NBA: Power Rankings 5.0

We've had a little bit of movement in our most recent power rankings as the Suns (+2) and Trail Blazers (+3) have moved up in the top-10, while the 76ers (-2) and Bucks (-4) have slipped a bit. According to Sports Line, LeBron James remains the MVP favorite at +120, ahead of Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Elsewhere, Miami (+9) has Jimmy Butler back healthy, San Antonio (+1) is 7-3 in their last 10 games, Boston (-3) is struggling without Marcus Smart, and Atlanta (-8) has lost three in a row.

1. Los Angeles Lakers (21-7, 98, +0): Los Angeles remains the top team despite having their seven-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday night at Denver. Anthony Davis left the game after aggravating his Achilles injury and according to CBS Sports, Davis will have an MRI on Monday. LeBron James (25.5 points, 8.0 rebounds per game) will lean on Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma even more this week as the Lakers take on Minnesota, Brooklyn, and Miami.

2. Utah Jazz (22-5, 98, +0): The Jazz are streaking again, having won seven straight and nine of 10 games, as Donovan Mitchell (24.2 points, 5.1 assists per game) has continued to improve steadily. Utah has six guys averaging double digit points, including Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner Rudy Gobert. Quin Snyder’s team faces the 76ers, Clippers, and Hornets before a highly-anticipated matchup with the Lakers on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

3. Los Angeles Clippers (20-8, 92, +1): The Clippers skedaddled past all three of their lowly opponents this week in Minnesota, Chicago, and Cleveland, and seemed to have recovered well after dropping back to back contests. LA will take the court four times this week, lining up against Miami, Utah twice and a Sunday night matchup with Brooklyn. Their play over these next few outings will give us a good look at where the Clippers truly stand among the league's best.

4. Phoenix Suns (17-9, 88, +2): Phoenix, Phoenix, Phoenix! Who saw this coming? The Suns have won six in a row and nine of their last 10 battles. The addition of veteran All-Star Chris Paul (16.7 points, 8.2 assists per game) have the Suns looking like a team to beat out West. Over the past seven days, Monty Williams' team boasts wins over the Celtics, Bucks, and 76ers. Phoenix will try to sweep the top four teams in the East as they go up against the Nets on Tuesday night.

5. Philadelphia 76ers (18-9, 84, -2): Philadelphia is the highest ranked Eastern Conference team despite dropping games to the Trail Blazers and Suns last week. The 76ers have cooled down a bit, shooting 35.9% from 3-point range, after a hot start to the season. Joel Embiid (29.6 points, 10.8 rebounds per game) keeps this team competitive even when they're off but to beat the best teams in the league like Utah Monday night, the 76ers need their role players to return to form.

Other Playoff Teams:

6. Trail Blazers (16-10, 79, +3)

7. Nuggets (15-11, 76, +1)

8. Nets (16-12, 76, -1)

9. Bucks (16-11, 75, -4)

10. Spurs (16-11, 74, +1)

11. Warriors (14-13, 70, +1)

12. Pacers (14-13, 68, +2)

13. Celtics (13-13, 64, -3)

14. Hornets (13-15, 62, +1)

15. Knicks (13-15, 62, +5)

16. Heat (11-15, 60, +9)

Rest of the League:

17. Grizzlies (11-11, 58, +2)

18. Raptors (12-15, 56, -2)

19. Mavericks (13-15, 55, +2)

20. Kings (12-14, 52, -3)

21. Hawks (11-15, 50, -8)

22. Thunder (11-15, 48, +0)

23. Rockets (11-15, 46, -5)

24. Bulls (10-15, 45, +2)

25. Pelicans (11-15, 44, -2)

26. Magic (10-18, 40, +1)

27. Cavaliers (10-18, 37, -3)

28. Pistons (8-19, 37, +2)

29. Wizards (7-17, 34, -1)

30. Timberwolves (7-20, 32, -1)

MVP Rankings:

1. LeBron James (Lakers, +1)

2. Nikola Jokic (Nuggets, +1)

3. Joel Embiid (76ers, -2)

Rookie of the Year:

1. LaMelo Ball (Hornets, +0)

2. Tyrese Haliburton (Kings, +1)

3. Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves, -1)

Defensive Player of the Year:

1. Myles Turner (Pacers, +0)

2. Rudy Gobert (Jazz, +2)

3. Ben Simmons (76ers, +0)

Most Improved Player:

1. Julius Randle (Knicks, +0)

2. Jerami Grant (Pistons, +0)

3. Jaylen Brown (Celtics, +1)

Sixth Man of the Year:

1. Jordan Clarkson (Jazz, +0)

2. Montrezl Harrell (Lakers, +0)

3. Chris Boucher (Raptors, +1)

Photo Credit: Deseret News.