The NBA power rankings remains unchanged for the third week in a row with the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics locked in to their spots on the list of the top-five teams in the NBA. However, a lot can change between now and the end of the season and with San Antonio and Boston each performing at a high level there is still time for change at the top. Here is a look at the NBA power rankings for this week.
1. Golden State Warriors (52-12)
Last Week: 1
NBA Championship Odds: -120
The Warriors are suddenly reeling without Kevin Durant as they have dropped three of their last five including losses to Washington, Chicago and Boston. The fact that Golden State hasn’t registered a double-digit win since Durant’s injury has to be a concern as this team has struggled to adjust without the former MVP. Steve Kerr still has more than enough talent on his roster for the Warriors to contend for the top spot in the Western Conference. However, Golden State’s lead ahead of the Spurs is down to 1.5 games with a game in San Antonio on the second of back-to-back nights on Saturday. The Warriors looked like they were head-and-shoulders above the crowd just a few weeks ago but now it seems like team like the Spurs and Rockets have a shot at claiming the Western Conference. They’ll need Kevin Durant back if they’re to get back to Championship level.
2. San Antonio Spurs (50-13)
Last Week: 2
NBA Championship Odds: +650
While the Warriors have struggled without Durant, the Spurs just keep on rolling with nine straight wins and a 14-2 record over their last 16 games to narrow the gap at the top of the Western Conference. San Antonio just clinched its 20th consecutive playoff berth and 18th consecutive season with at least 50 wins with no signs of slowing down. The Spurs finally caught a break when Durant was injured and now they have an opportunity to make their move to the top of the NBA standings.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (42-20)
Last Week: 3
NBA Championship Odds: +350
The Cavaliers added Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut to solidify their roster but Bogut suffered a season-ending injury in his debut and Williams hasn’t exactly looked like an elite sixth man. Cleveland now has a league-high six players with 10,000 or more career points but with so many veterans they need to be aware of age and staying healthy down the stretch and in to the playoffs. That hasn’t been easy with the Celtics right behind them in the standings but with LeBron James playing at such a high level right now it’s hard to imagine the Cavaliers slipping from that top spot in the Eastern Conference.
4. Houston Rockets (44-21)
Last Week: 4
NBA Championship Odds: +1800
Houston is coming off back-to-back losses to the Spurs and Jazz, which might not be that big of a deal with the exception of the fact that those are two likely opponents they could end up facing in the playoffs. The Rockets scored 108 points on Utah’s top-ranked defense but they also allowed an average of 113.5 points in those last two losses and they have to be at least marginally better in their own end in order to win against the tougher opponents on their schedule. Houston will have the opportunity to bounce back with a home date against the Cavaliers on Sunday and it will be interesting to see how they respond in that contest.
5. Boston Celtics (41-24)
Last Week: 5
NBA Championship Odds: +200
Just when it looked like the Celtics were fading following back-to-back losses to the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers, they pull off one of their biggest wins of the season by taking down the Golden State Warriors with a 99-86 win. Isaiah Thomas is playing at an elite level right now but he isn’t doing it alone as Avery Bradley, Al Horford and even Kelly Olynyk have risen to the occasion. Boston continues to build off its tough defense and after taking down the Warriors this club’s confidence has to be at a season-high heading in to the final stretch.
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