Blazers Hold Steady In Week 17 NBA Power Rankings

The Portland Trail Blazers are 38-18 on the season after a 2-1 week that included wins over the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves and a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Here's how the Blazers stack up in the various NBA power rankings following week 17 of the 2013-14 season. Last week, the Blazers ranked from No. 7 to No. 12. This week, Portland placed from No. 4 to No. 12, with little movement in the various rankings.

No. 7 (Last week: 7): Marc Stein, ESPN.com

Terry Stotts' tribute in honor of Dr. Jack's 89th birthday goes a long way with us. A long way. Yet it's safe to say Portland would prefer if we forget much of what we've seen during this 5-5 February, lowlighted by the groin injury that has LaMarcus Aldridge stuck wearing his own sport coat.

No. 7 (Last week: 7): Marc Spears, Yahoo! Sports

The suddenly falling Blazers have gone from a West power to splitting their past 10 games and have dropped to the fifth spot.

No. 9 (Last week: 9): Matt Dollinger, SI.com

The Blazers deserve some credit for hanging tough without LaMarcus Aldridge, as a two-point loss to the Spurs was their only blemish last week. Thomas Robinson helped make up for Aldridge's absence on Sunday when he finished with 14 points and a career-high 18 rebounds in a win over Minnesota, leading Damian Lillard and Co. to call him "Thomas Aldridge." High praise, indeed.

No. 12 (Last week: 12): Matt Moore, CBSSports.com

Trail Blazers fans can feel the quakes beneath their feet, but the wins keep coming so they keep holding on to the totem pole.

No. 7 (Last week: 7): Kurt Helin, ProBasketballTalk

LaMarcus Aldridge being out with a groin strain is the first time a Portland starter has had to miss a game this season. They picked up a nice comeback win over Minnesota without him thanks in part to a big game from Thomas Robinson (and Wesley Mathews' points in the fourth quarter).

No. 10 (Last week: 10): John Schuhmann, NBA.com

We saw the silver lining of LaMarcus Aldridge's injury on Sunday, as Thomas Robinson took advantage of the extra playing time (a career-high 33 minutes), tallied 14 points and 18 rebounds, and destroyed Corey Brewer in a big win over the Wolves. If Robinson can find his role and earn the trust of Terry Stotts in Aldridge's absence, it would benefit the Blazers down the line.

No. 4 (Last week: n/a): David Aldridge, NBA.com

Swept regular-season series from Utah for the first time in 16 years after beating the Jazz for the third and final time this year on Friday.

No. 9 (Last week: 7): Jason Patt, SB Nation

The Blazers have run into some injury problems, with several key members of the frontcourt, including LaMarcus Aldridge, dealing with various issues. Damian Lillard has helped Portland survive for the time being without Aldridge, while Thomas Robinson is busy rejecting shots back into the face of Corey Brewer.

No. 7 (Last week: 6): USA Today Sports

Damian Lillard averages 19.3 points and 6.2 assists in wins, 24.6 and 4.9 in losses.

No. 11 (Last week: 9): Hollinger Power Rankings

Hollinger Statistical Rankings...

• Offensive Efficiency: Tied-No. 2 (Last week: No. 3)
• Defensive Efficiency: No. 23 (Last week: Tied-No. 23)
• Rebound Rate: No. 5 (Last week: No. 4)
• Pace: No. 9 (Last week: Tied-No. 8)

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-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter