[ESPN] NBA 实力榜：灰熊在西部苦战，骑士继续攀升

阿拉莫议事厅
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By NBA Insiders | ESPN, 2024-12-18 21:00:00

由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。

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第二届NBA杯赛已经落下帷幕，密尔沃基雄鹿队在周二晚击败俄克拉荷马城雷霆队后加冕冠军。

然而，常规赛继续进行，各支球队和球员都希望在新的一年里扭转局面。

在东部，克利夫兰骑士队和波士顿凯尔特人队似乎和赛季初的预期一样难以撼动。尽管费城76人队和印第安纳步行者队在赛季初排名下滑，但他们希望2025年能带来更多胜利。

狂野的西部确实名副其实，明尼苏达森林狼队、金州勇士队、洛杉矶快船队和洛杉矶湖人队这四支球队都落后排名第一的俄克拉荷马城雷霆队六个胜场。

以下是本周实力榜上所有30支球队的排名。

注：球队排名基于我们专家组成员（ESPN的蒂姆·邦唐普斯(Tim Bontemps)、贾马尔·科利尔(Jamal Collier)、迈克尔·莱特(Michael Wright)、蒂姆·麦克马洪(Tim MacMahon)、戴夫·麦克梅纳明(Dave McMenamin)、奥姆·扬米苏克(Ohm Youngmisuk)、克里斯·赫林(Chris Herring)和凯文·佩尔顿(Kevin Pelton)）认为球队在本赛季应有的位置。

先前排名：季前赛 | 10月30日 | 11月5日 | 11月13日 | 11月20日 | 11月27日 | 12月4日 | 12月11日

跳转到一支球队：
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

  1. 波士顿凯尔特人队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 21-5
  • 先前排名： 1
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵CHI（12月19日），客场对阵CHI（12月21日），客场对阵ORL（12月23日）

波士顿在周日战胜奇才的比赛中，克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯(Kristaps Porzingis)因脚后跟受伤离场，这引发了短暂的伤病恐慌，但波尔津吉斯在赛后淡化了伤病的严重程度。伤病几乎是唯一可能阻碍波士顿前进的因素，因为凯尔特人队正以轻松的步伐迈向65胜，并且仍然是自2018年以来第一支卫冕成功的热门球队。 – 蒂姆·邦唐普斯

  1. 克利夫兰骑士队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 23-4
  • 先前排名： 2
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵MIL（12月20日），对阵PHI（12月21日），对阵UTAH（12月23日）

我们是否正在见证埃文·莫布里(Evan Mobley)作为得分手崛起？这位四年级大个子在骑士队过去五场胜利中的三场中都是球队的得分王，包括对阵黄蜂时23投16中（三分球8投6中）拿下职业生涯最高的41分。这位前探花秀在12月的五场比赛中场均得到18.6分，三分球命中率高达55.6%，骑士队继续保持着成为联盟历史上第三支取得70胜的球队的步伐。 – 戴夫·麦克梅纳明

  1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 20-6
  • 先前排名： 3
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵ORL（12月19日），客场对阵MIA（12月20日），对阵WAS（12月23日）

在周二的NBA杯决赛之前，当雷霆队中至少有一位7尺长人能够打满全场时，球队的战绩是17胜2负。这包括自自由球员新援以赛亚·哈尔滕施泰因(Isaiah Hartenstein)（场均12.5分，12.3个篮板）从手部骨折中恢复并在雷霆队亮相以来的9胜1负的战绩。“他表现得非常出色，”雷霆队球星谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大(Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)说道。“显然，我们过去作为一个团队缺乏一些身体对抗能力，而他能够立即弥补这个漏洞。” – 蒂姆·麦克马洪

  1. 孟菲斯灰熊队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 18-9
  • 先前排名： 5
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵GS（12月19日），客场对阵ATL（12月21日），对阵LAC（12月23日）

灰熊队在过去的12场比赛中赢了10场，但在周日输给湖人队之后，球星后卫贾·莫兰特(Ja Morant)指出了球队的一些弱点。孟菲斯在联盟节奏榜上排名第二，但莫兰特提到其他球队经常会放慢灰熊队的节奏，并利用灰熊队的犯规得分，并在进攻篮板上占据优势。孟菲斯想继续保持快节奏，但灰熊队在对手罚球出手次数（场均25.9次）上排名第28位，在对手二次得分（场均15.1分）上排名第27位。 – 迈克尔·莱特

  1. 休斯顿火箭队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 17-9
  • 先前排名： 6
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵NO（12月19日），客场对阵TOR（12月22日），客场对阵CHA（12月23日）

休斯顿最近遇到了困难，在过去的五场比赛中输掉了三场。但火箭队在关键时刻继续表现出色，在过去五场最后五分钟分差在五分以内的比赛中赢了四场。糟糕的投篮命中率继续阻碍着休斯顿前进。火箭队的投篮命中率（43.7%）和三分球命中率（32.2%）均排名联盟第28位，而且球队在内线投篮命中率和中距离投篮命中率上都处于联盟下游。休斯顿接下来的四场比赛将对阵三支总战绩为19胜61负的球队，这可能会让火箭队重新获得动力。 – 莱特

  1. 达拉斯独行侠队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 17-9
  • 先前排名： 4
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵LAC（12月19日），对阵LAC（12月21日），对阵POR（12月23日）

