Much has changed throughout the NBA during the last week, here is a look at the NBA week 10 power rankings.
1. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors remain atop the power rankings after going 3-1 in their last four games, and with a win against the Grizzlies on Monday the Warriors look ready for the long march ahead. Good news for the Warriors DeMarcus Cousins looks close to making his debut as he continues to work out with the Warriors G-League team.
2. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets put up three impressive wins this past week and have climbed up four spots in this weeks power rankings. Nikola Jokic and company have won 10 of their last 12 games, despite not having three of their five starters including Gary Harris who has been a major part of the Nuggets defense.
3. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors remain third in the power rankings, even with having the best overall record in the NBA. But they returned from their west trip 2-2 and heavily banged up with injuries, but they did pick up a victory over the Warriors in Oakland last week.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks dropped to number four as they went 2-1 in their last three games, even though that is a respectable week for Milwaukee, the Pacers were able to hold Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to 22 points combined. They pulled off a win in Detroit to start this week, so they are trending up.
5. Boston Celtics
It was a 3-1 week for Boston, and the Celtics have three home games this week and could be in for another good week, with a big match-up with Bucks this week.
6. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are coming off a 4-0 week and are definitely trending up.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder had their decent week come to a crashing halt finishing 2-2. Now a fight with the Bulls has the Thunder looking for answers in all points of their team.
8. Los Angeles Lakers
It sure looked special for the Lakers when both Lebron James and Lonzo Ball recorded triple-doubles at Charlotte but followed that up with a loss on the road in Washington. One more game in the east before playing their next eight games in California.
9. Philadelphia 76ers
Jimmy Butler is back, but are their problems in the City of Brotherly Love. Is Joel Embiid still Trusting the Process? 20 wins on the season have the 76ers thick in the hunt.
10. Los Angeles Clippers
Without Lou Williams can the Clippers keep up their strong start to the season? Staples Center sure is busy lately.
11. Portland Trail Blazers
There was a point when Portland was atop the west at 11-5. Going 5-13 in their last 18 games have the Blazers trending down.
12. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs have had a great season at home this year, in route to a 15-13 record, but a 2-10 road record spells trouble for a much improved Dallas team. With four road games this week, can Luka Donicic and company find a way to go 2-2 this week.
13. Charlotte Hornets
Its up and down for Charlotte, but with Kemba Walker the Hornets have a chance to get to the postseason. A couple home games to come this week and the Hornets could be right back in the hunt.
14. Memphis Grizzlies
Rookie Jaren Jackson Jr has a bright future, and it has shown already as the Grizzlies have been one of the consistent teams out their behind leaders Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. A 1-3 week dampens that a bit, along with a tough week ahead with four straight road games.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves
The T-Wolves were looking like a playoff contender, but a 0-3 week causes Minnesota to drop off a bit. They are trending down this week.
16. San Antonio Spurs
How does Pop do it? After winning four straight games at home the Spurs blow a 21-point lead against the bottom team Chicago Bulls.
17. Sacramento Kings
The biggest surprise of this season has been how well the Kings have performed. Two games above .500 and a 3-1 week has the Kings trending up.
18. New Orleans Pelicans
Depth continues to pain the Pelicans. Injuries are mounting, and once again Anthony Davis has been the only real bright spot for New Orleans.
19. Detroit Pistons
Its been up and down for the Pistons. Blake Griffin has been outstanding but the team has inconsistent. They are currently good enough for seventh in the East, but with six of their next nine games on the road, the Pistons will need to get it going.
20. Miami Heat
The Heat have become the team that no one wants to face at the wrong time. They went 2-2 in week 9 and continue to trend on the 9-10 place line of the East.
21. Washington Wizards
The Wizards continue to spiral back down the rankings as they lost two of their last three games.
22. Utah Jazz
Like Houston, the Jazz has had bad luck this season, and haven’t been able to produce on offense on a consistent basis. A 1-2 week 9 has the Jazz trending back down.
23. Houston Rockets
The Rockets are finally above .500 on the season, at 15-14. The Rockets won each of their three games last week, and are now 4-0 in their last four. The Rockets still have work to do if they want to get back to the playoffs.
24. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have a major win over the Raptors this season, along with going 3-0 last week has the Nets trending up.
25. Orlando Magic
Mo Bamba and Jonathan Isaac give the Magic a great young pairing in the backcourt, but the Magic are still this low due to the fact that they can’t win games consistently. They did go 2-1 in their last three, but the Magic still have a lot of work to do.
26. New York Knicks
Rookie Kevin Knox is in the starting line-up for New York and is making an impact as he is averaging 21.7 points per game. The Knicks look destined for yet another lottery selection, but to have a player such as Knox developed could prove good for New York in the future.
27. Cleveland Cavaliers
Tristan Thompson may not seem like a key player for the Cavs anymore, but now that he is out with a foot injury, the Cavaliers will have to turn to others for consistent rebounding and production.
28. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks went 0-3 in week 9 and gave up a combined 387 points. Trae Young has had an awful December thus far shooting 5 for 25 from beyond the arc.
29. Phoenix Suns
Landing Kelly Oubre Jr in the Trevor Ariza trade may have been a steal for the Suns as they continue to look for production. Their challenge is spreading minutes between Oubre, Josh Jackson, T.J. Warren, and rookie Mikal Bridges. Like the Bulls, the Suns are in for yet another bad season.
30. Chicago Bulls
With Jabari Parker no longer in the rotation and no Zach LaVine due to an ankle injury, where do the Bulls turn for leaders on defense? The best thing they got going is their little skirmish with the Thunder in their last game. The Bulls are just awful.
