NBA power rankings: Are Celtics or Cavaliers No. 1? Magic rises while Kings, Warriors fall
The Boston Celtics have won seven in a row to overtake the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in The Sacramento Bee’s NBA power rankings.
That could change after the Celtics and Cavaliers clash again Sunday in a possible preview of the Eastern Conference finals. The Cavaliers are coming off back-to-back losses to the Atlanta Hawks. They went 15-0 to start the season before the Celtics handed them their first loss, winning 120-117 on Nov. 19 in Boston.
The Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks are among the biggest risers in this week’s rankings. The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves have taken a tumble in light of recent losing streaks.
Here’s a look at our latest NBA power rankings.
* Through games played 11/30
1. Boston Celtics (16-3)
Previous ranking: 2
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-3)
Previous ranking: 1
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-4)
Previous ranking: 4
4. Houston Rockets (14-6)
Previous ranking: 5
5. Orlando Magic (14-7)
Previous ranking: 9
6. Memphis Grizzlies (13-7)
Previous ranking: 10
7. Golden State Warriors (12-7)
Previous ranking: 3
8. Dallas Mavericks (12-8)
Previous ranking: 13
9. Denver Nuggets (10-7)
Previous ranking: 7
10. New York Knicks (11-8)
Previous ranking: 8
11. Phoenix Suns (11-8)
Previous ranking: 12
12. Los Angeles Lakers (11-8)
Previous ranking: 6
13. Los Angeles Clippers (12-9)
Previous ranking: 11
14. Miami Heat (9-8)
Previous ranking: 17
15. Milwaukee Bucks (10-9)
Previous ranking: 20
16. San Antonio Spurs (10-9)
Previous ranking: 16
17. Atlanta Hawks (10-11)
Previous ranking: 18
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (9-10)
Previous ranking: 14
19. Sacramento Kings (9-11)
Previous ranking: 15
20. Brooklyn Nets (9-11)
Previous ranking: 21
21. Indiana Pacers (9-11)
Previous ranking: 23
22. Detroit Pistons (9-13)
Previous ranking: 19
23. Portland Trail Blazers (8-12)
Previous ranking: 24
24. Chicago Bulls (8-13)
Previous ranking: 25
25. Charlotte Hornets (6-14)
Previous ranking: 22
26. Toronto Raptors (5-15)
Previous ranking: 26
27. Philadelphia 76ers (4-14)
Previous ranking: 30
28. Utah Jazz (4-15)
Previous ranking: 28
29. New Orleans Pelicans (4-16)
Previous ranking: 27
30. Washington Wizards (2-16)
Previous ranking: 29