大前锋P.J.·华盛顿(P.J. Washington)已经成为西部最重要的角色球员之一。本赛季华盛顿缺席的比赛中，独行侠队的战绩是1胜5负，其中包括在NBA杯淘汰赛中输给俄克拉荷马城。自从华盛顿从膝盖扭伤中恢复以来，这是独行侠队在一个月内的两场失利之一。在这段时间里，他场均得到14.5分、8.3个篮板、2.9次助攻、1.2个盖帽和1.2次抢断，并且通常在比赛开始时承担最艰难的防守任务。 – 麦克马洪

  1. 密尔沃基雄鹿队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 15-11
  • 先前排名： 13
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵CLE（12月20日），对阵WAS（12月21日），客场对阵CHI（12月23日）

雄鹿队在周二晚战胜雷霆队的比赛中表现 dominant，夺得了2024年NBA杯冠军。在赛季初2胜8负之后，雄鹿队自11月12日以来仍然拥有NBA最佳战绩，在过去的15场比赛中取得了12胜3负。在此期间，他们的防守效率排名第八，而达米安·利拉德(Damian Lillard)和扬尼斯·阿德托昆博(Giannis Antetokounmpo)已成为NBA得分最高的二人组，场均合力砍下58.4分。 – 贾马尔·科利尔

  1. 纽约尼克斯队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 16-10
  • 先前排名： 7
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵MIN（12月19日），客场对阵NO（12月21日），对阵TOR（12月23日）

赛季初表现缓慢的米卡尔·布里奇斯(Mikal Bridges)在12月的进攻端表现非常高效。他场均得到21.1分——高于11月的14.7分——并且在这个月里拥有66.5%的有效投篮命中率，这是NBA中出手至少75次的球员中的最佳数据。这对尼克斯来说是一个非常受欢迎的信号，他们的新式进攻在布里奇斯取得更大的成功之前就已经是NBA中最有效的进攻之一，但现在看来更有可能腾飞。 – 克里斯·赫林

  1. 奥兰多魔术队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 17-11
  • 先前排名： 9
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵OKC（12月19日），对阵MIA（12月21日），对阵BOS（12月23日）

弗朗茨·瓦格纳(Franz Wagner)遭遇了与保罗·班凯罗(Paolo Banchero)相同的斜肌撕裂伤，这考验了魔术队成功的深度和防守的极限。奥兰多在过去的四场比赛中输掉了三场，包括瓦格纳在比赛后期受伤的那场比赛，而班凯罗还没有恢复训练。在两名主要得分手都缺席的情况下，魔术队严重依赖于后卫杰伦·萨格斯(Jalen Suggs)，他在奥兰多输给密尔沃基的NBA杯比赛中得到了职业生涯最高的32分。在周日主场输给尼克斯的比赛中，他19投4中。 – 凯文·佩尔顿

  1. 丹佛掘金队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 14-10
  • 先前排名： 10
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵POR（12月19日），客场对阵NO（12月22日），对阵PHX（12月23日）

自11月中旬以来，丹佛的表现时好时坏。周一也不例外，掘金队挥霍了23分的领先优势，并在第四节落后10分，之后才惊险地战胜了国王队。对丹佛来说，一个好消息是（三连胜），贾马尔·穆雷(Jamal Murray)在关键时刻复活了，看起来像他以前那个关键先生，他在第四节得到15分，包括一记16英尺的超前投篮。 – 奥姆·扬米苏克

  1. 金州勇士队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 14-11
  • 先前排名： 8
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵MEM（12月19日），客场对阵MIN（12月21日），对阵IND（12月23日）

勇士队的低迷状态还在继续，卢卡·东契奇(Luka Doncic)和状态火热的独行侠队让史蒂夫·科尔(Steve Kerr)教练的球队遭遇了10场比赛中的第8场失利。但是丹尼斯·施罗德(Dennis Schroder)本周加入了球队，给科尔提供了一个急需的控球手，来帮助斯蒂芬·库里(Stephen Curry)组织进攻，投进外线投篮，防守并帮助带领第二阵容。科尔说，勇士队将适应施罗德，并利用他的挡拆优势。对于一支一直在寻找合适组合和轮换阵容的球队来说，勇士队将不得不在两次训练后让施罗德融入球队，然后在本周客场挑战孟菲斯和明尼苏达。 – 扬米苏克

  1. 明尼苏达森林狼队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 14-11
  • 先前排名： 14
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵NYK（12月19日），对阵GS（12月21日），客场对阵ATL（12月23日）

自从安东尼·爱德华兹(Anthony Edwards)在11月27日输球后批评球队以来，森林狼队已经赢得了七场比赛中的六场，让自己回到了季后赛的行列。在周四这场可能充满情绪的比赛之前，他们目前与太阳队并列西部第6，也就是最后一个季后赛席位。明尼苏达将主场迎战尼克斯队和卡尔-安东尼·唐斯(Karl-Anthony Towns)，这是唐斯在训练营前令人震惊的交易后第一次对阵森林狼队。 – 科利尔

  1. 菲尼克斯太阳队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 14-11
  • 先前排名： 15
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵IND（12月19日），对阵DET（12月21日），客场对阵DEN（12月23日）

