SK NBA Power Rankings (November 27, 2017)

Now that the Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, the NBA looks towards Christmas Day as the next milestone on the calendar. After Sunday's games, the majority of teams have it the quarter mark of the season.

The two biggest winning streaks in the NBA are currently held by the Cleveland Cavaliers (7 games) and Houston Rockets (4 games); while the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic have the honor (or dishonor) of the league's worst losing streak at 8 games.

The Magic actually was #6 in the SK NBA Power Rankings two weeks ago. As I was writing this article, the NBA announced that Memphis fired head coach David Fizdale in the wake of the losing streak.

This week's top ten is split evenly between the Western and Eastern Conferences at five teams apiece. There are two new entrants into the SK NBA Power Rankings this week; which means two teams had to fall out (Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves).

Continue on to see which teams are ranked 10-6 this week...

Rounding out the top ten of the SK Power Rankings

Golden State Warriors v Philadelphia 76ers — Robert Covington and the Philadelphia 76ers land on the SK NBA Power Rankings for the first time this year...

#10 New Orleans Pelicans (11-9, last week: NR)

#9 Portland Trailblazers (12-8, last week: 9)

#8 Philadelphia 76ers (11-7, last week: NR)

#7 Toronto Raptors (12-7, last week: 4)

#6 San Antonio Spurs (12-7, last week: 7)

The New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers make their first appearance on the SK NBA Power Rankings this season at numbers ten and eight respectively. Both teams have won three out of their last four games and currently sit in fifth (Philadelphia) and seventh (New Orleans) in their conferences.

The Toronto Raptors fall out of the top five this week with back-to-back losses to the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks, but they righted the ship yesterday in a blowout defeat of the Atlanta Hawks.

San Antonio is as steady as any team is in the rankings, just like they are in the standings from year to year. After being ranked seventh the first two weeks, they move up to sixth for this edition. Just like the two teams mentioned before them, they have won three of the last four games.

#5 Detroit Pistons (12-6, last week: 5)

Cleveland Cavaliers v Detroit Pistons — Tobias Harris takes it to the rim against the Cleveland Cavaliers

After back-to-back losses, the Detroit Pistons rebounded to win two of their next three games to continue their great start. They continue to be led by their great defense; which ranks seventh in the league in points given up thanks to the rebounding of Andre Drummond who is averaging 15.2 RPG (best in the league).

After finishing eight games under .500 last season, the Pistons have turned things around, and they will hopefully get their starting forward Jon Leuer back soon from an ankle injury.

Last three games:

November 19: @ Minnesota W 100-97
November 20: v. Cleveland L 116-88
November 4: @ Oklahoma City W 99-98

Next three games:

November 27: @ Boston
November 29: v. Phoenix
December 1: @ Washington

#4 Cleveland Cavaliers (12-7, last week: 8)

It didn't take long for the Cleveland Cavaliers to bounce back from a terrible start. After a 5-7 start to the season, the Cavs are now 12-7 with their current 7-game winning streak. Their last loss was on November 9th to the Houston Rockets.

The winning streak has shot Cleveland up to third in the Eastern Conference after Sunday's games, and five games behind the Boston Celtics. LeBron James had a very impressive game on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets where he recorded a triple-double consisting of 27 points, 16 rebound, and 13 assists.

Last three games:

November 20: @ Detroit W 116-88
November 22: v. Brooklyn W 119-109
November 24: v. Charlotte W 100-99

Next three games:

November 27: @ Philadelphia
November 28: v. Miami
November 30: @ Atlanta

#3 Golden State Warriors (15-5, last week: 3)

Miami Heat v Golden State Warriors — Steph Curry has led the Golden State Warriors to eight wins out of their last ten games...

The top three in the SK NBA Power Rankings remain unchanged for the third time as Golden State holds steady in third this week. They have won four of their last five games, with the only blemish coming at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder last Wednesday.

Steph Curry continues to lead the team in scoring with 26.0 PPG; which is currently good for fifth in the league. As always offense rules in Golden State as they lead the league in both PPG and ASG.

Last three games:

November 22: @ Oklahoma City L 108-91
November 24: v. Chicago W 143-94
November 25: v. New Orleans W 110-95

Next three games:

November 27: v. Sacramento
November 29: @ LA Lakers
December 1: @ Orlando

#2 Houston Rockets (15-4, last week: 2)

Houston Rockets v Phoenix Suns — Eric Gordon and the Houston Rockets look to end the Golden State Warrior stranglehold of the West

Outside of the Boston Celtics, the Houston Rockets have strung together an amazing stretch of wins. They have won 10 out of the past 11 games, with the only loss coming on November 14th against the Toronto Raptors.

James Harden continues to look like the NBA MVP at the quarter mark of the season where he leads the league in points (31.4) and assists (9.8) per game through Sunday. The offensive output has helped the Rockets average a total 113.5 PPG where they only trail Golden State for the league's best.

Last three games:

November 15: @ Memphis W 105-83
November 17: v. Denver W 125-95
November 19: v. New York W 117-102

Next three games:

November 27: v. Brooklyn
November 29: v. Indiana
December 3: @ LA Lakers

#1 Boston Celtics (18-3, last week: 1)

Boston Celtics v Dallas Mavericks — Kyrie Irving has led the Boston Celtics to an NBA-best 18 wins...

The long winning streak was finally snapped this week as the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics 104-98 on Wednesday, but Boston didn't let the loss get to them as they returned to win the next two games to finish out the week.

The Celtics continue to get it done on the defensive side of the ball as they are still the best in the NBA giving up only 95.8 PPG. Kyrie Irving continues to lead the team, including a win against Indiana that was missing starters Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris on Saturday.

Last three games: