Here are my NBA power rankings for November 28, 2014. Enjoy!
#1. Memphis Grizzlies (13-2): Their two losses to the Bucks and Raptors are by a combined 5 points. Also, they have won three straight games despite getting hit with a stomach virus. Nothing appears capable of slowing the Grizzlies down.
#2. Toronto Raptors (13-2): They've won six straight games and in the process have defeated some good teams like the Grizzlies, Cavaliers, and Suns. A key to their early success has been the emergence of Lou Williams as a legitimate third option to take the pressure of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. He dropped 22 points on the Hawks and a career high 36 points on the Cavaliers.
#3. Golden State Warriors (12-2): The scariest part about this Warriors team is that Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry haven't reached their ceiling yet.
#4. Portland Trail Blazers (12-3): The Trail Blazers will be gunning for 10 straight wins against the Grizzlies tonight in Portland. This will really tell us where the Trail Blazers are at. I'm not taking credit away from their nine straight wins, but the only really quality win they've had in this winning streak is their win over the Bulls on the 21st.
#5. Houston Rockets (12-3): With Dwight Howard out with a right knee issue, James Harden has taken it upon himself to carry this team. So far he's doing a pretty good job (25.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists).
#6. San Antonio Spurs (10-4): It didn't take long for the Spurs to wake up. They've won five straight games, and with games against the Kings, Celtics, and 76ers coming up, this winning streak should keep on going.
#7. Dallas Mavericks (11-5): Interesting road trip coming up for the Mavericks: @Toronto, @Philadelphia, @Chicago, and @Milwaukee. The only "easy" opponent on this road trip is the 76ers and the Mavericks play them on the second half of a back-to-back on Saturday.
#8. Chicago Bulls (10-6): Derrick Rose came back for Friday afternoon's tilt with the Celtics and helped lead the team to the victory, scoring 21 points in 28 minutes of action. Great news for the Bulls.
#9. Los Angeles Clippers (9-5): They have gone 2-0 so far on their four game road trip, defeating the Hornets and Pistons. However, the Rockets and Jazz should both be much more challenging.
#10. Washington Wizards (9-5): The return of Bradley Beal should give this team a huge lift.
#11. Phoenix Suns (10-6): They have to trade Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, or Isaiah Thomas. This three point guard experiment is just weird and it has to end for the sake of this team's sanity.
#12. Sacramento Kings (9-6): I gotta give these guys credit. They are hanging tough and DeMarcus Cousins is delivering the goods: 23.5 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.
#13. Milwaukee Bucks (9-7): The Bucks continue to be an early season surprise. That loss for the Grizzlies suddenly doesn't look so bad with the way these guys are playing.
#14. Denver Nuggets (7-8): These guys had a five game winning streak snapped in Phoenix, which is not an easy place to win. The Nuggets appear to be hitting their stride and should finish right around the 41 win mark that I projected them to finish at.
#15. Atlanta Hawks (7-6): They remain a little bit up and down. Upcoming home games against the Hornets and Celtics ought to steady them.
#16. New Orleans Pelicans (7-6): The loss of Eric Gordon isn't as bad as some might think. He was only giving them 9.5 points per game and all he has ever done well is score.
#17. Miami Heat (8-7): They are doing better than the Cavaliers, which is kind of humorous. But all jokes aside, this team isn't going to be a serious factor so long as Dwyane Wade remains in and out of the lineup.
#18. Cleveland Cavaliers (7-7): Are they a work in progress? Yes. Is it time to panic? No.
#19. Brooklyn Nets (6-8): Everybody thought they would be the team to first fall to the 76ers, but they ended up pulling it out. Had they lost to the 76ers, things would really be coming unglued.
#20. Indiana Pacers (6-9): David West's return should give them a lift.
#21. Orlando Magic (6-11): The early injury to Aaron Gordon does have to concern them. They better hope they didn't draft a guy who always gets hurt because he is really key to their long-term future and success.
#22. Utah Jazz (6-11): They are much improved, no doubt, but the Western Conference is as vicious as ever and as a result, they will still struggle to win games even with all their improvement.
#23. Boston Celtics (4-9): With Marcus Smart returning, it'll be interesting to see if the Rajon Rondo trade rumors heat up should Smart play well.
#24. Charlotte Hornets (4-12): Even with Gary Neal's injury problems, this team should be better than 4-12.
#25. Oklahoma City Thunder (4-12): These guys desperately need Durant and Westbrook back. Fortunately, Westbrook is playing tonight against the Knicks.
#26. New York Knicks (4-12): And now Carmelo Anthony has back problems. Things have gone from bad to really really bad.
#27. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-10): Andrew Wiggins is looking like a great pick up, but they are still a long ways off from being competitive.
#28. Los Angeles Lakers (3-12): After getting that boost from Nick Young's return, they have since lost three straight games.
#29. Detroit Pistons (3-12): A showdown with the Lakers on December 2 at home could vault them to #28 in my power rankings.
#30. Philadelphia 76ers (0-15): They don't have a game that they can be expected to win until December 15 against the Celtics. Looks like my beard will continue to grow.
---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord
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