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A week of improvement has seen the Western Conference favorites rise up our NBA Power Rankings. Both the Utah Jazz and LA Clippers' form returned and they currently hold the longest winning streaks in the league after 4 victories each this week, despite neither side making major waves at the trade deadline.
Two championship hopefuls who were active on the market were the Brooklyn Nets, who added the bought-out LaMarcus Aldridge, and the LA Lakers, who brought in Andre Drummond on Sunday.
NBA Power Rankings 2020-21: Top five sides entering league's 15th week
No team in our NBA power rankings has held their position as we look back on what has been an eventful week of action. Philadelphia held onto top seed in the East despite Joel Embiid's absence, while the Milwaukee Bucks fell out of the picture on the back of two straight losses to the Celtics and Knicks.
Over in the West, the LA Lakers managed to put together two wins against Orlando and Cleveland, though it is their rivals above them in the standings that make their way into our NBA power rankings this week.
#5 LA Clippers
2020-21 record: 31-16
Upcoming fixtures: MIL, ORL, DEN, LAL
Previous NBA Power Rankings: 6th (↑1)
Ty Lue's side looked back to their best this week and rise up our NBA power rankings once again. During a 4-game winning week, no side averaged a higher offensive rating than the Clippers (122.9) while only the Jazz topped them for net rating.
Seeing Lou Williams depart at the trade deadline will be saddening for fans of the franchise. However, bringing in a player like Rajon Rondo adds championship experience to the locker room and a leader who can run the offense without Kawhi Leonard or Paul George.
Winning without Marcus Morris and Kawhi Leonard in San Antonio was impressive, while Terrence Mann produced a career-high 23 points off the bench against Philly on Saturday. The Clippers are truly an all-round outfit with multiple ways they can hurt opponents on offense. A tough week lies ahead, including fixtures with the Bucks and Nuggets, but we can expect their rise up our NBA power rankings to continue after returning to form.
#4 Phoenix Suns
2020-21 record: 31-14
Upcoming fixtures: ATL, CHI, OKC
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 5th (↑1)
One game ahead of the Clippers and one place above in our NBA power rankings are the Phoenix Suns. While their offense hasn't been as prolific this week, their defensive rating of 105.4 during this time is 1.4 higher than their season average and ranked 5th in the league.
The Suns continue to prove that they are consistently efficient with one of the strongest starting 5's in the NBA. Young star Devin Booker led the offense with 24.8 points and 6 rebounds while center DeAndre Ayton averaged a 17.8 point - 12 rebound double-double this week.
A one-point loss to Orlando midweek stopped them from breaching the top-3 in our NBA power rankings, but they are still the closest challengers to topple Utah in the West.
#3 Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 record: 31-15
Upcoming fixtures: MIN, HOU, CHA, @CHI
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 1st (↓2)
The Brooklyn Nets fall from the top spot in our NBA power rankings, not because of their performances this week, but merely because Philly and Utah hold the No.1 seeds.
Brooklyn remains hot on the Sixers' heels though, even without Kyrie and KD. In their 3-game road trip this week, tight wins over Portland and Detroit came either side of a blowout loss to the Jazz in which Harden was sidelined. For all the questions on how the Nets will cope come the postseason defensively, they answered by holding the Trail Blazers' star backcourt of McCollum and Lillard to just 38 points on Tuesday.
James Harden announced himself onto the MVP scene after a 44-point display against Detroit. Meanwhile, Blake Griffin proved that he still has the athleticism to be a serious threat from the Nets bench, grabbing 17 points and 3 boards against his former side.
#2 Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 record: 32-14
Upcoming fixtures: @DEN, @CLE, MIN, MEM
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 3rd (↑2)
If 76ers fans had been told they would still be first despite Joel Embiid's 16-day absence, they would be elated - if not slightly surprised. What's more, the MVP candidate has resumed on-court activities.
During his 8-game layoff, Philly have gone 6-2, ranking second for +/- and top for defensive rating with 102.2. After comfortably knocking off the Warriors and Lakers this week, the Sixers ended their California road-trip with a loss to the Clippers in Doc Rivers' return.
While many worried how the Sixers would cope without Embiid, they have shown that they can lock up on defense and rely on their supporting cast for scoring support. Tobias Harris was electric this week, scoring 23.7 points per game and grabbing 8.7 rebounds. Danny Green repaid the Philly front office's faith in him with his 28-point splurge against the Lakers on Thursday.
#1 Utah Jazz
2020-21 record: 34-11
Upcoming fixtures: CLE, @MEM, CHI, ORL
Previous NBA Power Ranking: 4th (↑3)
After a midseason slump, the Utah Jazz have rejuvenated their shooting efficiency and are on the league's longest active winning spree with 5 in-a-row. Donovan Mitchell led the charge, averaging 31.8 points across 4 wins this week and 6.5 assists. He has had support though, with 6 players averaging over 47% shooting from the field on 14+ minutes.
Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jordan Clarkson was having his own shooting drop-off recently, though he exploded for 28 points and 6 boards on Saturday. Clarkson was still the Jazz' third-highest scorer this week and proves the depth the championship hopefuls have going into the playoffs.
Four of the Jazz' next 5 opponents have losing records, therefore we can expect them to be atop our NBA power rankings again next week.
Guess the Lakers players!
