NBA Power Rankings: Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies rise dramatically as LA Lakers hold off city rivals at the top

#7 Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have gone up in our NBA Power Rankings

2020-21 record: 9-6

Upcoming fixtures: Oklahoma (home), Houston (away), Chicago (away)

Previous Top-10 ranking: 9th (↑2)

A side that has faced injury woes in the past continues to suffer as both CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic are out for the Portland Trail Blazers currently. All eyes have, thus, been on Damian Lillard to carry his team, a task he has most certainly been up to.

Lillard scored 35+ points in three games this week, lifting the Blazers up to 4th in the West, with a 39-point piece in a win over the New York Knicks on Sunday.

#6 Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics knock off the Cavs

2020-21 record: 9-6

Upcoming fixtures: Chicago (away), San Antonio (away), LA Lakers (home)

Previous Top-10 ranking: 5th (↓1)

Despite facing numerous injury and coronavirus setbacks this season, the Boston Celtics have managed to ride through it all and are now on the other side, having sustained their hopes of challenging for the Eastern Conference top spot.

Jayson Tatum is expected to return this week, as soon as the Chicago game, giving coach Stevens his best starting line-up. Even without their superstar, the Celtics demolished the Cavaliers, scoring 141 points in the process. The game against the LA Lakers on Saturday will be their biggest test yet.

#5 Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo

2020-21 record: 10-6

Upcoming fixtures: Toronto (away), New Orleans (away), Charlotte (away)

Previous Top-10 ranking: 3rd (↓2)

Though still early in the season, Milwaukee Bucks fans won't help but feel trepidation at the prospect of another disappointing postseason for their team.

After 16 games, the Bucks are one of only two teams that haven't beaten a side with a positive record yet. Despite having the best defense last season, Milwaukee watched as Brooklyn's stars and LeBron James put on scoring clinics against them this week.

DUNK of the Night: January 24th👉 Giannis Antetokounmpo of the @Bucks pic.twitter.com/qxQk9Ttu4J

— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) January 25, 2021

On a positive note, the Bucks ranked 1st in offensive rating this week but need to find a way to overcome the best opponents if they are going to have any success this season.

#4 Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers Eastern Conference Player of the Week Joel Embiid

2020-21 record: 12-5

Upcoming fixtures: Detroit (away), LA Lakers (home), Minnesota (away), Indiana (away)

Previous Top-10 ranking: 6th (↑2)

Having a full acumen of players available again, the Philadelphia 76ers are dominating at the top of the Eastern Conference and are beginning to separate themselves from their opponents.

Joel Embiid is the NBA Eastern conference player of the week 👍🏼Joel is averaging over 38 points over his last 3 games 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/zSlbAHDAuO

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 25, 2021

Philadelphia went 3-0 this week, with two wins over the Boston Celtics in which Joel Embiid flat-out bullied his opponent.

The center scored 80 points across the ties and looks to have taken his game to a new level this season, which will prove vital in the 76ers' postseason efforts.