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Last PR drop: December 11
The flames on the hardwood continue to set ablaze as we near the NBA All-Star break. Teams had a nice period to build their case for this new rankings drop. We see two teams return to the top-ten after quite the drag down, an Eastern Conference newbie, and a steady power duo atop the rankings. Time to rank 'em up.
Record since last drop: 6-6
Current Streak: L1
Notable wins: @ DAL, @ IND
Despite the Kings being quite rocky of late, they find a way to sneak into the top ten. Sabonis averaged damn near a triple-double across 15 games in January. Sacramento still needs De'Aaron Fox to be more consistent as an elite scorer, but he has stated off February hot. If Fox can cook more consistently, then the Kings should keep climbing. They have a sharp thorn of comp' on the upcoming slate. Giddy up.
Next up: vs DET, vs DEN, @ OKC, @ PHX, @ DEN
Record since last drop: 11-3
Current Streak: W2
Notable wins: vs MIL
Suns are scorchin' hot as they continue their climb up the standings. Phoenix has won 11 of their last 14 that included a swift 7-game winning streak. Suns' energy core has been powered by Devin Booker. D-Book had a monster month of January. The cat averaged 30 points per game with a 62-piece and a 52-piece. Durant may have slowed down a tad, but he is still doin' his dance alongside Booker. With Beal finally breakin' out in the box with a 40-piece against his former squad; lets see if the Suns' Big-3 can elevate Phoenix into the top four of the Western Conference.
Next up: vs UTA, @ GSW, vs SAC, vs DET
Record since last drop: 8-6
Current Streak: L2
Notable wins: vs BOS; vs CLE
Bucks have been ridin' some rocky waters of late. They canned head coach Adrian Griffin after a 30-13 start and have now lost 5 of their last 7 since the firing. They are 1-2 with Doc Rivers as coach. For a team that was considered to be the top dog in the Eastern Conference just a month ago- things are starting to look bleak. Bucks have been brutally bad on the road with a lackluster 12-13 road record and a 4-6 road record in January. Despite the misfortune, we know Giannis and Dame won't let them drop too far, but the winning needs to start now.
Next up: vs MIN, vs CHA, vs DEN, vs MIA
Record since last drop: 9-3
Current Streak: W2
Notable wins: @ BOS; @ IND; vs MIL
Nuggets drop in the rankings despite still having consistent winning of late... outside of against the Thunder of course. The teams ahead of Denver are just far hotter. Nuggets are in the same realm as Milwaukee. Incredible at home, but awful on the road. Denver has dropped two brutal road Ls in a row to the Thunder and Knicks. Denver plays three straight road games coming up with five of their next seven games being away from Mile High. Time for them to change that poor display to prove they belong in the top five of the rankings.
Next up: @ LAL, @ SAC, @ MIL, vs SAC
Record since last drop: 12-3
Current Streak: W1
Notable wins: vs DEN; vs IND
Knicks are one of the three hottest teams in the entire league. They continue to climb the ranks winning 9 of their last 10 games and 16 of their last 19. Jalen Brunson is playin' like a top guard in the league, and the Knicks' secondary scoring options in Donte DiVincenzo and Isaiah Hartenstein are steppin' up in a big way. OG Anunoby is fittin' in nicely with Julius Randle on top of that. It's skies the limit right now in The Big Apple.
Next up: vs DAL, vs IND, @ HOU, @ ORL
Record since last drop: 11-1
Current Streak: W6
Notable wins: vs MIL; @ MIL; vs LAC; vs SAC
Cavaliers are the hottest team in the league winning 14 of their last 15 games- and against some high level comp'. Donovan Mitchell is playing like a top-5 player as of late and I don't exaggerate. Mitchell averaged 28-5-8 in January (13 games) with two 45-burgers and three double-doubles. He now ranks 4th amongst guards in total box plus/minus (average) as he continues to be mega-valuable to this Cavs squad who now holds the 2-spot atop the Eastern Conference. Cleveland has a light thorn of comp' on the February slate against basement squads of the conference that they can exploit to pile up wins going into March. East better be wary of these cats in Cleveland.
Next up: @ BKN, @ TOR, vs PHI, vs CHI
Record since last drop: 9-5
Current Streak: L1
Notable wins: vs LAC; @ OKC;
I still have the Timberwolves in the top 5 due to their overall success, but they are hanging on by a thread with how HOT the Knicks and Cavaliers are. Minnesota lost their reign atop the Western Conference as they now sit in a four-way tie for the top seed. Timberwolves have good moments and then sprinkle in some bad. They are still looking for that next gear. They have a rollercoaster of a February schedj comp wise that they need to go through to gain supremacy again. That or they keep falling down the ladder.
Next up: @ MIL, @ LAC, @ POR, @ POR
Record since last drop: 10-2
Current Streak: W4
Notable wins: @ BOS; vs OKC;
The turnaround for the Clippers has now turned into prowess. LA is hittin' on all cylinders right now as they reach the top three of my rankings for the first time this year. If you told me that this would happen back in November- I would have that you just walked out a nut-house. What a heatwave they ride as Kawhi Leonard is playin' his best ball in some time. Harden also deserves cred for his execution on the offensive. Clippers are 31-5 since the beginning of December after going 8-10 in October/November. With OKC and Minnesota on the upcoming slate, along with a light thorn of comp; the Clippers could start March as the Western Conference's one seed.
Next up: vs NOP, vs DET, vs MIN, @ GSW
Record since last drop: 10-5
Current Streak: L1
Notable wins: @ MIN; vs DEN
Thunder may have the Clips breathin' down their neck, but they continue their steady winning pace. They claimed the Nuggets' number after winning three of the four game season-set and have wins against some of the other elite squads in the league. SGA continues to be a flat out gamebreaker as he remains a top three scorer in the NBA. All is going well for the Thunder, but they must keep piling up the dubs with the Clippers, Nuggs, and T-Wolves tryin' to utilize a slip-stream maneuver on their wing.
Next up: @ DAL, vs SAC, @ ORL, vs LAC
Record since last drop: 12-3
Current Streak: W1
Notable wins: vs CLE; @ LAC; vs MIN
I don't expect the Celtics to lose grasp of the top spot any time soon. They are too good and are startin' to gain some separation atop the Eastern Conference. Boston still holds a 3.5 game advantage over the fearsome four of the West, for the league's top record. They hold the best home record, and the best points differential. Outside of a tough, must-watch battle inside MSG, the C's play the lowest tier of the East for the entirety of February. More dubs should pile up.
Next up: vs WAS, @ MIA, @ BKN, vs BKN
11-30:
Biggest Risers & Decliners:
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