'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Although the league is on its annual break, our NBA Power Rankings continue to fluctuate as we look ahead to the second half of the season. With arenas still eerily quiet, a discussion has circled around the importance of home-court advantage come the NBA playoffs. Furthermore, teams are preparing their rosters ahead of the trade deadline.
Despite the Brooklyn Nets already owning three of the greatest scorers, their acquisition of Blake Griffin this weekend only adds another string to their offensive bow. Meanwhile, in the West, the LA Lakers needed time off as they watched the Phoenix Suns jump up to second in the conference standings.
NBA Power Rankings 2020-21: Top 10 teams ahead of the league's second half
Heading into the second half of the season, fans will begin to gauge whether their team can keep up the form they showed before the All-Star break. Our NBA power rankings prove once again that consistency is key as both Los Angeles sides slip down the rankings while the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets continue to dominate.
#10 Boston Celtics
2020-21 record: 19-17
Upcoming fixtures: @BRK, @HOU
Previous NBA Power Ranking: N/A
The Boston Celtics continue to grind out results despite inconsistencies and the need to tweak their roster if they are to compete in the postseason. The Celtics have won four on the bounce coming into the All-Star break, re-entering the top 10 of our NBA power rankings.
All eyes will be on what Boston decides to do with their trade exception. Their two All-Stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, have upped their offensive output but need more help. Andre Drummond could be an option, though the Celtics may look to add another scorer to their roster. Their offense currently ranks 13th in the league, well behind the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks.
#9 Denver Nuggets
2020-21 record: 21-15
Upcoming fixtures: @MEM, DAL
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 8th (↓1)
The Denver Nuggets have been hit with injuries, though they now look like they are back to their best. Nikola Jokic is having a historic season, on pace to win the MVP award, and could be the side's key differential when it comes to the postseason in the west.
Denver have won five of their six matches before the break, with Jamal Murray scoring 23 points or more in those games. Keeping up with the West's top four will be a tough ask for Denver this season, however.
#8 Portland Trail Blazers
2020-21 record: 21-14
Upcoming fixtures: PHO, @MIN
Previous NBA Power Ranking: N/A
The Portland Trail Blazers enter our NBA power rankings this week on the back of three straight wins, with superstar Damian Lillard averaging 29.6 points during that run. The homestead continues straight out of the break with a match against the second-seed Phoenix Suns, which will be a good measuring stick against the Trail Blazers' season run-in.
Going forward, Portland is going to be truly dangerous to the West's elite. They have a solid core with some key depth players that have played a crucial part in C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic's absences.
#7 Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 record: 22-14
Upcoming fixtures: NYK, @WAS
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 6th (↓1)
The Milwaukee Bucks remain in a good place, despite their record. Giannis Antetokounmpo is yet again playing at his usual level and took home the All-Star MVP trophy on Sunday. Prior to the midseason break, the Bucks had won 6 of their previous 7 matches though were battered by the Nuggets.
Coach Mike Budenholzer's side will want to find their best rhythm before the playoffs with a return to defensive efficiency high on the agenda. While their defense ranks outside the league's top ten, their offense has been prolific, averaging 118.5 points per win in their recent run.
#6 LA Clippers
2020-21 record: 24-14
Upcoming fixtures: GSW, @NOP
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 3rd (↓3)
The Clippers slipped to 6th in our power rankings after losses to the Bucks, Washington Wizards and Celtics. While Ty Lue's side has been devastating on offense, averaging 116 points a night, the Clippers defense is well off the pace for a team containing Pat Bev, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
With their All-Stars fit, the Clippers will find consistency. However, they may use the market to bring in additional scoring options for clutch time plays.
#5 LA Lakers
2020-21 record: 24-13
Upcoming fixtures: GSW, @NOP
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 4th (↓1)
Although the Lakers came into the All-Star break third in the West, their position paints over a number of cracks in the reigning champions' title defense. GM Rob Pelinka will desperately be looking to bring in some size and wing scoring from the league's buyout market, with the Lakers learning tough lessons in Anthony Davis' absence.
Without their power forward, the Lakers have fallen to 17th in the league for most points allowed in the paint. Despite this, teams have been frustrated when playing LeBron James and co. as the MVP hopeful leads his side to a league-low 103.7 points conceded per night. Fans will have a much better idea of the Lakers' championship hopes in the second half of the season, where James may be afforded more rest.
#4 Phoenix Suns
2020-21 record: 24-11
Upcoming fixtures: @POR, IND
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 5th (↑1)
After a rocky start, the Phoenix Suns are where many expected them to be prior to the season. After four wins in a row and right in ten matches, the Suns are flying high. They are second in the West and boast a top-7 offensive and defensive rating.
Akin to the Jazz, the Suns have quality and toughness throughout the starting 5 with the added flair of Chris Paul and Devin Booker leading the team. Mikal Bridges has upped his offensive output, averaging 13.7 points a night while Jae Crowder is looking like an offseason coup by the Suns back office. Winning 16 from 19 matchups, the only way is up for Phoenix. With two All-Stars they will most certainly be in Championship contention.
#3 Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 record: 24-12
Upcoming fixtures: @CHI, @WAS, SAS
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 6th (↑3)
Boasting of the best record in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers look like the best challenge to the Brooklyn Nets in the postseason. Joel Embiid has been a monster in the paint this season, already putting up four 40+ point games. Ben Simmons is proving he can guard anybody 1 through 5 in the playoffs while Tobias Harris is the third scorer with over 20 points a night.
Not only has Simmons been solid on defense, his recent 42 point performance in the absence of Embiid against the Jazz showed his aggressive side on offense. With more consistency from Simmons, Philly may yet get out of the East and into the NBA Finals.
#2 Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 record: 24-13
Upcoming fixtures: BOS, DET
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 2nd (-)
Analysts are beginning to run out of superlatives to describe the Brooklyn Nets offense. Without Kyrie, the Nets fell to the Mavs before knocking off the Spurs and dominating James Harden's former side in Houston. Hardeb has been in electric form with his new team and with KD sidelined, he has taken up additional offensive responsibilities.
With the addition of Blake Griffin, even with Brooklyn's defensive issues, it is hard to see who will be able to stop this juggernaut.
#1 Utah Jazz
2020-21 record: 27-9
Upcoming fixtures: HOU, @GSW
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 1st (-)
Although the Jazz entered the All-Star break having lost four of their past seven games, they still have the league's best all-round team, which has been reflected in their record. An NBA-high point-differential of +8.8 per game is testament to Utah's effectiveness on both ends of the floor as the only side to rank inside the top-5 offense and defensive units.
Sitting two and a half games ahead makes them prime favorites to win the conference, particularly if they continue to remain injury-free.
