NBA Power Rankings

NBA Power Rankings

The Top 10

1. Milwaukee Bucks (45-7)

2. LA Lakers (39-12)

3. Toronto Raptors (39-14)

4. Boston Celtics (37-15)

5. Denver Nuggets (37-16)

6. Los Angeles Clippers (37-16)

7. Miami Heat-(34-18)

8. Utah Jazz (34-18)

9. Houston Rockets-(34-18)

10. Philly 76ers-(33-21)

Conference Breakdown

Eastern Conference

1. Milwaukee Bucks (45-7)

2. Toronto Raptors (39-14)

3. Boston Celtics (37-15)

4. Miami Heat (34-18)

5. Philly 76ers (33-21)

6. Indianapolis Pacers (31-22)

7. Brooklyn Nets (23-28)

8. Orlando Magic (22-31)

In the Hunt

• Washington Wizards (18-33)

• Chicago Bulls (19-35)

Western Conference

1. LA Lakers (39-12)

2. Denver Nuggets (37-16)

3. Los Angeles Clippers (37-16)

4. Utah Jazz (34-18)

5. Houston Rockets (34-18)

6. Oklahoma City Thunder (32-21)

7. Dallas Mavericks (32-21)

8. Memphis Grizz (27-26)

In the Hunt

• Portland Trailblazers (25-29)

• San Antonio Spurs (22-30)

• New Orleans Pelicans (22-31)

Best Overall Home Record

1. Philly 76ers-24-2

2. Milwaukee Bucks-24-3

3. Miami Heat-22-3

4. Boston Celtics-22-5

5. LA Clippers-22-5

6. Utah Jazz-19-5

7. Toronto Raptors-20-7

8. LA Lakers-17-7

9. Houston-18-8

10. Indy Pacers-18-10

Best Overall Road Record

1. Milwaukee Bucks-21-4

2. LA Lakers-22-5

3. Toronto Raptors-19-7

4. Denver Nuggets-17-10

5. Boston Celtics-15-10

6. OKC Thunder-15-10

7. LA Clippers-15-11

8. Houston Rockets-15-12

9. Utah Jazz-15-13

10. Indy Pacers-13-13

Best Offenses

• Milwaukee Bucks

• Houston Rockets

• Dallas Mavs

• LA Clippers

• Washington Wizards

Best Defenses

• Orlando Magic

• Boston Celtics

• Denver Nuggets

• Philly 76ers

• Toronto Raptors

The Low-Down

Eastern Conference

1. Milwaukee Bucks (45-7)-The Bucks have been flexing their muscles a bit coming off a fantastic week with wins over the Suns, Pelicans, 76ers and Magic, respectively. While the Greek Freak continues to run away with the MVP award, Kris Middleton is quietly having an All-Star week averaging 21ppg and 9 boards in that span. The eight-year pro is shooting 50% from the field and 42% from three being the perfect Robin to Giannas’ Batman this season. Up next, Milwaukee meets the Kings at home, Pacers, Pistons and 76ers.

2. Toronto Raptors (39-14). The hottest team in the NBA reigns from the Six and somewhere Drake is smiling. Winners of 14 straight (albeit, the easiest schedule during that span), needless to say the Raptors had a good week, with victories over the Bulls, Pacers, Pacers (again) and Brooklyn Nets. Several players on Nick Nurses’ squad have stepped up, most notably, Ole Miss alum, Terrance Davis who’s averaging 20-points-per-game and shooting 60% from the field (61% from three). Fashionista Serge Ibaka has thrown in another 20-per-game (off 58% shooting) as well. Up next, meetings with the T-Wolves, Nets, Suns and Pacers.

3. Boston Celtics (37-15). Slow & steady, balanced and dangerous the Celtics went undefeated this week with dubs over the Magic, Thunder and Hawks twice. Jaylen Brown dominated the week scoring 22 off 49% shooting. Gordon Hayward (finally healthy) looking rejuvenated averaged 16 over that span too. Next up, a home game against Kawhi and the Clippers and trips to Houston, Minnesota, Los Angeles looming.

