NBA Power Rankings Week 5: Los Angeles Lakers remain the team to beat; Houston Rockets rise
It may be hard to believe, but Week 5 of the 2019-20 season is already here. There have been plenty of talking points during the first month of the season, and the dramatic decline of the Golden State Warriors has provided us with one of the most open title races in recent memory.
Plenty of teams around the NBA have impressed as they look to replace the Warriors at the top, and here we will take a look at the top 10 teams heading into Week 5 of the season.
#10 Miami Heat - Current Record: 9-3
Following an excellent opening week to the season, many predicted that the Miami Heat's form would quickly evaporate. However, Erik Spoelstra's team continue to defy expectations with a 9-3 record.
Jimmy Butler is averaging career highs in rebounds, assists, and steals, while Bam Adebayo and Kendrick Nunn continue to impress. With games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls to come, Miami will remain among the top teams in the East for at least another week.
#9 Utah Jazz - Current Record: 8-4
The Utah Jazz started the week with wins over the Warriors and Brooklyn Nets, but ended Week 4 with a surprise defeat to the struggling Memphis Grizzlies. Nevertheless, the Jazz remain the only team in the West with an unbeaten home record and they have four winnable games over the next seven days.
#8 Toronto Raptors - Current Record: 8-4
The Toronto Raptors wrapped up their five-game road trip by losing to the Dallas Mavericks, although they still came away with 3 wins thanks to big performances against the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, and Portland Trail Blazers.
They now have winnable home games against the Charlotte Hornets and Orland Magic coming up. However, while Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet have been excellent, injuries to Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka have left them with an ongoing lack of depth.