NBA power rankings: Cavaliers, Thunder 1-2, but where are Knicks, Lakers?

Posted by Admin December 30, 2024 NBA

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The NBA had its most-watched Christmas Day in five years with the viewership up 84% from last year across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+.

The average viewership was 5.25 million per game Wednesday.

Maybe Cleveland and Oklahoma City will be part of the five-game slate next year.

The Cavaliers and Thunder weren’t chosen to play on the holiday despite making the conference semifinals last season.

Guess Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Donovan Mitchell aren’t marquee enough, but the NBA can’t overlook their teams next season considering how they’re having the best seasons in the league right now.

So where do they stack up in The Arizona Republic’s latest power rankings?

Last week: First in rankings.

The Cavs are having their best start in franchise history through 31 games. Riding a six-game winning streak, Cleveland is 17-1 at home. The Cavs put up 149 points at Denver in a double-digit win as four of their five starters scored between 22 and 33 points.

Last week: Second in rankings.

The Thunder have the NBA’s longest active win streak at 11 in a row. Remember, the NBA Cup final doesn’t count in the league standings or stats. So, that loss to Milwaukee in Vegas doesn’t count against OKC’s record.

Last week: Third in rankings.

This is what drives people crazy about the Celtics. How do they go from walloping Indiana, 142-105, to falling to the Pacers two days later, 123-114, at home? Boston is 1-3 in its last four games. The Celtics are putting up an NBA-record 50.7 shots from 3 a game. Fifty. Wow.

Last week: Fifth in rankings.

What’s wrong with Mikal Bridges’ jumper again? He torched San Antonio for 41 points on Christmas, going 6-of-9 on 3s to cap a four-game stretch of hot shooting from distance (17-of-31). The Knicks have won seven in a row as Jalen Brunson dropped 55 on Washington in an OT victory.

Last week: Fourth in rankings.

OKC took it to the Grizzlies, who were without injured Ja Morant (right AC joint sprain). Got away from Memphis in that second quarter when the Thunder outscored the Grizzlies, 42-19. They continue their five-game road trip New Year’s Eve at Phoenix.

Teams 6-10

Houston Rockets (21-10) – Dropped last two games by a total of five points at home to Minnesota (113-112) and Miami (104-100).

Dallas Mavericks (20-12) – Kyrie Irving is doing it all. Paying fines, scoring 46 points. He’ll have to do more of the latter with Luka Doncic out a month with a left calf strain.

Orlando Magic (20-14) – Still without their two best players, but Paolo Banchero is getting closer to returning from his torn oblique.

Los Angeles Lakers (18-13) – The Lakers addressed a defensive need in trading for Dorian Finney-Smith, who is shooting a career-high 43.5% from 3.

Milwaukee Bucks (16-14) – Giannis Antetokounmpo remains out with an illness. Sure they’ll get back on track when he returns.

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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