SK NBA Power Rankings (November 13, 2017)

We are now close to being a fifth of the way through the 2017-18 NBA regular season, so it is time for the initial Sportskeeda NBA Power Rankings. These rankings will be as of the finish of games on Sunday evening.

Early in the season, there have been some surprises including the Detroit Pistons (10-3), Denver Nuggets (8-5), and Orlando Magic (8-5). As there are always surprises, there are also disappointments; which include the Cleveland Cavaliers (6-7) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (6-7).

At the time of this writing the current leaders in the NBA include Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) who leads the league in scoring at 31.7 PPG, Andre Drummond (DET) who leads in rebounds at 15.6 RPG, James Harden (HOU) who leads in assists at 10.2 APG, and Paul George (OKC) who leads in steals at 2.54 SPG.

Continue on to see who ranks at #10 this week in the power rankings...

#10 Washington Wizards (7-5)

Los Angeles Lakers v Washington Wizards — Bradley Beal and John Wall

Last year's fourth-place finisher in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Wizards, is currently sitting in fourth place right now. They are one game over .500 on both the road (3-2) and home (4-3). The team is led by their superstar guard duo of Bradley Beal (24.6 PPG) and John Wall (9.7 APG).

Last three games:

November 7: v. Dallas: L 113-99
November 9: v. LA Lakers W 111-95
November 11: v. Atlanta W 113-94

Next three games:

November 13: v. Sacramento
November 15: @ Miami
November 17: v. Miami

#9 Minnesota Timberwolves (7-5)

After a poor 31-51 season last year, Minnesota has started the 2017-18 season on a better note with a 7-5 record. They currently sit in sixth place in the Western Conference led by third-year center Karl Anthony-Towns who is averaging 20.9 PPG and 11.1 RPG. They need to currently shake their two-game losing streak if they're going to stay in the power rankings.

Last three games:

November 5: v. Charlotte W 112-94
November 8: @ Golden State L 125-101
November 11: @ Phoenix L 118-110

Next three games:

November 13: @ Utah
November 15: v. San Antonio
November 17: @ Dallas

#8 New York Knicks (7-5)

The New York Knicks are a storied franchise that is trying to avoid missing the playoffs for a fifth straight year. The great play of third-year forward Kristaps Porzingis is the main reason they're off to a 7-5 start. He currently is second in the league in scoring with 30.4 PPG trailing only the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Knicks currently sit in sixth in the Eastern Conference.

Last three games:

November 7: v. Charlotte W 118-113
November 8: @ Orlando L 112-99
November 11: v. Sacramento W 118-91

Next three games:

November 13: v. Cleveland
November 15: v. Utah
November 17: @ Toronto

#7 San Antonio Spurs (8-5)

Golden State Warriors v San Antonio Spurs

It would only be a surprise if the San Antonio Spurs were not on this list, but they are currently playing solid basketball with an 8-5 record that is good for fourth place in the Western Conference. LaMarcus Aldridge seems to finally be finding his fitting with the team as he leads them in scoring with 21.8 PPG and 8.5 RPG after averaging only 17.3 PPG and 7.3 RPG last season.

Last three games:

November 7: v. LA Clippers W 120-107
November 10: v. Milwaukee L 94-87
November 11: v. Chicago W 133-94

Next three games:

November 14: @ Dallas
November 15: @ Minnesota
November 17: v. Oklahoma City

#6 Orlando Magic (8-5)

The Orlando Magic finished 13th in the Eastern Conference last year with a 29-53 record. The 2017-18 season is off to a better start for them as they currently sit in third place with an 8-5 record. They are getting it done with their offense as they have averaged 110.5 PPG, good for fifth in the NBA. They are also third in the NBA in assists with 25.3 APG.

Last three games:

November 8: v. NY Knicks W 112-99
November 10: @ Phoenix W 128-112
November 11: @ Denver L 125-107

Next three games:

November 13: @ Golden State
November 15: @ Portland
November 18: v. Utah

#5 Denver Nuggets (8-5)

The Denver Nuggets barely missed out on the playoffs last year, but they are trying to make sure that they make it this year. They are currently third in the Western Conference led by center Nikola Jokic who is averaging a double-double (17.2 PPG and 12.0 RPG). The Nuggets are currently riding a three-game winning streak.

Last three games:

November 7: v. Brooklyn W 112-104
November 9: v. Oklahoma City W 102-94
November 11: v. Orlando W 125-107

Next three games:

November 13: @ Portland
November 17: v. New Orleans
November 19: @ LA Lakers

#4 Detroit Pistons (10-3)

Detroit is probably the biggest surprise in the league this season starting off with a 10-3 record good for second in the Eastern Conference, including currently being on a five-game winning streak. The team was improved last year, but still finished tenth in the East with a 37-45 record. The team is led by the defense of center Andre Drummond with 15.6 RPG, 1.6 SPG, and 1.2 BPG.

Last three games:

November 8: v. Indiana W 114-97
November 10: v. Atlanta W 111-104
November 12: v. Miami W 112-103

Next three games:

November 15: @ Milwaukee
November 17: @ Indiana
November 19: @ Minnesota

#3 Golden State Warriors (10-3)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Golden State Warriors

After a sluggish start, the defending NBA Champions have won six straight games to compile a record of 10-3. The Golden State Warriors lead the league in scoring with 120.3 PPG, led by Kevin Durant in his second year with the team at 25.2 PPG. The Warriors have two other guys (Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson) that also are averaging more than 20.0 PPG.

Last three games:

November 6: v. Miami W 97-80
November 8: v. Minnesota W 125-101
November 11: v. Philadelphia W 135-114

Next three games:

November 13: v. Orlando
November 16: @ Boston
November 18: @ Philadelphia

#2 Houston Rockets (11-3)

I am sure James Harden is tired of the talk of Golden State, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City in the Western Conference. He's playing at an MVP pace early leading the Rockets to a Western Conference-best 11-3 record with currently a six-game winning streak. Harden is third in the league in scoring at 30.2 PPG and the team itself is third in the NBA in scoring.

Last three games:

November 9: v. Cleveland W 117-113
November 11: v. Memphis W 111-96
November 12: @ Indiana W 118-95

Next three games:

November 14: v. Toronto
November 16: @ Phoenix
November 18: @ Memphis

#1 Boston Celtics (12-2)

With the additions of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, putting the Boston Celtics at #1 wouldn't be a surprise, but after losing Hayward in the first six minutes of the season and starting 0-2, they are a surprise at the top spot. The Celtics have bonded together and won 12 straight games for an NBA record of 12-2. They are led by Irving's 20.3 PPG and a defense that is the best in the league in points allowed at 94.0 PPG.

Last three games: