NBA: Northwest Division Power Rankings- Who Sits on the Throne?

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Nov 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Portland Trail Blazers.

In my pre-season power rankings, I placed the Blazers as the number one team in the Northwest division. They didn’t quite start the season the way that I expected, but they have picked up their game in the past few contests they’ve played.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I love the Portland Trail Blazers’ back-court. Besides the Golden State Warriors, I believe that Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum is the best back-court in the league. Lillard is averaging over 30 points per game, and is quietly putting together a great stat-line. One of the most impressive things about this team is how much they feed off of each other. If nobody can hit, it’s not good, but if somebody’s on, then everybody’s on.

This team is offensive-based, as they are in the top five for points scored per game, but in the bottom five in points allowed. Again, they are tied with the Utah Jazz at 7-4 for the top of the division, but their losses are to either very good teams or right down to the wire. They’ve lost to the Clippers, one of the best teams in basketball right now, twice, the Warriors, and to the Phoenix Suns on an Eric Bledsoe game-winner.

Nov 11, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots over Sacramento Kings in the second half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Can the Blazers make some separation between them and the Jazz this week? They will look to do so as they play against the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Brooklyn Nets.

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NBA: Northwest Division Power Rankings: New Face On Top?

By Blake Holmes | Nov 14, 2016

1. Portland Trail Blazers.