Cleveland is just the 4th team in NBA history to win its first 15 games of the season.
• Get NBA League Pass TODAY >
With the Emirates NBA Cup incorporated into the schedule over the last two years, the first seven weeks of the season are a little light on games between the two conferences. The Charlotte Hornets, for example, are playing 26 of their first 28 games within the East.
However, through the first four weeks, there have been 52 interconference games. In those interconference games, the Western Conference has been absolutely dominant, winning 37 (71%) of them.
Now, the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks have played just one interconference game apiece, while the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls have combined to play 15. So the East hasn’t exactly put its best foot forward. Still, 13 of the 15 Western Conference teams have winning records vs. the East, with the Utah Jazz 1-1 and the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans 2-4.
NBA Cup action continues this week, but we’ll also get some interesting East-West games in the next seven days, including the Phoenix Suns hosting Orlando and New York, and the Minnesota Timberwolves visiting Boston on Sunday afternoon.
And though the West has been the better conference overall, the No. 1 spot in the Power Rankings still belongs to the East for a second straight week.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
Teams of the Week
Make It Last Forever: Portland (3-0) — After sweeping a two-game series against the Wolves, the Blazers came from 16 points down to beat the Hawks on Sunday.
Something Just Ain’t Right: Philadelphia (0-3) — The Sixers need more than just Joel Embiid’s presence on the floor.
* * *
East vs. West
The West is 37-15 (.712) against the East in interconference games after going 4-1 last week.
* * *
Movement in the Rankings
High jumps of the week: Houston (+7), Detroit (+6), Portland (+5)
Free falls of the week: Phoenix (-7), Chicago (-5), Indiana (-5)
* * *
Week 5 Team to Watch
Boston — The big showdown is Tuesday, when the Celtics host the undefeated Cavs in NBA Cup Group Play action on TNT. Another test will come Sunday afternoon when they host the Timberwolves.
* * *
Previously…
OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)
The league has averaged 112.7 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.6 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.
* = Emirates NBA Cup game
NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, contact him via Bluesky.
#1
Cleveland CavaliersLast Week:1
Record: 15-0
OffRtg: 122.1 (1) DefRtg: 110.7 (7) NetRtg: +11.5 (2) Pace: 101.0 (7)
The Cavs are just the fourth team in NBA history to win their first 15 games of the season, joining three teams – the 1948-49 Capitols, the 1993-94 Rockets and the 2015-16 Warriors – that all reached The Finals. Their 15 wins are more than the Pistons had all of last season (14).
Three takeaways
Against a relatively weak schedule over the last nine days, the Cavs haven’t been particularly dominant. Each of their last five games have been within two points in the fourth quarter and four of the five were within five points in the last five minutes. For the season, they’ve scored a remarkable 82 points on 55 clutch possessions (149 per 100), with Darius Garland having shot 12-for-15 on clutch shots.
They did win weekend games without Evan Mobley (Friday vs. Chicago) and Donovan Mitchell (Sunday vs. Charlotte). Ty Jerome was the replacement starter against the Hornets, scored 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting, and is one of four Cavs in the top 15 in effective field goal percentage among 152 players with at least 100 field goal attempts.
The Cavs have played the league’s easiest schedule in regard to cumulative opponent winning percentage (.395), with 10 of their 15 games coming against teams no better than the 5-8 Hornets. Twelve of the 15 have come against teams that rank in the bottom half of the league defensively.
15-0 is still 15-0, but the Cavs will face their toughest test when they visit the Celtics in NBA Cup action on Tuesday. They actually made only six fewer 3-pointers than Boston (but were outscored by 30 points at the free-throw line) over their five-game series in May, when the Cavs were without Jarrett Allen all series and without Donovan Mitchell for the final two games.
Week 5: @ BOS*, vs. NOP, vs. TOR
#2
Golden State WarriorsLast Week:2
Record: 10-2
OffRtg: 118.4 (4) DefRtg: 107.9 (4) NetRtg: +10.5 (3) Pace: 101.7 (5)
The Warriors continue to pick up (what we think are) quality wins, and they’re one of five 2-0 teams in the NBA Cup.
Three takeaways
When the Warriors went to five straight Finals, they were most dominant in the third quarter. And that’s the case again this year, with the Warriors having outscored their opponents by 25.3 points per 100 possessions in the third quarter, the best mark for any team in any period. They had a 16-0, third-quarter run against Dallas on Tuesday, and they took control of their game against Memphis with a big third quarter on Friday.
That dominance has been mostly about offense, where the Warriors have scored an incredible 138 points per 100 possessions in the third. The have four of the 17 players with an effective field goal percentage of 70% or better on at least 20 third-quarter field goal attempts, with Draymond Green (86.4%) having shot 10-for-15 from 3-point range in the third.
Playing 12 guys continues to work, but maybe some cracks are showing. For the season, the Warriors have outscored their opponents by 6.2 points per 100 possessions in 194 minutes with neither Green nor Stephen Curry on the floor, but both of them had huge on-off differentials over their two games last week.
One of the Warriors’ two losses and their worst offensive game of the season was against the Clippers (when they had a rest advantage) in Week 1. They’ll have a rest advantage again in L.A. on Monday.
Week 5: @ LAC, vs. ATL, @ NOP*, @ SAS
#3
Oklahoma City ThunderLast Week:3
Record: 11-3
OffRtg: 114.1 (12) DefRtg: 102.4 (1) NetRtg: +11.7 (1) Pace: 101.1 (6)
The Thunder won their first three games without Chet Holmgren but fell into second place in the West with their loss to the Mavs on Sunday.
Three takeaways
Three of the four games without Holmgren have been three of the 13 games this season in which a team has grabbed less than 57% of available defensive rebounds. The Thunder have been a worse-than-average defensive-rebounding team (68%) with Holmgren on the floor and even worse (64.6%) with him off the floor.
