NBA rankings: Who’s No. 1 now? Mavericks and Timberwolves rise, Lakers fall, Kings move up
The Boston Celtics spent a week at No. 1, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have reclaimed the top spot in The Sacramento Bee’s NBA power rankings.
The Cavaliers have won three in a row, including a 115-111 victory over the Celtics in a possible preview of the Eastern Conference finals.
The Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks moved up in this week’s rankings after winning six in a row. The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers dropped while the Sacramento Kings inched closer to .500 as they try to get back into the Western Conference playoff race.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have lost eight in a row and the Washington Wizards have lost 16 in a row.
Here’s a look at our latest NBA power rankings.
* Through games played 12/6
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-3)
Previous ranking: 2
2. Boston Celtics (19-4)
Previous ranking: 1
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (17-5)
Previous ranking: 3
4. Dallas Mavericks (15-8)
Previous ranking: 8
5. Memphis Grizzlies (15-8)
Previous ranking: 6
6. Houston Rockets (15-8)
Previous ranking: 4
7. Orlando Magic (16-9)
Previous ranking: 5
8. New York Knicks (14-8)
Previous ranking: 10
9. Golden State Warriors (13-9)
Previous ranking: 7
10. Los Angeles Clippers (14-10)
Previous ranking: 13
11. Denver Nuggets (11-9)
Previous ranking: 9
12. Phoenix Suns (12-9)
Previous ranking: 11
13. Minnesota Timberwolves (12-10)
Previous ranking: 18
14. Atlanta Hawks (13-11)
Previous ranking: 17
15. Los Angeles Lakers (12-11)
Previous ranking: 12
16. Milwaukee Bucks (11-11)
Previous ranking: 15
17. Miami Heat (10-10)
Previous ranking: 14
18. Sacramento Kings (11-13)
Previous ranking: 19
19. San Antonio Spurs (11-12)
Previous ranking: 16
20. Brooklyn Nets (10-13)
Previous ranking: 20
21. Indiana Pacers (10-14)
Previous ranking: 21
22. Chicago Bulls (10-14)
Previous ranking: 24
23. Detroit Pistons (9-15)
Previous ranking: 22
24. Portland Trail Blazers (8-15)
Previous ranking: 23
25. Toronto Raptors (7-16)
Previous ranking: 26
26. Philadelphia 76ers (6-15)
Previous ranking: 27
27. Charlotte Hornets (6-17)
Previous ranking: 25
28. Utah Jazz (5-17)
Previous ranking: 28
29. New Orleans Pelicans (5-18)
Previous ranking: 29
30. Washington Wizards (2-18)
Previous ranking: 30
