NBA Power Rankings: Milwaukee Bucks riding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s balky back
By Phil Watson
13. team. 149. . 22-17. Previous: . Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week: Lost at Philadelphia 120-113, won at Brooklyn 111-103 (OT), beat Houston 113-92, lost to Lakers 125-110
This week: Monday at Minnesota, Wednesday vs. Toronto, Friday vs. Miami, Saturday vs. Portland
It was a 2-2 week for the Oklahoma City Thunder, with one very big high point and an almost-to-be-expected letdown. The Thunder watched Russell Westbrook as a visitor against them for the first time on Thursday and he had a big night, but OKC came away with an impressive 21-point win. They followed that up with a thumping from the Lakers in which they never led.
Steven Adams had a solid week for the Thunder, putting up 24 points and 15 rebounds in the loss at Philadelphia and grabbing 18 boards in the win over the Rockets. For the week, Adams averaged 15.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 31.3 minutes per game, shooting 64.9 percent from the floor in the process.
24-15. Previous: . Indiana Pacers. 12. team. 100.
Last week: Won at Charlotte 115-104, lost to Miami 122-108, won at Chicago 116-105
This week: Monday vs. Philadelphia, Wednesday at Minnesota, Friday vs. Minnesota
Two double-digit road wins sandwiched around a double-digit loss at home isn’t the norm for the Indiana Pacers, but a 2-1 week is still a successful one, considering they were without Malcolm Brogdon for all three games and didn’t have Domantas Sabonis for the win at Chicago. That 2-1 week follows a stretch during which Indiana lost four of five.
Against the Bulls, Myles Turner had one of those nights that reminds everyone of his potential, with 27 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. For the week, he put up 17.0 points, 9.3 boards, 2.3 dimes and 2.3 blocks in 32.5 minutes per game, shooting 47.5 percent overall and hitting 4-of-14 from long range.