Right around Christmas the L.A. Clippers were hit hard by the injury bug, with point guard Chris Paul and power forward Blake Griffin missing time. Paul went through a stretch in which he missed seven of eight games due to a left hamstring injury, and Griffin has been out since December 20 after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. Doc Rivers' team went 2-6 during the eight games in which Paul was dealing with the hamstring injury, with the two wins coming at the beginning of the year against Phoenix and Memphis. Those two wins were the start of a streak that's currently at six games, which has kept the Clippers right in the mix for a coveted top four seed in the Western Conference.
Paul's certainly been good in his first four games back, averaging 17.8 points, 12.3 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game and shooting 52.3 percent from the field. While the point guard is certainly a key figure for the Clippers, one should not overlook the impact of center DeAndre Jordan during this win streak. Jordan's averaging 14.7 points, 18.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game during the streak, shooting a staggering 72.5 percent from the field. Most of Jordan's field goal attempts come in the paint, but there's still something to be said for his conversion rate. And the way in which he's controlled the backboards on both ends has helped the Clippers stay afloat in the race for a playoff spot that would ensure home-court advantage for at least the first round.
An All-NBA selection each of the last two seasons (third team in 2014-15, first team in 2015-16), Jordan's well on his way to making it three seasons in a row in 2016-17. The Clippers are one of the holdovers in this week's power rankings, with Oklahoma City making a return and Memphis dropping out. (Getty)
10. Oklahoma City
Record: 25-17
Last week: Unranked
The Thunder began their six-game road trip with a loss to the Timberwolves, but they managed to bounce back Sunday with a win in Sacramento. Billy Donovan's team has won four of its last five, and Russell Westbrook is now up to 20 triple-doubles on the season. This ongoing road trip will reveal a lot about the Thunder with regards to where they stack up among the top teams in the West, with games against the Clippers, Warriors and Jazz next on the schedule. Oklahoma City is 2-3 against those teams this season, with both wins coming against the Clippers. (Getty)
9. Atlanta
Record: 23-17
Last week: 10th
Atlanta's seven-game win streak came to an end Friday night with a two-point loss to the Celtics, but Mike Budenholzer's team bounced back with a 111-98 victory over the Bucks on Sunday. The Hawks may not have been able to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with 33 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks, but they shut down everyone else. While Antetokounmpo shot 13-for-22 form the field, his teammates shot 22-for-57 (45.6 percent) and that wasn't enough to overcome Atlanta's balanced offense. Five Hawks scored in double figures, including new addition Mike Dunleavy as he scored 20 points off the bench. When the Hawks traded Kyle Korver, it appeared as if they were preparing for a major rebuild that would result in them falling down the standings in the East. But that hasn't been the case. (Getty)
8. Utah
Record: 26-16
Last week: 8th
The Jazz have won three straight and four of their last five, with one of the wins being a 100-92 victory over the defending champion Cavaliers. With George Hill back in the fold and Alec Burks returning as well, Quin Snyder finally has his full allotment of contributors, and when whole the Jazz are a very dangerous team. They defend well with Rudy Gobert serving as the anchor in the middle, and with players such as Hill, Rodney Hood and Gordon Hayward there are multiple scoring options as well. Utah is only 28th in scoring offense, but that's more a product of their pace (last in the NBA) than their efficiency (12th in offensive rating). If everyone can stay healthy for a significant stretch, don't be surprised if Utah goes on a run and remains in the mix for a top-four spot in the West. (Getty)
7. L.A. Clippers
Record: 28-14
Last week: 8th
The Clippers are currently on a six-game win streak, as mentioned in the opening slide. But how good is this team, given the fact that they lost six straight before going on this current run? We won't truly know the answer until Blake Griffin returns to the lineup, and he's a guy the Clippers need because of his ability to score. DeAndre Jordan provides most of his points via dunks and layups, and the other front court options haven't been as consistent as one would like in Griffin's absence. The Clippers have gone small since Griffin's knee injury, with guard Austin Rivers moving into the starting lineup. Rivers has been good as a starter, averaging 16.6 points, 3.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game and shooting 45.4 percent from the field. But with the Clippers not getting consistent production from front court players other than Jordan, it's clear that they need Griffin back on the court sooner rather than later. (Getty)
6. Boston
Record: 25-15
Last week: 6th
