The Utah Jazz are no longer win-less after their win vs the Pelicans. They followed that up by 3 straight losses by at least 9 points. They are definitely looking at finishing with 10 wins or below if this pace continues.
The West has 10 teams over .500 while the East has only 5 teams. Playoff contenders like the Knicks, Nets, Cavs, Bucks and Wizards are all struggling after 10 games or so.
Surprise team of the week: the Portland Trailblazers have won 7 straight and are 2nd in the Western Conference behind the Spurs.
Sucky team of the week: the Brooklyn Nets continue to struggle and injuries to Brook Lopez and Deron Williams aren't helping.
The standings are current up to November 19, 2013 and the rankings from Last Week refer to Week 2.
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| Tony Parker has started the season strong while Tim Duncan has struggled. The result after 10 games? The Spurs are 9-1 and lead the West (Image from: NBA.com) |
1. San Antonio Spurs | 9-1 | Last Week: 2 | +1
The Spurs have won 7 straight and have the best road record (5-1, tied with Blazers). They are also 3rd in least points allowed. They are winning even with Tim Duncan averaging just 12 ppg, 7 rpg and shooting a career-low 39% from the field. Spurs have a date with the Grizzlies this week.
2. Indiana Pacers | 9-1 | Last Week: 1 | -1
They gave up 110 to Bulls for their first loss but they are still tops in least points allowed. Roy Hibbert has been a beast on the defensive side getting 4.6 blocks per game including another half dozen or more altered shots near the rim. Minor concern: David West has started slow with 11 ppg on 44% shooting.
3. Portland Trailblazers | 9-2 | Last Week: 7 | +4
They gave the Spurs their only loss and Portland has won 7 straight. They are 3-0 on a 4-game road trip with tough games coming up against Chicago and GSW. LaMarcus Aldridge had 5 straight games with double-doubles before it got snapped vs the Nets.
4. Miami Heat | 7-3 | Last Week: 8 | +4
LeBron James is starting to get it going. He was named Eastern Player of the Week last week after leading Miami to 3 straight wins and averaging 35 points. Rashard Lewis, Norris Cole and Michael Beasley have been important role players with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade struggling to provide consistent scoring.
5. Golden State Warriors | 8-3 | Last Week: 9 | +4
It took a fadeaway jumper by Andre Iguodala at the buzzer to give the Dubs a crucial win over the Thunder. They have now won 4 straight and lead the Pacific Division. Klay Thompson leads them in scoring with Curry just a tad behind. Harrison Barnes is getting back into shape: 15 ppg in 26 minutes.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder | 7-3 | Last Week: 3 | -3
Back-to-back losses to the Clippers and Warriors have slowed down OKC but Kevin Durant is still scoring at will and leading the NBA as usual. Though, his shooting numbers are below 50-90-40 after 10 games. Serge Ibaka has been a pleasant surprise with his 4 double-doubles in 10 games.
7. Los Angeles Clippers | 7-4 | Last Week: 4 | -3
Chris Paul has a double-double in all their 11 games which leads the league. Blake Griffin looks great with his 23 and 11. Heck, even DeAndre Jordan is still averaging 11 and 13 after 11 games. The Clippers are still tops in points but their defense still needs a LOT of work at 28th.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves | 7-4 | Last Week: 5 | +3
Kevin Love is 2nd to CP3 with 10 double-doubles and 2nd to LBJ in PER. I'm going on a limb and say that Love is in early considerations for MVP honors. The Love-Brewer outlet passes have been a joy to watch and I have not even mentioned the wizardry of Rubio's passes (9.6 assists)!
9. Chicago Bulls | 6-3 | Last Week: 14 | +5
The Bulls' offense (25th in scoring) showed up for their game vs the Pacers. Their 110 points was the second time they scored over 100, the other one was a loss to the Sixers. Derrick Rose is struggling shooting (34%) and scoring (15 ppg, 3rd on the Bulls) but they have won 5 straight.
10. Houston Rockets | 7-4 | Last Week: 6 | -4
After declaring that the Howard-Asik combo was working, the Rockets promptly gave Asik two DNP-CDs since Omer asked for a trade after losing his starter status. Dwight has had a productive season with 17 and 14 plus 2 blocks but the Rockets are still a terrible defensive team, 29th in points allowed.
11. Dallas Mavericks | 7-4 | Last Week: 11 | Same
The Mavs have won 4 of 5 and Monta Ellis is still shooting efficiently to go along with his 5.5 assists which is 2nd on their team (Calderon). Dirk Nowitzki got his first double-double of the season vs the Sixers but he is averaging a career-low (excluding his rookie year) 5.9 rebounds a game.
12. Atlanta Hawks | 6-4 | Last Week: 12 | Same
Kyle Korver is still aiming for the 3-point shooting streak. He is at 83 and counting. Jeff Teague is quietly leading them in points (19.4). Lou Williams played his first game since injuring his ACL last January. Lou played 16 minutes and got 7 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
13. Memphis Grizzlies | 6-5 | Last Week: 17 | +4
The Grizzlies have won 3 straight with Marc Gasol leading the way: 20 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in his past 3. Zach Randolph aint too far away either with his 25 and 12 during those 3 wins. It's no secret that the Grizz need both of their big guys to play great to win big games.
14. Phoenix Suns | 5-4 | Last Week: 10 | -4
The Suns have lost 2 straight by a combined 3 points. They have been very competitive. Those losses were winnable during the dying seconds. Miles Plumlee has been solid with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Who here thought that Gerald Green had three-point range? He is 20 of 48 (42%) in 9 games.
