Power Rankings, Week 3: Celtics take hold of top spot – NBA.com

The Hawks, Timberwolves and Spurs make the biggest leaps, and there's a new No. 1 team in our weekly survey.
John Schuhmann
Much like last season, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics are off to a strong start on offense to open 2023-24.
Over the last few years, about 50% of all regular-season games have been within five points in the last five minutes. On Friday, the first night of the In-Season Tournament, it was five of seven, and none of those five games had just a brief dalliance with clutch time. They went down to the wire.
According to the NBA, Friday’s average margin of victory (4.9 points) was the second smallest on a single night (with at least seven games) in the last 10 seasons.
Was it a coincidence, or did the Tournament stakes make the games more competitive? We’ll know more after nine more In-Season Tournament games, including Clippers-Mavs and Lakers-Suns, on Friday.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
Teams of the Week
* * *
East vs. West
* * *
Movement in the Rankings
* * *
Week 3 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 111.1 points scored per 100 possessions and 100.6 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.
* = In-Season Tournament 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, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter.

Record: 5-0
OffRtg: 124.7 (1) DefRtg: 106.5 (7) NetRtg: +18.1 (1) Pace: 101.4 (10)
Last season, the Celtics started 21-5, with their offense having scored an amazing 3.6 more points per 100 possessions than any other team. They’re off to a similarly hot start this year, having scored 4.8 more points per 100 than any other team.
Three takeaways
For the second straight season, the Celtics look like a regular-season machine. And this starting lineup looks stronger than anything they’ve had in the Brown-and-Tatum era.
While the Celtics have the league’s best point differential by a wide margin, the second-best mark belongs to the team they’ll visit (for the first of three meetings in the next four weeks) on Wednesday. Jayson Tatum set a Game-7 record with 51 points the last time that Boston and Philly met in a game that counted.
Week 3: @ MIN, @ PHI, vs. BKN*, vs. TOR
Record: 6-1
OffRtg: 117.1 (6) DefRtg: 106.4 (6) NetRtg: +10.7 (4) Pace: 98.1 (27)
The Nuggets got blown out in Minnesota on Wednesday, but handed the Mavs their first loss of the season two nights later. More important than the results is the strained hamstring suffered by Jamal Murray in the first half of their win against the Bulls on Saturday, which was the end of a stretch of five games in seven nights.
Three takeaways
Murray has been ruled out of the Nuggets’ game against the Pelicans on Monday, when Reggie Jackson (who started the second half on Saturday) should get his third start since coming to Denver in February. (The Nuggets lost both of his previous starts — both games were in Phoenix — last season.) Collin Gillespie, who earned a ring without playing a single minute last season, appears to be the back-up point guard.
If Murray can’t go on Wednesday, that would spoil a marquee matchup between the last two NBA champions.
Week 3: vs. NOP, vs. GSW, @ HOU
Record: 4-1
OffRtg: 117.3 (5) DefRtg: 105.5 (4) NetRtg: +11.8 (2) Pace: 99.2 (24)
The two teams that rank in the top five on both ends of the floor: The Sixers and Clippers. Yet they both felt the need to make a trade!
Three takeaways
We can’t really grade the James Harden trade for the Sixers until we see if they can use the Draft assets they received in another deal between now and Feb. 8. Though the shooting of Harris and Kelly Oubre Jr. is probably unsustainable, this team is good right now, having won four straight games and having lost just one … by a single point.
The Sixers are three games into a stretch where they’re playing eight of nine at home, with two of those eight home games — this Wednesday and next Wednesday — against the undefeated Celtics. The last time they met (in a game that counted), the Sixers lost Game 7 by 24 points, in part because Embiid got absolutely torched when the Celtics made him defend the pick-and-roll.
Week 3: vs. WAS, vs. BOS, @ DET*, vs. IND
Record: 5-2
OffRtg: 114.4 (9) DefRtg: 109.9 (12) NetRtg: +4.5 (9) Pace: 100.8 (14)
The Warriors had one of the more impressive wins of the season on Monday, winning in New Orleans by 28 points on the second night of a back-to-back. But they needed late-game heroics from Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry to eke out wins over the Kings (without De’Aaron Fox) and Thunder (without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) before seeing their five-game winning streak come to an end in Cleveland on Sunday.
