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NBA Power Rankings week 15: OKC Thunder and teams hit trade deadline

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder, Power Ranking W15: Luguentz Dort #5 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder, Power Ranking W15: Luguentz Dort #5 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings Week 14
OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates after making a basket while being fouled in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

. 23-27. Previous: 16th. Portland Trail Blazers. 16. team. 34

Portland Trail Blazers:

Offense: (111.7) 7th
Defense: ( 112.7) 26th
Net: (minus -1.1) 16th

Results Week 15: (3-0) Won vs. Rockets:125-112, Lakers: 127-119, Jazz: 124-107
Games Week 16: (4 games) Tues at Nuggets | Thurs vs Spurs | Fri at Jazz | Sun vs. Heat

Damian Lillard is on a wild ride shooting with incredible efficiency. They run the week 3-0 and do so taking down three big Western opponents in the process.

The fight to get back on the ladder is in full motion and if Lillard finds a way to vault them upward he’ll be among the MVP candidate names, but unless he can get them in the upper tier of homecourt seeds it’s unlikely he can win.

Looking back on week 15 his stats through the three games are lit:

Rockets: 36 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, one steal. Shooting splits: 11 of 21 from the field, 6 of 12 from the perimeter and 8 of 10 free throws.

Lakers: 48 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds, two steals. Shooting splits: 17 of 30 from the field, 7 of 12 from the perimeter and 7 of 8 free throws.

Jazz: 51 points, 12 assists, two rebounds, 1 steal. Shooting splits: 17 of 29 from the field, 9  of 15 from the perimeter and 8 of 8 free throws.

Cumulative average: 45 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, 1.3 steals. Shooting splits: 15 of 26.7 (56.3%)  from the field, 7 of 13 (56.4%) from the perimeter and 7.7 of 8.7 (88.5%) free throws.

Arguably the most stunning sustained individual performance as fans has witnessed this year.  The other factor is (unlike others — cough James Harden, Trae Young) Lillard doesn’t typically flop so it’s all the more impressive.

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