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

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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Previous: 27th. Sacramento Kings. 28. team. 84. . 6-10

Last Week: Lost New Orleans Pelicans 128-123, Lost to LA Clippers 115-96, Beat New York Knicks 103-94

This Week: 1/24 at Memphis Grizzlies (POSTPONED), 1/25 at Memphis Grizzlies (POSTPONED), 1/27 Orlando Magic, 1/29 at Toronto Raptors, 1/30 at Miami Heat

In what may be the most needed win for a team in this section of the rankings, the Sacramento Kings finished off the week with a win over the New York Knicks. The Kings had previously lost four in a row and were facing five days off due to their next two games being postponed. Letting the losing streak fester for that long could have gotten ugly.

This does not cover up Sacramento’s red flags just yet. The defense has been an absolute disaster. Friday was the first time this month they had held a team under 100 points. They are on pace to be the worst defensive team in history, not a recipe for success in a deep Western Conference.

The offensive has been steadily improving in an attempt to offset their flailing on the other end. De’Aaron Fox, as always, is the focal point. Over the last week he averaged 30.0 points, 9.0 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the floor overall and 40.0 percent from 3-point range.

He was the best of the five Kings to average double figures in scoring over the last three games. The only one who was more efficient was Richaun Holmes, who does his work right under the hoop.