Three takeaways
Chris Paul is on the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking 138th in true shooting percentage among the 139 players with at least 50 field goal attempts. But there are a lot of positives — fewer turnovers, fewer fouls, a better bench and a 4-1 road record — when you compare this season with last.
The Nuggets won all three games against the Warriors last season (though Nikola Jokic missed one of the three) and no Western Conference team scored more efficiently against Golden State’s defense. The Warriors didn’t get a chance for revenge in the postseason and will face the champs for the first time on Wednesday.
THE ENDING TO WARRIORS-KINGS 😱
– Steph floater to go up by 1 with 0:32 left
– Sabonis jumper reclaims the lead at 14.5
– Klay calls GAME with 0.2 on the clock
WOW. pic.twitter.com/ZtJYrFsoJt
— NBA (@NBA) November 2, 2023

Week 3: @ DET, @ DEN, vs. CLE, vs MIN
Record: 4-2
OffRtg: 119.3 (3) DefRtg: 111.8 (19) NetRtg: +7.4 (6) Pace: 103.0 (4)
After an 0-2 start, the Hawks have won four straight games, with three of those wins coming against teams — Milwaukee, Minnesota and New Orleans — that also have winning records through Week 2. They’ve scored a remarkably efficient 124.9 points per 100 possessions, with all eight of their core rotation guys averaging double-figures, over the winning streak.
Three takeaways
Johnson (who turns 22 next month) is proving the Hawks right for trading John Collins, even if they only got a second-round pick in return. His next test could be a matchup with Paolo Banchero in Mexico City on Thursday.
Though they lost to the Hornets on opening night, the Hawks can establish themselves as the best team in the Southeast Division this week. They’re 4-10 against the Heat (who they’ll host on Saturday) over the last two seasons when you count a playoff series defeat (2022) and a Play-In game victory (2023).
Week 3: @ OKC, @ ORL (Mexico City), vs. MIA
Record: 5-1
OffRtg: 119.9 (2) DefRtg: 114.6 (22) NetRtg: +5.3 (8) Pace: 101.3 (11)
The Mavs haven’t won a game that wasn’t within five points in the last five minutes and they didn’t have much of a chance against the champs on Friday. But they’re 5-1, having scored 58 points on 41 clutch possessions (141 per 100) over their five close games.
Three takeaways
Four of those six have come against teams that rank in the bottom 10 defensively, and the Mavs will now play three straight games against top-10 defenses, with their In-Season Tournament game against the Clippers on Friday being the obvious highlight.
Week 3: @ ORL, vs. TOR, vs. LAC*, @ NOP
Record: 3-2
OffRtg: 110.8 (14) DefRtg: 101.2 (1) NetRtg: +9.5 (5) Pace: 98.5 (26)
The Wolves had two 19-point leads at halftime last week. The first (in Atlanta on Monday) turned into a rest-advantage loss in which they scored just 27 points on their final 44 possessions. The second was a wire-to-wire victory over the Nuggets, the champs’ only defeat of the season.
Three takeaways
The minutes with Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert on the floor together were much better (especially offensively) in Week 2 (plus-25.5 per 100 possessions) than they were in Week 1 (minus-18.0).
The Wolves have the league’s No. 1 defense even though two of the five teams they’ve played — Atlanta and Denver — rank in the top six offensively. That No. 1 defense will take on the No. 1 offense when the Celtics visit the Target Center on Monday. That’s the start of a stretch where the Wolves are playing four of five against teams that enter Week 3 with winning records.
Week 3: vs. BOS, vs. NOP, @ SAS*, @ GSW
Record: 3-2
OffRtg: 112.0 (12) DefRtg: 116.0 (25) NetRtg: -4.1 (23) Pace: 102.1 (7)
About 28 hours before the end of daylight savings time, it was Dame Time in Milwaukee, with Lillard scoring six straight points to beat the Knicks after the Bucks blew a double-digit lead in their first In-Season Tournament game. That it was (statistically) their best defensive game of the season may be just as important.
