NBA power rankings: Cavs, Celtics, Warriors hold top spots while Knicks rise and Suns fall
The Cleveland Cavaliers finally lost a game after becoming the fourth team in NBA history to go 15-0, falling to the Boston Celtics in a possible preview of the Eastern Conference finals.
The Cavaliers and Celtics hold the top spots in The Sacramento Bee’s NBA power rankings with the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets all sitting in the top five.
The Celtics have won three in a row and eight of their last 10. The Warriors and Rockets have also won eight of 10. The New York Knicks jumped seven spots to No. 8 this week after winning four in a row.
The Phoenix Suns dropped seven spots to No. 12 after losing their last five games. They have lost six of seven with Kevin Durant out due to a left calf strain.
The Washington Wizards have the league’s longest losing streak after losing nine in a row. The dysfunctional Philadelphia 76ers have fallen to No. 30 after losing five in a row and nine of 10.
Here’s a look at our latest NBA power rankings.
* Through games played 11/21
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (16-1)
Previous ranking: 1
2. Boston Celtics (12-3)
Previous ranking: 4
3. Golden State Warriors (11-3)
Previous ranking: 3
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (12-4)
Previous ranking: 2
5. Houston Rockets (11-5)
Previous ranking: 7
6. Los Angeles Lakers (10-5)
Previous ranking: 8
7. Denver Nuggets (8-5)
Previous ranking: 6
8. New York Knicks (9-6)
Previous ranking: 15
9. Orlando Magic (10-7)
Previous ranking: 13
10. Memphis Grizzlies (9-7)
Previous ranking: 9
11. Los Angeles Clippers (9-7)
Previous ranking: 12
12. Phoenix Suns (9-7)
Previous ranking: 5
13. Dallas Mavericks (8-7)
Previous ranking: 17
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-7)
Previous ranking: 11
15. Sacramento Kings (8-7)
Previous ranking: 10
16. San Antonio Spurs (8-8)
Previous ranking: 14
17. Miami Heat (6-7)
Previous ranking: 21
18. Atlanta Hawks (7-9)
Previous ranking: 20
19. Detroit Pistons (7-10)
Previous ranking: 22
20. Milwaukee Bucks (6-9)
Previous ranking: 24
21. Brooklyn Nets (6-9)
Previous ranking: 18
22. Charlotte Hornets (6-9)
Previous ranking: 25
23. Indiana Pacers (6-9)
Previous ranking: 16
24. Portland Trail Blazers (6-9)
Previous ranking: 23
25. Chicago Bulls (6-10)
Previous ranking: 19
26. Toronto Raptors (4-12)
Previous ranking: 30
27. New Orleans Pelicans (4-12)
Previous ranking: 27
28. Utah Jazz (3-12)
Previous ranking: 26
29. Washington Wizards (2-11)
Previous ranking: 28
30. Philadelphia 76ers (2-12)
Previous ranking: 29
