NBA Power Rankings Week 8: The Phoenix Suns are rising

</div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Dallas Mavericks 127-122, Lost to LA Clippers 119-112, Lost to Charlotte Hornets 120-114</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 at Toronto Raptors, 2/16 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 2/17 vs. Indiana Pacers, 2/19 vs. Toronto Raptors</p> <p>This is just getting depressing. Karl-Anthony Towns is back in the lineup. Much like years past, that does not mean that wins will follow. The Minnesota Timberwolves are in sole possession of last place in the standings and relief does not appear to be anywhere in sight.</p> <p>Towns is good and showed it this week, averaging 21.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game on shooting splits of .515/.467/1.00. Malik Beasley has been the best player on this team this season, dropping 22 points in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks. Anthony Edwards has started to look like the number one pick should look and showed out in the battle against fellow rookie star LaMelo Ball.</p> <p>The issue is none of these positives are leading to wins. This is not like the Detroit Pistons, who had expectations of being bad. The Minnesota Timberwolves at least touted expectations of competing for the playoffs this season. Unfortunately for one of the top prospects in the loaded draft next season, they may be looked at as the next guy tasked with saving the franchise.</p> <p>This week will not be any easier with games against the Toronto Raptors (twice), Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers. Already on a four-game losing streak, Minnesota’s next win could take a while.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 29 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422930" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422930" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301494084.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301494084.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301494084-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="29" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Washington Wizards" data-team-id="142" data-meta-a="6-17" data-meta-b="Previous: 27th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">29 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Washington Wizards <span class="score">6-17</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">27</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fwizards.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Charlotte Hornets 119-97, Beat Chicago Bulls 105-101, Lost to Toronto Raptors 137-115, Lost to New York Knicks 109-91</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. Boston Celtics, 2/15 vs. Houston Rockets, 2/17 vs. Denver Nuggets, 2/20 at Portland Trail Blazers</p> <p>To put it lightly, the Washington Wizards might be the most unserious franchise in the NBA. Giving up a first-round pick to bring Russell Westbrook into the fold was questionable at the time and has aged like milk. Westbrook has played in 16 games for the Wizards this season and they are a putrid 2-14 in those games. He has not been involved in a win this month.</p> <p>Rui Hachimura is the only Wizard that generated real positivity this week, other than the big-time scoring numbers of Bradley Beal. Hachimura is one of two Wizards who played in all four games this week and averaged double figures in scoring. While that may seem like a low bar (it is), such is the life of the Washington Wizards.</p> <p>Beal keeps on saying all of the right things, but as the season goes along that may be part of the problem. It may be why no moves are made and Scott Brooks has continued as the coach for so long. It is one thing to be a team-friendly superstar. It is a step further to not hold a team accountable for mismanaging the prime of one of the best players in the league.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 28 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422931" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422931" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2200,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301997874.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2200" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301997874.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301997874-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="28" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Orlando Magic" data-team-id="38" data-meta-a="10-17" data-meta-b="Previous: 28th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">28 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Orlando Magic <span class="score">10-17</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">28</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmagic.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Portland Trail Blazers 106-97, Lost to Golden State Warriors 111-105, Beat Sacramento Kings 123-112</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 at Phoenix Suns, 2/17 vs. New York Knicks, 2/19 vs. Golden State Warriors</p> <p>With Cole Anthony and Evan Fournier finding themselves out of the lineup, there are plenty of instances where Nikola Vucevic finds himself as the only NBA rotation caliber player in the starting lineup for the Orlando Magic. He has performed admirably, including his 42-point outburst in a win over the Sacramento Kings, but that does not change the lost nature of this season for the Magic.</p> <p>That win against the Kings actually reaffirmed the dire nature of the roster at the moment. Michael Cater-Williams returned to action and was immediately the second-best player on the team. Outside of Terrence Ross, the two most interesting players coming off the bench were Mo Bamba and Khem Birch.</p> <p>Vucevic is trying to make his case as an All-Star. With everyone else out of the rotation, he posted a line this week of 31.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game on shooting splits of .530/.524/.722. He is unlikely to make it but what he is doing for the Magic in their depleted state is admirable if nothing else. Eventually, the injury bug has to depart because it is getting ridiculous at this point. Frank Mason played four minutes in the starting lineup before finding himself on the shelf as well.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 27 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422932" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422932" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1298682972.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1298682972.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1298682972-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="27" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Cleveland Cavaliers" data-team-id="156" data-meta-a="10-17" data-meta-b="Previous: 23rd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">27 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Cleveland Cavaliers <span class="score">10-17</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">23</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fcavaliers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Phoenix Suns 119-113, Lost to Denver Nuggets 133-95, Lost to Portland Trail Blazers 129-110</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. LA Clippers, 2/15 at Golden State Warriors, 2/17 vs. San Antonio Spurs</p> <p>The clock has officially struck midnight for the Cleveland Cavaliers, losers of six in a row. Even with the majority of their lineup back (Kevin Love remains missing in action), the Cavs cannot get back to their winning ways and are continuing to look more and more like the team they were projected to be before the season began.</p> <p>The biggest news of the week came with the move to start Jarrett Allen and Andre Drummond together, bucking the trend of increasingly small lineups across the league by playing two centers together. Unsurprisingly this has not led to too much in terms of production.</p> <p>It has worked individually for Allen, as he led the team in scoring this week (18.0 per game). On the other side, Andre Drummond is struggling, posting averages of 9.0 points and 8.3 rebounds a night. The guards are struggling as well with limited space to be found to create driving lanes. Any early-season optimism has mostly dissipated, only to be replaced by the unfortunately normal feeling that tends to surround the post-LeBron James Cavaliers: indifference.</p> <p>Nothing is likely to change with the Cavaliers until the trade deadline and buyout season come to pass. This roster is not working and that is to be expected with two big men anchored in the paint.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 26 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422933" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422933" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301873831.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301873831.