NBA Power Rankings Week 15: Concerns for Milwaukee Bucks, other contenders

Last week: Beat Golden State 129-124 (OT), lost to Dallas 133-125

This week: Sunday vs. Indiana, Wednesday vs. Houston, Friday at Lakers, Saturday vs. Utah

If the Portland Trail Blazers are going to stay in the race for a Western Conference playoff berth, their three very tough home games this week could be critical. The Blazers have lost three of their last four, with the one win coming in overtime against the Warriors on Monday.

Damian Lillard rewrote Portland’s history books in that one, setting new franchise records with 61 points and 11 made 3-pointers. His 20 attempts from distance were one off the team record of 21 set by Damon Stoudamire on April 15, 2005. (Stoudamire made just five … ouch.)

In the two-game week, Lillard finished with 108 points (yes, he had 47 against the Mavericks) with 16 rebounds, 15 assists and two steals. He shot 50.8 percent overall and 54.3 percent from deep (19-for-35). Throw in 23-for-23 at the free-throw line and it wasn’t a bad week for Lillard.

Last week: Lost to New Orleans 126-116, lost at Boston 119-95, won at Detroit 125-112

This week: Sunday vs. Phoenix, Tuesday vs. Denver, Wednesday at New York, Friday at New Orleans

The Memphis Grizzlies had their seven-game winning streak end with a loud thud, getting worked over at home by the Pelicans and following that up with a poor effort at Boston in a game that was their first scoring less than 100 points since a Dec. 4 loss at Chicago — a span of 22 games. The Grizzlies did bounce back with a nice win at Detroit on Friday to salvage a 1-2 week.

As for Dillon Brooks, when he was good last week he was really good. When was bad, he was awful. Brooks matched a season-high with 31 points in the loss to New Orleans and had 27 against the Pistons … with a 1-of-6 night in Boston. For the week: 21.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 27.7 minutes per game. He hit 43.5 percent overall and a nifty 8-for-14 from deep.