Oklahoma City still leads the Western Conference in Power Rankings for the third week in a row. The Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks were the only two teams that went through the entire week without a loss. Some teams finally seem to be finding their groove, while others are still looking for answers. Over the next couple of weeks, the cream of the Western conference should rise to the top.
Here are the results for week 3:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (11-2) The three-headed monster of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden continue to get the job done for the fifth highest scoring team in the NBA. They have now won six games in a row, and are tied for the best record in the NBA.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (9-5) Kobe Bryant has put the Lakers on his back scoring 40-plus points in the last four games. He and Pau Gasol are playing an average of over 37 minutes a game. Bynum continues to impress by averaging 16.4 points and 13.8 rebounds per game.
3. Dallas Mavericks (8-5) The Mavericks seem to be hitting their stride, winning their last five in a row. Jason Terry is shooting .451 from three, and Ian Mahinmi is coming off the bench and averaging 7.7 points per game. Next week will be a true test of where they stand.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (6-3) The Clippers have won five of their last six games. What they don’t need right now is for Chris Paul to miss too many games with his strained left hamstring. With a need for more rebounding, DeAndre Jordan is doing his part by averaging a career high 7.6 rebounds per game.
5. San Antonio Spurs (9-4) In the last four games Tony Parker (21.8 avg) and Tim Duncan (17.0 pts and 9.8 reb) have stepped up their play. The Spurs remain undefeated at home, but have not won a road game yet this season.
6. Utah Jazz (8-4) The Jazz continue to find ways to win, and with a favorable early schedule, have won seven of their last eight games. Over the last four games, the two-headed monster of Al Jefferson (19.8 pts, 9.8 reb) and Paul Millsap (23.0 pts, 9.0 reb) are leading the way.
7. Denver Nuggets (8-5) The Nuggets are playing team basketball with five players averaging double digits. They are averaging 104.1 points per game, which is the second highest in the NBA. They have depth with eight solid contributors, but have lost three out of their last five games.
8. Portland Trail Blazers (7-5) The Trail Blazers have started to show kinks in their armor as they lost three in a row while being outrebounded 146-114 in those games. Marcus Canby’s ankle sprain really hurts their rebounding. The Blazers have six players in double figures, but after that, the player contribution really diminishes.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (5-6) The Grizzlies suffered a big loss when Zach Randolph went down with a torn MCL. Rudy Gay (24.3 pts) and Marc Gasol (16.3 pts, 11 reb) have stepped up their game to help them win three in a row. They will need to continue this if they want to make the playoffs.
10. Houston Rockets (5-7) The Rockets won their first road game of the season this week. Rookie Chandler Parsons has been a nice surprise, averaging 10.8 pts and 6.0 rebounds per game last week. After going through a brutal schedule the week before, the Rockets were 3-1, out-rebounding their opponents 214-168.
11. Golden State Warriors (4-8) Even without Stephen Curry (sprained right ankle) and Kwame Brown (dislocated right shoulder), coach Mark Jackson will have his team competing in every game. David Lee averaged 23.5 points and 12.0 rebounds last week, and Nate Robinson has been a spark plug off the bench.
12. Phoenix Suns (4-8) The Suns have lost four games in a row as they struggle to find scoring, especially late in games. They only have three players averaging double-digits, with Marcin Gortat leading the team averaging 14.3 points per game. They have a tough road schedule ahead, and could be 4-11 by next week.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-8) Kevin Love has been the leading rebounder in every game he has played this season, and has been the high scorer in eight of twelve games. Ricky Rubio has worked his way into the starting lineup, averaging 14.3 points and 11.0 assists last week, and he will help the team improve. Five of the Timberwolves eight losses have been by four or less points.
14. Sacramento Kings (4-9) The Kings continue to struggle to stop other teams from scoring, and are last in the NBA in assists. Marcus Thornton has gotten off to a solid start while DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans need to become more consistent.
15. New Orleans Hornets (3-9) The Hornets have lost their last three games, and really miss the scoring of Eric Gordon. They continue to play good defense, and are ranked third in rebounds per game. Marco Belinelli has made eight of 19 (.421) three pointers in his last four games.
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