NBA power rankings: Bucks, Lakers hold steady at top, but other teams rise and fall
1. Milwaukee Bucks (41-6)
Last week’s ranking: 1
How good are the Bucks? They scored 88 in the first half against the Wizards and rolled to a 151-131 victory despite the absence of reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out with shoulder soreness.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (36-10)
Last week’s ranking: 2
Recent losses to the Magic, Celtics and 76ers are nothing compared to the loss of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who died along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash Sunday.
3. Toronto Raptors (33-14)
Last week’s ranking: 6
The Raptors rise three more spots after winning eight in a row, including victories over the Thunder and 76ers. Since returning from injury, Pascal Siakam is averaging 20.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists, but shooting just 28.6 percent from 3-point range.
4. Utah Jazz (32-14)
Last week’s ranking: 3
Utah is coming off a loss to the Rockets on Monday, but the Jazz has won 14 of 16 under coach Quin Snider.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (33-13)
Last week’s ranking: 5
The Clippers have won eight of 10 behind Kawhi Leonard, who has averaged 35.0 points over the past eight games.
6. Denver Nuggets (32-15)
Last week’s ranking: 4
The Nuggets fall two spots following recent losses to the Grizzlies and Rockets despite the emergence of Michael Porter Jr., who is averaging 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in January while shooting 48.8 percent from 3-point range.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (31-17)
Last week’s ranking: 11
The 76ers vault four spots after winning eight of 11, including victories over the Thunder, Celtics, Nets and Lakers.
8. Boston Celtics (31-15)
Last week’s ranking: 10
The Celtics seem to have gotten back on track. They have won four of their last five with wins over the Lakers, Grizzlies, Magic and Heat.
9. Miami Heat (32-15)
Last week’s ranking: 7
Back-to-back overtime wins over the Kings and Wizards might have taken something out of the Heat, who have lost two of three since then, falling to the Clippers and Celtics.
10. Indiana Pacers (30-17)
Last week’s ranking: 9
The Pacers have won seven of nine, but they’re still smarting from a 30-point loss to the Jazz and a 10-point loss to the Trail Blazers.
11. Dallas Mavericks (29-18)
Last week’s ranking: 8
The Mavs drop three spots after losing three of their last five games, including a 29-point loss to the Suns. Luka Doncic hasn’t posted a triple-double since putting up 25 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds against the Kings on Jan. 15.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (28-20)
Last week’s ranking: 13
The Thunder had won five in a row before suffering a 107-97 loss to the Mavericks on Monday. Dennis Schroder averaged 28 points per game in those five contests, making 16 of 29 (.552) from 3-point range.
13. Houston Rockets (29-17)
Last week’s ranking: 12
The Rockets were fifth in these rankings just two weeks ago, but they have lost six of 10 during a difficult portion of their schedule. James Harden hasn’t been himself recently, but Eric Gordon dropped 50 points in an impressive win over the Jazz on Monday.
14. Memphis Grizzlies (23-24)
Last week’s ranking: 14
The Grizzlies are on a roll behind rookie sensation Ja Morant. They have won 10 of 12 with wins over the Clippers, Rockets and Nuggets.
15. Phoenix Suns (20-27)
Last week’s ranking: 18
The Suns jump three spots following recent wins over the Mavericks and Spurs. Devin Booker is on a tear, averaging 31.6 points in January on 52.3-percent shooting from the field and 37.5-percent shooting from 3-point range.
16. Portland Trail Blazers (20-27)
Last week’s ranking: 17
It’s Dame Time! Damian Lillard has scored 158 points over the past three games, dropping 61 on the Warriors, 47 on the Mavericks and 50 on the Pacers while making 27 of 47 (.574) from 3-point range.
17. New Orleans Pelicans (19-29)
Last week’s ranking: 19
The Pelicans are 2-2 since the debut of No. 1 draft pick Zion Williamson, who is averaging 18 points and 8.3 rebounds.
18. San Antonio Spurs (20-26)
Last week’s ranking: 16
The Spurs have lost three in a row and five of eight, including a loss to the injury-depleted Bulls.
19. Orlando Magic (21-27)
Last week’s ranking: 15
The Magic are still seventh in the Eastern Conference despite losing four in a row and six of seven.
20. Brooklyn Nets (19-26)
Last week’s ranking: 20
The Nets are still eighth in the Eastern Conference despite losing six of seven and 13 of their last 16.
21. Chicago Bulls (19-30)
Last week’s ranking: 23
The Bulls suffered a 17-point loss to the Kings on the day they learned Lauri Markkanen would be out four to six weeks with a pelvis injury, but they showed resiliency in winning their last two games against the Cavaliers and Spurs.
22. Sacramento Kings (17-29)
Last week’s ranking: 24
The Kings snapped a six-game losing streak against the Bulls and then pulled off the Miracle in Minnesota, overcoming a 17-point deficit in the final 2:49 after trailing by as many as 27 in the second half.
23. Detroit Pistons (17-31)
Last week’s ranking: 22
The Pistons have dropped three in a row and four of their last five, including losses to the Wizards and Cavs.
24. Washington Wizards (15-31)
Last week’s ranking: 25
In Washington’s last four games, Bradley Beal has scored 38, 36, 40 and 47 points, but the Wizards only have one win to show for it during that stretch.
25. Charlotte Hornets (16-31)
Last week’s ranking: 26
The Hornets had lost eight in a row before beating the Knicks 97-92 on Tuesday.
26. Atlanta Hawks (12-36)
Last week’s ranking: 29
The Hawks have won four of their last eight, including wins over the Suns, Spurs and Clippers. Trae Young had a big game in a win over the Wizards, posting 45 points and 14 assists.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves (15-32)
Last week’s ranking: 21
The Timberwolves plummet seven spots after losing 10 in a row. They led the Kings by 14 with 1:40 to play in the fourth quarter and still found a way to lose.
28. New York Knicks (13-35)
Last week’s ranking: 27
Beating Brooklyn was a rare treat for a beleaguered Knicks fan base.
The Knicks move up one spot because the Cavaliers, Hawks and Warriors are worse.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-35)
Last week’s ranking: 28
The Cavaliers enjoyed a win over the Pistons on Monday, but they haven’t beaten anybody else since Jan. 11.
30. Golden State Warriors (10-38)
Last week’s ranking: 30
The Warriors have lost four in a row and 14 of 15.
This story was originally published January 30, 2020 at 9:42 AM.
