NBA power rankings: Cavaliers solidify top spot with comeback over Celtics, Lakers rising

Posted by author March 3, 2025 NBA

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The Cleveland Cavaliers trailed the Boston Celtics by 22 points with 7:12 left in the first quarter – and came back to win, 123-116, at TD Garden.

They also left no doubt who should be atop the Arizona Republic’s latest power rankings.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (50-10)

Last week: No. 1 in rankings.

The Cavs are the first team to reach 50 victories this season. Riding a 10-game win streak, Cleveland defeated Portland in overtime Sunday as De’Andre Hunter scored 32 points in 32 minutes, hitting 5-of-9 from 3.

Last week: No. 2 in rankings.

The Thunder ran through a three-game road trip unbeaten, scoring a total of 410 points in wins over Brooklyn, Atlanta and San Antonio. First-time All-Star Jalen Williams scored a career-high 41 points Sunday in leading OKC past the Spurs.

3. Boston Celtics (43-18)

Last week: No. 3 in rankings.

The defending NBA champions rebounded from that collapse against Cleveland with a 110-103 victory Sunday over Denver despite Jayson Tatum scoring just 16 points on 4-of-15 shooting. They found the touch on 3s, going 14-of-34 from deep.

Last week: Teams 6-10.

The Lakers are the second-hottest NBA team next to the Cavs. Winners of their last six games, the Lakers have wins over Denver, Dallas, Minnesota and the Los Angeles Clippers. They took two from the Clippers over the week as Luka Doncic scored a combined 60 points in the wins.

Last week: No. 4 in the rankings.

The Nuggets are 2-3 in their last five games with losses to the Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics. Splitting a four-game road trip, Denver returns home for two games against Sacramento and Phoenix before a road back-to-back against OKC.

Teams 6-10

New York Knicks (40-20): Jalen Brunson is averaging 29.3 points and seven assists in New York’s current three-game winning streak.

Memphis Grizzlies (38-22): The Grizzlies are 3-6 in their last nine games, losing the last two at home to the Knicks and Spurs.

Houston Rockets (37-23): The Rockets ended a three-game homestand with a 113-103 loss to Sacramento. Up next? OKC to begin a three-game road trip.

Milwaukee Bucks (34-25): Huge win over Denver as Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered 28 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists. He’s that good.

Minnesota Timberwolves (33-29): The T-Wolves split a four-game road trip, beating OKC, falling to the Lakers and Utah before closing it out with a win Sunday over Phoenix. Anthony Edwards ripped the Suns for 44 points with 29 coming in the second half.

Dropped out of 6-10: Indiana Pacers (34-25).

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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