NBA Power Rankings Week 19: LA Clippers get aggressive on buyout market
By Phil Watson
Los Angeles Clippers. 5. team. 77. . 37-19. Previous:
Last week: Lost to Sacramento 112-103
This week: Monday vs. Memphis, Wednesday at Phoenix, Friday vs. Denver
The LA Clippers have lost three straight games for the first time this season after getting handled at home by the Kings on Saturday in their return from the All-Star break. LA has now lost four of its last five.
The Clippers did make a roster move, on Thursday signing Reggie Jackson — bought out by the Pistons — for the remainder of the season. That fills the spot opened when LA traded for and then waived Isaiah Thomas at the trade deadline earlier this month. Jackson started at point guard Saturday and scored eight points in 23 minutes on 3-of-9 shooting.
Kawhi Leonard did what he could to keep the Clippers afloat against Sacramento with 31 points in 37 minutes, hitting 10-of-23 overall and 4-of-7 from downtown to go with eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. But the All-Star Game MVP was also a team-worst minus-12 on the afternoon.
. 41-15. Previous: . Toronto Raptors. 4. team. 81
Last week: Beat Phoenix 118-101
This week: Sunday vs. Indiana, Tuesday vs. Milwaukee, Friday vs. Charlotte
The Toronto Raptors rolled to their 16th win in their last 17 games, returning from the All-Star break with a dominating victory over the Suns on Friday night. Now the Raptors will get their first shot at home against NBA-leading Milwaukee after losing a 10-point decision on the road back on Nov. 2. The teams will meet three times between Feb. 25 and April 3.
The Raptors stood pat at the trade deadline and have survived a spate of injuries that has led them to use 13 starting lineups so far this season, with their opening-night lineup of Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol available for only 17 games so far, going 12-5.
Siakam returned from his All-Star debut with a splash, dropping 37 points with 12 rebounds, three assists and three blocks Friday on 12-of-19 shooting, hitting 5-of-9 from 3-point range. After topping 30 points five times in his first three seasons, it was the 14th time this year Siakam has scored at least 30 in a game.