NBA Power Rankings Week 11: Miami Heat continue to rise as the LA Clippers slip out the top 3

#7 Dallas Mavericks - Record: 21-11

Luka Doncic has been excellent for the Mavericks since returning from injury

The Mavericks opened the week with a hard-fought win over the Spurs, before dropping 141 points on the improving Warriors. They fell to a 95-108 loss to the Lakers on Sunday night, although Luka Doncic has returned to health over the past week, and the Mavs will be looking to make a fast start to 2020.

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#6 Houston Rockets - Record: 22-11

James Harden sat out the loss to the Pelicans on Sunday

The Rockets opened the week with an impressive win over the Kings, although Mike D'Antoni's team suffered a humiliating defeat to the Warriors on Christmas Day. Houston responded by beating the Nets, before losing to the Pelicans on Sunday night as Russell Westbrook and James Harden both sat out. At 22-11, Houston's season is progressing largely as expected, although it remains to be seen if they can contend in the playoffs.

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#5 Denver Nuggets - Record: 23-9

The Nuggets have been among the NBA's best teams in December

The Nuggets slipped to a surprise midweek loss to the Pelicans, although they finished the week with a 3-1 record thanks to wins over the Suns, Grizzlies, and Kings. The Nuggets have now won nine of their last 10 games to improve to 23-9 for the season, and a resurgent Nikola Jokic will lead Denver's charge over the next few months.

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#4 LA Clippers - Record: 23-11

The Los Angeles Clippers have been inconsistent throughout December

The Clippers picked up a huge Christmas Day win over their closest rivals in the Lakers, although Doc Rivers' team has been largely inconsistent over the past month. Prior to the win over the Lakers, the Clippers slipped to a narrow defeat in Oklahoma City, and despite having Kawhi Leonard against the Jazz, they fell to a disappointing 107-120 defeat. LA's record still sits at 23-11, and while they remain the favorites to advance from the West, the Clippers have plenty of work to do as we head into 2020.