NBA Power Ranking Week 17: Toronto Raptors continue to surge as the Milwaukee Bucks remain top of the standings

The 2019-20 NBA season is well past the halfway mark and we are just days away from the annual All-Star Weekend. While the focus has turned towards the much-anticipated event in Chicago, teams around the NBA are running out of time to achieve their respective goals for the season - and there will be a mad dash for the playoffs over the next two months. Nevertheless, several teams already find themselves in strong positions, and here we will take a look at the power rankings heading into the final week ahead of the All-Star break.

#10 Miami Heat - Record: 34-18

The Heat have struggled without Jimmy Butler

After opening the week with a huge win over the Sixers, Miami went on to lose to the Clippers, Kings, and Trail Blazers. They now face a fight to secure homecourt advantage for the playoffs, although Jimmy Butler is expected to return this week, while Andre Iguodala also appears to be an excellent addition.

#9 Oklahoma City Thunder - Record: 32-21

Dennis Schroder has made a huge impact from the OKC bench

The Thunder have been the surprise team of the season so far, and Sam Presti opted against selling off his best assets ahead of the trade deadline. The Thunder will almost certainly make the playoffs for a fifth straight season, and with a 32-21 record - homecourt advantage is starting to look like a real possibility.

#8 Philadelphia 76ers - Record: 33-21

Ben Simmons continues to shine for the Sixers

The Sixers have struggled since the turn of the year, although they managed to get back on track last week by picking up wins over the Grizzlies and Bulls. Philadelphia also managed to add shooters ahead of the trade deadline, and with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid firing - the Sixers will be a team to watch over the final months of the season.

#7 Utah Jazz - Record: 34-18

Rudy Gobert and the Jazz are battling to secure homecourt advantage

The Jazz ended their five-game losing streak thanks to a controversial win over the Trail Blazers on Friday, and Quin Snyder's side also picked up a narrow win against the Rockets on Sunday night. At 34-18, the Jazz remain on track, and Snyder will be pleased with Mike Conley's recent performances.

#6 LA Clippers - Record: 37-16

The LA Clippers sit third in the West standings

On the surface, the Clippers enjoyed a strong week as they picked up wins over the Spurs, Heat, and Cavaliers. However, Doc Rivers' team suffered a humiliating 142-115 loss to the Timberwolves, and while Marcus Morris was an excellent signing - the Clippers still have plenty of work to do.

#5 Boston Celtics - Record: 37-15

The Boston Celtics have won their past seven games to improve to 37-15

The Celtics picked up a hard-fought win in Oklahoma City last night to extend their winning streak to 7 games. Admittedly, Boston has benefited from a favorable schedule, although Brad Stevens finally has a full roster to choose from, and his side are starting to look like a real threat to advance from the East.

#4 Denver Nuggets - Record: 37-16

The Denver Nuggets sit second in the West standings

Denver entered Week 16 coming off a disappointing overtime loss to the shorthanded Pistons, although they got back on track by picking up wins over the Trail Blazers, Jazz, and Suns. A 3-0 week improved Denver's record to 37-16 - and a win against the Lakers this week will provide Michael Malone's side with a huge amount of momentum heading into the All-Star break.

#3 Toronto Raptors - Record: 39-14

Kyle Lowry and the Raptors enjoyed another excellent week

On Wednesday night, the Raptors defeated the Pacers to extend their win streak to a franchise-record 12-games. Toronto has since picked up further wins over the Pacers and Nets, and Nick Nurse's side show no signs of slowing down.

#2 Los Angeles Lakers - Record: 39-12

The Lakers remain top of the Western Conference standings

After starting the week with an impressive win over the Spurs, the Lakers suffered a disappointing 111-121 home defeat to the Rockets. Frank Vogel's side bounced back by beating the Warriors on Saturday, although they were far from their best as they recorded 24 turnovers. With that said, the Lakers still sit top of the West with a 39-12 record, and they could improve via the buyout market.

#1 Milwaukee Bucks - Record: 45-7

The Milwaukee Bucks remain the team to beat

It was another perfect week for the Bucks as they picked up wins over the Pelicans, Sixers, and Magic. Some fans were disappointed that they failed to make a move ahead of the trade deadline, although Mike Budenholzer's team have an unassailable lead at the top of the East, and have lost just twice since the turn of the year.