Their defensive rebounding percentage has been the lowest (55.9%) with Kenrich Williams on the floor, but Williams (backing up Jalen Williams at the five) has retained his plus-minus magic after missing the first 10 games of the season. He had three steals and four blocks in 53 total minutes last week, with the Thunder outscoring their opponents by 25 points (allowing just 95 per 100 possessions) in those 53 minutes.
If they can’t rebound, the Thunder can force more turnovers, and they committed 44 fewer turnovers than their opponents over their four games last week. Their opponent turnover rate (19.4 per 100 possessions) leads the league by a huge margin and would be the highest mark in the last 26 seasons.
The Thunder (3-0) are one of two teams – the Cavs are the other – with three wins in the second games of back-to-backs, and this week brings back-to-back No. 4, which will be followed by four days off.
Week 5: @ SAS*, vs. POR
#4
Boston CelticsLast Week:4
Record: 11-3
OffRtg: 121.4 (2) DefRtg: 111.2 (10) NetRtg: +10.2 (4) Pace: 98.0 (25)
The Celtics still aren’t last season’s Celtics, and their NBA Cup opener was a loss at home to a Hawks team missing its leading scorer and playmaker.
Three takeaways
For the season, the Celtics rank 19th in opponent field goal percentage in the paint (58.2%) and 26th in the percentage of opponent shots that have come in the paint (50%), having ranked second and fourth last season. They’ve been outscored by 8.3 points per game in the restricted area (fourth worst discrepancy), having outscored their opponents by 2.9 per game in the restricted area (seventh best) last season.
The Celtics, of course, continue to destroy teams from beyond the arc (plus-19.9 points per game), though they were only a plus-9 from 3-point range in Brooklyn (66-57) when they had the most efficient game for any team (139 points on 97 possessions) since their win over the Knicks on opening night. Jayson Tatum was 5-for-6 from deep, also dishing out 10 assists with just one turnover.
The Celtics were outscored from 3-point range in four of their eight games against the Cavs last season. The two best teams in the East will play twice in the next two weeks, with the first meeting in Boston on Tuesday.
Week 5: vs. CLE*, @ WAS*, vs. MIN
#5
Houston RocketsLast Week:12↑
Record: 10-4
OffRtg: 114.1 (11) DefRtg: 105.4 (3) NetRtg: +8.7 (5) Pace: 99.8 (11)
After a 1-2 start to the season, the Rockets have won nine of their last 11 games, with the only losses coming to the two top teams in the Western Conference (Golden State and Oklahoma City).
Three takeaways
The Rockets have allowed a paltry 98.1 points per 100 possessions over their five-game winning streak, with their opponents shooting just 46.7% in the paint (second lowest opponent mark over that stretch). On Sunday, they outscored the Bulls by 40 points in the paint (80-40) and opponents have now shot just 58-for-105 (55.2%) at the rim when Alperen Sengun has been there, down from 61.1% last season.
Though the Rockets rank last in ball movement (290 passes per 24 minutes of possession), the offense has been balanced, with seven guys averaging between 12 and 21 points per game over the winning streak.
Their win in Chicago on Sunday began the Rockets’ first stretch of five games in seven days. They’ll be at a rest disadvantage in Milwaukee on Monday, having lost their only other rest-disadvantage game (Oct. 26 in San Antonio).
Week 5: @ MIL, vs. IND, vs. POR*, vs. POR
#6
Minnesota TimberwolvesLast Week:7↑
Record: 8-6
OffRtg: 114.5 (9) DefRtg: 111.7 (11) NetRtg: +2.8 (11) Pace: 98.7 (19)
After two ugly losses in Portland, the Wolves got quality (though narrow) wins over the Kings and Suns over the weekend, with the highlight being Julius Randle’s buzzer-beating game-winner on Sunday.
Three takeaways
The Wolves haven’t had much consistency on either end of the floor. With their starters combining to shoot 13-for-64 (20%) from 3-point range, they scored less than a point per possession over their three-game losing streak. But they won their two weekend games despite allowing at least 120 per 100 on both nights
After their struggles over the previous three games, five different Wolves made at least five 3-pointers over the weekend wins. For the season, they’ve taken 48.2% of their shots from 3-point range (third highest), up from 38.4% (17th) last season, with that being the league’s third biggest jump.
A lot of that, of course, is Anthony Edwards, whose 3-point rate has gone from 34.1% to 53.7%. He leads the league with 43 pull-up 3s, with his 41.3% on pull-up 3s ranking fourth among 21 players with at least 50 attempts.
The Wolves have three days off to enjoy the weekend wins before embarking on a two-game trip through Toronto and Boston. Both of their meetings with the Celtics last season went to overtime, with the home team winning both games.
Week 5: @ TOR, @ BOS
#7
Dallas MavericksLast Week:11↑
Record: 7-7
OffRtg: 114.8 (8) DefRtg: 111.0 (9) NetRtg: +3.8 (9) Pace: 99.7 (12)
After losing four straight games by a total of eight points, the Mavs went 2-0 over the weekend, picking up their best win of the season in Oklahoma City on Sunday night.
Three takeaways
The Mavs were without Luka Dončić on Sunday, but ended their streak of six straight losses in clutch games, escaping with a win (when Lu Dort missed a desperation 3 at the buzzer) after blowing almost all of a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead. For the season, they’ve allowed 71 points on 54 clutch possessions (131 per 100).
But without Dončić, they scored 121 points on 97 possessions against the league’s No. 1 defense, getting to the line for 36 free throws and shooting 11-for-27 (41%) from 3-point range. That ended an amazing streak of six straight games where they shot no better than 33% from deep. Kyrie Irving hasn’t been the problem and is still shooting better than 50% (38-for-73) from 3-point range.
The Mavs needed a big offensive game because they’ve allowed 14.5 more points per 100 possessions on the road (119.3, 28th) than they have at home (104.8, third best). That’s tied for the second-biggest home-road differential on either end of the floor.
It’s tied with the Pelicans’ offense, which has been 14.5 points per 100 possessions better at home. And the Mavs will host the shorthanded Pels on Tuesday before heading out on a three-game trip that takes them from Denver to Miami.
