Week 10 Power Rankings: Cavs and Thunder trade places in the top spot

As we enter Week 9 and approach the 34% mark of the season, a total of 16 teams have winning records, with varying levels of competition faced. The Golden State Warriors and LA Clippers have already played 19 games against winning teams, showcasing their ability to thrive under pressure. In contrast, four of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference have only faced off against 10 winning teams so far, raising questions about their strength of schedule and resilience in the face of tougher opponents.

Here are records in the 113 games that have been played between those 16 teams currently over .500 …

Records and point differentials in games played between teams currently over .500

TeamGPWLPCT+/-Per gameRankCleveland10910.900+99+9.91Oklahoma City171250.706+120+7.12Boston10730.700+67+6.73Houston171160.647+70+4.16New York10640.600+59+5.95Dallas171070.588+47+2.87Phoenix14860.571+15+1.19Memphis12660.500+72+6.04Minnesota16880.500+30+1.98Denver14680.429-17-1.210Golden State198110.421-80-4.211L.A. Lakers15690.400-97-6.513LA Clippers197120.368-104-5.512San Antonio144100.286-100-7.114Orlando12390.250-93-7.815Milwaukee10280.200-88-8.816

Of course, the team with the worst record (Milwaukee) beat the team with the most wins (Oklahoma City) in the Emirates NBA Cup Championship, a game that doesn’t count in the above table or the regular-season standings.

That loss, along with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ subsequent 23-point win over those same Bucks, still has the Thunder dropping a spot in this week’s Power Rankings.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Right Way: Caris LeVert (CLE) was a plus-69 in three games last week.Wrong Way: Dyson Daniels (ATL) was a minus-53 in two games last week.

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: Indiana (2-0) — The Pacers might be playing some defense.Something Just Ain’t Right: Sacramento (0-4) — The Kings were the only team with four games last week, and they lost all four, a streak capped off by a 27-point loss (at home) to the Pacers.

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East vs. West

The West is 64-47 (.577) against the East in interconference games after going 7-5 last week.

Schedule strength through Week 9

Toughest: 1. Washington, 2. New Orleans, 3. BrooklynEasiest: 1. Cleveland, 2. Indiana, 3. New YorkSchedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record.

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Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the week: L.A. Lakers (+3), San Antonio (+3)Free falls of the week: Phoenix (-4), Four teams (-3)

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Week 10 Team to Watch

Denver — The Nuggets are in the top five in the West, but went down to the wire against three struggling teams last week. With three games against the Suns (x 2) and Cavs in the next five days, it would be a good time for Denver to find its groove.

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Previously…

Last week: Thunder take over No. 1; Bucks move into Top 10The archive: NBA.com Power Rankings

OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

The league has averaged 112.4 points scored per 100 possessions and 100.0 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.

NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, contact him via Bluesky.