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There has been plenty of movement in our NBA Power Rankings this week. Offense has been key this time around, with our top three sides ranked among the most lethal scorers in the NBA.
The LA Lakers have recently struggled without Anthony Davis, with the Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers hot on their heels in the West. Meanwhile, in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks have regained confidence through their offensive displays and are within one win of the free-scoring Brooklyn Nets.
NBA Power Rankings 2020-21: Top 10 teams ahead of the All-Star break
With the league getting a better grip on the coronavirus pandemic, fans have welcomed a more consistent schedule. This week saw some huge matchups. While the Miami Heat continued their hot-streak by knocking off the Atlanta Hawks, the New York Knicks crept up to fourth place in the East.
Let us now take a look at how an enthralling week of action affected our NBA Power Rankings.
#10 New York Knicks
2020-21 record: 18-17
Upcoming fixtures: @SAS, DET
Previous NBA Power Ranking: N/A
Despite the New York Knicks' consistency this season, NBA fans are still surprised by their performances. Tom Thibodeau's men earned their place in this week's NBA Power Rankings after wins over the Sacramento Kings, the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons brought them up to 4th place in the East.
The Knicks have been boosted by the return of veteran Derrick Rose and the breakout performance of Immanuel Quickley. Both guards combined for 43 points against the Sacramento Kings.
#9 Miami Heat
2020-21 record: 17-17
Upcoming fixtures: ATL, @NOP
Previous NBA Power Ranking: N/A
No team in the NBA is currently on a better run than the Miami Heat. After disappointing in the early stages of the season, the Heat enter our NBA Power Rankings with key players having returned from injury and Jimmy Butler back playing at his best.
After beating the Lakers last weekend, the Heat topped off a 4-win week with a comfortable 12-point victory over the league's best side, the Utah Jazz, on Friday. Butler registered 33 points, 8 assists and 10 rebounds before getting rested against the Atlanta Hawks.
#8 Denver Nuggets
2020-21 record: 18-15
Upcoming fixtures: @CHI, @MIL, @IND
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 9th (↑1)
In one of the oddest ends to an NBA game, the Denver Nuggets frustratingly lost to the Washington Wizards on Thursday.
The Nuggets' inconsistencies continued, though they were able to narrowly defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in a game where MVP candidate Nikola Jokic scored 41 points.
The Serbian center has been the primary reason that the Denver Nuggets have been able to stay in contention in the stacked Western standings.
Jokic has had a monster campaign so far, averaging career-high points, rebounds, assists, steals and 3-point success.
#7 Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 record: 22-12
Upcoming fixtures: IND, UTA
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 6th (↓1)
The Philadelphia 76ers fall further down in our NBA Power Rankings after a poor loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers this week. It has been a tough time for the Eastern Conference's best side, who have lost 5 of their last 10 games.
The losses came at the hands of some of the league's best sides, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz. This has led many to question whether they can cope in the playoffs.
Having said that, the 76ers hold one of the league's most feared players in Joel Embiid. There are few teams in the league that can stop the Cameroonian center's dominance.
#6 Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 record: 21-13
Upcoming fixtures: DEN, @MEM
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 7th (↑1)
After their five-game losing streak, the Milwaukee Bucks have responded by winning five straight matches, including Sunday afternoon's late victory against the LA Clippers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has had four straight games with 35 points or more. He outscored the Clippers 17-10 in the last 8-and-a-half minutes of their encounter.
While their defense still has ways to improve, the Bucks look scary on offense. They are now ranked 4th in the league offensively, with all five of their starters scoring double-digit points in two of their fixtures this week.
#5 Phoenix Suns
2020-21 record: 22-11
Upcoming fixtures: @LAL, GSW
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 4th (↓1)
The Phoenix Suns are the joint-form side in the West and have won 8 of their last 10 matchups. This season marks the first time since 2010 that the Suns have had two players in the All-Star weekend, with Devin Booker a late replacement for the injured Anthony Davis.
Booker averaged 33 points across the Suns' four games this week, capping off with a 43-point performance in Minnesota. This week could prove pivotal for the Phoenix Suns prior to the midseason break as they face two fellow playoff contenders in the LA Lakers and the Golden State Warriors.
#4 LA Lakers
2020-21 record: 22-11
Upcoming fixtures: PHO, @SAC
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 3rd (↓1)
Without Anthony Davis, the LA Lakers haven't been themselves on offense. Luckily for the reigning champions, they have the league's best defense by some margin. The Lakers used their defense to withhold the free-scoring Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors to under 100 points.
The LA Lakers have welcomed back Dennis Schroder, not least to take some of the scoring burden from LeBron James. Schroder and James combined for 50 points against Portland while Montrezl Harrell is beginning to show his worth from the bench, with 16.2 points over last week's four fixtures.
#3 LA Clippers
2020-21 record: 24-12
Upcoming fixtures: @BOS, @WAS
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 5th (↑2)
When the LA Clippers' offense is off the pace, it's really off the pace. Against the Memphis Grizzlies, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard combined for only 30 points. Meanwhile, on Sunday, their 4th-quarter misfiring paved the way for the Milwaukee Bucks' vital win.
Despite their two losses this week, the Clippers' offense still ranks second in the league, as proven by their blowout win against the Washington Wizards.
The LA Clippers will be looking at extending their current record, with two wins against two defenses that rank in the bottom half of the league.
#2 Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 record: 22-13
Upcoming fixtures: @SAS, @HOU
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 2nd (-)
Kevin Durant's absence has not been a problem for the Brooklyn Nets, whose eight-game winning run came to an end on Saturday. Kyrie Irving has also been sidelined for the matchup with the Dallas Mavericks.
James Harden has played at an MVP-caliber level during this time, while Bruce Brown Jr. and Joe Harris have been electric for Steve Nash's side.
The Brooklyn Nets are one of the most feared sides in the league. Once they add greater height and defensive ability in the post, they will cement their position as favorites for the championship.
#1 Utah Jazz
2020-21 record: 27-7
Upcoming fixtures: @NOP, @PHI
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 1st (-)
Still holding the league's best record, the Utah Jazz rank at the top of our NBA Power Rankings. The Jazz have been near flawless all season, only losing twice, to the LA Clippers and the Miami Heat.
The Utah Jazz are 8-2 in their last 10 matchups and pummelled the LA Lakers on Wednesday night.
Everything is clicking for Quin Snyder's side. Even beyond their starters, Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson are averaging double-figure points for the season, with Clarkson putting up 17.2 a night this week.
The Utah Jazz's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers will be extremely intriguing this Wednesday. Clarkson bagged 40 points the last time these two sides met, though the 76ers were without Joel Embiid on the night.
