NBA power rankings: Major movement among teams vying for Western Conference 8th seed
.jpg "Sacramento Kings’ Kent Bazemore (26) reacts after scoring against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)")
1. Milwaukee Bucks (50-8)
Previous ranking: 1
The Bucks have won nine of 10. That includes an impressive 21-point win over the 76ers on Saturday and Tuesday’s more-impressive win over the Raptors, in which reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 19 points, 19 rebounds, eight assists and three blocked shots.
2. Toronto Raptors (42-16)
Previous ranking: 2
The Raptors had won 17 of 18, including a resounding 46-point win over the Pacers on Sunday, before losing to the Bucks on Tuesday.
3. Los Angeles Lakers (44-12)
Previous ranking: 3
The Lakers have won six in a row, averaging 119.8 points over that stretch. LeBron James posted 40 points, eight rebounds and six assists in Tuesday’s win over rookie phenom Zion Williamson and the Pelicans.
4. Boston Celtics (40-17)
Previous ranking: 4
Jayson Tatum put up big numbers in a two-point loss to the Lakers and a 12-point win over the Trail Blazers, scoring 77 points while making 12 of 19 (.632) from 3-point range.
5. Denver Nuggets (40-18)
Previous ranking: 5
The Nuggets bounced back to beat the Timberwolves and Pistons after a couple of tough losses to the Lakers and Thunder immediately before and after the All-Star break.
6. Houston Rockets (37-20)
Previous ranking: 9
The Rockets jump three spots after winning four in a row against the Celtics, Warriors, Jazz and Knicks. Robert Covington has been good in his first seven games for them, averaging 12.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and an eye-popping 2.6 blocks.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (38-19)
Previous ranking: 6
The Clippers were reeling from consecutive losses to the 76ers, Celtics and Kings, but they had a get-right game in a 124-97 victory over the Grizzlies.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder (36-22)
Previous ranking: 11
The Thunder has been on a roll, winning four in a row and eight of 10. Four different players have led the team in scoring during that stretch. Big games coming up against the Bucks and Clippers.
9. Miami Heat (36-21)
Previous ranking: 8
The Heat haven’t been right since the trade deadline. Miami has lost six of eight, including losses to the Hawks (gasp!) and Cavaliers (shriek!) over the past week.
10. Utah Jazz (36-21)
Previous ranking: 7
Utah was 28-12 on Jan. 14. Since then, the streaky Jazz has won four in a row, lost five in a row, won four in a row and lost three in a row.
11. Philadelphia 76ers (36-22)
Previous ranking: 10
The 76ers have won five of their last six after enduring a four-game losing streak, including a quality win over the Clippers. Joel Embiid had a monster outing against the Hawks, posting 49 points and 14 rebounds.
12. Dallas Mavericks (35-23)
Previous ranking: 12
The Mavericks rested Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis on the second night of a back-to-back in a loss to the Hawks, but this is a playoff team if those players remain healthy.
13. Indiana Pacers (34-24)
Previous ranking: 15
The Pacers have won three of four after enduring a six-game losing streak, but Victor Oladipo hasn’t been himself since returning from injury. In eight games, he is averaging career lows of 10.8 points, 2.6 assists and 2.1 rebounds, shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3-point range.
14. Memphis Grizzlies (28-29)
Previous ranking: 13
The Grizzlies were fun while they lasted and they’re still eighth in the Western Conference, but the freefall has begun. They will be without Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke for at least two weeks and they have the most difficult remaining schedule in the NBA.
15. New Orleans Pelicans (25-33)
Previous ranking: 17
The Pelicans had won eight of 11 before losing to the Lakers on Tuesday. They have the easier remaining schedule in the NBA and have become a popular choice to overtake the Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the West.
16. Sacramento Kings (24-33)
Previous ranking: 18
The Kings continue to climb after winning three in a row and nine of their last 13. They’re still nine games under .500 and four games behind the Grizzlies, but they are within one game of Blazers, Pelicans and Spurs in the race to unseat Memphis.
17. Portland Trail Blazers (26-33)
Previous ranking: 14
The Blazers have lost four of five since losing Damian Lillard to a groin injury. Lillard is traveling with the team on its upcoming road trip but is expected to miss a couple more games.
18. Brooklyn Nets (26-30)
Previous ranking: 17
The Nets have lost two of their last three, but they’re still seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 1½-game lead over the Magic.
19. San Antonio Spurs (24-32)
Previous ranking: 19
After losing five in a row, the Spurs bounced back with big wins over the Thunder and Jazz, but their streak of 22 consecutive playoff appearances is in jeopardy.
20. Orlando Magic (25-32)
Previous ranking: 20
The Magic has won three of its last four with winnable games coming up against the Hawks, Timberwolves, Spurs and Blazers.
21. Phoenix Suns (24-34)
Previous ranking: 25
The Suns have won three of four, including an impressive 131-111 road win over the Jazz.
22. Washington Wizards (20-36)
Previous ranking: 21
Bradley Beal scored 53 points against the Bulls and 55 against the Bucks in back-to-back games, on back-to-back nights, and took the loss in both contests.
23. Atlanta Hawks (17-42)
Previous ranking: 22
Trae Young scored 50 in a win over the Heat coming out of the All-Star break. John Collins had 35 points and 17 rebounds in a win over the Mavericks two days later.
24. Charlotte Hornets (19-38)
Previous ranking: 24
The Hornets are coming off back-to-back losses to the Nets and Pacers, but they had won three in a row before that.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers (16-41)
Previous ranking: 29
The Cavs have won three of their last four following a six-game losing streak, including an overtime win over the Heat.
26. Chicago Bulls (20-39)
Previous ranking: 26
The Bulls are 3-10 since they lost Lauri Markkanen. They’ve lost nine of their last 10.
27. Detroit Pistons (19-41)
Previous ranking: 27
The Pistons will try to stop a seven-game losing streak when they visit the Suns on Friday.
28. New York Knicks (17-40)
Previous ranking: 23
The Knicks showed signs of life with a four-game winning streak before the All-Star break, but now they’ve reverted to form, losing four in a row.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-40)
Previous ranking: 28
The Timberwolves have allowed an average of 129.2 points during their current five-game losing streak.
30. Golden State Warriors (12-46)
Previous ranking: 30
If Stephen Curry passes inspection on Saturday, he will return after missing 54 games with a broken hand when the Warriors entertain the Wizards on Sunday.
This story was originally published February 26, 2020 at 1:03 PM.
