NBA Power Rankings: Jan. 25, 2015
This is the first edition of NBA power rankings that I will release. The plan is to roll out a fresh slate of power rankings each Sunday based off of the teams’ performance that week.
This week in the NBA Klay Thompson broke an NBA-record for points scored in a single quarter when he scored 37 points on 13-13 shooting in the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings. James Harden nailed his first career buzzer-beater for the win against the Phoenix Suns. Finally, the Warriors, Hawks, Clippers, and Cavaliers each survived the week without a blemish.
Without further ado, I present to you the first Heat Waved version of the NBA power rankings for the 2014-2015 season:
Jan 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) shoots the ball in front of Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (33) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 126-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) and forward Paul Millsap (4) react late in the game as the Hawks win their team record 15th consecutive game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Thunder 103-93. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) reacts after the play during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) looks to shoot over Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario (42) during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after hitting the game winning shot at the buzzer against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Rockets defeated the Suns 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) defends at FedExForum. Dallas defeated Memphis 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) passes the ball away from Brooklyn Nets guard Jarrett Jack (0) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) shoots the ball as Los Angeles Lakers power forward Carlos Boozer (5) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) is fouled by Portland Trail Blazers guard Will Barton (5) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives against Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors defeated the 76ers 91-86. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) celebrates a play with guard Goran Dragic (1) in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Blazers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) and forward Kevin Durant (35) get between forward Serge Ibaka (9) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) during a dispute after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Thunder 103-93. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) works against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert (4) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 129-90. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) looks to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Thaddeus Young (33) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo (00) drives towards the basket during the third quarter against the Utah Jazz at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) is pressured by Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Heat won 89-87. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy (C) talks to guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) and guard Jodie Meeks (20) in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) dribbles the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) in the third quarter at Pepsi Center. The Celtics defeated the Nuggets 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with center Enes Kanter (0) during the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) drives against the basket against San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw (33) and forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Spurs won 109-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Hedo Turkoglu (15) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) looks on during a timeout in the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Sleep Train Arena. The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Sacramento Kings 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives on New York Knicks forward Lou Amundson (21) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey (2) dribbles the ball past Miami Heat forward Chris Andersen (11) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Heat won 89-87. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives past Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 98-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Nick Young (0) reacts after a shot against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) scores and is congratulated by guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors defeated the 76ers 91-86. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) celebrates with Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Timberwolves won 113-105. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports