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NBA Power Rankings Week 11: All-Star break edition

By Corey Rausch

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
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34. . 21-14. Previous: 12th. Portland Trail Blazers. 10. team

Last Week: Beat Charlotte Hornets 123-111, Beat Golden State Warriors 108-106, Beat Sacramento Kings 123-119

This Week: 3/11 vs. Phoenix Suns, 3/13 at Minnesota Timberwolves

Fans of the Portland Trail Blazers must be ecstatic that they come into the All-Star break with 21 wins after missing CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins for this length of time. Damian Lillard has been exemplary, the kind of Human Torch level talent that will go incendiary at a moment’s notice. Dame Time is not just a catchphrase. It has carried Portland to this point.

Lillard is averaging 29.8 points (third in the league), 8.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game and has continued to build his reputation as one of the best clutch players in the league. He has made an impact on his teammates. Because they have continued to win games, the spotlight has grown brighter on the teammates that have taken steps forward.

Since McCollum was sidelined, four Blazers besides Liillard have averaged double-figure scoring. Gary Trent Jr. (17.0), Carmelo Anthony (14.9), Enes Kanter (13.0) and Anferee Simons (10.0) have stepped up in the absence of their teammates alongside Lillard in different ways. Trent is continuing his strong play from the bubble and is a 3-point marksman (40.6 percent on 7.3 attempts per game). Anthony continues to climb up the all-time scoring list. Kanter has been cleaning the glass as well as scoring, averaging 13.3 rebounds a night since Jan. 18.

Simons represents the future for the Blazers. He is in his third season and is starting to realize some of the potential that had him listed as a top-10 recruit in high school. He will introduce himself to a new audience this weekend as he appears in the Slam Dunk Contest. As soon as McCollum and Nurkic come back, the Blazers are set to pop off.