NBA Power Rankings: Week 15
The NBA trade deadline is coming up, it might be a slower deadline with injuries to stars like Giannis, Ja Morant and Jimmy Butler.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last: #1
I almost took the Thunder out of my top spot, but they are still comfortably atop the Western Conference, but they have lost 2 in a row and have lost their 10th game of the season, losersssssss!
2. Detroit Pistons
Last: #2
Detroit is now just 1 game behind the Thunder for the best record in the NBA, really at this point they are the 1B and OKC is the 1A. What a year from Detroit.
3. Houston Rockets
Last: #7
I reward teams when they beat other good teams, in the last week or so the Rockets have taken down the Wolves, Spurs and Pistons. Detroit is the only team better in the league against teams with a .500 or better record.
4. San Antonio Spurs
Last: #3
Bald Wemby huh? The Spurs are just 8-8 over their last 16 games. They are still a great team, but they are going through a bit of a lull right now.
5. Denver Nuggets
Last: #5
This team doesn’t make sense. They are still without Jokic and then just went 3-1 without Jamal Murray, this team is incredible. James mentioned it the other week but Peyton Watson is going off!
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last: #4
The Wolves got a much needed win over the Warriors on Monday to stop a 5 game slide. But a loss to the Jazz with rest advantage and they were without Lauri Markkanen is not a great look.
7. Boston Celtics
Last: #6
Boston is still exceeding expectations, but going just 1-3 against the Pistons shows they aren’t quite back to being the dominant team they once were.
8. Phoenix Suns
Last: #8
The Suns are going to be fighting with the Lakers, Timberwolves and to a lesser extent the Warriors for the 5th and 6th seed in the Western Conference. Jalen Green has returned after missing 33 games and could be an interesting bolt to their offense.
9. New York Knicks
Last: #9
After a tough loss to the Mavericks, where they didn’t hold the lead for a single second the Knicks bounced back for wins against the Nets and 76ers. This is still a good team, but they need some work.
10. Los Angeles Lakers
Last: #12
Negative point differential, but a top 6 seed. Big comeback wins last week including over the Nuggets. The defense is the problem, ranking 25th, it shows potential but then falters at times.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last: #13
The Cavaliers are on their way back, big wins over the 76ers and Magic have them back up to the 5th seed and just 2 games behind the Celtics in the East. They need to get healthy, but the Cavs are back.
12. Toronto Raptors
Last: #10
The Raptors have won 4 in a row and are now above the Knicks in the East. I am not sure why I don’t trust this team to have them higher in my power rankings, but the Raptors feel like a year away from really competing.
13. Miami Heat
Last: #14
The Heat are kind of just hanging around. They don’t play exceptionally great basketball, but they win games and stay in the hunt. They sure feel destined for the play-in tournament.
14. Philadelphia 76ers
Last: #11
Great news for the 76ers, they have already matched their win total from last year! Yes it was only 24 wins, but hey! This team can be interesting when fully healthy and engaged but they can’t seem to do both.
15. Los Angeles Clippers
Last: #NR
Well this is an interesting addition to the power rankings. The Clippers are 8-2 in their last 10 and climbed back into the play-in tournament. Overall they have been playing much better, but they need to rest, they are old. When they have the rest disadvantage they are just 1-6.