*All stats and records prior to Monday's games
Winners
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors continued their hot streak and have now won a franchise-record 11 consecutive games. Their current win streak is the best in the NBA and, at 32-15 overall, the Raptors are just two and a half games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. The Atlantic Division leaders are sending Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan to the All-Star game in their home city. Lowry was voted a starter, while the coaches voted in Derozan. Both are deserving of the selections and continue to lead the hottest team in the NBA, who continues to play well without DeMarre Carroll.
Miami Heat
The Heat recovered from a tough week and now have a four game win streak of their own. Injuries have played a deciding role in the ebb and flow of the team, but the Heat were able to beat the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks with Hassan Whiteside and Tyler Johnson still sidelined due to injury. Goran Dragic returned to the floor on Friday, which is a positive sign for the Heat, who have moved into fourth place in the East.
Boston Celtics
The Cs were one win away from taking the third seed in the Eastern Conference, but blew leads against the Orlando Magic on Sunday and fell 119-114. Nevertheless, the Green Teamers have won five of their last six and are tied with the Hawks for fifth in the conference.
The Celtics remain one of the better defensive teams in the NBA, led by Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley, and Marcus Smart. Behind the duo of Evan Turner and Kelly Olynyk, their bench has been among the top second units in the league. Although the Celtics were unable to complete a six game win streak, they are getting more and more recognition in the East.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clips continue to roll without Blake Griffin and are now riding a four-game win streak. They have won 16 of their last 19 games, 18 of which were played without their leading scorer. Griffin will remain out for another four-to-six weeks after breaking his hand in an altercation with a member of the Clippers' training staff.
Jamal Crawford and J.J. Redick have been key factors, while DeAndre Jordan continues to be a force on the boards and racked up 17 or more rebounds in all four games last week. After trading Josh Smith back to the Houston Rockets, Doc Rivers and the Clippers could be active at the trade deadline as they set their sights on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference standings.
Portland Trail Blazers
Just three games under .500, the Blazers are surprisingly eighth in the West. After losing every starter with the exception of Damian Lillard, the Blazers made a number of trades to accelerate recovery mode. Their offseason moves are clearly paying off and it appears as though the Blazers might not miss the postseason after all.
C.J. McCollum has thrived since being inserted into the starting lineup. The third-year shooting guard has provided another 20-point scorer and was able to take charge when Lillard missed time to injury. The Blazers have won eight of their last ten games, including their current streak of four in a row.
Isaiah Thomas
In his first full season with the Celtics, Thomas is having a career year. Listed at a generous 5'9", the fifth-year point guard was selected to his first All-Star Game last week. When the #NBAVote was circling around for the fans to select the starters, it appeared as though Kyrie Irving had a chance to steal a spot in the Eastern Conference backcourt.
But, once Lowry and Dwyane Wade got the nod, it was up to the coaches to do the right thing. And they did, selecting Thomas as the lone Celtic to be selected an All-Star. Thomas is averaging a career-high 21.5 points-per-game and 6.6 assists-per-game. John Wall and Jimmy Butler round out the backcourt in the East while Irving, who has played in just 20 games this season, was not selected to the midseason classic.
Draymond Green
An NBA-leading ninth triple-double gets Green in the winner's circle this week. The fourth-year forward was also selected to the All-Star Game with his teammates, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. In the Golden State Warriors' four games last week, Green notched a triple-double and double-double and had at least four assists in every game. His triple-double came in a win against the New York Knicks. It was a game in which Green scored 20 points, making all nine of his shots from the field.
No-Look Passes
Somebody not named Curry had to do it. Who knew it would be two players who are seperated by 18 inches?
Arizona Dunkers
Two former Arizona Wildcats gave the rim a tough time this weekend. Derrick Williams and Aaron Gordon can be vicious dunkers and that is exactly what was on display.
Losers
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have not been the same team without DeMarre Carroll. Paul Millsap and Al Horford continue to be the leading scorers and rebounders, while Tiago Splitter has been ineffective since coming over in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs. Kyle Korver, who was an instrumental part of the Hawks' run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, is shooting 37.1 percent from three-a 12 percent decrease from the 2014-2015 season. Losers of three straight, the Hawks are reportedly shopping point guard Jeff Teague.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have lost two of their last three games, marking the first time this season they have lost two games in a three-game span. Tim Duncan missed all three of the team's games last week with knee soreness. The Spurs remain undefeated at home, but lost to the Cavaliers and Warriors on the road by a combined 44 points.
Duncan has reached career-lows in scoring and rebounding, but remains a crucial part of the Spurs' starting lineup. Without The Big Fundamental in the lineup, the Spurs allowed more than 100 points to their opponent for just the ninth time all season on Saturday. Now four and a half games back from the Warriors at 39-8 overall, the Spurs may have to formulate a new plan to rest their veterans in the second half of the regular season.
Sacramento Kings
A great week was followed by a not-so-great week as the Kings slipped back down to tenth in the Western Conference. DeMarcus Cousins earned an All-Star nod after scoring the most points in the month of January, but sprained his ankle in the team's latest loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. X-rays were negative, but it is not good news for the Kings, who have lost four straight.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have hit a new low, losing a franchise-record ten straight games. Kobe Bryant continues to find ways to score in between days of rest. The 20-year future Hall-of-Famer will be starting in his 17th All-Star Game this month after receiving the most fan votes. It is a shame that Bryant's last seasons in the NBA were clouded by the worst seasons in Lakers history. They are one of two teams who have yet to win 10 games this season. Byron Scott has the talent in his roster, but the Lakers continue to struggle.
Phoenix Suns
After clearing out their coaching staff, the Suns saved their head coach for last. Jeff Hornacek was fired Monday morning following the team's 19th loss in its last 21 games. Hornacek may be labeled a scapegoat by some, considering injuries have played a factor in the Suns' struggles this season.
They are 14-35 on the season and will be without Eric Bledsoe for the remainder of the season. Rookie Devin Booker has been a bright spot, along with Archie Goodwin but a coaching change was clearly in order. The Suns are currently amidst a four-game skid and even longtime Suns point guard, Steve Nash, declined their offer for the head coaching position.
Pau Gasol
Arguably the biggest snub of the All-Star rosters this season, Gasol is having a tremendous year. Averaging 16.6 points and 11.1 rebounds, the 15th-year veteran will miss the midseason classic.
Paul Millsap, who is averaging just two more points-per-game and three less rebounds-per-game was selected by the coaches to join Chris Bosh and Andre Drummond in the frontcourt for the Eastern Conference. The fans' desire to see small lineups in the All-Star Game was also a factor as not one true power forward or center was voted to start for either conference. Gasol has been excellent in two seasons with the Bulls and, at 35 years-old, is not yet on the decline.
Blake Griffin
Just days away from making his return from injury, Griffin broke his hand in an altercation with a member of the Clippers' training staff. It is an embarrassment to him and the organization and one that is being looked into by the league. A sign of immaturity, Griffin may have "punched" his ticket out of L.A. considering the Clippers have been on a roll with him on the sideline.
Stephen Curry's Forehead
Clearly no one knows the key to defending the Baby-Faced Assassin. Carmelo Anthony tried his best as the Warriors visited Madison Square Garden on Sunday. While Curry was held to 13 points, the Warriors came out victorious and the reigning MVP was able to hit another circus shot. Although it didn't count, a scratch on the forehead didn't stop Curry from draining the confidence of Melo and the Knicks.