Power Rankings round-up: Bucks make small jump up the rankings after an eventful week

CBS Sports

Bucks rank: 15th

Last week: 17th

"A tough, resilient team that finds ways to get wins vs. teams they should beat. The schedule doesn't get tough until the end of the month. Milwaukee's starting to build a buffer between itself and playoff bubble teams."

In addition to this sentiment, Brett Koremenos of RealGM wrote that, if the Bucks reach the playoffs as a lower seed, they'll be the biggest threat to the best of the East. Do you agree?

ESPN.com

Bucks rank: 15th

Last week: 16th

"Four straight road wins to give the East a whopping six teams with winning records away from home. Continued growth from Giannis Antetokounmpo and, of late, John Henson. The young Bucks are just playing right through the Jabari Parker (injury) and Larry Sanders (personal matters) distractions."

In case you missed it, here is our reaction to the Sanders news.

Sports Illustrated

Bucks rank: 15th

Last week: 16th

"Even former Atlanta Hawks are playing ridiculously well right now. Zaza Pachulia has started the last six games for the Bucks, averaging 12.8 points and 10.5 rebounds. Even with Jabari Parker and Larry Sanders sidelined, Jason Kidd is finding ways to win."

SB Nation

Bucks rank: 17th

Last week: 16th

"The Bucks are staying the course and seem to be living without Larry Sanders anchoring the paint. He's missed the last six games due to "personal reasons," which sounds a lot like he's on a Jason Kidd vacation a la Andray Blatche last season."

Though Sanders is gone, the Bucks defense still ranks 6th in Defensive Rating, according to NBA.com. Pretty impressive considering all the absences.

Yahoo Sports

Bucks rank: 16th

Last week: 16th

"The Bucks recently worked out free-agent forward Kenyon Martin, but don't appear to be in a rush to sign a player to a 10-day contract."

Andrew Gruman of Fox Sports Wisconsin had some follow-up information on Martin.

#Bucks coach Jason Kidd said the team has had no contact with Kenyon Martin since the coaching staff met with the FA in Cleveland last week.

— Andrew Gruman (@AndrewGruman) January 5, 2015

Kidd on if the door is closed with Martin: "There are no doors closed. They are all open." #Bucks

— Andrew Gruman (@AndrewGruman) January 5, 2015

NBA.com

Bucks rank: 15th

Last week: 16th

"No team has played more road games than the Bucks, who are 11-10 with four straight wins away from the Bradley Center. They've held their opponents to a paltry 85 points per 100 possessions in the four games, even though Larry Sanders hasn't played any of them. The last time they had a winning road record (2000-01), they went to the conference finals."

Recap/Stats:

The Bucks climbed up the polls by .6 for an average finish of 15.5