A lot has changed in the last week across the NBA landscape so let’s break down this week’s Pickwise NBA Power Rankings.
1. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have Steph Curry back and all seems to be right in the world again with them. The Warriors are 14-3 in games he plays in and it looks like this team is once again the favorites to win the title.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are just behind the Warriors because of their loss head to head, but they quickly followed that up with a win over the Raptors.
3. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have the best record in the NBA, but they have had a couple of losses as of late, including against the Bucks which puts them one spot behind them this week.
4. Boston Celtics
The Celtics finally have some life winning six games in a row and even though some of the games were against bottom dwellers they are finally playing like a team again.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder had an impressive week before finishing it up losing against a lifeless Bulls team. If they would have won that game their climb would have been even higher.
6. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have all kinds of injury issues but they are still winning games, including their last one against the Grizzlies. The strength of this team is defense and it’s what they have leaned on.
7. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are winning games but there are some problems brewing inside the locker room with Embiid not liking his role.
8. Los Angeles Lakers
The panic around the Lakers seemed to be overemphasized early in the season. They have won six of the last seven games and it’s been because of the defense, not the offense.
9. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are still winning games without Oladipo and they are getting him back soon. This team is a contender in the East.
10. Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers season has been a roller coast but they have won two games in a row.
11. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are coming back to earth losing three of the last five games and the question now is just what exactly is this team made of.
12. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs got off to a slow start but they are defending their home court and come into this game having won four of five.
13. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have had an up and down season but they have Kemba Walker who can be an x-factor in most games.
14. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies got off to a fast start but now have only won three of their last nine games. The question is can they keep winning games with the defense.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves have lost two straight games but they have been competitive. This looks like a team that can make the playoffs.
16. Sacramento Kings
The Kings season has all been about runs and it’s still unclear what this team exactly is. As the season goes on the understanding should be better.
17. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have won two games in a row but that masks some of the problems this team is having. They are 29th in the NBA in defense.
18. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are dealing with injury issues but once again it looks like the wrong guys are surrounding Anthony Davis.
19. Miami Heat
The Heat are being competitive but they still are 11-15, although that isn’t that bad in the East.
20. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have played some tough teams but they have lost five straight games. They need a few wins or it could be a freefall.
21. Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal is the star of this team now and they have won three of their last five games.
22. Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have a lot of talent, but it hasn’t resulted in a lot of wins.
23. Houston Rockets
Much like the Jazz the Rockets have a lot of talent but they can’t figure out how to use it together to execute wins.
24. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets would be 28th or 29th if it wasn’t for a win against the Raptors that shot them up the rankings.
25. Orlando Magic
The Magic are good at covering spreads but not winning games, which is the main thing in the power rankings.
26. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have a win over the Nuggets but Trae Young has struggled to hit three pointers, something the team didn’t expect.
27. New York Knicks
The Knicks were supposed to be a bottom dweller this year, and they are living right up to those expectations.
28. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are back to being the Cavs without LeBron, flat out terrible.
29. Phoenix Suns
The Suns look lost without Devin Booker and are having all kinds of issues scoring.
30. Chicago Bulls
The Bullls can’t win games and now the players are having issues with their new coach.
