NBA power rankings: Wild West as Pelicans, Grizzlies vault over Suns; Celtics still No. 1?
The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks still look like the two best teams in the Eastern Conference, but things are getting wild out West.
The red-hot New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies were tied for first place in the Western Conference as both teams prepared to play big games Thursday. The Grizzlies were scheduled to face the Bucks at home while the Pelicans were set to visit the Utah Jazz.
Grizzlies star Ja Morant and Pelicans phenom Zion Williamson have emerged as unlikely MVP candidates in a crowded field that also includes Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid and Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are third in the East with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the surging Brooklyn Nets just one game back in fourth. In the West, the Pelicans, Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets have overtaken the slumping Phoenix Suns, who suddenly find themselves tied for fourth with the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers.
Let’s take a look at this week’s NBA power rankings.
* Through games played 12/14
1. Boston Celtics (22-7)
Last week: 1
Boston suffered back-to-back losses to the Warriors and Clippers before Jayson Tatum, an early leader in the MVP race, scored 44 points in Tuesday’s overtime win over the Lakers. The Celtics continue to lead the league in scoring (119.4 ppg) and point differential (+6.8).
2. Milwaukee Bucks (20-7)
Last week: 2
The Bucks have won five of six and eight of 10 behind two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 30 points and 12 rebounds in Tuesday’s blowout win over the Warriors. Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
3. New Orleans Pelicans (18-9)
Last week: 3
The Pelicans’ seven-game winning streak ended with a 121-100 loss to the Jazz on Tuesday despite 26 points and nine rebounds from Zion Williamson, who’s MVP odds have soared from 80-1 to 15-1 over the past week.
4. Memphis Grizzlies (18-9)
Last week: 5
The Grizzlies won six in a row and eight of nine to move into a tie for first in the Western Conference with the Pelicans. Ja Morant is part of the early MVP conversation, averaging 27.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 7.8 assists.
5. Denver Nuggets (17-10)
Last week: 7
Two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic had 43 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists in Wednesday’s win over the Wizards. The Nuggets have won three in a row, including victories over the Blazers and Jazz.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (18-11)
Last week: 6
The Cavaliers suffered losses to the Knicks, Kings and Spurs over the past couple of weeks, but they posted an impressive 105-90 win over the Mavericks on Wednesday behind 34 points from Donovan Mitchell.
7. Phoenix Suns (16-12)
Last week: 4
Phoenix is suddenly struggling with Devin Booker out since Dec. 9 due to a hamstring injury. The Suns have lost five in a row and six of their last seven, including a 14-point loss to the Rockets on Tuesday.
8. Brooklyn Nets (17-12)
Last week: 9
The Nets are really cooking now with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving leading the way. They’ve won four in a row and eight of nine after going 9-11 to start the season.
9. Los Angeles Clippers (17-13)
Last week: 13
The Clippers have won three in a row with wins over the Wizards, Celtics and Timberwolves. Paul George scored 36 points in the win over Washington. He had a triple-double against Minnesota.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (15-12)
Last week: 16
Joel Embiid has scored 30+ points in five consecutive games, including 53 in a win over the Hornets. The 76ers have won three in a row to start a six-game homestand.
11. Sacramento Kings (15-12)
Last week: 8
The Kings lost three of four to start a tough six-game road trip, but they picked up a 124-123 win over the Raptors on Wednesday after coach Mike Brown fired up the troops with his third-quarter ejection.
12. New York Knicks (15-13)
Last week: 19
The Knicks vault seven spots in this week’s rankings after winning five in a row, including quality wins over the Cavaliers, Hawks and Kings. Julius Randle is averaging 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds in December.
13. Portland Trail Blazers (16-12)
Last week: 20
Damian Lillard is back and so are the Blazers, who have won three in a row and five of their last six. Lillard scored 40, 36, 38 and 37 over the past four games.
14. Utah Jazz (16-14)
Last week: 11
Malik Beasley led Utah to an impressive win over the surging Pelicans on Tuesday, but the Jazz hasn’t been the same lately, losing eight of 12 after going 12-6 to start the season.
15. Dallas Mavericks (14-14)
Last week: 10
Luka Doncic scored 30 points against the Cavaliers on Wednesday, but the Mavs lost for the third time in four games. There was more bad news Thursday: Maxi Kleber is out indefinitely with a torn hamstring.
16. Indiana Pacers (15-14)
Last week: 14
The Pacers lost six of eight before Tyrese Haliburton scored 29 points in a 125-119 victory over the Warriors on Wednesday. Haliburton is averaging 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 10.6 assists.
17. Miami Heat (14-15)
Last week: 21
Tyler Herro scored 35 points in Wednesday’s win over the Thunder. Miami has won three of four and seven of 11 dating back to Nov. 23.
18. Atlanta Hawks (14-15)
Last week: 12
The Hawks drop six spots this week after losing five of six and eight of their last 11. Over the past five games, Trae Young is shooting just 39.2% from the field and 19.4% from 3-point range.
19. Golden State Warriors (14-15)
Last week: 17
Warriors star Stephen Curry is expected to miss a few weeks after injuring his left shoulder in Wednesday’s loss to the Pacers. Golden State is under .500 again after losing four of five.
20. Toronto Raptors (13-15)
Last week: 15
The Raptors have lost three in a row and six of eight, including back-to-back losses to Orlando. They suffered a 124-123 loss to the Kings on Wednesday despite 39 points from Fred VanVleet.
21. Minnesota Timberwolves (13-15)
Last week: 18
The Timberwolves have been struggling for weeks. They’ve lost three in a row and seven of 10 dating back to Nov. 25.
22. Chicago Bulls (11-16)
Last week: 22
DeMar DeRozan posted back-to-back 30-point games, but Chicago’s struggles continued in overtime losses to the Hawks and Knicks. The Bulls have lost five of seven and 12 of 18.
23. Los Angeles Lakers (11-16)
Last week: 25
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are healthy, and Russell Westbrook is playing better off the bench, but the Lakers have lost four of five during a tough stretch with losses to the Cavs, Raptors, 76ers and Celtics.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (11-17)
Last week: 24
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points against the Mavericks on Monday, but the Thunder has lost four in a row and nine of 13.
25. Houston Rockets (9-18)
Last week: 28
Jalen Green has the Rockets on a bit of a roll. They’ve won three of four with victories over the 76ers, Bucks and Suns. Green scored 30 vs. Milwaukee.
26. Orlando Magic (9-20)
Last week: 29
Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero have helped Orlando win four in a row since snapping a nine-game losing streak.
27. San Antonio Spurs (9-19)
Last week: 27
The Spurs won three in a row before suffering a 128-112 loss to the Blazers on Wednesday. Keldon Johnson scored 32 in a recent win over the Rockets.
28. Washington Wizards (11-18)
Last week: 23
The Wizards went 10-7 to start the season, but now their season is spiraling out of control. They’ve lost eight in a row and 12 of 15 since Nov. 23.
29. Detroit Pistons (8-22)
Last week: 30
The Pistons beat the Hornets in overtime Wednesday after losing seven of nine despite some big games from Bojan Bogdanovic.
30. Charlotte Hornets (7-21)
Last week: 26
LaMelo Ball returned from a left ankle sprain in Wednesday’s game against Detroit, but the Hornets lost their sixth in a row.
