MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017 SPORTS KUWAIT TIMES NBA POWER RANKINGS By Ahmad Jabr KUWAIT: In addition to its usual coverage of the NBA, Kuwait Times introduces a new feature this year: the NBA Power Rankings. It is a weekly list ranking each team based on its performance during the week. The actual record for each team (put between brackets, for games played as of Sunday morning in Kuwait’s local time) plays a role in the assessment process but is not the main factor for deciding each team’s ranking, thus making it different from tradi- tional league standings. This week’s edition features changes in the top ten, including a new number one. (For any comments or suggestions, e-mail the writer at: [email protected]) 1- Golden State Warriors (34 - 6) Last week: Wizards and Knicks. He finished with 28 points 2 - The lethal combination of balanced in 39 minutes, and went 3-of-4 from the three- offense (second in the league in offensive effi- point line and 7-10 from the free-through line. ciency) and strong defense (third in the league in defensive efficiency) is driving the Warriors’ 16- Portland Trail Blazers (18 - 24) Last case for the title this year, but they know that week: 18 - Coach Terry Stotts made the neces- they need to beat the Cavs tonight in order to sary defensive adjustments since the Blazers have the confidence boost necessary to finished 2016 with the league’s worst defense. achieve that ultimate goal. They improved to third in the league in defen- sive rating since losing to the Raptors on Dec 2- Cleveland Cavaliers (29 - 10) Last week: 1 26, and held the Cavs, who rank fifth in offen- - Kyle Korver finally found his rhythm and sive rating, to only 86 points en route to victo- went for 18 points (four three-pointers) to lead ry on Wednesday. the Cavs to victory on Friday and snap a two- game skid. They need all of their power 17- Charlotte Hornets (20 - 20) Last week: tonight as they prepare to go against a 13 - No loss probably hurt in their current Warriors squad looking to avenge their four-game skid as much as their defeat to the Christmas Day loss. 76ers on Friday. Their defense has been sub- par during that stretch, and couldn’t stop Joel 3- San Antonio Spurs (31 - 9) Last week: 4 - Embiid on Friday as he went for 24 points and The Spurs came up short against the Suns in shot 12-14 from the free-through line. MEXICO CITY: Phoenix Suns’ T.J. Warren (C) vies for the ball with San Antonio Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge (R), during the NBA’s annual showdown in Mexico City, an NBA Global Games match at the Mexico City Arena, on Saturday, in Mexico City. — AFP after Phoenix’s guard Devin Booker took 18- New Orleans Pelicans (16 - 25) Last advantage of being guarded by Tony Parker week: 20 - Following Monday’s win over the instead of the two-time reigning NBA Knicks, Anthony Davis had four straight games Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard for with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds. Only Suns beat Spurs 108-105, most of the game. Booker finished with 39 three players have had a streak of five games points to Leonard’s 38. or longer in the last 30 seasons: Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Kevin Love (per Clippers defeat Lakers 4- Toronto Raptors (26 - 13) Last week: 6 - ESPN Stats and Information). The Raptors made a statement with their win over the Celtics on Tuesday, and look poised 19- New York Knicks (18 - 22) Last week: 19 MEXICO CITY: Devin Booker scored a Paul added 20 points and 13 assists to Gobert blocked Nikola Vucevic’s shot, as a relatively easy schedule ahead can help - The Knicks recuperated a little with their win career-high 39 points for the second help the Clippers improve to 6-0 in Hood was hurt when his right knee them further tighten their hold over the sec- over the Bulls after a frustrating loss to the straight game in Mexico City as the 2017. They are off to their best start buckled as he went up for a layup. ond place in the Eastern Conference stand- 76ers. Derrick Rose admitted that his team Phoenix Suns beat the San Antonio since going 7-0 to begin 1974 when Hood screamed in pain and clutched ings. They received good news last week needs to play better defense, and suggested Spurs 108-105 on Saturday in the fifth the franchise was located in Buffalo. the knee immediately upon falling. when it was announced that key summer that coach Jeff Hornacek should ‘go hard’ on regular-season game in the country. Their streak is the longest active one The Jazz said it was a hyperextended free-agent acquisition Jared Sullinger, who them in that regard. Booker was 12 of 22 from the field in the NBA. Jordan Clarkson scored 21 knee and Hood was walking gingerly has been out since October with an injury, was and Eric Bledsoe added 17 points and points for the Lakers. but without assistance in the locker cleared for team practice. 