Dec 7, 2016
Warriors back on top of NBA Power Rankings
The Golden State Warriors have recaptured top spot in the TSN.ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Golden State Warriors have recaptured top spot in the TSN.ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers.
Teams moving up this week include: the Utah Jazz, from 11 to seven, the Detroit Pistons, jumping from 16 to 10, the Milwaukee Bucks, climbing from 18 to 14, and the New York Knicks, up from 21 to 15.
Teams going down in the rankings include: the Chicago Bulls, falling from six to 11, the Atlanta Hawks, crashing from five to 17, the Los Angeles Lakers, sliding from 14 to 20, the Minnesota Timberwolves, dropping from 15 to 22, and Miami Heat, down from 17 to 23.
The Toronto Raptors are gaining ground, up from eight to five since the last rankings.
Golden State Warriors
Record: 18-3 This Week: 1 Last Week: 2
TEAM STATS
-
PPG120.2
-
PAPG106.4
-
DIFF+13.8
-
FG%.503
-
OPP FG%.433
SG Klay Thompson dropped 60 on the Indiana Pacers, in three quarters of work, and he's now taking 17.6 field goal attempts per game this season, even more than last year. He's still the number three option on this powerhouse team.
Key Injuries: None.
San Antonio Spurs
Record: 18-4 This Week: 2 Last Week: 4
TEAM STATS
-
PPG102.8
-
PAPG97.8
-
DIFF+5.0
-
FG%.463
-
OPP FG%.450
The Spurs have won 13 of 14, apparently fully recovered from a subpar start to the season and yet it still seems that they could use PF LaMarcus Aldridge more; his 13.9 field goal attempts per game is his lowest since his rookie season.
Key Injuries: None.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 14-5 This Week: 3 Last Week: 3
TEAM STATS
-
PPG110.3
-
PAPG105.1
-
DIFF+5.2
-
FG%.455
-
OPP FG%.450
The Cavs had lost three in a row before winning at Toronto on Monday. One pleasant surprise for them this season has been C Channing Frye, coming off the bench and scoring 10.7 points per game while shooting 47.3% on threes.
Key Injuries: None.
LA Clippers
Record: 16-6 This Week 4 Last Week: 1
TEAM STATS
-
PPG108.7
-
PAPG99.1
-
DIFF+9.6
-
FG%.464
-
OPP FG%.435
After their awesome start to the season, the Clippers have lost four of the past six games, including two losses to the Indiana Pacers, but they still have a potent offensive team and the perimeter shooting they get from Chris Paul and J.J. Redick is a difference-maker.
Key Injuries: None.
Toronto Raptors
Record: 14-7 This Week: 5 Last Week: 8
TEAM STATS
-
PPG110.9
-
PAPG102.8
-
DIFF+8.1
-
FG%.477
-
OPP FG%.449
Had a six-game winning streak snapped by the Cavaliers. They're an offensive juggernaut, but if they are going to somehow crack into the top four, probably have to lock down more defensively.
Key Injuries: PF Jared Sullinger (foot).
Houston Rockets
Record: 14-7 This Week: 6 Last Week: 7
TEAM STATS
-
PPG111.1
-
PAPG107.4
-
DIFF+3.7
-
FG%.465
-
OPP FG%.459
The Rockets are an entirely different team with a fit James Harden running the show, but they also have a healthy Eric Gordon giving them another backcourt scoring option -- he's averaging 22.0 points per game while shooting 50.0% on threes in the past five games.
Key Injuries: None.
Utah Jazz
Record: 14-9 This Week: 7 Last Week: 11
TEAM STATS
-
PPG100.4
-
PAPG95.5
-
DIFF+4.9
-
FG%.466
-
OPP FG%.431
The Jazz are starting to fire on all cylinders, winning seven of the past eight games, and the only loss was a one-point defeat against Miami. Doing this with a couple of starters injured makes the Jazz even more appealing when it comes to their long-term forecast.
Key Injuries: PG George Hill (thumb), PF Derrick Favors (knee).
Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 14-8 This Week: 8 Last Week: 11
TEAM STATS
-
PPG107.4
-
PAPG104.8
-
DIFF+2.6
-
FG%.460
-
OPP FG%.444
PG Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double per game, which is pretty much insane, but the Thunder are getting results, winning six straight. Who is going to step up as the secondary scoring option? It could be SG Victor Oladipo, but he needs to be better than 62% from the free-throw line if he's going to be riding shotgun to Russ.
Key Injuries: None.
Detroit Pistons
Record: 12-11 This Week: 9 Last Week: 16
TEAM STATS
-
PPG100.1
-
PAPG96.7
-
DIFF+3.4
-
FG%.454
-
OPP FG%.434
The Pistons have won four of five and they are starting to do some damage offensively, and it should get even better now that PG Reggie Jackson has returned (he's played the past couple of games).
Key Injuries: PG Reggie Jackson (knee).
