The NBA has passed the midway point of the season, with teams having played more than 41 games. The All-Star game is approaching, and teams are jockeying for playoff positioning. Some teams need to decide if they are buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.
Without further ado, here are our Week 14 Power Rankings.
- Milwaukee Bucks
Previous: 1
Record: 39-6
The Bucks are winners of seven straight. Milwaukee is marauding through the league and Giannis Antetokounmpo is making his case for his second-straight MVP. The team started a five-game homestand this week and should push their winning streak to eight during versus Charlotte.
- Los Angeles Lakers
Previous: 2
Record: 34-9
The Lakers have a four-game cushion in the West, but they’re coming off a blowout loss in Boston. Anthony Davis has been in and out of the lineup of late, and there are many who think the team should trade Kyle Kuzma. L.A. has lost two of three, including a concerning loss at home versus Orlando.
- Utah Jazz
Previous: 5
Record: 30-13
The Jazz are on a roll these days. They’ve won 17 of their last 20 and are tied for the No. 2 seed. Utah sports a top 10 offense and top 10 defense, and they’re getting better with the return of Mike Conley. They have a tough stretch coming up, with four of five against Western playoff teams.
- Los Angeles Clippers
Previous: 6
Record: 30-13
The Clippers have yet to have an extended stretch with both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the lineup together. Both have missed time with injury or load management. The team should aim for the No. 2 seed in order to avoid a second-round matchup with the Lakers. The Clippers have an extended road trip coming up, with games in Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, and Orlando.
- Denver Nuggets
Previous: 4
Record: 30-13
The Nuggets are the third team in that glut for the No. 2 seed out West. They’ve had a soft schedule of late, but things will get tougher for Denver with week. They have a pair of games versus Houston, with one at New Orleans in between.
- Miami Heat
Previous: 7
Record: 30-13
The Heat hold the precious No. 2 seed in the East by one game. Miami’s ascent to the top of the East has been a surprise, and they have two legitimate All-Stars with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Miami is 6-4 over their last 10 but just started a five-game homestand this week. Miami is an NBA-best 19-1 at home.
- Boston Celtics
Previous: 3
Record: 28-14
The Celtics are coming off a blowout win over the Lakers at home, but they’re 4-6 over their last 10, including two three-game losing streaks. They host the frisky Memphis Grizzlies this week before starting a three-game road trip that will end with a big game in Miami.
- Toronto Raptors
Previous: 11
Record: 29-14
The Raptors continue to cling to the top-half of the East playoffs, holding the No. 3 seed. The Raptors may need to decide if they are true contenders or if they should unload some of their veterans like Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol.
- Dallas Mavericks
Previous: 10
Record: 27-15
The Mavericks are winners of four in a row after a pair of tough losses versus the Lakers and Nuggets. Doncic’s making a real push for MVP. Dallas has the Clippers at home, then are on the road at Portland and Utah.
- Philadelphia 76ers
Previous: 9
Record: 29-16
The 76ers have come together to win their last four games, though not always in impressive fashion. Philly is at the Raptors then host the Lakers this week, but will do so without Embiid. They’ll likely need to make a trade considering they are now closer to the No. 8 seed than the No. 1 seed.
- Houston Rockets
Previous: 8
Record: 26-16
The Rockets have lost four games in a row and five of six overall. Westbrook has been producing, but this slide corresponds to a dip in Harden’s production. The road doesn’t get any easier this week as they host the Nuggets before traveling to Minnesota and then Denver.
- Indiana Pacers
Previous: 12
Record: 28-16
The Pacers have overachieved in Victor Oladipo’s absence, but they’re trending water at this point. An impressive win in Denver was followed by a blowout loss in Utah. If the Pacers are going to be seen as a serious contender, Oladipo will need to return soon.
- Oklahoma City Thunder
Previous: 13
Record: 25-19
The Thunder are one of the biggest surprises this year. They are ensconced in the No. 7 seed out West, so they will choose to keep everyone for a feel-good playoff run. They had a nice win over the Rockets on Monday and follow that with road matchups versus the Hawks, Magic, and Timberwolves this week.