Three takeaways
Given the Knicks’ offensive struggles, we’ll hold off on believing that the Bucks have figured things out defensively. They’ll face a couple of top-10 offenses (those of the Nets and Pacers) on the road this week, having allowed more than 130 points per 100 possessions in their only road game thus far.
Week 3: @ BKN, vs. DET, @ IND, @ ORL
Record: 4-2
OffRtg: 107.3 (24) DefRtg: 110.3 (13) NetRtg: -3.0 (18) Pace: 100.8 (15)
The Pelicans got two wins without Brandon Ingram last week, including a win against Detroit without Zion Williamson (rest) as well. But with both of them back in the lineup on Saturday, the Pelicans allowed the Hawks to score 123 points on just 95 possessions, with a third of those coming on a 41-14 Atlanta run that turned a 10-point lead into a 17-point deficit in the third quarter.
Three takeaways
And now McCollum, the one real 3-point shooter they have in the starting lineup, is going to miss time with a pneumothorax in his right lung. Trey Murphy III, meanwhile, said on the local broadcast on Saturday that he’s “probably about three weeks out.” The Pelicans have done well to start 4-2 without him (and with both Ingram and Williamson missing games), but have been outscored by 17 points over their six games and now have more questions offensively.
After playing four of their last five games at home, they’ll begin a three-game trip with tough games in Denver and Minnesota.
Week 3: @ DEN, @ MIN, @ HOU*, vs. DAL
Record: 3-3
OffRtg: 108.2 (21) DefRtg: 112.1 (20) NetRtg: -3.9 (22) Pace: 99.8 (22)
The Lakers won the Monday-Wednesday, round-robin with the Magic and Clippers last week. Both games were close and Christian Wood was on the floor down the stretch both nights, sealing the overtime win over the Clippers with a tip dunk.
Three takeaways
Davis and James have generally looked terrific as they’ve combined to average 50.8 points (on an effective field goal percentage of 59.4%), 22.2 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 4.5 blocks per game. But they need a little more help than they’ve been getting. Austin Reaves did have a couple of huge buckets in overtime against the Clippers and scored a season-high 20 points in Orlando on Saturday.
The Lakers’ four-game trip concludes with their first In-Season Tournament game and their second meeting with the Suns. The first meeting was ugly, with both teams scoring less than a point per possession.
LeBron behind-the-back DIME!
📺ORL/LAL live on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/ZAfPQY8EHE
— NBA (@NBA) October 31, 2023

Week 3: @ MIA, @ HOU, @ PHX*, vs. POR
Record: 3-2
OffRtg: 117.4 (4) DefRtg: 105.8 (5) NetRtg: +11.6 (3) Pace: 101.2 (12)
The Clippers have been pretty good, with three wins by a total of 68 points and two losses by a total of seven. But they weren’t good enough, so they’ve rolled the dice with a trade for James Harden.
Three takeaways
Harden appears set to make his debut Monday night at Madison Square Garden, and the big questions will be how much of the offense he commandeers and how willing he is to play off the ball. The Clippers are the only team that ranks in the bottom five in both ball and player movement, so he’s not going necessarily throw a wrench in things. And he can make things easier for George and Leonard, who are a combined 17-for-38 (45%) on catch-and-shoot 3s this season.
Harden won’t play in Philadelphia until late March, but he’ll be back in Brooklyn on Wednesday, currently 6-0 (including a first-round sweep) against the Nets since his last ugly exit.
Week 3: @ NYK, @ BKN, @ DAL*, vs. MEM
Record: 3-4
OffRtg: 111.4 (13) DefRtg: 109.6 (10) NetRtg: +1.7 (10) Pace: 100.6 (16)
Devin Booker came back from a three-game absence and put up 31 points, nine rebounds and 13 assists against the Spurs on Thursday. But his return was short-lived and Booker missed both games of the Suns’ weekend back-to-back. Bradley Beal still hasn’t played, so the Suns have been without two of their three stars in five of their seven games.
