The latest NBA power rankings has several teams rising while others are dropping far.
The Atlanta Hawks are the undisputed number 1 with their 16 game win streak intact, after the Warriors lost a close game to the Bulls on Tuesday night.
The Cavaliers, Grizzlies, and Pelicans are among the teams rising, boosted by a week of all wins.
Check out the rankings below. If the team is not on a streak, their record over the last 10 games is noted.
1. Atlanta Hawks (37-8, 16-game winning streak)
After this is all over, the Hawks could come close to beating every team in the league at least once. Hard to believe some of the early losses now, to the likes of the Hornets and Lakers.
2. Golden State Warriors (36-7, last 10--8-2)
The Warriors were downed by the Bulls on Tuesday, snapping a franchise-record 19-game home winning streak. Their last loss at home was on November 11, 2014.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (33-12, 4-game winning streak)
The Grizzlies had a nice week, handily beating the Mavericks and also trumping the Raptors, 76ers, and Magic. Jeff Green is fitting in nicely, and the team is looking at a potential championship run.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (31-14, 5-game winning streak)
The Clippers have two rough Eastern Conference losses in the past few weeks (the Cavaliers and Heat), but have beaten everyone else--including the Mavericks, Blazers, and Suns.
5. Portland Trail Blazers (32-13, last 10--5-5)
There’s a reason LaMarcus Aldridge put off surgery on his thumb--the Blazers need him. They’re faltering, going 5-5 in their last 10, and in danger of dropping out of home-court advantage in the tough West.
6. Washington Wizards (31-15, 2-game winning streak)
The Wizards blew a chance to get a win over the Blazers, but finished off the Nuggets and Lakers during their Western Conference road trip. A win against the Suns would be good before a stretch that includes matchups against East contenders (Raptors and Hawks).
7. Houston Rockets (31-14, 2-game winning streak)
James Harden continues to lead Houston, with 27.6 points per game in a team-high 36.2 minutes per game. A win over the Mavericks on Wednesday night would be nice before four East opponents.
8. Toronto Raptors (30-15, 3-game winning streak)
The Raptors are struggling a bit lately, dropping games to the Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Hawks. But they bested the hot Pistons and took care of the Pacers and 76ers over the past week. Kyle Lowry (19.6 points, 7.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds per game) earned a starting All-Star position,.
9. San Antonio Spurs (29-17, 2-game winning streak)
The Spurs have only lost three times this month--to the Pistons, Wizards, and Bulls. Kawhi Leonard’s return has been great, with the small forward averaging a double-double through five games (16.5 points, 10.0 rebounds).
10. Chicago Bulls (30-17, last 10--5-5)
The Bulls can’t seem to beat top Eastern Conference teams (losses to the Wizards, Hawks, and Cavs this month) but have done well against the West, trumping the Warriors, Mavs, and Spurs.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers (26-20, 7-game winning streak)
The Cavs have beat a number of respectable teams on their streak, including the Clippers, Bulls, and Thunder. LeBron James has been on fire since returning, averaging 30.5 points per game on 50 percent shooting--and dishing out 6.4 assists per game while grabbing 6.8 rebounds.
12. Dallas Mavericks (30-16, 3-game losing streak)
The Mavericks have not been playing that well since acquiring Rajon Rondo in mid-December, going just 11-8 after starting out 19-8. Rondo has been dishing out about seven assists a game, but is shooting just 40 percent from the field. The latest losses are to the Bulls, Pelicans, and Grizzlies.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (23-22, last 10--5-5)
The Bucks had an up-and-down week, losing close games to the Jazz and Spurs but beating the Pistons and Heat. With the Cavs surging, Milwaukee has dropped to sixth in the East, but the team’s stellar defense should prevent it from dropping any further.
14. New Orleans Pelicans (24-21, 4-game winning streak)
The Pelicans have surprised many by storming back into the playoff conversation, finally beating a string of lesser teams and also narrowly beating the Mavericks. With Jrue Holiday out, Anthony Davis has stepped up even more after returning from injury--pouring in over 20 points a game, grabbing at least 8 rebounds, and recording at least 2 steals in each of the last four games.
