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)
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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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Last Week: Beat Boston Celtics 100-91, Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 119-113, Beat Milwaukee Bucks 125 – 124, Beat Philadelphia 76ers 120 -111

This Week: 2/14 vs. Orlando Magic, 2/16 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 2/19 at New Orleans Pelicans, 2/20 at Memphis Grizzlies

Winners of five straight games, the Phoenix Suns are rolling back up this list. The Suns started a seven-game homestand on Feb. 5 and so far have not dropped a game. This week, that meant beating the likes of the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. In case that needed clarification, that is three of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference who walked out of Phoenix with an L.

Devin Booker was truly amazing this week, seemingly hearing the questions about his All-Star candidacy and taking them to heart. Booker averaged 30.0 points, 6.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game on shooting splits of .529/.455/.818. His teammate Chris Paul made it clear he thinks Booker is an All-Star lock. With production like that, the case is an easy one to make.

The team effort is what is truly impressive about this win streak. Seven Suns averaged double figures in scoring over the week. They are taking teams apart and getting everyone involved. This is the sort of balanced attack that becomes impossible to defend and the fact that the Suns are thriving with such a slow pace (slowest in the league) bodes well for the postseason.

Phoenix is legit and has a chance to finish out the homestand taking down the final top-four Eastern Conference team on their list this week.