17. Phoenix Suns (Up 2)

(13-21) Last week: 2-2

Phoenix's losing steak was snapped at 8, with wins over the free-falling Kings and Blazers preceding yesterdays loss to the Lakers. They have the chance to make it 3 from 4 with a visit from the Knicks up next.

The Suns defense still sucks. They're ranked in the bottom 5 in opponents filed goal % and effective field goal %, mainly due to having the single worst transition defense in the NBA. Coach Monty Williams reportedly held a meeting with a group of players post Christmas about aspiring to higher standards as a unit. Hopefully, one of those standards is hustling back on defense, or Devin Booker will still be a playoff virgin, 5 years into his career.

 

16. San Antonio Spurs (Up 2)

(14-18) Last week: 2-1

Out of nowhere, LaMarcus Aldridge has embraced the 3 point revolution of the last decade. The 34 year old has hit 10 of 16 from deep over his past 4 contests for 3 wins and a narrow loss to the Mavericks.

In those 3 wins, the Spurs averaged over 133 points per game – a full 20 points higher than their 112.6 points per game to that point. A key to that burst was the 3 point shooting of the team as a whole. The Spurs hit between 12 and 15 trey's in the wins with more attempts and a better success rate than their overall season stats.

So many Spurs fans will be hoping that this is the beginning of another philosophical change from Popovich, rather than a flash in the pan.

 

15. Brooklyn Nets (Down 2)

(16-16) Last week: 0-3

After a strong push in the lead up to Yuletide, Brooklyn's form has plummeted post Christmas. They lost at home to the Knicks, then had James Harden hang 44 on them before finally losing to the out of form Wolves.

Caris LeVert is due back in the next week, although Kyrie Irving's return has been pushed back yet again. Any support for Spencer Dinwiddie would be appreciated. He's started to look jaded having to carry the load every night and has seen his shooting numbers slip sharply in the last last few games.

 

14. Orlando Magic (Up 1)

(15-19) Last week: 2-2

What to do with the Orlando Magic?

Their sitting in 8th place in the East, but don't really have a shot at making any noise in the playoffs. Following on from the point raised in last weeks Power Rankings, the Magic finally broke their duck against .500+ teams in taking down the Sixers. They then went and lost to the Hawks (which should really count as 1.5 losses).

So do the Magic become sellers this trade season? Evan Fournier is about to hit free agency; if the Magic don't want to shell out $20 million per year, he'll get traded. Aaron Gordon is a buy low option given his poor play this season.