NBA Power Rankings: Nets have shaken off uneven start; Suns get hot

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Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) /

20. Charlotte Hornets

It’s really unfortunate that the Charlotte Hornets have fallen out of the top 8 in the Eastern Conference that quickly. They have struggled a bit over the last couple of weeks and it seems like their early-season fire has now run out.

The Hornets will still be a factor in the playoff race, but perhaps we got a little too excited about a fast start.

19. Portland Trail Blazers

There isn’t much that is going right for the Portland Trail Blazers at the moment. Damian Lillard has gotten off to the worst start in his career, they are under investigation due to work culture, and their president of basketball operations Chris McGowan just resigned.

And this just seems like the tip of the iceberg that could be coming. Yikes.