clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2012 NBA power rankings: Clippers, Lakers climbing

After big wins over the Heat, Bulls and Spurs, the Clippers are near the top of most power polls, while the resurgent Lakers are gaining round after a slow start.

Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Following a strong week of play, the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers are gaining ground in a majority of NBA Power Rankings.

The Clippers (8-2) are winners of six straight, and with victories over the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs in their last three games, they are near the top in most power polls. ESPN's Marc Stein has the team up one spot from last week's rankings to No. 3, trailing only the 7-1 New York Knicks and the 8-1 Memphis Grizzlies. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports has the Clippers in the No. 2 spot behind the Knicks, and SB Nation's Seth Rosenthal also has the team at No. 2 -- up two slots from last week -- trailing the Grizzlies.

The Lakers (5-5) have rebounded from a dismal 1-4 start and won four of their last five games. Stein has them up three spots to No. 7 in his rankings, while Spears has Mike D'Antoni's new squad at No. 9, up five spots from the previous week's poll. Rosenthal has the Lakers making the biggest jump in this week's poll, moving from No. 16 to No. 8.