20- Detroit Pistons (18 - 24) Last week: 17 - 10 assists. Coming off a loss to Dallas room. Gobert added 19 points and Coach Stan Van Gundy tweaked his starting in their Mexican opener Thursday BULLS 107, PELICANS 99 19 rebounds for Utah. Hood had 14 5- Houston Rockets (31 - 11) Last week: 3 - lineup on Saturday, starting center Aron night, the Suns overcame an 11-point Jimmy Butler scored 28 points in points. Elfrid Payton had a career- The Rockets lost consecutive games for the Baynes over the injured Kentavious Caldwell- deficit to snap a two-game losing his return from the flu while Dwyane high 28 points and added nine first time this season following defeats against Pope, alongside big man Andre Drummond. streak. Kawhi Leonard had 38 points Wade had 17 of his 22 points in the rebounds and nine assists for the Grizzlies and Timberwolves, which also But it didn’t do much for the team on both for the Spurs (31-9). Booker made two fourth quarter in Chicago’s victory Orlando. came after a nine-game winning streak. The ends, as they finished with only 77 points and baskets in the last minute, including a over New Orleans. Butler returned matchup against Memphis seems to be a bad allowed the Jazz to score 110. dunk off a break with Bledsoe to put after missing two games, and had 19 WIZARDS 109, 76ERS 93 one for Houston, and they hope to avoid fac- the Suns up 106-103. Leonard made points in the first half. Taj Gibson John Wall had 25 points, seven ing them in the playoffs. 21- Minnesota Timberwolves (14 - 26) Last two free throws to get San Antonio added 15 points and 16 rebounds to rebounds and seven assists while week: 27 - Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his within one, P.J. Tucker made two free help the Bulls snap a three-game los- Bradley Beal added 20 points as 6- Boston Celtics (25 - 15) Last week: 5 - The 11th career game with at least 25 points and throws for Phoenix, and the Spurs’ ing streak. Anthony Davis had 36 Washington used a second-half spurt Celtics recovered from their loss to the Raptors 15 rebounds on Friday. Over the past 30 sea- Danny Green missed an open 3- points, 14 rebounds and three blocks to beat Philadelphia. The 76ers had on Tuesday with wins against the Wizards and sons, only three other NBA players have more pointer to seal the win for the Suns. for New Orleans. won three straight for the first time in Hawks. Isaiah Thomas made sure that Al such games before turning 22: Shaquille more than three years. They played Horford’s return to Atlanta on Friday would be O’Neal (31), Dwight Howard (12) and Tim CLIPPERS 113, LAKERS 97 JAZZ 114, MAGIC 107 without rookie star Joel Embiid. He a triumphant one by scoring the buzzer-beat- Duncan (12) (per ESPN Stats and Information). DeAndre Jordan scored 24 points Gordon Hayward scored 23 points sat out to rest after scoring 24 points ing go-ahead basket. on 12-of-13 shooting as the Los to help Utah beat Orlando, a victory Thursday night against Charlotte. 22- Phoenix Suns (13 - 27) Last week: 24 - Angeles Clippers shot 52 percent to tempered by the loss of Rodney Hood Jahlil Okafor, who hadn’t played in 7- Los Angeles Clippers (28 - 14) Last week: Beating the Spurs is impressive, and doing cruise past the Lakers on Saturday. to a right knee injury with 1:44 the last three games, had a season- 8 - Saturday’s win over the Lakers capped a that in a grand stage such as the Arena Ciudad Jordan had 21 rebounds and Chris remaining. On a fast break after Rudy high 26 points for the 76ers. — AP six-game winning streak which came after a de Mexico is even more remarkable. Devin six-game skid. Strong play from DeAndre Booker scored 39 points in each of his team’s Jordan, Chris Paul and JJ Redick helped the games played in Mexico (a win over the Spurs NBA results/standings Clippers maintain a perfect record over the and loss to the Mavs). past couple of weeks, and they hope to keep Washington 109, Philadelphia 93; Phoenix 108, San Antonio 105; Chicago 107, New Orleans 99; LA Clippers 113, LA Lakers 97.