Week 5: vs. NOP*, @ DEN*, @ MIA
#8
Denver NuggetsLast Week:6↓
Record: 7-5
OffRtg: 113.7 (13) DefRtg: 113.4 (16) NetRtg: +0.3 (13) Pace: 100.2 (9)
The Nuggets have won their last five (and seven of their last eight) games with Nikola Jokić in uniform. But the three-time MVP missed both of their games last week for personal reasons and, unsurprisingly, the Nuggets lost them both.
Three takeaways
Prior to Friday, the Nuggets had scored just 81 points per 100 possessions with Jokić off the floor. So the 96.3 per 100 they scored over the two weekend losses was an improvement, though still rather anemic offense, especially when you consider that the Pelicans ranked 29th defensively prior to the Friday game.
Jamal Murray shot just 12-for-31 (including 3-for-14 from 3-point range) and had just two free throw attempts over the two losses. He’s registering career-low marks for both 2-point percentage (45.9%) and 3-point percentage (30.2%).
Though the starting center was Dario Šarić and not Jokic, Denver was still much better with the starting center on the floor (plus-7.0 points per 100 possessions) than it was with him off the floor (minus-49.4) over the two games. The Nuggets’ aggregate bench NetRtg (minus-8.1 points per 100 possessions) would be the worst benchmark in the 29 seasons for which we have play-by-play data.
Over the last five seasons (since his first MVP season), the Nuggets are 9-17 without Jokic. Hopefully, he’ll be available for their second of two games in Memphis (Tuesday).
Week 5: @ MEM*, vs. DAL*, @ LAL
#9
Los Angeles LakersLast Week:13↑
Record: 9-4
OffRtg: 117.7 (5) DefRtg: 116.9 (24) NetRtg: +0.7 (12) Pace: 99.2 (15)
The Lakers haven’t been dominant, but they’ve won five straight games and remain undefeated (8-0) in the NBA Cup all-time.
Three takeaways
The winning streak coincides with Cam Reddish replacing D’Angelo Russell in the starting lineup. That change also sparked LeBron James’ career-long streak of four straight triple-doubles, which came to an end in New Orleans on Saturday (when Reddish was also out). James’ 41 assists to Anthony Davis are the most from a player to a single teammate, but he had at least two assists to each of the other 10 Lakers that he shared the floor with over the four-game, triple-double streak.
The last three games were all within five points in the last five minutes. The Lakers scored 43 points on 26 clutch possessions (1.65 per) over the three, with James, Davis and Austin Reaves combining to shoot 7-for-10 on clutch 3-pointers. James was 1-for-6 from beyond the arc before draining the dagger over Yves Missi on Saturday.
Overall, the Lakers rank as the league’s fourth most-improved offensive team, having scored 2.3 more points per 100 possessions than they did last season. They’ve seen the league’s third-biggest drop in turnover rate and its sixth-biggest jump in offensive rebounding percentage.
The Lakers are 6-0 at home and return to Staples Center for a three-game homestand that includes a visit from the Magic, the best defensive team they will have faced thus far.
Week 5: vs. UTA*, vs. ORL, vs. DEN
#10
Memphis GrizzliesLast Week:8↓
Record: 8-6
OffRtg: 115.4 (7) DefRtg: 108.6 (5) NetRtg: +6.8 (6) Pace: 103.4 (4)
Ja Morant has missed the last five games, but the Grizzlies got Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and Vince Williams Jr. back from injury absences last week and remained above .500 with a win over the shorthanded Nuggets on Sunday.
Three takeaways
Seven of the Grizzlies’ eight wins have come by 13 points or more, while four of their six losses have come by five points or fewer. So they’re 8-2 with the point differential (plus-7.7 per game, fourth in the West) of a team that’s 11-3. They have played a relatively soft schedule (sixth lowest cumulative opponent winning percentage) and they were down 21 with less than four minutes left before making a too-late comeback to pull within five at Golden State on Friday.
Bane shot just 2-for-11 from 3-point range in his first two games back, but was 10-for-14 inside the arc, adding 11 rebounds and seven assists in the win over Denver. The Grizzlies have still had Bane, Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. on the floor together for just 18 total minutes over two games.
Bane’s stronger shooting inside the arc is emblematic of a team that’s averaged 59.9 points in the paint per game, which would be the highest mark in the 29 seasons for which shot locations have been tracked. Their paint differential (plus-13.1 points per game) would be the second biggest in that time.
The Grizzlies’ win over the Nuggets on Sunday was the start of a stretch where they’re playing seven of eight at home, and they’ll have a rest advantage for the one road game (Saturday in Chicago).
Week 5: vs. DEN*, vs. PHI, @ CHI
#11
Sacramento KingsLast Week:9↓
Record: 8-6
OffRtg: 116.3 (6) DefRtg: 112.6 (13) NetRtg: +3.7 (10) Pace: 98.9 (17)
De’Aaron Fox had a pretty good weekend, totaling 109 points against the Wolves and Jazz. But the Kings split the two games, because their defense wasn’t good enough, especially in the clutch on Friday.
Three takeaways
Fox ranks third in transition possessions per game (6.3), according to Synergy tracking. He hasn’t been very efficient in transition, scoring just 0.89 points per possession, down from 1.16 last season and the second worst mark among 32 players with at least 50 transition possessions total. But in scoring a career-high 60 points on Friday, Fox (14 on 10 possessions) outscored the entire Wolves team (five on nine) by nine points in transition. For the second straight season, the Kings lead the league in the (lowest) percentage of their opponents’ possessions (12.9%) that have been in transition.
The transition defense is the biggest reason why the Kings are one of two teams – the Bucks are the other – that rank in the top five in both opponent field goal percentage in the paint (53.0%, fourth) and the percentage of their opponents’ shots that have come in the paint (45%, fourth lowest). But as they allowed Minnesota to score 28 points on 20 clutch possessions in the loss on Friday, the biggest damage came with two straight Anthony Edwards drives for 3-point plays in the final two minutes of regulation.
