After a week off and the trade deadline passed, things are just getting started in the second half of the NBA season. In our first Power Rankings since the All-Star Break, we offer important statistics that tell the current story of each team.
- Golden State Warriors (49-5) —
In Saturday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Golden State’s defense allowed Portland to hit 17 three’s, including a 9-of-12 effort from Damian Lillard, who dropped 51. - San Antonio Spurs (47-9) —
Through 36 games played in a bench role, Boban Marjanovic has a PER of 30.9. If his playing time qualified, that would be second in the NBA (Curry, 32.0). - Cleveland Cavaliers (40-14) —
Kyrie Irving has been the leading scorer for both teams in five of the Cavs’ last eight games, and is averaging 26.4 PPG in the month of February. - Oklahoma City Thunder (40-16) —
Per Royce Young, the Thunder’s 115-92 home loss to Cleveland was their fourth-worst home loss all time as a team from Oklahoma City. - Toronto Raptors (36-18) —
Since January 6th, Toronto is 14-3. They’ve scored under 95 in just two of those games (1-1). - Los Angeles Clippers (36-19) +1
With Blake Griffin in the lineup, the Clippers are 17-13. Without him, they’re 19-6. - Boston Celtics (33-24) -1
Despite not having any big names, Boston (.579) holds its best winning percentage in a full season since 2010-2011 (.683). - Memphis Grizzlies (32-23) —
Vince Carter’s 73-foot buzzer beater against the Timberwolves on Friday night was 16 feet short of being the longest shot ever made in the NBA (Baron Davis, 2001). - Miami Heat (31-24) —
Only the Clippers (4) and Thunder (3) have more or an equal amount of qualifying players with a PER above 20 than the Heat (3). - Indiana Pacers (30-25) +2
Paul George is averaging more points, rebounds, assists and blocks and a higher PER than he did in his last full season (2013-2014). - Charlotte Hornets (29-26) +4
Charlotte’s current 29-26 record has them on pace for their second best season since 2001-2002, when they finished fourth in the East – their highest finish in the standings ever. The Hornets are currently two games out of fourth place. - Portland Trailblazers (29-27) +4
Since starting 19-26, the Blazers are 10-1. They are averaging 111.3 PPG in those 11 games, with Damian Lillard alone accounting for nearly 28 PPG. - Atlanta Hawks (31-26) -2
Al Horford, Atlanta’s second-leading scorer, averages 10% shooting and nearly 4 PPG more in wins than in losses. - Dallas Mavericks (30-27) -4
Dallas is 3-9 in its last 12 games against teams with winning records, with a 10-20 mark on the season against such teams. - Chicago Bulls (29-26) +3
The Bulls’ 126 points against the Lakers was the most they’ve put up in a regulation game all season. Despite not having Nikola Mirotic or Jimmy Butler in the lineup, six players scored at least 16. - Utah Jazz (27-28) -3
Prior to the All-Star Break, the Jazz went on a seven-game win streak. In four of those seven games, Rodney Hood was the leading scorer – he’s averaging 19.4 PPG in the month of Febraury. - Houston Rockets (28-28) -3
The Rockets have not played a game all season in which they entered four games above .500. - Washington Wizards (25-29) +2
John Wall’s 19.9 PPG would be a career high for him, as would his 4.6 RPG. - Detroit Pistons (27-29) -2
Of the Pistons’ 275 possible spots in starting lineups this season, 266 (96.7%) have been occupied by the same five starters. - New Orleans Pelicans (22-33) +4
Per ESPN’s Stats and Information, Anthony Davis is just the third NBA player EVER to score at least 55 points and record 20 rebounds in a game. The other two? Shaq and Wilt. - Orlando Magic (24-30) +1
The Magic haven’t had a good 2016 so far. Since starting the season 19-13, they’re 5-17 in the new year. Four of their five wins, however, were against teams with winning records. - Denver Nuggets (22-34) -3
Despite a team high 5.8 APG, Emmanuel Mudiay is shooting just 34% from the field this season and 26% from three-point range. - New York Knicks (24-33) +2
The Knicks are expected to sign Jimmer Fredette to a 10-day contract. The BYU product has averaged 21.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 4.8 APG with the Westchester Knicks so far this year. - Milwaukee Bucks (23-33) +2
17 of the Bucks’ last 26 games will be played at home, including two separate five-game home streaks. The Bucks are 15-9 at home this season and 8-24 on the road. - Sacramento Kings (23-31) -6
The Kings are on pace for their best season since 2007-2008. They haven’t made the playoffs in 10 years. - Brooklyn Nets (15-41) +1
Thaddeus Young has 24 double-doubles this season, his most ever in a season since joining the league in 2007. He’s tied for 13th in the league (Andre Drummond leads with 46). - Minnesota Timberwolves (17-39) -4
Karl-Anthony Towns leads all rookies in PPG (17.1) and RPG (10.2). - Los Angeles Lakers (11-46) +2
Kobe Bryant is averaging the lowest FG%, 3FG%, FT%, RPG, APG, and PPG since his second season (1997-1998) in the NBA. - Phoenix Suns (14-42) —
Since the loss of Eric Bledsoe to injury, the Suns are 2-22 (.083). That is the lowest winning percentage in the NBA since that time. - Philadelphia 76ers (8-47) -2
Since his acquisition, Ish Smith is second on the 76ers in PPG, first in APG, and second in SPG.