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It has been the turn of the Eastern Conference in this week's NBA power rankings as Milwaukee continue to embrace their label as underdogs and take their winning run to 6. The Philadelphia 76ers have kept their place atop the conference pile, while Brooklyn are blowing opponents away even without Kevin Durant.
Over in the West, headlines have revolved around the injury to LeBron James and Utah's recent dip in form. Meanwhile, the LA Clippers continue to search for consistency while Phoenix are gearing up to snatch the top spot off the Jazz.
NBA Power Rankings 2020-21: Top ten teams entering 14th week of the year
With a full week of enthralling action gone, there has been plenty of movement in our NBA power rankings this week. All the attention has been on the impending trade deadline, with those competing for a title looking to add assets that can make small adjustments to their success potential.
Milwaukee picked up PJ Tucker recently to help boost their defensive inefficiencies this season, while the Brooklyn Nets are still in the market to add yet more talent, such as Andre Drummon in the buyout market.
Let's take a look at how the current NBA power rankings have fallen.
#10 Dallas Mavericks
2020-21 record: 22-19
Upcoming fixtures: @MIN, IND, @NOP
Previous NBA Power Rankings: N/A
Luka Doncic looks like he is having fun again now that the Mavs are winning. The Slovenian superstar has led Dallas in a 7-3 run over their last 10 matchups, in the last three of which he has racked up a stunning 117 points. This looks set to continue as he faces two of the league's worst defenses this week, thus helping the Mavs enter our NBA power rankings.
In 4 battles this week with the LA Clippers and Trail Blazers, Dallas went 2-2. Their defensive efficiency was far better, holding their opposition on three occasions to under 110 points and twice under 93. Kristaps Porzingis looks back to his bubble-best, though the front office is expected to be busy ahead of the trade deadline.
#9 Denver Nuggets
2020-21 record: 25-17
Upcoming fixtures: @ORL, @TOR, @NOP, ATL
Previous NBA Power Rankings: 8th (↓1)
The Denver Nuggets fall one place in our NBA power rankings this week after a loss at home to the Pelicans and a narrow win over Chicago in overtime in their last two matchups.
Nevertheless, the Nuggets are proving to be a problem once again, winning 8 of ten in which Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have been electric. The Serbian center is continuing to put up close to a triple-double (27.1 - 11.2 - 8.6) and will be able to take advantage of his MVP rivals sidelined by injuries.
#8 LA Lakers
2020-21 record: 28-15
Upcoming fixtures: @NOP, PHI, CLE, ORL
Previous NBA Power Rankings: 5th (↓3)
Not having Anthony Davis and now seeing LeBron James limp off on Saturday has left LA Lakers fans in anguish and has dropped them down our NBA power rankings. With James out indefinitely, who knows how the reigning champs will respond but they will certainly need the likes of Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and Dennis Schroder to step up.
The three combined for 58 points in a 17 point loss to the Suns on Sunday as the Lakers limitations were made glaringly obvious.
They are going to struggle through this time without their two stars. However, fans can look forward to Talen Horton-Tucker getting extended minutes and the likelihood that James will come back even stronger.
#7 Portland Trail Blazers
2020-21 record: 25-17
Upcoming fixtures: BRK, @MIA, @ORL, @TOR
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 10th (↑3)
Portland will be looking to take advantage of an Irving-less Brooklyn before embarking on their 4-game road trip. The Trail Blazers saw off the Pelicans twice this week before trading games with Dallas.
CJ McCollum has returned to the Portland backcourt to join his elite scoring buddy Damian Lillard, who drained a 50-point piece over New Orleans. Lillard has been dealing with some knee soreness which fans will hope dissipates as they look to continue their surge up the Western standings.
#6 LA Clippers
2020-21 record: 27-16
Upcoming fixtures: ATL, @SAS, @SAS, PHI
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 7th (↑1)
Ty Lue's team still lack the consistency that would make them genuine title contenders come the postseason. Patrick Beverley is out injured again with Reggie Jackson taking his place, while Lue has also brought in Morris Sr. to the Clippers starting 5 in place of Nicolas Batum.
The Clippers traded wins with the Mavs this week before blowing out the Hornets on home court, where they are particularly strong, 14-6. Two road games in San Antonio face the Clippers this week, who are 13-10 away before hosting the 76ers in what will be a sterner test of where Kawhi Leonard can take his side.
#5 Phoenix Suns
2020-21 record: 28-13
Upcoming fixtures: @MIA, @ORL, @TOR, @CHA
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 3rd (↓2)
This has been less of a fall, rather more of the same from the Phoenix Suns with those in the East looking stronger. It was a relatively easy week for the West's second-best side, topped off by an expected win over the LeBron-less Lakers. A rare loss to the Timberwolves has caused them to fall in our rankings, ultimately, however there is no denying that the Suns are deep and will cause problems across the court come the playoffs.
#4 Utah Jazz
2020-21 record: 30-11
Upcoming fixtures: @CHI, BRK, MEM, MEM
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 2nd (↓2)
Going 6-6 in their last 12 matchups is a far cry from running up a 24-5 record prior. Gobert recently alluded to the fact that his side feel like they can coast games at times, which is a trait Snyder will need to eradicate prior to the playoffs.
Regardless, the Jazz are still the NBA's 'best' side and have an incredibly deep roster with some of the best shooters in the league. Rotation forward Joe Ingles is averaging a true shooting percentage of 81.6% through their last 12 games as those around him have faltered off the pace.
#3 Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 record: 30-13
Upcoming fixtures: ATL, @SAS, @SAS, PHI
Previous NBA Power Rankings: 4th (↑1)
Without Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers have held onto the top seed in the East and are 4-1 in his absence. It did mean that Philly fell to the Bucks this week but that was to be expected without their MVP candidate.
Tobias Harris has stepped up on both ends of the floor in Embiid's absence, averaging 20.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists in the last 15 games in which Philly went 12-3. Daryl Morey may still be toying with potential trade ideas, however the 76ers are still proving to be the team to beat in the East.
#2 Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 record: 27-14
Upcoming fixtures: IND, BOS, BOS, NYK
Previous NBA Power Rankings: 6th (↑4)
Who else can save the Milwaukee Bucks against the offensive might of Brooklyn and Joel Embiid's 76ers in the playoffs? Giannis Antetokounmpo. And even without the Greek for Monday's clash with Indiana, Milwaukee are expected to extend their winning streak.
The 2-time MVP has been electric over the last 12 games in which Milwaukee are 11-1. Averaging 31.4 points, 12.3 rebounds and 7.6 assists, he has led the Bucks in wins over the Clippers, 76ers and Pelicans. A 4-game home-stead against teams flirting with a .500 record this season faces Milwaukee who will be looking to extend their stellar home tally of 16 wins from 21 matchups.
#1 Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 record: 29-14
Upcoming fixtures: @POR, @UTA, @DET
Previous NBA Power Rankings: 1st (-)
Brooklyn embark on their 3-game road trip without Kyrie Irving and will be looking at Landry Shamet and Tyler Johnson to fill in alongside superstar James Harden. 'The Beard' has been the Nets' most consistent scorer since joining the franchise and is averaging close to a triple-double in their last 17 games.
In what will be a tough week against two of the league's elite sides, Harden may have to return to high-attempts, high-scoring mode and carry the Nets. He will have help from Joe Harris, who is shooting at close to 50% from downtown in that same 17.
Guess the Lakers players!
