NBA Power Rankings Week 1: The rise of the Brooklyn Nets
By Corey Rausch
Previous: 4th. Miami Heat. 6. team. 110. . 1-1
Last Week: Lost to Orlando Magic 113-107, Beat New Orleans Pelicans 111-98
This Week: 12/29/2020 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 12/30/2020 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 1/1/2021 at Dallas Mavericks
After a disheartening loss to the Orlando Magic in game one, the Miami Heat bounced back in a real way on Christmas Day. Against the Magic, you could tell it was a quick turnaround and the team was still going to treat the beginning of the season as an extended training camp.
Duncan Robinson hitting seven 3-pointers in a game helps erase any sort of inconsistency. He led the way in game two and was one of six double-figure scorers. Goran Dragic looks like he is on a revenge tour off the bat. Keep an eye on the ankle injury for Jimmy Butler. It limited him to only 16 minutes against New Orleans.
Regardless, Miami looks ready to continue to be a matchup nightmare for teams. Also, if the super small sample size is any indication, Precious Achiuwa was an absolute steal.
2-0. Previous: 3rd. Philadelphia 76ers. 5. team. 93.
Last Week: Beat Washington Wizards 113-107, Beat the New York Knicks 109-89
This Week: 12/27/2020 at Cleveland Cavaliers, 12/29/2020 vs. Toronto Raptors, 12/31/2020 at Orlando Magic, 1/2/2021 vs. Charlotte Hornets
So far so good for the Philadelphia 76ers. They have not taken on the top of the league as of yet but they have taken care of business and their depth is being integrated and paying dividends so far. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are thriving with more talent around them and Embiid specifically has been dominant.
Shake Milton picked up where he left off before the season paused last season and the team has to enjoy that. He brings a spark off the bench and allows the offense to continue to flow. Dwight Howard has been everything you could have asked for in two games so far.
The only negative to point to at this point is the continued struggles of Danny Green.If that is the worst thing going on, this season already feels much better. Even better, the Sixers got a win on the road, something they struggled to do last year no matter who the opponent was.