NBA Rankings: Dallas Mavericks move to the top, New York Knicks back in top ten
Another week has come and gone, it is time for the NBA power rankings of the week. Although, no major changes were seen in the past week, post Christmas the rankings have a whole new look.
Previously ranked fifth last week, the Dallas Mavericks have jumped to the top with their perfect two-game trip on the road. Although, their season high streak of twelve games was broken week before last, their streak on the road is still without a loss
extending to seven straight games. Mavericks started last week with a close 98-96 win over the Miami Heat followed by a 105-99 win over Orlando Magic the next day registering a 2-0 win loss mark for the road. Mavericks now sport an impressive 23-5 for the
season.
Reigning at the top for three straight weeks, Boston Celtics were displaced to second spot this week owing to their tainted win loss mark for the week. Celtics entered last week standings on a thirteen game streak. The Celtics were successful in extending
this streak to fourteen games last Wednesday when they hosted and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers by 84-80. This was the longest winning streak of not only the Celtics but also of any other franchise this season. Unfortunately, this was as far as they would
go. Come Christmas Eve, the Celtics' winning streak was snapped by a road loss of 78-86 to Magic. Finishing the week registering a level 1-1, the Celtics also sport a win loss mark of 23-5 for the season.
Finishing the week with a 2-1 mark, Heat moved up one spot this week in the rankings. Although, they started off last week with a loss to the Mavericks, Heat bounced back on Thursday to do away the Phoenix Suns by 95-83 and then cap off the week with an
unforgettable 96-80 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
With three extremely close wins and a disastrous defeat, the Western Conference toppers San Antonio Spurs have dropped down to the fourth spot in the power rankings this week. Spurs started off the week with a 118-110 win over the Suns on Monday, followed
by a 109-103 win over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. Wednesday was an unfortunate day for the Spurs, since they had their winning streak of nine games snapped by Magic in an away match. Losing by double digits, Spurs lost to Nuggets by 101-123. Although, Spurs
bounced back on Sunday, hosting and defeating the Washington Wizards (94-80); their defeat against the Magic cost them their spot in the power rankings of the week.
Owing to their 0-2 mark for the week, Lakers moved down two spots this week occupying the fifth spot in the rankings. The Lakers lost to Milwaukee Bucks (79-98) on Tuesday and then to Heat on Saturday. Both being home losses, cost the Lakers their ranking.
Snapping the winning streaks of the conference toppers, Celtics and Spurs, Magic moved up two spots in the power rankings currently holding the seventh spot. Although, Magic lost to Atlanta Hawks on Monday and to the Mavericks on Tuesday, their wins over
Celtics and Spurs have given them the boost in the power rankings this week.
Having moved to eleventh last week, the New York Knicks are back in the top ten this week standing at tenth position. Knicks’ boost in the week came due to their perfect 2-0 mark for the week. Having defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder (112-98) on Wednesday,
the Knicks capped off their fourth perfect week for the season after securing a 103-95 win over the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Eve.
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