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Power Rankings, Week 14: Top 10 sees shake-up; Celtics return to No. 1 – NBA.com
Significant shuffling is afoot in the Top 10 as all but 1 team retains its spot in that group this week.
John Schuhmann
Jayson Tatum and the Celtics have raced ahead of the pack to reclaim No. 1 in this week’s Power Rankings.
Sometimes, things in the NBA aren’t very straightforward.
There was an abundance of parity across the league last week, with the higher-ranked teams from last week’s Power Rankings winning only 25 of the 49 games over the last seven days. The Phoenix Suns came to life and beat three teams that went into the week with better records than they had, while the Hawks, Lakers and Magic each picked off two teams ahead of them in the standings.
The Celtics suffered their first loss at home and the Thunder (ranked No. 1 for each of the last two weeks) dropped two games in L.A.
So there’s been some shuffling in the rankings, and there are probably six teams that could be ranked No. 1 right now, depending on which way the wind is blowing. With that kind of complexity, we default to the team with the league’s best record and its best point differential.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
Teams of the Week
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East vs. West
Schedule strength through Week 13
Schedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record, and adjusted for home vs. away and days of rest before a game.
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Movement in the Rankings
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Week 14 Team to Watch
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Previously…
OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)
The league has averaged 115.0 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.8 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.
NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via X.
Record: 33-10
OffRtg: 120.1 (3) DefRtg: 110.3 (2) NetRtg: +9.8 (1) Pace: 99.0 (17)
The Celtics’ perfect home record is no more, but they still have two fewer losses than every other team and remain the only team in the top five on both ends of the floor.
Three takeaways
The Celtics will now play four of their next five games against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively, a stretch that begins with a rest-disadvantage game in Dallas.
Week 14: @ DAL, @ MIA, vs. LAC
Record: 27-14
OffRtg: 119.6 (5) DefRtg: 113.9 (14) NetRtg: +5.6 (4) Pace: 98.2 (27)
The Clippers have the league’s best record (24-7) since that 0-5 start with James Harden, and they got another big win last week, closing their game against the Thunder with a 14-2 run. Then they had an even more impressive finish on Sunday afternoon.
Three takeaways
The Clippers are 0-2 against the Lakers, having scored just 108.6 points per 100 possessions (their second-worst mark against any opponent) over the two games. They’ll be the home team for the third meeting on Tuesday, and then begin a seven-game trip that includes a rest-disadvantage game in Boston this weekend.
Week 14: vs. LAL, @ TOR, @ BOS
Record: 28-13
OffRtg: 119.5 (6) DefRtg: 111.1 (4) NetRtg: +8.3 (2) Pace: 99.5 (14)
Joel Embiid is back and the Sixers are 15-2 since Thanksgiving when they’ve had the reigning Kia MVP in uniform. That includes a rest-disadvantage win over the reigning champs on Tuesday.
Three takeaways
Embiid has missed the Sixers’ last three games in Denver and hasn’t played there since Nov. 2019. That’s stop No. 2 on a five-game trip that begins in Indiana on Thursday.
Week 14: vs. SAS, @ IND, @ DEN
Record: 30-14
OffRtg: 118.7 (7) DefRtg: 113.4 (11) NetRtg: +5.3 (6) Pace: 97.7 (28)
The Nuggets split their games in Philadelphia and Boston, becoming the first team to beat the Celtics at TD Garden.
Three takeaways
The Nuggets have four games left on a stretch of eight straight against the East, where seven of those eight games are against the top six teams in the conference. After they complete their five-game trip ends in Indiana and New York, they’ll return home to face the Sixers and Bucks.
Week 14: @ IND, @ NYK, vs. PHI
Record: 29-13
OffRtg: 119.8 (4) DefRtg: 111.7 (6) NetRtg: +8.1 (3) Pace: 101.2 (7)
The Thunder had a rough stay in L.A. last week, losing to the Lakers and Clippers, with the latter game being their worst defensive performance (128 points allowed on just 93 possessions) of the season. But they finished their four-game trip with impressive wins over the red-hot Jazz and first-place Wolves.
Three takeaways
The Thunder are home for just one game before heading out on another trip. The big game is Friday in New Orleans, with the Thunder currently 7-6 (5-4 on the road) in games played between the top eight teams in the West.
