NBA: Power Rankings 7.0

The Utah Jazz have lost a couple games since our last edition but still remain at the top of the league with a 27-8 record. The Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Clippers held serve while the Phoenix Suns leapfrogged the Philadelphia 76ers for the 5th slot. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks (+2), Miami Heat (+7), and Washington Wizards (+4) moved up. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the free-falling Indiana Pacers (-3) and Orlando Magic (-3).

1. Utah Jazz (27-8, 98, +0): Utah improved their league-leading record at 3-1 this week, defeating the Hornets (132-110), Lakers (114-89), and Magic (124-109). The Heat handed Utah their only loss of the week as Donovan Mitchell dropped 30 points and six rebounds in a 124-116 loss. Quin Snyder’s team matches up with Philadelphia, Houston, and Golden State over the next seven days. The Jazz will be on the road, where they are 12-5, for three of the next four games.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (24-11, 96, +0): The Lakers lost their first two games of the week against the Wizards (127-124) and Jazz, before taking down Portland (102-93) and Golden State (117-91) on their home floor. LeBron James scored a team-high 28 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in a win over the Trail Blazers on Friday night. The AD-less Lakers will host the Suns and Pacers this week, while traveling to Sacramento in between.

3. Brooklyn Nets (23-13, 93, +0): Brooklyn had their 8-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday night in a 115-98 home loss to the Mavericks. KD and Kyrie Irving both missed that game, though, and the team still picked up wins over Sacramento (127-118) and Orlando (129-92) this week. Steve Nash’s club is averaging an NBA-best 120.7 points while also ranking 6th in point differential at +4.4 points per game. Oh and obviously they’ll be even better when Durant returns.

4. Los Angeles Clippers (24-12, 92, +0): The Clippers went 2-2 with a win over Washington and splitting a pair of games with Memphis. LA also dropped one at Milwaukee after they couldn't buy a bucket in the final minutes. The Clippers have won three of their last seven games and see Boston and Washington to close out the road trip. These next two games should be a breeze, right? Either way, Ty Lou needs to tell his squad something to light a fire under them going into the second half of the year.

5. Phoenix Suns (22-11, 91, +1): Phoenix is back to stacking wins after picking up five of their last six opportunities. Their loss to Charlotte could’ve gone to OT as Devin Booker appeared to be fouled on the game tying 3-point attempt but the refs let it go. The Suns are looking scary and Book, after his 43-point outburst in Minnesota, will look to do the same against King James and the Lakeshow Tuesday night. This matchup will tell the story for Phoenix as they head into the break.

Other Playoff Teams:

6. 76ers (23-12, 88, -1)

7. Bucks (21-13, 82, +2)

8. Spurs (17-13, 78, +0)

9. Trail Blazers (19-14, 76, -2)

10. Nuggets (19-15, 76, +0)

11. Warriors (19-16, 70, +0)

12. Heat (17-17, 68, +7)

13. Knicks (18-17, 65, +2)

14. Raptors (17-17, 64, -2)

15. Celtics (17-17, 63, -1)

16. Pacers (15-18, 59, -3)

Rest of the League:

17. Mavericks (16-16, 57, +1)

18. Grizzlies (15-15, 56, -1)

19. Hornets (15-18, 55, -3)

20. Bulls (15-18, 53, +0)

21. Pelicans (15-19, 50, +2)

22. Wizards (13-19, 46, +4)

23. Hawks (14-20, 46, -2)

24. Thunder (14-20, 45, -1)

25. Kings (13-20, 42, -3)

26. Cavaliers (14-21, 40, +2)

27. Magic (13-22, 39, -3)

28. Rockets (11-22, 37, -1)

29. Pistons (9-25, 34, +0)

30. Timberwolves (7-28, 31, +0)

MVP Rankings:

1. Joel Embiid (76ers, +1)

2. LeBron James (Lakers, -1)

3. Nikola Jokić (Nuggets, +0)

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. Rudy Gobert (Jazz, +0)

2. Ben Simmons (76ers, +0)

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks, +1)

Most Improved Player:

1. Julius Randle (Knicks, +0)

2. Jerami Grant (Pistons, +1)

3. Clint Capela (Hawks, +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.