Utah Jazz free-falling in our Western Conference power rankings

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 27: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 27, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 27: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 27, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
12 of 16
James Harden Houston Rockets OKC
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – DECEMBER 25: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots a free throw agains the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on December 25, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Rockets 112-107. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)

5) Houston Rockets

When I initially began to compile these power rankings last week, the Rockets were riding a 14-game win streak and locked into the top spot. A few, short days later, they’ve dropped games to two sub-.500 teams from L.A. and the Oklahoma City Thunder and loss four consecutive overall.

Not only is Chris Paul MIA once again — this time an adductor strain has felled him — but the team’s defense has followed suit. During their current skid, the Rockets have allowed 12.3 3-pointers per game en route to surrendering nearly 115 points per 100 possessions.

Nevertheless, these are power rankings, recent performance weighs heavily and a couple other teams are on fire right now. No. 5 is temporary; I expect James Harden and Co. will get back to clubbing people in short order

Next: No. 4