This week's Power Rankings see a return to the norm for our Conferences.
20. Sacramento Kings (Steady)
(15-23) Last week: 3-1
The Kings are finally out of their tailspin, with 3 wins in the past week, although the schedule was kind: Memphis, Golden State and Phoenix.
Their bottom 10 offense is still playing at one of the slowest paces (currently 28th) in the NBA. So what's changed? The only really noticeable change from their season numbers was hot shooting from deep – each of the wins contained 41%+ deep shooting against a season average of 35%.
Coach Luke Walton will hope that this deep shooting isn't just flash in the pan.
19. Phoenix Suns (Down 2)
(14-23) Last week: 1-2
A relatively easy schedule this week with games against New York, Memphis and Sacramento, yet only the Knicks were beaten. Again, defense is the problem for this team. Devin Booker has scored 30+ points in 7 straight contests. Kelly Oubre's energy is infectious. DeAndre Ayton is finding his groove, starting alongside Aron Baynes (surely this was the plan: pass on Luka to form a new Duncan/Robinson with Ayton and the Greatest Shooter in the World). There's just no defense, though.
One player who is on the outer is Dario Saric. The Homie hasn't played more than 25 minutes in a game since before Christmas. The Suns would be wise to cash in. How would Saric look in Houston's front court?
18. Brooklyn Nets (Down 3)
(16-19) Last week: 0-3
The good: Caris LeVert returned this week and has looked solid, scoring 13 and 20 in his 2 games so far. That's about it......
The bad: How's this for a run of games: Miami, Atlanta (phew!), Utah, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Philly again, LA Lakers. Fail to knock of the Hawks and that losing streak – currently 7 games – could get exceedingly ugly.
Speaking of ugly: Kyrie Irving still hasn't returned. It's looking more and more likely that he'll be shut down for the season.
17. Portland Trailblazers (Up 2)
(15-22) Last week: 0-4
Carmelo Anthony turned back the clock, breaking Toronto hearts with a game winner right out of 2010. That game also contained a huge late 3 by Damian Lillard. On most nights, that's not enough. Portland have lost 6 of their last 8; Lillard has gone off for 30+ in 5 of those games.
The problem for the Blazers, exacerbated by their much covered injury problems, is defense.
They're ranked 22nd in points conceded per 100 possessions and defensive rating. In addition, they just don't control their defensive boards: they give up more offensive boards than all teams bar the Wizards, Hornets and Hawks.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (Up 2)
(14-22) Last week: 2-1
Building around Karl Anthony Towns remains a problem in the Twin Cities, with KAT apparently a touch frustrated with life as a Timberpup. That said, the Wolves eked out a pair of wins against the equally lacklustre Warriors and Cavs. Surprisingly they've been led by the suddenly properly paid Gorgui Dieng (22 points, 13 boards, 4 blocks and 4 three's against Cleveland) and Shabazz Napier, who went on a 4 game streak of 21.8 points and 8.3 assists. Is Jeff Teague suddenly on the trade block?
15. San Antonio Spurs (Up 1)
(16-20) Last week: 2-2
Sunrise; sunset. The Spurs are in a playoff place.
San Antonio split a brutal schedule this week: losses to OKC and Milwaukee, before beating the Bucks and Celtics. Somehow, the Spurs are making this work.
DeMar DeRozan is a natural scorer, but his methods are 15 years too late. Despite recent stretch 5 tendencies, LaMarcus Aldridge is ageing and a borderline liability on defense. Supposed building blocks Dejounte Murray and Derrick White haven't developed as hoped. Yet the Spurs find ways.
They can attribute a reasonable chunk of that recent spark to Lonnie Walker IV. The 2nd year guard is showing more flashes of his undoubted ability to be an NBA level scorer.
14. Orlando Magic (Steady)
(18-20) Last week: 3-1
A solid week for the Magic, performance wise. They lost to the white hot Jazz, but took down the Heat (their 1st round opponent, were the playoffs to begin today) and won comfortably against Brooklyn and Washington.
However, the Magic lost third year man Jonathon Isaac to a knee contusion. The defensive ace is expected to be out until at least early March, which puts a huge dent in Orlando's aspirations. Although, it does mean that we should see more of Aaron Gordon playing in his more natural power forward role. Many had assumed – including this writer - that Gordon was trade bait. With Isaac out, do the Magic now keep AG around, or do they use the chance to play him in the right position – with the expected uptick in production that should go along with that - as an opportunity to put him in the shop window?
13. Indiana Pacers (Down 1)
(23-15) Last week: 1-3
If only we could get the Pacers healthy.
After an excellent start to the season without leader Victor Oladipo, the wheels are starting to come off for Indiana, losers of 5 out of their past 7 matches. After a big win against the Sixers they've again lost Malcolm Brogdon; this time to back spasms.
Jeremy Lamb and TJ Warren have done their best to pick up the back court scoring slack and Domantas Sabonis works manfully, but without their best two players – and this is of course true from practically every NBA club – the Pacers just aren't good enough to compete every night.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (Up 1)
(20-16) Last week: 2-1
The Thunder are legitimately good.
After a start that could generously be described as a 'feeling out' period, this side is taking practically all before them, with a 14-5 record since the start of December – that's good for 2nd in the NBA over that span.
Coach Billy Donovan has to get the lion's share of the credit for leaning on a 3 point guard front. The trio of Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schoder are the leagues single best 3 man unit, with a +27.6 rating per 100 possessions. The difference between that unit and 2nd place, is the same as between 2nd and 33rd, which is absurd.
11. Dallas Mavericks (Steady)
(23-14) Last week: 2-2
Dallas are in a tough stretch, having lost 4 of their last 6. However there are two very obvious mitigating circumstances: Luka Doncic was out with an ankle sprain and as soon as he returned Kristaps Porzingis sat with knee soreness. Without their two mastheads, the Mavs have struggled.
Another factor in their slump has been that the Mavs are finally playing close games. Their historically efficient offense often blows teams away. But should a team get the Mavs in a clutch situation, that engine sputters, going from the most efficient overall offense to 28th in the clutch. Much of that is due to the youthfulness of their main man. These sorts of growing pains will certainly help Luka down the road.
