Overview:

Sixers Draft Pick Tracker

Sixers pick (currently 3rd):

• Sixers lost (good): The good: the Sixers picked up a clutch loss. The bad: We had to watch that game. The loss keeps the Sixers a win behind Minnesota for the race for the second most ping pong balls.
• Minnesota lost (bad): Minnesota continues their skid, having now lost 5 in a row. They played this last game without Ricky Rubio and Pekovic. They’re certainly not good enough to be losing key guys at this point.
• Lakers lost (bad): The Lakers teased us all once again, as they kept the game close all night against the Warriors, only to lose by 3. Lakers still have only 2 more wins than the Sixers.

2015 Top-of-Draft Standings

Lakers pick (top 5 protected, currently 4th)

• Lakers lost (bad): The Lakers missed a(nother) chance to pick up a win on Orlando (4 more wins) and Sacramento (5 more wins). With only 16 games left for the Lakers, you’re really just hoping they don’t move up from 4 at this point.
• Sacramento lost (good): Sacramento fell to Atlanta, and have now lost 3 in a row. They’re still 5 wins sup on the Lakers.

Lottery Odds - Lakers Pick

Heat pick (top 10 protected, currently 11th):

• Heat won (good): The Heat pulled out a much needed win over Cleveland. It temporarily bumped the Heat into the 15th spot, but the teams behind them are playing really good basketball.
• Charlotte lost (good) / Utah won (bad): Except maybe Charlotte. Boston and Utah passing Miami isn’t a problem if Charlotte and Brooklyn don’t. With Charlotte’s loss, it drops them to the 10th slot. Really have to hope they struggle down the stretch. Utah’s win puts them in a 4-place tie with Boston, Miami, and Indy for those last 2 playoff spots in the East. Utah has won 6 in a row. I put Utah down as bad just because I want a backup plan, but they’re passing Miami.
• Boston won (bad): Boston beat the Sixers, which was to be expected. Boston has now won 5 in a row and is tied for a playoff spot (with Miami) in the East.
• Indy lost (bad): Indy lost to Toronto, which was a bit of a surprise with how well the Pacers have been playing of late. The loss drops them back to that aforementioned tie.
• Brooklyn won (bad):  Brooklyn won, beating Minnesota. Brooklyn is still 3 wins back of Miami.

Standings - Miami Pick

Lottery Odds - Heat Pick

Oklahoma City Thunder pick (top 18 protected, currently 18th):

• OKC lost (bad): OKC lost to Dallas, which decreases their lead over New Orleans to only a half-game.
• Ibaka injury (really bad): Worse than the loss was the news that Ibaka will see a new specialist, with the expectation that he’ll have surgery, and miss some time.
• Toronto won (bad): Toronto beat Indy. The Toronto win, along with the OKC loss, puts them 3 games up on OKC in the 21st spot.
• Washington won (bad): Washington beat Portland, which puts the Wizards 2 games up on OKC.

Standings - Thunder Pick

Tonight’s games:

• Spurs @ Knicks: Go Knicks.
• Bucks @ Pelicans: Either team winning pulls them closer to OKC, but it’s more likely that New Orleans is a problem than Milwaukee. Go Bucks.
• Magic @ Rockets: Go Rockets.
• Hornets @ Clippers: Go Clippers.