Strike 7 Elite: NBA Power Rankings 1-10 (Week 17)
1. Milwaukee Bucks: 36-17 (Previous Ranking 7th)
The Milwaukee Bucks have assumed the number one spot in our weekly NBA power rankings post. They are now on a seven-game winning streak after winning nine of their last ten games. As usual, The “Greek Freak” is the focal point. In the Week 16 matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee rallied from being down 19 points to win 106-105. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 54 points and 19 rebounds in last Thursday’s victory.
2. Philadelphia 76ers: 34-18 (Previous Ranking 3rd)
The 76ers are second in our Strike 7 elite top 10 rankings for Week 17. They went 2-2 during Week 16 after splitting a back-to-back series with the Orlando Magic and falling short to the New York Knicks on Sunday. Their biggest win was a 12-point victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Joel Embiid finished the night with 33 points, ten rebounds, and four assists.
3. Boston Celtics: 37-16 (Previous Ranking 1st)
Despite coming down to Earth after experiencing a successful month of January, the Boston Celtics are still the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They only played two games during Week 16, in which they compiled a record of 1-1. They handed the Brooklyn Nets one of the most lopsided beatdowns of the season by defeating them 139-96. Star players Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 57 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
4. Denver Nuggets: 37-17 (Previous Ranking 2nd)
With the Memphis Grizzlies continuing to struggle, the Denver Nuggets remain on top of a wide-open Western Conference. They lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night, but their impressive stand at home continues. The Nuggets improved to 25-4 at the Ball Arena. Denver’s Week 16 home wins came against the Pelicans, Warriors, and Hawks.
5. Los Angeles Clippers: 30-26 (Previous Ranking 12th)
The Los Angeles Clippers have joined the Strike 7 Elite top 10 rankings for the first time this season. Their 30-26 record has allowed them to become the fourth seed in the Western Conference. They have won seven of their last ten games. Los Angeles Week 17 slate features two challenging back-to-back games against the Mavericks and the Bucks.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers: 33-22 (Previous Ranking 8th)
The Cavaliers have gone 5-5 in their last ten games but remain in a good position in the Eastern Conference. Their best outing for Week 16 came against the Memphis Grizzlies. Guard Darius Garland closed out the night against Memphis with 32 points and 11 assists.
7. Brooklyn Nets: 32-20 (Previous Ranking 6th)
This may be the last time the Brooklyn Nets are a part of the Strike 7 Elite top 10. On Sunday afternoon, it was reported that superstar point guard Kyrie Irving was traded to the Mavericks in return for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, an unprotected 2029 first-round draft pick, and two future second-round picks. Last week, they were on the receiving end of a 139-96 beatdown by the Boston Celtics. As of right now, Brooklyn is currently the fourth seed in the conference.
Can they maintain their current position for at least another week as Kevin Durant prepares to return from injury? Recent reports have stated that Durant will miss at least one more game before returning to the Nets’ starting lineup. Brooklyn kicks off Week 17 on Monday night with a matchup against the Clippers.
8. Phoenix Suns: 29-26 (Previous Ranking 11th)
The Phoenix Suns joined the Los Angeles Clippers as the other team jumped into the top 10 for the first time. The Suns have now climbed into fifth place in the Western Conference standings at the time of this writing. They have won eight out of their last ten games. Their most impressive win during Week 16 came against the Boston Celtics. Phoenix was able to reduce a high-powered Celtics offense to only 94 points.
9. Sacramento Kings: 29-23 (Previous Ranking 4th)
The Kings went 2-2 during Week 16 competition. Included in those two losses was a 136-104 beatdown by the New Orleans Pelicans. They remain a top-five team in the West. What was noticeable last week was the team’s inability to be productive on offense without De’Aaron Fox. Sacramento is the NBA’s second-ranked offense, but they scored 100 and 104 points in both losses last week.
10. Memphis Grizzlies: 32-21 (Previous Ranking 5th)
Things have not gone well for the Grizzlies since the Los Angeles Lakers snapped their 11-game winning streak. They have won only two out of their last games since the streak ended. Their latest defeat came against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Memphis blew a 15-point lead in the second half. With the trade deadline looming, will the Grizzlies add a piece that can address many issues on their roster?
Second-Tier: Rankings 11-20
11. Miami Heat: 29-25
12. Minnesota Timberwolves: 29-27
13. New Orleans Pelicans: 28-27
14. New York Knicks: 29-26
15. Utah Jazz: 27-27
16. Chicago Bulls: 25-27
17. Golden State Warriors: 27-26
18. Dallas Mavericks: 28-26
19. Atlanta Hawks: 27-27
20. Portland Trail Blazers: 26-27
Bottom-Tier Teams: Rankings 21-30
21. Toronto Raptors: 25-30
22. Orlando Magic: 22-32
23. Oklahoma City Thunder: 25-27
24. Indiana Pacers: 24-28
25. Los Angeles Lakers: 25-29
26. Washington Wizards: 24-28
27. Houston Rockets: 13-40
28 Detroit Pistons: 14-40
29. San Antonio Spurs: 14-39
30. Charlotte Hornets: 15-40