凯文·杜兰特(Kevin Durant)从左脚踝扭伤的三场缺席中复出，带领太阳队取得了两连胜，场均得到25分和7.5次助攻。太阳队本周将主场迎战印第安纳和底特律，然后在12月23日和圣诞节与丹佛进行主客场背靠背的比赛——这对两支在西部季后赛争夺中仅相差半个胜场的球队来说，都是一次很好的试金石。 – 麦克梅纳明

  1. 迈阿密热火队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 13-11
  • 先前排名： 11
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵OKC（12月20日），客场对阵ORL（12月21日），对阵BKN（12月23日）

尽管关于吉米·巴特勒(Jimmy Butler)和他在迈阿密的未来仍然有很多传言，但泰勒·希罗(Tyler Herro)继续像一个正在争取他的第一次全明星之旅的球员一样打球。他场均得到24.1分，场均出手超过10次三分球，三分球命中率为41.3%，与安东尼·爱德华兹和斯蒂芬·库里一起成为仅有的三位场均出手上双且三分球命中率超过40%的球员。 – 邦唐普斯

  1. 洛杉矶快船队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 15-12
  • 先前排名： 12
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵DAL（12月19日），客场对阵DAL（12月19日），客场对阵MEM（12月23日）

快船队在周一的主场大胜爵士队，终结了三连败。然而，比输赢更重要的是赛程中急需的休息时间和额外的训练时间，让科怀·伦纳德(Kawhi Leonard)从右膝炎症中更接近复出。泰伦·卢(Ty Lue)周一告诉记者，他还不确定伦纳德是否会随快船队前往达拉斯，他们本周将在那里打两场比赛。即使伦纳德没有随队出征，这也是另一个进步的迹象，因为他没有被立即排除在外。 – 扬米苏克

  1. 亚特兰大老鹰队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 14-13
  • 先前排名： 17
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵SA（12月19日），对阵MEM（12月21日），对阵MIN（12月23日）

尽管亚特兰大在NBA杯半决赛中输给了雄鹿队，但老鹰队通过高风险的比赛积累了信心，他们的阵容中有几位25岁或以下的球员。他们觉得他们正在打造一支高大、有破坏力的球队的身份，可以通过创造额外的球权来击败对手。老鹰队教练奎因·斯奈德(Quin Snyder)的球队在进攻篮板率上排名第五，他们在麦迪逊广场花园的逆转战胜尼克斯队的比赛中抢下了22个进攻篮板，其中在一个特别关键的回合中抢下了4个，从而晋级拉斯维加斯。“这就是你夺走球队灵魂的地方，”老鹰队中锋克林特·卡佩拉(Clint Capela)谈到额外的机会时说道。 – 赫林

  1. 洛杉矶湖人队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 14-12
  • 先前排名： 16
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵SAC（12月19日），客场对阵SAC（12月21日），对阵DET（12月23日）

勒布朗·詹姆斯(LeBron James)周日重返赛场，与此同时，J.J.·雷迪克(JJ Redick)推出了一套新的首发阵容，由马克斯·克里斯蒂(Max Christie)与詹姆斯、安东尼·戴维斯(Anthony Davis)、奥斯汀·里夫斯(Austin Reaves)和八村塁(Rui Hachimura)一起首发。希望克里斯蒂能成为这套阵容中典型的3D侧翼，他的第一次亮相就取得了成功：他帮助限制贾·莫兰特21投仅6中，并出现7次失误，湖人队战胜了孟菲斯，而他本人三分球2投1中。 – 麦克梅纳明

  1. 萨克拉门托国王队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 13-14
  • 先前排名： 19
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵LAL（12月19日），对阵LAL（12月21日），对阵IND（12月22日）

国王队的3连胜在周一以令人沮丧的方式结束，当时他们在比赛还剩4分钟时领先10分，但却眼睁睁地看着掘金队在最后九个回合中全部得分，最终以130-129的比分逆转取胜。在西部，丹佛（排名第5）和萨克拉门托（排名第12）之间只有2.5个胜场的差距——如果赛季今天结束，国王队将落后附加赛1.5个胜场——这样的结果在最终排名中可能会起到很大的作用。 – 佩尔顿

  1. 圣安东尼奥马刺队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 13-13
  • 先前排名： 18
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵ATL（12月19日），对阵POR（12月21日），客场对阵PHI（12月23日）

没有人预料到这支年轻的马刺队在这个时候会是五成胜率。但是圣安东尼奥需要摆脱目前的困境，因为马刺队在过去的六场比赛中输掉了四场。伤病导致每晚的阵容都不稳定。但唯一不变的是圣安东尼奥队慢热的习惯。马刺队本赛季首节平均得到25.9分，在NBA排名第24位。圣安东尼奥队在17场比赛中首节落后，令人惊讶的是，他们赢得了其中的8场比赛。 – 莱特

  1. 印第安纳步行者队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 12-15
  • 先前排名： 21
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵PHX（12月19日），客场对阵SAC（12月22日），客场对阵GS（12月23日）

印第安纳已经取得了两连胜，并且在过去的四场比赛中赢了三场，步行者队希望这是一个好兆头，因为他们希望扭转本赛季的颓势。如果步行者队想要在东部排名中迎头赶上，接下来的赛程将是一个严峻的考验：他们接下来的九场比赛将对阵目前胜率达到或超过五成的对手。 – 科利尔