Week 14: vs. POR, @ SAS, @ NOP, @ DET
Record: 30-12
OffRtg: 114.0 (19) DefRtg: 108.5 (1) NetRtg: +5.5 (5) Pace: 98.6 (24)
The Timberwolves remain at the top of the Western Conference, but their lead is back down to a single game after a loss (at home) on Saturday to the Thunder, who they’ll face again next Monday.
Three takeaways
This week gives the Wolves four more opportunities to take care of business, with the 17-25 Nets the best team they’ll face by a wide margin. But three of the four games are on the road (where the Wolves are 3-4 since Christmas) and they’ll be at a rest disadvantage in Brooklyn on Thursday.
ANTHONY EDWARDS MY GOODNESS 😱 pic.twitter.com/AK6ReJ6JzV
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 18, 2024
Week 14: vs. CHA, @ WAS, @ BKN, @ SAS
Record: 29-13
OffRtg: 120.7 (2) DefRtg: 116.9 (22) NetRtg: +3.7 (10) Pace: 102.5 (4)
The Bucks have won four of their last five games to stay ahead of the Sixers for second place in the East, though the one loss (in Cleveland, without Giannis Antetokounmpo) was by 40 points.
Three takeaways
The Bucks will play the Pistons and Cavs three more times this week. They’ve had the league’s easiest schedule regarding cumulative opponent winning percentage thus far and the next four weeks could be when we find out just how good this team is. Their two-game series against Cleveland is the start of a stretch where they’re playing nine of 12 against teams that are currently at least five games over .500.
Week 14: @ DET, vs. CLE, vs. CLE, vs. NOP
Record: 25-18
OffRtg: 117.2 (10) DefRtg: 112.6 (9) NetRtg: +4.6 (8) Pace: 99.4 (16)
The Pelicans continue to play a lot of games of consequence: seven of their last nine have been within the top eight in the West. They’re 3-4 in those seven, but still have a winning record (11-8) within the top eight and remain at the top of the second tier of teams (5-8) in the conference.
Three takeaways
The Pels will have another big game within the top eight in the West, completing a four-game homestand with a visit from the Thunder (the other West team in the top 10 on both ends) on Friday. They came back from 22 points down to win the first meeting (Nov. 1) in Oklahoma City.
Week 14: vs. UTA, vs. OKC, @ MIL
Record: 24-18
OffRtg: 117.1 (11) DefRtg: 115.2 (16) NetRtg: +1.9 (11) Pace: 98.4 (25)
Uh oh. It may be time for other teams to start (if they weren’t already) worrying about the Suns, who’ve had their three stars together for seven straight games and won the last five.
Three takeaways
The Suns will face another top-10 offense (and another top-eight team in the West) when they begin their longest road trip of the season (seven games over 12 days) in Dallas on Wednesday.
Week 14: vs. CHI, @ DAL, @ IND, @ ORL
Record: 24-18
OffRtg: 117.5 (8) DefRtg: 116.5 (18) NetRtg: +1.0 (14) Pace: 100.8 (9)
After a 5-2 homestand, Luka Doncic returned from a three-game absence and had the 39th 30-point triple-double of his career in L.A. But he didn’t get enough help and the Mavs (11-for-40 from beyond the arc) were outscored from 3-point range by the team that ranks last in 3-point differential.
Three takeaways
The Mavs have played the league’s eighth easiest schedule regarding cumulative opponent winning percentage (.491) to date, but the next three weeks will be a bit of a gauntlet. Nine of their next 11 games are against teams that currently have winning records, with six of those against the Celtics, Suns, Wolves, Bucks and Sixers. They’ll have a rest advantage against Boston on Monday.
Week 14: vs. BOS, vs. PHX, @ ATL, vs. SAC
Record: 25-15
OffRtg: 114.7 (18) DefRtg: 110.8 (3) NetRtg: +3.9 (9) Pace: 98.7 (22)
The Cavs have won seven straight games (with five of those wins coming by at least 18 points) and, as the No. 4 seed in the East (one spot ahead of the Knicks) with the league’s third-ranked defense, they’re almost exactly where they were last season. They’ve just taken a much different path to get there.
Three takeaways
The schedule gets tougher this week, with the next four games against teams with winning records. That includes two (on the road) against the Bucks, who were without Giannis Antetokounmpo when the Cavs beat them by 40 on Wednesday.
