A nine game losing streak has the Hornets in crisis mode.
Previous Rankings: 11/17
The Charlotte Hornets were supposed to be one of the better teams in the East this season. That hasn’t been the case, in fact they currently sit 13th in the Eastern Conference after nine straight losses. However, because the East continues to be the East, they sit only 3 1/2 games out of the eighth spot. Still, this isn’t last year’s Eastern Conference, currently seven of the eight current playoff teams have winning records, and Indiana, who sits eighth, is getting players back from injury. If Charlotte wants to avoid an absolute disaster of a season, they need to turn things around, now.
Out West, Utah and Sacramento find themselves in the midst of five and three game losing streaks respectively, causing Sacramento to slip into 9th, while the Jazz are in 12th. Both teams were expected to be in the lottery, but Sacramento had been the surprise team in the Western Conference early in the season. Sacramento must avoid letting this current losing streak extend any higher if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.
And now, the rankings:
1. | Philadelphia 76ers | (0-16) Previous Ranking: 1 (-)
The 76ers are nearing the historic 0-18 start set by the New Jersey Nets in 2009-10. They are scoring the fewest points in the league, and have an average point differential of -14.9. After a matchup against the Spurs on Monday, their schedule offers potential openings to get a victory, as they’ll play Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and Detroit. The Pistons are probably their best bet to earn a victory, but by that time they will have set the new record for worst start in league history.
2. | Charlotte Hornets | (4-14) Previous Ranking: 12 (-10)
It’s all gone wrong in Charlotte, as the Hornets have lost nine straight games, capped off Saturday with a 105-75 loss in Atlanta that featured a halftime score of 64-28. They’ve blown a number of games in the second half, and their defense, which was ranked in the top 10 last season, is currently giving up 101.1 points per game, which puts them at 22nd.
3. | Detroit Pistons | (3-14) Previous Ranking: 6 (-3)
The Pistons have lost eight straight, and are struggling to score the basketball. Brandon Jennings ranks first in points per game at 16.4, and he’s only shooting 42.5 percent from the field. Josh Smith, who should be their leading scorer, is averaging only 13.8 points per game and is shooting 37.7 percent, while taking the most shots on the team at 14.5 attempts per game.
4. | New York Knicks | (4-14) Previous Ranking: 5 (-1)
The Knicks have lost four straight, though three of the four losses have been close. Carmelo Anthony’s back spasms hasn’t helped their cause, though Jose Calderon’s return will help. Still, the Knicks just don’t have enough talent even with a healthy Melo and Calderon in the lineup.
5. | Boston Celtics | (4-10) Previous Ranking: 5 (-2)
The Celtics are 10th in points per game, but are 28th in points allowed at 107.6. They are in the midst of a four game losing streak, but could pick up a couple of wins with the Lakers and Pistons coming to Boston.
6. | Minnesota Timberwolves | (4-11) Previous Ranking: 4 (+2)
The Wolves jumped a couple of spots Powerless Rankings, but this is thanks more so to other teams struggling more than Minnesota. The Wolves are top-15 in points per game, but will find it difficult to score with leading scorer Kevin Martin out.
7. | Los Angeles Lakers | (4-13) Previous Ranking: 2 (+5)
The Lakers move up five spots, thanks to none other than Kobe Bryant, who’s triple-double against Toronto on Sunday earned them their fourth win of the season. The Raptors were without DeMar Derozan, but they’ll take anything they can get at this point.
8. | Utah Jazz | (5-12) Previous Ranking: 10 (-2)
The Jazz earned some quality wins early in the season, but are in the midst of a five game losing streak. Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors are having strong seasons, and there are things to like about the young Jazz roster, but they aren’t ready to compete in the West yet.
9. | Oklahoma City Thunder | (5-12) Previous Ranking 8 (+1)
Russell Westbrook is back from injury, and they are on a two game winning streak. They have a hole to climb out of if they want to make the playoffs, but the days of beating up on the superstar-less Thunder might be over.
10. | Brooklyn Nets | (6-9) Previous Ranking: 13 (-3)
The Western Conference has been unkind to the Brooklyn Nets, who are 0-5 against teams from the West. If Brooklyn plans to beat up on the East they’re in luck, nine of the next ten games are against Eastern Conference opponents. Shout out to Deron Williams, who is having a bounce back season, averaging 17.9 points and 6.4 assists per game.
11. | Orlando Magic | (7-12) Previous Ranking: 8 (+3)
The Magic upset the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in the first game of their five game West Coast road trip. Any win on this road trip would be surplus for a team that is competing hard on most nights.
12. | New Orleans Pelicans (7-8) Previous Ranking: Not Ranked (NR)
The Pelicans have taken a set back in the past two weeks after a solid start. Anthony Davis is putting up MVP like numbers, but Eric Gordon’s injury is exposing the team’s lack of options of the bench.
13. | Denver Nuggets | (8-8) Previous Ranking: 3 (+10)
After a horrible start, the Nuggets have turned things around, winning six of the last seven games. They have a strong chance to go over .500 if they beat Utah Monday, but the real test will be ho they fare against Portland on the second game of a back to back.
14. | Sacramento Kings | (9-8) Previous Ranking: NR
The Kings have lost three in a row, and now sit 9th in the West. Their bright start to the season has them in a good position to stay in the Western Conference playoff race, but they can’t afford to let this losing streak grow.