NBA Power Rankings: Week 15

NBA Power Rankings: Wolves Climb, Thunder Reign and Chaos at the top

Power Rankings are back and let me tell you that this week brought more chaos than a family monopoly game at Thanksgiving. Usually this is the time of the season when the best teams start to settle on their spots, but not this year. Cleveland and Boston, two of the league’s power centers, stumbled. Meanwhile, the rockets play as a team that spent the last three months loading Space Jam’s secret things, and Knicks… Yes, New York Knicks … are rising as if they are trying on a sequel to “Gotham’s finest.”

As always, this list is not just about items – if you want, check the position. This is about the history lines, the Vibbes, and who has the juice right now. Let’s dive into this week’s location.

1. .. Oklahoma City Thunder (37-8) -I last week: 1

Thunder remains kings of the hill. Sure, they fell a few games for mavericks, but they still roll. OKC is balanced, deep and scary, like the NBA equivalent of a Swiss army knife. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the most dangerous weapon in OKC’s Arsenal and leads the MVP conversation.

2. Houston Rockets (31-14) -I last week: 3

The rockets are warmer than the Houston summer right now. Sweeping Cleveland into back-to-back games and following it up with a win over Boston? It’s like hitting a walk-off Homer and then doing it again the next day.

3. New York Knicks (31-16)-last week: 7

Knick’s fans you’ve waited long enough – your team is legitimate. A four-game victory, including blowout winner over Grizzlies and Kings, has New York climbing fast. Karl-Anthony Towns thrives, Jalen Brunson is cooking, and Madison Square Garden Brummer as it is 1994 again.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (37-9) -I last week: 2

Cavs stumbled and fell three of their last four, including a marvelous loss to Philly. Is it a slump, or does cracks start showing? Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are still electric, but they have to lock it down if they want to regain the top place.

5. Boston Celtics (32-15) -I last week: 4

What happens to Boston? They beat Warriors, Clippers and Mavericks, but lost to Lakers and rockets. They throw through January as a senior in high school who already entered their Dream College. Do you know they will show up when it matters, but right now? Meh.

6. Memphis Grizzlies (31-16) -I last week: 6

Grizz is a cruel, scary team that no one wants to meet in the playoffs. But after they were destroyed by Knicks, they have got some soul search to do. Still, they are firm in the mix vest.

7. Milwaukee Bucks (26-18) -I last week: 8

Bucks finally look like himself again. Winners of nine of their last 11, they have been stable, if not spectacular. Giannis makes Giannis -Thing, and Khris Middleton seems to find his groove. Fear of the deer? Maybe not yet, but they get there.

8. Denver nuggets (28-18) -i last week: 5

What happened, Denver? Blown out of timberwolves and then lose to bulls? Nikola Jokic still performs MVP caliber work, but the supporting role of role has been inconsistent. Denver better finds it out quickly before they start sliding down the position.

9. Los Angeles Lakers (26-18)-last week: Not ranked

Welcome back to the locations, Lakers. They run on a win with four games, including a shocking victory over Celtics. LeBron continues to defy speed, and the team’s supportive role crew is stepping up.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-21) -I last week: 12

Don’t look now, but the wolves climb. Three straight wins against mavericks, nuggets and hawks have fans gently optimistic. Anthony Edwards is a superstar Julius Randle finds his groove, and Rudy Gobert has a strong stretch. A victory in Phoenix tomorrow would give Wolves a four-game victory, tied to the longest of the season fingers crossed.

11. Indiana Pacers (25-20) -I last week: 11

The pacers cooled slightly, but they still hang hard in the east. Tyrese Haliburton has been excellent, but they need more consistency from the supporting role crew to keep up with the best teams.

12. Los Angeles Clippers (26-20) -I last week: 10

Clippers are impossible to find out. A week they look like title providers. The next thing they drop victorious games. Kawhi Leonard’s health will determine how far this team can go, but so far they are hardly hanging in the rankings.

Falling Off: Sacramento Kings (24-22) -I last week: 11

Last thoughts

So there you have it: Kaos at the top, Knicks and Rocket’s waves and Timberwolves that make a solid case to be taken seriously. The other half of the season is officially here and every game means more than ever.

For wolves, this next stretch is critical. Games against Phoenix, Utah and Washington are all won. Stringing a few more wins would put them in first-class position to climb up the western conference location and avoid the dreaded play-in.

As for the rest of the league, keep an eye on Houston, New York and OKC. Cavs and Celtics may have the pedigree, but there is a new wave of challengers making noise. Let’s see if they can keep it up.