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LOS ANGELES — The Cleveland Cavaliers finally lost.
The Orlando Magic rallied to an 108-103 victory Sunday, ending Cleveland’s historic 16-game winning streak. The Cavs are now 30-5 at home.
Does this rare loss drop Cleveland from atop The Arizona Republic’s latest NBA power rankings?
You’re kidding right?
Last week: No. 1 in rankings.
The Magic ended their upset win with an 11-3 run in the game’s final two minutes. Maintaining the NBA’s top record by the slimmest of margins, Cleveland begins a five-game road trip Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Last week: No. 2 in rankings.
The Thunder bounced back from their loss to Denver with road wins over defending NBA champion Boston, Detroit and Milwaukee. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 48 points versus the Pistons, whose head coach J.B. Bickerstaff had some choice words about the officiating afterward.
Last week: No. 3 in rankings.
The Celtics are 7-1 in their last eight games with the loss coming against OKC. The return of Kristaps Porzingis makes Boston even better as he scored 24 points in Saturday’s 115-113 win at Brooklyn.
Last week: No. 4 in rankings.
Taking the rematch game at OKC after losing by 24 points was huge for the Nuggets, but they’ve gone 1-2 since with the latter losing coming against the NBA’s second-worst team, the Washington Wizards.
Last week: No. 5 in rankings.
The Lakers ended a four-game losing skid with a 107-96 win over Phoenix without LeBron James. JJ Redick says James is “ramping up” and is “day-to-day” with a groin injury. When he returns, the Lakers may have a late run in them to claim a top-4 seed in the West.
Memphis Grizzlies (43-25): The Grizzlies are 5-1 in their last six games after blasting Miami, 125-91, Saturday. They could easily be fifth as their loss during this stretch was to the Cavs.
Houston Rockets (43-25): The Rockets have won six in a row, but each team they beat has a losing record. They may reach nine straight before hosting Denver next week.
New York Knicks (42-24): Tough loss at Golden State to end a five-game road trip after back-to-back wins against Sacramento and Portland.
Golden State Warriors (39-28): The Warriors have won their last eight games, but their next two games are tough chores — Monday versus Denver and Tuesday against Milwaukee.
Minnesota Timberwolves (40-29): The T-Wolves have the longest active win streak in the NBA at eight straight, but they’re still in the play-in multiverse at seventh. That’s how tough the West is.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NBA power rankings: Cavaliers finally lose, Lakers end 4-game skid
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The Orlando Magic rallied to an 108-103 victory Sunday, ending Cleveland’s historic 16-game winning streak. The Cavs are now 30-5 at home.
Does this rare loss drop Cleveland from atop The Arizona Republic’s latest NBA power rankings?
You’re kidding right?
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (56-11)
Last week: No. 1 in rankings.
The Magic ended their upset win with an 11-3 run in the game’s final two minutes. Maintaining the NBA’s top record by the slimmest of margins, Cleveland begins a five-game road trip Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (56-12)
Last week: No. 2 in rankings.
The Thunder bounced back from their loss to Denver with road wins over defending NBA champion Boston, Detroit and Milwaukee. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 48 points versus the Pistons, whose head coach J.B. Bickerstaff had some choice words about the officiating afterward.
3. Boston Celtics (49-19)
Last week: No. 3 in rankings.
The Celtics are 7-1 in their last eight games with the loss coming against OKC. The return of Kristaps Porzingis makes Boston even better as he scored 24 points in Saturday’s 115-113 win at Brooklyn.
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4. Denver Nuggets (43-25)
Last week: No. 4 in rankings.
Taking the rematch game at OKC after losing by 24 points was huge for the Nuggets, but they’ve gone 1-2 since with the latter losing coming against the NBA’s second-worst team, the Washington Wizards.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (41-25)
Last week: No. 5 in rankings.
The Lakers ended a four-game losing skid with a 107-96 win over Phoenix without LeBron James. JJ Redick says James is “ramping up” and is “day-to-day” with a groin injury. When he returns, the Lakers may have a late run in them to claim a top-4 seed in the West.
Teams 6-10
Memphis Grizzlies (43-25): The Grizzlies are 5-1 in their last six games after blasting Miami, 125-91, Saturday. They could easily be fifth as their loss during this stretch was to the Cavs.
Houston Rockets (43-25): The Rockets have won six in a row, but each team they beat has a losing record. They may reach nine straight before hosting Denver next week.
New York Knicks (42-24): Tough loss at Golden State to end a five-game road trip after back-to-back wins against Sacramento and Portland.
Golden State Warriors (39-28): The Warriors have won their last eight games, but their next two games are tough chores — Monday versus Denver and Tuesday against Milwaukee.
Minnesota Timberwolves (40-29): The T-Wolves have the longest active win streak in the NBA at eight straight, but they’re still in the play-in multiverse at seventh. That’s how tough the West is.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NBA power rankings: Cavaliers finally lose, Lakers end 4-game skid
Continue reading...