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301873831-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="26" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Detroit Pistons" data-team-id="64" data-meta-a="7-19" data-meta-b="Previous: 30th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">26 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Detroit Pistons <span class="score">7-19</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">30</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpistons.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Brooklyn Nets 122-111, Lost to Indiana Pacers 111-95, Beat Boston Celtics 108-102</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 2/16 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 2/17 at Dallas Mavericks, 2/19 at Memphis Grizzlies</p> <p>The Detroit Pistons won not one, but two games this week. They remain, as Nicholas Henkel so eloquently put it on ESPN, the best worst team of all time. While Detroit will not win many games this season, they seem destined to challenge people night in and night out and knock off title contenders along the way.</p> <p>For Detroit, the youth movement took another step this week. Derrick Rose was shipped out last week and Dennis Smith Jr. joined the Pistons. Isaiah Stewart started the first two games of his career and made the first 3-pointer of his career.</p> <p>Saddiq Bey ended up being the best of them all by week’s end. Bey had started off the year strong but after something of a lull he is back in full force. His line on Friday night against the Boston Celtics jumps off the page and into the history books: 30 points and 12 rebounds while shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from 3-point range, a rookie record.</p> <p>With only one center in the lineup against the Celtics on the second night of a back-to-back, the young guys (and Delon Wright) came up huge. Those types of efforts are not necessarily sustainable, but for a team destined to lose a significant number of games, it is fun while it lasts.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 25 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422934" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422934" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1140,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301640357.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1140" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301640357.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301640357-768x547.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="25" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Chicago Bulls" data-team-id="24" data-meta-a="10-15" data-meta-b="Previous: 26th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">25 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Chicago Bulls <span class="score">10-15</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">26</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fbulls.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Washington Wizards 105-101, Beat New Orleans Pelicans 129-116, Lost to LA Clippers 125-106</p> <p>This Week: 2/15 at Indiana Pacers, 2/17 at Charlotte Hornets, 2/19 at Philadelphia 76ers, 2/20 vs. Sacramento Kings</p> <p>Chicago Bulls fans should really pretend that the only game that happened this week was the one against the New Orleans Pelicans. No one wants to remember losing to the Washington Wizards, even if Zach LaVine was awesome in that game. Similarly, how much can really be taken away from a 19-point loss to the Clippers?</p> <p>Against the New Orleans Pelicans, however, the Bulls got a glimpse of what their future could truly look like. Zach LaVine and Coby White were bombing from long range and the Pelicans did not have an answer for the onslaught they brought forward.</p> <p>Since a trip to the All-Star game feels increasingly unlikely, it is time to focus again on the box score brilliance of Zach LaVine. Over the last week LaVine went nuclear, posting a line of 35.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game on shooting splits of .556/.552/.786. No longer is it possible to saddle him with the lazy narrative of empty stats chucking the ball constantly at the rim. Honestly, that has not been a fair evaluation for a few years. LaVine is legitimately good. If the rest of the Bulls could get anywhere near his level, the team would have something going for them.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 24 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422936" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422936" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301834458.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301834458.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301834458-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="24" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Oklahoma City Thunder" data-team-id="149" data-meta-a="10-15" data-meta-b="Previous: 24th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">24 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Oklahoma City Thunder <span class="score">10-15</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">24</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fthunder.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost/OT Los Angeles Lakers 119-112, Lost/OT to Los Angeles Lakers 114-113, Lost to Denver Nuggets 97-95</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 2/16 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 2/17 at Memphis Grizzlies, 2/19 at Milwaukee Bucks</p> <p>Even with three losses this week, the Oklahoma City Thunder have to feel good. They pushed the defending champions to overtime twice and barely lost to a Denver Nuggets team in desperate need of a win to stop the bleeding. The Thunder, like the Pistons, are the kind of tanking team that does not seem to realize they are supposed to lose games and will give it their all to win every game.</p> <p>Lu Dort putting the clamps on LeBron James was good for a meme but it was also the perfect encapsulation of the mentality of the Thunder. They do not know that they are not supposed to be in every game. The Thunder keep giving it their all, irritating the best teams in the league and being a step ahead of where they should be.</p> <p>Dort further exemplifies this because his statistical impact has dwindled since the beginning of the season and ultimately it does not matter that much. He, like his team, is slowly figuring things out and that is about far more than just this season. The plan is working in Oklahoma City, even if the wins are not part of the immediate future.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 23 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422938" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422938" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301819432.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301819432.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301819432-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="23" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Houston Rockets" data-team-id="169" data-meta-a="11-15" data-meta-b="Previous: 13th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">23 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Houston Rockets <span class="score">11-15</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">13</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Frockets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Charlotte Hornets 119-94, Lost to New Orleans Pelicans 130-101, Lost to Miami Heat 101-94, Lost to New York Knicks 121-99</p> <p>This Week: 2/15 at Washington Wizards, 2/17 at Philadelphia 76ers, 2/19 vs. Dallas Mavericks, 2/20 vs. Indiana Pacers</p> <p>Losers of five in a row, the optimism around the Houston Rockets has truly dissipated. They have slid back down to seventh in defensive rating. With Christian Wood sidelined for a few weeks, the offense does not seem capable of picking up the slack the defense has left.</p> <p>Unsurprisingly, John Wall, Eric Gordon and Victor Oladipo each missed at least one game this week, not helping matters for a team struggling to find a consistent offensive flow. To take a break from the negativity, Wall and Gordon have looked very good when they are on the court. Wall averaged 22.7 points, 5.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game and has unexpectedly made the Rockets look like undeniable winners in the trade of Russell Westbrook.</p> <p>Eric Gordon is having a great bounce-back season and is living up to the contract extension he was given. Last season was a rough one for him, but more weeks where he averages 21.3 points and 4.3 assists a night would be a welcome sight (especially if his efficiency would go back up).</p> <p>Ultimately, the label that had Houston as the land of misfit toys as a compliment was fun while it lasted. The Rockets are a team full of castoffs that at times play well, but without their best player in the lineup, and often times even more struggling to stay healthy, the losses should be expected to continue.