The Lakers and Bucks, both proud owners of nine-game winning streaks, continue to lord over their respective conferences.
15. Sacramento Kings (Steady)
(7-10) Last week: 1-3
The Kings are just about back where they'd hoped to be. They’re split their 8 games without DeÁáron Fox and Marvin Bagley – which is both very encouraging and kind of terrifying. Is this a sign of great depth on the roster, or an indication that their two cornerstones are not what the Kings brass had hoped for at this stage? Bogdan Bogdanovic is making the most of his chance. Turning down an extension last off season, his performances with Fox out (19.7 points and 7.8 assists) mean he’s going to get paid this time around.
14. Phoenix Suns (Steady)
(8-9) Last week: 1-3
Injuries and suspension have hit the Suns hard. Losing DeAndre Ayton was survivable because Aron Baynes was able to step in. But with Baynes going down with a hip, the Suns are relying on an over matched Frank Kaminsky in the middle. Ricky Rubio’s injury has exposed a thin point guard rotation, although 2nd year man Jevon Carter has acquitted himself well. Suns opponents are scoring under 98 points per 100 possessions with Carter on the floor. He’s setting himself up as a long term rotation player.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves (Down 1)
(10-8) Last week: 2-1
Since Kevin Durant gifted us the term 'Unicorn’ has been bandied about a lot – perhaps too much. When we talk Karl-Anthony Towns, however, it's the perfect description. The Kentucky product is averaging 26.3 points, 12.6 boards, 4.1 assists and 2.6 stocks, whilst hitting 3.9 3's per game, and showing improved defensive awareness in leading the Wolves back to long overdue respectability. Look at these shooting splits: 51.3fg%, 44.4% 3fg%, 79.3 ft%. KAT has a chance to put up the single greatest shooting season for a centre in NBA history.
12. Indiana Pacers (Up 1)
(11-6) Last week: 3-0
Indiana have taken their punches and come through. Losing Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdan (let alone yet to suit up Victor Oladipo) left this team decimated, but they've stuck fat and look ready to make their push to the upper echelons of the East. Their twin tower alignment leads a fantastic defense, whilst the ability of those bigs to stretch the floor gives Brogdan the space to run a solid offense. Oladipo is the X factor – does he gum up the gears upon his return, or fit in and give the Pacers another weapon?
11. Utah Jazz (Down 1)
(11-7) Last week: 2-2
The Jazz continue to dominate at the defensive end, even with Rudy Gobert sitting with an ankle sprain. At the other end of the floor, the Jazz are struggling. Mike Conley’s shooting woes and difficulty adapting to Gobert’s rim runs get a lot of focus, but Joe Ingles is quietly having a disappointing season. Ingles’ strengths are spot up shooting and secondary play making. His new role as the leader of the 2nd unit works directly against those. Playing with the bench means he has the ball, taking away his spot up opportunities and ability to attack a closeout, picking apart a scrambled defense. Inserting him back into the starting 5 means defensive ace Royce O’Neal sits, which he doesn’t deserve. Jinglin' Joe will just have to figure this out.
