Power Rankings, Week 2: Nuggets maintain grip on No. 1
Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets have kept their stride as the 2023-24 season begins.
After six days of the 2023-24 season, there are six undefeated teams remaining, and they’re led by the 3-0 defending champs. There will be two games between those undefeated teams this week: Indiana-Boston on Wednesday and Dallas-Denver on Friday.
Friday, of course, is the first night of the In-Season Tournament, seven games that also include Knicks-Bucks and Warriors-Thunder. So Week 2 brings something new, along with more data to chew on.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
- Right Way: Kawhi Leonard (LAC) was a plus-58 in three games last week.
- Wrong Way: Jerami Grant (POR) was a minus-49 in three games last week.
Teams of the Week
- Make It Last Forever: Denver (3-0) — All hail the champs.
- Something Just Ain’t Right: Houston (0-3) — The Rockets were competitive against the Warriors on Sunday, but prior to that, they lost by 30 to the Magic and lost to the otherwise 0-2 Spurs.
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East vs. West
- The East and West split their 10 interconference games in Week 1.
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Movement in the Rankings
- High jumps of the week: Detroit (+8), New Orleans (+7), Three teams (+6)
- Free falls of the week: Memphis (-13), New York (-8), Miami (-7)
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Week 2 Team to Watch
- Golden State — Draymond Green is back, Chris Paul on this team remains a curiosity, and the Warriors have four good teams on the schedule this week. They face the 2-0 Pelicans in New Orleans on Monday before heading home to host the 2-1 Kings on Wednesday night. Then they’re back on the road to visit the Thunder (Friday) and Cavs (Sunday).
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Previously…
- Last week: Nuggets, Bucks lead the way as 2023-24 begins
- The 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 averaged 109.5 points scored per 100 possessions and 100.9 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes in Week 1.
* = In-Season Tournament game
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.