15. Phoenix Suns (26-20, 2-game losing streak)
The Suns are now facing two threats--the Pelicans, which are only 1.5 games back, and the Thunder, which are 2.5 games back. With the Spurs regaining form, it’s entirely possible that the Suns, Pelicans, and Thunder battle for only the last spot throughout the second half of the season.
MORE: Horford a Major Reason the Hawks Are Soaring
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (23-33, last 10--6-4)
Kevin Durant can’t stay fully healthy, missing a game here and there, and the Thunder can’t put together enough wins to gain ground on the Suns, losing badly to the Hawks and Cavaliers in the past week--and almost losing to the Wizards.
17. Charlotte Hornets (19-26, last 10--8-2)
Kemba Walker is down for a while but the Hornets are still looking better than the Nets, and the Pistons now that Brandon Jennings is out for the season. Charlotte is also just a game back from Miami now.
18. Miami Heat (20-25, last 10--5-5)
If the Pistons can regroup from the Jennings injury or if the Nets can pull off a trade or two, the Heat could be in serious danger of missing out on the playoffs. The Bucks showed on Monday that there are at least six teams in the East better than the Heat, which also lost a close one to Charlotte on Jan. 21.
19. Detroit Pistons (17-29, 3-game losing streak)
The Pistons need to figure out how to win without Jennings. They nearly figured it out against the Raptors, losing in the final minutes. The team has been linked to a number of guards, but Stan Van Gundy said the team won’t make a move to jeopardize the future just to win now.
20. Boston Celtics (16-27, last 10--4-6)
Boston had a strong week with wins over Portland, Utah, and Denver, while pushing Golden State to the final minutes. Despite shipping off Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green, Boston is only two games out of a playoff spot.
21. Utah Jazz (16-29, last 10--4-6)
Utah has shown flashes of potential all season, and continue to get some strong wins. They beat the energetic Bucks and faltering Nets this week.
22. Denver Nuggets (18-27, 7-game losing streak)
If Kenneth Faried could make a free throw, Denver could have beat the Wizards. The Nuggets have had a rough second half of the month, and haven’t won since January 14.
23. Brooklyn Nets (18-26, 2-game losing streak)
Lionel Hollins job security is rumored to be less than secure as the Nets can’t seem to figure things out. Expect at least one big trade by the deadline, with Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, or Brook Lopez departing.
24. Sacramento Kings (16-27, 6-game losing streak)
The Mike Malone firing keeps looking worse, as the Kings couldn’t even beat the Nets this week. They’ve also lost a slew of games against tough opponents, including the Clippers, Warriors, and Blazers.
25. New York Knicks (8-37, last 10--3-7)
Life! Langston Galloway and the 10-day signees Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas have brought so much energy to the team that even Carmelo Anthony complimented them, and New York grabbed three wins before losing to Charlotte.
26. Indiana Pacers (16-31, last 10--2-8)
The only good news for the Pacers lately is Paul George’s recovery, which the star forward says is on track. Unless Indiana is contending for the playoffs, though, he likely won’t see the court this season. They’re currently four games out.
27. Orlando Magic (15-33, 6-game losing streak)
One of those teams that should contend next season, Orlando is still figuring things out. After strong wins over the Bulls and Rockets earlier this month, they’re reeling.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (12-34, 9-game losing streak)
Kobe is done for the season and Nick Young is injured, too. The Lakers still nearly knocked off the Wizards but couldn’t finish the game. Only two wins in January so far.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-37, 5-game losing streak)
Andrew Wiggins continues to impress, dropping nearly 20 points a game in January. Unfortunately the Timberwolves are 2-12 this month.
30. Philadelphia 76ers (8-37, 6-game losing streak)
After shocking the Pelicans on Jan. 16, Philly has been hammered by most of their opponents. The team was close against the Knicks and Raptors but couldn’t get wins.
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