LeBron James adds another milestone as the Lakers continue to falter

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While the Los Angeles Lakers are in the middle of a disappointing NBA season, the lone bright spot is James. James moved into the second spot on the all-time scoring list. The Eastern Conference's 11th-ranked Washington Wizards defeated James and his team. The Lakers have less than a month to climb the Western Conference. They are five games back of the LA Clippers and seem destined for the play-in tournament.

The Golden State Warriors were supposed to be complete again with Draymond Green returning from a two-month absence, but they lost Stephen Curry for at least two weeks when he injured his foot in a loss to the Boston Celtics. The Warriors are two games behind the Utah Jazz and the Suns are nine games ahead of Memphis.

Karl- Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves are making a late-season push out of the play-in tournament. Towns scored 60 points against the San Antonio Spurs last week, the most in the NBA this season, with 32 coming in the third quarter.

On Tuesday, Irving set a Brooklyn Nets record with 60 points, a career high and a franchise record. The Nets are just one game behind the Charlotte Hornets in the race for the play-in tournament.

The experts break down where all 30 teams stand.

Our panel (Tim Bontemps, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom, taking stock of which teams are playing.

1. Phoenix Suns 2021-22 record: 58-14

Previous ranking: 1

Monty Williams compared Bridges to Michael Cooper and Ron Artest for his ability to guard top players on the perimeter and down low.

He should be the Defensive Player of the Year, according to Williams. He plays every night. He protects everyone. He plays for 50 minutes. He still makes things happen on offense. Lopez doesn't get into the iron man thing, but he loves to play, he loves to work and he's a winner.

2. Miami Heat 2021-22 record: 47-24

Previous ranking: 2

Miami has won three of its past four and will play the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Tyler Herro had 26 points in 28 minutes in the win. He is shooting 51.3% from the field for the month of March, after shooting 52.8% in February.

3. Memphis Grizzlies 2021-22 record: 49-23

Previous ranking: 3

Last month, he was slumping. In March, he is scoring 20.4 points with a 62.5 true shooting percentage, compared to 14.7 points with a 48.9 true shooting percentage in February. Ja Morant missed a couple of games this past week due to back and knee issues, but he is still the No. 2 scoring threat.

4. Milwaukee Bucks 2021-22 record: 44-27

Previous ranking: 5

The case for Antetokounmpo to win his third Most Valuable Player Award is growing. Milwaukee is tied for second in the conference with a chance for Defensive Player of the Year and a scoring title with Antetokounmpo in a race with James and Embiid.

5. Boston Celtics 2021-22 record: 44-28

Previous ranking: 7

Boston defeated Denver on Sunday night. The Celtics have the league's best defense by nearly five points per 100 possessions and are out scoring teams by 16 points per 100 possessions.

6. Philadelphia 76ers 2021-22 record: 43-27

Previous ranking: 6

It was an up-and-down week for Philly, with wins over Dallas and Cleveland sandwiched between losses to Denver and Toronto. When Philly makes 3s, they look like world-beaters. When they don't? Their offense stops.

7. Golden State Warriors 2021-22 record: 47-24

Previous ranking: 4

Stephen Curry will be out for at least two weeks with a foot injury. Draymond Green is coming back from a disk issue, and Klay Thompson is still trying to find his rhythm after being out for 2 years. James is dealing with knee swelling and his return this season is not certain. The good news for the Warriors is that Jordan Poole is in the midst of one of his best stretches of the season; he has scored at least 20 points in nine of his last 10 games.

8. Dallas Mavericks 2021-22 record: 43-28

Previous ranking: 8

After winning the first three games, the Mavs ran out of gas and lost to Philadelphia and Charlotte in back-to-back games. In Boston and Brooklyn, Spencer was 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 He was the only player to hit last-minute winners in consecutive games this season.

9. Utah Jazz 2021-22 record: 45-26

Previous ranking: 9

Mitchell sat out Friday's game against the Clippers due to a calf contusion, but he still managed to have a good game. Mitchell scored 37 points in a win over the Bulls and 36 in a win over the Knicks at the Madison Square Garden. Mitchell made 16 3s in the two victories, the most in a two-game span in Jazz history.

10. Denver Nuggets 2021-22 record: 42-30

Previous ranking: 11

The Nuggets played well last month and in early March, but now find themselves in a tie with Minnesota for the 7th spot in the West. After the team's 20-point loss to Boston, Bones Hyland told reporters that the players were told their play was unacceptable. Expectations are that the Nuggets will respond to how they have been in the past.

11. Chicago Bulls 2021-22 record: 41-29

Previous ranking: 10

The Bulls have lost eight of their past 10 games and were winless on a three-game road trip. Williams tore his wrist in the fifth game of the season. Williams will come off the bench, and the Bulls will likely ease him back into action, but he could help the defense, which has fallen to 20th in the NBA in defensive rating.

12. Minnesota Timberwolves 2021-22 record: 42-30

Previous ranking: 15

Minnesota has won four in a row and 10 of their last 11 games. They are threatening to get one of the top six seeds in order to avoid the play-in tournament. The Mavericks are 1.5 games behind the Wolves for the No.6 seed. They have a pair of important games this week against the Mavs in Dallas on Monday and at home on Friday.

13. Brooklyn Nets 2021-22 record: 37-34

Previous ranking: 12

Wednesday, March 23

Nets at Grizzlies, 7:30 p.m.

76ers at Lakers, 10 p.m.

Wednesday, March 30

Heat at Celticss, 7:30 p.m.

Suns at Warriors, 10 p.m.

All times Eastern.

