Power Rankings: Red-hot Rockets enter Top 5

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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
* * *
East vs. West
* * *
Movement in the Rankings
* * *
Week 5 Team to Watch
* * *
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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’ 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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*
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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 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*
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 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
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
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
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
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