Three takeaways
You can never have enough shooting around the stars, but Eric Gordon (36.4%) and Grayson Allen (48.5%) are the only members of the supporting cast who’ve shot the league average (35.5%) or better on at least 10 3-point attempts. Josh Okogie (four made 3s in 156 minutes) got bumped from the starting lineup in favor of Keita Bates-Diop over the weekend.
Starting Monday, the Suns are playing just three games over nine days, a helpful stretch in regard to Booker’s ankle issue.
Week 3: @ CHI, vs. LAL*, vs. OKC
Record: 3-4
OffRtg: 107.0 (26) DefRtg: 109.9 (11) NetRtg: -2.9 (17) Pace: 100.0 (20)
Jarrett Allen (who missed the first five games) and Darius Garland (who missed four) were back in the Cavs’ lineup for their two games over the weekend. They lost the first (in Indiana on Friday), but ended a 16-game losing streak to the Warriors on Sunday, outscoring Golden State by 34 points in the paint (tied for the biggest differential in a game this season).
Three takeaways
Now that the Cavs are whole (though Isaac Okoro missed the Golden State game), it seems time for them to establish themselves as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Alas, the win on Sunday began a stretch of five straight games against the West.
They were just 6-9 in Western Conference arenas last season and begin a four-game trip in Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
Week 3: @ OKC, @ GSW
Record: 2-3
OffRtg: 109.9 (15) DefRtg: 110.9 (14) NetRtg: -0.9 (14) Pace: 101.0 (13)
The Kings closed out a win over the Lakers after De’Aaron Fox sprained his ankle eight days ago, but they’ve gone 0-2 without him since then. They hung with the Warriors on Wednesday until the final second, but the two losses were the Kings’ two worst offensive games (just 99.0 points scored per 100 possessions over the two) of the young season.
Three takeaways
The Kings rank 15th in offensive efficiency, but only three teams have seen a bigger drop from last season. Fox is critical to their offensive success, but his injury is a reminder of how healthy this team was last year.
The point guard could be back on Monday, when the Kings play their second game in Houston. Then it’s back to Cali for a three-game homestand that includes what could be a great In-Season Tournament game against the Thunder on Friday
Week 3: @ HOU, vs. POR, vs. OKC*
Record: 3-3
OffRtg: 113.2 (10) DefRtg: 114.4 (21) NetRtg: -1.2 (15) Pace: 102.3 (5)
The Thunder are 3-0 against the Eastern Conference, but 0-3 vs. the West after losing nail-biters at home to the Pelicans and Warriors last week. They were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against Golden State, but did have Jaylin Williams available for the first time.
Three takeaways
Hanging with the Warriors offensively without Gilgeous-Alexander is an accomplishment, even if Dort needed to go 6-for-6 from deep (while guarding Stephen Curry on the other end of the floor) for it to happen. No. 10 pick Cason Wallace started in Gilgeous-Alexander’s place, didn’t look out of place and has made 19 (73%) of his 26 shots, including 6-of-7 on corner 3s.
The Thunder’s six-game homestand concludes with two more games against the East. There’s no indication how long Gilgeous-Alexander will be out, though the issue (left knee sprain) doesn’t seem serious.
Week 3: vs. ATL, vs. CLE, @ SAC*, @ PHX
Record: 2-4
OffRtg: 103.9 (29) DefRtg: 103.7 (3) NetRtg: +0.2 (12) Pace: 99.6 (23)
The Knicks beat up the Cavs (who were without two starters) on the glass again, totaling 28 offensive rebounds and 36 second chance points in their home-and-home back-to-back last week. But they split the two games, because New York continues to be the worst shooting team in the league.
Three takeaways
A lack of ball movement is partially to blame for the Knicks’ offensive issues. With the ball-stopping and forcing of tough shots, it’s like this team just isn’t in the right mind set offensively.
The Knicks will face a couple of bottom-five defenses this week and it should be a fun few days at Madison Square Garden. James Harden makes his Clippers debut on Monday and Victor Wembanyama makes his only visit of the season on Wednesday.
Week 3: vs. LAC, vs. SAS, vs. CHA
Orlando went 0-2 in the early-week, Clippers-Lakers-Magic round-robin in L.A., scoring just 101 points per 100 possessions over the two losses. But the Magic are otherwise 4-0 and they got some revenge by clobbering the Lakers on Saturday, when they turned 19 offensive rebounds into 36 second-chance points.
