Yahoo Sports NBA Power Rankings: Clippers facing rough patch
1. Atlanta Hawks (Record: 42-10; last week: 1): Ex-Pistons star Chauncey Billups said the Hawks remind him of Detroit’s 2004 NBA champions because of their unselfish play and tough defense.
2. Golden State Warriors (Record: 40-9; last week: 2): All-Star guard Klay Thompson said it doesn’t matter to him whether he is the replacement starter for the injured Kobe Bryant.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (Record: 38-13; last week: 3) With Portland’s Damian Lillard being the All-Star replacement for the injured Blake Griffin, Memphis guard Mike Conley is now the biggest snub.
4. Houston Rockets (Record: 35-16; last week: 5): It might be tough for Golden State coach Steve Kerr, who’s coaching the West All-Stars, to pass on NBA leading scorer James Harden as Bryant’s replacement in the starting lineup.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (Record: 32-21; last week: 6): Perhaps Kevin Love finally had a breakthrough game Sunday with a season-high 32 points against the Lakers.
6. Toronto Raptors (Record: 35-17; last week: 7): Point guard Kyle Lowry is one of the NBA’s least-heralded stars, but a strong All-Star showing should boost his profile.
7. San Antonio Spurs (Record: 32-19; last week: 8): Wouldn’t be surprised if Steve Kerr replaces injured Blake Griffin in the starting lineup with Tim Duncan, the coach’s former teammate with the Spurs.
8. Portland Trail Blazers (Record: 35-17; last week: 9): Damian Lillard had a bittersweet moment when he was named the All-Star replacement for Blake Griffin, but he deserved to be on the team.
9. Dallas Mavericks (Record: 35-18; last week: 10): Saturday night’s remarkable overtime victory over Portland could give the team a lift with the Los Angeles Clippers visiting Monday.
10. Chicago Bulls (Record: 32-20; last week: 13): If coach Tom Thibodeau were to depart after this season because of issues with management, would there be any other attractive coaching options?
11. Los Angeles Clippers (Record: 33-19; last week: 4): Spencer Hawes had 17 points, two made 3-pointers and only one rebound Sunday in his first game as a starter for Blake Griffin. It was a 131-108 loss to the Thunder, Los Angeles’ fourth straight loss.
12. Washington Wizards (Record: 32-20; last week: 11): There isn’t a “power” team in the NBA that needs the All-Star break more than the Wizards, who have lost five or their last six.
13. New Orleans Pelicans (Record: 27-24; last week: 14): Anthony Davis is out against Utah on Monday night because of a shoulder injury. Should there be concern about his status for the All-Star Game?
14. Milwaukee Bucks (Record: 28-23; last week: 15): The Bucks haven’t had an All-Star since 2004. Brandon Knight could be a replacement for injured Miami guard Dwyane Wade.
15. Phoenix Suns (Record: 29-24; last week: 12): Guard Isaiah Thomas received a Bentley as a 26th birthday present from his good friend, pound-for-pound boxing king Floyd Mayweather Jr.
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (Record: 26-25; last week: 16): Kevin Durant says he would play anyone one-on-one for his All-Star spot. Should All-Star Weekend have a one-on-one competition?
17. Charlotte Hornets (Record: 22-29; last week: 18): It would be a nice touch by Hornets owner and Tar Heel great Michael Jordan if his team were to wear a patch the rest of the season to honor the late Dean Smith.
18. Miami Heat (Record: 21-29; last week: 17): Possible candidates to replace injured All-Star Dwyane Wade: Bucks guard Brandon Knight, Hawks guard Kyle Korver, Bulls guard Derrick Rose and Magic center Nikola Vucevic.
19. Utah Jazz (Record: 18-33; last week: 20): Forward Gordon Hayward is averaging 23 points per game and shooting 46.2 percent from 3-point range during his past nine games.
20. Sacramento Kings (Record: 18-32; last week: 21): There remains a lot of concern about the right coaching fit for center DeMarcus Cousins.
21. Indiana Pacers (Record: 20-32; last week: 25): It’s not out of the realm of possibility in the East for the Pacers to make the playoffs with a returning Paul George.
22. Brooklyn Nets (Record: 21-29; last week: 22): The Clippers are expected to have interest in forward Kevin Garnett if he is bought out. Garnett played for Clippers coach Doc Rivers when both were with Boston.
23. Detroit Pistons (Record: 20-32; last week: 23): Detroit, which recently lost point guard Brandon Jennings for the season because of an Achilles’ injury, is looking for a backup point guard.
24. Boston Celtics (Record: 19-31; last week: 24): The Clippers are expected to be among the teams interested in Celtics forward Tayshaun Prince if he is bought out.
25. Denver Nuggets (Record: 19-32; last week: 19): It’s no secret that there is a widening gap between Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw and the players.
26. Philadelphia 76ers (Record: 12-40; last week: 29) The Sixers have won seven of 11 at home in 2015 after beginning the season 0-14 in their own arena.
27. New York Knicks (Record: 10-41; last week: 26): Because of the All-Star break, Amar’e Stoudemire could play his last game for New York on Wednesday at Orlando if he asks for a buyout after the Feb. 19 trade deadline.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (Record: 11-40; last week: 30) Keep an eye on T-Wolves guard Mo Williams and forward Thaddeus Young as the trade deadline approaches.
29. Orlando Magic (Record: 16-38; last week: 26): Orlando should consider an in-state coaching prospect in Heat assistant David Fizdale, who has paid his dues and would be strongly endorsed by Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.
30. Los Angeles Lakers (Record: 13-38; last week: 28): Despite being sidelined because of a shoulder injury, All-Star guard Kobe Bryant is expected to attend All-Star weekend and address the media.
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