2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Warriors Reign, Heat Rise In Week 17
Gerald Bourguet
Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 17 of NBA Power Rankings, the Golden State Warriors remain the undisputed No. 1, while the Miami Heat are back in playoff contention.
With less than a week left before the All-Star break and less than two weeks before the 2017 trade deadline, the NBA community is bracing for hectic couple of days that could see multiple teams jostling for playoff positioning.
Though the end result of this season — Cavaliers vs. Warriors Part 3 — seems as inevitable as ever, there are a couple of teams in each conference that hope to say otherwise once April and May roll around.
The San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets don’t compare to the Golden State Warriors’ reign in the West, and the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics are probably still a trade away from challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East, but that hasn’t stopped this season from being incredibly interesting.
Kevin Durant‘s return to Oklahoma City was the main story this week, but the Miami Heat have improbably risen from Eastern cellar-dweller to possible playoff contender. The question is, what other storylines are worth covering as we likely head toward a predictable Finals rematch?
Here’s a look at our Week 17 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings.
Feb 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) goes up to block a shot by Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) during the second half at Barclays Center. Maimi won 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A dejected Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) sits on the bench watching play against the Houston Rockets in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 133 to 102 .Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) and Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) gets in a argument as Orlando Magic guard C.J. Watson (32) and Orlando Magic center Stephen Zimmerman (33) hold them back during the second half at Amway Center. Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Louis Williams (23) drives against New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) falls in front of Knicks executive chairman James Dolan during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) talks to guard Ricky Rubio (9) in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Target Center. The Timberwolves beat the Bulls 117-89. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) reacts after being injured during the first half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots the ball against Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) celibates with guard Nik Stauskas (11) and forward Robert Covington (33) after he made a shot in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball as Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) defends during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) reacts after fouling Boston Celtics in the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) passes the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) reacts during the second half against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 10, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) with guard Jerian Grant (2) during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 115-97. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 112-109. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Denver Nuggets power forward Nikola Jokic (15) moves against New York Knicks center Kyle O’Quinn (9) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) grabs a lose ball during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Milwaukee Bucks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Milwaukee defeats Indiana 116-100. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; LA Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) reacts to a big dunk by forward Blake Griffin (32) in the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) unsuccessfully attempts to keep the ball in bounds during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 117-109. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks with forward Paul Millsap (4) and forward Kent Bazemore (24) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) and guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) and center Dwight Howard (8) during a time out in the fourth quarter of their game game against the Denver Nuggets at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 117-106. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) have to be separated and are both called for technical fouls during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) reacts during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 89-74. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) shoots the ball after being fouled during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Boston won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and teammates celebrate against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 133 to 102 .Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) and center Marcin Gortat (13) celebrate against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 125-109. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon (3) high fives forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
