It’s no surprise that the Golden State Warriors are the first team in the NBA to reach the 20-win mark but it’s the way that they keep getting better that really stands out. The Warriors are clearly the class of the NBA already and the gap between them and the rest of the association will only keep growing as they keep on winning. Here is a look at the NBA top-five power rankings for this week.
1. Golden State Warriors (22-4)
Last Week: 1
NBA Championship Odds: -120
Golden State has stretched its all-time record to 111 games without losing two regular season games in a row, which are already 16 games more than the previous NBA record. The Warriors dropped a surprising 110-89 loss at the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night but promptly bounced back with wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans to close out their five-game road trip and they now return home for three in a row. Everybody knew the addition of Kevin Durant was a power move but we aren’t sure anybody thought he would be this good. Durant has averaged a team-high 25.9 points per game on a ridiculous 54-percent shooting from the floor and he has hit 41-percent of his three-point attempts. Durant has also averaged 8.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists while showing off his defensive game with a combined 3.0 blocks and steals per game. Stephen Curry deserves recognition for conceding some of his offensive role in order to make the team better and it seems as though Curry, Durant and Klay Thompson look more comfortable with one another every time they take the floor. The Warriors have averaged an NBA-best 117.8 points per game and it’s scary to think that number could climb as the season progresses.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (18-6)
Last Week: 2
NBA Championship Odds: +300
The Cavaliers has their five-game win streak snapped in Memphis on Wednesday night after Tyronn Lue made the decision to sit LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Basketball fans in Cleveland ripped Lue for the decision and while it seems to hurt their chances to finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference it makes sense why Lue made the decision he made. The NBA schedule is absolutely grueling and the Cavaliers will need every member of their big three to be healthy and playing at a high level in order to have a shot at defending their NBA title. Cleveland is at risk of slipping from the second spot on this list if they slow down but with their next four games against the LA Lakers, at Milwaukee, home to Milwaukee and then home to Brooklyn they should be able to bounce back with a strong week.
3. San Antonio Spurs (20-5)
Last Week: 3
NBA Championship Odds: +750
San Antonio has won six of its last seven games to keep pace with Golden State at the top of the NBA standings and the best news appears to be that Kawhi Leonard is coming in to his own as the team’s leading man. Leonard registered his seventh 30-point game of the season in Saturday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets and then added another 26 points in Wednesday’s 108-101 win over the Boston Celtics. Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol will continue to be asked to carry this team but they will also need a sustained level of play from their point guard with Patty Mills being leaned on a little more to spell veteran Tony Parker in an effort to keep them both fresh for the playoffs.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (19-7)
Last Week: 4
NBA Championship Odds: +1200
The Clippers bounced back from back-to-back losses to Indiana and Golden State with three straight wins and the only teams with a better record than them this season are ranked ahead of them on this list. The biggest question mark through 26 games is whether this team can be consistent enough to compete with the big guns. There was a lot of talk about LA as a potential dark horse contender in the Western Conference following a strong start but after slowing down there are just as many question marks about whether they have what it takes. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will need to stay healthy but even then Doc Rivers needs to keep his team focused as they try to establish a higher level of consistency and take that next step this season.
5. Toronto Raptors (19-7)
Last Week: 5
NBA Championship Odds: +3300
The Raptors remain at No. 5 on this list in big part due to the fact that they have dropped each of their three games against the Cavaliers this season and five straight overall versus Cleveland dating back to last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. DeMar DeRozan continues to prove his doubters wrong while averaging 28.0 points per game and Kyle Lowry has been excellent at the point guard position with 21.2 points, 7.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. Toronto is banking on Jonas Valanciunas taking that next step to complete their big three while also leaning on Terrence Ross, DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph in supporting roles. The pieces are in place for the Raptors to contend in the Eastern Conference but the Cavaliers are still standing in their way.
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