The NBA noticed “The Rematch” flip into “The Blowout” between the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers. Regardless of lacking their two high facilities, OKC destroyed Cleveland in its greatest win but. The competition served as a potential NBA Finals preview.
The commerce deadline inches nearer. The highest out there goal returned to his squad as Jimmy Butler completed a seven-game suspension. Regardless of that, the Miami Warmth ought to nonetheless hunt down a commerce earlier than the deadline passes.
The Boston Celtics have additionally prompted panic amongst their fanbase. Hovering round .500 for the previous couple of weeks is one thing Boston is not used to. The reigning NBA champions are amid uncommon struggles.
All through the 2024-25 season, Thunder Wire will conduct weekly NBA energy rankings. Right here is the most recent version for the Jan. 13-19 week:
30. Washington Wizards (6-35)
Earlier Rating: 30
The Wizards stay the league’s worst workforce. They’ve misplaced 10 in a row. By the top of the season, they hope to be within the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. Washington is in a full-blown rebuild state of affairs as Jordan Poole has led it to loads of losses.
29. Utah Jazz (10-30)
Earlier Rating: 26
Despite the fact that the Jazz have been among the many worst groups, they’ve not less than saved most of their losses aggressive. That is all Utah can realistically hope for in its first season the place it is totally dedicated to bottoming out. Their sole win within the final six video games was in opposition to the Nets.
28. Toronto Raptors (10-32)
Earlier Rating: 28
In a misplaced season, the Raptors had somewhat enjoyable this previous week taking part in spoiler. Again-to-back wins over the Warriors and Celtics prompted panic for each fanbases. Toronto is extra targeted on faculty gamers who may help out subsequent season, but it surely’s all the time enjoyable for it to beat the Celtics contemplating its rivalry over time.
27. New Orleans Pelicans (11-32)
Earlier Rating: 29
The Pelicans have gained three in a row. Since his return, Zion Williamson has been their greatest participant. He had 24 factors and 14 rebounds in a win over the Jazz. It is likely to be too little, too late for New Orleans’ postseason aspirations, this not less than reveals accidents doubtless derailed its season.
26. Portland Path Blazers (14-28)
Earlier Rating: 24
The Path Blazers have misplaced 5 of their final six video games. It is one other rebuilding season for them. They’re targeted on participant growth. They need to be proud of Scoot Henderson’s career-best 39 factors in opposition to the Nets. He is struggled to regulate to the NBA in his first two seasons however this outburst confirmed off his potential as a scorer.
25. Charlotte Hornets (10-28)
Earlier Rating: 27
The Hornets have gained two straight however misplaced Brandon Miller for the foreseeable future with a tear in his wrist. It is a brutal loss as he is been Charlotte’s second-best participant since his arrival. Not a lot motivation is left for the Hornets for the remainder of the season apart from guaranteeing LaMelo Ball is called an All-Star, which ought to occur.
24. Brooklyn Nets (14-29)
Earlier Rating: 25
The Nets have some catching as much as do to be a bottom-three workforce however they’re decided. Prolonged harm studies counsel they’re dedicated to tanking the remainder of the way in which. An embarrassing 59-point loss to the Clippers caught the NBA’s consideration for all of the unsuitable causes.
23. Philadelphia 76ers (15-26)
Earlier Rating: 22
The Sixers have been given the advantage of the doubt for his or her gradual begin however they could’ve misplaced that privilege. Joel Embiid is out once more for not less than per week with knee swelling. They’ve misplaced six in a row. The vibes are dangerous in Philly and the one saving grace is a weak Japanese Convention conserving them inside placing distance for the postseason.
22. Chicago Bulls (18-25)
Earlier Rating: 23
This is Exhibit A of that. The Bulls have misplaced 5 in a row and are solely up by two video games over the Sixers for the tenth spot. They have been completely mediocre once more. That is been the case for years. Chicago has been headlined by Zach LaVine’s comeback season. He is been its high scorer and will sneak in as an All-Star due to it.
21. San Antonio Spurs (19-22)
Earlier Rating: 20
Whereas this has been a enjoyable season for the Spurs, back-to-back blowout losses to the Grizzlies present they’re nonetheless some time away from being an precise title contender. That is excellent news for the remainder of the league. Victor Wembanyama is gifted sufficient to steer San Antonio again to title rivalry. It simply will not occur this 12 months.
20. Miami Warmth (21-20)
Earlier Rating: 13
Despite the fact that Jimmy Butler is again from a seven-game suspension, one thing tells me this is not the top of that saga. He nonetheless needs out and Miami ought to simply deal him for the perfect out there deal by the commerce deadline. It is a clumsy state of affairs for the remainder of the roster. There isn’t any level in pretending every part might be high quality as soon as Butler returns.
19. Golden State Warriors (21-20)
Earlier Rating: 17
Accidents have began to hit the Warriors. Discuss poor timing as they’ve fallen within the standings. Draymond Inexperienced has missed time with a calf harm. Stephen Curry scored 26 factors in a win over the Wizards however suffered an ankle harm. Golden State has hovered round .500 for a lot of the season.
18. Phoenix Suns (21-20)
Earlier Rating: 21
The Suns have performed higher with 5 wins out of their final six video games. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have been scoring heaters in latest weeks. They’re scoring 30-plus factors persistently. Additionally they acquired Nick Richards from the Hornets in a deal. He’ll be a backup middle as Phoenix is determined for depth.
