This past week had some very interesting games in the NBA season. The Portland Trail Blazers proved they are the real deal by beating the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. And it was a battle of mediocrity in New York when the Nets and Knicks played Thursday night. As with every week, some teams moved up in the rankings and some fell. Here are this week’s power rankings.
1. Indiana Pacers
Even with a close loss to a solid Blazers team the Pacers are looking like the team to beat in the NBA and certainly in the Eastern Conference.
2. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have continuously proved me wrong. In their last five games they’ve managed to beat the Pacers, Thunder and Warriors. The Blazers have proven that they are the real deal.
3. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs continue to look impressive with only two losses in the last 15 games.
4. Miami Heat
The Heat are looking like the only other contender in the East, even coming off their first loss in the last 11 games.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder lost a close fought game against the Blazers, ending their eight game win streak.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers rebounded nicely from a two game losing streak with a dominating win over a beat up Memphis team.
7. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have lost two after winning five straight. Defense has been the issue for the Rockets as they currently rank 27th in the league.
8. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have struggled as of late but are still playing well without Andre Iguodala.
9. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have started to get on a role after a slow start. The Nuggets have had some good wins but have yet to beat a top team.
10. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are still managing to stay afloat in a very tough Western Conference, which is impressive.
11. Phoenix Suns
The Suns continue to prove everyone wrong as the managed to secure a winning record over the Rockets.
12. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have a golden opportunity with how weak the East is. Jeff Teague is playing some great basketball and if he continues the Hawks could find themselves with the third seed in the playoffs.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have really struggled of late, losing five of their last seven. They will need to turn things around quickly to stay in the race in the West.
14. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are doing much better than I expected and with news that Kobe Bryant could return soon, the Lakers are in a great position.
15. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have been very inconsistent and that has landed them outside the playoffs looking in. With the loss of Anthony Davis, the Pelicans could struggle until he returns.
16. Washington Wizards
With a record of 9-9 the Wizards are currently in fourth place in the East. They have picked things up after a slow start and could find themselves in the playoffs.
17. Memphis Grizzlies
Just when the Grizzlies were starting to turn things around Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph go down with injuries. This team is struggling to tread water.
18. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are one of the many teams in the East that need to seize the opportunity presented to them. The Pistons are starting to figure things out and we should definitely see them in the playoffs.
19. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are currently making history as the worst tank job ever. The Celtics are taking advantage of a very weak Eastern Conference and find themselves situated nicely.
20. Chicago Bulls
Normally the Bulls would be in a tough situation with Derrick Rose. Fortunately for them the East is pathetic at the moment and they have a great chance of making the playoffs.
21. Charlotte Bobcats
Much like the Celtics, the Bobcats are taking advantage of their easy competition and when healthy look like a team that could sneak into the playoffs.
22. Philadelphia 76ers
It’s at around this point in the East where it gets very hard to judge teams because they all manage to lose to each other. The 76ers have a bright spot in an otherwise bleak season in rookie Michael Carter-Williams.
23. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors had high hopes of making the playoffs this season. These hopes are currently looking like a day dream now as the Raptors have lost four in a row.
24. Orlando Magic
Much like the 76ers, the Magic have had just a few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season. Rookie Victor Oladipo has shown flashes of why he was selected second overall.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have really struggled this season. They were expected to be fringe playoff contenders but now it appears they are destined for another lottery pick.
26. New York Knicks
The Knicks were able to stop a nine game losing streak against the equally disappointing Brooklyn Nets.
27. Utah Jazz
While the Jazz started off the season with a record of 1-14, the Jazz have managed to win three out of their last five.
28. Sacramento Kings
The Kings are on a five game losing streak and are still ranked above the Nets. The Kings have dropped five straight and are now looking forward to the stacked 2014 draft class.
29. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are an absolute mess. Jason Kidd’s seat has got to be heating up and with such high expectations going into the season; the Nets must be in a dark place right now.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks now have gotten healthier in the last week but have yet to play any better.