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NBA Power Rankings Week 5: How good are the Utah Jazz?

By Corey Rausch

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 21, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 21, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

156. . 8-7. Previous: 23rd. Cleveland Cavaliers. 13. team

Last Week: 1/17 at Washington Wizards (POSTPONED), 1/18 at Washington Wizards (POSTPONED), Beat/2OT Brooklyn Nets 147-135, Beat Brooklyn Nets 125-113

This Week: 1/24 at Boston Celtics, 1/25 vs Los Angeles Lakers, 1/27 vs. Detroit Pistons, 1/29 at New York Knicks

All of a sudden, are the Cleveland Cavaliers real playoff contenders? The roll they were on to start the season was plenty of fun but when all of their guards started missing games, scoring got significantly tougher. After having their two games against the Washington Wizards postponed and facing down the challenge of the new Big Three in the Brooklyn Nets, there were reasons for concern.

Collin Sexton told them to stop worrying. In the first game that all of Brookyln’s three stars played together, the third-year guard went off for 42 points to propel his team to a double-overtime upset win. On Friday night with Kevin Durant out, the Cavs pulled off another win in regulation and Sexton had 25 points and nine assists.

This is about more than just Sexton, even as he has been transcendent. Jarrett Allen, the former Net, has been effective while he is figuring out his new team. Andre Drummond has been his normal solid self, leading the league in rebounding again. Rookie Isaac Okoro is a transformative defensive force. Even Dylan Windler and Darius Garland are back in the lineup. Had the Kevin Porter Jr. incident not occurred this week, it would have been a perfect week.