NBA Power Rankings, Week 14

The Memphis Grizzlies’ franchise-record 11-game win streak ran out of steam during Friday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, but something tells us Ja Morant & Co. aren’t done putting their stamp on the NBA this season.

Even with the defeat, the Grizzlies’ 30-15 record is the second best in franchise history through 45 games, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Memphis started 33-12 in 2014-15.

The Grizzlies’ streak included impressive victories over the Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers (twice), but things are about to get tougher for the new Western Conference contenders. Four of Memphis’ next five contests are on the road, with their only home game in that stretch coming Monday afternoon against the Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Bulls. That matchup is followed by a four-game trip, including a showdown with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks.

Can the Grizz start a new win streak? See where Memphis and every NBA team stand this week.

Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom, taking stock of which teams are playing the best basketball now and which teams are looking most like title contenders.

1. Phoenix Suns
2021-22 record: 33-9
Previous ranking: 2

Chris Paul is looking to secure his fifth season of averaging 10 assists and two steals with his third team. He did it over three consecutive seasons with New Orleans (2007-10) and once with the Clippers (2013-14). He is the only player to accomplish the feat with two franchises since the NBA started recording steals in 1973-74. At 36 years old, he also would be the oldest player to hit those marks in the same season. — Lopez