NBA Power Rankings 18: A new top team as the playoffs approach

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149. . 20-40. Previous: 29th. Oklahoma City Thunder. 30. team

Last Week: Lost to Toronto Raptors 112-106, Lost to Washington Wizards 119-107, Lost to Indiana Pacers 122-115, Lost to Washington Wizards 129-109

This Week: 4/26 at Philadelphia 76ers, 4/27 at Boston Celtics, 4/29 vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 5/1 vs. Indiana Pacers

The Oklahoma City Thunder may not have been eliminated from playoff contention yet or secured the worst record in the league, but that is not from lack of trying. They are currently losers of 13 games in a row and do not seem bothered by the fact that they have not won a game since March 31.

The two best players for the Thunder during the losing streak have also been drastically limited in terms of games played. Lu Dort, one of the breakout stories for the Thunder, has played five games so far and is averaging 26.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. The solid 3-point shooting to start the season has not waned (47.4 percent this month), changing the game for Oklahoma City going forward.

Darius Bazley has been in and out of the lineup but when he is on the court he has been impressive. In eight games in April, he is averaging 19.1 points and 6.9 rebounds a night. Of all of the younger guys getting solid minutes, Bazley feels like the next most likely to blossom.

As good as Bazley and Dort have been, the fan base remains locked in on Aleksej Pokusevksi. Over the 13 game losing streak (of which he has appeared in 10 games), the rookie is averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. He is also turning the ball over 2.9 times per game and may have too happy of a trigger finger (shooting splits of .366/.322/.636), but fun is all that matters for the time being.