2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Rockets Take No. 1, Warriors Return In Week 22
Gerald Bourguet
Mar 20, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 22 of NBA Power Rankings, the Houston Rockets take the No. 1 spot, with the Golden State Warriors hot on their heels after a bounce-back week.
After a ho-hum week for the San Antonio Spurs, there’s a new No. 1 in our Week 22 NBA Power Rankings.
With the third-best record in the league and perhaps the leading MVP candidate in the association, the Houston Rockets have quietly assembled a legitimate title contender.
They may not be favored in a head-to-head playoff series with teams like the Spurs, Golden State Warriors or Cleveland Cavaliers, but nobody should be sleeping on such a heavy three-point onslaught led by Harden’s best NBA season yet.
Speaking of the Warriors, however, we’d be remiss in failing to mention that the Dubs have rediscovered their stride despite Kevin Durant still riding the bench. The Splash Brothers are back, Golden State has a firm grip on the No. 1 seed and the rest of the NBA should be worried again.
As teams at the bottom of the East and West duke it out for playoff positioning, where does the rest of the league lie? Here’s a look at our Week 22 NBA Power Rankings.
Mar 21, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton talks to guard Jordan Clarkson (6) and guard D’Angelo Russell (1) in the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (8) reacts on the court in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Magic won 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after an injuring against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel watches the action during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center. The Cavaliers won 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Skal Labissiere (3) is congratulated by center Kosta Koufos (41) in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Sacramento Kings won 107 – 101. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) shoots and makes the game winning buzzer beater over Detroit Pistons center Aron Baynes (12) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown high fives forward Dario Saric (9) during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (right) and Chicago Bulls guard Denzel Valentine (45) talk during a time out against the Utah Jazz during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Seth Curry (30) sits on the bench during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. The Warriors defeat the Mavericks 112-87. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22), Karl-Anthony Towns (32), and guard Ricky Rubio (9) in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Target Center. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-93. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) reacts after being called for a technical foul during the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller (40) shoots the ball over Washington Wizards forward Jason Smith (14) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Wizards 98-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) reacts to making a basket to give the Pacers a lead of 105-100 with 19 seconds to go in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Utah 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) talks with head coach Mike Budenholzer during the first half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Pepsi Center. The Rockets won 109-105. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) high fives forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) during the second half of a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Grizzlies 95-82. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) is greeted by his teammates after making a three-point basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center. The Grizzlies won 98-91. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and guard Jamal Crawford (11) react during a NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Cavaliers 108-78. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) brings the ball up the court in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Trail Blazers won 113-97. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
March 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15), guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) and guard Khris Middleton (22) celebrate the 97-96 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) discusses a play with forward PJ Tucker (2) during a break in the action against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA;Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots the ball over Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (left) celebrates with Heat guard Rodney McGruder (middle) and Heat guard Wayne Ellington (right) during a timeout against the Minnesota Timberwolves the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 123-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) looks for an outlet pass after a rebound during the first half against the Sacramento Kings at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
March 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots ahead of Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts in front of forward Draymond Green (23) and center JaVale McGee (1) against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) with the ball against Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Rockets won 109-105. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
