NBA power rankings: Clippers, Celtics, Heat gain on Bucks, Lakers at trade deadline
1. Milwaukee Bucks (42-7)
Last week’s ranking: 1
The Bucks suffered a rare loss to the Nuggets despite a huge game from reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, but this is still the best team in basketball.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (37-11)
Last week’s ranking: 2
The Lakers will carry Kobe Bryant’s iconic legacy deep into the NBA playoffs. Can they add a piece at the trade deadline for a championship run?
3. Toronto Raptors (36-14)
Last week’s ranking: 3
The hottest team in the league is riding an 11-game winning streak.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (35-15)
Last week’s ranking: 5
The Clippers have won eight of 10 to climb one spot despite a rare and uncharacteristic loss to the Kings.
5. Boston Celtics (34-15)
Last week’s ranking: 8
The Celtics vault three spots after winning four in a row and seven of eight, including victories over the Lakers, Grizzlies, Magic, Heat and 76ers.
6. Miami Heat (34-15)
Last week’s ranking: 9
The Heat jumps three spots behind All-Star Jimmy Butler, who scored 38 in a 137-106 rout of the 76ers.
7. Denver Nuggets (34-16)
Last week’s ranking: 6
The Nuggets have played pretty well lately with wins over the Rockets, Jazz and Bucks, but they are coming off a loss to the lowly Pistons despite a 39-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic.
8. Houston Rockets (31-18)
Last week’s ranking: 13
James Harden and the Rockets appear to have put their recent struggles behind them. They have won five of six and Harden is coming off back-to-back 40-point games, but how will they handle bigger teams without Clint Capela.
9. Utah Jazz (32-17)
Last week’s ranking: 4
The Jazz plummets five spots after losing four in a row during a difficult stretch against the Rockets, Spurs, Nuggets and Trail Blazers.
10. Dallas Mavericks (31-19)
Last week’s ranking: 11
Luka Doncic was expected to miss at least six games with a sprained ankle, but the Mavericks hope he will be back soon.
11. Oklahoma City Thunder (30-20)
Last week’s ranking: 12
The Thunder continues to roll, winning seven of eight, but there’s a difficult stretch ahead with games against the Celtics, Spurs, Pelicans, Nuggets and Spurs.
12. Philadelphia 76ers (31-20)
Last week’s ranking: 7
The 76ers were on the rise but now they’ve lost three in a row with the Bucks waiting on Thursday.
13. Indiana Pacers (31-19)
Last week’s ranking: 10
Victor Oladipo is back following a year-long injury absence, but the Pacers will restrict his minutes and work him in slowly. He made 8 of 39 field-goal attempts and 3 of 21 from 3-point range in his first three games.
14. Memphis Grizzlies (25-25)
Last week’s ranking: 14
The fun, young Grizzlies have won 12 of 15 and could soon add more assets to their war chest if they offload Andre Iguodala.
15. Portland Trail Blazers (23-27)
Last week’s ranking: 16
Damian Lillard is on an absolute tear, averaging 48.8 points over the past six games.
16. San Antonio Spurs (22-27)
Last week’s ranking: 18
The Spurs stopped their skid with wins over the Jazz and Hornets. Let’s see how they fare on the road over the next eight games during their annual Rodeo Road Trip.
17. Brooklyn Nets (22-27)
Last week’s ranking: 20
The Nets have won three of their last four to climb into the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference.
18. New Orleans Pelicans (20-31)
Last week’s ranking: 17
The Pelicans have become must-see TV with the addition of No. 1 pick Zion Williamson, who averaged 19.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in his first seven NBA games.
19. Sacramento Kings (19-31)
Last week’s ranking: 22
The Kings have won four of six since coach Luke Walton moved Buddy Hield into a backup role. Hield has averaged 22.2 points while shooting 52.2 percent from the field and 48.4 percent from 3-point range.
20. Phoenix Suns (20-30)
Last week’s ranking: 15
The Suns were hot for a couple of weeks, but now they’ve lost three in a row.
21. Orlando Magic (22-28)
Last week’s ranking: 19
The Magic snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over the Hornets.
22. Chicago Bulls (19-33)
Last week’s ranking: 21
The Bulls have lost three in a row and four of six since Lauri Markkanen went down with a pelvis injury.
23. Washington Wizards (17-32)
Last week’s ranking: 24
Bradley Beal has been red-hot, averaging 38.9 points over the past seven games.
24. Detroit Pistons (18-34)
Last week’s ranking: 23
Andre Drummond averaged 22 points and 18.3 rebounds over the past three games. Any takers before the NBA trade deadline?
25. New York Knicks (15-36)
Last week’s ranking: 28
The Knicks have won two in a row for just the third time this season.
26. Charlotte Hornets (16-35)
Last week’s ranking: 25
The Hornets are fading fast. They have lost four in a row and 12 of 13.
27. Atlanta Hawks (13-38)
Last week’s ranking: 26
Clint Capela is coming to the A-T-L to join forces with Trae Young and John Collins.
28. Golden State Warriors (12-39)
Last week’s ranking: 30
The Warriors soar two spots after winning back-to-back games against the Cavaliers and Wizards.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-38)
Last week’s ranking: 29
The Cavaliers have lost 11 of 12.
30. Minnesota Timberwolves (15-34)
Last week’s ranking: 27
The Timberwolves don’t have the worst record in the league, but they have lost 12 in a row.
This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