Malik Monk has missed the last four games, DeMar DeRozan has missed the last two, and Domantas Sabonis was out against Utah on Saturday. So the Kings’ bench has been pretty depleted, though they were still at their best with reserves on the floor last week.
The Kings are 0-1 in NBA Cup play, but still have a great opportunity to qualify for the semifinals because the loss was in overtime and comes with a point differential of zero. Their next Cup game is Friday when they’ll visit the Clippers, to whom they lost (at home) in Week 3, shooting just 3-for-26 from 3-point range.
Week 5: vs. ATL, @ LAC*, vs. BKN
#12
Phoenix SunsLast Week:5↓
Record: 9-5
OffRtg: 112.3 (16) DefRtg: 113.4 (14) NetRtg: -1.1 (17) Pace: 98.5 (22)
The Suns are 1-4 without Kevin Durant, with the only win having come against the last-place Jazz.
Three takeaways
The Suns had 40 free throw attempts in Oklahoma City on Friday, but the loss was still their worst offensive performance (83 points on 96 possessions) in the last five seasons. Their effective field goal percentage of 35.3% was the lowest mark for any team in any game this season. Devin Booker was 2-for-10 (0-for-6 in the first half) and his season-long effective field goal percentage of 51.0% would be his lowest mark in the last seven seasons.
Overall, the bigger difference from their games with Durant in uniform has been on defense, where the Suns have allowed 117.9 points per 100 possessions over these last five games. Sandwiching the Oklahoma City loss were games in which the Kings and Wolves combined to shoot 66% inside the arc and 48% from deep.
Bradley Beal has also missed the last three games, and the Suns have now been outscored by 8.9 points per 100 possessions in 174 minutes with Booker on the floor without either Beal or Durant. They started both Mason Plumlee and Jusuf Nurkić on Sunday and were actually a plus-5 in less than 10 minutes with the two bigs on the floor together.
The Suns’ rest-disadvantage game against the Magic on Monday is the end of their first stretch of five games in seven days. But it’s also the start of their longest homestand of the season (six games over 16 days), with a five-day break after their game against the Knicks on Wednesday.
Week 5: vs. ORL, vs. NYK
#13
New York KnicksLast Week:15↑
Record: 7-6
OffRtg: 119.7 (3) DefRtg: 115.5 (21) NetRtg: +4.1 (8) Pace: 96.5 (29)
The Knicks have been within one game of .500 all season, but they’re now on the right side of .500 for the first time since they were 3-2, having swept their two-game series with the Nets over the weekend.
Three takeaways
Prior to Friday, New York opponents had shot 62.0% (the league’s highest opponent mark) in the paint. But the Nets shot just 26-for-64 (41%) in the paint over the weekend, with Ariel Hukporti (playing 30 minutes with Karl-Anthony Towns out) blocking four shots on Friday when Mikal Bridges sealed the win by blocking Dennis Schröder at the buzzer.
The Knicks added a couple of guys who can get buckets in the offseason, but Jalen Brunson has a higher usage rate in the clutch (39.6%, fifth in the league) than he did last season (37.5%, third). He’s 3-for-5 on shots to tie or take the lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime, with all three makes (plus a miss for the win against Chicago) having come last week. The three makes are tied with Kevin Durant (3-for-5) and Jayson Tatum (3-for-6) for the league lead.
Overall, Brunson has an effective field goal percentage of just 51.5%, the lowest mark of his career, though not a huge drop from the last two seasons (54.5%). That’s mostly about his shooting from outside the paint; His shooting in the paint (56.5%) is up from the last two years (54.5%) and he’s also registering the highest free throw rate of his career (36 attempts per 100 shots from the field).
The Knicks conclude their first stretch of five games in seven days with a visit from the Wizards on Monday. They then head out on a five-game trip where the first four games are against the Western Conference. They were 6-9 in West arenas last season and lost in Houston earlier this month.
Week 5: vs. WAS, @ PHX, @ UTA
#14
Orlando MagicLast Week:17↑
Record: 8-6
OffRtg: 108.3 (25) DefRtg: 103.5 (2) NetRtg: +4.9 (7) Pace: 98.8 (18)
After losing their first four games without Paolo Banchero (all on the road), the Magic have won five straight (all at home) to join the exclusive group of Eastern Conference teams with winning records.
Three takeaways
The Magic have held their opponents to just 92.9 points per 100 possessions over the winning streak. That’s 6.7 per 100 fewer than they allowed in any five-game stretch last season, with the context being that four of the five opponents (all except the Pacers) rank in the bottom eight offensively.
They’re not all bad offensive rebounding teams, but the Magic have continued to dominate the defensive glass, even though their two leading rebounders have both been out for all but nine minutes over the last nine games. Their season-long defensive rebounding percentage of 75.8% would be the highest mark for any team in the last four seasons.
Franz Wagner has averaged 28.4 points over the winning streak. He’s starting to make some shots from beyond the arc (5-for-11 on Friday), but his season-long true shooting percentage (56.7%) is still down from last season (57.5%) and ranks just 33rd among 43 players averaging at least 20 points per game. His field goal percentage in the paint and his free throw rate are both down from last season.
Now 7-0 at home, the Magic head back on the road this week, taking a three-game trip through the Pacific Division. They scored less than 90 points per 100 possessions in their last two games in Western Conference arenas.
Week 5: @ PHX, @ LAC, @ LAL, vs. DET
#15
Indiana PacersLast Week:10↓
Record: 6-7
OffRtg: 112.9 (14) DefRtg: 116.1 (23) NetRtg: -3.2 (21) Pace: 99.1 (16)
The Pacers have been without Andrew Nembhard (last five games) and Aaron Nesmith (last seven), but there aren’t many teams feeling sorry for them these days. They did manage a split of two games against the Heat, holding off a Miami comeback on Sunday.
