NBA Week 10 Power Rankings: All-Star Snub Edition

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 24: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 24, 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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13-21. Previous: 29th. Cleveland Cavaliers. 24. team. 156.

Last Week: Lost to Oklahoma City Thunder 117-101, Beat Atlanta Hawks 112-111, Beat Houston Rockets 112-96, Beat/OT Philadelphia 76ers 112-109

This Week: 3/1 at Houston Rockets, 3/3 vs. Indiana Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers had dropped 10 games in a row. Since then, they have won three games in a row. It is easy to handwave wins against the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets at this point in the season. All you have to do is show up and try a little to secure a victory. Beating the Philadelphia 76ers is another thing.

Darius Garland and Collin Sexton were on fire against the Sixers, combining for 53 points against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Sexton averaged 26.8 points, 3.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game this week and Garland was right on track, posting a line of 18.5 points, 8.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals a night.

Jarrett Allen is thriving too, given an increased opportunity now that Andre Drummond has been banished into seclusion. This week, the center averaged a line of 19.8 points, 14.8 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.3 assists per game.

Cleveland misses Larry Nance Jr. more than anyone on the outside can imagine. He is a defensive anchor and leaving the bulk of that duty to Isaac Okoro is an unreasonable task. For now, they will have to rely on more offensive surges like they experienced this week to get wins.