Three takeaways
Perimeter shooting remains a concern, but the Orlando defense has been terrific, especially with the starting lineup on the floor (95.1 points allowed per 100 possessions).
After hosting the Mavs (with a rest advantage) and their second-ranked offense on Monday, the Magic will finally play some games within their own conference. But they’ll begin their Eastern Conference schedule in Mexico City.
PAOLO (30 PTS) GIVES ORLANDO THE LEAD BACK ‼️
SECONDS REMAIN ON THE NBA APP 🍿
WATCH: https://t.co/1wqRX7Uwkw pic.twitter.com/mMgkk3ugjw
— NBA (@NBA) November 3, 2023

Week 3: vs. DAL, vs. ATL (Mexico City), vs. MIL
Record: 3-4
OffRtg: 107.8 (23) DefRtg: 107.3 (8) NetRtg: +0.5 (11) Pace: 96.9 (30)
The Raptors have had some confounding losses, but also some impressive wins, like a wire-to-wire blowout of the Bucks on Wednesday and a comeback from 22 points down in San Antonio on Sunday.
Three takeaways
If this is who Barnes is going to be, the Raptors’ outlook, both short and long-term, feels different.
The Raptors have only two games this week, but they provide Anunoby’s defense with two incredible tests: Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum. The Raps will have a rest advantage in Boston on Saturday, though they’re currently 0-1 with a rest advantage having lost an ugly game to the Blazers on Monday.
Week 3: @ DAL, @ BOS
Record: 3-3
OffRtg: 116.5 (7) DefRtg: 119.5 (30) NetRtg: -3.1 (19) Pace: 103.3 (3)
The Pacers’ offense had two of the three most efficient games in Week 1. And then their defense allowed the most efficient game of the season thus far, with the Celtics scoring 155 points on 107 possessions on Wednesday. The overall numbers weren’t nearly as bad two nights earlier, but the Bulls beat Indy by attacking Tyrese Haliburton multiple times down the stretch.
Three takeaways
The talent was upgraded and the offense is entertaining, but the Pacers will need to play some defense if they’re going to take a step forward. It would be one thing if the Boston game was an outlier, but allowing 50 restricted-area points to the Hornets is not a good sign.
The Charlotte loss was the start of four straight games against teams that currently rank in the bottom six defensively. The next three are the last three games of a five-game, seven-day homestand.
Week 3: vs. SAS, vs. UTA, vs. MIL, @ PHI
Record: 3-3
OffRtg: 115.4 (8) DefRtg: 115.6 (24) NetRtg: -0.2 (13) Pace: 100.6 (17)
The Nets won three straight games, though they were set up for more heartbreak when Ben Simmons (who probably didn’t want to get fouled) tapped a defensive rebound straight to Zach LaVine with the Nets up two in the closing seconds in Chicago on Friday. They also hung around with the undefeated Celtics for about 3 1/2 quarters in a rest-disadvantage game on Saturday.
Three takeaways
The Nets’ three wins have all come on the road, and two of their three losses (all except the one to the Celtics) were decided in the closing seconds. Those are decent results considering the absences of Johnson (for all six games) and Claxton (for all but one).
But the loss to Boston was the start where they’re playing seven of nine against teams that currently have winning records.
Week 3: vs. MIL, vs. LAC, @ BOS*, vs. WAS
Record: 2-4
OffRtg: 107.2 (25) DefRtg: 110.9 (16) NetRtg: -3.7 (21) Pace: 100.6 (17)
The Heat got an In-Season Tournament win against the Wizards on Friday, registering the second highest effective field goal percentage (68.1%) for any team this season. But the four-game losing streak that preceded matched their longest losing streak of last season.
Three takeaways
The Heat were 2-4 after six games last season (and lost Game No. 7, too), and they eventually reached the NBA Finals. It’s not time to worry just yet, but their game in Atlanta on Saturday (vs. a second-tier team in the East) could tell us a lot.
After they host the Lakers on Monday, the Heat will play nine of their next 10 games on the road. They’re 0-3 away from Biscayne Bay thus far, even though they had early leads in all three games.
