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NBA Power Rankings week 14: OKC Thunder among the ‘road warriors’

By Tamberlyn Richardson

JANUARY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets (Photo by Cato Cataldo/NBAE via Getty Images)
JANUARY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets (Photo by Cato Cataldo/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings Week 14
OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks celebrates his dunk in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

27. . 13-34. Previous: 27th. New York Knicks. 22. team

New York Knicks:

Offense: (104.8)  27th
Defense: (112.3)  24th
Net: (minus -7.5) tied 27th

Results Week 14: (2-2) Wins vs. Cavaliers: 106-86, Nets: 110-97, Lost vs. Lakers: 92-100, Raptors: 112-118
Games Week 15: (3 games) Tues at Hornets | Weds vs. Grizzlies  | Sat at Pacers

The Knicks put up a fight against the Lakers but just don’t have the horses to defeat the elite squads even if those clubs are having cold shooting nights.

Dennis Smith Jr. returned this week and in his initial minutes back on the hardcourt didn’t offer much assistance going scoreless. The trade which sent Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas for DSJ will always be looked upon as a bad deal unless the youngster finds a way to contribute. The problem is he’s not shown a propensity to be a “team-first” guy and until he adopts that mentality he’ll be viewed as a selfish player.

The other clear trend in New York is Mike Miller is fighting to turn “interim” into “full time” as he uses his vets more than his youngsters. I’m not sure that’s best for the future of the franchise but then again I guess the motivation is understandable.

With Kyrie Irving leaving MSG after learning the news of Kobe Bryant’s death it put the Knicks on more of an even playing field with the Nets and it resulted in a fairly easy victory.

If you witnessed games in Week 14 where the Knicks pushed the Lakers and Raptors there is a reason the club is coming close against the elite clubs. Albeit, it’s an extremely small sample size but over the last five games, the Knicks boast the third-ranked defense. Hey – that’s something the Mecca can latch onto until June and those lottery balls are designated.

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