Week 14: @ ORL, @ MIL, @ MIL
Record: 26-17
OffRtg: 117.3 (9) DefRtg: 112.5 (7) NetRtg: +4.8 (7) Pace: 98.3 (26)
The Knicks no longer have the No. 1 defense in 2024, but they’re 9-2 with OG Anunoby, including 8-1 with Jalen Brunson also in the lineup.
Three takeaways
The Knicks are four games into a stretch where they’re playing 12 of 14 at home, and their next game within that second tier is Saturday against Miami. They came back from a 21-point, second-half deficit to win the first meeting in late November.
Week 14: @ BKN, vs. DEN, vs. MIA
Record: 24-19
OffRtg: 121.2 (1) DefRtg: 119.5 (27) NetRtg: +1.7 (12) Pace: 103.1 (2)
The Pacers know they have a star, and they know they need more talent around him. So they traded for Pascal Siakam last week, and they retained the young players that could eventually develop into starter-level talent (or be used in future trades).
Three takeaways
With their longest road trip of the season in the books, the Pacers are back in Indiana for a four-game homestand. But the first three games area against the Nuggets, Sixers and Suns. They’re currently 12-11 against the other 15 teams that have winning records.
Week 14: vs. DEN, vs. PHI, vs. PHX, vs. MEM
Record: 23-20
OffRtg: 112.3 (24) DefRtg: 111.2 (5) NetRtg: +1.1 (13) Pace: 98.9 (19)
The Magic are just 7-13 (10th in the East) since mid-December, but some of their issues have been injury-related. They’re now healthy again and they got two big wins over the Knicks and Heat last week.
Three takeaways
With those wins over New York and Miami last week, the eighth-place Magic have the best record (6-3) in games played between the five teams currently seeded 4-8 in the East. That includes a 1-1 mark against the fourth-place Cavs, who’ve won seven straight and who they now trail by five games in the loss column. The home team has won both games, and the third of four meetings are in Orlando on Monday, when Cleveland will have a rest advantage.
Week 14: vs. CLE, @ MEM, vs. PHX
Record: 24-19
OffRtg: 113.4 (20) DefRtg: 113.0 (10) NetRtg: +0.4 (15) Pace: 97.6 (29)
Jimmy Butler has been available for the last four games, but the Heat have lost the last three, and they needed a late run to beat the Nets in overtime in the first one.
Three takeaways
Their loss to the Magic (who have the league’s fifth-ranked defense) on Sunday was the fifth time the Heat have scored less than a point per possession. Their three games this week are against defenses that currently rank 11th, second and seventh, and they’ll be at a rest disadvantage when they host the Celtics on Thursday.
Week 14: vs. MEM, vs. BOS, @ NYK
Record: 22-22
OffRtg: 114.9 (16) DefRtg: 116.7 (21) NetRtg: -1.7 (23) Pace: 100.7 (10)
The Jazz’s six-game winning streak came to an end on Thursday, and they’ve now lost two straight games for the first time in six weeks.
Three takeaways
The loss in Houston began a six-game, 11-day road trip in which the last four games will be in Eastern Conference arenas. The Jazz are currently 10-5 (10-2 since Dec. 1) against the East.
Week 14: @ NOP, @ WAS, @ CHA
Record: 23-18
OffRtg: 116.5 (14) DefRtg: 116.1 (17) NetRtg: +0.3 (16) Pace: 100.3 (11)
The Kings have a four-game losing streak for the first time since the first four games of last season, and it’s dropped them from fifth to seventh in the Western Conference.
Three takeaways
The Kings just got back from a five-game trip, but a seven-game trip (their longest of the season) begins Thursday in San Francisco. They’ll have rest advantages in four of the seven games (including each of the first three), though they’ve lost their last three rest-advantage games.
Week 14: vs. ATL, @ GSW, @ DAL
Record: 22-22
OffRtg: 113.0 (21) DefRtg: 113.9 (13) NetRtg: -0.9 (18) Pace: 101.1 (8)
The Lakers lost to the struggling Nets on Friday, allowing Brooklyn to register its most efficient offensive performance (130 points on 100 possessions) since November. But L.A. has still won three of four for the first time in almost six weeks, and the first two of those wins came against teams ahead of them in the Western Conference standings.
