Brooklyn remains on top; Sixers move up to No. 2 | NBA power rankings
An overtime win over the previously No. 2-ranked Utah helped the Sixers climb three spots.
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While the Brooklyn Nets remained No. 1 for the third straight week, the 76ers have moved up to No. 2 in the latest Inquirer NBA power rankings.
This is the highest the Sixers have been since they were No. 2 in the Feb. 2 ranking.
Records are through the All-Star break. Last week’s rankings are in parentheses.
1. Brooklyn (24-13) (1)
The Nets won their lone game since last week’s ranking, a 132-114 victory at Houston. James Harden had a triple-double — 29 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists — in the win over his former team. The Nets begin the second half with home games against Boston, Detroit and New York.
2. Sixers (24-12) (5)
The Sixers won their only game since the last ranking, beating the visiting Jazz, 131-123, in overtime on Wednesday. Joel Embiid had 40 points and 19 rebounds, his fifth game this season of at least 40 points and 10 rebounds.
3. Utah (27-9) (2)
The Jazz entered the All-Star break with a two-game losing streak, with losses at New Orleans and at Philadelphia. The Jazz lost despite making 21 threes, compared to just eight for the Sixers.
4. Phoenix (24-11) (4)
The Suns took a four-game win streak into the break, with wins at Chicago, Minnesota, and the L.A. Lakers and a home victory against Golden State. How important has the addition of All-Star Chris Paul been? Last season, the Suns were 14-21 after 35 games. Paul is averaging 16 points and 8.8 assists.
5. L.A. Clippers (24-14) (3)
The Clippers took a three-game losing streak into the All-Star break. They suffered road losses at Milwaukee, Boston and Washington by a combined 12 points. Former Sixer Lou Williams (12.5 ppg.) looks to pick up his play in the second half.
6. Denver (21-15) (8)
The Nuggets are playing some of their best basketball of the season, having won four in a row, all on the road against Oklahoma City, Chicago, Milwaukee and Indiana. During the four-game win streak, Nikola Jokic is averaging 28.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 10.3 assists, shooting 62% from the field.
7. Milwaukee (22-14) (6)
The Bucks split their final two games before the break, losing, 128-97, at home to Denver and then earning a 112-111 win at Memphis. Milwaukee entered the break having won five of six, but still hasn’t hit its expected gear. Since missing 10 games while in the health and safety protocol, Jrue Holiday is still easing back into action, averaging seven points and three assists in 19.6 minutes during his three games back.
» READ MORE: NBA commissioner Adam Silver doesn’t anticipate a bubble for the playoffs
8. L.A. Lakers (24-13) (7)
The Lakers lost their final two since the last ranking, by 114-104 at home to Phoenix and 123-120 at Sacramento. LeBron James missed his first game of the season with a sore left ankle. The Lakers are 3-6 with Anthony Davis missing the last nine games because of a calf injury.
9. Portland (21-14) (10)
The Trail Blazers won consecutive home games against Charlotte, Golden State and Sacramento before the All-Star break. In the 123-119 win over Sacramento, Damian Lillard tied his season high with 44 points. Lillard (29.8 ppg.) is shooting a career-high 93.3% from the foul line.
10. Dallas (18-16) (12)
The Mavericks won three in a row leading up to the break, road wins at Brooklyn and Orlando and an 87-78 home victory over Oklahoma City in a game that Luka Doncic didn’t play because of a back injury. It’s the first time Dallas is two games over .500 since being 6-4. The Mavs have won nine of their last 11.
11. Boston (19-17) (15)
The Celtics entered the All-Star break on a four-game win streak after home triumphs over the Clippers and Raptors. Kemba Walker is averaging 23.3 points and 6.5 assists during the win streak.
12. Miami (18-18) (13)
Once six games under .500, the Heat have won seven of their last eight. The Heat are 14-8 with former Sixer Jimmy Butler in the lineup. This will be one of the teams expected to be active by the March 25 trade deadline.
13. San Antonio (18-14) (11)
The Spurs split their last two home games before the break, beating New York and losing to Oklahoma City. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 20 points, the eighth consecutive season he’s averaging at least that many points.
14. Golden State (19-18) (9)
The Warriors lost three straight games before the All-Star break, all on the road, against the Lakers, Portland and Phoenix. Stephen Curry missed the final game against Phoenix for rest. A 43.3% career three-point shooter, Curry is shooting 41.1% this season.
