We are now officially in the final stretch run of the abbreviated NBA season. Week 17 saw some movement in the top 3 which hasn’t happened in 8 weeks. There was also what appeared to be an anomaly in the bottom or the rankings. One team went 0-3 for the week but moved up a spot. While another team went a respectable 2-2 and dropped two spots! I explain the reason behind what appears to a glitch in the matrix in the video available here.
The Utah Jazz continue to hold down the top spot, but may have some trouble keeping it. Donovan Mitchell went down with an injury last week. He is not expected to be out long but any time without your top player can be a challenge for any team. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who are about to be purchased by a baseball player, continue to fend off the Houston Rockets who remain mired in the bottom spot.
Week 17 – Biggest Movers
Four different teams moved up a single spot this week. That list includes the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs. The final team to move up a spot were the Los Angeles Clippers. They get the shout out this week because they are the highest mover in our ranking in 8 weeks. They leapfrogged the Phoenix Suns and now hold down the #2 spot
 | Los Angeles Clippers | +1 |
Week 17 – Biggest Droppers
Week 17 was not kind to the New Orleans Pelicans. While Zion Williamson continues to do incredible things on the court the Pelicans dropped 2 spots this week. They were 2-2, which is not bad, but they lost the 10th spot to the Sacramento Kings. The Kings were 0-3 in week 17, which begs the question… WHAT? How does a team go 2-2 and drop 2 spots, while another team goes 0-3 and moved up one?! Honestly, I thought the same thing when I saw this. I checked my numbers though and the spreadsheet, as always, is right! That’s what makes our SOS, math based, non-subjective power rankings so awesome. For a detailed overview of that happened to drop the Pelicans and rewards the Kings, check out our video.
 | New Orleans Pelicans | -2 |
Week 17 Western Conference Power Rankings
The Strength of Schedule Western Conference Power Rankings are a points based ranking method developed by thePeachBasket. In short, points are awarded for wins and losses. The better the team you beat, the more points you earn. It’s simple and takes the opinion out of Power Rankings. It’s math and its brought to you by thePeachBasket, Voice of the Fan!(tm)
