Week 12 NBA Power Ranking

*Stats and scores from games on 3/23/21 not included

NBA Power Ranking: 1-10

1. Philadelphia 76ers Record: 30-13 Previous: 2

The Philadelphia 76ers re-gain the top spot in the ranking for the first time in over a month as they went 3-1 without Joel Embiid last week. While the team may look to bring in some shooting off the bench, it’s unlikely that Daryl Morey will pull the trigger on a significant move.  

2. Utah Jazz Record: 31-11 Previous: 4

The Utah Jazz remain the best team in the NBA by record after they went 3-1 last week, with wins against Boston, Chicago, and Toronto. The Jazz have excellent continuity, and a minor move of signing Ersan Ilyasova may have been all the team needed instead of trading assets.  

3. Milwaukee Bucks Record: 28-14 Previous: 6

The Bucks have been streaking as of late as they pulled off a great week, going 3-0, with wins against Philadelphia, San Antonio, and Indiana. The Bucks made a great move last week to bring in PJ Tucker, which may have been enough at the trade deadline. 

4. Brooklyn Nets Record: 29-14 Previous: 1

The Nets hit a minor bump in the road as they drop down three spots after the Magic snapped their six-game winning streak. Despite already acquiring James Harden and Blake Griffin, the Nets are expected to remain busy at the deadline, possibly targeting Norman Powell.  

5. Phoenix Suns Record: 28-13 Previous: 3

The Suns had a solid week in week 11, going 2-1, with wins against the Timberwolves and Lakers. If the Suns choose to make a trade, it will be for a backup point guard, and George Hill and D.J. Augustin are possible options. 

6. Los Angeles Clippers Record: 28-16 Previous: 8

The Clippers move up two spots after they went 2-1 last week, with wins against Charlotte and Atlanta. The Clippers are often very active at the trade deadline, so they may make a splash move, but I find it unlikely that they will make a major trade.  

7. Denver Nuggets Record: 25-17 Previous: 7

The Nuggets remain in contention in the West as they went 2-1 in week 11, with wins against Charlotte and Chicago. Denver rarely makes big trades, but it will be interesting to see if the team targets Aaron Gordon, who reportedly wants out of Orlando. 

8. Los Angeles Lakers Record: 28-15 Previous: 5

The Lakers are at the lowest mark they have been all season as LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both dealing with injuries. While they likely won’t make a significant trade, Los Angeles may look to upgrade their bench, specifically targeting George Hill.  

9. Portland Trail Blazers Record: 25-17 Previous: 10

Damian Lillard deserves to be in the MVP conversation as the Trail Blazers played well last week, going 3-1. The Trail Blazers may look to bring in a power forward as Robert Covington has struggled, possibly targeting Aaron Gordon or Larry Nance Jr. 

10. Dallas Mavericks Record: 22-19 Previous: 13

The Mavericks are back in the top ten after they went 2-1 in week eleven, with wins against the Clippers and Trail Blazers. The Mavericks may look to acquire a center, and Andre Drummond is a possible option.  

NBA Power Ranking: 11-20

11. San Antonio Spurs Record: 22-18 Previous: 12

The Spurs move up one spot as they remain in the playoff picture in the West after going 2-2 last week with wins against Chicago and Cleveland. While the Spurs rarely make trades, it will be interesting to see if LaMarcus Aldridge gets dealt. 

12. Miami Heat Record: 22-21 Previous: 9

After reaching their highest mark of the season in week eleven, the Heat drop three spots after going 1-3 last week. Miami made a minor trade to acquire Trevor Ariza, but it’s unlikely that they will make a major deal during the regular season. 

13. Golden State Warriors Record: 22-21 Previous: 16

The Warriors got back above .500 in week eleven as they went 2-1, with wins over Houston and Memphis. Golden State is likely content to wait for Klay Thompson to be healthy next season, but they could look to make a bench upgrade. 

14. Atlanta Hawks Record: 22-21 Previous: 17

The Hawks have quietly caught fire in the East as they had won eight consecutive games before losing to the Clippers on Monday. While Atlanta is back in playoff contention, it’s unlikely that they will be heavy buyers at the deadline.  

15. Boston Celtics Record: 21-22 Previous: 11

The Celtics hit another significant bump in the road last week as they went 1-4, and are now the eighth seed in the East. Boston needs to make a major trade, and Nikola Vucevic should be their top target if Orlando is receiving trade offers for him.  

