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

#3 Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz young guard Donovan Mitchell

2020-21 record: 12-4

Upcoming fixtures: New York (home), Dallas (home), Dallas (home), Denver (away)

Previous Top-10 ranking: 4th (↑1)

The Utah Jazz's two biggest stars, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, have faced their fair share of criticism this season. However, they have proven their critics wrong in the best possible way.

The Jazz are the flavor of the week and are the in-form side on an 8-game winning streak, gradually rising up our NBA Power Rankings.

The @utahjazz have been 🔥 from 3P range the last eight games:🎯 25-53 (47.2%)🎯 11-35 (31.4%)🎯 24-45 (53.3%)🎯 20-44 (45.5%)🎯 15-37 (40.5%)🎯 21-47 (44.7%)🎯 17-39 (43.6%)🎯 20-50 (40.0%)No other team in NBA history has made 20+ 3P five times in an eight-game span. pic.twitter.com/zUBf9UkMDG

— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) January 24, 2021

Over the course of the streak, the Utah Jazz have beaten 7 of their opponents by double digits and ranked in the top three on both ends of the floor.

With three home games up next, it wouldn't be surprising to see them jump the Los Angeles powerhouses atop the conference.

Despite getting off to a slow start, Donovan Mitchell has averaged 29 points across the last three games on a shooting percentage of 73.

#2 LA Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers leader Kawhi Leonard

2020-21 record: 13-4

Upcoming fixtures: Atlanta (away), Miami (away), Orlando (away), New York (away)

Previous Top-10 ranking: 2nd (-)

Despite being at the top of the Western Conference, the LA Clippers just miss out on our top spot in the NBA Power Rankings. Ty Lue's men have taken advantage of a favorable run and built up a 7-game winning streak.

Although Paul George and Patrick Beverley didn't finish the Clippers' encounter on Sunday, Kawhi Leonard was able to lift his side over Oklahoma.

The 2x champion has started to increase his productivity and averaged 32 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3 steals in the last 3 games. There is excitement among the Clippers camp that this year could be different.

#1 LA Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers offseason acquisition Dennis Schroder

2020-21 record: 13-4

Upcoming fixtures: Cleveland (away), Philadelphia (away), Detroit (away), Boston (away)

Previous Top-10 ranking: 1st (-)

The LA Lakers pip their city rivals to the top of our NBA Power Rankings yet again after holding the league's best offensive team, the Milwaukee Bucks, to one of their least efficient games of the season.

Anthony Davis burst out of his scoring slump on Saturday with 37 points against the Bulls after having 5 games with sub-20 point box scores.

LeBron James and co. also face a tough stretch of games against Eastern Conference opposition this week, facing both the 76ers and Celtics.

By next Monday, we should have a more serious gauge of how the Lakers are looking this season.