Three takeaways
The Pacers are 4-3 over the last two weeks, having scored 127 points per 100 possessions over the four wins and just 97.6 over the three losses. Tyrese Haliburton has had the biggest true-shooting-percentage differential over that stretch, 67.8% in the wins and just 40.9% in the losses, also registering a much higher assist/turnover ratio and a much higher free throw rate in the wins.
Overall, the Pacers have seen the league’s third-biggest drop in points scored per 100 possessions from last season, when they ranked second on that end of the floor. Their shooting has seen a huge drop-off from mid-range, from 50.5% (the highest mark in the last 27 seasons of shot-location data) to just 35.4% (26th) this season.
With Ben Sheppard leaving Sunday’s win with an oblique strain, the Pacers are probably down another guard/wing this week. They closed the win over Miami with Haliburton and T.J. McConnell on the floor together, and that combo had great numbers (plus-17.7 per 100 possessions) in limited (220) minutes last season.
Counting their first-round playoff series, the Pacers were 8-3 against the Bucks last season. Their first meeting of ’24-25 is another NBA Cup game in Milwaukee on Friday.
Week 5: @ TOR, @ HOU, @ MIL*, vs. WAS
#16
LA ClippersLast Week:14↓
Record: 7-7
OffRtg: 111.0 (18) DefRtg: 110.7 (8) NetRtg: +0.3 (14) Pace: 98.3 (23)
The Clippers followed a four-game winning streak with three straight losses (all on the road) before coming back home to beat the Jazz on Sunday.
Three takeaways
After their defense got torched in Oklahoma City, the Clippers scored just 101.5 points per 100 possessions over their two losses in Houston. Norman Powell (8-for-29 over the two Houston games) finally cooled off and the Clips have now seen the league’s fifth-biggest drop in points scored per 100 possessions (-6.9) from last season.
The Clippers made a lineup change last week, replacing Terance Mann with Kris Dunn for the last three games. Mann has really struggled offensively, shooting just 40%, including 11-for-47 (23%) from outside the restricted area. He’s averaged just 16.6 minutes in his three games coming off the bench.
In Dunn’s first start, the new lineup outscored the Rockets by 15 points in a little less than 17 minutes, but Houston put the game out of reach with a 19-2 run spanning the third and fourth quarters and the Clippers were outscored by 23 in 31 total minutes with at least one reserve on the floor. Overall, the Clips are plus-12.8 points per 100 possessions in 92 minutes with Dunn on the floor with James Harden, Powell and Ivica Zubac.
The next five games might be the Clippers’ toughest stretch of the season, and they’ll be at a rest disadvantage when they host the Warriors on Monday. But they are one of two teams – the Cavs are the other – to have beaten Golden State.
Week 5: vs. GSW, vs. ORL, vs. SAC*, @ PHI
#17
Detroit PistonsLast Week:23↑
Record: 7-8
OffRtg: 110.1 (22) DefRtg: 110.4 (6) NetRtg: -0.3 (15) Pace: 98.3 (24)
Since an 0-4 start, the Pistons are 7-4, climbing to fifth place in the Eastern Conference. They’re also one of five 2-0 teams in the NBA Cup.
Three takeaways
The Pistons rank sixth defensively (fifth over the last 11 games), having held the Raptors and Wizards to just 99 points per 100 possessions over the weekend. While those are two pretty weak offenses, the Pistons have played more games against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively (5) than against teams that rank in the bottom 10 (3).
Malik Beasley has caught fire, shooting 27-for-56 (48%) from 3-point range over the last five games. A couple of possessions before he drained the game-winning free throw (after the Heat called a timeout they didn’t have) on Tuesday, he drained a huge 3 (on the move) to tie the game in the final minute of overtime.
Beasley has been in the starting lineup with Tim Hardaway Jr.’s absence, which has also provided an opportunity for third-year guard Wendell Moore Jr., who’s had more games of at least 20 minutes in the last five days (3) than he had prior in his career (1). Of course, we may soon see the season debut of Ausar Thompson, who was cleared to resume basketball activities last week. Thompson’s 2.89 steals + blocks per 36 minutes last season ranked 26th among 265 players who played at least 1,000 minutes.
The Pistons have a great opportunity to get over .500 with games against the Bulls and Hornets coming up. Their trip to Charlotte on Thursday is also a chance to avenge their at-the-buzzer loss there 15 days prior.
Week 5: vs. CHI, @ CHA, @ ORL
#18
Miami HeatLast Week:16↓
Record: 5-7
OffRtg: 112.7 (15) DefRtg: 113.7 (18) NetRtg: -1.0 (16) Pace: 97.7 (26)
The Heat went 2-4 on the first of two six-game road trips, 0-2 with Jimmy Butler and 2-2 without him.
Three takeaways
Two nights after a great play call for a game-winning layup, the Heat had one of the biggest sideline errors we’ve seen in a long time. After a brutal defensive breakdown (on a very common end-of-game play), a frustrated Erik Spoelstra called a timeout that they didn’t have and cost them their game in Detroit on Tuesday. The Heat are just 2-5 in games that were within five points in the last five minutes, having allowed 72 points on 57 clutch possessions (1.26 per).
Bam Adebayo has averaged 24.7 points over the last three games, starting to see some jumpers fall (4-for-7 from mid-range and 5-for-8 from beyond the arc), but also starting to finish better in the paint. His season-long field goal percentage in the paint (49.2%), the percentage of his shots that have come in the paint (70%), and his free throw rate (37.1 attempts per 100 shots from the field) are all the lowest marks of his career.
Butler could return this week, though Jaime Jaquez Jr. was lost to a right ankle turn in the third quarter on Sunday. Kevin Love has started the last four games and the most recent lineup (with Haywood Highsmith in Butler’s place) has allowed less than a point per possession in its 45 minutes. But Love has played just 47 total minutes (ninth on the team) in that stretch, with Duncan Robinson or Nikola Jović on the floor late in the three games that were close.
Their loss in Indiana on Sunday was the end of a six-game trip and also the start of the Heat’s first back-to-back (they were the only team that hadn’t played one yet). The back end (a visit from the Sixers on Monday night) is followed by five days off.