17. Detroit Pistons (21-21)
Earlier Rating: 15
Caden Cunningham scored 36 factors in a resume-building win over the Knicks. He must be a first-time All-Star this season. The Pistons have had their greatest season in years. Including the suitable veterans has supplied them a lift. A type of is Malik Beasley. He scored 22 factors in New York and has been a key function participant.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (22-20)
Earlier Rating: 16
The Timberwolves had an opportunity to gather a press release win. Controlling most of their sport in opposition to the Cavaliers, Minnesota might’ve picked up a large victory after a so-so season. It might’ve jetpacked them to the highest of the standings with some much-needed momentum. As an alternative, Cleveland took over. The Timberwolves merely aren’t the identical workforce they had been a 12 months in the past.
15. Sacramento Kings (22-20)
Earlier Rating: 18
The Kings have been one of many hottest groups since Doug Christie turned the interim coach. They’ve gained 9 of their final 10 video games. A high-scoring win over the Rockets confirmed that maybe Sacramento can flip its season round. Domantas Sabonis has performed like an All-Star. Whereas the transfer was criticized, shifting on from Mike Brown appears to be like like a season-saving transfer.
14. Orlando Magic (23-20)
Earlier Rating: 10
The Magic have hit a highway bump. They misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games. Two blowout losses in opposition to the Celtics and Bucks spotlight their worst stretch this season. Paolo Banchero’s return wasn’t the shot within the arm that Orlando appreciated hoped for. Not within the fast aftermath not less than.
13. Atlanta Hawks (22-19)
Earlier Rating: 19
The Hawks have been an annoyance to the league’s greatest groups. Credit score Trae Younger, his squad all the time reveals up in opposition to the highest of the NBA. They’ve gained three in a row and capped off one other thrilling win over the Celtics. Atlanta may very well be an upset risk within the playoffs.
12. Indiana Pacers (24-19)
Earlier Rating: 14
After middling round for a lot of the season, the Pacers have caught fireplace. They’ve gained eight of their final 9 video games. The only real loss in that stretch was to the Cavaliers. Pascal Siakam has graduated as Indiana’s greatest participant throughout this stretch. He had 21 factors in a win over the Sixers.
11. Dallas Mavericks (23-19)
Earlier Rating: 9
At this level, the Mavericks hope to be within the playoff image when Luka Doncic returns. They’ve missed their MVP candidate since he suffered a calf pressure on Christmas. He might return across the All-Star break. Dallas snapped a three-game dropping streak by beating an SGA-less Thunder. It was a morale increase for the followers to beat a heated rival.
10. Los Angeles Lakers (22-18)
Earlier Rating: 11
The Lakers returned to motion after seeing two video games postponed final week as a result of California wildfires. They barely averted an upset in opposition to the Nets when Austin Reaves scored a career-high 38 factors. Los Angeles hopes to discover a groove.
9. LA Clippers (24-17)
Earlier Rating: 12
The Clippers have had 4 straight wins. Off the league’s second-best protection, they’ve discovered their id as a scrappy squad stuffed with veterans. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden headline their roster. The previous continues to knock off rust after just lately making his season debut.
8. New York Knicks (27-16)
Earlier Rating: 6
The Knicks’ latest struggles had been punctuated when Karl-Anthony Cities suffered a bone chip in his thumb. This price him the possibility to play in opposition to his previous squad because the Timberwolves destroyed New York. Whereas they’re one of many high groups within the East, there is a hole between them and the true title contenders.
7. Milwaukee Bucks (24-17)
Earlier Rating: 8
The Bucks have gained 4 in a row. All by double-digit factors too. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have taken turns scoring 30-plus factors for Milwaukee. They’ve taken benefit of a delicate a part of their schedule. It is all about playoff success for the Bucks although at this level.
6. Denver Nuggets (26-16)
Earlier Rating: 7
The Nuggets have gained six of seven video games however extra importantly, Jamal Murray has performed higher. He scored 30 factors in a blowout win over the Warmth. Denver will want him to return to his All-Star type if it needs to make a deep playoff push.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (27-15)
Earlier Rating: 5
The Grizzlies loved back-to-back blowout wins over the Spurs. They have been one of many league’s greatest groups. Add in juggling accidents, Memphis has had a stellar season. Ja Morant has missed time just lately, which knocked him out of award eligibility. That doubtless means little to him because the playoffs are extra essential.
4. Houston Rockets (28-13)
Earlier Rating: 4
If Jalen Inexperienced can preserve his sizzling streak for the remainder of the season, the Rockets may very well be a harmful risk within the playoffs. Houston already owns one of many league’s high defenses. Pair that with a legit high scorer, they will have sufficient to win clutch video games. Regardless, this has been a profitable 12 months for Houston after being one of many league’s worst groups for a number of years.
3. Boston Celtics (29-13)
Earlier Rating: 3
Bother in paradise with the Celtics. Upset losses to the Raptors and Hawks expose that maybe this is not the identical dominating squad from final season. They seem to be a tier under the Thunder and Cavaliers and can doubtless accept the second seed. Both method, the reigning NBA champions should not be taken evenly within the playoffs.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (35-6)
Earlier Rating: 2
“The Rematch” resulted within the Cavaliers’ worst loss. Trailing by as many as 42 factors, Cleveland’s league-best offense all of a sudden stopped producing factors. Donovan Mitchell continues to wrestle in opposition to the Thunder. In the meantime, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen had been no-shows.
1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (35-7)
Earlier Rating: 1
Accidents refuse to gradual the Thunder down. Regardless of being with out Isaiah Hartenstein, OKC humiliated the Cavaliers underneath the nationwide highlight. The surreal win is its greatest this 12 months. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has performed just like the MVP favourite with 40 factors in three quarters. To additional his case, the Thunder could not crack 100 factors in a loss to the Mavericks with out him.
This text initially appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: NBA Energy Rankings: Thunder bests Cavs in Rematch; Celtics wrestle
