NBA Power Rankings

ESPN Power Rankings (Top Five)

1. Golden State Warriors

2017-18 record: 10-3

Golden State has won each of its past six games by 17 points or more. Only one other team in NBA history has done that: the 1989-90 Suns. The Stephen Curry-Klay Thompson connection has been unmatched so far. According to Second Spectrum, Thompson has an 82 percent effective field goal percentage off passes from Curry, best among all passer-shooter combos (minimum 30 passes). -- Vincent Johnson

2. Houston Rockets

2017-18 record: 11-3

None of the greatest shooters in the history of basketball -- Curry, Thompson, Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, to name a few -- have done what James Harden has done this season. He's the first player to make at least six 3-pointers in five straight games. No other player had ever done that in more than three straight. Harden is making or assisting on more than nine 3-pointers per game this season, by far the most in the NBA. -- Vincent Johnson

3. Boston Celtics

2017-18 record: 12-2

The Celtics haven't lost a game since their 0-2 start to the season. According to Elias Sports Bureau research, their 12-game winning streak is tied with the 2006-07 Mavericks for the longest win streak immediately following an 0-2 or worse start to the season. That Mavericks team went on to win a franchise-best 67 games. -- Jose De Leon

4. San Antonio Spurs

2017-18 record: 8-5

Through their first eight games, the Spurs had the third-worst offensive efficiency in the NBA (98.4) and were getting outscored by four points per 100 possessions. In their past five games, San Antonio has the fourth-best offensive efficiency (114.8) and only the Warriors and Rockets have a better net efficiency. -- Jose De Leon

5. Detroit Pistons

2017-18 record: 10-3

Andre Drummond has grabbed at least 12 rebounds in all 13 games this season. According to Elias Sports Bureau research, Drummond joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Moses Malone as the only players to grab at least 12 rebounds in each of his first 13 games of a season in the post-Wilt Chamberlain era (since 1973-74). -- ESPN Stats & Information

Last week we brought to you our NBA Power Rankings and while not much has changed we must continue to bring our updated rankings each and every week. Above are the ESPN rankings and while they contain many of the same teams, their order is all wrong and we intend to fix it.

1. Boston Celtics (12-2)

The Boston Celtics sit atop the NBA standings at an impressive 12-2, 5.5 games ahead of Cleveland for the number one spot in the East. Even more impressive is the Celtic’s ability to find a way to win without their star players. Gordon Hayward went down for the season and the Celtics proceeded to win 12 straight. Then Horford went down with an injury and Boston went on to beat the Lakers and Hornets. The most impressive part of the Celtics season thus far is Boston’s wins against Charlotte and Toronto without Kyrie Irving, en route to a 4-0 week. Brad Stevens for coach of the year anyone?

2. Golden State Warriors (11-3)

Does it come as a surprise to anyone that the Warriors are first in the Western Conference a month into the season? Perhaps the only surprising aspect of the Warrior’s start is that they aren’t a perfect 13-0. The Warriors are coming off of an underfeated week, improving to 19-0 in the month of November since their last loss to the Lakers on Nov. 4, 2016.

3.Houston Rockets (11-3)

James Harden may be the front-runner for the MVP award through the first month of the season. Harden is third in the NBA in scoring with 30.2 PPG, first in assists with 10.2 APG, all while shooting 45% from the field. Harden also ranks fifth in the NBA in player efficiency. One surprise for the Houston Rockets is the play of Clint Capela who leads the NBA in field goal percentage with 69.6%. The Rockets may have to change their style of play when Chris Paul returns from injury but for now the Rockets are atop the West and third in the SportsTake NBA Power Rankings.

4. Detroit Pistons (10-3)

The Pistons debuted in the NBA Power Rankingsd last week at number four and after an undefeated week they remain at the fourth spot. The Pistons have surprised everyone in the NBA, and are playing relatively good basketball. Avery Bradley, with the exception of missing easy layups, has provided the spark the Pistons had hoped they could get out of Reggie Jackson. Meanwhile Tobias Harris is playing the best basketball of his career while Andre Drummond leads the league with 16 rebounds per game.

5. Denver Nuggets (8-6)

A recent surge has elevated the Nuggets from unranked in the first SportsTake NBA Power Rankings to now occupying the number 5 spot. The Nuggets went 3-0 last week after starting the season 5-5. The Nuggets three-game winning streak came against the Nets, Thunder and Magic. While the Nets win is expected, the Nuggets were impressive in their Victories against the Super-star filled Thunder and the surprisingly good Orlando Magic. Nikola Jokic scored a career high 41 points last week vs the Nets to go along with 12 rebounds and currently ranks sixth in the NBA in rebounds per game with 12 RPG.