Three takeaways
The Lakers have lost the last three games they’ve played with a chance to climb back above .500, and their next chance is a game (Tuesday) against the team with the league’s best record over the last nine weeks. But they’re 2-0 against the Clips this season and that game is the lone exception in a stretch (that began with their weekend games against the Nets and Blazers) where they’re playing six of seven against teams that currently have losing records.
Week 14: @ LAC, vs. CHI, @ GSW
Record: 21-23
OffRtg: 112.5 (23) DefRtg: 114.2 (15) NetRtg: -1.7 (22) Pace: 96.8 (30)
The Bulls keep hanging around, and they’ve won six of their last eight games to climb within two games of .500 for the first time since they were 4-6.
Three takeaways
The Bulls are the only Eastern Conference team that isn’t playing two straight games in L.A. this season. Their first visit (Thursday against the Lakers) is the middle game of a three-game trip this week. With their win over the Grizzlies on Saturday, they’re 8-7 against the West.
Week 14: @ PHX, @ LAL, @ POR
Record: 20-22
OffRtg: 112.8 (22) DefRtg: 112.5 (8) NetRtg: +0.3 (17) Pace: 98.7 (21)
The Rockets have lost six of their last eight games to fall to two games below .500 and out of the Play-In Tournament club in the Western Conference.
Three takeaways
The Rockets will play two more games against the Eastern Conference this week, and they’re against teams – the Hornets and Nets – that account for two of their five wins against the East thus far. They’ll host the Blazers before that Charlotte-Brooklyn back-to-back, giving them a great opportunity to match (or surpass) their win total from last season (22-60) in the next six days.
Week 14: vs. POR, @ CHA, @ BKN
Record: 18-24
OffRtg: 116.7 (12) DefRtg: 119.0 (26) NetRtg: -2.4 (24) Pace: 102.1 (5)
Some players don’t have two game-winners in their entire careers. Dejounte Murray had two in the span of three days, beating the buzzer with a contested two to beat the Magic and then draining a go-ahead 3 with two seconds left in Miami. The two shots gave the Hawks their first three-game winning streak since early November.
Three takeaways
With the Hawks flying across the country for a two-game trip in Northern California, Young is in the concussion protocol, having been elbowed in the face on Saturday. The Hawks remain one of five teams with a better record on the road (10-12) than they have at home, and they’ll have a six-game homestand when they get back from Cali.
DEJOUNTE MURRAY CALLED GAME 🚨 pic.twitter.com/pvkWx1H5wl
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 18, 2024
Week 14: @ SAC, @ GSW, vs. DAL, vs. TOR
Record: 16-27
OffRtg: 114.9 (17) DefRtg: 116.5 (20) NetRtg: -1.6 (21) Pace: 99.4 (15)
Chris Boucher is still here, but with the departure of Pascal Siakam, the entire 2019 championship rotation is gone. And with that question answered, we move on to wondering if the Raptors will flip Bruce Brown for more assets in the next 2 1/2 weeks.
Three takeaways
Because there are only nine decent teams in the East, the Raptors are just 2 1/2 games behind the Hawks for the final Play-In spot. They’ll begin a five-game trip in Atlanta on Sunday.
Week 14: vs. MEM, vs. LAC, @ ATL
Record: 18-22
OffRtg: 116.5 (13) DefRtg: 117.7 (24) NetRtg: -1.2 (19) Pace: 99.7 (12)
The Warriors had two games postponed following the death of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic. They’re next scheduled to play Wednesday.
Three takeaways
Week 14: vs. ATL, vs. SAC, vs. LAL
Record: 17-25
OffRtg: 115.0 (15) DefRtg: 116.5 (19) NetRtg: -1.5 (20) Pace: 98.6 (23)
In the last couple of weeks, the Nets have had four long flights (to and from Paris, to and from the West Coast) after four pretty rough defeats. They did get a pretty good win over the Lakers on Friday, but that was sandwiched by a loss in Portland and a brutal collapse against the Clippers.
Three takeaways
The Nets will play 10 of their next 11 games at home, a stretch that begins with a visit from the Knicks on Tuesday. Brooklyn had won nine straight meetings through last January, but New York has won all three (by an average of 20.3 points) since last year’s trade deadline.
