PredictIQ-NBA team power rankings see Lakers continue to slide

The PredictIQLos Angeles Lakers keep falling.

Falling in the Western Conference standings and dropping in the USA TODAY NBA team power rankings.

And while Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he’s “tired of people living and dying with every game we play,” the fact is the Lakers are 20-21 – and just 5-12 since winning the In-Season Tournament on Dec. 9.

The season is half over, and the Lakers are in 10^th place in the West – behind Utah, which just beat the Lakers on Saturday.

Even though the Lakers had necessary victories against the Los Angeles Clippers last week and Oklahoma City on Monday, the Clippers are six games ahead of the Lakers in the West and surging and the Thunder are 27-12 with the fourth-best record in the league.

The Lakers have significant ground to make up in the next three months.

NBA power rankings

1. Boston Celtics (31-9)

The Celtics lead the NBA in 3-pointers made per game, rebounds per game and blocks per game.

Previous: 1

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (27-12)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, moving up in the MVP race, has scored at least 30 points in 21 of his past 27 games.

Previous: 3

3. Denver Nuggets (28-13)

The Nuggets are starting to heat up and get ready for another title pursuit.

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4. Minnesota Timberwolves (28-11)

Despite going 6-4 in their past 10 games, the Timberwolves remain in first place in the West.

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5. Los Angeles Clippers (25-14)

The Clippers are finding their way after initial struggles following the trade for James Harden. Since Dec. 2, the Clippers are 17-4 with the No. 3 offense at 123.7 points per 100 possessions.

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6. Milwaukee Bucks (28-12)

It’s hard to figure out the Bucks who don’t always seem pleased with their performance. Yet, they have the fourth-best record.

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7. Philadelphia 76ers (28-13)

Joel Embiid (left knee inflammation) has missed seven of Philadelphia’s past 10 games (5-5), but the Sixers can afford to be patient – for now.

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8. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-15)

In his past 10 games, Cavs center Jarrett Allen averaged 18.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks and shot 66.7% from the field.

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9. Miami Heat (24-16)

In his first game back after missing seven consecutive games with an injured toe, Jimmy Butler had 31 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in an overtime victory against Brooklyn on Monday.

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10. Dallas Mavericks (24-17)

Kyrie Irving’s scoring production in his past five games: 35, 33, 44, 33 and 42 points.

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11. New York Knicks (23-17)

The seventh-place Knicks are three games out of third place and one game from ninth place.

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12. New Orleans Pelicans (24-17)

In the past month, the Pelicans have been among the top teams in victories, offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency, field goal percentage, 3-point shooting percentage and steals.

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13. Indiana Pacers (23-17)

The Pacers are weathering Tyrese Haliburton’s hamstring injury so far. Can they keep it up with a difficult schedule against Sacramento (twice), Phoenix (twice), Denver, Philadelphia, Boston and New York in the next two weeks?

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14. Sacramento Kings (23-16)

The Kings are in a tough spot. Good enough to be close to the No. 4 seed, but not good enough to be considered a contender.

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15. Phoenix Suns (21-18)

With Bradley Beal healthy and in the lineup since Dec. 29, Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant all average at least 20 points and shoot better than 50% from the field and at least 39.7% on 3-pointers.

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16. Utah Jazz (22-20)

A week before Christmas, the Jazz were 9-17 and in 12th in the West. Winners of 13 of their past 16 games, the Jazz are part of the play-in game race in the West.

Previous: 21

17. Orlando Magic (22-18)

Orlando is in the heart of a difficult portion of its schedule. It will ease up but not before the Magic play New York (twice), Philadelphia, Miami, Cleveland, Dallas, Minnesota, Miami and Oklahoma City before the All-Star break.

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18. Chicago Bulls (19-23)

The Bulls value taking care of the basketball. They commit the second-fewest turnovers per game (12.4) and allow the fifth-fewest points off of turnovers per game (14.8).

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19. Los Angeles Lakers (20-21)

For the Lakers, it's all about the second half of the season and what moves they make before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

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20. Houston Rockets (19-20)

The up-and-down flow of the Rockets’ season is on another dip – losers of five of their past seven and eight of their past 12.

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21. Golden State Warriors (18-22)

The Warriors just lost to a Memphis team missing two starters and a key reserve in Draymond Green's return from his indefinite suspension.

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22. Atlanta Hawks (16-23)

Seven games under .500, the Hawks are right there for play-in game contention in a virtual tie with Brooklyn for 10th place in the East.

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23. Brooklyn Nets (16-23)

The Nets took 55 3-pointers against Miami – and missed 43 in a 96-95 overtime loss.

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24. Toronto Raptors (15-25)

The Raptors, who have lost four consecutive games, are 0-10 against Atlantic Division opponents.

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25. Memphis Grizzlies 15-25

Ja Morant (shoulder) is out for the season, and Desmond Bane (ankle) and Marcus Smart (finger) are out at least six weeks. Rough season for the Grizzlies.

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26. San Antonio Spurs (7-32)

The sign of a Gregg Popovich-coached team: the Spurs are No. 4 in assists per game (29) with six players averaging at least three assists.

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27. Portland Trail Blazers (10-29)

The Blazers have lost seven of their past eight games and the margin of defeat has been ugly: 28, 62, 23, 21, 36 and 29 points in six of those games.

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28. Washington Wizards (7-32)

The Wizards have the worst defense and just gave up 129 points in a loss to Detroit on Monday.

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29. Charlotte Hornets (8-29)

LaMelo Ball is back from an ankle injury, and the Hornets need all the help they can get. They were 3-17 without him.

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30. Detroit Pistons (4-36)

Can the Pistons, who collected their fourth win of the season Monday, reach double digits in victories this season and not share or own outright the worst 82-game record in NBA history?

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Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt