Power Rankings, Week 17: Knicks, Celtics and Cavs on the move

This looked like another dominant season for the Western Conference, and through the first 13 weeks, it was just that. Through Jan. 19, the West was 120-91 (.569) in games against the East, what would have been its second best interconference mark in the last 11 years. But things have changed in the last 20 days. Since Jan. 20, the East is 48-22 against the West, putting the season-long tally in interconference games at West 142, East 139. That (.495) would be the East’s fourth best record in the last 27 years. At this point, the seventh-place team in the West (Phoenix) would still be in sixth place in the East. But things are now a lot more even than they were a few weeks ago. There are six East-West games to be played in the four remaining days before the All-Star break, and the West will have home-court advantage in five of the six. So maybe the East’s run of success stops here. Maybe not. Plus-Minus Players of the Week Right Way: Tyrese Maxey (PHI) was a plus-58 in four games last week. Wrong Way: Nic Claxton (BKN) was a minus-62 in three games last week. Teams of the Week Make It Last Forever: L.A. Lakers (3-0) — Have the Lakers rediscovered their mojo? A back-to-back against the Thunder and Spurs on Monday and Tuesday could tell us a lot. Something Just Ain’t Right: Chicago (0-3) — The Bulls have lost seven of their last eight games and now have a roster that makes very little sense. * * * East vs. West The West is 142-139 (.505) against the East in interconference games, though the East was 14-7 last week. Schedule strength through Week 16 Toughest: 1. Sacramento, 2. New Orleans, 3. Indiana Easiest: 1. Denver, 2. Detroit, 3. Minnesota Schedule strength = cumulative opponent record. * * * Movement in the Rankings High jump of the week: New York (+4) Free falls of the week: Houston, Indiana, LA Clippers, Minnesota (-3) * * * Week 17 Team to Watch Charlotte — The Hornets will put their nine-game winning streak against the best team in the Eastern Conference when they host the Pistons on Monday. Then they’ll face the Hawks on Wednesday, a huge game in regard to Play-In positioning. * * * Previously… Last week: Knicks, Spurs take step forward The archive: NBA.com Power Rankings OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank) DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank) NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank) Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank) The league has averaged 114.6 points scored per 100 possessions and 100.3 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.