Peachtree Hoops: NBA Power Rankings: Hawks Move Up To No. 16 In SB Nation Rankings

[Hawksquawk]

SB Nation's Tom Ziller's latest Power Rankings are out and he has the Atlanta Hawks moving up one spot to No. 16 this week.

16. 

Atlanta Hawks

 (42-32, Prev: 17)

 -- The Hawks continue to Hawk it up, beating the dregs (Cleveland, New Jersey) and losing to the good (Chicago, Philadelphia). Five of Atlanta's final eight games are against plus-.500 teams. Philadelphia won't catch them for No. 5, but their records won't be too far apart.

Marc Stein has the Hawks holding steady at No. 14 in this week's edition of the ESPN.com NBA Power Rankings.

Only five East teams have winning records since the All-Star break and this ain't one of them. Philly's home loss to Sacramento helped the disengaged Hawks more than anything they've done lately to help themselves.

John Schuhmann moves the Hawks up one notch to No. 15 this week in the latest NBA.com Power Rankings.

Atlanta

 (42-32)

Pace: 91.7 (27), Off: 103.6 (20), Def: 104.0 (15)

Josh Smith

had a huge week, shooting 27-for-45 in the Hawks' first three games and grabbing 18 rebounds and coming two assists short of a triple-double in Sunday's win in Cleveland. Perhaps the more interesting development was

Marvin Williams

' season-high 31 points against the Cavs.

Atlanta also checks in at No. 17 in John Hollinger's ESPN.com Daily NBA Power Rankings. 

To recap Atlanta is ranked anywhere from No. 14 to No. 17 and for the most part behind teams such as Philadelphia and Phoenix despite owning better records than each. The Hawks have the opportunity this week to once again impress the poll creators with back to back games against the Eastern Conference's elite. Atlanta plays Orlando on Wednesday and Boston on Friday. 

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