Brad Stevens' Celtics have won six of their last seven games, but the lone defeat came against Atlantic Division rivals Toronto. While three of the four games have been played on the road, the Celtics are 0-4 against the Raptors and Cavaliers this season. There are some other teams in the East that could potentially have something to say about how things shake out when determining the biggest threat to Cleveland, but Boston has shown the ability to beat the Atlantas and Washingtons of the NBA. But to cement their status as a contender in the East, the Celtics need a big win over an elite team (they're also 0-4 against Golden State, San Antonio and Houston). Isaiah Thomas is one of the NBA's best scorers, and as a whole the Celtics are tough competitors. But more will be needed if they're to be a championship contender. (Getty)
5. Cleveland
Record: 29-10
Last week: 3rd
Few panic when discussing the Cavaliers because of the presence of their "big three," with LeBron James serving as the leaders and Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love being two of the best in the NBA at their respective positions. But there's still a need for another guard capable of making plays for others, and it remains to be seen just how GM David Griffin will go about filling that void. The addition of Kyle Korver gives Cleveland a high-lever catch and shoot option, but his arrival wasn't going to address the lack of depth at the point. Cleveland struggled offensively in losses to Utah and Portland last week, scoring 92 points against the Jazz and 86 against the Blazers. Cleveland did beat Sacramento to end the brief slide, but Monday brings about a matchup with Golden State. And that game, given how good the Warriors have been on both ends of the floor, sets up as an incredibly difficult one for the Cavaliers. (Getty)
4. Houston
Record: 32-11
Last week: 3rd
Houston's dropped two straight, with the losses coming against Minnesota and Memphis. Houston gave up 119 points in the loss to the Timberwolves, which was the second game of a back-to-back, so that should be taken into consideration. After scoring 118 points or more in seven of their games during a nine-game win streak the Rockets scored 105 in both defeats, contests in which Mike D'Antoni's team struggled to get the stops it needed down the stretch. Houston has been better defensively than some expected, but there's still room for growth with Clint Capela out of the lineup. In those defeats, Houston allowed effective field goal percentages of 59.3 and 60.5 percent. (Getty)
Tuesday's NBA schedule consists of six games, with the San Antonio Spurs game against the Toronto Raptors being one that's intriguing from a fantasy standpoint. The Spurs are playing on consecutive nights, which makes it even tougher to predict just what head coach Gregg Popovich will do with his rotation. Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all sat out Monday's blowout win over the Nets in Brooklyn, and of those three Leonard is the player most likely to be selected by FanDuel participants should he be able to play. Leonard's scored 30 points or more in six consecutive games, including a 41-point night Saturday in Cleveland.
Leonard ($10,100) is averaging 40.2 FanDuel points per game this season, a mark he's surpassed in each of his last five outings. In Leonard's last three games he's scored 50 FanDuel points or more, and with Toronto's defensive struggles this sets up as another big night for one of the NBA's best players if the Spurs use him. Also worth considering is the absence of Toronto's DeMar DeRozan, who's been ruled out with an ankle injury. No DeRozan on the court would free Leonard up some defensively, allowing him to be even more active in the steals and blocked shots statistical categories. But given the uncertainty regarding his status, it may be best to avoid picking Leonard tonight.
Here are our FanDuel picks for Tuesday's games, using the rules of a $60,000 salary cap and a nine-player roster. (Getty)
2. Toronto
Record: 27-13
Last week: 7th
The Raptors don't have a record as good as either Cleveland, San Antonio or Houston, but with three straight wins Dwane Casey's team has been playing better basketball. Toronto picked up an important home win over the Celtics, moving to 2-0 in the season series, and they followed that with wins over bad teams they're expected to beat in Brooklyn and New York. DeMar DeRozan led three Raptors with 20 points or more in Sunday's 116-101 win over the Knicks with 23, as Norman Powell (21) and DeMarre Carroll were the others. The Raptors still have some work to do defensively, but with one playoff-caliber team (Charlotte) in their next four Toronto should be able to go on a run and at minimum hold onto the top spot in the Atlantic Division. (Getty)
1. Golden State
Record: 34-6
Last week: 1st
The Warriors will get their chance to avenge the Christmas Day loss to the Cavaliers in Cleveland, a game Golden State appeared poised to put away in the second half. Ranked first in the NBA in offensive rating and second in defensive rating, the Warriors have won three straight (and seven of their last eight since that loss in Cleveland). And Stephen Curry, who was the focus of some concern regarding his numbers earlier this season, has shot 50 percent or better from the field in three of the last four games. Cleveland will be a challenge Monday night, but it wouldn't be a surprise of Steve Kerr's team made a statement to show that they're without a doubt the best team in the NBA right now. (Getty)
NBA Power Rankings: Heavy’s Top 10 for January 16