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 22 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422939" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422939" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1265,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1299880141.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1265" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299880141.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299880141-768x607.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="22" data-rank-type="team" data-name="New York Knicks" data-team-id="27" data-meta-a="13-15" data-meta-b="Previous: 22nd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">22 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>New York Knicks <span class="score">13-15</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">22</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Miami Heat 109-103, Lost to Miami Heat 98-96, Beat Washington Wizards 109-91, Beat Houston Rockets 121-99</p> <p>This Week: 2/15 vs. Atlanta Hawks, 2/17 at Orlando Magic, 2/20 vs. San Antonio Spurs</p> <p>Even with two wins to end the week, the New York Knicks have to be coming away from a week that was disheartened. Losing Mitchell Robinson for four to six weeks with a broken hand is a gut punch for a young team finally starting to build something this season. The defense should hold to an extent for the Knicks because of the effort they give on a nightly basis, but missing out on Robinson hurts nonetheless.</p> <p>In other news, the Knicks were able to add Derrick Rose to the fold. The fit still feels somewhat odd with Immanuel Quickley’s emergence this year and Elfrid Payton, Alec Burks and Austin Rivers still getting minutes, but a reunion with Tom Thibodeau and a former Chicago Bull tends to be like Thanos: inevitable.</p> <p>Rose made it clear this was where he wanted to be and he was solid in his return to the Big Apple, averaging 14.7 points, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals a night in his three games this week. The cost for New York made the gamble ultimately fine. Even if the roster fit is weird, bringing in a bench scorer of Rose’s caliber at the cost of Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round pick is an easy call.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 21 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422940" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422940" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301890642.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301890642.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301890642-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="21" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Memphis Grizzlies" data-team-id="211" data-meta-a="10-11" data-meta-b="Previous: 17th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">21 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Memphis Grizzlies <span class="score">10-11</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">17</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fgrizzlies.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Toronto Raptors 128-113, Beat Charlotte Hornets 130-114, Lost to Los Angeles Lakers 115-105</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 at Sacramento Kings, 2/16 vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 2/17 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 2/19 vs. Detroit Pistons, 2/20 vs. Phoenix Suns</p> <p>If not for a nuclear display from long range against the Charlotte Hornets (23 made 3-pointers), the Memphis Grizzlies would be coming out of this week in a world of hurt. They lost to the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers each by double-figures and are starting to show some of the growing pains that come for a young team that is continuing to miss two of their projected starters this far into the season.</p> <p>Desmond Bane has looked good since jumping into the starting lineup and Ja Morant has benefited from having a knockdown shooter in the lineup with him. The offense has not been the problem for the Memphis Grizzlies. As is to be expected, defense is not exactly their strength at this point. In the month of February the Grizzlies are in the bottom-five of defensive rating.</p> <p>The week ahead will determine plenty about the direction the Grizzlies should take for the rest of the year. They will play five games in seven days, four of which are against teams in their level of contention or lower. Racking up some wins will keep them in the playoff race and solidify their resolves. Should they continue to struggle, considering selling off a veteran or two to tank into another top lottery pick may be around the corner.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 20 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422942" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422942" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301690520.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301690520.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301690520-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="20" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Toronto Raptors" data-team-id="81" data-meta-a="12-14" data-meta-b="Previous: 18th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">20 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Toronto Raptors <span class="score">12-14</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">18</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fraptors.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Memphis Grizzlies 128-113, Beat Washington Wizards 137-115, Lost to Boston Celtics 120-106</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 2/16 at Milwaukee Bucks, 2/18 at Milwaukee Bucks, 2/19 at Minnesota Timberwolves</p> <p>The Toronto Raptors played just three games this week and were able to snag two wins against teams on the outside of the playoff picture looking in and then got caught on the second night of a back-to-back. Suddenly, Toronto finds itself back in the playoff picture after struggles at the beginning of the season seems to have passed.</p> <p>Part of this resurgence is a more balanced offensive attack making life easier on Pascal Siakam. The former All-Star struggled in the postseason last year and early this season as the primary option on offense. Over the last few weeks, the burden has been more widespread and everyone involved has prospered.</p> <p>Just looking at the past week, Siakam is still the top scorer on the team (27.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game) but does not feel the pressure of trying to take care of everything. Pascal Siakam has the highest usage rate on the team (24.8 percent) but he is one of six players over 20.2. Since Feb. 7, five Raptors have averaged in double figures. Chris Boucher has transitioned to a more sustainable role and Norman Powell and Fred VanVleet have started to pop off more often. Things are looking up for the team sequestered in Tampa for the rest of the season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 19 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422943" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422943" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301819560.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301819560.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301819560-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="19" data-rank-type="team" data-name="New Orleans Pelicans" data-team-id="69" data-meta-a="11-14" data-meta-b="Previous: 16th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">19 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>New Orleans Pelicans <span class="score">11-14</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">16</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpelicans.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Houston Rockets 130-101, Lost to Chicago Bulls 129-116, Lost to Dallas Mavericks 143-130</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 at Detroit Pistons, 2/16 at Memphis Grizzlies, 2/19 vs. Phoenix Suns</p> <p>Continuing their trend of being impossible to figure out, the New Orleans Pelicans demolished the best defensive team in the league before losing by double-digits to the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks. Much of this inconsistency can be attributed to the fact that the Pelicans are so reliant on young talent.</p> <p>Speaking of said young talent, the three building blocks of the Pelicans future balled out this week. Against the Houston Rockets, seven Pelicans reached double figures in scoring. Zion Williamson had a dominant week, putting up a line of 28.3 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game on an absurd 74.4 percent shooting from the field.</p> <p>Brandon Ingram did his part as the second option, averaging 24.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Completing the trio, Lonzo Ball showed again exactly why he should not be traded, complementing the two stars perfectly by averaging 16.