NBA: Power Rankings 6.0

For the first time in a few weeks, we have a new #1 team as the Utah Jazz have replaced the Los Angeles Lakers after winning 20 of their last 22 games. The Jazz had their 11-game win streak come to an end against the Clippers over the weekend. LA wasn't able to keep that momentum going, though, as they lost the following game to the Brooklyn Nets, who have exploded for a 6-game win streak behind James Harden's play. Check out our latest power rankings below!

1. Utah Jazz (24-6, 99, +1): Utah has floated to the top of our rankings this week after picking up wins over the 76ers and Clippers. They went 2-1 on the week, beating Philly and chopping a pair of games with the Clippers. Utah has six games on the slate ahead of the break. Notable match ups include the Lakers, Heat and 76ers. I am confident that the Jazz will hop back on the W train tomorrow against the Hornets and roll through the All-Star Game.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (22-9, 97, -1): The Lakers had a down week as they suffered losses to the Nets (109-98) and Heat (96-94), but that’s to be expected without Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder. The good news? LeBron James (25.6 points, 8.2 rebounds per game), Kyle Kuzma, and Montrezl Harrell are playing at an elite level and will keep the Lakers afloat. LA will look to make up the little ground they lost with a highly anticipated matchup with Utah on Wednesday night.

3. Nets (20-12, 95, +5): Brooklyn seems to have found their groove and have won their last six outings despite Kevin Durant still being sidelined. They picked up impressive wins over Phoenix and both LA squads this past week. James Harden (24.9 points, 11.1 assists per game) led the team in scoring in the last three games. Assuming the Nets continue their high level of play, there should be no issue getting by Sacramento, Orlando, and Dallas coming up.

4. Los Angeles Clippers (22-10, 94, -1): The Clippers moved down a spot after victories over the Cavaliers (128-111), Heat (125-118), and Jazz (116-112). Los Angeles is 11-4 on the road, tied for the third best record, and they will look to continue that with matchups at Memphis and Milwaukee. Kawhi Leonard (26.8 points, 5.8 rebounds per game) and Paul George are healthy again but it’s also good to see Louis Williams and Nicolas Batum help out on offense recently.

5. Philadelphia 76ers (20-11, 92, +0): Philly has come down to Earth after a blazing start as they’ve gone 5-5 in their last 10 and are just 7-9 on the road. Despite losses to the Jazz (134-123) and Raptors (110-103), it was good to see Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid (30.5 points, 11.0 rebounds) both set career-highs within a few days. Embiid dropped 50 points on 65.4% shooting from the field against Chicago on Friday. Doc Rivers’ team will face Toronto, Dallas, and Cleveland.

Other Playoff Teams:

6. Suns (19-10, 92, -2)

7. Trail Blazers (18-11, 86, -1)

8. Spurs (16-11, 82, +2)

9. Bucks (17-13, 81, +0)

10. Nuggets (16-14, 76, -3)

11. Warriors (16-15, 73, +0)

12. Raptors (16-15, 72, +6)

13. Pacers (15-14, 72, -1)

14. Celtics (15-15, 71, -1)

15. Knicks (15-16, 67, +0)

16. Hornets (14-15, 64, -2)

Rest of the League:

17. Grizzlies (13-13, 55, +0)

18. Mavericks (13-15, 60, +1)

19. Heat (13-17, 58, -3)

20. Bulls (13-16, 59, +4)

21. Hawks (13-17, 53, +0)

22. Kings (12-17, 50, -2)

23. Pelicans (13-17, 52, +2)

24. Magic (13-18, 52, +2)

25. Thunder (12-18, 48, -3)

26. Wizards (10-17, 46, +3)

27. Rockets (11-17, 43, -4)

28. Cavaliers (10-21, 41, -1)

29. Pistons (8-22, 38, -1)

30. Timberwolves (7-24, 37, +0)

MVP Rankings:

1. LeBron James (Lakers, +0)

2. Joel Embiid (76ers, +1)

3. Nikola Jokić (Nuggets, -1)

Rookie of the Year:

1. LaMelo Ball (Hornets, +0)

2. Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves, +1)

3. Tyrese Haliburton (Kings, -1)

Defensive Player of the Year:

1. Rudy Gobert (Jazz, +1)

2. Ben Simmons (76ers, +1)

3. Myles Turner (Pacers, -2)

Most Improved Player:

1. Julius Randle (Knicks, +0)

2. Jaylen Brown (Celtics, +1)

3. Jerami Grant (Pistons, -1)

Sixth Man of the Year:

1. Jordan Clarkson (Jazz, +0)

2. Montrezl Harrell (Lakers, +0)

3. Terrence Ross (Magic, +1)

Photo Credit: Nets Daily.