NBA Power Rankings: Week 6
Power Rankings
- Toronto Raptors 20-4 SAME
Toronto knocked off the Warriors in an overtime thriller this week in which Kawhi Leonard scored 37 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The team is currently riding an eight-game win streak. The Raptors play Denver, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Milwaukee this week.
- Golden State Warriors 15-9 SAME
Golden State lost a close overtime game to the Raptors in which Kevin Durant had a season-high 51 points. Durant has led the team in scoring in its past 12 games, but the Warriors are just 5-7 during that stretch. The Dubs have three road games this week against Atlanta, Cleveland and Milwaukee.
- Oklahoma City Thunder 17-8 SAME
Oklahoma City has won seven of nine and is looking great lately. Russell Westbrook has posted three triple-doubles in the last two weeks and is looking fantastic. Oklahoma City takes on Detroit, Brooklyn and Chicago on the road this week.
- Los Angeles Clippers 15-7 UP 6
Los Angeles is tied for the best record in a deep Western Conference right now. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks like he may have been a steal for the team at number 11 in the draft last June. The Clippers play New Orleans, Memphis and Miami this week.
- Los Angeles Lakers 14-9 UP 1
The Lakers still aren’t the best team in Los Angeles, but they are awfully close. LeBron James and company have gotten much better lately, and Lonzo Ball is very well in increased minutes while Rajon Rondo is out. The Lakers take on the Spurs twice this week before playing Memphis Saturday.
- Philadelphia 76ers 14-7 UP 2
The 76ers have won eight of nine and are red hot since the addition of Jimmy Butler. Markelle Fultz reportedly has asked to be traded but Elton Brand, the Sixers general manager, rebutted those reports. Philadelphia has a short week at Toronto and Detroit.
- Milwaukee Bucks 15-7 DOWN 3
Milwaukee somehow lost in overtime to the lowly Knicks this week and Giannis Antetokounmpo was not happy about it. Mario Hezonja dunked on Antetokounmpo and then stepped over him in Allen Iverson Ty Lue fashion. “I’m gonna punch him in his nuts next time,” Antetokounmpo said. Milwaukee takes on Detroit and Golden State at home before finishing the week at Toronto.
- Memphis Grizzlies 13-9 DOWN 3
The Grizzlies have lost four of five with their only win coming in double overtime against Brooklyn. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley have played well but the rest of the team hasn’t given them much help during the stretch. Memphis takes on the Clippers, Pelicans and Lakers this week.
- Denver Nuggets 15-7 UP 2
Denver has hit another hot streak, winning five straight after having gone 1-6 over the previous seven it had played. The Nuggets have embraced team play and scoring by committee this season, having had seven different players lead them in scoring for a game. Denver plays Toronto, Orlando, Charlotte and Atlanta all on the road this week.
- Houston Rockets 11-11 DOWN 1
Houston has a lot of injury issues this year, especially with Chris Paul and James Harden. The Rockets are still phenomenal when both play this season, and below average without them. Houston takes a road trip this week against Minnesota, Utah and Dallas.
- Portland Trail Blazers 13-10 DOWN 4
The Blazers are in a cold stretch, having lost five of six, although each loss has been against a solid team. Their only win during the stretch was by three points over the Magic at home. Portland travels to Dallas before a homestand with Phoenix and Minnesota this week.
- Minnesota Timberwolves 11-12 UP 4
Derrick Rose has been phenomenal for the Wolves this season. He looks like he might be in contention for most improved player, which is not something a former MVP has ever done. Minnesota takes on Houston, Charlotte and Portland this week.
- Detroit Pistons 13-7 UP 2
The Pistons have gotten back on track, winning five straight. The team is still relying on Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin for scoring. The team desperately needs help on the wing and guard spots to help Griffin and Drummond in the post. Detroit plays the Thunder, Bucks, 76ers and Pelicans this week.
- Utah Jazz 11-13 UP 3
Utah has had one of the hardest schedules over the past few weeks. The team played 12 games in 11 different cities in four different time zones over the past 21 days. The team spent 18 nights in hotel rooms and only had one day at home where they didn’t play or travel. Utah gets home games against San Antonio and Houston before a Sunday matchup with the Spurs this week.
- Boston Celtics 13-10 DOWN 2
The Celtics have risen up to 20th in offensive rating after a good week with three wins. The team still ranks second in defensive rating, which has helped them from crumbling. Gordon Hayward finally had a good game, posting 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists off the bench against Minnesota. Boston has a short week against New York and Chicago.