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 42.3 percent from distance.</p> <p>Not enough has been made about the fact that Lonzo Ball has turned the corner so far this season. He struggled early on which led to trade rumors circulating. This trade may still happen, but it wouldn’t if New Orleans was smart. Ball should be a part of this team’s future without a doubt.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 18 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422945" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422945" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1995,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301685677.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="1995" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301685677.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301685677-768x479.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="18" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Miami Heat" data-team-id="110" data-meta-a="11-15" data-meta-b="Previous: 25th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">18 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Miami Heat <span class="score">11-15</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">25</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fheat.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat New York Knicks 109-103, Beat New York Knicks 98-96, Beat Houston Rockets 101-94, Lost to Utah Jazz 112-94</p> <p>This Week: 2/15 at LA Clippers, 2/17 at Golden State Warriors, 2/18 at Sacramento Kings, 2/20 at Los Angeles Lakers</p> <p>The Miami Heat are in the midst of a long Western Conference road trip, spanning seven games in 11 days. Before falling to the Utah Jazz on Saturday night the Heat were winners of four in a row and looked to be back. They can be forgiven for losing to the Jazz on the road given that Utah has won 18 of its last 19 games.</p> <p>Jimmy Butler is clearly back and has returned the Heat to something resembling their former selves. Tyler Herro still missed a game while Avery Bradley and Goran Dragic have yet to return to the lineup. The production and attitude of Jimmy Butler is essential to what is going on with Miami.</p> <p>This week, Butler posted a line of 21.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He does everything for this team, much like fellow All-Star Bam Adebayo. Adebayo added 16.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.8 steals a night. They led six scorers in double-figures, a hallmark of the Miami Heat team that ran through the postseason last year. While Butler and Adebayo are the clear leaders of this team it is almost impossible to determine from night to night which player is going to go off and lead the team in scoring. If the Heat are indeed back, the rest of the conference needs to be ready.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 17 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422946" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422946" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1230959048.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1230959048.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1230959048-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="17" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Atlanta Hawks" data-team-id="125" data-meta-a="11-15" data-meta-b="Previous: 15th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">17 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Atlanta Hawks <span class="score">11-15</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">15</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fhawks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Dallas Mavericks 118-117, Lost to San Antonio Spurs 125-114, Lost to Indiana Pacers 125-113</p> <p>This Week: 2/15 at New York Knicks, 2/17 at Boston Celtics, 2/19 at Boston Celtics</p> <p>The Atlanta Hawks are in free fall, losers of seven of their last 10 games. Nothing seems to be going right for them and the news that De’Andre Hunter is expected to be out seven to 10 weeks for knee surgery only exacerbates the problems they are facing.</p> <p>Trae Young is scoring at a pedestrian level as the team struggles, mustering only 21.7 points per game over the week. He is chipping in 10.7 nightly assists, which is helping John Collins show out. This week the pending free agent averaged 20.0 points and 7.7 rebounds a game for a team in desperate need of production.</p> <p>On the more critical side, the lack of increased production from Cam Reddish is truly painful for the Hawks. The lack of leap from him offensively is made all the more noticeable when compared to just how much Hunter had improved before going out with injury. His defense (a necessity) keeps him on the court but the Hawks need more from him if they are to remain in playoff contention.</p> <p>The final negative note comes with two of the more exciting offseason additions for the Hawks continuing to be disappointments. Danilo Gallinari is still not completely healthy. Averaging just 11.0 points per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the floor (27.8 percent from long range) is pretty inexcusable. Rookie Onyeka Okongwu looks even rawer than expected. Eventually, something will need to break right for the Hawks.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 16 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422948" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422948" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2189,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301675359.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2189" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301675359.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301675359-768x525.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="16" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Sacramento Kings" data-team-id="84" data-meta-a="12-13" data-meta-b="Previous: 12th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">16 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Sacramento Kings <span class="score">12-13</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">12</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fkings.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat 113-110 LA Clippers, Lost to Philadelphia 76ers 119-111, Lost to Orlando Magic 123-112</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 2/15 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 2/18 vs. Miami Heat, 2/20 at Chicago Bulls</p> <p>The Sacramento Kings were riding the high of back to back wins against the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers on consecutive nights. The national audience was starting to take notice of how well the Kings had been playing and they were above .500 this late in the season for the first time in years.</p> <p>The loss against the Philadelphia 76ers should have been expected. For a young team unaccustomed to winning much, another game against a contender would have been too much to ask. However, turning around and losing to the remnants of the Orlando Magic (even without De’Aaron Fox) after two days off is confusing, to say the least.</p> <p>Rather than getting discouraged, the team should continue to celebrate the step forward they have taken. De’Aaron Fox continues to play like a bona fide star, averaging 35.0 points, 8.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds a night in his two games this week. Backcourt mates Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton continue to thrive.</p> <p>The biggest deterrent this week was Harrison Barnes’ regression. Barnes was quietly having a very productive season for the Kings but this week saw a noticeable dip, averaging only 8.3 points per game. The Kings will need more than that from him if they are to get back to winning.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 15 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422949" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422949" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1004,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1299361671.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1004" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299361671.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299361671-768x482.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="15" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Indiana Pacers" data-team-id="100" data-meta-a="14-13" data-meta-b="Previous: 11th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">15 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Indiana Pacers <span class="score">14-13</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">11</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpacers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Utah Jazz 103-95, Lost to Brooklyn Nets 104-94, Beat Detroit Pistons 111-95, Beat Atlanta Hawks 125-113</p> <p>This Week:  2/15 vs. Chicago Bulls, 2/17 at Minnesota Timberwolves, 2/20 at Houston Rockets</p> <p>After dipping below .500 earlier this week for the first time all season, the Indiana Pacers have won two in a row with hopes of getting back on track. The warning signs are still pretty clear, but with a slightly easier week ahead, perhaps another win streak is in the works.