Charlotte Hornets
Record: 12-9 This Week: 10 Last Week: 9
TEAM STATS
-
PPG105.3
-
PAPG103.0
-
DIFF+2.3
-
FG%.442
-
OPP FG%.436
The Hornets have one regulation loss in the past seven games, and the offence is picking up. PG Kemba Walker is averaging a career-high 23.6 points while shooting a career-best 41.4% on threes.
Key Injuries: PF Marvin Williams (knee).
Chicago Bulls
Record: 11-10 This Week: 11 Last Week: 6
TEAM STATS
-
PPG103.3
-
PAPG100.3
-
DIFF+3.0
-
FG%.440
-
OPP FG%.447
The Bulls have stumbled, losing three straight, and their defensive play has slipped a bit. On top of it all, PG Rajon Rondo was suspended for a blowup at practice, so this combustible mix is in a precarious spot.
Key Injuries: PG Michael Carter-Williams (knee), SF Doug McDermott (concussion).
Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 15-8 This Week: 12 Last Week: 10
TEAM STATS
-
PPG98.0
-
PAPG98.4
-
DIFF-0.4
-
FG%.422
-
OPP FG%.437
The Grizzlies have won four straight games and PG Andrew Harrison (10.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.6 apg in the past five games) is doing his best to fill the void created by the injury to Mike Conley.
Key Injuries: PF Brandan Wright (ankle), F Chandler Parsons (knee), PG Mike Conley (back), SF Vince Carter (hip).
Boston Celtics
Record: 12-9 This Week: 13 Last Week: 13
TEAM STATS
-
PPG104.8
-
PAPG104.0
-
DIFF+0.8
-
FG%.448
-
OPP FG%.443
Boston's performance has been a little underwhelming thus far, and losing their leading scorer -- PG Isaiah Thomas, averaging 26.0 points per game -- to injury doesn't make it any better in the short term.
Key Injuries: PG Isaiah Thomas (groin).
Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 10-9 This Week: 14 Last Week: 18
TEAM STATS
-
PPG103.3
-
PAPG101.5
-
DIFF+1.8
-
FG%.455
-
OPP FG%.427
The Bucks had a four-game winning streak snapped by a one-point loss to San Antonio. They are taking a step forward in terms of how competitive they are, and 22-year-old wing Giannis Antetokounmpo is taking over, averaging 23.6 points per game in the past 11 games.
Key Injuries: F Khris Middleton (hamstring).
New York Knicks
Record: 12-9 This Week: 15 Last Week: 21
TEAM STATS
-
PPG104.8
-
PAPG106.3
-
DIFF-1.5
-
FG%.449
-
OPP FG%.446
The Knicks have won four straight, and while the defence is still shaky, they can score -- though not efficiently. C Willy Hernangomez is the only one scoring better than 1.30 points per shot.
Key Injuries: None.
Portland Trail Blazers
Record: 12-10 This Week: 16 Last Week: 20
TEAM STATS
-
PPG110.3
-
PAPG112.4
-
DIFF-2.1
-
FG%.459
-
OPP FG%.459
The Blazers have won three straight, and how about some credit for SF Maurice Harkless, the club's third-leading scorer (13.0 ppg) who can shoot threes (38.1%) and can D-up a little bit on a team that doesn't otherwise play a whole lot of D.
Key Injuries: C Festus Ezeli (knee).
Atlanta Hawks
Record: 10-12 This Week:17 Last Week: 5
TEAM STATS
-
PPG100.1
-
PAPG102.3
-
DIFF-2.2
-
FG%.450
-
OPP FG%.447
The wheels have fallen off, as the Hawks have lost 10 of the past 11 games. Star PF Paul Millsap has been slumping, also dealing with hip problems that have cost him some games.
Key Injuries: SF Kent Bazemore (knee).
Indiana Pacers
Record: 10-11 This Week: 18 Last Week: 23
TEAM STATS
-
PPG104.2
-
PAPG108.0
-
DIFF-3.8
-
FG%.455
-
OPP FG%.453
The Pacers have lost two of the past three and it's the way they lost them -- giving up 142 to Golden State and 131 to Portland -- that should cause concern. The plus side is that SF Paul George has returned to the lineup and their ceiling goes way up with George in the starting lineup.
Key Injuries: None.
Orlando Magic
Record: 10-12 This Week: 19 Last Week: 25
TEAM STATS
-
PPG94.6
-
PAPG98.0
-
DIFF-3.4
-
FG%.426
-
OPP FG%.439
Scoring remains an issue for the Magic, though they did go off for a season-high 124 points in Tuesday's win at Washington. Getting three-point shooter Jodie Meeks back into the rotation should help, but they could use more consistent long-range shooting.
Key Injuries: None.
LA Lakers
Record: 10-13 This Week: 20 Last Week: 14
TEAM STATS
-
PPG104.9
-
PAPG109.3
-
DIFF-4.4
-
FG%.449
-
OPP FG%.477
Losing six of the past eight games, the Lakers have had to deal with some injuries and it's taking a toll at both ends of the floor, their defence remains shoddy, but they've also been held to 90 points or fewer in four of the past seven games.
