A streak has ended. Key players are returning on the shores of Lake Erie. Some sleeper teams have managed to stay consistent long enough to be deserving of some legitimate consideration to contend. Let’s get to this week’s NEOSI Top 10 NBA Power Rankings.
1. Golden State Warriors (24-1)
Last Week: 1
They had to lose eventually. If Klay Thompson didn’t roll his ankle we’d probably still be talking about the streak, but that’s just part of the game. The next question is whether or not the Warriors break the record for best regular season and go 73-9. They would have to win 49 of their next 57 games. Seems believable?
2. San Antonio Spurs (20-5)
Last Week: 2
The Spurs have been using their typical strategy of resting stars throughout the season, but are still blowing out opponents, even with their bench. Last Monday, they beat the 76ers 119-68 without Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard. They gave Tony Parker the night off Friday, and beat the Lakers by 22. They rested Duncan Saturday night and beat the Hawks 103-78. Safe to say they’ll give Golden State a run for their money.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-7)
Last Week: 4
The day is finally upon us for two of the Cavs key contributors to return. Iman Shumpert made his season debut Friday night and helped the Cavs cruise to a landslide victory in Orlando. There is still no word on when all-star point guard Kyrie Irving will return, but it should be between now and next Monday when our Power Rankings come out. The Cavs have bounced back after a three-game losing streak with a big come from behind win at home against Portland and the Magic massacre, but they have a great test coming up Thursday against the Thunder.
Tuesday night’s matchup in Boston is intriguing, as well, as Kevin Love faces off with Kelly Olynyk for the first time since game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, in which Olynyk ended Love’s postseason. Tensions will be high in the TD Garden.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (16-8)
Last Week: 7
The Thunder went on a tear this past week, beating the Grizzlies on the road, the Hawks in OKC, and winning twice against the Jazz (once at home and once on the road). Russell Westbrook is making ridiculous inbound plays off of people’s backs to hit buzzer beaters.
Don’t sleep on the Thunder. Thursday’s matchup vs the Cavs will be must-watch TV for fans of basketball, regardless of what team they support.
5. Chicago Bulls (13-8)
Last Week: 5
The Bulls ended a three-game losing streak by winning two in a row against the Clippers and Pelicans, and big man Pau Gasol has been tearing it up. Gasol has posted double-digit rebounds in nine of their last ten games, and is averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds through six games in the month of December. The Bulls currently hold third place in the Eastern Conference, but as of right now, they look like the second best team in the East.
6. Toronto Raptors (16-9)
Last Week: Off the Radar
After staying slightly above .500 for a few weeks, the Toronto Raptors heated up north of the border. Toronto has won four straight to climb their way into the second-seed in the Eastern Conference, and DeMar DeRozan has scored 25 points or more in three consecutive games.
7. Charlotte Hornets (14-9)
Last Week: Just Missed the Cut
The Hornets fell to Boston Saturday night to end a four-game winning streak, but have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2015-2016 season, thus far. Nicolas Batum appears to have found a new home after spending so many years in Portland, as the French forward is averaging 17 points and nearly 6 rebounds, with 5 assists per game. Batum posted a triple-double in last week’s win over Miami.
The Hornets have been getting great production from Kemba Walker, Marvin Williams, Jeremy Lamb, and Jeremy Lin to make them one of the more well-rounded teams in the NBA. They will soon have Al Jefferson back as well, one of the best centers in the league.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (14-10)
Last Week: 10
Are the Clippers FINALLY starting to figure it out? They have won seven of their last ten, and four of their last five games. Their big three of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan is just too good to continue to hover around .500.
Take this stat-line from last Wednesday night’s game in Milwaukee… Paul had 18 points and 18 assists. Griffin had 21 points and 13 rebounds. Jordan had 9 points and 19 rebounds. And oh by the way, J.J. Reddick dropped 31 points. The return of Reddick is as much of a factor for the Clippers turnaround as anything.
9. Indiana Pacers (13-9)
Last Week: 6
Paul George can’t do it all by himself, as the Pacers found out in an overtime loss a couple weeks ago, when George scored 48 points. And when he goes cold, so do the Pacers. Indiana is just 2-4 in six games in December, and George is shooting below 40 percent for the month. This comes after he shot 47 percent during the month of November and the Pacers went 11-2.
10. Miami Heat (13-9)
Last Week: 3
This time last week, Miami was the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. They proceeded to lose three in a row to conference opponents, the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and Indiana Pacers. The Heat have cooled off after a hot start and have gone 5-5 over their last ten games. It is far too early to be talking about playoffs, but I’m gonna do that anyways.
The Heat have somewhat of big matchup Monday night in Atlanta, and if Atlanta were to win, Miami would fall from sixth in the conference to eighth or ninth place. Like I said, too early, but it only takes a bad week or so to fall from top dog to outside looking in at the Eastern Conference Playoff Picture so far this season.
Who Fell Off?
Memphis Grizzlies (13-12) : Memphis has lost two in a row and is 5-5 over their last ten games. They seemed to rebound after a horrendous start to the season playing well from mid-November on, but they are 3-5 to start the month of December.
Just Missed the Cut
Atlanta Hawks (14-11) : The Hawks are hovering around the playoff picture in the East and a win over Miami to snap a two-game losing streak would do wonders.
Dallas Mavericks (13-11) : The Mavs have lost six of their last ten, but still sit at fifth place in the Western Conference.
Boston Celtics (14-10) : The Celtics played a great game against Golden State that went to double OT, but it wasn’t enough. Boston has won seven of their last ten and currently hold the seventh-seed in the East. Tuesday’s matchup against Cleveland will be filled with emotion and could be a great game to watch.
That’s all for this week. Come back next Monday to see who will rise and who will fall in the NEOSI Top 10 NBA Power Rankings.
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