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There are just five weeks of the regular season remaining and the race to secure homecourt advantage is heating up. Meanwhile, no fewer than five teams are scrapping to secure the last available playoff spot in the Western Conference, and there will be no shortage of excitement over the final weeks of the season.
Several teams are also making strong cases that they can compete for the title in the postseason, and here we will take a look at the latest Power Rankings as we head into Week 21 of the 2019-20 NBA season.
#10 Indiana Pacers - Record: 39-25
The Indiana Pacers embarked on a dismal run of form back in February that resulted in the team falling to seventh in the East standings. However, Nate McMillan has been able to turn things around over the past month, and following a run of eight wins in 10 games, the Pacers sit 5th with a 39-25 record. Victor Oladipo is starting to find form following his return from injury - and the Pacers have huge games to come this week against the Celtics and Sixers.
#9 Miami Heat - Record: 41-23
Following weeks of disappointing results, the Miami Heat have won five of their last six games - including a huge midweek win over the Bucks. Miami restricted Giannis Antetokounmpo to just 13 points during the 105-89 victory, and Erik Spoelstra will be confident that his side has now turned the corner ahead of the business end of the regular season.
#8 Oklahoma City Thunder - Record: 40-24
The Oklahoma City Thunder came through in the fourth quarter once again on Sunday as they defeated the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. It was OKC's 40th win of the season - and Billy Donovan's side remains in the hunt for homecourt advantage following a campaign that has wildly surpassed expectations.
#7 Denver Nuggets - Record: 42-21
Overall, it was a bad week for the Nuggets as they fell to humiliating defeats to the Warriors and Cavaliers. They managed to pick up a 114-112 win over the Charlotte Hornets, although Denver is slipping at the wrong time - and they now face a battle to remain in the top four in the West.
#6 Boston Celtics - Record: 42-21
Kemba Walker turned the ball over with just eight seconds remaining to allow the Thunder to snatch a late win on Sunday, and the Boston Celtics have now lost four of their past five games. Nevertheless, Jaylen Brown is expected to return this week, and the Celtics have the opportunity to bounce back as they face Indiana and Milwaukee.
#5 Utah Jazz - Record: 41-22
Just two weeks ago, the Utah Jazz were in disarray, although Quin Snyder's men have chained together five consecutive wins to improve to 41-22. While they have benefited from a favorable schedule, the Jazz picked up a huge 99-94 win over the Celtics on Friday, and finishing second in the West remains a possibility.
#4 Toronto Raptors - Record: 45-18
Following a run of three consecutive defeats, the Toronto Raptors rediscovered form over the past seven days by picking up wins over the Suns, Warriors, and Kings. Only the Bucks and Lakers have won more games this season, and Nick Nurse's side could are well on track to securing the second seed in the East.
#3 LA Clippers - Record: 43-20
The LA Clippers fell to the Lakers on Sunday afternoon, although Doc Rivers' side has still won six of their past seven games. A 43-20 record puts them in contention to finish second in the West, and Paul George is on the verge of returning to peak form ahead of the playoffs.
#2 Milwaukee Bucks - Record: 53-11
The Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Lakers on Friday in a closely contested game, before suffering their worst defeat of the season on Sunday against the Suns. The Bucks conceded 77 first-half points during a 131-140 loss - and Giannis Antetokounmpo could miss time due to a knee injury.
#1 LA Lakers - Record: 49-13
Following on from last Sunday's disappointing defeat to the Grizzlies, the Lakers picked up wins over the Pelicans, Sixers, Bucks, and Clippers during an excellent week. Huge wins over Milwaukee and Clippers demonstrated their ability to contend with the best, and the Lakers now have a real shot at finishing the regular season with the best overall record.
