NBA Power Rankings: LA Lakers lead Top 10 teams ahead of Week 3

Los Angeles Clippers v Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Clippers v Los Angeles Lakers

#8 Miami Heat

Milwaukee Bucks v Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks v Miami Heat

2020-21 Record: 2-3

Upcoming fixtures: Oklahoma (home), Boston (home), Washington (away), Boston (away)

Riding high off of their Finals appearance, the Miami Heat were expected to continue their form among NBA Power Rankings this season. They have, however, suffered an unsteady start with the biggest worry being Jimmy Butler's ankle.

Star forward Butler was unavailable for the Heat's double-header against the Bucks, in the first of which they were blown out the gym before recovering to win the second.

Miami will be looking at its perimeter scorers to step up after uneven offensive performances thus far.

#7 Utah Jazz

Minnesota Timberwolves v Utah Jazz
Minnesota Timberwolves v Utah Jazz

2020-21 Record: 4-2

Upcoming fixtures: Brooklyn (away), New York (away), Milwaukee (away), Detroit (away)

The Utah Jazz will again be among the competitors in the West to finish with home court advantage this season. So far, they have notched road victories in Portland, Oklahoma, and San Antonio while edging out the LA Clippers at home.

Among the Jazz's strong starting unit, Mike Conley has been proving his worth, averaging 20.3 points per game and 5 assists so far.

Ahead of the Jazz lies a difficult road journey that includes Eastern heavyweights Brooklyn and Milwaukee. The Jazz currently rank 14th in defensive rating and 2nd overall for rebounds allowed, two aspects of their game that will be hugely tested ahead of these matchups.

#6 Phoenix Suns

New Orleans Pelicans v Phoenix Suns
New Orleans Pelicans v Phoenix Suns

2020-21 record: 5-2

Upcoming fixtures: Toronto (home), Detroit (away), Indiana (away)

The Suns are currently riding high at the top of the Western Conference with a 5-2 record. They have the best defensive rating in the West and second overall only to Philadelphia.

As expected, their 'Big Three' have been performing well with Devin Booker averaging 21 PPG and DeAndre Ayton grabbing 10.7 boards a game.

Of the veterans the Suns were able to pick up in the offseason, none have been as influential as Chris Paul. An All-Star on 10 occasions, Paul has shown he has the ability to be a leader in Oklahoma and is doing so again with Phoenix's young stars.

After they finished 8-0 in the bubble, the Suns were the first side this year to reach 5 wins and will be aiming to disrupt the West's elite come the end of the season.

#5 Brooklyn Nets

Milwaukee Bucks v Brooklyn Nets
Milwaukee Bucks v Brooklyn Nets

2020-21 record: 3-4

Upcoming fixtures: Utah (home), Philadelphia (home), Memphis (away), Oklahoma (away)

The Brooklyn Nets were among the favorites in NBA Power Rankings to start the season and remain so despite their uninspiring start.

Even with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving's combined 58 points, it still wasn't enough to lift the Nets over an inferior Washington Wizards side.

Their defense has proven it will improve to support their high scoring output on the other end. However, shooting has been sporadic and DeAndre Jordan hasn't performed as well as Steve Nash will have hoped.

A team that is likely still working to find its flow with KD returning will come good despite the loss of starter Spencer Dinwiddie to injury. Although, resting their superstars during double-headers may prove more and more difficult should the record not improve much beyond .500.

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Edited by Parimal