This has been a week of great tragedies in the NBA. Multiple stars have gone down with injuries, some more serious than others. The Bulls and Derrick Rose received heartbreaking news about a torn meniscus; while the Grizzlies will be without their starting center for the time being. Other tragedies occurred as well. Two very long winning streaks were snapped this week in the Western Conference. As always we are getting a clearer picture of just how good some teams will be. So let’s see where every team ranks in the weeks power rankings.
1. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have a point differential of 10.9. This is a very impressive stat and so is their record.
2. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are playing at a very high level even though they just lost to the Thunder.
3. Miami Heat
The Heat are the hottest team in the league and they are playing extremely well.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have won five in a row, including wins over the Spurs and the Clippers.
5. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers were riding an 11 game winning streak and that is impressive, regardless of the competition.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers defense has improved lately and they have managed to make it through a very tough stretch of schedule.
7. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have managed to win three tough games in a row without James Harden, and that is very impressive.
8. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are continuing to prove me wrong. They are playing very well in a very competitive Western Conference.
9. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are on a four game winning streak and they are finally starting to play as they were expected to.
10. Phoenix Suns
The Suns had an impressive win over the Blazers a few nights ago. They are managing to win games without Eric Bledsoe and their defense is playing at a very high level.
11. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have struggled with injuries this season. First, Stephen Curry gets a concussion and now Andre Iguodala injuries his hamstring. Besides all these injuries the Warriors are staying competitive.
12. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies received some tough news when they learned that Marc Gasol had sprained his MCL. Losing Gasol’s presence on the interior really hurts this team.
13. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks were looking like one of the better teams in the East but they have now lost three in a row.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have lost three in a row and with how competitive the West is that is a very hard thing to recover from.
15. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are moving the ball very well and playing well enough to keep them in the chase until Kobe Bryant can return.
16. Chicago Bulls
The loss of Derrick Rose is heartbreaking for the Bulls. They will now attempt to make it through the rest of the season.
17. Washington Wizards
Riding a three games winning streak, the Wizards are positioning themselves nicely to make the playoffs.
18. Charlotte Bobcats
Could the Bobcats actually make the playoffs? With how weak the East is it is looking that way.
19. Toronto Raptors
Like many other teams in the East, the Raptors need to take advantage of a weak conference.
20. Orlando Magic
The Magic are currently right on the edge between a playoff seed and a lottery pick. Once Tobias Harris returns the Magic could get that push they need to make the playoffs.
21. New Orleans Pelicans
If the Pelicans were in the East they would be tied for seventh. Instead they are slowly falling away from playoff hopes.
22. Detroit Pistons
There is too much talent on the Pistons roster for them not to have a better record. They need to take advantage of the fact they play in the East.
23. Boston Celtics
The Celtics received some disappointing news when they learn that Kelly Olynyk would be out for two weeks with an ankle injury. Some good news is that Rajon Rondo is nearly ready to play.
24. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers really struggled without rookie sensation Michael Carter-Williams. Now that he’s back the 76ers should start to win come more games.
25. Sacramento Kings
The Kings just completed a trade to acquire Derrick Williams from the Minnesota Timberwolves. With he isn’t a game changer he should add some nice production.
26. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets continue to struggle and Jason Kidd is failing miserably, especially after being fined for spilling a dink on the court.
27. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers had very high expectations going into the season. They find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and they can’t be pleased about that.
28. New York Knicks
NBA teams from New York are a combined 7-22. No one could’ve expected the Knicks would struggle to this extent.
29. Utah Jazz
The Jazz managed to win their second game of the season Monday night against the Bulls. Right now Jazz fans can take pleasure in knowing they have a great shot at landing Andrew Wiggins.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
Losing 10 games in a row will earn you last place in the power rankings. The Bucks are a mess and are struggling with injuries.