2019 NBA Power Rankings: Week Eight

12/12/2019

Here at the ICT Zone, our power rankings are based on a very simple philosophy. "To be the man you gotta beat the man", if a lower ranked team beats a higher ranked team, then the two teams automatically swap spots regardless of results from prior weeks. After a few weeks off, we are back with week eight of the the NBA season.

The Grizzlies have been a volatile presence in our rankings so far this season, becoming the first team to occupy the top and bottom spots at some point. Despite having perhaps the frontrunner for Rookie-of-the-Year in Ja Morant, the Grizzlies have not been able to match up well against other teams. While surprisingly getting the number 2 pick in the 2019 draft helps move along the Grizzlies' timeline, they still have quite a way to go to be contenders in the West.

One team that has struggled of late is the Minnesota Timberwolves, having lost their past 5 games. Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins have been carrying the team, but their supporting cast needs to step up if they want to be a playoff team. Still, having 2 all-star-caliber players puts them ahead of other teams vying for one of the last spots in the Western Conference.

Teams that have been first: Sacramento Kings (1x), Houston Rockets (2x), Memphis Grizzlies (1x)

Teams that have been last: Memphis Grizzlies (2x), Golden State Warriors (1x), Minnesota Timberwolves (1x)


1. Memphis Grizzlies +29

(7-16)


2. Sacramento Kings +7

(10-13)


3. Milwaukee Bucks +2

(22-3)


4. Boston Celtics +7

(17-5)


5. Detroit Pistons +23

(10-14)


6. Miami Heat -2

(18-6)


7. Los Angeles Lakers -5

(21-3)


8. Los Angeles Clippers +2

(18-7)


9. Houston Rockets -8

(15-8)


10. San Antonio Spurs +17

(9-14)


11. Indiana Pacers -3

(15-9)


12. Oklahoma City Thunder +4

(11-12)


13. Charlotte Hornets +10

(10-16)


14. Utah Jazz +15

(13-11)


15. Brooklyn Nets 

(13-10)


16. Portland Trail Blazers +6

(10-15)


17. Philadelphia 76ers

(18-7)


18. Orlando Magic -12

(11-12)


19. Atlanta Hawks -1

(6-18)


20. Phoenix Suns -7

(11-12)


21. Washington Wizards -2

(7-16)


22. Denver Nuggets -19

(14-8)


23. Golden State Warriors -3

(5-20)


24. New Orleans Pelicans -12

(6-19)


25. Toronto Raptors -4

(16-7)


26. Dallas Mavericks -19

(16-7)


27. New York Knicks -4

(4-20)


28. Cleveland Cavaliers -2

(5-18)


29. Chicago Bulls -5

(8-17)


30. Minnesota Timberwolves -16

(10-13)



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