Suns, Warriors 1-2 in NBA power rankings
LOS ANGELES — Phoenix continues to win without its top two scorers.
The Suns are 3-1 without Devin Booker, who has been sidelined their last four games with a left hamstring strain, and are coming off an 111-90 win over Boston minus their two-time All-Star and starting center Deandre Ayton, who missed Friday's game with an non-COVID illness.
"The opportunity has met preparation," Suns forward Jae Crowder said. "We're prepared for the moments. We're a team."
So the team with the league's best record remains atop The Republic's NBA power rankings for a third straight week with a little shakeup underneath.
Here's the latest through Saturday's games as the surging Jazz have reappeared in the Top 5.
1. Phoenix Suns (21-4, last week 1st)
The Suns received a jolt from JaVale McGee Friday with 21 points and 15 rebounds, both season highs, in starting for Ayton, but they're still winning with defense.
Phoenix is second in defensive rating behind Golden State, but the defending Western Conference champions are also fourth in pace.
The Suns finished last season 24th in that category.
They've found a way to keep winning without Booker, but seeing him get up shots after Saturday's practice is a sign he's closer to returning to action.
2. Golden State Warriors (21-5, last week 2nd)
Stephen Curry is now seven 3s shy of breaking the all-time record for made 3pointers held by Ray Allen.
● Allen — 2973.
● Curry — 2967.
Curry shot 3-of-14 from deep in Saturday's road loss to the 76ers. So he'll have an opportunity to make history Monday in Indianapolis against the Pacers.
How ironic would that be to do it in the city Reggie Miller made so many from long range (2,560) in becoming the all-time leader before Ray Allen passed him.
Plus the Pacers are 17th in the NBA in 3-point percentage defense, but they're second in made 3s allowed a game at 10.6.
Curry only needs seven, though, to make history.
3. Utah Jazz (19-7, last week: Next 5)
The Jazz have the longest active NBA winning streak as they've won seven in a row since a one-point loss to New Orleans.
Taking those seven by an average margin of 18.7 points, Utah rolled Minnesota by 32 points, traveled from Minneapolis to Philadelphia and punished the the same 76ers that beat the Warriors by 22 the next night.
However, the one-point escape at Cleveland that could've easily gone the other way with the Cavaliers getting shots to win it at the end is a sign of growth for the Jazz.
Donovan Mitchell has been special in averaging 29.4 points in the win streak.
Wonder how he'll come out for Monday's game against the Clippers, who not only eliminated Utah in the conference semifinals without Kawhi Leonard, but remember Mitchell saying the Jazz would've won it all last season if they were healthy..
Sure the Clippers remember.
4. Brooklyn Nets (18-8, last week 4th)
You literally could put Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Chicago in hat and draw out the first two to round out the top five and be fine.
The Nets lead the East, but lost to the Rockets without Kevin Durant (rest).
The Bulls are 5-5 in their last 10 games, but one of those wins was at Brooklyn.
The Bucks are 8-2 in their last 10, but lost at Miami, which didn't have Bam Adebayo (thumb surgery) or Jimmy Butler (tailbone).
So why Brooklyn at fourth?
The Nets managed to stay atop the East despite James Harden being inconsistent and not having Kyrie Irving for a single game this season.
5. Milwaukee Bucks (17-10, last week 5th)
Would love to have a head-to-head matchup to help make this call, but the Bulls and Bucks haven't played each other yet. Got to wait until Jan. 21 in Milwaukee for that.
The Bulls had risen to the third in the rankings on the strength of that win over Brooklyn, but have been without their most important player the last three games in DeMar DeRozan, who has been under the league's health and safety protocols.
Chicago is 1-2 in without him during this latest stretch.
The Bucks are 11-2 in their last 13 as 2021 finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo went for 41 points on 15-of-19 shooting, 17 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks in Friday's win that snapped Houston's seven-game win streak.
He's that dude.
Next 5
Chicago Bulls (17-10) — The loss of DeRozan is huge, but Chicago should handle Detroit on Tuesday. Then they head to Toronto before beginning a fourgame homestand Dec. 19 against the Lakers.
Miami Heat (16-11) — Big win over Chicago, but Cavs could be major trouble for the Heat, who won't have Adebayo (thumb) for four to six weeks. With Butler still trying to return from tailbone bruise, Miami far from healthy.
Cleveland Cavaliers (16-12) — The NBA's surprise team has gone 7-2 since losing to Phoenix with wins over Miami and Chicago. The two losses are to Milwaukee and Utah. J.B. Bickerstaff is an early candidate for coach of the year.
Memphis Grizzlies (16-11) — Without Ja Morant or Dillon Brooks, Memphis still topped the Lakers as Jaren Jackson Jr. went for 25 points and Desmond Bane added 23. The Grizzlies will be scary if they ever get completely healthy.
Philadelphia 76ers (15-12) — Big win over Golden State, especially after losing big at home to Utah. Joel Embiid is averaging 29.6 points in his last five games (Sixers 4-1 during this run) after missing several games under health and safety protocols.
One last thing
The Dallas Mavericks were 9-4 entering consecutives games in Phoenix without Luka Doncic, who had a sprained left ankle and knee.
The Mavs lost both games, but were competitive in each one without their first-team All-NBA selection who got the supermax rookie extension.
They lost the next game to the Clippers without him, but Doncic returned in leading them to an overtime win over them in Los Angeles.
So you're thinking OK, Mavericks will go on a run here.
They've done anything but that. Dallas has gone 2-6 in its next eight games.
Doncic has played in seven of those eight games as he rested on the second of a back-to-back at Memphis with left ankle soreness. The Mavs lost that game, 97-90.
They're eighth in the West, but with a 12-13 record, things aren't going according to plan in Dallas with new head coach Jason Kidd.