LAKESHOW (5) 33-20: Sessions has been a nice addition and who knows what kind of week that was last week with the benching of KOBE and BYNUM getting his inner SASHA VUJACIC...the Machine..on. the LAKERS will still be in the middle of the WEST because of the MIDDLE...DREW and the SPANIARD Gasol.

7. CLIPPERS (10) 32-21: I know what your thinking but they have won 6 in a row but they still have VINNY leading. LOB City has turned into let's play fundamental NBA Basketball and get some wins. Right now they way it is shaping up the BATTLE of LA won't go down this season unless the GRIZZ can push both the CLIPS and LAKEshow to 4-5 seeds.

8. MAGIC (6) 32-21: Dwight and Jameer pulling HUDDLEgate and then Hedo following suit next game. They play well on night and then get beat by 30 the next. Is Dwight going or staying and now they keep their disgruntled DEAD BEAT Dad. Yes it is all over Orange County 3 with 3 Baby Mamas and counting. The BLUEDUDE isn't calling him out just reporting interesting things ENQUIRING MINDS want to know. MAGIC are DUNZO......

9. PACERS (8) 31-21: 6-3 in their last 9 and they are a dangerous team and will be in that 2nd round with the GREEN Team, HEAT, and BULLS for the battle for the Eastern Conference. GEORGE, the Circle City Strangler GRANGER, and Big HIBBS are a nice trio and the HICK from French Lick has built the Conseco Contingent very quickly.

10. GRIZZLIES (7) 29-22: Can they get Z-BO back and close to 100% or are they a shell of the 2010-11 Western Semi-Finals Team? They have RUDY playing well and OJ Mayo has been playing like the NBA Trade Deadline is still upon us. They have to get in that Top 4 Seeds in the WEST to do major damage come winning time.

11. HAWKS (12) 31-23: They are the HAWKS doing what the HAWKS do around this time occasionally beat a good team, lose against a buster of a team, and then go .500 for the WEEK, and no one shows up to the HIT FACTORY unless it's a really good team they are playing to see the other team. Atlanta Pro Basketball is like the Rubiks Cube.

12. MAVERICKS (11) 30-24: are they cruising to get to Winning Time or are they really struggling and trying to look that way? MAVS will be a factor in the WEST you just don't know what type of factor because they are a little JEKYLL and HYDE in the front court. Can they beat the THUNDER, SPURS, or LAKERS...right now...NO.

13. 76ERS (9) 29-23: Remember when the SIXERS started out HOT like a PAT's, GENO's, or Tony RONI's Cheesesteak. Now they look like I thought they would look all the time...Dazed and Confused. They will give a team one L in winning time then they will go like that MOSQUITO at the BBQ that eventually lands on your SAMICH and gets whacked.

14. NUGGETS 13) 29-24: They pick up McGHEE for NENE which surprised a lot of folks including Coach George KARL but the NUGGETS look even younger and more athletic with the pick up.  I think next season they will be primed to move up into that TOP 4 in the WEST with all that young talent they have in Ty, Dino, Wilson, Javelle, and Arron.

15. ROCKETS (NR) 29-25: They beat the BULLS on the WEST SIDE last night and there was a Volleyball Player doing the damage in Chase BUDINGER looking like he was at NBA ALL STAR Weekend 3-Ball Contest....three after three. The ROCKETS will be a formidable foe come winning time and they have 2 leaders in Luis SCOLA and Kyle LOWERY.

16. KNICKS (NR) 27-26: Where else would you put the KNICKS and they supposedly hid LINsanity's injury to sell tickets. I would believe that if the KNICKS were in a small market but they play in New York which at 1 game over .500 keeps them relevant amd the YANKLESS haven't started their season. I know one Knick who is happy STAT and LIN are out....Carmelo KIYAN ANTHONY...HERE....and now it's all about you 'MELO....Happy?

NOTE: The Bottom half of the rankings if you have a 2012 Pick coming maybe you should look into how you could improve your DRAFT STATUS...not saying to tank games...just sit some key people each game.