NBA POWER RANKINGS JANUARY 16TH, 2022

Hard to Beat at Halfway

1. Boston Celtics (+2 spots) -- Overall Record: 32-12 (4-0)

2. Denver Nuggets (+2 spots) -- Overall Record: 30-13 (4-0)

3. Memphis Grizzlies (-1 spots) -- Overall Record: 29-13 (3-0)

4. Philadelphia 76ers (+1 spots) -- Overall Record: 27-16 (3-1)

5. Cleveland Cavaliers (+1 spots) -- Overall Record: 27-17 (1-2)

6. Milwaukee Bucks (+1 spots) -- Overall Record: 27-16 (2-2)

7. Brooklyn Nets (-6 spots) -- Overall Record: 27-15 (0-2)

8. New Orleans Pelicans (+1 spots) -- Overall Record: 26-17 (2-1)

Rounding out the Playoff Hunt

9. New York Knicks (+2 spots) -- Overall Record: 25-19 (3-1)

10. Sacramento Kings (+6 spots)-- Overall Record: 24-18 (4-0)

11. Dallas Mavericks (-3 spots) -- Overall Record: 24-21 (1-3)

12. Miami Heat (-) -- Overall Record: 24-20 (3-0)

13. Minnesota Timberwolves (-) -- Overall Record: 22-22 (2-1)

14. Indiana Pacers (-4 spots) -- Overall Record: 23-21 (0-3)

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (+2 spots) -- Overall Record: 21-23 (3-1)

16. Los Angeles Clippers (+3 spots) -- Overall Record: 23-22 (2-1)

17. Golden State Warriors (+1 spots) -- Overall Record: 21-22 (1-2)

18. Portland Trailblazers (+2 spots) -- Overall Record: 21-22 (2-2)

In Need of a Second Half Renaissance

19. Atlanta Hawks (+2 spots) -- Overall Record: 21-22 (2-1)

20. Utah Jazz (+2 spots) -- Overall Record: 22-24 (2-1)

21. Toronto Raptors (+2 spots) -- Overall Record: 19-24 (2-1)

22. Chicago Bulls (-8 spots) -- Overall Record: 20-24 (1-3)

23. Los Angeles Lakers (-8 spots) -- Overall Record: 19-24 (0-3)

24. Washington Wizards (-) -- Overall Record: 18-25 (1-2)

25. Phoenix Suns (-) -- Overall Record: 21-23 (1-2)

Is Wembanyama Here Yet?

26. Orlando Magic (-) -- Overall Record: 16-28 (1-3)

27. San Antonio Spurs (-) -- Overall Record: 13-31 (0-4)

28. Detroit Pistons (-) -- Overall Record: 12-35 (1-3)

29. Charlotte Hornets (-) -- Overall Record: 11-33 (0-3)

30. Houston Rockets (-) -- Overall Record: 10-33 (0-3)

Biggest Winners

Sacramento Kings (24-18, +6 spots)

The Kings' week embodies the mantra that you can only play the games on your schedule. Two wins against the Rockets were sandwiched by victories against the Spurs and Magic—not an inspiring four wins but four wins nonetheless. For the Kings, the biggest victory is simply no longer being considered among those teams. This Kings team has exceeded their wildest expectations through the halfway point of the season and has two legitimate all stars in Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox. Throw in inspired play from a number of high-end rotation players and the Kings have a quality squad that could keep a top-6 seed in this weaker Western Conference.

Honorable Mentions: Celtics, Nuggets (+2 spots)

Biggest Losers

Tie: Chicago Bulls (20-24, -8), Los Angeles Lakers (19-24, -8 spots)

Big losses to the Celtics, Wizards, and Thunder have the Bulls dropping 8 spots after a precipitous climb last week. Even with a win against Golden State on Sunday night, the Bulls got pushed from the middle of the pack by other middling teams that had better weeks. They’re still within striking distance of a play-in spot but they’ll need to play better than .500-ish ball.

An 0-3 week against top-level playoff teams has the Lakers dropping an unfortunate 8 spots. Although I’d like to reward spirited performances against the Nuggets, Mavericks, and Sixers, losses are losses. Other teams in the tier won games when the Lakers couldn’t. At some point, the Lakers have to be more than competitive: they need to win games.

Honorable Mentions: Nets (-6 spots)