Week 5 Rankings: Rockets, Mavs and Lakers climb; Cavs maintain top spot

With the addition of the Emirates NBA Cup to the schedule over the past two years, the first seven weeks of the season have seen a decrease in games played between teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences. For instance, the Charlotte Hornets will be facing off against Eastern Conference opponents in 26 out of their first 28 games.

However, through the first four weeks, there have been 52 interconference games. In those interconference games, the Western Conference has been absolutely dominant, winning 37 (71%) of them.

Now, the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks have played just one interconference game apiece, while the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls have combined to play 15. So the East hasn’t exactly put its best foot forward. Still, 13 of the 15 Western Conference teams have winning records vs. the East, with the Utah Jazz 1-1 and the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans 2-4.

NBA Cup action continues this week, but we’ll also get some interesting East-West games in the next seven days, including the Phoenix Suns hosting Orlando and New York, and the Minnesota Timberwolves visiting Boston on Sunday afternoon.

And though the West has been the better conference overall, the No. 1 spot in the Power Rankings still belongs to the East for a second straight week.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Right Way: Dillon Brooks (HOU) was a plus-92 in four games last week.Wrong Way: Naz Reid (MIN) was a minus-61 in four games last week.

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: Portland (3-0) — After sweeping a two-game series against the Wolves, the Blazers came from 16 points down to beat the Hawks on Sunday.Something Just Ain’t Right: Philadelphia (0-3) — The Sixers need more than just Joel Embiid’s presence on the floor.

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East vs. West

The West is 37-15 (.712) against the East in interconference games after going 4-1 last week.

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Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the week: Houston (+7), Detroit (+6), Portland (+5)Free falls of the week: Phoenix (-7), Chicago (-5), Indiana (-5)

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Week 5 Team to Watch

Boston — The big showdown is Tuesday, when the Celtics host the undefeated Cavs in NBA Cup Group Play action on TNT. Another test will come Sunday afternoon when they host the Timberwolves.

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Previously…

Last week: Cavs keep sizzling, take over at No. 1The 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 112.7 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.6 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.

* = Emirates NBA Cup 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, contact him via Bluesky.