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2019 is quickly coming to an end, and with more than two months of the 2019-20 NBA season now in the books, several teams around the league are making their cases as contenders. Meanwhile, the battle to secure home-court advantage in each respective conference is heating up, and here we will take a look at the latest NBA power rankings heading into Week 10 of the season.
#10 Indiana Pacers - Record: 20-10
The Indiana Pacers have been solid for much of the season, and the team enjoyed their best week of the season as they picked up a huge win over the Lakers. They also comfortable beat the Kings before losing to the impressive Bucks on Sunday night. Nevertheless, the Pacers' 20-10 start to the season shouldn't be ignored, and they will only get better when Victor Oladipo makes his long-awaited return in the new year.
#9 Philadelphia 76ers - Record: 21-10
As we approach 2020, the Sixers have yet to fully click, although they still possess a 21-10 record. Saturday's 125-108 win over the Wizards ended a three-game losing streak, and with Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Al Horford - the Sixers will continue to improve as the season progresses.
#8 Denver Nuggets - Record: 20-8
The Nuggets defeated the Lakers on Sunday night to pick up their sixth straight win, and Denver now has the longest active win streak in the NBA. The win lifted the team to second in the West standings, and Nikola Jokic has returned to form following a bewildering start to the season. With games to come against the Suns, Pelicans, Grizzlies, and Kings this week, the Nuggets could stretch their win streak to 10 games.
#7 Boston Celtics - Record: 20-7
The Celtics enjoyed a perfect week as they defeated the Mavericks, Pistons, and Hornets to improve to 20-7 for the season. The wins were especially impressive considering that Gordon Hayward was once again sidelined by injury, and Brad Stevens's side will be eager to carry their form into this week as they face the Raptors twice.
#6 Toronto Raptors - Record: 21-8
The Raptors entered the week having lost three of their past four games, although they returned to form in Week 10 thanks to wins over the Cavaliers, Pistons, Wizards, and Mavericks. The win over the Mavs was especially impressive as they trailed by as many as 30 before completing a historic fourth-quarter comeback, and Kyle Lowry's 32-point performance demonstrated that he can carry the Raptors during Pascal Siakam's absence.
#5 Houston Rockets - Record: 20-9
The Rockets have struggled for consistency for much of the season, although Mike D'Antoni's team is finally hitting top form as we approach 2020. The Rockets have won three consecutive games to improve to 20-9 and they will close out the year with a series of winnable games. Russell Westbrook has also exploded over the past week, and the Rockets are heading in the right direction.
#4 Miami Heat - Record: 21-8
After making a fast start to the season, many predicted that the Heat would quickly fade, although Miami enters the final week of the year with a 21-8 record. They possess the NBA's best home record (12-1) and Jimmy Butler has completely transformed the mentality of the roster. They picked up a huge win over Philadelphia last week, and it is time to acknowledge that this Miami team could be a genuine threat to the best teams in the East.
#3 LA Clippers - Record: 22-10
The Clippers have won just two of their past five games, and Doc Rivers will be disappointed by his team's fourth-quarter performance during the loss to the Thunder on Sunday night. However, LA still looks like the best team in the league when Kawhi Leonard features, and they will be looking to make a major statement on Christmas Day when they face the Lakers.
#2 Los Angeles Lakers - Record: 24-6
Following an incredible start to the season, the Lakers have been back down to earth over the past seven days. The Lakers' winning streak on the road was bought to an end by the Pacers, before Frank Vogel's team suffered further defeats to the Bucks and Nuggets. Nevertheless, they still sit three games clear at the top of the West standings, and LeBron James should return for the blockbuster matchup against the Clippers.
#1 Milwaukee Bucks - Record: 27-4
Milwaukee's winning streak was snapped by the Mavericks at the start of the week, although the team responded by picking up a huge statement win over the Lakers. Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. also blew out the Knicks before disposing of the impressive Pacers on Sunday night - and the Bucks will head into Christmas with the NBA's best record.
Also read: NBA MVP Race 2019-20: December Power Rankings
Guess the Lakers players!
