Since early January, Utah has achieved an 18-1 record under the leadership of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
The Utah Jazz had been pretty healthy. Through Feb. 5, their top nine guys had missed a total of eight games, four from Joe Ingles and two each from Donovan Mitchell and Derrick Favors. That had earned their 18-5 record at that point, but compared to other teams, they had been lucky in regard to health.
Then they lost Mike Conley, the guy who, at the time, led the league in on-off differential, with the Jazz having been 23.6 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor (+17.7) than they’d been with him off the floor (-5.9). And a hamstring issue has had Conley out each of the last four games.
However, the Jazz have maintained their momentum, overcoming four strong teams to extend their current winning streak to seven games, equalling the second longest winning streak of the season so far. The longest streak, unsurprisingly, was the Jazz’s preceding 11-game winning streak.
Indeed, the Jazz have at last achieved the No. 1 spot in the Power Rankings. They, however, have three more challenging games this week, including hosting the Sixers on Monday, and then taking on the Clippers twice in LA. While it’s an achievement to reach No. 1, maintaining that position is an entirely different challenge.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
- Right Way: Jamal Murray (DEN) was a plus-64 in four games last week.
- Wrong Way: Eric Gordon (HOU) was a minus-73 in three games last week.
Teams of the Week
- Make It Last Forever: Portland (4-0) — The Blazers continue to turn lemons into lemonade.
- Something Just Ain’t Right: Houston (0-4) — All four losses were to teams with losing records, and three of the four were by 22 points or more.
East vs. West
- The West is 93-55 (.628) against the East in interconference games after going 20-11 last week.
Schedule Strength through Week 8
- Toughest: 1. Detroit, 2. Denver, 3. Oklahoma City
- Easiest: 1. Orlando, 2. Philadelphia, 3. Toronto
- Schedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record, and adjusted for home vs. away and days of rest before a game.
Movement in the Rankings
- High jumps of the week: Dallas (+6), Miami (+5), Detroit (+4), Phoenix (+4)
- Free falls of the week: Houston (-9), Sacramento (-5), Cleveland (-4)
Week 9 Team to Watch
- Toronto — The Raptors were making some hay with a 5-1 stretch, but have taken a step backward with losses to the Celtics (who have been struggling themselves) and Wolves (eternal struggle). So this feels like a big week, and it brings some old rivals and an opportunity to get back one of those games they dropped last week. The Raps will have a two-game series in Milwaukee on Tuesday and Thursday. Then they’ll visit Minnesota on Friday and return to Tampa for a game against the Sixers on Sunday.
Previous Power Rankings
- Last week: Lakers return to No. 1; Jazz continue to rise
- Thursday’s notebook: 3 teams better than they seem, Sixers’ strong shooting and LaMelo’s vision
- This time last year: Lakers return to No. 2 as regular season enters stretch run — The Sixers benched Al Horford, Spencer Dinwiddie hit a step-back game-winner in Indiana, and the Nets also put an end to the Raptors’ 15-game winning streak. The last game before the All-Star break was one of the best games of the season, with Jayson Tatum scoring 39 points to help the Celtics edge the Clippers in double-overtime. Buddy Hield won the 3-point Contest, Derrick Jones Jr. edged Aaron Gordon in the Dunk Contest, and Kawhi Leonard was the MVP of a thrilling, Elam-Ending, All-Star Game.
- The archive: NBA.com Power Rankings
Stats Key
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)
OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
The league has averaged 100.1 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 111.1 points scored per 100 possessions this season.
NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter.
