NBA Power Rankings: Week 11
By Matt Shetler
It’s time to take a look at my latest NBA Power Rankings.
There has been a lot of movement since the calendar switched to 2013, as some of the top teams have slumped as of late and some of the middle of the pack teams are starting to make their move.
Where does your favorite team land?
Let’s not waste time and jump into this week’s rankings.
Dec 28, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn talks with guard J.J. Redick (7) during the second half at the Verizon Center. The Wizards defeated the Magic 105 – 97. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA Today Sports
30. Washington Wizards (5-28): The Wizards are 2-2 against the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder and 3-26 against the rest of the NBA. But even a win against the Thunder won’t stop Washington from slipping back into the basement. Last Week’s Ranking: 29
29.Charlotte Bobcats (9-25): The Cats have gone 2-3 over their past five to climb out of the cellar for the first time in three weeks. Last Week’s Ranking-30
28. Cleveland Cavaliers (9-28): The Cavs managed a win over Atlanta, but losing Anderson Varejao for two months is something they can’t recover from. Last Week’s Ranking-28
27. Orlando Magic (12-23): Ten consecutive losses for the reeling Magic and counting. However there is a bit of good news as Orlando and that is they get Charlotte and Washington upcoming in the next week. Last Week’s Ranking-26
25. Phoenix Suns (12-25): Despite point guard Goran Dragic playing pretty well, the Suns have won only 1-of-11. It could be time to blow this team up. Last Week’s Ranking-25
25. New Orleans Hornets (10-25): Since Eric Gordon returned, the Hornets have gone 4-1, including wins over the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. Gordon hasn’t been great but the Hornets have started winning. Overall they split their past 10 games and have won three in a row. Last Week’s Ranking-27
24. Philadelphia 76ers (15-22): The Sixers have lost five in a row and 8-of-10,but despite Jrue Holiday playing well, no one else is a Sixers uniform is contributing enough. Last Week’s Ranking-19
Jan 10, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) on the bench against the Sacramento Kings during the overtime period at Sleep Train Arena. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings 117-112 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
23. Los Angeles Lakers (15-20): Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol are out and the Lakers have lost five straight. Just when you start to think it is starting to get better in Lakerland, things just get much worse. Last Week’s Ranking-18
22. Dallas Mavericks (14-23): The Mavs have won only 2-of-12 and those victories came against Washington and Sacramento. Dirk Nowitzki is starting to round into shape but there isn’t enough talent around him and O.J. Mayo isn’t playing as well as he was early in the season. Last Week’s Ranking-24
21. Sacramento Kings (13-23): The Kings appeared to be turning the corner but a three-game losing streak shows that they aren’t ready. Maybe it is time for a shake up here also because things aren’t working. Last Week’s Ranking-23
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-16): Kevin Love’s latest setback just crushes the Wolves, who have been dealing with tons of injuries all season long. Last Week’s Ranking-14
19. Detroit Pistons (13-23): Greg Monroe has been playing well and the Pistons have won 6-of-8 and both losses have come in overtime. Last Week’s Ranking-22
18. Utah Jazz (19-18): The Jazz have too much talent to be constantly hovering around the .500 mark, but four wins in five games could get them hot again. Last Week’s Ranking-20
17. Toronto Raptors (13-22): The Raptors were 4-19 at one point in the season and have since gone 9-4 behind the spectacular play of point guard Jose Calderon. Last Week’s Ranking-17
16. Boston Celtics (18-17): Are the Celtics starting to put things together? Four consecutive wins is a good sign. Last Week’s Ranking-21
15. Milwaukee Bucks (18-16): The Bucks need one more piece to take this team from average to above average. That piece may already be on their roster in Ersan Ilyasova, who has underachieved to this point of the season. Last Week’s Ranking-12
Jan 08, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) shoots a foul shot during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nets defeated the Sixers 109-89. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
