NBA power rankings: Lakers climb over Bucks as NBA imposes coronavirus shutdown
1. Los Angeles Lakers (49-14)
Previous ranking: 2
LeBron James strengthened his MVP candidacy while leading the Lakers to 11 wins in their last 13 games before the NBA season was suspended Wednesday, including consecutive victories over the 76ers, Bucks and Clippers.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (53-12)
Previous ranking: 1
The Bucks have lost three in a row and four of their last five. Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the last two games with a knee injury.
3. Los Angeles Clippers (44-20)
Previous ranking: 3
The Clippers were rolling behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George before the coronavirus shutdown, winning seven of their last eight, the only blemish being a loss to the Lakers.
4. Toronto Raptors (46-18)
Previous ranking: 4
The Raptors have won four in a row under coach Nick Nurse with big contributions from Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell and OG Anunoby.
5. Boston Celtics (42-19)
Previous ranking: 5
The Celtics have been streaky and uneven, going 6-6 in their last 12 games after winning seven in a row before that.
6. Miami Heat (41-24)
Previous ranking: 7
The Heat dropped two of their last three games, including an 11-point loss to the Hornets on Wednesday before the shutdown was enacted.
7. Denver Nuggets (43-22)
Previous ranking: 8
The Nuggets went 5-6 in their last 11 games, posting wins over the Bucks and Raptors while losing to the Warriors and Cavaliers.
8. Utah Jazz (41-23)
Previous ranking: 10
Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell have tested positive for the coronavirus, and teams that played the Jazz over the past 10 days are reportedly being asked to self-quarantine.
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (40-24)
Previous ranking: 11
The Thunder has played at a very high level for months, posting a 34-13 record over its past 47 games after going 6-11 to start the season.
10. Indiana Pacers (39-26)
Previous ranking: 9
The Pacers suffered recent losses to the Bucks and Celtics, but they’ve been playing well behind big man Domantas Sabonis.
11. Houston Rockets (40-24)
Previous ranking: 6
The up-and-down Rockets recently lost four in a row. One of those losses came against the Clippers, but the others were against the Knicks, Hornets and Magic.
12. Dallas Mavericks (40-27)
Previous ranking: 12
Luka Doncic was good in a win over the Nuggets, but Boban Marjanovic was better. The 7-foot-4 center had a career-high 31 points and 17 rebounds.
13. Philadelphia 76ers (39-26)
Previous ranking: 13
Joel Embiid returned from injury to post 30 points and 14 rebounds in Wednesday’s win over the Pistons.
14. Memphis Grizzlies (32-33)
Previous ranking: 14
The Grizzlies have a 3½-game lead over the Kings and Pelicans for the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but their remaining schedule will be daunting if and when the season continues.
15. Sacramento Kings (28-36)
Previous ranking: 15
The Kings were 13-7 in their last 20 games and making a surprising playoff push when the season was suspended as they prepared to play a nationally televised against the Pelicans.
16. New Orleans Pelicans (28-36)
Previous ranking: 17
The Pelicans were tied with the Kings and Trail Blazers for ninth in the Western Conference after beating the Heat and Timberwolves.
17. Portland Trail Blazers (29-37)
Previous ranking: 16
The Blazers lost five of eight before the season was suspended. They had a big game against the Grizzlies coming up on Thursday.
18. Brooklyn Nets (30-34)
Previous ranking: 20
The Nets have won four of their last five to maintain a half-game lead over the Magic for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.
19. Orlando Magic (30-35)
Previous ranking: 19
The Magic bounced back from a three-game losing streak with a three-game winning streak that included victories over the Timberwolves, Rockets and Grizzlies.
20. San Antonio Spurs (27-36)
Previous ranking: 18
The Spurs picked up a big win over the Mavericks on Tuesday, but they had lost three of their previous four games, further jeopardizing their streak of 22 consecutive postseason appearances.
21. Phoenix Suns (24-38)
Previous ranking: 21
After losing four in a row, the Suns rebounded with back-to-back wins over the Blazers and Bucks.
22. Washington Wizards (24-40)
Previous ranking: 25
The Wizards have won two of their last three behind Bradley Beal, who averaged 37.5 points over the past 10 games.
23. Charlotte Hornets (23-42)
Previous ranking: 23
The Hornets sandwiched wins over the Rockets and Heat around a double-overtime loss to the Hawks.
24. New York Knicks (21-45)
Previous ranking: 24
Julius Randle had a big game in an overtime win against the Hawks, posting 33 points and 11 rebounds.
25. Atlanta Hawks (20-47)
Previous ranking: 22
The Hawks had to work overtime in their last two games before the stoppage. They beat the Hornets in double overtime Monday and lost to the Knicks in overtime Wednesday.
26. Chicago Bulls (22-43)
Previous ranking: 27
Rookie guard Coby White averaged 20.1 points in February and 22.4 points in March before the season was suspended.
27. Cleveland Cavaliers (19-46)
Previous ranking: 29
The Cavaliers posted impressive wins over the Nuggets and Spurs before losing to the Bulls.
28. Golden State Warriors (15-50)
Previous ranking: 28
The Warriors have won three of their last six, including wins over the Nuggets and 76ers.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (19-45)
Previous ranking: 26
The Timberwolves have lost three in a row.
30. Detroit Pistons (20-46)
Previous ranking: 30
There’s no one worse than the Pistons right now. They’ve lost five in a row and 12 of 13.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
