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NBA Power Rankings: Grizzlies, Warriors, Raptors, Spurs top list – Metro US

NBA Power Rankings: Grizzlies, Warriors, Raptors, Spurs top list

NBA Power Rankings: Grizzlies, Warriors, Raptors, Spurs top list
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1. Memphis Grizzlies (12-2, Previous: 7) – Led by an early MVP favorite in Marc Gasol, the Griz are manhandling teams with their toughness. Just ask the Clippers, who Memphis took down in a big way, 107-91, on Sunday.

2. Golden State Warriors (10-2, Previous: 1) – That big sigh of relief you’re hearing is from the Warriors after hearing Andrew Bogut’s orbital contusion is not serious after a CT scan on his face came back negative. This team keeps on rolling.

3. Toronto Raptors (11-2, Previous: 4) – They haven’t cooled off yet, and there’s no reason to believe they will. This Raptors team is dangerous on both ends (third in points per game and fifth in points allowed) and may sneakily have some of the best fans in basketball.

4. San Antonio Spurs (9-4, Previous: 5) – Holding opponents to a league-best 91.3 points per game while spreading out minutes from top to bottom in the lineup. Just two players (Tony Parker, 32.0, and Kawhi Leonard, 30.7) average more than 30 minutes per game.

5. Houston Rockets (10-3, Previous: 3) – It’s troubling to see Dwight Howard miss games so early in the season. His health is obviously important to Houston’s success, especially after trading away fellow center Omer Asik.

6. Dallas Mavericks (10-4, Previous: 12) – Considered by many to be one of the most improved teams in the offseason, the Mavs ripped off six straight wins before falling to the Dwight Howard-less Rockets over the weekend. These guys are a tough out every night.

7. Washington Wizards (9-3, Previous: 11) – There are a few teams beginning to separate from the pack in the East, and the Wizards are one of them. They’ll get a chance to beat the Cavs again on Wednesday, this time in Cleveland.

8. Portland Trailblazers (10-3, Previous: 9) – Make it a league-best seven straight wins for the Blazers. With Philly on tap for Monday, that’ll be eight straight wins. Getting some extra help from the bench is huge.

9. Chicago Bulls (8-5, Previous: 10) – It looks like Derrick Rose is going to be a gametime decision for the rest of his career. Jimmy Butler, on the other hand, is really shining for the Bulls this season, leading them in points (20.4) and steals (1.5).

10. Phoenix Suns (9-5, Previous: 13) – Between twin brothers in the starting lineup (Markieff and Marcus Morris), four legit guards (Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, Isaiah Thomas, Gerald Green) and two youngsters in Alex Len and T.J. Warren, this is a very fun team.

11. Miami Heat (8-6, Previous: 6) – A strained hamstring has kept Dwyane Wade out of the Heat’s last six games. They’ve gone 3-3 in those games, and getting him back is crucial – especially since some guy named LeBron is no longer there to help.

12. Los Angeles Clippers (7-5, Previous: 2) – A disappointing bunch so far, as a championship should really be on the minds of everybody on this team. Doc Rivers isn’t finding it as easy to get his team to play defense in L.A. as it was in Boston.

13. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-7, Previous: 8) – The Cavs just aren’t ready to win as a team yet. Four straight losses, including two big ones to the Wizards and Raptors. LeBron has his hands full – but he asked for this.

14. New Orleans Pelicans (7-5, Previous: 17) – There is no stopping Anthony Davis. The future MVP (some day) scored a career-high 43 points against the Jazz on Saturday in all sorts of ways. And he did it with just one eyebrow. Amazing.

15. Sacramento Kings (8-5, Previous: 14) – Kings fans are just happy that they have ownership that cares about winning again. Will the Kings make the playoffs this year? It’s unlikely – but they’re trending in the right direction for sure.

16. Milwaukee Bucks (7-7, Previous: 22) – One of the surprise teams of the season so far, the young Bucks had some momentum going before they ran into the Raptors and Wizards. Those are two legit teams in the East. The Bucks aren’t there yet.

17. Atlanta Hawks (6-5, Previous: 18) – A loss to the Lakers at home is a tough one to ignore. Aside from that, it’s good to see a healthy Al Horford out there for a change.

18. Brooklyn Nets (5-8, Previous: 15) – A two-point win over the Thunder is the only win they have since Nov. 9. They’ve lost six games since that day. Sounds like a perfect time to play Philadelphia (Wednesday).

19. Denver Nuggets (6-7, Previous: 23) – Key number for Denver: 100. All six of their wins have come when holding opponents to 100 points or less. All seven of their losses? Take a guess. They’ve won five of their last six.

20. Charlotte Hornets (4-10, Previous: 16) – Five straight losses for the Hornets, who are doing their best Bobcats impression. But last year’s team won games because of defense, which isn’t showing up as regularly this year.

21. Utah Jazz (5-9, Previous: 21) – Portland is going to run away with the Northwest Division, but the Jazz could – could! – finish in second place. That would be quite the jump in one season.

22. Orlando Magic (6-9, Previous: 26) – Tough stretch coming up for Orlando with seven of the next eight on the road, including a trip out West for games against the Suns, Warriors, and Clippers.

23. Indiana Pacers (5-8, Previous: 17) – After starting the season 1-6, the Pacers have won four of their last six including solid wins over the Heat and Bulls, both on the road. They’re gonna scrounge for points on some nights but the defense is there.

24. Boston Celtics (4-8, Previous: 19) – Limiting the Blazers to 94 points on Sunday is a victory, despite the fact Boston lost. If it can play better defense more consistently, they’ll win some games. Not a lot, but some.

25. Detroit Pistons (3-10, Previous: 24) – When you’re going over your list of things to be thankful for around the holidays, put “not having to watch the Pistons” somewhere on there. Unless you’re from Detroit. Sorry, guys.

26. New York Knicks (4-10, Previous: 25) – The Knicks touch down in Texas on Monday, where they will lose to the Rockets. They’ll then hop a quick flight to Dallas for Wednesday’s inevitable loss to the Mavericks. It’s gonna be a long season.

27. Oklahoma City Thunder (3-12, Previous: 20) – Poor OKC. So much promise and excitement about this squad heading into the season only to have it all blow up before it even begins. The Thunder officially have the West’s worst record. Sad.

28. Los Angeles Lakers (3-11, Previous: 29) – Swaggy P returns to the Lakers and they win his first two games back! Then on Friday they allow the Mavs to drop 140 points on them. Swaggy P doesn’t do defense.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-9, Previous: 28) – Bad to worse for the Timberwolves who lose their best scorer in Kevin Martin with a fractured wrist. He’s going to be out a while.

30. Philadelphia 76ers (0-13, Previous: 30) – Ah yes, the age-old “Could College Team X beat NBA team X?” The answer is no, but the fact we’re even debating it tells you all you need to know about the Sixers.