Week 5: vs. PHI, vs. DAL
#19
San Antonio SpursLast Week:21↑
Record: 6-8
OffRtg: 110.2 (21) DefRtg: 111.8 (12) NetRtg: -1.6 (18) Pace: 98.7 (20)
Victor Wembanyama totaled 84 points (with a career-high 50 on Wednesday) as the Spurs picked up wins over the Kings and Wizards to get back to .500. But they’ve since dropped two straight.
Three takeaways
Wembanyama continues to take more than half of his shots from outside the paint, but those shots were falling (5-for-9 from mid-range, 14-for-28 from 3-point range) against Sacramento and Washington. Of course, in the paint, he’s shot 58-for-79 (73.4%), the best mark among 71 players with at least 75 attempts. He was 7-for-9 in the paint against the Lakers on Friday, but 5-for-16 from the outside (air-balling a late 3 for the lead) and didn’t attempt a single free throw in the five-point loss.
With Jeremy Sochan hurt and Vassell coming off the bench, Stephon Castle continues to start and play pretty well. The Spurs’ current lineup has outscored opponents by an amazing 58 points (35.7 per 100 possessions) in 76 total minutes, with some help from the opponents having shot just 13-for-56 (23%) from 3-point range in that time. It was a plus-12 in a little less than 12 minutes in their five-point loss to the Lakers.
Both Wembanyama and Vassell sat out the Spurs’ loss in Dallas on Saturday, the second game of a back-to-back. They don’t have a back-to-back this week, but they do have two of the best teams in the league – the Thunder and Warriors – coming to the Frost Bank Center. The Spurs’ first game against Oklahoma City is tied with the Wembanyama-less Dallas loss for their worst offensive performance (93 points on 100 possessions) of the season.
Week 5: vs. OKC*, vs. UTA, vs. GSW
#20
Atlanta HawksLast Week:20
Record: 6-8
OffRtg: 111.9 (17) DefRtg: 116.0 (22) NetRtg: -4.1 (22) Pace: 104.0 (3)
The Hawks got their best win of the season on Tuesday, beating the Celtics (in Boston) on Onyeka Okongwu’s tip-in with 6.1 seconds left. They also got their first win over the Wizards in three tries but began a four-game trip by blowing a 16-point lead in Portland.
Three takeaways
The Hawks won in Boston without Trae Young and with Jalen Johnson continuing to get more opportunities as a playmaker. He recorded his second career triple-double (18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists) and has now had the ball in his hands for 3.9 minutes per game (11% of his time on the floor), up from 2.4 minutes (7%) last season.
The Hawks also won in Boston despite being outscored by 24 points from 3-point range. For the season, they’ve been outscored by 12.6 points per game from beyond the arc, which would be the worst differential in the 45 seasons of the 3-point line. The 16.5 3s per game they’ve allowed would also be an NBA record by a wide margin, with the previous record being 14.8 per game.
Daniels didn’t play when the Hawks lost to the Kings earlier this month. Their four-game trip continues with a rest-disadvantage game in Sacramento on Monday.
Week 5: @ SAC, @ GSW, @ CHI*
#21
Brooklyn NetsLast Week:18↓
Record: 5-9
OffRtg: 114.3 (10) DefRtg: 117.1 (26) NetRtg: -2.8 (20) Pace: 96.3 (30)
The Nets have fallen victim to a pretty brutal schedule over the last 10 days. They’ve lost five of their last six games, with the only win coming by two points over the depleted Pelicans.
Three takeaways
After allowing just 110 points per 100 possessions over their previous seven games, the Nets played three games against the league’s second and third-ranked offenses and allowed almost 132 per 100 as they lost all three. Overall, they’ve seen the league’s sixth-biggest jump in points allowed per 100 possessions from last season, though it should be noted that seven of their 14 games have now come against teams that currently rank in the top seven offensively.
The Nets were also missing Nic Claxton over the weekend. Their most-used four-man unit – Dennis Schröder, Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith – has outscored opponents by 7.6 points per 100 possessions in 228 total minutes. That breaks down to a minus-5.4 per 100 in 85 minutes with Ben Simmons as the fifth guy and plus-15.7 per 100 in 143 minutes with somebody else as the fifth guy, with the difference almost entirely about the offensive end of the floor.
Four nights after hitting a tough, step-back 3 for the lead in New Orleans, Thomas gave the Nets a chance in their first of two games in New York by scoring 43 points on 16-for-22 shooting, with 15 of those 22 shots having come from outside the paint. Thomas has scored 1.29 points per possession in isolation, according to Synergy tracking, with only Kyrie Irving having a better mark (1.37) among 39 players with at least 25 total isolation possessions.
The Nets are six games into a stretch where they’re playing nine of 11 on the road. They’ll have two days off after hosting the Hornets on Tuesday, but then head out on a four-game trip that includes two more games against teams – the Kings and Warriors – that rank in the top 10 offensively.
Week 5: vs. CHA*, @ PHI*, @ SAC
#22
Portland Trail BlazersLast Week:27↑
Record: 6-8
OffRtg: 106.8 (28) DefRtg: 113.4 (15) NetRtg: -6.6 (24) Pace: 100.6 (8)
The Blazers were the last team to play an interconference game, but good things come to those who wait, and they beat the Hawks on Sunday to give them three straight wins for the first time since Games 4-6 last season.
Three takeaways
It was just eight days ago that the Blazers were embarrassed by a 45-point loss (at home) to the shorthanded Grizzlies. And they responded well, with the winning streak being their best three-game stretch of defense (105.0 points allowed per 100 possessions) this season.
Shaedon Sharpe had played in just three games (and shot 1-for-13 from 3-point range) prior to the streak, but he’s been the offensive star, averaging 27.3 points on an effective field goal percentage of 58.5% over three wins. He also made some good decisions as he dished out five assists in the comeback win over the Hawks. If Sharpe could start putting it together (with some consistency) this season, he’d have a special combination of skill and athleticism.
