2019-20 NBA Power Rankings: Philadelphia 76ers stall on top-10 fringe
Utah Jazz. 9. team. 118. . 36-21. Previous: 7th
The Jazz have lacked a degree of consistency in recent weeks, but it’s abundantly clear Utah has the defensive chops and the firepower to compete in the postseason. There are still challenging matchups — Houston, for example — but the Jazz are very much legit.
Rudy Gobert won’t win Defensive Player of the Year a third consecutive season, but he is firmly in the conversation. Donovan Mitchell has taken a leap, and the addition of Jordan Clarkson has helped to stabilize the backcourt in lieu of a prime Mike Conley.
110. . 36-21. Previous: 8th. Miami Heat. 8. team
The Heat have hit speed bumps of their own in recent weeks, but Jimmy Butler tends to operate as a stabilizing force on the court. Miami is deep, well-coached, and has two top-25 talents when Bam Adebayo is at this peak. The Heat are a team of genuine intrigue.
77. . 38-19. Previous: 5th. Los Angeles Clippers. 7. team
The Clippers have floundered in the strangest of moments this season. There is no denying L.A.’s threat as a title contender — their roster, on paper, may even stack up favorably to the other L.A. team. Yet there is still a degree of consistency missing, especially for a true-blue contender.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have rested and missed time to injury all season. The rest of the roster has dealt with its fair share of missed time as well. The hope for the Clippers is everything settles in down the stretch, and then Kawhi transforms back into Terminator for the postseason.