NBA Power Rankings Week 8: The Phoenix Suns are rising

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 31: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz drives into Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 31, 2020 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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16-10. Previous: 3rd. Milwaukee Bucks. 5. team. 89.

Last Week: Beat Denver Nuggets 125-112, Lost to Phoenix Suns 125-124, Lost to Utah Jazz 129-115

This Week: 2/14 at Oklahoma City Thunder, 2/16 vs. Toronto Raptors, 2/18 vs. Toronto Raptors, 2/19 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Even against an impossible slate, it is still tough to feel good about the Milwaukee Bucks losing two out of three games this week. The criticism will be light because if Giannis Antetokounmpo got one last shot to fall against the Phoenix Suns, a winning week is a different story.

Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton were absolutely fantastic this week. The reigning MVP put up a line of 35.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. It is often thrown around that a player does everything they can to win but that is hardly more evident than in a stat line like that.

Middleton is continuing to solidify his All-Star campaign and more importantly is thriving in more of a facilitator role (9.0 assists per game this week). He is everything a contending team needs in their stars and should be given more credit as the elite player that he is.

The fact that Milwaukee was able to be as competitive against some of the best teams in the league with Jrue Holiday out of the lineup should not be ignored. Bryn Forbes has been given a bigger role in his absence and has run with it. The Bucks are clicking and will undoubtedly get back on a roll with the week ahead of them.