  1. 芝加哥公牛队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 12-15
  • 先前排名： 22
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵BOS（12月19日），对阵BOS（12月21日），对阵MIL（12月23日）

后卫约什·吉迪(Josh Giddey)在周一晚上的比赛中扭伤脚踝之前，他正在打出他最好的比赛之一——11分、8次助攻和9个篮板——之后他不得不被搀扶着回到更衣室。芝加哥希望在吉迪身上听到好消息，因为他们正在为接下来一周的艰难赛程做准备：与波士顿进行主客场背靠背的比赛，然后主场迎战密尔沃基。 – 科利尔

  1. 底特律活塞队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 11-16
  • 先前排名： 23
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵UTAH（12月19日），客场对阵PHX（12月21日），客场对阵LAL（12月23日）

在三连败将活塞队的战绩拉低到赛季最低的胜率后，他们以本赛季最好的胜利作为回应，在凯德·坎宁安(Cade Cunningham)拿下29分、15次助攻的大号三双的带领下击败了尼克斯队。周一，底特律在本赛季第二次加时赛中击败了迈阿密，两次都是在常规时间热火队最后时刻的进攻高潮后反弹。11胜16负的活塞队目前占据着东部最后一个附加赛席位，使用ESPN篮球实力指数进行的模拟显示，他们有33%的可能性进入季后赛。 – 佩尔顿

  1. 布鲁克林篮网队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 10-16
  • 先前排名： 20
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵TOR（12月19日），对阵UTAH（12月21日），客场对阵MIA（12月23日）

联盟圈子里经常出现的一个问题是：“篮网队本赛季可以承受多少场胜利？”在新教练霍尔迪·费尔南德斯(Jordi Fernandez)的带领下，篮网队在季前赛被预测为联盟战绩最差的球队之一——这将增加他们选中ESPN排名第一的新秀库珀·弗拉格(Cooper Flagg)的机会——但篮网队出人意料地以9胜10负开局，这个战绩可能太有竞争力了，以至于无法继续争夺状元签。所有这些都有助于解释为什么球队将首发后卫丹尼斯·施罗德交易到金州。篮网队管理层知道球队需要发展。但他们也知道，过快的胜利速度将阻碍球队的长期发展。 – 赫林

  1. 费城76人队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 8-16
  • 先前排名： 24
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵CHA（12月20日），客场对阵CLE（12月21日），对阵SA（12月23日）

费城本已残酷的赛季在周末变得更糟。乔尔·恩比德(Joel Embiid)遭遇了职业生涯的第三次面部骨折，而且球队今年为数不多的亮点之一，贾里德·麦凯恩(Jared McCain)在半月板撕裂需要手术后无限期缺阵。恩比德连续第二个赛季圣诞大战的状态不明。 – 邦唐普斯

  1. 波特兰开拓者队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 8-18
  • 先前排名： 25
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵DEN（12月19日），客场对阵SA（12月21日），客场对阵DAL（12月23日）

开拓者队在周五错失了终结连败的机会，他们主场迎战没有后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)、特雷·琼斯(Tre Jones)的圣安东尼奥队，而且克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)在第一节就被罚出场。在第四节最多领先17分的情况下，波特兰让马刺队反击，并在文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)最后时刻的两记罚球中输掉了比赛。开拓者队最近的比赛很有竞争力，过去三场比赛总共只输了18分。 – 佩尔顿

  1. 夏洛特黄蜂队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 7-19
  • 先前排名： 26
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵WAS（12月19日），客场对阵PHI（12月20日），对阵HOU（12月23日）

饱受伤病困扰的黄蜂队在周一收到了一份提前的圣诞礼物，他们终于能够看到他们的首发五人组——拉梅洛·鲍尔(LaMelo Ball)、布兰登·米勒(Brandon Miller)、约什·格林(Josh Green)、迈尔斯·布里奇斯(Miles Bridges)和马克·威廉姆斯(Mark Williams)——第一次一起上场。这场比赛喜忧参半，黄蜂队输给了费城，而米勒则因脚踝扭伤提前离场。但仅仅让这些球员一起合作，对于一年级教练查尔斯·李(Charles Lee)和球队来说，都是一个巨大的进步，可以评估球队的实力。 – 赫林

  1. 多伦多猛龙队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 7-20
  • 先前排名： 27
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵BKN（12月19日），对阵HOU（12月22日），客场对阵NYK（12月23日）

多伦多在没有长期核心斯科蒂·巴恩斯(Scottie Barnes)和伊曼纽尔·奎克利(Immanuel Quickley)的情况下比赛，结果继续输球。本赛季还有很长的路要走，但截至目前，猛龙队在排名垫底的争夺中排名第四，这给了他们一个非常现实的机会，可以在星光熠熠的2025年NBA选秀中获得一个高顺位选秀权。 – 邦唐普斯

  1. 犹他爵士队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 5-20
  • 先前排名： 29
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵DET（12月19日），客场对阵BKN（12月21日），客场对阵CLE（12月23日）

在连续三场非加时赛中丢掉至少130分之后——这是队史上的第一次——犹他正朝着NBA历史上防守最差的球队迈进。爵士队每百回合丢120.7分，这在联盟中排名垫底，比倒数第二名多了两分。一支球队在整个赛季中每百回合丢分最多：119.6分，这是上赛季的爵士队和2022-23赛季的马刺队共同保持的尴尬纪录。 – 麦克马洪

