Clippers claim top spot in NBA Power Rankings

The Clippers have stumbled a couple of times, but they've been playing at a new level this season. The big news of the offseason was that PG Chris Paul had surgery to correct his vision and he's shooting a career-best 43.6% on threes.

Key Injuries: None.

The Warriors lost a couple of games early, but have won eight straight and while their defence is still an area of concern, they are scoring at an unbelievable rate. Also, the worry about who would be sacrificing shots for Kevin Durant isn't such a big deal at the top of the depth chart. Steph Curry (2.4), Draymond Green (1.0) and Klay Thompson (0.5) are sacrificing very few field goal attempts, and Kevin Durant himself is down 2.2 field goal attempts per game from what he had last season in Oklahoma City.

Key Injuries: None.

The Cavaliers are playing better defensively and look even more dangerous because they have resurrected PF Kevin Love, giving him more touches offensively, and he's averaging 20 and 10 for the first time since 2013-2014. 

Key Injuries: None.

The Spurs have won six in a row, yet head coach Gregg Popovich isn't terribly impressed. They've taken a step back defensively and, offensively, aren't finishing on nearly the percentage that they did last season.

Key Injuries: None.

The Hawks have lost back-to-back games, but they have been a notable surprise early in the season. C Dwight Howard is a small part of the offensive gameplan, but the 30-year-old remains a difference-maker on the defensive end.

Key Injuries: SG Thabo Sefolosha (knee).

The Bulls have won five of six, and not ony has Dwyane Wade played in 13 of 14 games, he's also started shooting threes again -- averaging 3.5 attempts per game, his most since 2008-2009.

Key Injuries: PG Michael Carter-Williams (knee), SF Doug McDermott (concussion).

A fit James Harden makes all the difference in the world for the Rockets -- he's averaging 28.6 points and 12.4 assists per game -- and the lineup is full of newcomers who are contributing: SG Eric Gordon, PF Ryan Anderson and C Nene.

Key Injuries: None.

The Raptors have dropped four of five, with the only win coming in overtime at Denver. SG DeMar DeRozan is averaging 30.9 points per game, which is all fine and great, but they're not playing nearly enough defence to live up to the expectations they had coming into the season. They are giving up seven more points per game, and allow opponents to shoot .456, up from .444 last season.

Key Injuries: PF Jared Sullinger (foot).

The Hornets have lost four of six, and are dealing with some injuries in the frontcourt, but PG Kemba Walker has taken his game up a level, with better numbers across the board.

Key Injuries: C Cody Zeller (shoulder), C Frank Kaminsky (ankle).

The Grizzlies have won five straight and are suddenly competitive in large part to old guys -- PF Zach Randolph and SF Vince Carter -- coming off the bench and producing. 

Key Injuries: PF Brandan Wright (ankle), F Chandler Parsons (knee).

It doesn't look like the Thunder have quite enough around Russell Westbrook to be more than competitive, but it's fun to watch Westbrook going to the wall night after night, averaging 30.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game.

Key Injuries: None.

The Jazz have lost four in a row, and are now missing a couple of starters due to injuries. George Hill, who has played in seven of 14 games, had been excellent, shooting 54.1% from the field and 43.2% on threes before getting hurt.

Key Injuries: PG George Hill (thumb), PF Derrick Favors (knee).

Injuries have played part of the problem for the Celtics thus far, but with C Al Horford and SF Jae Crowder, SG Marcus Smart and C Kelly Olynyk back from injuries, they have a more representative rotation recently and have won five of the past seven. 

Key Injuries: None.

The Lakers have been a major surprise, more competitive sooner than expected. They don't defend, but have five players averaging more than 14 points per game.

Key Injuries: None.

Obviously the record isn't ideal, but the Timberwolves have lost some close games, and every one of their wins has been by more than 15 points. The emerging young talent here, led by C Karl Anthony Towns and SG Andrew Wiggins, has a chance to be really good, and maybe really soon.

Key Injuries: None.

The Pistons are running into offensive trouble and have lost four straight. Strange that a team giving Marcus Morris the most field goal attempts is having problems scoring.

Key Injuries: PG Reggie Jackson (knee).

The Heat can't shoot straight, partly because they give Dion Waiters (37.3 FG%) and Justise Winslow (33.1 FG%) more than 14 field goal attempts per game. 

Key Injuries: PF Chris Bosh (blood clots), SF Justise Winslow (wrist).

The Bucks have two players -- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker -- averaging more than nine points per game, so they are a little top-heavy, and have a bench brigade led by Greg Monroe (what's happened to him?) and Michael Beasley.

Key Injuries: F Khris Middleton (hamstring).

Veteran swingman Wilson Chandler has been Denver's best player, averaging a career-high, and team-leading, 17.1 points per game, with an effective field goal percentage of 55.5%. 

Key Injuries: SG Gary Harris (ankle).

The Blazers have suffered some awful losses -- their last four have been by an average of 21.3 points -- but they are similar to last season, heavily dependent on their backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

Key Injuries: C Festus Ezeli (knee), SF Al-Farouq Aminu (calf).

The Knicks have won three of the past four games, and their upside is tied to second-year PF Kristaps Porzingis, who is already taking a nice step forward. They could use more from PG Derrick Rose, who is shooting 28.6% from beyond the arc.

Key Injuries: SF Lance Thomas (ankle).

The Wizards bench is something to behold. The first three beyond the starting five are guards Marcus Thornton and Tomas Satoransky, along with SF Kelly Oubre Jr, none of whom is a game-changer upon taking the floor.

Key Injuries: C Ian Mahinmi (knee).

Having their best player hurt and a few lopsided losses leave the Pacers further down in the rankings than their record might initially suggest.

Key Injuries: SG C.J. Miles (knee), SF Paul George (ankle).

A fortuitous ruling from the league preserved the Kings' home win against Toronto, snapping a four-game losing streak. They are starting Ty Lawson at point guard.

Key Injuries: None.

It's tough to win shooting 41.0% from the field, especially when they get 41.0% shooting from C Nikola Vucevic, after four straight seasons shooting better than 50.0%. 

Key Injuries: SG Jodie Meeks (foot).

After starting the season 1-9, the Pelicans have won three of the past four games, the last two coming with PG Jrue Holiday back in the lineup, putting up 43 points and 16 assists in 53 minutes.

Key Injuries: SG Tyreke Evans (knee).

Defence is a real issue for the Nets, who have allowed 505 points on the way to four straight losses, but they have been a little more potent offensively than might have been expected.

Key Injuries: PG Jeremy Lin (hamstring).

The Suns have a fun backcourt, with PG Eric Bledsoe and SG Devin Booker, but they aren't strong defensively and have lost five of the past six games.

Key Injuries: SF TJ Warren (illness).

Didn't see this coming for the Mavericks, but that could be because I didn't expect SF Harrison Barnes (averaging 21.0 points on 46.3% shooting, 28.9% on threes) to immediately become the focal point offensively.

Key Injuries: PG Devin Harris (foot), PF Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles), G JJ Barea (calf), PG Deron Williams (calf).

The Sixers aren't good, yet, but they have won three of the past four games and have a legit star in C Joel Embiid, who is averaging 18.4 points, in a little more than 22 minutes of floor time, per game.

Key Injuries:  PF Nerlens Noel (groin), SF Ben Simmons (foot)