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The turbulent nature that was expected of the 2020-21 NBA season started to take hold of the league during its third week, producing plenty of movement in our NBA Power Rankings.
Los Angeles' franchises are still holding down their positions atop of our list, while the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks have emerged after shaking off their poor starts. In the East, several of the big hitters have been impacted by the league's health and safety protocols, hampering their opportunities ahead of a new week.
NBA Power Rankings 2020-21: Reviewing the top ten ahead of Week 4
Our NBA Power Rankings have already seen some initial rises and falls, with more expected given the current playing circumstances. Most sides have continued their form while others, such as the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks, have seen their form fade.
Let's take a look at how the current NBA Power Rankings look ahead of the league's fourth week.
#10 Dallas Mavericks
2020-21 record: 5-4
Upcoming fixtures: New Orleans (home), Charlotte (away), Milwaukee (away), Chicago
Previous top-10 ranking: N/A
After a shaky 2-4 start, the Dallas Mavericks had a 3-0 week and have entered our NBA Power Rankings in 10th place. Rick Carlisle made some tactical changes to his starting line-up this week, whereby Tim Hardaway Jr. was dropped to the bench from where he produced 30 points on Monday.
Looking ahead, the Mavs head coach will be excited to finally utilize star Kristaps Porzingis for the first time this season.
Luka Doncic has found his rhythm and looks like the player that many are tipping to be the league's MVP. The Slovenian averaged 30.3 points, 12 rebounds and 11.3 assists this week. His performances included a monster display to pull the Mavs over the Nuggets in an impressive road victory in overtime, simultaneously lifting his side into our NBA Power Rankings.
#9 Utah Jazz
2020-21 record: 6-4
Upcoming fixtures: Cleveland (away), Washington (away), Atlanta (home), Denver (away)
Previous top-10 ranking: 6th (↓3)
The Utah Jazz had an inconsistent week, as has been the course for their season thus far, and have resultantly fallen in our NBA Power Rankings. After a disappointing trip to New York, in which they were blown-out by a Nets side without KD, the Jazz then lost to the inexperienced Knicks.
However, they bounced back with two important wins over the Bucks and Pistons.
As with the Mavs, Utah's playmaker, Donovan Mitchell has started to get hot after a mixed opening fortnight. The point guard averaged 27.3 points and 4.5 assists per game this week.
Aside from Mitchell, the Jazz's offense has still been hit-and-miss though coach Snyder will be hoping that back-up guard Jordan Clarkson can continue his fine form, averaging 16.8 points.
#8 Indiana Pacers
2020-21 record: 6-3
Upcoming fixtures: Sacramento (away), Golden State (away), Portland (away), Phoenix (away), LA Clippers (away)
Previous top-10 ranking: 9th (↑1)
The Indiana Pacers have a tough week ahead of them on the road, facing 4 of the West's top-8 sides. Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon continue to shine and are having career years so far.
Many predicted that the Pacers could cause real problems at the top of the East this season, should they stay fit. Up until now, that prediction is bearing true with the Pacers' solidity on both ends of the floor.
#7 Golden State Warriors
2020-21 record: 6-4
Upcoming fixtures: Indiana (home), Denver (away), Phoenix (away)
Previous top-10 ranking: N/A
One of the most exciting franchises of the past decade look to be providing the entertainment their fans have been craving for so long. After a shaky start, the Warriors won 3 of 4 games this week, topped-off by wins at home to the Clippers and Raptors.
Steph Curry is back to his best and although he shot 2 for 16 on Sunday against Toronto, the Warriors still won - a testament to their strength in depth. Draymond Green's return to the floor has had an instant effect and rookie James Wiseman continues to impress, averaging 10.5 points and 1.5 blocks per game.
#6 Boston Celtics
2020-21 record: 7-3
Upcoming fixtures: Chicago (away), Orlando (home), Orlando (home), New York (home)
Previous top-10 ranking: 10th (↑4)
The Boston Celtics are one of the hottest teams in the league at the moment, though they sit 6th in our NBA Power Rankings due to ending the week on an uncertain note. Half of the Celtics roster will be sidelined due to injury or COVID-19 protocols and it is unclear when the franchise will have a full-strength squad again.
Despite their ill-luck, Boston have won 6 of their last 7 including wins on the road in Toronto and Miami. Tatum and Brown are continuing their development, the prior of which is averaging 26.9 points and 7.1 rebounds.
#5 Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 record: 7-3
Upcoming fixtures: Atlanta (away), Miami (home), Miami (home), Memphis (away), Oklahoma (away)
Previous top-10 ranking: 3rd (↓2)
Another team hampered by the NBA's health and safety protocols, the Philadelphia 76ers still remain top of the East with the second-best defensive rating in the league. Joel Embiid is expected to return Monday night to face a Hawks side who have lost their way this week.
Meanwhile, Seth Curry is proving to be the consistent scorer Daryl Morey brought him in to be, averaging 18 points and 59.5% from the 3-point line.
#4 Phoenix Suns
2020-21 record: 7-3
Upcoming fixtures: Washington (away), Atlanta (home), Golden State (home), Indiana (home)
Previous top-10 ranking: 6th (↑2)
Not only do the Phoenix Suns have one of the best records in the league, but they have also locked-in on defense and are currently the 5th meanest in the NBA. Their resident floor general, Chris Paul, is averaging 8.5 assists which places him among the top-5 playmakers. Meanwhile, Small Forward Mikal Bridges appears to be the next bright, young talent to emerge from Phoenix.
Bridges is averaging 15.2 points and could be an early candidate for Most Improved Player come the end of the season.
#3 Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 record: 6-4
Upcoming fixtures: Orlando (away), Detroit (away), Dallas (home)
Previous top-10 ranking: 4th (↑1)
Milwaukee won 3 of their 4 matchups this week, despite falling to the Jazz on the road. Still, the Bucks remain one of the most dominant sides in the league and, in each of their wins this season, have finished 10 points or more ahead of their opponent.
Coach Budenholzer will still be demanding more output from the Bucks' surrounding pieces to aid Giannis Antetkounmpo if they are to avoid another early playoff exit this year. The Greek reigning-MVP is currently averaging 27.1 points and 10.6 rebounds.
#2 LA Clippers
2020-21 record: 7-4
Upcoming fixtures: New Orleans (home), Sacramento (away), Indiana (home)
Previous top-10 ranking: 2nd (-)
Though at full-strength, the Clippers are as yet to convincingly display that they have the ability to win an NBA Championship. Ty Lue's side threw away a 22-point second half lead against the Golden State Warriors this week and have struggled to defend against opponent's sharpshooters beyond the arc.
Despite this, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are playing well together alongside a stronger supporting unit. The Clippers will consistently remain at the top of our NBA Power Rankings though will need to shake off the demons of their playoff past by putting inferior teams to bed sooner.
#1 LA Lakers
2020-21 record: 8-3
Upcoming fixtures: Houston (away), Oklahoma (away), New Orleans (home)
Previous top-10 ranking: 1st (-)
The LA Lakers had an eventful 3rd week of the season. After winning narrowly against the Grizzlies and Bulls, their defense, publicly criticized by Anthony Davis after the game, was not enough to hold off the San Antonio Spurs. Prompted by the forward's comments, the Lakers ran out comfortable victors on the road, in Houston, to cap off the week.
Understandably, the Lakers are still favorites considering their depth and consistency. Though their new acquisitions haven't quite been firing hot as of yet, coach Vogel will be content in the knowledge that his offense's output is spread throughout the squad. The likes of Talen Horton-Tucker have also been stepping up off the bench.
Guess the Lakers players!