Week 3: vs. LAL, @ MEM, @ ATL, @ SAS
Record: 3-3
OffRtg: 109.2 (18) DefRtg: 116.1 (26) NetRtg: -6.9 (28) Pace: 101.6 (9)
The Spurs lost a game by 40 points, and their other five games have been within three points in the last five minutes. They got two impressive clutch wins in Phoenix last week, scoring 19 points (with nine coming from Victor Wembanyama) on just 12 clutch possessions. But they also blew a 17-point, fourth-quarter lead against Toronto on Sunday.
Three takeaways
The Spurs’ overall numbers are still suffering from that 40-point loss to the Clippers, and Vassell’s absence hurts. But the two wins in Phoenix (with Vassell missing the second half of the second one) show that they can compete on any given night.
The loss to Toronto on Sunday was the first half of the Spurs’ first back-to-back, and Wembanyama played a season-high 38 minutes. We’ll see if there’s any kind of maintenance program with the rookie when they play in Indiana on Monday night.
A CAREER NIGHT FOR VICTOR WEMBANYAMA.
🔥 38 PTS (career-high)
💪 10 REB
🚫 2 BLK
Spurs got the W in a THRILLER in Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/A5g7xMAXTI
— NBA (@NBA) November 3, 2023

Week 3: @ IND, @ NYK, vs. MIN*, vs. MIA
Record: 2-5
OffRtg: 106.2 (27) DefRtg: 115.0 (23) NetRtg: -8.8 (29) Pace: 97.4 (29)
The Bulls probably needed to get off to a good start. They have not. Five of their seven games have come against teams that currently rank in the top 10 offensively, but getting buckets has been as much of an issue as getting stops.
Three takeaways
The Bulls did get a good win in Indiana on Monday, their second victory in a game they trailed after the third quarter. Coby White also had a nice game attacking the basket against Brooklyn, but it’s tough to find bright spots in the Bulls’ first two weeks.
Some winnable games are coming this week, though the Bulls have already lost to the Pistons, who will be at the United Center on Sunday.
Week 3: vs. UTA, vs. PHX, vs. DET
Record: 2-5
OffRtg: 109.4 (17) DefRtg: 116.2 (27) NetRtg: -6.8 (27) Pace: 102.1 (8)
The Jazz have lost four of their last five games, with the one victory coming against the 1-6 Grizzlies. But other than that game, their opening two weeks have been a tough stretch (both in regard to rest and opponent strength).
Three takeaways
Games 2-6 were a stretch of five games in seven nights for the Jazz, who don’t get their first multi-day break until after their four-game trip ends with an In-Season Tournament game in Memphis on Friday.
But beginning with their visit to Chicago on Monday, they’re playing eight straight against teams that are currently at or below .500. (Of course, three of those eight are against the Suns and Lakers.)
Week 3: @ CHI, @ IND, @ MEM*
Record: 3-4
OffRtg: 103.8 (30) DefRtg: 109.2 (9) NetRtg: -5.4 (25) Pace: 99.0 (25)
The Blazers were less than eight minutes from a four-game winning streak (which would have matched their longest from either of the last two seasons), but amazingly missed their last 14 shots (while committing four turnovers) and allowed the Grizzlies to come back from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit on Sunday. It’s still a pleasant surprise to see a ‘3’ in the win column for a team that looked pretty bad in Week 1 while losing a starter in the process.
Three takeaways
Last season, the Blazers held their opponent under a point per possession in just two of their 82 games. They did it twice (on the road) last week.
Next up is the team that had the most efficient offense in NBA history last season.
Week 3: @ SAC, @ LAL
Record: 2-3
OffRtg: 108.0 (22) DefRtg: 111.6 (18) NetRtg: -3.6 (20) Pace: 97.6 (28)
After an 0-3 start, the Rockets have won two straight games. They almost lost an 18-point lead against Charlotte and did lose a 17-point lead against Sacramento, but held on both nights, getting balanced scoring from their starters.