» READ MORE: Sixers’ play in clutch situations a major factor in their first-half success
15. New York (19-18) (16)
Since last week’s ranking, the Knicks lost at San Antonio and won at Detroit. The Knicks have become one of the top defensive teams. They are second in defensive rating (108.1), meaning they allow that many points per 100 possessions.
16. Toronto (17-19) (14)
After winning five of seven, the Raptors lost their final two games before the break, to Detroit in Tampa and at Boston. Kyle Lowry is rumored to being on the trade block, but he continues to play well. In his last four games, he is averaging 19.8 points and 10.8 assists.
17. Memphis (16-16) (17)
The Grizzlies split their final two games before the break, winning at Washington and losing a 112-111 home decision to Milwaukee, despite 35 points from Ja Morant. With five games in the first half postponed due to health and safety protocol issues, the Grizzlies will play 40 games in the second half of the season.
18. Charlotte (17-18) (18)
The Hornets won at Minnesota, 135-102, in their only game since last week’s ranking. Malik Monk, who was not playing much earlier in the year, has been performing well, having averaged 22 points and shot 40% from beyond the arc in his last six games.
19. Indiana (16-19) (19)
The Pacers split their final two games, winning by 114-111 at Cleveland then losing, 113-103, at home against Denver. In the win over Cleveland, former Sixer T.J. McConnell had a triple-double: 16 points, 13 assists and 10 steals. He set an NBA record with nine first-half steals.
20. Chicago (16-18) (21)
The Bulls lost their only game since the last ranking, 128-124, at New Orleans despite 36 points and eight assists by All-Star Zach LaVine. He has led the Bulls in scoring the last four games and 14 of the past 15.
21. New Orleans (15-21) (20)
The Pelicans lost their last two leading into the break (home vs. Chicago and Miami). Zion Williamson didn’t play against Miami (toe irritation). It was only the second game Williamson has missed. He is averaging 25.6 points and 7.2 rebounds.
» READ MORE: NBA All-Stars calls Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons All-Star Game absence “unfortunate”
22. Atlanta (16-20) (24)
Interim coach Nate McMillan won his first two games, road wins at Miami and Orlando before the break. Trae Young averaged 25 points and nine assists in the wins. Young is averaging 26.4 points and shooting 37.8% from three-point range.
23. Washington (14-20) (23)
The Wizards split home games last week, losing to Memphis and beating the Clippers, 119-117, as Bradley Beal scored 33 points. Beal is averaging 32.9 points.
» READ MORE: No, Joel Embiid isn’t scared, but he’s missed his share of games against the NBA’s top centers | Keith Pompey
24. Cleveland (14-22) (22)
The Cavs saw their four-game win streak snapped with a 114-111 home loss to Indiana in the final game before the break. The big story involving the Cavs is where center Andrew Drummond will end up. He has not played the last nine games while the Cavs decide where to trade him.
25. Oklahoma City (15-21) (25)
Oklahoma City went 1-1 last week, losing at Dallas and winning at San Antonio. The Thunder are last in the NBA in offensive rating (104.2). Former Sixer Al Horford is averaging 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds.
26. Sacramento (14-22) (27)
Since jumping out to a 12-11 record, the Kings have gone on a 2-11 skid. They could be among the more active teams at the trade deadline. Sacramento remains last in defensive rating (119.1).
27. Orlando (13-23) (26)
After a three-game win streak, the Magic took a five-game losing streak into the break. The Magic need to generate more offense. They are 26th in offensive rating (105.7).
28. Detroit (10-26) (29)
The Pistons beat Toronto in Tampa and lost at New York in their final two games before the break. One player who should interest contenders is former Episcopal Academy star Wayne Ellington, who is averaging 10.8 points and shooting 43.3% from three-point range.
29. Houston (11-23) (28)
The losing streak extended to 13 games with Wednesday’s 132-114 home loss to Brooklyn. All 13 losses have been without injured forward-center Christian Wood (ankle). Veteran John Wall has been a bright spot, averaging 21 points, the second highest in his career.
30. Minnesota (7-29) (30)
The Wolves lost their ninth straight, a 135-103 home defeat to Charlotte on Wednesday. New coach Chris Finch is 0-5. Minnesota is 28th in offensive rating (105.0).