  1. 新奥尔良鹈鹕队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 5-22
  • 先前排名： 28
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵HOU（12月19日），对阵NYK（12月21日），对阵DEN（12月22日）

新奥尔良在过去的14场比赛中输掉了13场，主要原因是伤病。在周日输给印第安纳的比赛中，有六名球员缺席。布兰登·英格拉姆(Brandon Ingram)和赫布·琼斯(Herb Jones)在12月5日复出，但前者在复出的第二场比赛中就扭伤了脚踝，并且缺席了过去三场比赛。排名前六的球员中有四人仍然健康，但他们在有限的共同出场时间内效率低下。周四客场挑战休斯顿之后，鹈鹕队将开始一个可能非常残酷的五连主，他们的四个对手的总胜率为62.5%。 – 莱特

  1. 华盛顿奇才队
  • 2024-25赛季战绩： 3-21
  • 先前排名： 30
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵CHA（12月19日），客场对阵MIL（12月21日），客场对阵OKC（12月23日）

自从在对阵丹佛的比赛中终结了16连败之后，奇才队又遭遇了三连败。周四对阵7胜19负的黄蜂队的比赛是华盛顿队取得第四场胜利的好机会。华盛顿队在接下来的四场比赛中将两次在主场迎战夏洛特，中间穿插着客场挑战密尔沃基和俄克拉荷马城的比赛。一位奇才队球员最近充分利用了他的机会，那就是五年级前锋贾斯汀·尚帕尼(Justin Champagnie)，他在过去四场比赛中场均得到16.5分、9.5个篮板、2.7次抢断和1.2个盖帽。 – 扬米苏克

点击查看原文：NBA Power Rankings: Grizzlies grind in the West, Cavs continue to climb

NBA Power Rankings: Grizzlies grind in the West, Cavs continue to climb

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The second inaugural NBA Cup has concluded, with the Milwaukee Bucks crowned as tournament champions Tuesday night after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The regular season, however, continues to roll on as teams and players will look to turn things around in the new year.

In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics seem as untouchable as they were expected to be entering this season. While the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers have tumbled down the standings to start the season, they hope 2025 will ring in more wins.

The wild West has definitely lived up to its name with four teams – Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers – all six games back of the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.

Here is where all 30 teams stack up in this week’s power rankings.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11

Jump to a team:\

ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE\

DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND\

LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN\

NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX\

POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

1. Boston Celtics

  • 2024-25 record: 21-5
  • Previous ranking: 1
  • Next games: vs. CHI (Dec. 19), @ CHI (Dec. 21), @ ORL (Dec. 23)

There was a brief injury scare for Boston when Kristaps Porzingis left Sunday’s win over the Wizards with a heel injury, but Porzingis downplayed its severity postgame. Injuries are just about the only thing that could derail Boston, as the Celtics are casually on pace to win 65 games and remain a favorite to become the first defending champion to repeat since 2018. – Tim Bontemps

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

  • 2024-25 record: 23-4
  • Previous ranking: 2
  • Next games: vs. MIL (Dec. 20), vs. PHI (Dec. 21), vs. UTAH (Dec. 23)

Could we be seeing the start of Evan Mobley’s ascent as a scorer? The fourth-year big man has been Cleveland’s leading scorer in three of their past five wins, including a career-high 41 points on 16-for-23 shooting (6-for-8 from 3) against Charlotte. The former No. 3 pick is averaging 18.6 points and shooting 55.6% from 3 in his first five games of December as the Cavs continue on pace to become the third team in league history to win 70 games. – Dave McMenamin

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

  • 2024-25 record: 20-6
  • Previous ranking: 3
  • Next games: @ ORL (Dec. 19), @ MIA (Dec. 20), vs. WAS (Dec. 23)

Entering the NBA Cup title game Tuesday, Oklahoma City was 17-2 when at least one of the Thunder’s 7-footers was available for the entire game. That includes a 9-1 record since free agent addition Isaiah Hartenstein (12.5 PPG, 12.3 RPG) made his Thunder debut after recovering from a broken hand. “He’s been amazing,” OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Obviously, we lacked a little bit of physicality in the past as a group, and he’s been able to plug that hole immediately.” – Tim MacMahon

4. Memphis Grizzlies

  • 2024-25 record: 18-9
  • Previous ranking: 5
  • Next games: vs. GS (Dec. 19), @ ATL (Dec. 21), vs. LAC (Dec. 23)

The Grizzlies won 10 of their past 12 games, but after Sunday’s loss to the Lakers, star guard Ja Morant pointed out some of the team’s weaknesses. Memphis ranks second in the NBA in pace but Morant mentioned teams often slow the team down and score off of Grizzlies fouls and struggle on the offensive glass. Memphis wants to keep playing fast but the Grizzlies rank 28th in opponent free throw attempts (25.9 per game) and 27th in opponent second-chance scoring (15.1 points per game). – Michael Wright

5. Houston Rockets

  • 2024-25 record: 17-9
  • Previous ranking: 6
  • Next games: vs. NO (Dec. 19), @ TOR (Dec. 22), @ CHA (Dec. 23)