</p> <p>The losses to the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets were not as close as the final score would indicate and exposed the depth issues caused by all of the injuries Indiana is currently dealing with. While Caris LeVert has been able to join the team, there is still no timeline on his or TJ Warren’s return to the lineup. Until they are back, the stars for the Pacers are spread incredibly thin.</p> <p>Playing such high minutes with this demanding of a workload has started to take its toll on the top three Pacers remaining. Malcolm Brogdon’s production has been on a steady decline for a few weeks, and this week he posted a line of 16.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. The fact that he shot just 36.2 percent from the field is the most problematic for a guy known to be extremely efficient.</p> <p>Domantas Sabonis has also started to tail off and this week was also unable to average 20 points per game. Sabonis posted averages of 19.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks a night.</p> <p>That combination is undoubtedly good, but for a team struggling to maintain a winning record while two of their top four offensive options are out of the lineup, it may not be good enough. Combined with the fact that Myles Turner could only muster 11.8 points per game and his block numbers was on a more human level (1.8 per game), the Pacers are still in a bit of trouble.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 14 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422950" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422950" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1185,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1299887917.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1185" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299887917.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299887917-768x569.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="14" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Dallas Mavericks" data-team-id="79" data-meta-a="13-14" data-meta-b="Previous: 20th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">14 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Dallas Mavericks <span class="score">13-14</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">20</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmavericks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Minnesota Timberwolves 127-122, Beat Atlanta Hawks 118-117, Beat New Orleans Pelicans 143-130</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 2/17 vs. Detroit Pistons, 2/19 at Houston Rockets</p> <p>After plenty of NBA fans were ready to pile dirt on the grave of the Dallas Maverick, they have reeled off four wins in a row and are back in the hunt for the postseason. Part of that is the schedule becoming slightly easier but that was always bound to happen. Even more importantly, the offense is getting increasingly on the same page.</p> <p>Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Mavericks almost blew a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter. The next game, facing off against the Atlanta Hawks, they came back to get a close win. The game against the Pelicans did not often involve the word close.</p> <p>Something happens when the two All-Stars for the Dallas Mavericks play up to their potential. That something is often along the lines of complete dominance. Over the last week, Luka Doncic averaged 33.3 points, 9.0 assists, 8.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Kristaps Porzingis was not far behind at 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 52.0 percent on 8.3 3-point attempts per game.</p> <p>There was a reason the Mavericks had such high preseason expectations and Doncic was considered the prohibitive favorite to be named MVP. While his place in the award race may have fallen by the wayside, the Mavericks are climbing back up the standings.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 13 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422951" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422951" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1299875589.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299875589.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299875589-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="13" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Charlotte Hornets" data-team-id="170" data-meta-a="13-14" data-meta-b="Previous: 19th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">13 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Charlotte Hornets <span class="score">13-14</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">19</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fhornets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Washington Wizards 119-97, Beat Houston Rockets 119-94, Lost to Memphis Grizzlies 130-114, Beat Minnesota Timberwolves 120-114</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 2/17 vs. Chicago Bulls, 2/19 vs. Denver Nuggets, 2/20 vs. Golden State Warriors</p> <p>In case you were not paying them attention, the Charlotte Hornets are starting to figure things out. This is in large part to the transcendence of LaMelo Ball, but it is more than that. Their top three players have gelled together in a way that has to be surprising to anyone outside of the organization.</p> <p>Over the last week Ball, Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward combined to average 67.3 points per game. Rozier has been particularly hot, shooting 61.5 percent from the field this week, including 55.6 percent on 9.0 3-point attempts per game. After being out of the lineup for a few games, he is back with a vengeance and the starting lineup for the Hornets has solidified.</p> <p>Miles Bridges is the next guy set to pop. He has thrived playing alongside LaMelo Ball, benefitting from a guy who can throw lobs to him. His game is evolving as the Hornets continue to build upon their success. But as nice as it has been to focus on the other players driving the Hornets, Ball is still the focal point.</p> <p>Ball is by far the most statistically dominant rookie in this class, leading all rookies in points per game, field goals made per game, assists per game, steals per game, total points, total field goals made, free throws attempted, defensive and total rebounds, assists and steals. He is also second in rebounds per game (6.0 behind James Wiseman’s 6.1). He has transformed this franchise and is the most high-impact rookie the franchise has ever had.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 12 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422952" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422952" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1342,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1299032346.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1342" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299032346.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299032346-768x644.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="12" data-rank-type="team" data-name="San Antonio Spurs" data-team-id="29" data-meta-a="15-11" data-meta-b="Previous: 21st" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">12 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>San Antonio Spurs <span class="score">15-11</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">21</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fspurs.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Golden State Warriors 105-100, Lost to Golden State Warriors 114-91, Beat Atlanta Hawks 125-114</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 at Charlotte Hornets; 2/16 at Detroit Pistons, 2/17 at Cleveland Cavaliers, 2/20 at New York Knicks</p> <p>Another week, another six players for the San Antonio Spurs averaging double figures in scoring. Something about the Spurs organization will not let the team take a step back. They seem destined to finish somewhere in the middle of the pack but will get their young guys plenty of reps in real games with consequences.</p> <p>Dejounte Murray deserves to be spotlighted this week. He was second on the team in scoring at 17.0 points and added 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.0 steals per game. He shot 50.0 percent from the field, 50.0 from 3-point range and 83.3 percent from the line. While taking his turn as the most impressive young Spur may feel run of the mill for Murray, this time feels different.</p> <p>Of San Antonio’s young guys, Murray has been there the longest and dealt with lost seasons. The fact that he is putting it all together on a team still competing for a playoff spot has to feel good. The Spurs are a shining example of what is good about the play-in scenario. They transitioned from decades of title contention into a rebuild that still involves two former All-Stars. They do not have to fully tear it down because they are already set up for the future based on the culture they have established.