NBA Top-10 Power Rankings: Feb. 2
Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been so consistently good that they’re not getting talked about enough. At this moment, the Suns are riding a 10-game winning streak, which included a two-game sweep of the Utah Jazz.
Speaking of Devin Booker, since the hilarious incident with the Toronto Raptors mascot, he’s been on fire, averaging 31 points per game, so watch out for him to stay hot heading into the All-Star break.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors appear to be back on track in the last couple of weeks, winning their last six contests and are 8-2 in their last 10 games, and all without Steph Curry not playing at his best.
In the last six games, Curry has shot below 30% from the field three times but in Golden State’s last contest versus the Houston Rockets, Curry exploded for 40 points on 56.5% shooting from the field and 50% from downtown.
Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid is the MVP at this point of the season. Period. Sure, Nikola Jokic is having a solid season but Embiid is averaging a career high in points (29.1) and assists (4.4) while posting a career low in turnovers (3.0).
Without Embiid, this Sixers team would be scratching and clawing for the 10th seed but instead, the Sixers are fighting for top three in the East.
Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant is a superstar in this league, no question. The Murray State product is producing an absurd 26.8 points, six rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game, but Morant did miss what would’ve been the game-winning free throw in Memphis’ loss against the Sixers.
Two key losses to playoff teams like the Sixers and the Dallas Mavericks a week earlier ding this team.
Cleveland Cavaliers
All hail the greatness of Evan Mobley. The USC big man is a stud on both sides of the floor. Somehow, Cleveland’s lineup featuring three power forwards or centers is working and Darius Garland has emerged as one of the best playmakers in the league.
Make no mistake about it, the Cavs are good and will be a challenge come playoff time.
Milwaukee Bucks
Right on the Cavaliers’ heels, the Bucks haven’t found the consistency they had last season.
The three-headed monster of Jrue Holiday, Kris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo have only played a handful of games together, so coach Mike Budenholzer just needs to give it time for the team to get its footing.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are one of the more mysterious teams. Despite winning only four of their last 10 contests, the Bulls are still sitting at the top of the East.
One area of improvement is defense. The Bulls are No. 16 in opponents points per game and in a stacked Eastern Conference, shoring up the defense will give Chicago a much better chance of getting on a hot streak.
Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler has somehow gone back in time, scoring 29 points and securing nine assists and nine rebounds over the last four games but it’s not just Butler.
The Heat rack up about 26 assists per game, good for sixth in the league, which shows the depth and reliability on this squad.
Brooklyn Nets
After losing their last four games, questions need to be answered with forward Kevin Durant missing at least two more weeks due to a knee sprain and reports of guard James Harden wanting out of Brooklyn could lead to an implosion at the trade deadline.
This week, the Nets sit at No. 6 in the Eastern Conference and desperately need wins to get home-floor advantage.
Utah Jazz
Losing Joe Ingles to an ACL tear was exactly what this team didn’t need. On a five-game losing streak, stars Rudy Gobert and Donavon Mitchell are both dealing with injuries that could send this team plummeting even further.
Matthew McLaughlin is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mem6936@psu.edu.