Houston recently hit a rough spot, losing three of its past five contests. But the Rockets continue to perform in clutch situations, winning four of their past five games that were within five points in the last five minutes of play. Cold shooting continues to hold Houston back. The Rockets rank 28th in field goal (43.7) and 3-point percentage (32.2), and the club sits in the lower third of the league in paint field goal and midrange field goal percentage. Houston could get momentum back as it plays its next four games against three teams that own a combined record of 19-61. – Wright

6. Dallas Mavericks

  • 2024-25 record: 17-9
  • Previous ranking: 4
  • Next games: vs. LAC (Dec. 19), vs. LAC (Dec. 21), vs. POR (Dec. 23)

Power forward P.J. Washington has established himself as one of the West’s most essential role players. The Mavs are 1-5 in games Washington has missed this season, including the NBA Cup knockout round loss in Oklahoma City. That’s one of only two losses for the Mavs in the month since Washington returned from a sprained knee. He has averaged 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals while typically taking the toughest defensive assignment to start games during that stretch. – MacMahon

7. Milwaukee Bucks

  • 2024-25 record: 15-11
  • Previous ranking: 13
  • Next games: @ CLE (Dec. 20), vs. WAS (Dec. 21), @ CHI (Dec. 23)

The Bucks had a dominant showing in their win against the Thunder on Tuesday night, claiming the 2024 NBA Cup crown. After starting the season 2-8, the Bucks still have the best record in the NBA since Nov. 12, going 12-3 in their past 15 games. They rank eighth in defensive efficiency during that span while Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo have emerged as the highest scoring tandem in the NBA, averaging a combined 58.4 points. – Jamal Collier

8. New York Knicks

  • 2024-25 record: 16-10
  • Previous ranking: 7
  • Next games: @ MIN (Dec. 19), @ NO (Dec. 21), vs. TOR (Dec. 23)

Mikal Bridges, who had a slow start to the season, has been highly effective on the offensive end in December. He’s averaging 21.1 points – up from 14.7 points in November – and has a sterling 66.5% effective field goal rate over the course of the month, the NBA’s best among players who’ve attempted at least 75 shots. It’s a highly welcomed sign for the Knicks, whose new-look offense had already been among the NBA’s most efficient before Bridges’ increased success, but looks primed to take off even more. – Chris Herring

9. Orlando Magic

  • 2024-25 record: 17-11
  • Previous ranking: 9
  • Next games: vs. OKC (Dec. 19), vs. MIA (Dec. 21), vs. BOS (Dec. 23)

Losing Franz Wagner to the same oblique tear that put Paolo Banchero on the sidelines has tested the limits of the Magic’s successful depth and defense. Orlando has lost three of the past four, including the game where Wagner was injured late, and Banchero has yet to return to practice. With both leading scorers out, the Magic is relying heavily on guard Jalen Suggs, who scored a career-high 32 points in Orlando’s NBA Cup loss at Milwaukee. He shot 4-of-19 in a home loss to the Knicks on Sunday. – Kevin Pelton

10. Denver Nuggets

  • 2024-25 record: 14-10
  • Previous ranking: 10
  • Next games: @ POR (Dec. 19), @ NO (Dec. 22), vs. PHX (Dec. 23)

Denver has run hot and cold since mid-November. And Monday was no exception, as the Nuggets blew a 23-point lead and went down 10 in the fourth quarter before pulling out a nail-biting win over the Kings. A good sign for Denver (winners of three straight) was that Jamal Murray came to life and looked like his old clutch self in crunch time, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a 16-foot go-ahead bucket. – Ohm Youngmisuk

11. Golden State Warriors

  • 2024-25 record: 14-11
  • Previous ranking: 8
  • Next games: @ MEM (Dec. 19), @ MIN (Dec. 21), vs. IND (Dec. 23)

The Warriors’ slump continued as Luka Doncic and the hot Mavericks handed coach Steve Kerr’s team its eighth loss in 10 games. But Dennis Schroder joined the team this week to give Kerr a much-needed ball handler to help Stephen Curry organize the offense, hit perimeter shots, defend and help run the second team. Kerr says the Warriors will adapt to Schroder and utilize his pick-and-roll strengths. For a team that has been searching for the right combinations and rotations, the Warriors will have to incorporate Schroder off two practices before playing at Memphis and Minnesota this week. –Youngmisuk

12. Minnesota Timberwolves

  • 2024-25 record: 14-11
  • Previous ranking: 14
  • Next games: vs. NYK (Dec. 19), vs. GS (Dec. 21), @ ATL (Dec. 23)

Since Anthony Edwards called out the team following a loss Nov. 27, the Wolves have won six of seven games to get themselves back into the playoff picture. They are currently tied with the Suns for the No. 6 seed and final playoff spot entering what could be an emotional game Thursday. Minnesota will host the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns, his first game against the Wolves following a shocking trade before training camp. – Collier

13. Phoenix Suns

  • 2024-25 record: 14-11
  • Previous ranking: 15
  • Next games: vs. IND (Dec. 19), vs. DET (Dec. 21), @ DEN (Dec. 23)

Kevin Durant returned from a three-game absence with a left ankle sprain and led the Suns to two straight wins, averaging 25 points and 7.5 assists. Phoenix hosts Indiana and Detroit this week before a home-and-home series with Denver on Dec. 23 and Christmas Day – a good litmus test for both teams just a half-game apart from one other in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. – McMenamin

