Consistency is the key to staying at the top of the NBA pyramid throughout the regular season as the Golden State Warriors continue to extend their lead atop the standings. The teams just behind them have done a good job in their own right but a lack of consistency has been the difference as Golden State continues to morph in to one of the best teams the league has ever seen. Here is a look at the top-five teams in the NBA right now.
1. Golden State Warriors (19-3)
Last Week: 1
NBA Championship Odds: -120
The Warriors extended their latest win streak to three in a row with a 115-98 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the first of a five-game road trip on Wednesday night. It was another statement win over a top team from the Western Conference and a nice bounce back following their double-overtime loss to the Houston Rockets last week. Golden State has already topped the 125-point mark seven times, which is something no team has done this early in the season since the 1990-91 campaign. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have dominated the spotlight but it was Klay Thompson in the headlines earlier this week after he scored 60 points in three quarters against the Indiana Pacers. The Warriors are averaging a league-best 120.0 points per game this season and as long as their offense continues to roll they will be impossible to stop.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-5)
Last Week: 2
NBA Championship Odds: +300
Just when it seemed as though the Cavaliers were capable of challenging for the top spot on this list they dropped three in a row with losses to the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls. Cleveland bounced back with a big road win over the Toronto Raptors in a battle of 1-2 in the Eastern Conference and it’s clear that when they want to win they can really turn it up. Cleveland is still the best team in the Eastern Conference but a lack of consistency has them stuck in the No. 2 spot on this list.
3. San Antonio Spurs (18-4)
Last Week: 3
NBA Championship Odds: +750
The Spurs’ 13-game road win streak is one shy of the NBA record set by the Warriors last season. San Antonio is still transitioning to a new identity following Tim Duncan’s retirement but they seem to making progress across the board for the most part with the exception of last week’s shocking loss to the Orlando Magic. The Spurs will continue to lean on their top-five defense as their biggest strength as the countdown continues to their two games against Golden State in March.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (16-7)
Last Week: 4
NBA Championship Odds: +1200
The Clippers are coming off back-to-back losses to the Indiana Pacers and Warriors and they have now dropped five of their last seven overall. There were no shortage of complaints about the referees following the loss of Golden State but it will be on Doc Rivers to get his team refocused and start to worry about what positive change they can make rather than focusing on excuses. This team is far too talented to continue to end up in these terrible ruts and it’s hard to explain how the same team that lost in double-overtime to the Brooklyn Nets one night bounced back with a double-digit win over the Cavaliers two nights later. The Clippers need to establish a level of consistency and continue to build on what they have if they want to compete with the best in the Western Conference.
5. Toronto Raptors (14-7)
Last Week: 5
NBA Championship Odds: +3300
The Raptors followed up a 44-point thrashing of the Atlanta Hawks with another tough home loss to the Cavaliers so it’s hard to move them from the No. 5 position in the Power Rankings for the time being. DeMar DeRozan has been outstanding after many felt he reached his max potential a year ago while Kyle Lowry continues to play at an All-Star level night in and night out. Dwane Casey has tightened up the defense this season and that has led to more consistency for the Raptors overall. There is no doubt that Toronto is the second-best team in the Eastern Conference but until they find a way to solve Cleveland they can’t climb any higher.
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