Brooklyn doesn't know if or when Ben Simmons will play as he rehabilitates his back injury. The Nets don't know when the New York City vaccine mandate will be rolled back, which will allow Irving to play in home games. They know that they have Kevin Durant, and with him on the floor, they will always have a chance. Since returning from an injured knee, KD is averaging 30 points a game.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers 2021-22 record: 41-30

Previous ranking: 13

Just in time for the Lakers to come to town on Monday, the Cavs are back on an upswing, winners of three of their past four. James has the highest career average against his former team in the league.

15. Toronto Raptors 2021-22 record: 40-31

Previous ranking: 14

Toronto is back to flying along again, winning six of seven with OG Anunoby not playing and Fred VanVleet in and out of the lineup. The Raptors have a team full of long, rangy players led by Scottie Barnes, and they are looking like a tough first-round opponent in the East.

16. Charlotte Hornets 2021-22 record: 36-35

Previous ranking: 18

Charlotte's season could be decided by Gordon Hayward's availability down the stretch. The forward said last week that his status will be determined after this week. Charlotte is 26-22 when Hayward plays and 10-13 when he does not.

17. LA Clippers 2021-22 record: 36-37

Previous ranking: 16

The Clippers are in the eighth spot and the Lakers and Nuggets are both in the sixth spot. The team is not playing its best right now. It's far from it. The Clippers have lost six of their past eight, their only wins coming over the Wizards and Pistons. The good news is the Clippers have the most practice time they have all season, so Lue will try to get them back to playing ball.

18. Atlanta Hawks 2021-22 record: 35-36

Previous ranking: 17

The Hawks are currently in the 10 spot in the Eastern Conference play-in race, but are still in a race with Brooklyn and Charlotte. The Hawks lost to the Hornets last week. Trae Young had his 27th 20-point, 10-assist game Sunday night, and Atlanta will lean on him. He set a team record for most in a single season.

19. New Orleans Pelicans 2021-22 record: 30-41

Previous ranking: 20

The New Orleans Pelicans, who slid into the ninth spot in the Western Conference on Sunday night, are now 6-7 since starting power forward Jaxson Hayes. The net rating with Valanciunas and Hayes on the floor has been a +10.2 since February 17. In his last five games, he is shooting 7-of-12 from deep and has averaged 15.6 points and seven rebound per game.

20. Los Angeles Lakers 2021-22 record: 30-41

Previous ranking: 19

The Lakers followed up their most inspiring team win of the season in Toronto on Friday with the most impressive individual accomplishment by any player on their roster on Saturday when they pulled away. The Wizards got the win and L.A. is currently in the final play-in spot.

21. Washington Wizards 2021-22 record: 30-40

Previous ranking: 21

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The Wizards lost six straight games, four of which were on the West Coast. The Wizards spoiled a milestone night for King James when he passed Karl Malone on the all-time scoring list. The Wizards got a glimpse of Kristaps Porzingis' potential, as he scored 16 of his 27 points in the fourth. At the trade deadline, he looked like The Unicorn.

22. New York Knicks 2021-22 record: 30-41

Previous ranking: 22

While the season has gone sideways for New York, at least the play ofRJBarrett over the past couple of months is something to look forward to. Since the beginning of the year, Barrett is shooting 37.8% from 3-point range. The Knicks will be happy if he can keep that up over the course of a full season.

23. San Antonio Spurs 2021-22 record: 28-44

Previous ranking: 23

Since the All-Star break, Keldon Johnson has been playing the best basketball of his young career. He has had at least 30 points in three of the last four games. He didn't hit the 30-point mark on Sunday, but he did get the game-winning putback to defeat the Warriors.

24. Portland Trail Blazers 2021-22 record: 26-44

Previous ranking: 24

They lost for the 10th time in 11 games on Sunday to Indiana. The only win for Portland since the All-Star break was over Washington and they are getting a good look at Josh Hart. Hart has averaged 28.6 points in his last five games.

25. Indiana Pacers 2021-22 record: 25-47

Previous ranking: 26

The news that T.J. Warren will miss the rest of the season was disappointing. Warren was limited to four games in the 2020-21 season due to stress fractures in his left foot. He hasn't played in over a year. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

26. Sacramento Kings 2021-22 record: 25-48

Previous ranking: 25

The Kings lost in overtime to Phoenix on Sunday. Mitchell, known for his defense, went off with career highs in both points and assists, and gave the Suns all they could handle.

27. Detroit Pistons 2021-22 record: 19-52

Previous ranking: 27

Since joining the Pistons, Marvin Bagley III has averaged 13.6 points and 6.9 rebound per game. He made a few spot starts for Detroit last week with Jerami Grant out of the lineup.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder 2021-22 record: 20-51

Previous ranking: 28

There are intriguing signs of development for power forward Darius Bazley. Over the last six games, Bazley has averaged 21.0 points on 53.5% shooting, including a career-high 29-point night and a pair of 25-point performances. If he's re-signed this summer, the long-armed, explosive player with versatile defensive potential will be eligible for an extension of his rookies contract.

29. Orlando Magic 2021-22 record: 19-53

Previous ranking: 29

Carter Jr. had 30 points and 16 boards in the win over the Thunder. Over the last two months, he has averaged 18 points and 11 rebound a game. Jonathan has been ruled out for the season because of a knee injury. He has not played since August 2020.

30. Houston Rockets 2021-22 record: 17-54

Previous ranking: 30

The worst record in the league would guarantee a top-five pick if Houston were to win two more games. The growth of Green has been a silver lining, as he has averaged 18.2 points on.472/.373/.732 shooting splits during that time. Even by tanking standards, the Rockets defense is awful.