14. Miami Heat

  • 2024-25 record: 13-11
  • Previous ranking: 11
  • Next games: vs. OKC (Dec. 20), @ ORL (Dec. 21), vs. BKN (Dec. 23)

While plenty of noise continues to surround Jimmy Butler and his future in Miami, Tyler Herro continues to play like someone making a case for his first All-Star appearance. He’s averaging 24.1 points and shooting 41.3% from 3 on over 10 attempts per game, joining Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry as the only players to be averaging double-digit attempts while shooting over 40% from deep. – Bontemps

15. LA Clippers

  • 2024-25 record: 15-12
  • Previous ranking: 12
  • Next games: @ DAL (Dec. 19), @ DAL (DEC. 19), @ MEM (Dec. 23)

The Clippers halted a three-game slide by obliterating the Jazz at Intuit Dome on Monday. More important than the wins and losses, however, is the much-needed break in the schedule and the extra practice time to get Kawhi Leonard closer to a potential return from his right knee inflammation. Ty Lue told reporters Monday that he wasn’t sure yet if Leonard will travel with the Clippers to Dallas, where they play two games this week. Even if Leonard doesn’t travel, it’s another sign of progress that he wasn’t immediately ruled out. –Youngmisuk

16. Atlanta Hawks

  • **2024-25 record:**14-13
  • Previous ranking: 17
  • Next games: @ SA (Dec. 19), vs. MEM (Dec. 21), vs. MIN (Dec. 23)

Although Atlanta came up short in the NBA Cup semifinals against the Bucks, the Hawks built confidence through the high-stakes experience with a handful of players 25 or younger on their roster. They feel they’re building an identity as a long, disruptive club that can beat teams by creating extra possessions. Hawks coach Quin Snyder’s club, which ranks fifth in offensive rebound percentage, logged 22 offensive boards, including four on one particularly backbreaking possession in a come-from-behind win at Madison Square Garden to beat the Knicks and advance to Las Vegas. “That’s where you take a team’s soul,” Hawks center Clint Capela said of the extra chances. – Herring

17. Los Angeles Lakers

  • 2024-25 record: 14-12
  • Previous ranking: 16
  • Next games: @ SAC (Dec. 19), @ SAC (Dec. 21), vs. DET (Dec. 23)

LeBron James’ return to the court Sunday coincided with JJ Redick trotting out a new starting lineup, with Max Christie joining James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. The hope is for Christie to become a quintessential 3-and-D wing with that group, and his first showing was a success: He helped limit Ja Morant to 6-for-21 shooting and 7 turnovers in a win over Memphis and went 1-for-2 from the outside. – McMenamin

18. Sacramento Kings

  • 2024-25 record: 13-14
  • Previous ranking: 19
  • Next games: vs. LAL (Dec. 19), vs. LAL (Dec. 21), vs. IND (Dec. 22)

The Kings’ three-game winning streak ended in frustrating fashion Monday, when they led by 10 with four minutes remaining but saw the Nuggets score on each of their final nine possessions to come back and win a 130-129 thriller. In a conference where just 2.5 games separate Denver in fifth from Sacramento in 12th place – 1.5 games out of the play-in tournament if the season ended today – those kinds of outcomes could loom large in the final standings. – Pelton

19. San Antonio Spurs

  • 2024-25 record: 13-13
  • Previous ranking: 18
  • Next games: vs. ATL (Dec. 19), vs. POR (Dec. 21), @ PHI (Dec. 23)

Nobody expected the young Spurs to be .500 at this point. But San Antonio needs to pull itself out of this current funk as the Spurs have lost four of their past six. Injuries have led to inconsistent lineups on a night-to-night basis. But the one constant has been San Antonio’s penchant for slow starts. The Spurs average 25.9 points in the opening quarter this season, good for 24th in the NBA. San Antonio has trailed after the first quarter in 17 games, and surprisingly won eight of those outings. – Wright

20. Indiana Pacers

  • 2024-25 record: 12-15
  • Previous ranking: 21
  • Next games: @ PHX (Dec. 19), @ SAC (Dec. 22), @ GS (Dec. 23)

Indiana has won back-to-back games and three of its past four, which the Pacers hope is a sign of things to come as they look to turn around their season. The upcoming schedule will provide a stiff test if the Pacers want a shot at making up ground in the East standings: Their next nine games are against opponents who are currently at or above .500. – Collier

21. Chicago Bulls

  • 2024-25 record: 12-15
  • Previous ranking: 22
  • Next games: @ BOS (Dec. 19), vs. BOS (Dec. 21), vs. MIL (Dec. 23)

Guard Josh Giddey was having one of his best games – 11 points, eight assists and nine rebounds – before he had to be helped to the locker room Monday night after turning his ankle in the third quarter. Chicago is hoping to get good news on Giddey as it prepares for a tough schedule over the next week: a home-and-home with Boston and then hosting Milwaukee. – Collier

22. Detroit Pistons

  • 2024-25 record: 11-16
  • Previous ranking: 23
  • Next games: vs. UTAH (Dec. 19), @ PHX (Dec. 21), @ LAL (Dec. 23)