Three takeaways
Brooks’ shooting is certainly unsustainable (he hasn’t had an effective field goal percentage close to the league average since his rookie season). But that transition defense number is super encouraging, even if the Kings were without De’Aaron Fox when the Rockets beat them on Saturday.
The Rockets’ seven-game homestand continues with another game against the Kings on Monday, with Fox a possibility to return.
Week 3: vs. SAC, vs. LAL, vs. NOP*, vs. DEN
Record: 2-5
OffRtg: 109.0 (19) DefRtg: 111.1 (17) NetRtg: -2.1 (16) Pace: 100.6 (19)
After putting together their first winning streak since before Thanksgiving of last year, the Pistons have lost four straight games. In the first, they had a rest-advantage. In the second, they blew an 18-point lead to the Blazers at home. And their last two losses have come against teams — New Orleans and Phoenix — that were each missing two All-Stars.
Three takeaways
As talented as their young guys are, the Pistons need their vets. Bojan Bogdanovic (not due to be re-evaluated for another two weeks) and Monte Morris (next week) have yet to play. Veteran Alec Burks has missed the last three games with a forearm contusion.
One of the Pistons’ two wins came against Chicago, who they’ll visit on Sunday. But before that, they’ve got to play Golden State, Milwaukee and Philly.
Week 3: vs. GSW, @ MIL, vs. PHI*, @ CHI
Record: 2-4
OffRtg: 112.4 (11) DefRtg: 117.7 (28) NetRtg: -5.3 (24) Pace: 103.4 (2)
After a rough first five games (effective field goal percentage of just 36.5%), LaMelo Ball broke out in Dallas on Sunday, scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter and finishing with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists. Of course, that wasn’t enough, as the Hornets couldn’t get stops down the stretch and committed a five-second inbounds violation when they had a chance to tie with eight seconds left.
Three takeaways
Terry Rozier’s 8-for-31 (26%) from 3-point range is the seventh-worst mark among 103 players with at least 25 attempts, and he suffered a groin strain on Saturday. But it was a positive sign that (though he didn’t play) he was initially listed as “questionable” for the Hornets’ game in Dallas the following night.
The Hornets have a league-high five home-and-home series, with the first of those (against the Wizards) on Wednesday and Friday. The latter game (in Washington) is their first In-Season Tournament game.
Week 3: vs. WAS, @ WAS*, @ NYK
Record: 1-4
OffRtg: 108.3 (20) DefRtg: 118.3 (29) NetRtg: -10.1 (30) Pace: 106.0 (1)
The Wizards’ only win was against the 1-6 Grizzlies. None of their last three games were as competitive as the final margin (an average of 11.7 points per game) would indicate.
Three takeaways
A team with lesser talent can surpass expectations by becoming a good defensive team. The Wizards have a long way to go in that regard.
The 28th and 29th-ranked defenses (those of the Hornets and Wizards) will play a home-and-home series on Wednesday and Friday, with the game in Washington counting toward the In-Season Tournament standings.
Week 3: @ PHI, @ CHA, vs. CHA*, @ BKN,
Record: 1-6
OffRtg: 104.4 (28) DefRtg: 110.9 (15) NetRtg: -6.5 (26) Pace: 102.2 (6)
The Grizzlies were looking at an 0-7 start to the season until they ran off an incredible 26-2 run to close their game in Portland on Sunday night and get off the schneid. They’re undefeated with Bismack Biyombo in the starting (and closing) lineup.
Three takeaways
Maybe getting win No. 1 takes some pressure off the Grizzlies. But, even with Santi Aldama making his season debut on Sunday, most of these guys are being asked to do too much. In the first game in Portland, we saw an ATO for Vince Williams Jr. and pick-and-rolls with Ziaire Williams handling the ball. A big jump in 2-point percentage (from 53% to 58%) has allowed Desmond Bane to remain somewhat efficient, despite higher usage and sub-par shooting from deep.
They have two more games on a stretch of five straight against teams that are currently under .500, and it’s a good time to be playing the Heat, who they’ll host on Wednesday. Then it’s another shot at the Jazz, who are responsible for the Grizzlies’ only wire-to-wire defeat of the six.
Week 3: vs. MIA, vs. UTA*, @ LAC
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