Top 10 Teams After Week 12 as Thunder Back Up, Lakers Drop Out (Jan. 13)
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(Photo: IMAGN)
Previous Ranking: No. 9
Offensive Rating: 116.2
Defensive Rating: 111.9
Net Rating: 4.3
The Phoenix Suns have been on a tear lately, winning their last four games to climb up to the No. 6 spot in this week’s NBA power rankings. The Suns have been playing excellent basketball on both ends of the floor, with Devin Booker leading the charge on offense and Deandre Ayton anchoring the defense.
The Suns have shown that they are serious contenders in the Western Conference, and their recent victories over the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and Memphis Grizzlies have solidified their position in the top half of the rankings. If they can continue to play at this level, they will be a tough team to beat come playoff time.
#5. Golden State Warriors (27-13)
Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo: IMAGN)
Previous Ranking: No. 2
Offensive Rating: 113.4
Defensive Rating: 107.5
Net Rating: 5.9
The Golden State Warriors have hit a bit of a rough patch, losing their last three games to drop to the No. 5 spot in this week’s NBA power rankings. The Warriors have struggled with consistency lately, especially on the offensive end, where they have had trouble scoring points.
Despite their recent struggles, the Warriors are still one of the top teams in the league and have the talent to bounce back. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have been playing well, and if they can get back to their winning ways, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
#4. Brooklyn Nets (28-12)
Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo: IMAGN)
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Offensive Rating: 117.2
Defensive Rating: 112.2
Net Rating: 5.0
The Brooklyn Nets have been on a roll lately, winning their last five games to climb up to the No. 4 spot in this week’s NBA power rankings. The Nets have been playing great basketball on both ends of the floor, with Kevin Durant leading the charge on offense and Ben Simmons anchoring the defense.
The Nets have shown that they are serious contenders in the Eastern Conference, and their recent victories over the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, and Miami Heat have solidified their position in the top half of the rankings. If they can continue to play at this level, they will be a tough team to beat come playoff time.
#3. Miami Heat (28-12)
Miami Heat at New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo: IMAGN)
Previous Ranking: No. 6
Offensive Rating: 113.7
Defensive Rating: 106.5
Net Rating: 7.2
The Miami Heat have been one of the hottest teams in the league, winning their last six games to climb up to the No. 3 spot in this week’s NBA power rankings. The Heat have been playing outstanding basketball on both ends of the floor, with Jimmy Butler leading the charge on offense and Bam Adebayo anchoring the defense.
The Heat have shown that they are serious contenders in the Eastern Conference, and their recent victories over the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Atlanta Hawks have solidified their position in the top half of the rankings. If they can continue to play at this level, they will be a tough team to beat come playoff time.
#2. Milwaukee Bucks (31-8)
Milwaukee Bucks at Golden State Warriors. (Photo: IMAGN)
Previous Ranking: No. 1
Offensive Rating: 116.4
Defensive Rating: 107.9
Net Rating: 8.5
The Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the top teams in the league all season, but a recent rough patch has seen them drop to the No. 2 spot in this week’s NBA power rankings. The Bucks have lost three of their last four games, including a tough loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
Despite their recent struggles, the Bucks are still one of the top teams in the league and have the talent to bounce back. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been playing at an MVP level, and if he can continue his stellar play, the Bucks will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
#1. OKC Thunder (32-7)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers. (Photo: IMAGN)
Previous Ranking: No. 2
Offensive Rating: 118.9
Defensive Rating: 107.4
Net Rating: 11.5
The OKC Thunder have been the best team in the league all season, and their recent performances have solidified their spot at the top of this week’s NBA power rankings. The Thunder have won their last three games and have looked dominant on both ends of the floor.
With players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey leading the charge, the Thunder have been nearly unbeatable this season. Their defense has been stifling, and their offense has been clicking on all cylinders. If they can continue to play at this level, they will be a tough team to beat come playoff time.
That’s it for this week’s NBA power rankings. Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses!
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to lead the charge for the Thunder, showcasing his All-Star caliber play on both ends of the court. Josh Giddey has also been a revelation for OKC, providing playmaking and versatility that has elevated the team’s performance.
The Thunder’s defense has been stifling, holding opponents to just 105.4 points per 100 possessions, the best mark in the league. With a net rating of 12.6, it’s clear that OKC is firing on all cylinders and establishing themselves as a legitimate contender in the Western Conference.
Head coach Mark Daigneault has done a phenomenal job of maximizing the talent on the roster and instilling a winning culture in OKC. The Thunder’s depth and balanced scoring attack have been key factors in their success this season.
As the NBA season progresses, all eyes will be on the OKC Thunder to see if they can maintain their stellar play and make a deep playoff run. With the way they have been playing, the sky’s the limit for this young and exciting team.
The Memphis Grizzlies have been a force to be reckoned with in the NBA this season, but they have hit a bit of a rough patch recently. Despite their early dominance, they have not looked like the same team that tore through the league in the first two months of the season.
In a recent game against the Utah Jazz, the Grizzlies were taken to overtime, and it took a remarkable 46-point performance from reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to secure the win. The fact that the Grizzlies lost by just one point in this game, especially without their star player Ja Morant, speaks volumes about their resilience and competitiveness.
Similarly, in a matchup against the Miami Heat, the Grizzlies found themselves in a tight battle in the first half. However, a third-quarter surge from the Heat created the separation they needed to pull away and secure the victory. While the Grizzlies put up a fight, they ultimately fell short in this game as well.
Despite these recent setbacks, the Grizzlies have shown that they are a team to be taken seriously in the NBA. Their strong start to the season has put them in a solid position in the standings, and they have the talent and determination to bounce back from this rough patch.
As they continue to navigate through the ups and downs of the NBA season, the Grizzlies will look to regain their early-season form and once again establish themselves as one of the top teams in the league. With players like Ja Morant leading the way, the Grizzlies have the potential to make some noise in the playoffs and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with.
