NBA Power Rankings Week 9: The slide of the Los Angeles Lakers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center on February 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

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19. team. 142. . 10-17. Previous: 29th. Washington Wizards

Last Week: Beat Boston Celtics 104-91, Beat Houston Rockets 131-119, Beat Denver Nuggets 130-128, Beat Portland Trail Blazers 118-111

This Week: 2/22 at Los Angeles Lakers, 2/23 at LA Clippers, 2/25 at Denver Nuggets, 2/27 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

The time for jokes at the expense of the Washington Wizards may have finally come to an end. Winners of four games in a row, the Wizards are still further down the standings than they would like to be but find themselves only 1.5 games out of the final play-in spot. Even better, they are starting to look like the team that fans expected coming into the season.

Before this week, rare was the win that Russell Westbrook suited up for. Being a part of all four wins this week had to feel good for the former MVP. Westbrook averaged a triple-double this week, posting a line of 17.0 points, 12.8 assists and 11.5 rebounds a game. While his efficiency stayed bad (shooting spits of .411/.000/.471) he is doing enough crafty things to allow his teammates to succeed.

Bradley Beal is the main benefactor (33.5 points per game this week) but he is far from the only one. Davis Bertans looked like the player he did last year at long last. He averaged 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds while canning 58.1 percent of his 7.8 3-point attempts per game.

The Wizards have a tough week ahead, having just started a four-game Western Conference road trip. Beating the Blazers on the road is impressive enough. With tests against both teams from Los Angeles and a rematch against the Denver Nuggets, this week will shed some light on how real the Wizards return to form is.