We are another week into the NBA season. As with every week, some teams get hot, while others struggle. While there is still a whole lot of season left to be played, some teams are really establishing themselves as contenders. Here are this week’s power rankings.
1. Indiana Pacers
Once again the Pacers are the number one team. They are representing an otherwise struggling Eastern Conference. With the lack of quality teams in the East the Pacers could very likely hold this spot.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Another week and another solid series of wins. The Spurs are currently riding an eight game win streak but have a tough schedule ahead.
3. Miami Heat
The Heat are on a nice little win streak of their own, having won five in a row. The reigning champs are finally starting to shake the champion’s hangover.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have continued to look impressive, especially considering the difficultly of their schedule. They have wins against many of the top teams in the West.
5. Oklahoma State Thunder
With a big game against the Clippers Thursday night, the Thunder will be tested. With Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant the Thunder are in good shape moving forward.
6. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are on a five game win streak and are finally starting to turn the corner. Their biggest win of the weak comes against a very good Pacers team.
7. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors will need Stephen Curry to return if they hope to continue their winning ways. So far they have been very impressive, with every loss coming from some of the better teams in the West.
8. Houston Rockets
Defense continues to be an issue for the Rockets. Even with such poor defensive showings the Rockets are winning games, and that is a good sign.
9. Portland Trail Blazers
I’m still not sold on the Blazers. They have a very solid team, and an eight game win streak is impressive. But their only quality win comes against the Spurs.
10. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs just keep on winning. After an impressive comeback win against the Rockets, the Mavs have proven they can compete in the West.
11. Memphis Grizzlies
After a very slow start, the Grizzlies are on a four game winning streak. They could still use some help offensively but they are improving.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have struggled this week, losing three of their last four games. This is still a very good team and they will be fighting for a seed in the West.
13. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have quietly become the fourth best team in the East. While they still don’t have a win against a top team, they are playing some great basketball.
14. New Orleans Pelican
Led by Anthony Davis, the Pelicans are starting to turn things around. With the return of Ryan Anderson the Pelicans should be improved offensively.
15. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have struggled lately, but a large reason for that is the injury to Eric Bledsoe. When Bledsoe returns, look for the Suns to make a run for a late seed.
16. Charlotte Bobcats
One of the more surprising teams so far this season, the Bobcats are currently sitting pretty at six and six.
17. Los Angeles Lakers
It tells you a lot when the Lakers are ranked higher than most of the Eastern Conference teams. The Lakers need to fight to stay at five-hundred until Kobe Bryant can return.
18. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors need to capitalize on a weak Eastern Conference. With a difficult schedule in the coming weeks the Raptors will need to well very well if they hope to remain relevant.
19. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets just can’t seem to get on a winning streak. They have struggled mightily on defense and to make matters worse they have a very difficult schedule coming up.
20. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have had a rough couple of weeks. After starting 3-0 the 76ers are two and eight in their last ten games.
21. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have had a very difficult so far. They will need to start winning some of the tough games if they hope to really compete in the East.
22. Washington Wizards
The Wizards are on a nice two game winning streak and should hope to continue that trend if they plan on competing for a playoff spot.
23. Orlando Magic
The Magic have struggled lately but have been much more competitive than originally thought.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs were another team that was expected to compete for a playoff spot, yet so far they have struggled. They have a very difficult schedule coming up and could find themselves in a hole.
25. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have managed to put together two wins in a row. The Kings still need another piece besides DeMarcus Cousins and they should hope to find that piece in the coming draft.
26. Boston Celtics
After a surprising 4-4 start, the Celtics have now lost five straight. With such an inexperienced team, expectations were not high to begin with.
27. New York Knicks
The Knicks managed to loss a very hard fought game against the Pacers on Wednesday night. This is a team that is simply too talented to be this bad.
28. Brooklyn Nets
Much like the Knicks, the Nets are loaded with talent but can’t seem to get anything going. They will need to figure things out quickly if they hope to finish as one of the top teams in the East.
29. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have been pretty awful this year. Fortunately for the Bucks they have a pretty good reason for being so bad. Injuries have plagued this team and once they get healthy they should be a much more competitive team.
30. Utah Jazz
The Jazz have really struggled this season. While Gordon Hayward is putting on a clinic, no one else has really stepped up consistently.