NBA Power Rankings Week 3: LA Clippers top the charts as Miami continues its marchÂ
The 2019-20 NBA season is now entering Week 3, and there are plenty of teams around the league that have impressed over the past fortnight. The likes of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns have defied preseason expectations to make solid starts to the new season, although the usual suspects hold the best records through two weeks.
Plenty could still change over the coming weeks, although here are the latest power rankings as we head into the third week of the season.
#10 Houston Rockets - Current Record: 3-3
Much has been made of Houston's decision to swap Russell Westbrook for Chris Paul during the offseason, although Mike D'Antoni's side still appear short compared to the best teams in the NBA. Sure, both James Harden and Westbrook can put up huge numbers on any given night, and the Rockets will post one of the best records in the West. However, they have been collectively unconvincing, and last night's defeat to the Heat demonstrated exactly why this Houston team has so many doubters.
#9 San Antonio Spurs - Current Record: 4-2
After another quiet offseason, some experts wrote off San Antonio's chances of making the playoffs in a crowded West. However, Gregg Popovich is once again getting the most out of the limited resources at his disposal, and the Spurs have been among the most impressive teams through two weeks. The Spurs also face a favorable schedule over the next two weeks as they take on some of the NBA's worst teams, and they should be able to keep up their positive start to the new campaign.
#8 Denver Nuggets - Current Record: 4-2
The Denver Nuggets have yet to get going this season, although they still sit 6th in the West with a 4-2 record. Nevertheless, Denver faces a big week as they take on the Heat, Sixers, and Timberwolves, and they will need Nikola Jokic to awaken from his slow start to the season if they are to end the week in the playoff places.
#7 Utah Jazz - Current Record: 4-3
The Utah Jazz started the week with wins over the Suns and Clippers, extending their winning streak to three. However, the Jazz finished the week with back-to-back defeats to the Kings and the Kawhi Leonard inspired Clippers. This leaves Utah with a 4-3 record, although Donovan Mitchell's excellent form combined with the improved performances of Mike Conley means that they remain a threat.