Week 14: vs. NYK, vs. MIN, vs. HOU
Record: 15-27
OffRtg: 107.7 (29) DefRtg: 113.6 (12) NetRtg: -5.9 (25) Pace: 99.6 (13)
The shorthanded Grizzlies still have some fight in them, and they got a nice win over the Warriors last Monday, with Vince Williams Jr. (24 points) and GG Jackson (23) each getting their career highs on national TV.
Three takeaways
The Grizzlies have a winnable game in Toronto on Monday, but after that, seven of their next eight games will be against teams that currently have winning records.
Week 14: @ TOR, @ MIA, vs. ORL, @ IND
Record: 12-30
OffRtg: 107.6 (30) DefRtg: 117.2 (23) NetRtg: -9.6 (28) Pace: 99.0 (18)
After a four-game losing streak in which their average margin of defeat was 31 points and despite Deandre Ayton being iced in when he was supposed to return from an 11-game absence, the Blazers won two straight, getting 67 total points from Jerami Grant as they edged the Nets and Pacers.
Three takeaways
Their visit to Oklahoma City on Tuesday is the start of the Blazers’ first stretch of five games in seven days, and they’ll be at a rest disadvantage the following night in Houston. The Blazers are actually one of eight teams with winning records (they’re 4-3) in the second games of back-to-backs, with two of those wins having come on the road.
ANFERNEE SIMONS FOR THE WIN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WejExQspO8
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 18, 2024
Week 14: @ OKC, @ HOU, @ SAS, vs. CHI
Record: 9-31
OffRtg: 109.1 (27) DefRtg: 120.7 (28) NetRtg: -11.6 (30) Pace: 98.8 (20)
LaMelo Ball has averaged 26.5 points in his four games back from an extended absence, but the Hornets didn’t get a win until three other guys scored 20-plus against the Spurs on Friday.
Three takeaways
The Wolves’ huge frontline will be another challenge as the Hornets begin a two-game trip in Minnesota on Monday. They’re 2-12 (1-8 on the road) against the Western Conference.
Week 14: @ MIN, @ DET, vs. HOU, vs. UTA
Record: 8-34
OffRtg: 109.0 (28) DefRtg: 117.8 (25) NetRtg: -8.8 (26) Pace: 102.7 (3)
The Spurs still have a positive point differential in the month of January, and they got their third win of 2024 on Saturday, coming back to beat the Wizards, with Jeremy Sochan hitting the biggest shot of the night.
Three takeaways
The Spurs wrap their five-game trip in Philadelphia on Monday and then begin a seven-game homestand with the Thunder two nights later. Their third of four straight Friday-Saturday back-to-backs is games against the Blazers and Wolves, and it will be interesting to see in which of those two Wembanyama plays (if he’s still limited to just one).
Week 14: @ PHI, vs. OKC, vs. POR, vs. MIN
Record: 7-35
OffRtg: 111.8 (25) DefRtg: 120.7 (29) NetRtg: -8.9 (27) Pace: 103.4 (1)
The Wizards had a great opportunity to put together their first two-game winning streak of the season, but they lost to the Pistons (who were without both Cade Cunningham and Bojan Bogdanovic) at home on Monday.
Three takeaways
The Wizards should have another good opportunity for their first winning streak of the season. It’s a two-game trip (that begins Saturday) through Detroit and Washington. The road team has won seven of the 10 total games played between the four teams that have fewer than 10 wins.
Week 14: vs. MIN, vs. UTA, @ DET
Record: 4-38
OffRtg: 110.4 (26) DefRtg: 120.8 (30) NetRtg: -10.4 (29) Pace: 101.3 (6)
The Pistons just had a relatively great week, getting win No. 4 (their first road win since October) by beating the Wizards and then playing competitively against the Wolves and Bucks.
Three takeaways
The Pistons still have the worst record in NBA history and will need to win five of their final 40 games to avoid that distinction. But they have more games remaining against the other five teams that are at least 12 games under .500 (8) than they’ve had thus far (6).
Two of those eight remaining games are this week as the Pistons wrap up their seven-game homestand. Cunningham may return Wednesday, when Detroit faces Charlotte for the first time since it beat the Hornets in Charlotte in their second game of the season.
Week 14: vs. MIL, vs. CHA, vs. WAS, vs. OKC
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