Last Monday the Golden State Warriors began a difficult stretch of three games in five days against three of the NBA's best teams. With home games against Cleveland and Oklahoma City and a trip to Houston on the slate, Steve Kerr's team was not going to lack for challenges as it look to improve upon the NBA's best record. Or so many thought. Golden State won all three of those game by double digits, with an average margin of victory of 24.3 points per game. Not to say that there was any doubt with regard to Golden State's status as the best team in the NBA, but last week the Warriors made an emphatic statement.
In their 126-91 win over the Cavaliers, Golden State relied on a balanced offensive attack with six double-digit scorers and a stingy defense that limited Cleveland to 35.2 percent shooting from the field. And for all the talk regarding Draymond Green's foul that sent LeBron James to the floor, that was simply one moment in a frustrating night for James as he shot 6-for-18 from the field and turned the ball over six times with just two assists. Golden State also managed to frustrate Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook in the second half of their meeting Wednesday, and James Harden wasn't as effective as usual two nights later in the first game of the Warriors' four-game road trip.
The only negative in all of this: the Warriors won't play San Antonio, which blew them out in the season opener, again until March 11. Here are this week's NBA power rankings, with the Clippers dropping out and Washington moving in. (Getty)
10. Oklahoma City
Record: 26-19
Last week: 10th
Oklahoma City stays in the rankings for two reasons: the Clippers' injury issues, and the fact that they managed to beat the Jazz in Utah Monday night. Russell Westbrook tallied his 22nd triple-double of the season on Monday, and his shot in the final seconds was the difference in Oklahoma City's 97-95 victory. Also working in Oklahoma City's favor as the All-Star break approaches is the return of Steven Adams, who played 37 minutes after missing two games (both losses) with a concussion. (Getty)
9. Washington
Record: 24-20
Last week: Unranked
The Wizards make their first appearance in the power rankings this season, with John Wall, Bradley Beal and company having won eight of their last ten games. Wall's averaging 23.0 points, 10.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game, and he's right in the mix with the likes of Isaiah Thomas (Boston), Kyle Lowry (Toronto) and Kemba Walker (Charlotte) when it comes to filling those reserve backcourt spots for next month's All-Star Game in New Orleans. And with Washington's next two games being against Boston and Atlanta, the Wizards have the opportunity to make a statement within the East. (Getty)
8. Boston
Record: 26-17
Last week: 6th
After beating the Hornets at home last Monday, the Celtics went on to lose home games to the Knicks and Blazers. While things do happen within the course of a season (see Golden State and Cleveland losing to non-playoff teams Monday), the defensive issues that have been present in Boston continue to be an issue. Brad Stevens' team is ranked 22nd in defensive rating and 30th in defensive rebounding percentage. Those issues go beyond not having injured guard Avery Bradley, one of the NBA's best defenders, in the lineup for an extended period of time. Boston will be a playoff team, but the defense needs to be addressed if they're to stick around once there. (Getty)
7. Atlanta
Record: 26-19
Last week: 9th
While the Hawks haven't been great on the defensive glass, ranking 17th in defensive rebounding percentage, they are third in the NBA in turnover percentage and fourth in defensive free throw rate. Simply put, Mike Budenholzer's team has managed to create extra scoring opportunities without fouling, which is key given the fact that they're in the lower third of the NBA in offensive rating (23rd). And in power forward Paul Millsap, the Hawks have an All-Star candidate who seems to be overlooked by some when it comes to the season that he's having. (Getty)
6. Utah
Record: 29-17
Last week: 8th
Despite the last-second loss to the Thunder, Utah is still 2.5 games up on Oklahoma City in the Northwest Division, which is essentially a two-team race at this point. Quin Snyder's team is now playing without starting guard Rodney Hood, who's out with a knee injury, but the return of Alec Burks at the start of the month does help. The Jazz have the look of a team that can make some noise in the playoffs because of their defense, and the downshift in tempo won't have much of an impact on a team that play's the slowest pace in the NBA. The big issue is whether or not everyone will be healthy when that time comes. (Getty)
5. Toronto
Record: 28-16
Last week: 2nd
Boston isn't the only team in the Atlantic Division that's struggling in the rebounding department, as Toronto is 29th in the NBA in defensive rebounding percentage. Dwane Casey's team is also 22nd in effective field goal percentage defense and 24th in defensive free throw rate. If not for their ability to force turnovers, with Toronto ranking third in turnovers forced per game, the Raptors would be even worse than 21st in defensive rating. The Raptors have lost three straight, the last two coming against Philadelphia and Phoenix, and with San Antonio and Memphis next on the schedule Toronto won't find it easy to get things turned around. (Getty)
4. Cleveland
Record: 30-13
Last week: 5th
Outside of the Hawks, is there a team in the East that isn't currently dealing with serious issues? Cleveland has dropped three of its last four games, and following Monday's loss to the Pelicans LeBron James once again made his feelings known regarding the team's need for another playmaker. That doesn't automatically mean "point guard," as Kay Felder and DeAndre Liggins can give Kyrie Irving a rest on occasion, but rather another option who can shoulder the offensive load along with James, Irving and Kevin Love. Those three are going to do the heavy lifting come playoff time, but how fresh they are in the spring will in part depend upon what GM David Griffin can get done ahead of the trade deadline (February 23). (Getty)
3. Houston
Record: 34-14
Last week: 5th
Houston is 3-3 in its last six games, alternating wins and losses during that run. But given the aforementioned issues that Toronto and Cleveland are dealing with, it feels as if right now Mike D'Antoni's team is in a better place. Clint Capela returned the lineup last week, going for 22 points and 12 rebounds in Friday's loss to the Warriors, and both Montrezl Harrell and Sam Dekker have made solid contributions as well. The Rockets have three games remaining on their five-game road trip, beginning with Boston Wednesday night. (Getty)
The Spurs take on the Grizzlies as the NBA playoffs begin. (Getty)
1. Golden State
Record: 38-7
Last week: 1st
Even with the loss in Miami Monday night, with a Dion Waiters three with six tenths of a second remaining being the difference, Golden State stays in the top spot. As noted in the first slide, the Warriors blew out Cleveland, Oklahoma City and Houston last week and are an NBA-best 38-7. The four-game road trip ends in Charlotte Wednesday night. (Getty)
NBA Power Rankings: Heavy’s Top 10 for January 24