Advertisement

The Times’ NBA rankings

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry drives around Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward during a game on Jan. 30.
(Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)
Share

Last week’s ranking in parentheses, statistics are through Thursday’s games:

1. GOLDEN STATE: Curry, Thompson are first two All-Star starters for Warriors since Barry, Thurmond in 1967. (3)

2. ATLANTA: Hawks have record-tying four All-Stars: Kyle Korver, Jeff Teague, Al Horford, Paul Millsap. (1)

3. MEMPHIS: Back to the Grind House, with the Grizzlies giving up 95.7 points a game, tops in the NBA. (2)

Advertisement

4. CHICAGO: Won four in a row after losing 10 of previous 15 to open 1¿1/2¿-game lead over Cavaliers in Central Division. (10)

5. CLEVELAND: Went through the motions in loss to Bulls in last game before All-Star break. LeBron had eight turnovers. (4)

6. HOUSTON: James Harden for MVP? He leads NBA in scoring (27.4) and has scored more than 40 six times. (5)

7. TORONTO: Making history. At 36-17, it’s the Raptors’ best record at the All-Star break in team’s 20 years of existence. (7)

8. SAN ANTONIO: Tim Duncan selected to 15th All-Star team, tied for third-most with Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett. (6)

9. PORTLAND: Damian Lillard is the only player to score in double figures in all of his team’s games this season. (8)

Advertisement

10. CLIPPERS: Clippers go 2-1 after Blake Griffin’s elbow surgery, with DeAndre Jordan putting up 20-20 in wins. (11)

11. DALLAS: Got to get healthy. Rajon Rondo (eye), Tyson Chandler (ankle), Monta Ellis (hip) all have injuries. (9)

12. WASHINGTON: All-Star break needed after losing six of eight. Bradley Beal out nursing leg, big toe injuries. (12)

13. MILWAUKEE: Bucks are the first team in NBA history to double last season’s win total by the All-Star break. (13)

14. OKLAHOMA CITY: Making its playoff push with two stars healthy and is just behind the last spot in the West. (18)

15. PHOENIX: Lost seven of last 10 before the break, and can see Oklahoma City coming fast in rearview mirror. (15)

Advertisement

16. NEW ORLEANS: Must get Anthony Davis back for playoff push. He missed two games with sprained right shoulder. (16)

17. CHARLOTTE: Health issues. Kemba Walker (knee), Michael-Kidd Gilchrist (hamstring) out. Lost three straight. (14)

18. BOSTON: Flying under the radar, Celtics are only 1¿1/2¿ games out of playoff spot in East after winning four of five. (20)

19. MIAMI: Dwyane Wade, out last seven games with hamstring injury, plans return in first game after All-Star break. (21)

20. BROOKLYN: Won three straight, including impressive victories over Clippers, Raptors, but then lost last three. (17)

21. DETROIT: Pistons have lost seven of last 11, but they’re still in playoff picture, two games out in the woeful East. (19)

Advertisement

22. INDIANA: Good news. Paul George, out with a broken right leg, eyes March 1 return from gruesome injury. (22)

23. UTAH: Passing the ball a bit more couldn’t hurt. Jazz ranks 28th in assists, averaging only 20.3 a game. (26)

24. DENVER: Rumors have the Nuggets looking to move Arron Affalo, Wilson Chandler, Jameer Nelson. (24)

26. SACRAMENTO: George Karl takes over as coach after the All-Star break. His new team has lost eight of last 10. (25)

25. ORLANDO: Why not add him to the All-Star team? Nik Vucevic third in NBA in double-doubles with 32. (23)

27. LAKERS: Set franchise record for most consecutive losses on road (11). Is worst record (19-53) next? (27)

Advertisement

28. MINNESOTA: Ricky Rubio making strides. Had 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists against Warriors. (28)

29. PHILADELPHIA: Time to reflect during 10-day break. Hope to get Michael Carter-Williams (finger) back. (29)

30. NEW YORK: With Knicks going nowhere, will Carmelo shut it down after All-Star break because of nagging knee? (30)

Advertisement