- Indiana Pacers 13-10 DOWN 4
Indiana has struggled without Victor Oladipo, losing four of six. The team does seem to have Utah’s number, having won each of its last two games by a combined 60 points. Indiana plays Chicago, Orlando and Sacramento this week.
- New Orleans Pelicans 12-12 DOWN 3
The Pelicans got some wins this week after going almost 10 days without one. Anthony Davis dropped 36 points and 19 rebounds on the Hornets Sunday to propel the Pelicans to victory, but he still isn’t getting much help. New Orleans takes on the Clippers, Mavericks, Grizzlies and Pistons.
- Orlando Magic 11-12 UP 2
Orlando has hit a slow spot, dropping four of six, five of which have been on the road. The team is getting stellar play out of Nikola Vucevic, who might end up being a major trade target for contenders if Orlando falls out of the playoff race. The Magic play Miami, Denver and Indiana this week.
- San Antonio Spurs 11-12 DOWN 1
San Antonio defeated Portland and Chicago this week while losing to the Wolves and Rockets. The team is good enough to make the playoffs, but with the West so stacked this season, they might end up on the outside looking in. Could this be Pop’s final year? The Spurs have a busy week against the Jazz, Lakers, Clippers and Jazz again.
- Charlotte Hornets 11-12 UP 1
Kemba Walker has cooled off over Charlotte’s past five games, putting up just 19.2 points per game compared to his season average of 27.1. The Hornets are also just 2-3 during that stretch. Charlotte plays Minnesota, Denver and New York this week.
- Sacramento Kings 11-11 DOWN 2
Head coach Dave Joerger reportedly kicked general manager Vlade Divac and assistant general manager Brandon Williams out of a shootaround Thursday because they were questioning Joerger’s rotation decisions regarding Marvin Bagley III. Joerger may lose his job or end up playing Bagley III more if this is true. The Kings take on Phoenix, Cleveland and Indiana this week on the road.
- Dallas Mavericks 11-10 SAME
Dallas has won eight of ten while Harrison Barnes has caught fire during the stretch. Barnes has put up 24 points per game over the past five games while averaging just 17 on the season. Dallas plays Portland, New Orleans and Houston this week.
- Miami Heat 9-13 UP 1
Miami’s been critically injured this season with Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson, Dion Waiters, James Johnson and Hassan Whiteside all missing games this season due to injuries. Those are just the starters that have been hurt. Miami plays Orlando, Phoenix, and the Los Angeles Clippers this week.
- New York Knicks 8-16 UP 2
New York beat the Bucks in overtime Saturday, with Mario Hezonja stepping over Giannis Antetokounmpo after dunking on him in a similar fashion to what Allen Iverson did in the Finals to Ty Lue many years ago. The Knicks play Washington, Boston, Brooklyn and Charlotte this week.
- Washington Wizards 9-14 SAME
Washington needs to change something because it is obviously not working out with who it has right now. The team somehow managed to beat Houston in overtime Monday, but then lost in blowouts to the Pelicans and 76ers later in the week. Washington takes on the Knicks, Hawks, and Cavaliers on the road this week.
- Brooklyn Nets 8-16 DOWN 3
The Nets have dropped six in a row while almost taking down Memphis in a double-overtime game on Friday. The team has struggled since Caris LeVert went down and needs to find a go-to scorer to pick up the slack. Brooklyn plays Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Toronto and New York this week.
- Chicago Bulls 5-19 SAME
Wendell Carter Jr. had a breakout game this week against Detroit with 28 points and seven rebounds. Carter Jr. had been solid all season but showed his potential in this game. The Bulls take on Indiana, Oklahoma City and Boston this week.
- Phoenix Suns 4-19 SAME
Deandre Ayton has been phenomenal for the Suns this season, posting averages of 16.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Ayton and Devin Booker are going to have a hard time recruiting anyone good to play with them if the front office continues to be incompetent. Phoenix plays Sacramento, Portland and Miami this week.
- Cleveland Cavaliers 4-18 SAME
Cleveland shipped out Kyle Korver to Utah this week, reuniting him with the Jazz while also reuniting Alec Burks, who they received in the trade, with Rodney Hood. The Cavs also netted two second-round picks in the deal, making it seem like they came out on top. Cleveland has a busy week at home against Brooklyn, Golden State, Sacramento and Washington.
- Atlanta Hawks 5-18 SAME
Atlanta won two-straight after its ten-game losing streak, then proceeded to lose two more. The team finally got John Collins back from injury and may be able to put more wins together but is likely going to be jockeying for the top pick in next year’s draft all season. Atlanta has three home games this week against Golden State, Washington and Denver.