Deandre Ayton has missed all three games, allowing Donovan Clingan (17 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks in the second win over the Wolves) to start and Robert Williams III to play 50 minutes over the two games for which he was available. Williams totaled 33 points (on 15-for-16 shooting), 17 rebounds, four steals and four blocks in those 50 minutes.
The Blazers begin a five-game trip on Wednesday in Oklahoma City, where they lost by 62 points back in January. They also lost to the Thunder (at home) by 23 points earlier this month.
Week 5: @ OKC, @ HOU*, @ HOU
#23
Charlotte HornetsLast Week:22↓
Record: 5-8
OffRtg: 109.5 (23) DefRtg: 114.5 (20) NetRtg: -5.0 (23) Pace: 98.6 (21)
The Hornets got a clutch win over the Bucks (thanks to a phantom call) on Saturday and were somewhat competitive in a rest-disadvantage game in Cleveland the following night.
Three takeaways
Mark Williams hasn’t played, Nick Richards has missed the last eight games, and the Hornets have been outscored by 19.1 points per 100 possessions with Taj Gibson on the floor. So Grant Williams is now the starting center, backed up by Moussa Diabaté. The Williams lineup has shot 25-for-47 (53%) from 3-point range but has also allowed 129 points on just 95 defensive possessions (136 per 100).
It’s hard to know which of the Eastern Conference teams within a few games of .500 might actually be solid, but the Hornets have three good tests of where they stand this week. They’ll visit the Nets and Bucks, with a home game against the Pistons (who they beat the buzzer 12 days ago) in between.
Week 5: @ BKN*, vs. DET, @ MIL
#24
Chicago BullsLast Week:19↓
Record: 5-9
OffRtg: 109.3 (24) DefRtg: 116.9 (25) NetRtg: -7.7 (26) Pace: 105.8 (1)
The Bulls got a good win in New York on Wednesday, with Coby White going 3-for-3 at the line to put them ahead with 3.2 seconds left. But they proceeded to allow more than 140 points in both games over the weekend.
Three takeaways
That opponent scoring has been aided by the fastest pace for any team in the 29 seasons of play-by-play data. Of course, the pace doesn’t seem to be aiding the Bulls … unless they’re big fans of the 2025 Draft class. They’ve played in three of the eight fastest-paced games of the season and lost those three games (including the two over the weekend) by an average of 24.3 points (21.7 per 100 possessions).
Prior to getting clobbered by the Rockets on Sunday, the Bulls’ previous five games were all within five points in the last five minutes, and they’ve been closing with Ayo Dosunmu on the floor instead of either Josh Giddey or Patrick Williams. Dosunmu hit a pair of big free throws down the stretch in New York, but overall, the Chicago offense has struggled (104.6 points scored per 100 possessions) with him on the floor. The fourth-year guard has shot just 26% from 3-point range, including 4-for-29 (14%) on above-the-break 3s.
The point differential in those fast-paced games has been even bigger (minus-28.7 per game) in the paint. The Bulls have been outscored in the paint in 12 of their 14 games, including each of the last nine.
This is a light week of games league-wide, but the Bulls’ loss to the Rockets on Sunday was the start of their only stretch of five games in seven days. Their game in Detroit on Monday will be the second game of a back-to-back for both teams.
Week 5: @ DET, @ MIL, vs. ATL*, vs. MEM
#25
Milwaukee BucksLast Week:24↓
Record: 4-9
OffRtg: 110.9 (19) DefRtg: 113.6 (17) NetRtg: -2.7 (19) Pace: 99.4 (14)
The Bucks won two straight games, but their first winning streak came to an end with a bad call in Charlotte on Saturday afternoon.
Three takeaways
The Bucks lost to the Hornets because of a bad call, but also because they were outscored by 26 points on fast breaks (22-9) and second chances (21-8). And they still had a chance to win after the phantom foul on Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he missed a mid-range jumper (with Grant Williams giving him plenty of space to shoot) for the win.
Antetokounmpo’s 26-for-56 (46.4%) from mid-range is still the best mark of his career by a wide margin. He was 7-for-11 from mid-range and 16-for-17 from the line as he totaled 59 points (second-highest total of his career) in the Bucks’ overtime win over the Pistons on Wednesday, draining two jumpers (one mid-range, one 3-pointer) on the Bucks’ 8-0 run to start the extra period.
The last three games have come without Damian Lillard (concussion protocol) and without a real solution at point guard. Delon Wright was supposed to be that guy, but has shot just 30% (including 4-for-20 from 3-point range) this season. The Bucks scored just 101.8 points per 100 possessions with Wright on the floor (vs. 117.6 with him off the floor) over the three games.
After their one-game trip to Charlotte, the Bucks are back in Milwaukee for a four-game homestand in which they’ll have an opportunity to avenge a playoff-series loss to the Pacers, as well as early-season losses to both the Bulls and Hornets.
Week 5: vs. HOU, vs. CHI, vs. IND*, vs. CHA
#26
Philadelphia 76ersLast Week:25↓
Record: 2-10
OffRtg: 105.7 (30) DefRtg: 113.9 (19) NetRtg: -8.1 (27) Pace: 97.3 (27)
Joel Embiid is back in uniform, but not nearly back to form, and the Sixers have yet to start digging themselves out of this hole.
Three takeaways
The good news is that the Sixers might have a big four once everybody is healthy because Jared McCain is a player. The rookie has averaged 28.3 points on a true shooting percentage of 66.9% over the last four games. He’s been hunting shots, but also making some good decisions with the ball, picking up 10 assists in the loss (without Embiid and Paul George) to Cleveland on Wednesday. The Cavs went to a box-and-one defense out of a fourth-quarter timeout because McCain was doing so much damage (and perhaps as a tribute to Nick Nurse).
The bad news is that Embiid, even though he was technically able to play several days before he actually played, was not very good in his 59 minutes over two games. The former MVP was 10-for-10 from the line in Orlando on Friday but has shot just 3-for-20 from outside the paint (with just six field goal attempts in the paint).
