OKC Thunder: NBA Power Rankings week 10 – All-Star break edition
Phoenix Suns:
Week 10: 3-1
Won vs: Blazers 132-100, Bulls 106-97, Wolves 118-99
Lost to: Hornets 121-124
Opponents this week: Lakers, Warriors
Offensive Rating: 114.4 (8th) | Defensive Rating: 108.5 (4th) | Net Differential: +5.9 (3rd)
The Point God is a real thing! Chris Paul is doing for the Suns precisely what he did for the OKC Thunder and in a very similar timeline.
Recalling last season, through the first 20 games the Thunder went 8-12 but from that point forward were 36-18.
Those initial 20 games offer an opportunity to figure out chemistry, system, and make tweaks. The Suns got out to an 11-9 record through 20 games. Through the next 13 games, the Suns have feasted winning 11 of their 13 games.
This past week offered an opportunity as the Suns had just recently moved ahead of Portland and then added to that edge by beating the Blazers to pad their lead.
They are seeded fourth but within striking distance of all three teams ahead of them – a half-game back of the Clippers and one game back of the Lakers. They play the latter this week and can draw even with them via a win.
Chris Paul was selected by the coaches as an All-Star reserve and Devin Booker was selected by Adam Silver as the injury replacement for Anthony Davis.