NBA Power Rankings: Week 3
Week 3 of the NBA season is complete and to be honest I am writing this Monday evening so some of these team records are based off of Monday scores. Two newcomers to ranks this week, Memphis and Cleveland. There will be a lot of movement in the first month or two as we get a gauge of what these teams are. Let’s get it.
10. (3-3) Dallas Mavericks
Previously #9
Luka is leading the league in scoring right now and is carrying the load for Dallas. We have seen this be an issue in the past, eventually Luka will break down and he can’t play every minute. Right now Dallas needs to be a bit steadier on defense or things could go downhill. Who else can help Luka’s load? Ew not like that guys, get your mind out of the gutter.
9. (4-2) Memphis Grizzlies
Previously #NR
Welcome to the top ten Memphis. Desmond Bane, Ty Jones, and Dillon Brooks helped carry the load without Ja Morant, but they fell to the Utah Jazz after some poor defense. It is easy to see what is going on in Tennessee, the Grizz score a lot but can’t stop other teams from scoring. They have played a lot on the road recently, a three game homestand should help even out the swiss cheese of defense they have right now.
8. (4-3) Denver Nuggets
Previously #5
Guys, the Joker is really good at basketball. The problem for Denver is he can’t be on the floor at all times. We talked about this during the preview on the Pod, but Denver will need the other guys to step up at some point. Give Jamal Murray some time to get it back and we could see Denver really take off, Thunder and Spurs should help with that this week.
7. (5-2) Utah Jazz
Previously #8
Well the Jazz keep winning games, including back to back games against the Grizzlies, but somehow they lost to the Rockets. Sam if you’re reading this you might need to send Utah a thank you note. They get one more elite offense in Dallas before two poor offenses in the L.A. teams, where will this team be around Christmas?
6. (4-2) New Orleans Pelicans
Previously #10
Nola has had some injury issues, but has dealt with them well so far. The Pelicans got Zion Williamson back but are still waiting for Brandon Ingram to return, a balanced attack has helped the Pelicans survive without them. Not sure what to make of New Orleans this early in the season
5. (5-1) Portland Trailblazers
Previously #7
Well crap, Dame Lillard is out with a calf injury, but hopefully it isn’t that serious. Portland did lose their first game without their superstar but bounced back with a win over the Rockets. Jusuf Nurkic and Anfernee Simons were a good tandem in that win with a combined 57, test week for Portland with Memphis and Phoenix twice.
4. (5-1) Cleveland Cavaliers
Previously NR
Rock and Roll and Donovan Mitchell. The Cavs had their first statement win last week with a win over the Celtics. Mitchell, Caris Lavert, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen have outscored their opponents in 82 total minutes without Darius Garland. They have a four game California trip coming up, which to be fair used to be a more daunting experience, let see what they got.
3. (4-2) Boston Celtics
Previously #1
Jayson Tatum can be a low key MVP candidate. He is averaging over 30 points a game and on 69.5% shooting percentage. The C’s made it to the NBA Finals last year with their great defense, that same defense let them down with back to back lackluster performances against the Cavs and Bulls. They got back into the win column with a win over Orlando, rematches against Cleveland and Chicago later this week will be a good test.
2. (5-1) Phoenix Suns
Previously #4
Well we might have been wrong about the Suns, they are blowing teams out offensively so far this season. A lot has been said about DeAndre Anyton over the offseason and while his defensive on the perimeter has been iffy at best, he is still a force down low. Two matchups with Portland, most likely without Dame Lillard should keep the Suns streaking.
1. (6-0) Milwaukee Bucks
Previously #2
The Deer keep on running. They are the last remaining undefeated team, and have only lost one quarter of their last ten. Their perimeter defense has improved immensely and with the way the NBA is going these days that is huge for the Bucks. Milwaukee has also outscored opponents by 13.6 points per game in the restricted area. Keep an eye on the Bucks and they try to surpass their best ever start to a season, 7-0.