2014-15 NBA Power Rankings Week 5: San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors Stand Out
It's been an exciting first month of the 2014-15 NBA season.
We've witnessed a lot of surprises and disappointments, and a few records broken in the process. It's still early in the season, but there are some notable teams who are standing out.
Here are the top five teams after five weeks of play:
1. Memphis Grizzlies (15-2)
The Memphis Grizzlies remain the hottest team in the NBA.
The Grizzlies have the best overall record at 15-2, and their defense is playing lights out. Thanks to the No. 1-ranked defense in the league, the Grizzlies have won nine of their last 10 games and currently sit atop the Southwest Division ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks. Last week, on Nov. 28, the Grizzlies had an extremely impressive 112-99 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on the road. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are playing like the best front court in the league, and Courtney Lee is making critical perimeter shots.
2. Golden State Warriors (14-2)
Stephen Curry is the early season MVP favorite so far.
Curry is averaging 23.8 points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. Curry and Klay Thompson have made a combined 92 three-point shots this season. Head coach Steve Kerr has done a great job in his first season with the team, and the Warriors defense currently ranks 8th overall in the NBA in points allowed. The Warriors hold a two-win advantage over the Los Angeles Clippers in the Pacific division, and they have won their last nine consecutive games. The Warriors are the best NBA team in California.
3. San Antonio Spurs (13-4)
It appears as if the Spurs are weathering the early season storm.
Tiago Splitter remains out with a calf injury, Gregg Popovich is back after his medical procedure, Tony Parker has a rib injury and Patty Mills is out until further notice. Still, the Spurs are playing great basketball. Led by future Hall of Fame power forward Tim Duncan, the Spurs have won their last eight games. The Spurs have the No. 3-ranked defense in the NBA, and Kawhi Leonard is playing great all around basketball this season. As usual, Danny Green and Manu Ginobili are making their three-point shots.
4. Toronto Raptors (13-4)
The Toronto Raptors have been playing great this season, but a tendon tear to DeMar DeRozan doesn't help things for the next month and half. Without DeRozan, the Raptors failed to even beat the Los Angeles Lakers, allowing 129 points. DeRozan is the leading scorer on the Raptors squad this season, averaging 19.4 points per game, but the team will just have to manage without him. Thankfully, the Raptors have the second-best scoring offense in the NBA, and they play in the worst division in the league: the Atlantic.
5. Portland Trail Blazers (13-4)
The Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA lately. The Blazers have won nine of their last 10 games with their balanced squad. Portland ranks seventh overall in team offense, and seventh overall in team defense. Point guard Damian Lillard leads the Blazers in assists, and LaMarcus Aldridge has been the team's best scorer so far this season. Last season, the Trail Blazers ranked a disappointing 22nd overall in team defense, but offseason moves and adjustments seem to have made a big difference.
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