Power Rankings, Week 10: Jazz stay at No. 1, but Nets closing in fast

Kyrie Irving was instrumental in the Nets’ unbeaten journey to the West.

Over their five-game trip out West, the Brooklyn Nets allowed 116.3 points per 100 possessions, a mark which gave them the league’s 21st-ranked defense over those nine days. And it didn’t matter. The Nets shot 53%, including 45% from 3-point range, and they cut down on their turnovers, scoring more than 125 points per 100 possessions as they swept the five-game trip. And they did it without Kevin Durant for four of the five games, and without Kyrie Irving for their comeback win in Phoenix on Tuesday.

Ignore the losses against the Wizards, Thunder, Cavs, and Pistons. Overlook their persistent defensive problems. The Nets have triumphed over all the top-notch teams they’ve competed with this season. They are a powerful offensive team, even when only two of their three stars are suited up.

The Nets, thanks to their six-game winning streak, have ascended to the No. 2 spot in the Power Rankings. Despite their nine-game streak ending, the Utah Jazz still boast an impressive 20-2 record over the past 6 1/2 weeks in a season where consistency has eluded most teams.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

  • Right Way: Chris Boucher (TOR) was a plus-56 in four games last week.
  • Wrong Way: De’Aaron Fox (SAC) was a minus-61 in four games last week.

Teams of the Week

  • Make It Last Forever: Brooklyn (5-0) — Wins over the Suns, Lakers and Clippers sans Kevin Durant is a nice way to end a 5-0 road trip.
  • Something Just Ain’t Right: Minnesota (0-4) — Good luck, Chris Finch.

* * *

East vs. West

  • The West is 101-75 (.574) against the East in interconference games, but the East was 20-8 last week.

Schedule strength through Week 9

  • Toughest: 1. Sacramento, 2. Oklahoma City, 3. Detroit
  • Easiest: 1. Orlando, 2. Phoenix, 3. L.A. Lakers
  • Schedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record, and adjusted for home vs. away and days of rest before a game.

* * *

Movement in the Rankings

  • High jumps of the week: Toronto (+7), Brooklyn, Chicago, Orlando, Washington (+4)
  • Free falls of the week: Sacramento (-8), Detroit, Houston, Memphis (-3)

* * *

Week 10 Team to Watch

  • Portland — Damian Lillard and the Blazers suffered a setback after running off six straight wins, losing to the Wizards on Saturday. But they have some big opportunities to rebound this week, with a three-game trip that takes them through Phoenix (Monday), Denver (Tuesday) and L.A., where they’ll play the Lakers on Friday night.

* * *

Previously…

  • Last week: Jazz jump Lakers for No. 1 spot; Suns enter Top 5
  • Thursday’s notebook: The value of rim protection, ‘Dame Time’ and double-digit leads
  • This time last year: Rockets surge into Top 5; Pelicans continue to rise — At 48-8, the Bucks had clinched a playoff spot. The Pistons bought out Reggie Jackson and Markieff Morris, who would both make their way to Los Angeles. John Beilein stepped down as coach of the Cavs, Trae Young scored a career-high 50 points against the Heat, and Bradley Beal put Andre Drummond on a poster.
  • The archive: NBA.com Power Rankings

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

The league has averaged 100.1 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 111.2 points scored per 100 possessions 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, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter.

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