Western Conference

A partnership of over four years has come to an end as Alvin Gentry and the Phoenix Suns agreed to part on mutual terms last week.

Circumstances were not always under scrutiny, as Gentry took the Suns to the Western Conference Finals in 2010. This season, however, their form has been more than suspect as they have a conference-worst record of 13-28.

This season seems to be a foregone conclusion but the hopes are that their franchise can bring in the right coach to provide the requisite success in years to come.

Another team that continues to disappoint based on standards are the Los Angeles Lakers. They lost to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, meaning that they have now lost five consecutive away games.

Their overall record stands at 17-23, winning just two games from their last 10 played. As things stand, the Lakers could very possibly have another coaching change before the season is over.

The dominators keep on dominating as the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angles Clippers, the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies all ended the week with multiple-game winning streaks.

Rightly leading the pack was the Thunder with an overall 32-8 record, boosted by a six-game win streak. Among the victims were the Dallas Mavericks who they edged in overtime, with the three-time scoring champion Kevin Durant piling in a career-high 52 points.

The surprise team on the conference now are arguably the Houston Rockets who have now lost seven straight games. With a record of 21-21, they have since slipped out of play-off contention.

Road form cause for concern

Eastern Conference

While the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks are enjoying a fair amount of success on home court, their record on the road is almost the total opposite. The Heat’s away record is 10-9 overall while the Knicks are at 11-8, nowhere near satisfactory and something that the respective head coaches will have to look at when play-offs come around.

Undoubtedly, the two mentioned teams have been the hallmarks of the conference, but rapidly closing on their heels are the Indiana Pacers. With a record of 25-16, they are just behind the Knicks who closed the week with a record of 25-13.

Also on the rise are the Brooklyn Nets, who have a 24-6 record. They have won eight of their last 10 games, which is the best of the conference and as things stand they are keenly poised to make a run for top honours towards the back-end of the season.

The Boston Celtics were on a good run but have again slipped from play-offs following a two-game losing streak. With a record of 2-19, they are being kept out of the top eight by the Milwaukee Bucks who have a record of 21-18 thanks to a two-game winning streak.

All-Star update

NBA fans would be pleased to know that the starters for the 2013 All-Star Game have been announced. For the Western Conference, Kobe Bryant leads the way with support coming from Kevin Durant, teammate Dwight Howard and the Clippers duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

For the East, LeBron James headlines the group that comprises of Dwyane Wade, Caremlo Anthony, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo. The reverses are to be announced at a later date but among them the likes of Russell Westbrook and Paul Pierce are expected to features.