Key Injuries: PG DeAngelo Russell (knee), SG Nick Young (calf), PF Larry Nance Jr. (knee).
Denver Nuggets
Record: 8-13 This Week: 21 Last Week: 19
TEAM STATS
-
PPG106.2
-
PAPG109.0
-
DIFF-2.8
-
FG%.435
-
OPP FG%.458
The Nuggets had lost five of six before Monday's win at Philadelphia, and those barely count. They're terrible defensively, but give some credit for the solid all-around contribution from wing Wilson Chandler, who leads the Nuggets with 18.2 points per game and has a decent defensive record.
Key Injuries: SG Gary Harris (ankle), PF Nikola Jokic (wrist)
Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 6-15 This Week: 18 Last Week: 15
TEAM STATS
-
PPG104.1
-
PAPG105.6
-
DIFF-1.5
-
FG%.449
-
OPP FG%.471
With just one regulation win in the past 10 games, the Timberwolves are underachieving given the kind of talent on the roster. They brought in head coach Tom Thibodeau, in part, to help them fix their defensive woes, but that's been slow to take.
Key Injuries: None.
Miami Heat
Record: 7-14 This Week:23 Last Week: 17
TEAM STATS
-
PPG97.4
-
PAPG99.6
-
DIFF-2.2
-
FG%.431
-
OPP FG%.437
The Heat have fallen off rather dramatically, but what else was going to happen? Take away LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and they're obviously not going to be very good.
Key Injuries: PF Chris Bosh (blood clots), SF Justise Winslow (wrist), SG Dion Waiters (groin), SG Josh Richardson (ankle).
Sacramento Kings
Record: 7-13 This Week: 24 Last Week: 24
TEAM STATS
-
PPG102.4
-
PAPG104.9
-
DIFF-2.5
-
FG%.442
-
OPP FG%.454
The Kings have one win in the past five games, and it looks like more of the same. C DeMarcus Cousins is having the best season of his career -- suddenly shooting 38.3% on three-pointers and averaging a career-high 29.1 points per game -- and it's still not enough to make the Kings competitive.
Key Injuries: None.
Washington Wizards
Record: 7-13 This Week: 25 Last Week: 22
TEAM STATS
-
PPG104.3
-
PAPG107.1
-
DIFF-2.8
-
FG%.454
-
OPP FG%.467
The Wizards have split the past 10 games, so maybe there is some progress, but it's tough when PG John Wall can drop 52 points on the Magic and they still lose. They don't have any kind of defensive presence and until that changes, expectations shall remain modest.
Key Injuries: C Ian Mahinmi (knee).
New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 7-15 This Week: 26 Last Week: 26
TEAM STATS
-
PPG102.3
-
PAPG105.4
-
DIFF-3.1
-
FG%.441
-
OPP FG%.441
Althought the Pelicans have lost three in a row, they are 6-6 in the past dozen games, and PF Anthony Davis is taking his game up a notch, leading the league with 31.6 points and 2.8 blocks per game.
Key Injuries: SG Tyreke Evans (knee), F Dante Cunningham (fibula).
Phoenix Suns
Record: 6-15 This Week: 27 Last Week: 27
TEAM STATS
-
PPG106.3
-
PAPG113.1
-
DIFF-6.8
-
FG%.443
-
OPP FG%.464
Losing four of five leaves the Suns down with the dregs in the rankings, and if they're going to keep giving up 113 points per game, there's not much chance that they'll be rising in any significant way.
Key Injuries: SF TJ Warren (illness).
Dallas Mavericks
Record: 4-16 This Week: 28 Last Week: 29
TEAM STATS
-
PPG92.3
-
PAPG99.4
-
DIFF-7.1
-
FG%.412
-
OPP FG%.461
Winning two of the past five games counts as the slightest bit of progress for the Mavericks. SG Wesley Mathews has averaged 20.6 points per game in those five games, so he's been raising his offensive game.
Key Injuries: PF Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles), G JJ Barea (calf), G Seth Curry (knee).
Brooklyn Nets
Record: 5-15 This Week: 29 Last Week: 27
TEAM STATS
-
PPG105.7
-
PAPG114.4
-
DIFF-8.7
-
FG%.435
-
OPP FG%.472
The Nets' only victory in the past 11 games was a double overtime affair against the Clippers. So, probably lucky, but a quality opponent.
Key Injuries: PG Jeremy Lin (hamstring).
Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 4-18 This Week: 30 Last Week: 30
TEAM STATS
-
PPG97.5
-
PAPG107.1
-
DIFF-9.6
-
FG%.429
-
OPP FG%.457
Losers of eight straight, the Sixers have settled into a comfortable spot at the bottom of the rankings. The process is going to turn this around eventually, won't it?
Key Injuries: PF Nerlens Noel (groin), SF Ben Simmons (foot), G Jerryd Bayless (wrist).