4. Miami Heat (34-18). The Heat have hit a cold spell losing three of their last four. Miami’s West Coast trip hasn’t boded well for them thus far allowing 116-points-per-game to opponents. The lone bright spot has been Bam Odebayo who’s averaging (16 and 10) during the road trip. The Heat will try to get back on track against the Warriors, Jazz, Hawks and Cavs this week.

5. Philly 76ers (33-21)-The 76ers have been well..um..a disaster media-wise. I mean you know it's bad when the guy who just played with Kyrie Irving last season, says we (Philly) got problems (Al Horford). I’m not going to sit here and debate who’s team it should be (cough, Ben Simmons) or whether or not Coach Brown should be dismissed (cough cough, yes) or whether they overpaid their free agents this offseason, (Josh Richardson, Al Horford or Tobias Harris,cough cough cough, YES), sheesh with these allergies.. I just want to talk about this week and the Sixers went 2-2. Philly’s road woes continued with blowout losses to the Heat and Bucks and victories over the Grizz and Bulls, respectively. Two players dominated the week: Ben Simmons scoring 19 off 61% shooting and NBA’s most renowned name: Turkish sharp-shooter, Furkan Korkmaz who put up back-to-back 30-point performances and 17 three’s this week. Philly will need that consistent shooting as they face the Clippers, Nets, Bucks and Hawks this week.

Western Conference

1. LA Lakers (39-12)-It was a good week in Hollywood as carpet undressing began across the Staples Center for the Oscars and the Lakers went 3-1 this week. We know that Anthony Davis and Lebron James have been sensational throughout the season but Avery Bradley dominated the week averaging 15-points-per-game off 52% shooting making 15 three’s. Another guy who might be gaining his traction is sixth-man Kyle Kuzma, who erupted for 18 against the Spurs and has been averaging 11 off 50% shooting this week. Los Angeles will look to continue their winning ways when they meet the Suns, Grizz and Celtics at home and Nuggets on the road.

2. Denver Nuggets (37-16)-The Nuggets continued to be road warriors winning both games against the Jazz and Suns. Denver went 4-0 this week and got stellar play from Jama Murray who looks to be justifying his massive off-season contract averaging 28 off 59% shooting and hitting 13 three’s in that span. Another big baller has been Jerami Grant who has hit 7 three’s shooting 41% from beyond the arc and averaging 12. Up next, Denver takes on the Spurs, Lakers, Thunder and newly revamped T-Wolves.

3. Los Angeles Clippers (37-16)-What an acquisition Marcus Morris will be to an already loaded Clippers roster. The former Knick has been shooting 44% from three and averaging 19. As for their week, LA just won baby, going undefeated (4-1) and a big reason why is no other than sixth-man extraordinaires, Louis Williams and Montrez Harrell who continue being dominant averaging 15 a piece. Another big player for the Clips has been Landry Shamet who’s shooting 41% from three hitting 12 in that span. Next up, a pivotal match versus the Sixers then the Celtics, Kings and Grizz.

4. Utah Jazz (34-18)-The Jazz have had trouble finding their tune losing two of their last four. Despite the rocky week there is light at the end of the tunnel, particularly because Mike Conley finally looks healthy. Averaging 20-per-game and shooting 50% from three, the former Grizzlie has provided much-needed scoring stability to the Utah frontcourt. Honorable mentions go to sixth-man stud, Jordan Clarkson who’s shooting 50% and averaging 19 much-needed bench points for the Jazz. A homestand could get Utah back to its winning ways taking on the Heat, Spurs, Rockets and Suns the coming week.

5. Houston Rockets (34-18)-Small-ball is 3-1. Houston’s Daryl Morey is one of the most innovative and respected GM’s and for him to trade away his young formidable center (Clint Capela) to Atlanta for three-and-d swingman Robert Convington leaving no player over 6’6 starting for the rotation (no true center) takes basketballs. Veteran rookie, P.J. Tucker posted a meme of a photo in which he grew five inches with stilts for legs. But all jokes aside, small ball has been successful (and will continue to be) when Houston makes their three’s. In their dubs, the Rockets have made 18 three’s. In their loss they only made 11. Speaking of Covington both he (since getting acquired) along with Kansas product, Ben McLemore have been averaging 13 a piece during the four game stretch and been integral three-and-d pieces in this new-age system. Up next, Houston takes on the Jazz, Celtics, Warriors and Jazz once more.