Week 15 NBA Power Rankings Offer a Shakeup

Throughout the NBA season, we see teams shuffled around in the power rankings to give us the strength of the teams and where they stand.

For Week 15, a new team managed to take over the top spot while others moved around on the list. We are working our way toward the playoffs and crowning a new champion with this list giving us an idea of where some of these teams might end up.

The Utah Jazz Find Their Way Back to the Top

It wasn’t long ago that the Jazz were on top of this list, but it wasn’t certain they would ever make it back to this position. After a potentially difficult loss on Friday, the Jazz squeaked out a win to remain undefeated at home this year. The record of 34-11 is strong and this team has players offering great performances up and down the lineup each week.

Brooklyn Nets Move Down but Add Strength

The power rankings have the Nets in the second position this week, but the addition of LaMarcus Aldridge could be huge for this team. The 31-15 record is one of the best in the NBA and the way this team continues to add to the lineup will make them tough to beat in the playoffs. Look for the Nets to make a deep run this year.

The Los Angeles Clippers Make a Big Jump

Moving from seventh to third in one week, the Clippers find themselves in a strong position to make a run at the NBA Championship. Currently carrying a 31-16 record, this team is deep and has the talent to go far. If they can find health and consistency the rest of the way, they just might end up standing at the end of the postseason.

Milwaukee Bucks Drop a Couple of Spots

Dropping from second to fourth on the power rankings list, the Bucks took two tough losses at the hands of the Celtics last week. This team has a good 29-16 record and is still expected to give other teams trouble when the playoffs begin. We might see the Bucks facing off with the Nets for the Eastern Conference title when the time comes.

The Philadelphia76ers Come in Fifth

Last week, the 76ers were third on this list, now they are fifth. The Clippers found a way to beat the strong defense of the 76ers, causing their fall in the rankings. One bad week doesn’t mean this team won’t be one of the toughest when it’s playoff time. The 76ers currently have a 32-14 record, which is a good mark. Expect this team to make a strong push to be one of the top teams in the East.

The Phoenix Suns Drop in the Power Rankings

Moving from fourth to sixth, the Suns have lost some of the feeling they had and their winning ways. They still carry a 31-14 record, which is an excellent mark right now. Expect this team to find a way to rebound and come back up into the top five of the power rankings in the next few weeks.

Los Angeles Lakers, the Fall Continues

Although the team seems to be playing exceptional defense right now, the absences of LeBron James and Anthony Davis are hurting the Lakers. The current record is 30-17, which will hopefully, not get worse as the team limps along waiting for their superstars to return. Until that time, the defense is going to have to hold things down and keep other teams from scoring too many points so that the Lakers can remain in the top half of the Western Conference playoff teams.

The Denver Nuggets Move Upward

After being in the ninth position last week, the Nuggets find themselves in the eighth spot of the power rankings. This team has a 28-18 record but has been making some serious moves to get better. Adding Aaron Gordon to the mix has helped and will likely bring this team into the playoffs as a team that others don’t want to face.

The Rest of the Week 15 NBA Power Rankings

9. Dallas Mavericks 23-21

10. Portland Trail Blazers 28-18

11. Memphis Grizzlies 21-22

12. San Antonio Spurs 23-20

13. New York Knicks 24-22

14. Atlanta Hawks 23-23

15. Golden State Warriors 22-24

16. Charlotte Hornets 23-22

17. Boston Celtics 23-23

18. New Orleans Pelicans 20-25

19. Indiana Pacers 21-23

20. Sacramento Kings 21-25

21. Miami Heat 22-24

22. Chicago Bulls 19-25

23. Oklahoma City Thunder 19-26

24. Cleveland Cavaliers 17-29

25. Washington Wizards 16-28

26. Toronto Raptors 18-28

27. Orlando Magic 15-31

28. Detroit Pistons 12-33

29. Houston Rockets 13-32

30. Minnesota Timberwolves 11-35