The Sixers don’t have any back-to-backs in the next couple of weeks, and they’ll have rest advantages in four of their next six games, including visits to Miami and Memphis on Monday and Wednesday.
Week 5: @ MIA, @ MEM, vs. BKN*, vs. LAC
#27
New Orleans PelicansLast Week:28↑
Record: 4-10
OffRtg: 108.3 (26) DefRtg: 117.2 (27) NetRtg: -8.9 (28) Pace: 96.6 (28)
The Pelicans remain depleted by injuries, but they showed some resilience over the weekend, beating the Jokić-less Nuggets and going down to the wire with the Lakers.
Three takeaways
The Pels did get Trey Murphy III back last week, though he shot just 6-for-22 from 3-point range over his first three games. They still don’t have a lineup that’s played more than 31 minutes and two of the four guys who’ve played at least 200 minutes with Brandon Ingram are Javonte Green (signed to a minimum contract in late August) and Brandon Boston Jr. (claimed off waivers the day before the season started). Both of those guys hit big 3-pointers down the stretch against Denver on Friday.
The Pels have seen a bigger drop-off from last season on defense than they have on offense, but they held Denver to just a point per possession on Friday. They lead the league in opponent free throw rate (20.1 attempts per 100 shots from the field), and Denver had just 11 attempts at the line.
The Pels scored just 102.6 points per 100 possessions as they lost their first two games against the Warriors by double-digits. Their third meeting is Friday, one of just two home games on a stretch where they’re playing six of eight on the road.
Week 5: @ DAL*, @ CLE, vs. GSW*
#28
Toronto RaptorsLast Week:26↓
Record: 2-12
OffRtg: 110.6 (20) DefRtg: 117.4 (28) NetRtg: -6.8 (25) Pace: 99.4 (13)
Still playing very shorthanded, the Raptors have lost seven straight games and are one of two 0-2 teams – the Sixers are the other – in the NBA Cup. But they’ve had a lot of narrow losses against good teams.
Three takeaways
The Raptors rank 28th defensively, but are the only team with multiple losses when allowing a point per possession or less. They lost ugly ones to the Bucks and Pistons last week, shooting a brutal 43-for-111 (38.7%) in the paint over the two games.
They were better in the paint (38-for-67, 57%) on Saturday when they took the Celtics to overtime but couldn’t get the bucket they needed down the stretch. The Raptors are now 1-6 in games that were within five points in the last five minutes. RJ Barrett’s 8-for-26 on clutch field goals is the second-worst mark among 16 players with at least 15 attempts, and his 9-for-16 on clutch free throws is the second-worst mark among 13 players with at least 10 attempts.
Jakob Pöltl has totaled 60 points and 30 rebounds over the last two games, with his 35 points (on 16-for-19 shooting) against the Celtics on Saturday being his career high. Over the seven-game losing streak, the Raptors have been outscored by only 0.8 points per 100 possessions in 188 minutes with Pöltl and Gradey Dick on the floor, but bench minutes have been rough.
The Raptors are one of seven teams with no NBA Cup games this week. They’ll have a rest advantage when they host the Pacers on Monday.
Week 5: vs. IND, vs. MIN, @ CLE
#29
Utah JazzLast Week:29
Record: 3-10
OffRtg: 107.4 (27) DefRtg: 118.5 (29) NetRtg: -11.1 (29) Pace: 99.2 (10)
The Jazz got a good win over the Mavs (their first home win of the season) last week, but remain in last place in the Western Conference.
Three takeaways
Rookie Isaiah Collier is also starting to get some playing time, which may be a necessary thing for the backcourt. The Jazz have been outscored by 18.2 points per 100 possessions (having allowed 123.9 per 100) in 388 total minutes with at least two of Keyonte George, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson on the floor, but are just minus-3.0 per 100 (having allowed 111.3 per 100) in 206 total minutes with only one of the three on the floor.
The Jazz have committed more turnovers than their opponent in 12 of their 13 games, with the differential of 10 (19-9) against the Clippers on Sunday being their third double-digit differential of the season. Their season-long differential of 5.3 per game would be the worst mark for any team in the 48 seasons for which turnovers have been counted.
The Jazz have already split two games against the Spurs, and they’ll meet two more times in the next nine days. They’ll finish their four-game trip in San Antonio on Thursday and then begin a five-game homestand (where Game 2 is against the Spurs) two nights later.
Week 5: @ LAL*, @ SAS, vs. NYK
#30
Washington WizardsLast Week:30
Record: 2-10
OffRtg: 106.3 (29) DefRtg: 118.8 (30) NetRtg: -12.5 (30) Pace: 104.0 (2)
The Wizards’ eight-game losing streak includes a loss (on Friday) to the one team (the Hawks) they’ve beat this season.
Three takeaways
The loss in Atlanta on Friday did come with the best game of Alex Sarr’s young career. The rookie had 20 points (shooting 3-for-4 from 3-point range), seven rebounds, four steals and three blocks in 31 minutes. His overall rim protection numbers aren’t great (teams have shot 61% at the rim when he’s been there), but Sarr’s 3.2 blocks per 36 minutes rank sixth among 309 players who’ve played at least 100 minutes.
Malcolm Brogdon made his season debut on Sunday and, while he shot 0-for-4 in 22 minutes off the bench, you have to wonder when the Wizards might put him in the starting lineup. The current group (with Kyle Kuzma back) has been outscored by an amazing 35.2 points per 100 possessions in its 75 minutes, and the Wizards have scored just 94.1 per 100 in 199 total minutes with Jordan Poole and Bub Carrington in the backcourt together.
The Wizards’ point differential of minus-13.7 points per game is the worst mark for any team through 12 games in the last nine seasons since the 0-12, 2015-16 Sixers had a differential of minus-14.0 per game.
Those numbers could get worse with the Wizards playing the Knicks and Celtics this week. They trailed Boston by 32 points (losing by 20) in their first game of the season.
Week 5: @ NYK, vs. BOS*, @ IND