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The 2019-20 NBA season is now entering Week 3, and there are plenty of teams around the league that have impressed over the past fortnight. The likes of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns have defied preseason expectations to make solid starts to the new season, although the usual suspects hold the best records through two weeks.
Plenty could still change over the coming weeks, although here are the latest power rankings as we head into the third week of the season.
#10 Houston Rockets - Current Record: 3-3
Much has been made of Houston's decision to swap Russell Westbrook for Chris Paul during the offseason, although Mike D'Antoni's side still appear short compared to the best teams in the NBA. Sure, both James Harden and Westbrook can put up huge numbers on any given night, and the Rockets will post one of the best records in the West. However, they have been collectively unconvincing, and last night's defeat to the Heat demonstrated exactly why this Houston team has so many doubters.
#9 San Antonio Spurs - Current Record: 4-2
After another quiet offseason, some experts wrote off San Antonio's chances of making the playoffs in a crowded West. However, Gregg Popovich is once again getting the most out of the limited resources at his disposal, and the Spurs have been among the most impressive teams through two weeks. The Spurs also face a favorable schedule over the next two weeks as they take on some of the NBA's worst teams, and they should be able to keep up their positive start to the new campaign.
#8 Denver Nuggets - Current Record: 4-2
The Denver Nuggets have yet to get going this season, although they still sit 6th in the West with a 4-2 record. Nevertheless, Denver faces a big week as they take on the Heat, Sixers, and Timberwolves, and they will need Nikola Jokic to awaken from his slow start to the season if they are to end the week in the playoff places.
#7 Utah Jazz - Current Record: 4-3
The Utah Jazz started the week with wins over the Suns and Clippers, extending their winning streak to three. However, the Jazz finished the week with back-to-back defeats to the Kings and the Kawhi Leonard inspired Clippers. This leaves Utah with a 4-3 record, although Donovan Mitchell's excellent form combined with the improved performances of Mike Conley means that they remain a threat.
#6 Miami Heat - Current Record: 5-1
Over the past few years, the Heat have fielded one of the oldest rosters in the NBA, although they now have an exciting crop of youngsters led by Tyler Herro, Justise Winslow, and Bam Adebayo. Jimmy Butler has also looked sharp since his return last week, and few believed that Miami would be near the top of the East at this stage of the season. Last night's win over the Rockets was a major statement of intent, and this young Miami team will only get better in the coming weeks.
#5 Boston Celtics - Current Record: 4-1
The Boston Celtics' ability to contend was doubted after an opening night defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers, however, Brad Stevens' team has bounced back to win four straight games. This sequence included notable wins over the Raptors and Bucks, and both Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward have started the season strongly. With games to come against the Cavaliers, Hornets, and Spurs - the Celtics should be able to continue their positive momentum over the next week.
#4 Milwaukee Bucks - Current Record: 4-2
Milwaukee's start to the season has been far from perfect, although they have improved following Tuesday's defeat to the Celtics. A comprehensive win over the Magic was followed up by a gritty win over Toronto on Saturday night, with Giannis Antetokounmpo almost producing a triple-double during a dominant performance. The Bucks face difficult games against the Timberwolves, Clippers, and Jazz over the next seven days - which will give us a good idea if they have actually improved since last season.
#3 Los Angeles Lakers - Current Record: 5-1
There were questions over LeBron James and Anthony Davis after the Lakers' opening night defeat to the Clippers, however, the All-Star pairing has bounced back over the past week. Despite playing with a shoulder injury, Davis recorded 40 points and 20 rebounds against the Grizzlies, just days before LeBron crushed the Mavericks with an incredible triple-double. With Kyle Kuzma back from injury and Danny Green continuing to impress, this Lakers team looks the real deal as they look to put recent disappointments behind them.
#2 Philadelphia 76ers - Current Record: 5-0
Much of Philadelphia's second week was dominated by Joel Embiid's clash with Karl-Anthony Towns, although the Sixers enjoyed another strong week and remain the team to beat in the East. Playing without Embiid, the Sixers picked up a 129-128 win over a strong Portland team, and are now the NBA's only team with a perfect record. With games against the Suns, Jazz, Nuggets, and Hornets to come over the next week, it is possible that they could extend their record to 9-0.
#1 Los Angeles Clippers - Current Record: 5-2
Kawhi Leonard has demonstrated during the first two weeks of the new season exactly why many believe he is the best player in the NBA. Fuelled by the 28-year-old's excellent performances, the Clippers' record now sits at 5-2, and Paul George is nearing a return following his lengthy layoff. in addition to Leonard's brilliance, Montrezl Harrell has been excellent at both ends, while Lou Williams is more devastating than even despite turning 33 last week. Ultimately, the Clippers may not hold the NBA's best record, although they are still the team to beat.