16. Memphis Grizzlies Record: 20-20 Previous: 18

The Grizzlies had a great week, getting back to .500, as they went 3-1 with wins over Miami, Golden State, and Boston. The Grizzlies are in a weird spot where they should neither sell nor buy and therefore, they will likely stay put at the deadline.  

17. New York Knicks Record: 21-22 Previous: 15

The Knicks drop two spots, having suffered a down week, where they went 1-2, with their only win coming against Orlando. The Knicks clearly want to make the playoffs this season, and while they likely won’t make a major move, they may look to upgrade their bench. 

18. Charlotte Hornets Record: 21-21 Previous: 14

The Hornets suffered a massive hit last week as Rookie of the Year front-runner, LaMelo Ball, broke his wrist, effectively ending his season. With the team loaded with young talent, they likely won’t make any moves at the deadline. 

19. Indiana Pacers Record: 19-23 Previous: 22

With the return of Caris LeVert, the Pacers finally got somewhat back on track in week eleven, going 2-2, with a pair of wins over Miami. The Pacers have lots of solid players, but they need to upgrade their bench if they are going to have any shot at winning a playoff series. 

20. Chicago Bulls Record: 19-23 Previous: 19

The Bulls remain somewhat in contention per usual as they went 2-3 last week, with wins against Oklahoma City and Detroit. While the Bulls may make the playoffs, they may be open to trading away either Zach LaVine or Lauri Markkanen. 

NBA Power Ranking: 21-30

21. Oklahoma City Thunder Record: 19-24 Previous: 23

The Thunder had one of their best weeks in a while as they went 2-2, with wins against Minnesota and Houston. Sam Presti does whatever he can to get picks, and it will be interesting to see what he can get for George Hill, who is likely gone.  

22. Sacramento Kings Record: 18-25 Previous: 24

The Kings finally got back on track and possibly into the playoff picture with a 3-1 week that included wins over Washington, Boston, and Cleveland. Despite the success, they should look to fire-sell everyone not named De’Aaron Fox, and try to get draft stock. 

23. New Orleans Pelicans Record: 18-24 Previous: 20

The Pelicans remain one of the most disappointing teams in the league as they went 1-2 last week, with their only win being an impressive one against Denver. On a young roster, New Orleans may look to deal JJ Redick and Lonzo Ball in exchange for young assets. 

24. Toronto Raptors Record: 17-26 Previous: 21

The Raptors season is quickly spiraling out of control as they went 0-4 last week, and are now on a nine-game losing streak. With the team struggling, Toronto may look to deal Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell to acquire future assets.  

25. Cleveland Cavaliers Record: 16-27 Previous: 26

The Cavaliers had a decent week (by their standards), going 2-3, with wins against the Celtics and Raptors. No one should want Andre Drummond, but someone will likely pull the trigger, and Cleveland is hoping to get as much as they can for him.  

26. Washington Wizards Record: 15-26 Previous: 25

The Wizards have struggled lately, going 1-2 in week eleven, and are now 1-6 in their last seven matchups. While it remains uncertain where Bradley Beal will be long-term, it’s unlikely that he will get dealt during the middle of the season. 

27. Detroit Pistons Record: 12-30 Previous: 28

The Pistons picked up a pair of wins in week eleven as they move up to 27th, the highest mark of the season. No one on Detroit has too much trade value besides Jerami Grant, whom the team is unlikely to trade. 

28. Orlando Magic Record: 14-28 Previous: 27

Despite picking up a quality win against Brooklyn, Orlando has struggled lately, going 1-10 in their previous eleven games. The Magic should be looking to fire-sell everyone, including Nikola Vucevic, but a Vucevic trade appears unlikely. 

29. Minnesota Timberwolves Record: 10-33 Previous: 29

The Timberwolves picked up their best win of the season in week eleven, defeating Phoenix, despite going 1-3 overall. While it may be smart in the long-run, it’s unlikely that Minnesota will opt to trade either Karl-Anthony Towns or D’Angelo Russell. 

30. Houston Rockets Record: 12-30 Previous: 30

The Rockets finally snapped their 20-game losing streak on Monday, blowing out the slumping Toronto Raptors. Houston has already given away what they have to offer, but they may look to trade Victor Oladipo in addition to James Harden and PJ Tucker.

Follow me on Twitter @PodolskyDanny for more sports news and discussions. Also, make sure to follow @OT_Heroics for all of your sporting needs. Come discuss this and much more at the Overtime Heroics forums!

Main image credit: