Pickswise week 22 NBA Power Rankings - Here Come The Rockets

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It was a shaky week for many teams throughout the NBA as teams continue to compete for the playoffs. Here is a look at this week’s power rankings.

1. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks remain atop the rankings even after struggling to a 2-2 week.

2. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors Klay Thompson and Steph Curry combined for 22 missed three-pointers in a disappointing home loss to the Phoenix Suns. A 1-2 week has the Warriors searching for answers.

3. Toronto Raptors

Pascal Siakam has really helped the Raptors in a big way this season. A 2-1 week has Toronto heading in the right direction.

4. Houston Rockets

The Rockets had a big week going 3-0 in their last three games. The Rockets also have an eight-game winning streak which is the longest active win streak in the league.

5. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets dropped a spot after a 1-2 week that included a loss at the Warriors.

6. Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers looked like one of the hottest teams in the league but a 1-2 week slowed their momentum down.

7. Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid’s return on Sunday comes at a big moment as the 76ers turned it around with a victory over the Indiana Pacers, bringing Philadelphia’s week to an end at 2-2.

8. Oklahoma City Thunder

OKC has lost six of their last eight games and has slipped to a tie with Portland for fourth in the Western Conference.

9. Boston Celtics

The Celtics looked returned to form with a great 3-0 week.

10. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs jump a spot after going 3-0 in week 21. It also moved San Antonio into a five-game winning streak.

11. Utah Jazz

The Jazz drops a couple of spots after a sluggish 1-2 week. Utah had positioned themselves to make a run at the West’s #3 spot but this stretch deters that a bit.

12. Los Angeles Clippers

Clippers kept up some momentum with a strong 2-0 week. This week gets tougher but their next four games are at Staples Center.

13. Indiana Pacers

The Sunday night loss to Philly dampers the Pacers a bit. The trading of wins and losses in their last 10 games has Indiana trending down.

14. Detroit Pistons

The Pistons have been the hottest team in the East. 12 victories in their last 14 games have the Pistons set for the playoffs.

15. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets continue to show that they are a team that could make some noise in the postseason. A strong 3-0 week only helps.

16. Sacramento Kings

The Kings need to find a way to get wins and quick if they want to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006. A 2-1 week was a good start.

17. Orlando Magic

Orlando looks like will be that team just outside the Eastern Conference Playoffs this season.

18. Miami Heat

Miami jumps back into the top 20 after a strong 3-1 week, also jumping back into the eighth and final spot in the East.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns injury could impact the chances of Minnesota finding a way into the postseason, but Minnesota is holding steady at 19 after a strong 3-1 week.

20. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers look done for, as an 0-3 week is a killer for a team that still had playoff hopes.

21. Charlotte Hornets

Its a three-team race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the east, between the Hornets, Magic, and Heat. Which team will take that final spot? Charlotte hasn’t been since 2015.

22.  New Orleans Pelicans

Three home games this week for New Orleans, but they look set for a lottery selection this season.

23. Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis looked far better in week 21 then they have for much of this season. A 3-0 week was huge for this organization.

24. Washington Wizards

The Wizards dropped a spot after losing two of their three games in week 21.

25. Dallas Mavericks

It was a terrible week for Dallas, much like their last 11 games have been tough. The Mavericks have one win in their last 11 games and it looks like Dallas is bound for a top 10 pick in 2019.

26. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls picked up a last-second victory over Philadelphia during the week but didn’t show anything else during the week losing their other three games.

27. Phoenix Suns

The Suns looked like a changed team posting a 3-1 week including a major victory over the Warriors in Oracle Arena.

28. Atlanta Hawks

It continues to be up and down for Atlanta. The young talent for the Hawks shows promise but Atlanta needs to put it all together first.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs lost both of their games in week 21. They drop back to 29th in the rankings.

30. New York Knicks

The Knicks know own the worst record in the NBA at 13-54 and goign 0-4 in their last foru games only helps their chances at getting the number one pick.

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