Weekly NBA rankings

The Bet.co.za NBA Power rankings after three weeks of competitive basketball action are here. Most teams have managed to shake off early struggles while others have consistently been poor. The Chicago Bulls’ surprise rise to the summit in the East has been a breath of fresh air, they have sent tongues wagging while the Los Angles Lakers have dispelled any notion that there may be trouble in paradise.

1 – Golden State Warriors (moved up 3 places)

The hottest team in the NBA at the moment. The Golden State Warriors appear to be back on their perch at the summit of the Western Conference, a spot they have not been in since 2019. They have started the season in scintillating form with only one defeat in their first 10 games of the season.

The Warriors have won five straight games and they look destined to challenge for the top seed in the West this season. A 50-point splash from the league’s in form player, Stephen Curry rallied the Warriors to victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday morning. With Curry helped by a deep second unit, the Warriors are a prolific offensive force. They have moved up three spots in the power rankings.

2 – Philadelphia 76ers (moved up five spots))

Fuelled by an impressive road return of 4-1 and a league high 48.5% from the field, the Sixers are the top seed in the East in the fourth week of the season. Doc Rivers’ charges have moved up five spots in the rankings with their solid form in the last week. They have improved from a 5-2 record to 8-3, they recently displaced the Chicago Bulls from number one spot in the East. The Sixers boast a 4-1 record in November.

3 – Miami Heat (unchanged)

The Miami Heat are still highly ranked in the East as they currently occupy the second seed in the conference. The Heat have a 2-2 record so far to start November, which has seen them retain their place in the third spot in the power rankings due to the indifferent form of other previous top five teams in the league. A 4-1 home record has made the Heat a threat to any travelling team aiming to earn bragging rights at the American Airlines Arena. They have been monsters on the boards as they are ranked 1st in the league with 49 rebounds per game.

4 – Chicago Bulls (dropped three spots)

The Bulls have dropped three spots to occupy the fourth place in the rankings. A 2-2 record start the month has seen the Bulls give up their top spot as the hottest team in the league with the Heat, the Sixers and the Warriors eclipsing them. October was a good month for the Bulls with a 6-1 record and they will be eager to return to the same ruthless streak in the next few weeks.

5 – Utah Jazz (dropped two spots)

Two straight defeats in the last two games has seen a drop in form for the Jazz who previously occupied the third spot in the rankings. They started November with a 2-0 record but fell off in the last few days. Despite the mixed form so far, the Jazz are 3-0 at home and also 5-0 against other teams in the Western Conference.

6 – Dallas Mavericks (moved up one place)

The Jason Kidd-led Mavericks are the third seed in the Western Conference and they move up one spot in the rankings. They are starting to find consistency as they have won their last three games. The Mavs have built their early season form on a strong home turf record of 5-1. A recent 3-1 record to begin November has seen the Mavs maintain their place in the top 10.

7 – Washington Wizards (dropped one spot)

The Wizards are on a high after defeating the defending champions, the Milwaukee Bucks this past Sunday. The Bradley Beal-led team is currently ranked 7th in the league in terms of points per game as they tally a nightly average of 110.3 points. The Wizards are also 2-0 in the last two games.

8 – Phoenix Suns (moved up 16 spots)

An incredible turnaround in the last few games has shown exactly why the Suns were a championship contender last season. The Suns are the most improved team in the league after a difficult 2-3 start, they have the joint longest active winning streak in the NBA with five victories. They have rocketed up a massive 16 spots in the power rankings.

9 – Cleveland Cavaliers (moved up 7 spots)

Years of playoff heartache appear to be ending if the Cavaliers’ early season start is anything to go by. The Cavs have significantly improved to occupy the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. Their form has also seen them move up seven places in these rankings. After a 3-4 start the Cavs are 4-0 in this month, they have the second-best winning streak in the East at the moment.

10 – New York Knicks (dropped 5 spots)

The Knicks have dropped five places in the rankings. Travels have brought more joy to the Knicks than playing at the famed Madison Square Garden, they have a 5-1 road record. They are currently sixth in the Eastern standings. Offensively the Knicks are prolific with the 3rd best points per game ranking with a nightly tally of 111.7 points.