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 11 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422954" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422954" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1080,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1231071820.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1080" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1231071820.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1231071820-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="11" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Golden State Warriors" data-team-id="41" data-meta-a="14-13" data-meta-b="Previous: 10th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">11 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Golden State Warriors <span class="score">14-13</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">10</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fwarriors.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to San Antonio Spurs 105-108, Beat San Antonio Spurs 114-91, Beat Orlando Magic 111-105, Lost to Brooklyn Nets 134-117</p> <p>This Week: 2/15 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 2/17 vs. Miami Heat, 2/19 at Orlando Magic, 2/20 at Charlotte Hornets</p> <p>When Draymond Green went down clutching his knee after appearing to make no contact with a Brooklyn Net, the Golden State Warriors had to be holding their breath. The Warriors are already shorthanded, so seeing Green come out to start the second half and play the rest of the game had to be the only reassuring thing to take away from a 17-point loss.</p> <p>Only three Warriors averaged double figures in scoring this week (despite seven scoring that much against the San Antonio Spurs in their second meeting this week), led as always by Stephen Curry. The former MVP averaged 32.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game this week with scorching splits of .563/.449/.905. While Kevon Looney and James Wiseman remain out, Curry is carrying the load for everyone on the team. Anyone who questioned whether he was still a potential MVP coming into this season looks sillier by the game.</p> <p>Kelly Oubre Jr. (17.5 points per game) and Andrew Wiggins (15.8 points per game) were the only other Warriors to score at a consistent level this week. Juan Toscano-Anderson made his name to an extent, but that was mostly attributed to him introducing himself on Twitter and his teammates embracing his personality publicly. Once healthy, the Warriors will start getting attention for more of the traditional reasons.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 10 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422955" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422955" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301706259.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301706259.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301706259-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="19" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Portland Trail Blazers" data-team-id="34" data-meta-a="15-10" data-meta-b="Previous: 14th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">19 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Portland Trail Blazers <span class="score">15-10</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">14</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Ftrailblazers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Orlando Magic 106-97, Beat Philadelphia 76ers 118-114, Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 129-110</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 at Dallas Mavericks, 2/16 at Oklahoma City Thunder, 2/17 at New Orleans Pelicans, 2/20 vs. Washington Wizards</p> <p>It is becoming increasingly obvious that it may just not matter who is in the lineup for the Portland Trail Blazers as long as Damian Lillard is part of it. Even as his teammates get injured around him, a collection of their depth will step up in their stead and continue to carry the Blazers to more wins.</p> <p>Most impressively from this week, the Blazers were facing the Philadelphia 76ers and got another win. Much was made about the upset of the Sixers before, but this time the Sixers were healthy and the Blazers still walked away victorious.</p> <p>As impressive as Damian Lillard has been (28.7 points per game this week), Carmelo Anthony may actually be more astounding. Brought back this season to be part of their bench depth, the veteran has stepped up in the absence of his teammates and is thriving. This week, he posted a line of 23.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. That production has been essential to a team missing its second and third option on offense.</p> <p>What the Blazers are doing this season is special. They have established themselves as a fixture in the Western Conference playoff picture for years because of their offense and their survivability. This year they have epitomized that. The Blazers are hanging tough in the standings. Before long, CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic will be back and these banked wins will go a long way.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 9 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422956" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422956" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301859846.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301859846.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301859846-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="9" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Boston Celtics" data-team-id="18" data-meta-a="13-12" data-meta-b="Previous: 6th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">9 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Boston Celtics <span class="score">13-12</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">6</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fceltics.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Phoenix Suns 100-91, Lost to Utah Jazz 122-108, Beat Toronto Raptors 120-106, Lost to Detroit Pistons 108-102</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 at Washington Wizards, 2/16 vs. Denver Nuggets, 2/17 vs. Atlanta Hawks, 2/19 vs. Atlanta Hawks</p> <p>This was a very rough week for the Boston Celtics. If not for a much-needed victory against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, the week would have been wholly negative. Losing to the extremely shorthanded Detroit Pistons evaporated any of the goodwill the Toronto win had generated.</p> <p>Jaylen Brown missed the game against the Phoenix Suns so an excuse can be made there for a close loss. Everyone is losing to the Utah Jazz so that was unfortunately to be expected. But combining everything together makes for a negative feeling around the team.</p> <p>The biggest issue the Boston Celtics are currently facing is the overall deterioration of Kemba Walker’s game. Walker missed the game against the Pistons, but in the three games he played his numbers were not impressive: 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game with a 43.4 true shooting percentage. That is good for second-worst on the team of anyone who played meaningful minutes.</p> <p>Boston needs more consistent play from Kemba Walker for them to get back to title contention. Because even with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown playing at an All-Star level, that may not be enough to carry them.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 8 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422957" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422957" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301505989.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301505989.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301505989-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="8" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Denver Nuggets" data-team-id="73" data-meta-a="14-11" data-meta-b="Previous: 7th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">8 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Denver Nuggets <span class="score">14-11</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">7</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnuggets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 125-112, Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 133-95, Beat Oklahoma City Thunder</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 2/16 at Boston Celtics, 2.17 at Washington Wizards, 2/19 at Charlotte Hornets</p> <p>After dropping three games in a row (including to the Milwaukee Bucks this week), the Denver Nuggets beat up on two lower-tier teams. It seems that the ship has been righted after some internal strife between Michael Porter Jr. and his teammates.