It is good timing, really, for the Spurs. Just as the Thunder have shown a shred of weakness–only a shred, with two losses in their last three games–the Spurs have been surging. Of course, it helps that San Antonio was one of the teams to deliver a loss to OKC, but it also sets up a fascinating week for what might wind up being the Top 2 teams in the NBA, and possibly for a while. For now, they’re the Top 2 in the NBA Power Rankings.
The Spurs and the Thunder. San Antonio has won six straight going back to December 8, and with a win over the defending champs in their pockets, they’re looking to announce themselves as early arrivals to the NBA contenders’ circle. They feel they’re already there, despite a raft of very young players and a new coach, Mitch Johnson, calling the shots.
But they’ve got Victor Wembanyama on their side, and he certainly has some belief in the Spurs.
“Some people are built for these moments, some aren’t. But we definitely are, and it shows, because it’s not against anybody that we won that game,” Wembanyama said. “I feel lucky. I’m glad we have this group because everybody buys into this and everybody is built for these moments.”
That was during the NBA Cup proceedings. Here we are, 10 days later and the teams are set for a rematch–two rematches, actually. The Spurs will try to back up their win at home on Tuesday night, then travel to OKC for the second part of a home-and-home on Christmas.
NBA Power Rankings: Spurs, Thunder Top the Top 10
The Rockets may need some oxygen. Their schedule has been especially difficult lately but even with that being the case, they’ve now lost seven of eight on the road and three of their last four. Their one win came against the Nuggets on Saturday, a follow-up to their earlier overtime loss in Denver. In fact, all three of the losses in their current three-of-four stretch have been in overtime.
- Thunder, 25-3.
- Spurs, 21-7.
- Nuggets, 20-7.
- Pistons, 22-6.
- Lakers, 19-8.
- Knicks, 20-8.
- Rockets, 17-9.
- Timberwolves, 19-10.
- Celtics, 17-11.
- Magic, 16-12.
GettyKevin Durant #7of the Houston Rockets exchanges words with Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Denver Nuggets
NBA Part II Rankings: Sinking in the Standings
It has not been a great week for the so-so teams of the Eastern Conference, with the Raptors, Cavaliers, Heat, Hawks and Bucks all on fledgling losing streaks of either two or three games. The Sixers, quietly, have been making a move in the conference, with six wins in their last eight games, though it will be a challenge to maintain that record–they have a stretch of eight games out of 10 on the road starting Friday.
- Raptors, 17-13.
- Suns, 15-13.
- Sixers, 16-11.
- Grizzlies, 13-15.
- Heat, 15-14.
- Hawks, 15-15.
- Cavaliers, 15-14.
- Warriors, 14-15.
- Bulls, 13-15.
- Bucks, 11-18.
NBA Part III Rankings: Pelicans Surge in the Cellar
Stop that fire sale! Just when it looked like the Pelicans were ready to be the belle of the NBA trade deadline ball, willing to engage on just about any player on the roster, they’ve gone and put together four straight wins. They’re still 5.5 games out of a play-in tournament spot, so it might not matter much. But it at least figures to drive up some Pelicans asking prices on trades, as well as their spot in the NBA Power Rankings.
- Trail Blazers, 12-16.
- Mavericks, 11-18
- Jazz, 10-17.
- Pelicans, 7-22.
- Hornets, 9-19.
- Nets, 8-19.
- Pacers, 6-22.
- Clippers, 7-21.
- Kings, 7-22.
- Wizards, 5-22.
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