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After the All-Star hiatus, our NBA power rankings have seen some widespread changes as the league's elite begin to separate from those below them.
With only ten days remaining till the trade deadline, NBA teams will be looking at players who could be the difference-makers for them in the hunt for playoff places or a title charge.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets are continuing to make their intentions clear after they picked up Blake Griffin earlier this week to add to their firepower. Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns are proving that they, alongside the Utah Jazz, could be genuine contenders to face the Los Angeles franchises. The Denver Nuggets have regained their form of last season and see a rise in our latest NBA power rankings.
NBA Power Rankings 2020-21: Top ten teams after the midseason break
Team LeBron dominated Team Durant in the NBA All-Star weekend after fans had hoped for a close encounter in the game's new set-up.
However, there has been entertainment galore in the league this week as competition for the playoff berths heat up. As teams jostle positions, so too have our NBA power rankings, with several risers and fallers this week.
Without further ado, let's have a look at the top ten NBA teams as per our latest Power Rankings.
#10 Portland Trail Blazers
2020-21 record: 22-16.
Upcoming fixtures: NOP, NOP, DAL, DAL.
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 8th (↓2).
Despite having one of the most prolific offenses in the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers also have one of the worst defenses. That came to the fore this week in an ugly loss against the Timberwolves, which, along with a tough defeat against the Phoenix Suns, sees the Trailblazers slip down in our NBA power rankings.
Facing two opponents this week that are vying for playoff berths in the West could put the still short-handed Portland Trail Blazers to the test and could see them fall further in our rankings.
#9 Miami Heat
2020-21 record: 21-18.
Upcoming fixtures: CLE, MEM, IND, IND.
Previous NBA Power Ranking: N/A.
Thanks to the exploits of the red-hot Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat are making a resurgence and are looking like the finalists of last season again.
Winning ten of their last 11 and three straight since the restart has seen them back into our NBA power rankings. They are the favorites to battle the Boston Celtics for fourth place in the East.
After struggling through the season's opening few months, the Miami Heat's defense has looked at its stubborn best. Currently ranked fourth in the league, the Miami Heat give up the second-fewest field goals per night and the third-lowest points.
#8 Denver Nuggets
2020-21 record: 22-16.
Upcoming fixtures: IND, CHA, CHI, NOP.
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 9th (↑1).
Another side that have recovered from an indifferent start are the Denver Nuggets. On the back of seven wins in their last ten outings, the Denver Nuggets sit fifth in the West and have a four-game homestead ahead of them this week.
In fact, seven of the Denver Nuggets' next eight opponents have a losing record on the season. That should help Nikola Jokic's MVP odds in the absence of Embiid, while the Nuggets rise further up our NBA power rankings.
The Serbian will desperately need scoring help, if the Denver Nuggets are to make a serious run in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, only four Nuggets players scored in double digits on Saturday, while their bench supplied only 16 points.
#7 LA Clippers
2020-21 record: 25-15.
Upcoming fixtures: DAL, DAL, CHA.
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 6th (↓1).
The LA Clippers fall again in our NBA power rankings this week after a blowout loss against the New Orleans Pelicans brought to light their recent inconsistencies. With only four wins in their last ten, Kawhi Leonard voiced his concerns after the game on Sunday and is clearly worried about his side's championship hopes, given their form.
Without Patrick Beverley and with Serge Ibaka leaving the court with back tightness against New Orleans, Clippers fans will be looking to the squad's depth to really step up in a tough double-header against the Dallas Mavericks this week.
#6 Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 record: 24-14.
Upcoming fixtures: WAS, PHI, SAS.
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 7th (↑1).
Giannis Antetokounmpo became the first player in Milwaukee Bucks' history since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to register back-to-back triple-doubles, when the Greek Freak did so against the New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards in back-to-back games.
Winning eight of their past ten games, the Milwaukee Bucks boast the league's fourth-best offense but have also managed to lock-in defensively.
After being among the NBA's best on the defensive end over the past couple of seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks started this campaign unusually sloppily. They now sit in the top-10 in offensive rebounds, field-goals allowed and steals. However, they could push both the Nets and 76ers all the way for the top spot in the East.
#5 LA Lakers
2020-21 record: 25-13.
Upcoming fixtures: GSW, MIN, CHA, ATL, PHO.
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 5th (-).
The LA Lakers played just once this week, prevailing over the Indiana Pacers. Still, without Anthony Davis, the reigning champions have relied on their entire roster to do the job.
Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrel produced stellar performances, combining for 41 points on Friday. But five fixtures in a week could put a strain on the league's best offense, particularly against the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns.
#4 Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 record: 27-12.
Upcoming fixtures: NYK, MIL, SAC, NYK.
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 3rd (↓1).
Joel Embiid's injury means the Philadelphia 76ers don't quite land where many would have expected as the East's best team in our NBA power rankings.
Although it will only be for two weeks, tough games against the Knicks and Bucks this week could highlight the Philadelphia 76ers' frailties without their star man.
Playing eight opponents in their next nine, who have winning records, could be an almighty task for the Philadelphia 76ers without the Cameroonian. However, Doc Rivers' side are 3-1 in their last four games without Embiid, and they boast the league's second-best defense.
#3 Phoenix Suns
2020-21 record: 25-12.
Upcoming fixtures: MEM, MIN, MIN, LAL.
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 4th (↑1).
Where the Los Angeles franchises have faltered, the Phoenix Suns have continued their rise. Sitting second in the West, the Suns ground out a tough win on the road in Portland before falling at home to the Indiana Pacers in what was an off night for their regular scorers.
Riding on the exploits of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns have been solid at both ends of the floor. They sit inside the NBA's top-8 offenses and defenses. They have won 16 of their past 20 games and now face a four-game homestead, two of which come against the league's worst side, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
#2 Utah Jazz
2020-21 record: 28-10.
Upcoming fixtures: BOS, WAS, TOR.
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 1st (↓1).
Despite hitting somewhat of a midseason stumbling block, the Utah Jazz still hold the league's best record and sit third for both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Quin Snyder's side were scoring at an extremely prolific rate, therefore recent results were bound to happen. The Utah Jazz have lost four of their past six games, including a disappointing reverse against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
They have a tough week ahead where their defense is going to have to be better after conceding over 128 points in their last three losses. The Utah Jazz have a deep roster, though, and look like favorites to make the Western Conference Finals.
#1 Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 record: 26-13.
Upcoming fixtures: NYK, IND, ORL, WAS.
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 2nd (↑1).
The Brooklyn Nets have finally taken the top spot in our NBA power rankings. In a week where the franchise brought in Blake Griffin, their offense continues to grow stronger and the prospect of them making the Finals is becoming a very real possibility.
Kyrie Irving dazzled with 40 points against the Boston Celtics, and even when the Pistons stifled the Nets' stellar offense, Harden's 24-10-10 triple-double was enough to lift them to their 12th win in their 13 games.