</p> <p>Reportedly, talking it out with Nikola Jokic as gone a long way. At least for the rest of the week, the team began to click a little more. Jokic is still a top MVP candidate but he cannot compete with the top of the Western Conference alone. Six Nuggets averaged double figures in scoring this week. This is the sort of balanced attack that helped propel the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals last year.</p> <p>Even the rookies are starting to come along. Zeke Nnaji is getting increasingly more minutes and has his moment. RJ Hampton looks to be the next Nuggets steal and the posterization of the Cleveland Cavaliers is the first of many to come.</p> <p>Denver is far from fully back to where they want to be. This season will likely be a work in progress, specifically to get Jamal Murray back to looking like the player he was for a few weeks in the bubble last year. This week could end up being what fans look back on as the turning point.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 7 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422958" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422958" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2200,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1302035497.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2200" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1302035497.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1302035497-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="7" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Brooklyn Nets" data-team-id="147" data-meta-a="16-12" data-meta-b="Previous: 9th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">7 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Brooklyn Nets <span class="score">16-12</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">9</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Detroit Pistons 122-111, Beat Indiana Pacers 104-94, Beat Golden State Warriors 134-117</p> <p>This Week: 2/15 at Sacramento Kings, 2/16 at Phoenix Suns, 2/18 at Los Angeles Lakers</p> <p>The Brooklyn Nets got the exact right start they needed to a five-game Pacific Division road trip as Kevin Durant made his return to Oakland to face the Golden State Warriors. For the second time this season, the Nets’ offense was too much for the Warriors to overcome, even if the box score looked different than Nets fans would have expected coming in.</p> <p>Durant suited up for the first time since he was jerked in and out of the lineup against the Toronto Raptors and then missed a week for health and safety protocols. The former MVP was a little rusty but still dropped 20 points on his former team. He was one of six Nets in double figures. In fact, everyone that played (besides three minutes from new addition Noah Vonleh) scored at least eight points. The well-rounded offensive attack was perfect for taking down the Warriors.</p> <p>With Deandre Jordan out of the lineup for personal reasons, the Nets began the game with a lineup akin to the death lineup from Durant’s Warriors days: Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Joe Harris and Bruce Brown. This could be the squad that closes many games for the Nets, depending on the type of center the opposing team has. There is more to take from this than the double-digit loss to the Detroit Pistons without Kevin Durant.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 6 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422959" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422959" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2197,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1302028007.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2197" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1302028007.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1302028007-768x527.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="6" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Philadelphia 76ers" data-team-id="93" data-meta-a="18-9" data-meta-b="Previous: 4th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">6 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Philadelphia 76ers <span class="score">18-9</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">4</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2F76ers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Sacramento Kings 119-111, Lost to Portland Trail Blazers 118-114, Lost to Phoenix Suns 120-111</p> <p>This Week:  2/15 at Utah Jazz, 2/17 vs. Houston Rockets, 2/19 vs. Chicago Bulls</p> <p>The team that everyone loves to hate and criticize reared its head this week. The Philadelphia 76ers dropped two of their three games and fans who love looking for a reason to question just how good they are jumped right into the action.</p> <p>The truth is, losing by a combined 13 points to the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers on the road is something many teams will do. Beating the Sacramento Kings when they did was impressive, even if people may forget in a few weeks that the Kings were red hot at the time.</p> <p>Against the Kings, the entire roster showed out. Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid and Seth Curry each broke 20 points. Ben Simmons, Shake Milton and Furkan Korkmaz were also in double figures and Dwight Howard posted a solid eight points, nine rebounds and two blocks. This was the kind of effort that top teams put forward to stop a team on a winning streak.</p> <p>Embiid has still been a problem night in and night out. This week, he posted a line of 31.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. He is the constant for the Sixers as they continue to pursue a championship. Ben Simmons is quietly playing great basketball but Embiid remains the true leader of the team.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 5 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422960" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422960" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301512410.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301512410.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301512410-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="5" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Milwaukee Bucks" data-team-id="89" data-meta-a="16-10" data-meta-b="Previous: 3rd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">5 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Milwaukee Bucks <span class="score">16-10</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">3</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fbucks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Denver Nuggets 125-112, Lost to Phoenix Suns 125-124, Lost to Utah Jazz 129-115</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 at Oklahoma City Thunder, 2/16 vs. Toronto Raptors, 2/18 vs. Toronto Raptors, 2/19 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder</p> <p>Even against an impossible slate, it is still tough to feel good about the Milwaukee Bucks losing two out of three games this week. The criticism will be light because if Giannis Antetokounmpo got one last shot to fall against the Phoenix Suns, a winning week is a different story.</p> <p>Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton were absolutely fantastic this week. The reigning MVP put up a line of 35.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. It is often thrown around that a player does everything they can to win but that is hardly more evident than in a stat line like that.</p> <p>Middleton is continuing to solidify his All-Star campaign and more importantly is thriving in more of a facilitator role (9.0 assists per game this week). He is everything a contending team needs in their stars and should be given more credit as the elite player that he is.</p> <p>The fact that Milwaukee was able to be as competitive against some of the best teams in the league with Jrue Holiday out of the lineup should not be ignored. Bryn Forbes has been given a bigger role in his absence and has run with it. The Bucks are clicking and will undoubtedly get back on a roll with the week ahead of them.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 4 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422961" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422961" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1302029292.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1302029292.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1302029292-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="4" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Phoenix Suns" data-team-id="66" data-meta-a="16-9" data-meta-b="Previous: 8th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">4 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Phoenix Suns <span class="score">16-9</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">8</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fsuns.