NBA: Monthly Power Rankings
1. Milwaukee Bucks (40-13, +1): Much of Milwaukee's recent success can be attributed to Mike Budenholzer who has his ball club sitting on the best record in the league at 40-13. Milwaukee also boasts the league’s toughest defense only giving up 103.7 points per 100 possessions but also a top five offense to go with it. The Bucks are the only team in the NBA with 40 wins and they are 2.0 games ahead of the Raptors in the Eastern Conference for the top seed. Milwaukee is also the only team in the league with an average double digit point differential at +10.2 points per game. They are led by MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is putting up 27.0 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 5.9 rebounds per game. The Bucks face the Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, and Chicago Bulls next.
2. Golden State Warriors (38-15, +3): With DeMarcus Cousins back from injury and inserted into the starting lineup the Warriors are without a doubt the best team in basketball. They looked lackadaisical up until maybe a few weeks ago but that may be due to effort rather than any glaring issues they may have but once they hit the switch, it’s over. Golden State is 9-1 in their last 10 games, with the only slip up being a 113-104 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. But prior to that, they had won 11 consecutive games. This team can hurt you from every direction, as we know, and Stephen Curry is averaging 28.9 points, while Kevin Durant is coming in at 27.4 points. They might not finish the regular season with the best record, but the Warriors are definitely considered the favorites going into the playoffs.
3. Toronto Raptors (39-16, -2): To all the pundits out there who suggested Kawhi Leonard was simply a product of a good system should remain quiet because the guy is simply a gifted ball player, no matter where you put him. Kyle Lowry has benefited from Leonard as well who is averaging a career high in assists (9.2) to go along with stellar bench play, Toronto is a legit Eastern Conference threat. It's unclear whether or not the Raptors are going to make a trade at the deadline, but it was reported by ESPN that Lowry might be on the move. For now, Toronto is 6-4 in their last 10 games and are 2.0 games behind the Bucks in the standings. Leonard has been one of the best players in the league, averaging 27.3 points and 7.9 rebounds. Toronto is coming off a 119-107 win over the 76ers.
4. Denver Nuggets (37-17, +6): Probably one of the deepest teams in the league who isn't even at full strength yet and are consistently fighting with Golden State for the best record in the Wild West. The jury is still out on defense but the Nuggets have the second best offensive rating (114.7) with Nikola Jokic running the show. Jokic leads the team in four of the five major statistical categories with 20.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Jamal Murray is also having a good year when healthy, averaging 18.5 points on 36.8 percent shooting from deep. After two straight losses to the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets, the Nuggets will look to bounce back against the 76ers. For such a good team, the Nuggets have struggled on the road with just a 14-13 record away from home.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (34-19, -1): The team right behind the Nuggets in the Northwest division is the Oklahoma City Thunder. It's hard to deny that the Thunder are playing at a top five level this deep into the season. Defensive Player of the Year leader and MVP hopeful, Paul George has been playing out his mind averaging 28.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, all while Russell Westbrook is racking up triple doubles. With an 8-2 record in their last 10 games, Oklahoma City has a lot of momentum heading into the All-Star break and seem much more comfortable this year, compared to last season when the team could never get on the same page. The Thunder are in 3rd place, 2.5 games back of the Nuggets, and have the second best point differential in the West at +5.1 points per game.
Up Next:
6. Boston Celtics (35-19)
7. Philadelphia 76ers (34-20)
8. Indiana Pacers (35-19)
9. Portland Trail Blazers (32-21)
10. Houston Rockets (32-22)
11. San Antonio Spurs (32-24)
12. Utah Jazz (31-24)
13. Los Angeles Clippers (30-25)
14. Brooklyn Nets (29-27)
15. Los Angeles Lakers (27-27)
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.
