Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers separating from rest of NBA in Power Rankings
By Phil Watson
Last week: Beat Philadelphia 101-96, beat New York 126-98, won at Orlando 90-83
This week: Sunday vs. Utah, Tuesday vs. Miami, Thursday vs. Houston
Make it six victories in a row for the Toronto Raptors after a 3-0 week last week. The Raptors continue to show they are able to fight through personnel changes and injuries and just keep on winning.
Kyle Lowry remains out with a fractured left thumb, while Serge Ibaka has not yet returned from a sprained right ankle. Both players were hurt in a Nov. 8 win at New Orleans and have missed the last 10 games.
Patrick McCaw is due to be re-evaluated this week after knee surgery, Stanley Johnson remains out with a groin injury and reserves Dewan Hernandez and Matt Thomas are nursing hand injuries.
Fred VanVleet continues to do yeoman’s work for the Raptors. In three games, VanVleet averaged 20.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 steals in 36.4 minutes per game, shooting 47.7 percent overall and 43.5 percent (10-for-23) from 3-point land.
Last week: Beat Washington 117-104, lost at Sacramento 100-97 (OT)
This week: Tuesday vs. Lakers, Thursday at New York, Friday at Boston
When the Denver Nuggets couldn’t hold a 17-point halftime lead Saturday in Sacramento, it eventually ended their six-game winning streak as the Kings came away with a 100-97 overtime victory.
The only injury the Nuggets are dealing with is the continued rehab of rookie Bol Bol, still coming back from surgery on his left foot.
Denver has had issues already this season not putting away inferior clubs. Three of their four losses thus far this season have come to teams below .500, including a loss to the Hawks at home on Nov. 12.
Gary Harris, the embattled guard, had a season-high 25 points in the loss to the Kings and for the week had 36 points, seven rebounds and four steals in 66 minutes over the two games, shooting 44.4 percent overall and going 5-for-15 (33.3 percent) from 3-point land.