Warriors pulling away atop NBA Power Rankings

Certainly, Steph Curry is the difference-maker for the Warriors, because the rest of the lineup has been merely decent-to-good to this point, but C Festus Ezeli has been developing nicely, and is averaging 8.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, with 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 58.3% from the field. 

Key Injuries: None.

As wonderful as the story of LaMarcus Aldridge's recruitment was, his performance hasn't been very good early, with too many turnovers and poor shooting (career-low 44.3% from the field) leading to his lowest PER (17.3) since his rookie season.

Key Injuries: None.

Coming off back-to-back losses at Milwaukee and Detroit, the Cavs clearly need to work out something with PF Kevin Love, who is shooting 40.9% from the field and 32.0% on threes. 

Key Injuries: SG Iman Shumpert (wrist), PG Kyrie Irving (knee).

The Clippers can't defend anything it seems, but part of that has to be related to early struggles for PG Chris Paul, who has been battling a groin injury, but is having his worst production (shooting 41.9% from the field and 28.0% on threes) in the early going.

Key Injuries: PG Chris Paul (groin).

The Heat can defend and seem to be keeping C Hassan Whiteside on track, as he shoots 63.0% from the field and blocks 4.6 shots per game. That presence in the paint is making a difference.

Key Injuries: None.

In Mike Dunleavy's absence, second-year SF Doug McDermott is making a solid contribution to the Bulls' lineup, though his 56.8% on threes will be due to regress any day now.

Key Injuries: SF Mike Dunleavy (back), PG Derrick Rose (ankle).

The Raptors have lost five of seven, but Tuesday's loss at Golden State was pretty encouraging as losses go, losing by five on the road against the unbeaten Warriors, in a game in which they had a chance to take the lead in the final 20 seconds. We'll stay away from the Kyle Lowry foul call so that we can stay cool, okay?

Key Injuries: SF Terrence Ross (thumb).

Losers of three straight, the Hawks are missing two starters, so they're fighting shorthanded, particularly on the perimeter.

Key Injuries: PG Jeff Teague (ankle), SF Kent Bazemore (ankle).

6-2 in the past eight games, the Pacers are looking at a dramatically different frontcourt, with Paul George as their top rebounder, as well and Ian Mahinmi and Jordan Hill providing solid minutes at the four and five.

Key Injuries: PG George Hill (illness).

He may not be able to defend a lick, but C Enes Kanter is giving the Thunder 12 points and eight rebounds in a little over 20 minutes per game off the bench.  

Key Injuries: SF Kevin Durant (hamstring).

Second-year SF T.J. Warren is giving the Suns some solid scoring off the bench, putting up 11.7 points per game in 21.5 minutes per game, thanks in part to shooting 52.6% from the field.

Key Injuries: None.

Snapped a four-game losing streak with a nice win against Cleveland, when they got a really good game out of PG Reggie Jackson, who has run a little hot and cold, at least according to head coach Stan Van Gundy.

Key Injuries: PG Brandon Jennings (Achilles), SG Jodie Meeks (foot).

Five wins in six games, with improved defence, suddenly makes the Celtics a team to watch in the Eastern Conference. It also helps Isaiah Thomas dropping 21 points per game, giving them one source of instant offence.

Key Injuries: None.

Four straight wins has helped the Mavericks turns the corner from a so-so start, even if against a relatively soft spot in the schedule. Could still use some improved efficiency from the backcourt (Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews), but the Mavericks can still be pretty good.

Key Injuries: None.

Third-year SF Otto Porter Jr. is taking a big step forward, with numbers up across the board. With SG Bradley Beal out, the Wizards might need even more from him. 

Key Injuries: SG Bradley Beal (shoulder).

Four wins in five games makes the Nuggets surprisingly competitive, though they are left without wing Wilson Chandler for the rest of the season, so that's a little more difficult.

Key Injuries: SG Wilson Chandler (hip), C Jusuf Nurkic (knee).

The Grizzlies have won three in a row since acquiring PG Mario Chalmers, who has put up 55 points in those three games.

Key Injuries: None.

The hype on rookie Kristaps Porzingis has gone off, as tends to happen when 7-foot-3 20-year-olds drop 29 points and 11 boards, as he did Tuesday against Charlotte. 

Key Injuries: None.

Snapped a three-game losing streak with Sunday's win over Atlanta, but still need to fix the starting point guard spot -- maybe start by playing Trey Burke more?

Key Injuries: PG Dante Exum (knee).

Four straight losses cost head coach Kevin McHale his job, but the new coach is going to have a hard time figuring out how to get this team to D up.

Key Injuries: PF Terrence Jones (eye), G Patrick Beverley (ankle).

Lost three of four, and while they have a nice enough collection of players, it hasn't come together right now. Need to be better defensively, and don't have that alpha-dog to carry the offence.

Key Injuries: SG O.J. Mayo (hamstring).

SG Zach LaVine is emerging as a backcourt scoring threat, averaging 20.2 points per game in the past five, but the T-Wolves need more consistent defensive play as a team to pull this talent together.

Key Injuries: C Nikola Pekovic (Achilles).

SG Jeremy Lamb is giving the Hornets a nice shot in the arm off the bench, shooting 56.6% from the field, though, strangely for a guard, he's shooting just 55.6% from the free-throw line.

Key Injuries: SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (shoulder).

The Magic have some promising young talent, particularly their starting backcourt of Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo, but neither one is averaging better than a point-per-shot yet, and that's not going to cut it.

Key Injuries: None.

Head on a five-game road trip having won three in a row, with C DeMarcus Cousins scoring 36.3 points per game in those wins.

Key Injuries: PG Darren Collison (hamstring).

Losers of six straight, the Blazers have regressed in a hurry after their surprising start. Definitely need more from the frontcourt, where they don't have a double-digit scorer.

Key Injuries: None.

A season in which the Pelicans should have been playoff contenders has been an unmitigated disaster, and now they're trying to climb out of this impossible hole with PF Anthony Davis dealing with a shoulder injury.

Key Injuries: SG Tyreke Evans (knee).

Two of the Lakers' top three scorers, Kobe Bryant and Lou Williams, are shooting below 34% from the field. 

Key Injuries: None.

C Brook Lopez is showing that, when healthy, he can be a difference-maker. He's averaged 18.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game over the last four, during which the Nets have actually won a couple of games.

Key Injuries: None.

Even with a promising frontcourt tandem of Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, the 76ers aren't remotely competitive. Makes it easy to set No. 30 each week though.

Key Injuries: PG Kendal Marshall (knee), G Tony Wroten (knee), F Carl Landry (wrist),  C Joel Embiid (foot).