11 – Brooklyn Nets (unchanged)

Steve Nash’s charges are starting to steadily find themselves as a unite they have improved to a 3-1 record to begin the month after a 4-3 start in October. They are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference standings. The Nets have improved their efficiency from the foul line with an improved conversion of 84.6%, their 3-point shooting has also improved from 34.6% to 41.8%.

12 – Memphis Grizzlies (moved up 2 spots)

The Grizzlies are 4-1 at home and they are riding on the emphatic form of Ja Morant who is continuing his mercurial rise as an elite player in the league. A 5-2 record against their conference rivals has seen the Grizzlies occupy the fifth seed in the West. In the week two power rankings the Grizzlies were ranked 14th and they have since improved to move up two spots.

13 – Denver Nuggets (moved up 2 spots)

The Nuggets have won their last two games and this has helped them improve from 15th to 12th in the power rankings. They are sixth in the Western Conference and are pushing for an early playoff-contending run.

14 – Los Angeles Clippers (moved up 8 places)

The injury hit Clippers are currently seventh in the West. They have won their last four games to improve their ranking, in that run, they have jumped eight places from the 22nd spot to the 14th spot. The Clippers are unbeaten to start the month.

15 – Toronto Raptors (dropped 6 spots)

The 2019 NBA champions have lost their last two games to slip down six spots in the power rankings. In week three they had a decent 5-3 record.

16 – Los Angeles Lakers (dropped 3 places)

The Lakers have dropped three spots since the last power rankings were updated. A morale-boosting victory over the plucky Hornets will see them hoping to put a run together to improve their standings.

17 – Charlotte Hornets (dropped down 7 spots)

After a respectable 5-3 opening run, the Hornets have slipped to a five-game losing streak. They have dropped down from 10th to 17th in these rankings.

18 – Portland Trailblazers (moved up 2 spots)

The Blazers have won their last two games to leave them with a .500 record and that’s moved them up two spots.

19 – Sacramento Kings (moved down 1 spot)

The Kings have lost the last two games and dropped down one place in the power rankings.

20 – Milwaukee Bucks (dropped down 1 spot)

The defending champions have dropped down one position after suffering two straight defeats. They are also surprisingly 1-4 at home.

21 – Boston Celtics (moved up 3 spots)

The Celtics are 0-3 at home but they have moved up three spots in the power rankings. The Celtics are 2-2 in November, this has seen them improve their standing.

22 – Atlanta Hawks (dropped 10 spots)

The Hawks have slipped down the pecking order with four defeats in as many games. They are also 1-6 on the road. These birds aren’t flying right now.

23 – Indiana Pacers (moved up 3 spots)

The Pacers have improved in the latest rankings. After a tough 1-6 record to start, the Pacers have improved to a 3-1 mark as Rick Carlisle is starting to get the best out of his team.

24 – Oklahoma City Thunder (moved up 6 spots)

The Thunder were previously the worst team in the power rankings in week two. They have since improved their form in the last few matches, they have a 2-1 record this month.

25 – Minnesota Timberwolves (dropped 8 spots)

The Timberwolves have lost their last five games, this has coincided with their drop in the power rankings. They previously had a 3-3 record.

26 – San Antonio Spurs (dropped 3 spots)

The Spurs are 1-3 in November, their difficult start to the season is not showing any sign of improving with the latest performances compounding them to 13th spot in the West.

27 – Orlando Magic (dropped 2 spots)

The Pistons have lost their last four matchups. They are 0-3 in November.

28 – Detroit Pistons (dropped 1 spot)

The Pistons have lost their last four matchups. They are 0-3 in November.

29 – Houston Rockets (dropped 1 spot)

The Rockets have lost their last eight games, they have the longest active losing streak in the league.

30 – New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans have dropped one spot from the previous rankings. The Pelicans have lost seven games in a row. But their 10 overall losses has them propping up the basement.

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