NBA power rankings: Kawhi Leonard and Los Angeles Clippers making their move in West?
1. Milwaukee Bucks (53-9)
Previous ranking: 1
The Bucks suffered a rare loss to the Heat on the second night of a back-to-back after reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 41 points, 20 rebounds and six assists in a monster performance against the Hornets on Sunday.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (47-13)
Previous ranking: 3
The Lakers move ahead of the Raptors this week after winning nine of their last 10 games. Either LeBron James or Anthony Davis has led the team in scoring in each of the past 17 games as the Lakers gear up for their run at the title.
3. Los Angeles Clippers (42-19)
Previous ranking: 7
The Clippers vault four spots after winning five in a row behind Kawhi Leonard. They beat the Grizzlies by 27, the Suns by 10, the Nuggets by 29, the 76ers by six and the Thunder by 15. Big games ahead against the Rockets and Lakers.
4. Toronto Raptors (43-18)
Previous ranking: 2
The Raptors have stumbled a bit recently, losing three in a row and four of their last seven. They beat the Suns on Tuesday and will visit the Warriors on Thursday before concluding a five-game road trip with the surging Kings and Jazz.
5. Boston Celtics (42-19)
Previous ranking: 4
The Celtics had won four of five – their only blemish being a two-point loss to the Lakers — before suffering back-to-back overtime losses to the Rockets and Nets. Difficult stretch ahead with the Jazz, Thunder, Pacers and Bucks.
6. Houston Rockets (39-21)
Previous ranking: 6
The Rockets suffered an inexplicable loss to the Knicks on Monday but otherwise have been on a roll, winning 10 of their previous 12 games with impressive wins over the Mavericks, Pelicans, Lakers, Celtics (twice), Jazz and Grizzlies.
7. Miami Heat (40-22)
Previous ranking: 9
Miami endured some struggles following multiple rosters moves around the trade deadline, but the Heat has won three in a row, beating the Mavericks by eight, the Nets by three and the Bucks by 16.
8. Denver Nuggets (41-20)
Previous ranking: 5
The Nuggets are 3-4 in their last seven games. Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists in a 15-point win over the Raptors, but then the Nuggets lost by 16 to the Warriors.
9. Indiana Pacers (37-24)
Previous ranking: 13
The Pacers are one of the biggest movers in this week’s rankings, climbing four spots after winning four in a row and six of seven prior to Wednesday’s loss to the Bucks. Victor Oladipo missed Monday’s game due to knee soreness, but he said he was being cautious.
10. Utah Jazz (39-22)
Previous ranking: 10
The Jazz picked up much-needed wins over the Wizards, Cavaliers and Knicks after losing four in a row to the Spurs, Rockets, Suns and Celtics.
11. Oklahoma City Thunder (38-24)
Previous ranking: 8
The Thunder followed a five-game winning streak with a 47-point loss to the Bucks and a 15-point loss to the Clippers before beating the Pistons on Wednesday.
12. Dallas Mavericks (37-25)
Previous ranking: 12
Second-year phenom Luka Doncic is averaging 28.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists for the Mavericks, who were preparing for their first encounter with Zion Williamson on Wednesday night.
13. Philadelphia 76ers (37-25)
Previous ranking: 11
The 76ers are reeling a bit after losing three of their last four games without Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Shake Milton, the 54th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, put up a career-high 39 points in a close loss to the Clippers, but he can’t do that every night.
14. Memphis Grizzlies (31-31)
Previous ranking: 14
The Grizzlies picked up much-needed wins over the Lakers, Hawks and Nets after losing five in a row out of the break, but their upcoming schedule is extremely difficult with games against the Mavericks, Blazers, Jazz, Spurs, Thunder, Bucks, Pelicans (2), Celtics and Raptors (2).
15. Sacramento Kings (24-33)
Previous ranking: 16
The Kings have won three in a row, six of their last seven and 12 of 17 to move into ninth in the Western Conference standings, rekindling hope of a return to the playoffs after 13 consecutive losing seasons.
16. Portland Trail Blazers (28-35)
Previous ranking: 17
Damian Lillard returned from a groin injury to score 22 points in 32 minutes in a win over the Wizards on Wednesday. The Blazers are tied with the Kings for ninth in the West, 3 ½ games behind the Grizzlies. Sacramento visits Portland on Saturday.
17. New Orleans Pelicans (25-33)
Previous ranking: 15
The Pelicans played three games in four nights and lost all three to the Lakers, Timberwolves and Mavericks, falling five games behind the Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the Western Conference with 20 games to play.
18. San Antonio Spurs (26-34)
Previous ranking: 19
The Spurs have won two of their last three games to keep their playoff hopes alive, but their streak of 22 consecutive postseason appearances is in jeopardy.
19. Orlando Magic (27-35)
Previous ranking: 20
The Magic has lost three in a row, but Orlando had won five of its previous six games, including a win over the Nets.
20. Brooklyn Nets (27-34)
Previous ranking: 18
The Nets are in danger of slipping to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference after losing five of their last six, including a 39-point home loss to a shorthanded Memphis squad.
21. Phoenix Suns (24-38)
Previous ranking: 21
The Suns have lost four in a row, including a couple of bad losses to the Pistons and Warriors.
22. Atlanta Hawks (19-44)
Previous ranking: 23
The Hawks beat the Nets and Blazers over the past week. They could continue to play the spoiler with upcoming games against the Grizzlies, Pelicans (2) and Kings, who are vying for the eighth seed in the West.
23. Charlotte Hornets (21-40)
Previous ranking: 24
The Hornets are coming off back-to-back losses to the Bucks and Spurs after posting wins over the Knicks and Raptors.
24. New York Knicks (19-43)
Previous ranking: 28
The Knicks beat the Bulls and Rockets over the past week, so they soar up the board in this week’s rankings because the teams around them have been dreadful.
25. Washington Wizards (22-39)
Previous ranking: 22
Coming off back-to-back losses to the Kings and Blazers, but at least they beat the Warriors.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (19-42)
Previous ranking: 29
Malik Beasley led the Timberwolves to back-to-back wins over the Pelicans and Bulls.
27. Chicago Bulls (21-41)
Previous ranking: 26
Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) returned against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, but Zach LaVine (quad) was out and Kris Dunn (knee) will miss the rest of the season.
28. Golden State Warriors (14-48)
Previous ranking: 30
The Warriors have won two of three, including a quality win over the Nuggets, and now Stephen Curry is expected to return for Thursday’s game against the Raptors.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-45)
Previous ranking: 25
The Cavaliers slide after losing four in a row to the Pelicans, Pacers, Jazz and Celtics.
30. Detroit Pistons (20-43)
Previous ranking: 27
The Pistons look like the worst team in the league right now. They have lost nine of their last 10 games
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
