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NBA Power Rankings: MVP race shaking things up

 

Golden State
Golden State

1. Golden State Warriors (Record: 46-11; last week: 1): Could the Warriors have interest in center JaVale McGee when he becomes a free agent? He could be postseason insurance for Andrew Bogut.


Atlanta
Atlanta

2. Atlanta Hawks (Record: 47-12; last week: 3): Atlanta will unveil a 13½-foot statue of Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins outside of Philips Arena during a private ceremony on Thursday.


Houston
Houston

3. Houston Rockets (Record: 41-18; last week: 7): James Harden isn’t fearing discipline from the NBA for kicking the Cavs’ LeBron James in the groin on Sunday, but he should.


Cleveland
Cleveland

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (Record: 37-24; last week: 4): While the Cavs have made some solid roster moves recently, one need they haven’t filled is a veteran backup point guard for injured Kyrie Irving.


Memphis
Memphis

5. Memphis Grizzlies (Record: 42-16; last week: 2) Injured forward Vince Carter (left foot strain) hopes to return to practice in about a week, a source said. Memphis could use his perimeter shooting.


Portland
Portland

6. Portland Trail Blazers (Record: 39-19; last week: 9): The Blazers have the West’s fourth-best record, but they’ve struggled on the road, going 2-9 since Jan. 14 and 14-13 overall.


Los Angeles
Los Angeles

7. Los Angeles Clippers (Record: 39-21; last week: 6): Center DeAndre Jordan is on a rebounding tear, grabbing 15 or more in eight straight games and averaging 20.5 per game in that span.


Dallas
Dallas

8. Dallas Mavericks (Record: 39-22; last week: 8): The Mavericks actually started Dirk Nowitzki at center in Saturday’s loss to the Nets because Tyson Chandler was out with a left hip injury.


Chicago
Chicago

9. Chicago Bulls (Record: 37-23; last week: 10): While Chicago had a preliminary conversation with free-agent guard Nate Robinson, a source said, he has not received an offer from the Bulls or anyone else.


Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City

10. Oklahoma City Thunder (Record: 33-27; last week: 11): Russell Westbrook’s stellar play of late has moved him into MVP consideration, but the Thunder have to make the playoffs.


San Antonio
San Antonio

11. San Antonio Spurs (Record: 36-23; last week: 12): After averaging 16.7 points in November, Tony Parker (hip) has averaged less than 13 points in each of the last three months.


New Orleans
New Orleans

12. New Orleans Pelicans (Record: 32-27; last week: 16): The Pelicans, focused on making the playoffs, have won a season-high five straight games – the past four without Anthony Davis.


Toronto
Toronto

13. Toronto Raptors (Record: 37-22; last week: 5): The Raptors are in jeopardy of a free fall from the East’s second seed with five-straight losses and Chicago and Cleveland on their heels.


Milwaukee
Milwaukee

14. Milwaukee Bucks (Record: 32-27; last week: 13): Forward Kenyon Martin, 37, who was waived by the Bucks on Feb. 19, is back in Dallas working out and contemplating his next move.


Washington
Washington

15. Washington Wizards (Record: 34-26; last week: 14): While Bradley Beal had a lackluster return to action Saturday against Detroit, shooting 2-of-10 from the floor, the Wizards did snap a six-game losing streak.


Indiana
Indiana

16. Indiana Pacers (Record: 25-34; last week: 17): Again, here come the Pacers, who have won eight of their past 10 and have Paul George back at practice. The East better beware.


Phoenix
Phoenix

17. Phoenix Suns (Record: 31-29; last week: 15): It would be more interesting if the game were in Phoenix, but the Suns face former guard Goran Dragic on Monday for first time since he was traded to Miami on Feb. 19.


Miami
Miami

18. Miami Heat (Record: 25-33; last week: 19): How devastating is the loss of All-Star Chris Bosh? He was the Heat’s leader in scoring, rebounding and blocks per game.


Brooklyn
Brooklyn

19. Brooklyn Nets (Record: 24-33; last week: 20): The Nets have led the NBA in points in the paint (53.2) and second-chance points (16.4) in the five games since adding Thaddeus Young.


Utah
Utah

20. Utah Jazz (Record: 23-35; last week: 19): Fantasy basketball alert: Guard Trey Burke has averaged 18.2 points while shooting 47.8 percent from 3-point range since the All-Star break.


Boston
Boston

21. Boston Celtics (Record: 23-34; last week: 23): Expect newcomer Isaiah Thomas to become the latest Celtics fan favorite. He is averaging 21.8 points in five games with Boston.


Charlotte
Charlotte

22. Charlotte Hornets (Record: 24-33; last week: 18): Guard Mo Williams has averaged 23.5 points, six assists and 3.5 rebounds in four games since being acquired from Minnesota.


Detroit
Detroit

23. Detroit Pistons (Record: 23-36; last week: 18): The family for late Pistons player and coach Earl Lloyd, the first black player in NBA history, is expected to have a memorial service in his honor in late March.


Sacramento
Sacramento

24. Sacramento Kings (Record: 20-37; last week: 24): The Kings’ assistant coaches got the impression from new coach George Karl that the coaching staff will likely change after the season, a source said.


Orlando
Orlando

25. Orlando Magic (Record: 19-42; last week: 27): Rookie guard Elfrid Payton on Friday will face the Kings, who strongly considered drafting him before taking seldom-used shooter Nik Stauskas.


Los Angeles
Los Angeles

26. Los Angeles Lakers (Record: 16-42; last week: 29): The most interesting thing about the hapless Lakers of late is the new Showtime documentary on injured All-Star Kobe Bryant.


Minnesota
Minnesota

27. Minnesota Timberwolves (Record: 13-45; last week: 26) Kudos to Kevin Garnett for saying thanks to Timberwolves fans by giving them 1,000 tickets for Monday night's game against the Clippers.


Philadelphia
Philadelphia

28. Philadelphia 76ers (Record: 13-46; last week: 28) Ten teams, mostly contenders, are interested in signing free agent-to-be JaVale McGee, who is expected to clear waivers on Wednesday.


New York
New York

29. New York Knicks (Record: 12-46; last week: 30): At least Knicks first-year president Phil Jackson is scouting the top college prospects for the 2015 NBA draft.


Denver
Denver

30. Denver Nuggets (Record: 20-39; last week: 24): How bad is it in Denver? The Denver Post reported that the players chanted, “One ... Two … Three … Six [more] weeks!” after a timeout huddle.

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