14. Atlanta Hawks (20-14): The Hawks make a big drop after losing four in a row, including losses to: Cleveland, Detroit and Minnesota. They have had trouble with opposing big men and have dropped 5-of-6 overall. The Hawks were a surprise the first quarter of the season and could be coming back to earth. Last Week’s Ranking-9
13. Brooklyn Nets (20-15): The Nets have seemed to figure it out under interim coach P.J. Carlesimo, who will be the coach for the remainder of the season. Brooklyn has won 7-of-10 and if Deron Williams-and Gerald Wallace for that matter- start playing well eventually, the Nets could once again be a major factor in the Eastern Conference. Last Week’s Ranking-16
12. Portland Trail Blazers (20-15): LaMarcus Aldridge and J.J. Hickson have been outstanding down low and rookie point guard Damian Lillard has been quite the spark for the Blazers, who have won 11 of their last 14. Their lack of a bench will kill them in the end, but right now the Blazers are playing very well. Last Week’s Ranking-15
11. Chicago Bulls (19-14): Despite a loss to the Bobcats at home two weeks ago, the Bulls have a 15-6 record inside the Eastern Conference- only the Knicks have a better mark. When Derrick Rose returns, the Bulls will be a tough out in the postseason. Last Week’s Ranking-13
10. Denver Nuggets (21-16): The Nuggets finally got some games at home and have responded by winning 10 of their past 13. Andre Iguodala is getting more comfortable in his new surroundings and the Nuggets are poised to take off and be a threat in the Western Conference like many predicted before the season began. Last Week’s Ranking-11
January 5, 2013; Orlando FL, USA; New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) talks with small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
9. Houston Rockets (21-15): James Harden has scored at least 25 points in 14 straight games and the Rockets show no signs of slowing down at the moment. Last Week’s Ranking-8
8. Miami Heat (23-11): The Heat can’t rebound the basketball and show no intensity at the defensive end of the floor. Even worse, they are only 7-8 on the road. It may not be time to panic just yet, but there are some concerns with the defending champs. Last Week’s Ranking-5
7. New York Knicks (23-12): After a great start, the Knicks have come back to earth, going only 5-7 over their past 12. But they have had to deal with a ton of injuries, so they are still legitimate contenders right now. They stay ahead of Miami because they punished the Heat twice by 20. Last Week’s Ranking-6
6. Indiana Pacers (22-14): Roy Hibbert has been lousy but the Pacers have reeled off 12 wins in their past 15 games, including three consecutive wins over Milwaukee, Miami and New York. Defense and rebounding have been the keys to the Indiana turnaround as they rank first and second in rebounds and points allowed per game. While Hibbert has not been good, Paul George is starting to realize his potential and has been outstanding as of late. Last Week’s Ranking-10
5. Golden State Warriors (22-12): The Warriors continue to play well although recent losses to the Clippers and Grizzlies knock them down a couple of pegs. Last Week’s Ranking-3
4. Memphis Grizzlies (23-10): The Grizzlies have been rumored to be shopping Rudy Gay and others, but as long as they are contending, I can’t see them making a deal. After a less-than-spectacular December, Memphis looks back on track by winning 4-of-5. Last Week’s Ranking-7
3. San Antonio Spurs (28-10): Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have been outstanding and the Spurs just keep rolling, winners of nine of their past 11. Last Week’s Ranking-4
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (27-8): A shocking loss to the Wizards keep the Thunder out of the top spot for now, but despite winning only six of their past 10, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook are serious contenders. Last Week’s Ranking-2
1. Los Angeles Clippers (28-8): Chris Paul is making a case for the MVP and the Clippers keep on winning impressively. After losing consecutive games to see their 17-game win streak come to an end, the Clippers are right back at it by reeling off three in a row. They hold onto the top spot for a third consecutive week. Last Week’s Ranking-1
Biggest Climber: Celtics (+5)
Biggest Faller: Timberwolves (-6)
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