After a three-game losing streak dropped the Pistons to a season-low six games below .500, they responded with their best win of the season, taking down the Knicks behind a 29-point, 15-assist triple-double from Cade Cunningham. On Monday, Detroit beat Miami in overtime for the second time this season, bouncing back both times after a late Heat run in regulation. At 11-16, the Pistons are holding the last play-in spot in the East and simulations using ESPN’s Basketball Power Index show them reaching the postseason 33% of the time. –Pelton

23. Brooklyn Nets

  • 2024-25 record: 10-16
  • Previous ranking: 20
  • Next games: @ TOR (Dec. 19), vs. UTAH (Dec. 21), @ MIA (Dec. 23)

One question that comes up frequently in league circles is: “How many wins can the Nets afford to pile up this season?” After being pegged in the preseason to finish with one of the league’s worst marks – something that will increase their changes at drafting ESPN’s No. 1 prospect Cooper Flagg – Brooklyn got out to a surprising 9-10 start under new coach Jordi Fernandez, one that might have been too competitive to stay in the hunt for a top pick. All of which helps explain the team trading starting guard Dennis Schroder to Golden State. The Nets’ front office knows the team needs to develop. But it also knows that winning at too fast a clip will hinder the team’s long-term development. – Herring

24. Philadelphia 76ers

  • 2024-25 record: 8-16
  • Previous ranking: 24
  • Next games: vs. CHA (Dec. 20), @ CLE (Dec. 21), vs. SA (Dec. 23)

An already brutal season in Philadelphia got worse over the weekend. Joel Embiid suffered his third facial fracture of his career and one of the team’s rare bright spots this year, Jared McCain, is out indefinitely after suffering a meniscus tear that will require surgery. Embiid’s status for Philadelphia’s Christmas Day game is unknown for a second straight season. – Bontemps

25. Portland Trail Blazers

  • 2024-25 record: 8-18
  • Previous ranking: 25
  • Next games: vs. DEN (Dec. 19), @ SA (Dec. 21), @ DAL (Dec. 23)

The Blazers missed an opportunity to snap their losing streak Friday, hosting a San Antonio team without guards Stephon Castle, Tre Jones and that lost Chris Paul when he was ejected in the first quarter. Up as many as 17 in the fourth quarter, Portland allowed the Spurs to rally and win on Victor Wembanyama’s two free throws in the final seconds. The Blazers have been competitive lately, only losing their past three games by a combined 18 points. – Pelton

26. Charlotte Hornets

  • 2024-25 record: 7-19
  • Previous ranking: 26
  • Next games: @ WAS (Dec. 19), @ PHI (Dec. 20), vs. HOU (Dec. 23)

The injury-prone Hornets got an early Christmas gift Monday by finally being able to see their starting five – LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Josh Green, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams – play together for the first time. The outing was mixed, with Charlotte losing to Philadelphia and Miller exiting early with an ankle sprain. But merely having those players work together was a massive step forward for first-year coach Charles Lee and the organization to take stock of the club. – Herring

27. Toronto Raptors

  • 2024-25 record: 7-20
  • Previous ranking: 27
  • Next games: vs. BKN (Dec. 19), vs. HOU (Dec. 22), @ NYK (Dec. 23)

Toronto is playing without long-term building blocks Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley and continue to lose as a result. There’s a long way to go this season, but as of now the Raptors sit in fourth in the race to the bottom of the standings, giving them a very real chance of getting a top pick in what is a star-studded 2025 NBA draft. – Bontemps

28. Utah Jazz

  • 2024-25 record: 5-20
  • Previous ranking: 29
  • Next games: @ DET (Dec. 19), @ BKN (Dec. 21), @ CLE (Dec. 23)

After allowing at least 130 points in three consecutive non-overtime games for the first time in franchise history, Utah is on pace to have statistically the worst defense in NBA history. The Jazz are allowing 120.7 points per 100 possessions, which ranks last in the league by a margin of two points. The most points per 100 possessions ever allowed by a team in a full season: 119.6, an unfortunate record shared by last season’s Jazz and the 2022-23 Spurs. – MacMahon

29. New Orleans Pelicans

  • 2024-25 record: 5-22
  • Previous ranking: 28
  • Next games: @ HOU (Dec. 19), vs. NYK (Dec. 21), vs. DEN (Dec. 22)

New Orleans has lost 13 of its past 14 largely due to injuries. Six players sat out Sunday’s loss at Indiana. Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones returned Dec. 5, but the former suffered a sprained ankle in just his second game back and has been out the past three contests. Four of the top six players remain healthy, but that group has been ineffective on the floor in limited minutes together. After a matchup Thursday at Houston, the Pels tip off what might become a brutal five-game homestand against four opponents with a combined .625 winning percentage. – Wright

30. Washington Wizards

  • 2024-25 record: 3-21
  • Previous ranking: 30
  • Next games: vs. CHA (Dec. 19), @ MIL (Dec. 21), @ OKC (Dec. 23)

Since snapping a 16-game losing slide against Denver, the Wizards have dropped three straight. Thursday’s game against the 7-19 Hornets is a good shot for Washington to grab a fourth win. Washington plays Charlotte twice at home in the next four games with road contests at Milwaukee and Oklahoma City sandwiched in between. One Wizard making the most of his opportunity of late is fifth-year forward Justin Champagnie, who is averaging 16.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.2 blocks in his past four games. – Youngmisuk

By NBA Insiders | ESPN, via ESPN