NBA Power Rankings: Week 14
Week 13 of the NBA Power Rankings, we are into the halfway point of the NBA season. Alright we are into the second half of the season, the trade deadline is just a few short weeks away and some big names might be moved.
1 - Oklahoma City Thunder
In the rematch of the top two teams in the league the Thunder blew out the Cavs, leading by as much as 42. The end score didn’t really show how much the Thunder dominated the Cavs throughout the entire game. Top team right now.
2 - Cleveland Cavaliers
Well, the Cavs got blown out, but they are still a top team in the East. It was bound to happen, each of the previous teams that won 70 plus games, Bulls and Warriors each had double digit losses to teams much worse then the Thunder.
3 - Houston Rockets
The Rockets are so good, they beat the Grizzlies again and Denver this week. The offense has really stepped up over the last few weeks and with that balanced attack and incredible defense the Rockets are a real threat in the West.
4 - Boston Celtics
Do you think the Celtics care about what their regular season record is? I don't think so, they have been playing .500 ball for a while now and I think they just want to remain the 2 seed and wait until a potential Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Cavs.
5 - Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have been playing really well, but have found themselves a real issue with the Houston Rockets. They have now lost all 3 games against them and gave up a 14 point lead in the last loss. When healthy, the Grizzlies can be dominant.
6 - Denver Nuggets
Winners of 10 out of their last 13, the Nuggets are securely in the 2nd tier of teams in the West. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Nuggets are the biggest threat to the Thunder in the West. Especially with Westbrook playing so well next to Jokic.
7 - New York Knicks
The Knicks had a real shot at taking over the 2nd spot in the East with the Celtics slide. But, they have gone just 3-6 over their last nine games. If we are going to take this team seriously in the East, I need to see a two week run of really good basketball.
8 - Indiana Pacers
After a slow start the Pacers are playing their best basketball of the season. They are 14-4 over the last 18 games. Somewhat surprisingly during this stretch the Pacers have been the fifth best defensive team in the league, after being swiss cheese most of the year.
9 - Los Angeles Clippers
This is where the 3rd tier in the West starts 5th to maybe 11th in the West is a total crap shoot. The Clippers have been up and down all year, but have won 4 straight including a win over the rival Lakers and only allowing 67 points to the lowly Brooklyn Nets.
10 - Minnesota Timberwolves
Similar to the Clippers, the Timberwolves have been so inconsistent. While no one will want to match up with Anthony Edwards in the playoffs, they could easily sweep and be swept. The defense that led them to the Western Conference finals last year has been too up and down this year to think of them as a real contender.
11- Milwaukee Bucks
Remember when the Bucks were 2-9 or something like that and we were wondering if they would blow it all up? Well they have won 4 in a row and now are in the 4th spot in the East. Taureen Prince taking over in the starting lineup has flipped a switch for Milwaukee and they are a force to be reckoned with.
12- Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks without Luka Doncic are just a mid team at best, they are 10-10 without him. They just need to stay without striking distance, and then when Luka comes back they should make moves into the top 6 in the West.
13 - Sacramento Kings
The Kings are 9-1 in their last 10 games and now sit 8th in the Western Conference. The offense has become more of a balanced attack under Doug Christie, while they aren’t quite the offensive juggernaut they were 2 years ago, the Kings under new leadership have firmly placed themselves back in the playoff picture.
14 - Los Angeles Lakers
I don’t even know what to say about this team. Yes, they are the 6th team in the West, but they don’t feel real. This team is -2.6 in the point differential and would be the worst in history for a playoff team. They win a lot of close games, but this roster feels like it needs a shake up.
15 - Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler is back in Miami after serving his suspension. We didn't get to see much of Jimmy down the stretch in the games he played in because they were both blowouts. This will continue to be a story until we get a definitive answer one way or the other.
P.S. I am only doing the top 15 teams, if you want me to talk about you; be better, it’s that simple.