Getty
Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets drives against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns
It was a nifty storyline last week when the Suns went to Houston and got themselves beat, 100-97, thanks to a game-winner by Rockets star Kevin Durant. Even in his youth, Durant was always a bit prickly, but as he has gotten older, he has been plain grumpy, and in his postgame press conference, he took a clear swipe at Phoenix, the team for which he played three seasons before he was traded last summer.
Asked if it meant more to him to beat the Suns that way, Durant delivered one of the better quote of the season: “Most definitely. A place that I didn’t want to leave. My first time — I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but I will — to be kicked out of a place.”
Durant might be bitter with the Suns, but the fact is, kicking him out of Phoenix has been the best thing for everyone. For one thing, Durant is thriving with a Rockets team that could be a contender. For another thing, the Suns have finally reconfigured themselves as a team with an identity–a defensive minded bunch with Devin Booker as the offensive engine.
With Sunday’s drubbing of the Wizards, the Suns have now won nine of their last 11 games, and while there was the loss in Houston, as well as one in Cleveland, the Suns have also beaten the Knicks, Thunder and Lakers in that stretch. They cracked the Top 5 in the NBA power rankings last week, and are still holding that spot.
NBA Power Rankings: Thunder Back on Top
In coughing up a 19-point lead on Sunday to the Timberwolves, the Spurs not only lost for the fifth time in their last nine outings, they also gave up their claim as the top team in the league. Yes, they’re 3-0 against the Thunder, who leapfrogged past San Antonio this week for the No. 1 spot, but the Spurs have been inconsistent in recent weeks.
They will have a chance to get back on top, though. The Spurs and Thunder play on Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
Thunder, 33-7.
Spurs, 27-12.
Pistons, 28-10.
Rockets, 22-14.
Suns, 24-15.
Celtics, 24-14.
Knicks, 25-14.
Nuggets, 26-13.
Lakers, 23-13.
Timberwolves, 26-14.
NBA Part II Rankings: Welcome Back, Scottie Barnes
The Raptors are just on the outside of the NBA’s Top 10 here as we near the midpoint of the season, and it’s clear that their turnaround can be attributed to a return to form of star Scottie Barnes. He is scoring at about the same rate as last season, 19.4 points per game, but he is far more efficient, shooting 50.5% from the field and 34.4% from the 3-point line, up from 44.6% from the field and 27.1% from the 3-point line. Barnes has also been great defensively, and it’s been defense that has fueled Toronto’s run of six wins in their last eight games.
11. Raptors, 24-16.
12. Warriors, 21-19.
13. Cavaliers, 22-18.
14. Sixers, 21-16.
15. Magic, 22-18.
16. Trail Blazers, 19-21.
17. Hawks, 20-21.
18. Heat, 20-19.
19. Bucks, 17-22.
Bulls, 18-20.
Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors
GettySteph Curry has led the Golden State Warriors to four NBA championships.
NBA Power Rankings Part III: Trade Time in the Cellar
We’ll see whether the Pelicans, who come in at No. 30 this week, remain steadfast on their decision not to trade off pieces ahead of the deadline. But for most of the rest of the Bottom 10, it’s game on: the Grizzlies could shop Ja Morant, the Mavericks could do the same with Klay Thompson, the Nets may be close to a Michael Porter Jr. move, the Kings have made everyone available for the right price and the Pacers could yet move Bennedict Mathurin, even as he deals with an injury. Buckle up!
21. Clippers, 15-23.
22. Grizzlies, 17-22.
23. Mavericks, 14-25.
24. Jazz, 13-25.
25. Hornets, 14-25.
26. Nets, 11-25.
27. Wizards, 10-28.
28. Kings, 9-30.
29. Pacers, 8-31.
30. Pelicans, 9-32.