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Boston Celtics 100-91, Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 119-113, Beat Milwaukee Bucks 125 – 124, Beat Philadelphia 76ers 120 -111</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. Orlando Magic, 2/16 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 2/19 at New Orleans Pelicans, 2/20 at Memphis Grizzlies</p> <p>Winners of five straight games, the Phoenix Suns are rolling back up this list. The Suns started a seven-game homestand on Feb. 5 and so far have not dropped a game. This week, that meant beating the likes of the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. In case that needed clarification, that is three of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference who walked out of Phoenix with an L.</p> <p>Devin Booker was truly amazing this week, seemingly hearing the questions about his All-Star candidacy and taking them to heart. Booker averaged 30.0 points, 6.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game on shooting splits of .529/.455/.818. His teammate Chris Paul made it clear he thinks Booker is an All-Star lock. With production like that, the case is an easy one to make.</p> <p>The team effort is what is truly impressive about this win streak. Seven Suns averaged double figures in scoring over the week. They are taking teams apart and getting everyone involved. This is the sort of balanced attack that becomes impossible to defend and the fact that the Suns are thriving with such a slow pace (slowest in the league) bodes well for the postseason.</p> <p>Phoenix is legit and has a chance to finish out the homestand taking down the final top-four Eastern Conference team on their list this week.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422962" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422962" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301510533.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301510533.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301510533-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="3" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Los Angeles Clippers" data-team-id="77" data-meta-a="19-8" data-meta-b="Previous: 5th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">3 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Los Angeles Clippers <span class="score">19-8</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">5</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fclippers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Lost to Sacramento Kings 113-110, Beat Minnesota Timberwolves 119-112, Beat Chicago Bulls 125-106</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 2/15 vs. Miami Heat, 2/17 vs. Utah Jazz, 2/19 vs. Utah Jazz</p> <p>The LA Clippers let up a game against a red-hot Sacramento Kings team but that is understandable considering how shorthanded they were at the time of the game. They bounced back and took care of the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls. Paul George was out of the lineup the entire week and the Clippers still came with two wins.</p> <p>In PG’s stead, one thing remained constant and the other was a much-needed return to normalcy. The constant is one the Clippers have always relied on. Kawhi Leonard has played like the MVP of the league. Over the last three games, he has averaged 29.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is even starting to play in back to backs.</p> <p>The return that was most needed was that of Lou Williams. The team had been too dependent on the play of Luke Kennard and Reggie Jackson for any sort of potential playoff success to be possible. Williams looked years younger this week, posting a line of 22.3 points, 4.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. His continued excellence will be essential going forward to determine the true test of this team’s destiny.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422963" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422963" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301892460.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301892460.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301892460-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="2" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Los Angeles Lakers" data-team-id="20" data-meta-a="21-6" data-meta-b="Previous: 14th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">2 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Los Angeles Lakers <span class="score">21-6</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">14</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Flakers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat/OT Oklahoma City Thunder 119-112, Beat/OT Oklahoma City Thunder 114-113, Beat Memphis Grizzlies 115-105</p> <p>This Week: 2/14 at Denver Nuggets, 2/16 at Minnesota Timberwolves, 2/18 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 2/20 vs. Miami Heat</p> <p>The cynics in the crowd will look at three straight overtime games against the Detroit Pistons Oklahoma City Thunder (twice) and make the case that something is wrong with the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The optimists will say the team that is on the shortest turn around for a title defense in NBA history is on a seven-game winning streak, tied for the current best in the league. The only reason why they have not retaken the top spot in their conference is that the team they are tied with for that streak has only lost one game in the past 19.</p> <p>Those “struggles” are enough to have the Los Angeles Lakers flip with the Utah Jazz once again but that is not meant as any sort of criticism. That insane tear the Utah Jazz have been on is almost impossible to match, especially with Anthony Davis struggling to remain on the court as he has.</p> <p>For the Lakers, the solace will have to be being the title favorite and continuing to build LeBron James’ MVP resume. James has taken the lead in that race as the halfway point of the season nears and weeks like this make the case quite clear: the former four-time MVP posted a line of 27.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game. The award seems to be his to lose.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Number 1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422964" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422964" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1230975034.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1230975034.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1230975034-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="1" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Utah Jazz" data-team-id="118" data-meta-a="22-5" data-meta-b="Previous: 2nd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">1 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Utah Jazz <span class="score">22-5</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">2</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fjazz.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Last Week: Beat Indiana Pacers 103-95, Beat Boston Celtics 122-108, Beat Milwaukee Bucks 129-115, Beat Miami Heat 112-94</p> <p>This Week: 2/15 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 2/17 at LA Clippers, 2/19 at LA Clippers</p> <p>How many more ways can it be expressed that the Utah Jazz are in the conversation for the best team and not just on a torrid regular-season run? This week, they were able to take convincing wins against the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. The only game they dropped in the last 19 was against the Denver Nugget, who shot 64.3 percent from distance. That is what it seems to take to get a win against the Jazz this season.</p> <p>The fact that they are continuing to roll with Mike Conley out of the lineup is also telling. Conley had been arguably the best player for the Jazz before his injury and seemed poised to finally make his first All-Star game. In his stead, five Jazz players averaged double figures in scoring this week.</p> <p>Donovan Mitchell was special this week, averaging 28.8 points, 7.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game. He is taking over with Conley out and reminded everyone paying attention that he is indeed good enough. Defensive stalwart Rudy Gobert was similarly great, posting a line of 19.3 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game. The pair for the Jazz is leading Joe Ingles, Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic to new heights. At this point, it is impossible to have them anywhere but at the top of the rankings.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Best player-coach duos for each NBA team's history" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2019/09/16/nba-best-player-coach-pairing-teams-history/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/02/14/nba-power-rankings-week-8-phoenix-suns-rising/"https://hoopshabit.com/2019/09/16/nba-best-player-coach-pairing-teams-history/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Best player-coach duos for each NBA team's history </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">