- Memphis Grizzlies
Previous: 14
Record: 20-23
Someone forgot to tell the Grizzlies they’re tanking. Memphis has surged into the West’s No. 8 seed with an 8-2 stretch of late. The schedule has been soft, but they do have recent wins over Houston and the Clippers. This week, they travel to Boston and Detroit.
- San Antonio Spurs
Previous: 17
Record: 19-23
The Spurs have a 22-year playoff streak on the line, and after a slow start, San Antonio is coming on strong. They’ve won two in a row and are half a game back of the No. 8 seed. They have winnable games remaining this week at New Orleans and home against Phoenix.
- Orlando Magic
Previous: 15
Record: 21-23
The Magic’s steady but unspectacular play has set them in the East’s No. 7 seed. They’re fighting with Brooklyn to avoid the No. 8 seed. This week, they host the Thunder, Celtics and Clippers.
- New Orleans Pelicans
Previous: 18
Record: 17-27
The Pelicans’ resurgence has been something to behold, and that’s with Zion Williamson’s debut on deck. The No. 1 overall pick is set to play on Jan. 22, and this team could conceivably sneak into the No. 8 seed with their improved play. New Orleans versus the Lakers would be a fun first-round series.
- Portland Trailblazers
Previous: 19
Record: 19-26
The Trailblazers haven’t been able to shake the injury bug this year. Inconsistent lineups have led to inconsistent play. Portland is two games back of the No. 8 seed but just 5-5 in their last 10.
- Phoenix Suns
Previous: 18
Record: 18-25
The Suns have Deandre Ayton back from his suspension and he’s slowly working his way back into form. They host Indiana, then travel to San Antonio this week.
- Brooklyn Nets
Previous: 16
Record: 18-24
The Nets have been bad as of late, losing four in a row. Some point to the return of Kyrie Irving to the lineup as cause, but whatever it is, they’ll need to sort it out. If not, they’ll face the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs.
- Washington Wizards
Previous: 26
Record: 14-28
The Wizards have Bradley Beal. That’s about where the positives end for the season. They’re also sitting at the bottom of the conference. They visit Miami, Cleveland, and Atlanta this week.
- Detroit Pistons
Previous: 25
Record: 16-28
The Pistons need a reset. They’re 4-6 in their last 10 and are without Blake Griffin for the foreseeable future. It’s time to trade Andre Drummond and Derrick Rose.
- Chicago Bulls
Previous: 23
Record: 16-29
The Bulls have lacked consistency all season. At 3-7 in their last 10, playoff hopes are fading. They host the Timberwolves and Kings this week before traveling to Cleveland.
- Minnesota Timberwolves
Previous: 22
Record: 15-28
The Timberwolves made a trade last week, and there should be more to come. In what’s amounting to another lost season, it’s time to reevaluate the roster around Karl-Anthony Towns.
- Charlotte Hornets
Previous: 21
Record: 15-30
The Hornets own the league’s longest current losing streak at seven. Charlotte hung around the playoff picture earlier, but now it’s time to sell off their veterans.
- Sacramento Kings
Previous: 24
Record: 15-28
The Kings suffered a heartbreaking loss in Miami last night. While they still have dreams of ending their playoff drought, Sacramento needs more consistency and help.
- New York Knicks
Previous: 28
Record: 12-32
The Knicks are still a mess. At 2-8 over their last 10, they’re going nowhere. The host the Lakers, Raptors, and Nets this week and need to seriously consider trading some of their power forwards.
- Cleveland Cavaliers
Previous: 27
Record: 12-32
The Cavaliers aren’t going anywhere, either, so many are wondering if they’ll be able to flip Kevin Love’s contract. They’re 2-8 recently but have winnable games this week versus the Wizards and Bulls.
- Atlanta Hawks
Previous: 30
Record: 10-34
The Hawks’ trade for Jeff Teague left a few confused last week. Atlanta is the worst in the East, so maybe the move was a prelude to another, more sensible trade.
- Golden State Warriors
Previous: 29
Record: 10-35
This is a lost season for Golden State. They’re 1-9 in their last 10 and have little hope for significant improvement.
