Week 10 – NBA Power Rankings
By James Glenn
Jan 11, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. The Thunder defeated the Lakers 116-101. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
| Welcome to the week 10 Dunking with Wolves NBA Power Rankings. JJ Glenn breaks down every NBA team this week. | |||
| This Week | Last Week | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 1 | Oklahoma City | The Thunder continue to have the league’s best net point diff in the league. The Thunder have a back to back with the Blazers and Suns, and the Suns should help ease the physical strain of them being on the back end. |
| 2 | 2 | L.A. Clippers | The Clips dropped a tough one to the Magic, but they are still winning by +8.2 in their last 10 games and are 7-3 over that time. They will have a big test coming up on Monday against the Grizzlies. That should be a playoff atmosphere type of game and possibly give us some early indications of what a 7 game series between these 2 teams could look like, barring any trades for either team. |
| 3 | 3 | San Antonio | The Spurs are among the leagues best in + point diff with +7.82 for the season and +8.80 in their last 10. They still have the 3rd best winning percentage in the NBA. |
| 4 | 4 | Heat | The Heat have been 5-5 in their last 10 games, and have only had a +1.10 point diff. They are the 1 seed in a weak Eastern Conference, so that will help. But the defending champs, for better or worse, have shown signs of disinterestin games more than anything else. They dial in the focus and this team will again be a favorite to play for the Larry O’Brien trophy. |
| 5 | 5 | Memphis | The Grizz have won 4 straight and just outlasted the Spurs in an OT battle. If there are any issues with possible trade rumors surrounding this team, it has shown no effects, as they are still the #1 defense in the league and the offense has been getting more consistent. |
| 6 | 7 | Golden State | The Warriors have a +3.80 point diff in their last 10 games and the last 10 have been one of the league’s toughest SOS. The Warriors are young and still without Bogut, when he comes back is should possibly solidify the defense and inside game and this team could be the post season surprise. |
| 7 | 6 | New York Knicks | The Knicks are 4-6 in their last 10, have shown major cracks, turned the ball over and had Melo get suspended for a game. Not a good stretch for the Knickerbockers. They are 0.00 in point diff in the last 10, and they’ve lost 3 straight. |
| 8 | 15 | Denver | The Nuggets seem to be getting everyone and everything on the same page. They have still only had 15 of their 38 games at home. Their next 2 games are at home against the Warriors and the Blazers, and the Nuggets have won 4 straight going into those games. |
| 9 | 10 | Indiana | The Pacers are 8-2 in their last 10 and have won 3 straight. Paul George is quickly becoming a #1, while David West has quietly been having a nice season, Hibbert still hasn’t shown his all-star form from last season, but has been better recently than the start of the season. |
| 10 | 8 | Atlanta | The Hawks are cooling off a bit as they are only 5-5 in their last 10, and are still sitting 4th in the East. With the Nets and Celtics surging recently, the Hawks will be thoroughly challenged for the rest of the season and it’s going to be difficult for them to hold onto any home court come playoff time. |
| 11 | 11 | Chicago | The Bulls are 6-4 in their last 10. The have a -.20 point diff over that time. Good news is D-Rose has been running and shooting. He’s traveling with the team, and some reports have him back right after the All-Star break. This team is only going to get better. |
| 12 | 12 | Brooklyn | The Nets have won their last 5 and are 7-3 over their last 10. A coaching change seems to be just what was needed for this highly paid roster to start performing at the level to which they cost. They’ve had a weaker than average SOS over their last 10 and will get a challenge against the Pacers on Sun. |
| 13 | 9 | Houston | The Rockets have lost 2 straight and one of those were a game against the Celtics were the final score didn’t represent home the game went. The Rockets rely on the 3 and James Harden, should he get shut down in any way (like against Avery Bradley) this team suffers. |
| 14 | 17 | Boston | The C’s have won 5 straight and Avery Bradley seems to be the reason why. Jeff Green has been playing better and Sullinger continues to have a great rookie season and should get moved to the starting lineup. With the Bobcats and the Hornets up next the Celtics have a chance to win 7 straight. |
| 15 | 13 | Portland | The Blazers are 7-3 in their last 10. The starting 5 have been great, but the bench is just down right bad. If the Blazers continue to get no production from their bench, and all of the extended minutes the starting 5 have had to play will take its toll come the end of the year. |
| 16 | 14 | Milwaukee | The Bucks have been 4-6 in the last 10, and have had a -1.5 point diff over the last 10 games. They are still 8th in the East and have a 4 game cushion from the 9th seed. |
| 17 | 18 | Utah | The Jazz are .500 on the season and .500 over their last 10 games. The Jazz have lots of talent, but when you watch them play, it just looks strange. Expect a move to be made with Jefferson or Milsap before the trade deadline. |
| 18 | 16 | Minnesota | The Wolves have lost 2 straight and have looked bad in the process. A drubbing at the hands of the Thunder and a complete let down to the Hornets. The Wolves will need someone to step up for a full game. Pek has been good, but isn’t taking over a full game like this team needs right now. |
| 19 | 19 | L.A. Lakers | The Lakers have lost 6 straight games. No thought this was going to be the case, and the real question has to be, when will we be far enough into this season to admit the Lakers won’t make the post season. |
| 20 | 20 | Philadelphia | The Sixers are 2-8 in their last 10 and are -9.10 in point diff. The Sixers have been downright putrid. Bynum may not be enough to help turn this team around. |
| 21 | 24 | Toronto | The Raptors continue to play good basketball without Bargnani. They are 7-3 in the last 10 games and are +7.20 in point diff during that time. The Raptors will get a good test from the Bucks and Nets during this next week. |
| 22 | 23 | Detroit | The Pistons have been a surprising 7-3 over their last 10 and managed to outscore their opponents by +5.60 during that time. Tough test against the Jazz and Knicks will gauge if this team is figuring things out or if they just hit an easy portion of their schedule. |
| 23 | 21 | Dallas | Dallas has been outscored by -10.10 over their last 10 games and they’re 2-8 during that time. This team will have to hope the off season will finally bring them the prized gem they have been waiting for. |
| 24 | 22 | Sacramento | With all of the drama surrounding this team to relocate to Seattle the Kings have gone 5-5 in their last 10. But have lost 3 straight. The story is just starting for the Kings this season, but one thing is for sure, they will not be making the post season. |
| 25 | 27 | New Orleans | The return of Eric Gordon has sparked this team to go 6-4 in their last 10. They have a +.30 point diff in that time. Things look to be turning around for this young team. |
| 26 | 25 | Orlando | 1-9 over the last 10 for the Magic and they are still not really in any of the trade deadline talks. Perplexing? |
| 27 | 26 | Phoenix | The Suns have been 1-9 over the last 10. They were outscored by almost 8 points over the same span. They’ve lost 5 straight, all of that is spelling a lot of ping pong balls come lottery time. |
| 28 | 28 | Cleveland | The loss of Varejao will have a huge impact on the team. Kyrie Irving is good and will be for a lot of years to come, there is no question about that. Throw Thompson, Waiters and some of the other young players showing some potential and this team will have some good things to come in the future. |
| 29 | 29 | Charlotte | With John Wall back for the Wizards there is a good chance this might be the last week where the ‘Cats aren’t the last place team in the Dunking With Wolves power rankings. |
| 30 | 30 | Washington D.C | John Wall is officially back, so I guess watch out for the Wiz, huh? |