SG: James Harden, Houston
Opponent: at Miami
Price: $12,300
Harden's actually failed to reach his FanDuel average of 53.7 points in each of the last two games. But there shouldn't be any concern regarding his impact or production. With 13 triple-doubles to his credit this season, and the system in which he plays, there's no question that Harden's fingerprints will be on every game the Rockets play. So with there being only five games to choose from, building around Harden against a bad team is a good idea. (Getty)
10. Chicago
Record: 13-10
Last week: Unranked
After getting off to a hot start from the perimeter, the Bulls have struggled in that area of late. So how has Fred Hoiberg's team made up for the spotty perimeter shooting, which was due in part to the absence of Doug McDermott (concussion)? The foul line. Chicago currently ranks eighth in the NBA in free throw rate (.292), and they're also second in the league in "defensive" free throw rate (.208). Simply put, with Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade leading the way the Bulls routinely get to the foul line while keeping their opponents off of it. Chicago's a top ten defense, ranking fifth in points allowed per game (99.9) and ninth in defensive rating (104.7), which is why they've managed to be relatively successful despite ranking dead last in the NBA in three-point percentage (30.8 percent). (Getty)
9. Oklahoma City
Record: 15-9
Last week: 9th
Russell Westbrook's triple-double streak came to an end Sunday in the Thunder's win over Boston, with his run of seven straight games matching that of Michael Jordan in 1989. There's no doubt that the indefatigable Westbrook can carry Oklahoma City through the regular season and into the playoffs, but the consistency of his supporting case will be critical with regards to what the Thunder can do once there. In five of the seven games in Westbrook's triple-double run one other Thunder player managed to surpass the 20-point mark, with guard Victor Oladipo doing so on two different occasions and Enes Kanter (pictured) once. With a two-game road trip to Portland and Utah on the docket, getting that kind of productivity will be key. (Getty)
8. Utah
Record: 15-10
Last week: 8th
Speaking of top ten defenses, Utah has been excellent on that end of the floor despite once again having to deal with a less than full rotation due to injuries. Quin Snyder's team leads the NBA in scoring defense, allowing just 95.5 points per game, and they're seventh in defensive rating (104.3). Utah is 8-2 in its last ten games, a stretch in which they've largely taken care of the teams that playoff hopefuls are expected to defeat (with a win over Houston mixed in). Next up for Gordon Hayward and company is a four-game stretch with Oklahoma City, Memphis and Golden State being three of the opponents. We're going to learn even more about the Jazz and their early postseason prospects in the next eight days. (Getty)
7. L.A. Clippers
Record: 18-7
Last week: 5th
After getting off to a hot start to the season the Clippers have cooled off some, going 5-5 in their last ten games. Monday night L.A. held off Portland in a wild affair that featured some interesting officiating decisions and the ejections of DeAndre Jordan and Portland's Evan Turner in the game's final minute. While the other teams in the top seven of the Western Conference standings have all gone at least 7-3 in their last ten games, Doc Rivers' Clippers are just 5-5. Getting the bench rotation back intact, with guard Raymond Felton returning, is will certainly help L.A. moving forward. And they still have Chris Paul, who in Saturday's win over the Pelicans racked up 20 points, 20 assists and no turnovers. (Getty)
6. Memphis
Record: 17-8
Last week: 6th
As noted in the intro slide the Grizzlies are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, as they've won six straight games which includes a blowout win over Golden State on Saturday. In the 110-89 victory the Grizzlies limited Golden State to 44.2 percent shooting from the field and 9-for-27 from three, with the Warriors also committing 23 turnovers. Marc Gasol and Tony Allen led a balanced offensive effort with 19 points apiece, and in total Memphis had seven double-digit scorers. Memphis hasn't skipped a beat without injured point guard Mike Conley, with young players Andrew Harrison and Wade Baldwin IV filling the void and vets such as Allen, Gasol and Zach Randolph stepping up as well. (Getty)
5. Toronto
Record: 17-7
Last week: 4th
9-1 in their last ten games, the Raptors are doing their best to keep pace with the Cavaliers in the race for the top spot in the East. Cleveland's won the first three meetings between the two teams, giving them the tiebreaker should it be needed to determine playoff seeding. Toronto has some strides to make defensively, as they're 20th in the NBA in defensive rating, but led by guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan the Raptors are one of the best offensive teams in the league. Averaging 111.5 points per game and boasting an offensive efficiency of 117.1, the Raptors are third in the NBA in scoring offense and first in offensive rating. (Getty)
4. Houston
Record: 18-7
Last week: 7th
Winners of seven straight, the Rockets are the big mover in this week's power rankings and with good reason. James Harden continues along a path in which he's going to remain part of the MVP conversation all season long, as many expected, and the rest of the rotation has greatly benefitted from Mike D'Antoni's offensive system as well. In Monday's 122-118 home win over the Nets, Eric Gordon scored 24 points off the bench and Ryan Anderson finished with 19 points and six rebounds to supplement Harden's 36 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. Like Oklahoma City with Westbrook, how good Houston can be this season will depend upon how much help Harden gets from the "supporting cast." And through 25 games, those guys have performed well. (Getty)
3. San Antonio
Record: 19-5
Last week: 2nd
The Spurs have won nine of their last ten, despite there being concerns regarding how the team defends when star forward Kawhi Leonard is on the floor. San Antonio is still one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, as they're fourth in points allowed and eighth in defensive rating. What's also worth monitoring is the health of guard Tony Parker, who's been a bit banged up early on this season. San Antonio's been fine in games he's missed, with Patty Mills being a key member of the rotation off the bench and other players stepping up as well. Gregg Popovich will pick his spots when it comes to getting Parker, Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol some rest, looking to make sure they're as fresh as possible for the playoffs. (Getty)
2. Cleveland
Record: 17-5
Last week: 3rd
LeBron James received his Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award Monday night, and on Tuesday he and the rest of the Cavaliers face a Memphis squad that's won six straight games. Cleveland dodged a bullet last week with J.R. Smith's knee injury being ruled a knee contusion, and after missing two games he made his return to the lineup in Saturday's win over the Hornets. At this point in time it's all about avoiding complacency, which should not be a problem when the Cavaliers take on the best teams in the NBA. (Getty)
1. Golden State
Record: 21-4
Last week: 1st
For all of the early concerns regarding their defense and the lack of a proven rim protector, the Warriors have developed into a solid defensive team. Ranked tenth in the NBA in defensive rating, Golden State leads the NBA in blocks and three-point percentage defense and is second in field goal percentage defense. Draymond Green has been a major factor defensively given his ability to defend just about anyone on the court, and Kevin Durant's averaging a team-best 1.6 blocks per game. Golden State is going to put points on the board most nights (that 110-89 loss to Memphis being an exception), and the better they defend the tougher they'll be to defeat. (Getty)
Heavy’s NBA Power Rankings for Week 8