It’s the third week of January and the NBA’s action is heating up with a big of shake-ups in the week 14 power rankings. Here is this week’s list of NBA Power Rankings.
1. Toronto Raptors
A 3-0 week for the Raptors has the Raptors back atop the power rankings. A big meeting in Boston should show whether or not Toronto can stay at the top.
2. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors had a big week in a big way to stay in second in our power rankings. 3-0 has Golden State trending up. Boogie Cousins will make his long-awaited debut on Friday night against the Clippers. With Damian Jones out for the year, the Warriors need a big man inside. Cousins is coming in at the right time.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are still one of the best teams in the NBA right now, they went 3-1 last week and will stay near the top behind the play of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
4. Denver Nuggets
A shocking loss at Phoenix on Saturday has Denver with a down arrow after a 3-2 week.
5. Indiana Pacers
Trying to stay in the hunt for a top seed the Pacers suffered two blow-out losses against Boston and Toronto.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
A pair of hi-scoring battles between the Thunder and Spurs as both split those games at each teams arena. The Thunder finished the week 1-2 but they are trending in the right direction.
7. Houston Rockets
The Rockets were up to sixth in the power rankings last week but dropped a spot after a 2-2 week. James Harden looked awful on Saturday shooting one of 17 from three-point range.
8. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are trending their way back into the top teams in the power rankings, even after going 2-2 in their last four games.
9. Boston Celtics
The Celtics finished their week on a bad note dropping two in a row against Miami and Orlando, after winning their four prior games in a row.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have 11 of their next 12 games against teams currently in the hunt for the playoffs. A 2-2 week has them trending down a bit.
11. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland has struggled against teams in their conference with a 14-15 record while going 12-3 against the East. A 3-1 week has Portland looking up.
12. Utah Jazz
It has been up and won for Utah all season, but it finally looks like they have turned a corner as Utah is above .500 and trending up after a strong 3-1 week.
13. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are trending down after going 1-2.
14. Miami Heat
Two straight wins and having won 10 of their last 14 games the Heat are trending up.
15. Los Angeles Lakers
A loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers has the Lakers looking for answers. The team couldn’t even muster more than 95 points without Lebron and the margin for error is getting smaller as the Spurs and Clippers and Blazers are gaining ground in the playoff hunt.
16. Sacramento Kings
The Kings are stationary at 16th and have righted the ship after a 3-1 week.
17. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have made significant gains week-to-week. They are coming off a 1-2 week, but they are on the upswing.
18. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs were able to hang close with the Warriors, but came up short and went 2-2 last week.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
A 2-1 week has the T-wolves gaining more confidence.
20. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans dropped a game against the Timberwolves on Saturday and are holding steady after going 2-1 in their last three games.
21. Charlotte Hornets
A big trending down for Charlotte after going 0-3.
22. Orlando Magic
The Magic have lost five of their last eight games and don’t look like it is going to improve.
23. Memphis Grizzlies
Rookie Jaren Jackson Jr looks like the guy of the future for Memphis, but after a strong start to the season, the Grizzlies have hit their ceiling.
24. Detroit Pistons
Another miserable week going 1-3 the Pistons could either get better or tank at this point.
25. Washington Wizards
The Wizards pulled together a 2-2 week to keep themselves at 25.
26. Atlanta Hawks
A 1-3 week for Atlanta including a big win against the 76ers has the Hawks steady.
27. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have found themselves branching a little higher after going 2-1 including a win against the Nuggets.
28. New York Knicks
The losses continue to mount as the Knicks have lost four straight and 17 of their last 19 games.
29. Chicago Bulls
Hello, bottom feeders as the Bulls pulled another 0-3 week.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers
There isn’t much separation between the bottom teams a win against the Lakers sent the Cavs to a 1-3 week, but the Cavs continue to man the last spot in the power rankings.
