Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers separating from rest of NBA in Power Rankings
By Phil Watson
6-11. Previous: . Washington Wizards. 25. team. 142.
Last week: Lost at Denver 117-104, won at Phoenix 140-132, lost at Lakers 125-103
This week: Sunday at Clippers, Tuesday vs. Orlando, Thursday vs. Philadelphia, Friday at Miami
The Washington Wizards will wrap up a four-game Western trip on Sunday against the Clippers, having picked up a win at Phoenix on Wednesday.
Ian Mahinmi is listed as day-to-day, but the 11-year veteran has yet to play in a game this season because of an Achilles injury, but other than John Wall — out for the season — the Wizards are fairly healthy at this point.
And they are playing at break-neck speed, ranking third in the NBA with a pace of 105.47 possessions per game, up considerably from last year’s 102.24 pace that ranked ninth in the league.
Bradley Beal continued to light it up for the Wizards, averaging 22.3 points, 7.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 33.2 minutes per game over Washington’s three games last week, including 35 points and six dimes in the win over the Suns.
156. . 5-14. Previous: . Cleveland Cavaliers. 24. team
Last week: Lost to Brooklyn 108-106, lost to Orlando 116-104, lost to Milwaukee 119-110
This week: Tuesday vs. Detroit, Friday vs. Orlando, Saturday at Philadelphia
With a 1-3 record to start a stretch of four straight games at home, the Cleveland Cavaliers are now just 1-9 since opening the season with four wins in their first nine games.
It’s small steps forward for the Cavs, who lost all three games last week while getting some good injury news. John Henson has been upgraded to day-to-day with his hamstring injury, though he hasn’t played yet. Dylan Windler remains sidelined with a stress reaction and still has no timetable for a return to action.
One thing Cleveland has done exceptionally well under first-year coach John Beilein is avoiding fouls. The Cavaliers have the lowest total in the NBA with only 18.2 foul calls per game and their opponents are taking just 18 free throws per game, also the league’s lowest figure.
Larry Nance Jr. put together a very good week, starting in the loss to Brooklyn with Kevin Love sidelined before returning to a reserve role. He averaged 16.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals (a little off the league-leading pace) in 28.5 minutes per game in three games, shooting 59.4 percent overall and hitting 7-of-15 from 3-point range.