15. Charlotte Bobcats | 5-6 | Last Week: 18 | +3
Bad loss by the Bobcats to Miami's "B" team where LBJ didnt play most of the 4th and Wade/Bosh were non-factors. Charlotte is among the bottom in shooting/scoring stats especially since only MKG and Bismack Biyombo are shooting over 41% on the floor.
16. Philadelphia 76ers | 5-7 | Last Week: 13 | -3
Their 3-0 start has been forgotten after losing 5 of 6 and MCW is still uncleared to play. There is no timetable on his return. On the plus side, the Sixers lead the horrible Atlantic Division at 5-7 and would be the 4th seed if the playoffs started today.
17. Los Angeles Lakers | 5-7 | Last Week: 22 | +5
Kobe Bryant is now practicing with the team and that's good news even though no date has been given for his return. Jodie Meeks is leading them in scoring at 13.7 with Pau Gasol still struggling to get open looks with defenses focusing on him.
18. New Orleans Pelicans | 4-6 | Last Week: 16 | -2
Ryan Anderson made a great debut with 26 points on 6-10 shooting from downtown in a blowout win vs the Sixers. His presence should open up the paint for Anthony Davis to operate down low. Tyreke Evans might be starting to get out from his slump. Evans has scored in double digits the last 3 games
19. Denver Nuggets | 4-6 | Last Week: 28 | +9
The Nuggets have already lost 2 games at home after going 38-3 at home last season. Ty Lawson has been amazing in leading the team in points and assists (22 and 9). JJ Hickson and Kenneth Faried are a combined 20 points and 20 rebounds. If one of them develops a solid jumper, they can play together more often.
20. Orlando Magic | 4-6 | Last Week: 26 | +6
Good news: Orlando is within striking distance of a playoff spot with the Knicks, Nets, Pistons and Bucks all below them in the standings. The bad news: there are still 72 games left to be played. Arron Afflalo is quietly averaging 22-5-5 which gives him the best numbers for a SG in the East.
21. Toronto Raptors | 4-7 | Last Week: 24 | +3
The Raptors came back down double digits to force OT twice this season and still lose at the end. The tandem of Gay-DeRozan has not worked well with both wings shooting too much at low efficiency rates. The Raps are also prone to isos and slow developing post-ups that result to no assists (last in NBA).
22. Boston Celtics | 4-7 | Last Week: 15 | -7
The Celtics have been very streaky so far. They lost 4 straight, then won 4 straight and now have lost 3 straight. Their best player, Jeff Green has average numbers of 15 ppg and 4 rpg. The Rajon Rondo trade rumors have started with a proposed trade to the NY Knicks.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers | 4-7 | Last Week: 23 | Same
The Cavs had a players-only meeting last week that might have included a physical fight. They are 1-2 after that meeting and have been underwhelming. Everyone has been a disappointment so far, including Kyrie Irving who is shooting below 40% and getting almost 4 turnovers a game.
24. Detroit Pistons | 3-6 | Last Week: 25 | +1
Josh Smith followed up his benching last Nov 12 (2 points, 19 mins) by averaging 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in his past 2 games. Andre Drummond has also recorded 4 straight double-doubles (15 and 15). They are losing since they have given up 114 points in their last 4 losses (24th in points allowed).
25. New York Knicks | 3-6 | Last Week: 20 | -5
JR Smith is not playing well in the 4 games since his return. He is below 10 ppg on 23% shooting and playing 32 minutes. Raymond Felton is also struggling at 11 ppg on 38% shooting. Where would the Knicks be if Andrea Bargnani was not getting 20 points, 7 boards and 2 blocks in the past 5 games? Yikes.
26. Brooklyn Nets | 3-7 | Last Week: 19 | -7
They could easily be 1-9 after they got away with 1-point wins over Miami and Phoenix. Brook Lopez and Deron Williams are hurting while Garnett and Pierce are averaging well below their career marks. The focus is now on Jason Kidd and his lack of experience as a head coach.
27. Washington Wizards | 2-7 | Last Week: 27 | Same
The Wizards have been a big disappointment even after Nene's return from injury. They are 2-4 since his return and have lost 4 straight. John Wall has not made an improvement in his shooting numbers. He is actually getting less points and shooting much worse than last season.
28. Sacramento Kings | 2-7 | Last Week: 29 | +1
DeMarcus Cousins needs help from the other starters. Only Greivis Vasquez is in double figures at a modest 10.2 ppg and that is below his mark of 14 ppg from last season. Nobody is playing more than 30 minutes for the Kings which shows inconsistent play from the players and/or sketchy rotations from the rookie coach.
29. Milwaukee Bucks | 2-7 | Last Week: 21 | -8
The Bucks have lost 5 straight with 3 of the games being blowouts. They are having early injury problems with Brandon Knight, Caron Butler, Larry Sanders and Irsan Ilyasova all out. They are in the bottom fifth in points, rebounds and assists as a team. Luke Ridnour is back and played the last 2 games in limited action.
30. Utah Jazz | 1-11 | Last Week: 30 | Same
They are no longer win-less but they are still last in the standings and last in point differential. They will play the Pelicans again this week so maybe win #2 might be in the works. If not, the Jazz is looking at 7 straight losses (or 1-15 record) before playing a home-and-home series vs the competitive Suns.
Biggest Jump of the Week: Nuggets +9
Biggest Drop of the Week: Bucks -8
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