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2014-15 NBA Week 2 Power Rankings

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By @courtzierk

2014-15 NBA Week 2 Power Rankings

Toronto Raptors v Boston Celtics
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Week 2 of the NBA season is in the books. With all of the happening around the league this week, including the Lakers getting their first win, here's where all the teams are currently at.

30. Philadelphia 76ers (0-7), Last Week: 29

Orlando Magic v Philadelphia 76ers
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30. Philadelphia 76ers (0-7), Last Week: 29

Orlando Magic v Philadelphia 76ers
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The 76ers are bad. They do play hard though, which is a testament to Brett Brown's coaching aptitude.

29. Los Angeles Lakers (1-5), Last Week: 30

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers
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29. Los Angeles Lakers (1-5), Last Week: 30

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers
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The Lakers only played two games this week, which means they had a chance to lose twice. But somehow, they beat the Hornets. I guess a winless season is out of the question.

28. Indiana Pacers (1-6), Last Week: 28

Washington Wizards v Indiana Pacers
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28. Indiana Pacers (1-6), Last Week: 28

Washington Wizards v Indiana Pacers
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Chris Copeland and Donald Sloan are the leading scorers for the Pacers. Times are rough in Indy.

27. Denver Nuggets (1-5), Last Week: 25

Cleveland Cavaliers v Denver Nuggets
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27. Denver Nuggets (1-5), Last Week: 25

Cleveland Cavaliers v Denver Nuggets
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If the Nuggets put up another week of terrible basketball, they may make a case for the bottom spot soon. This team is bad defensively, although it is being stressed more, and they are shooting horrifically. Things are getting nasty in Denver, and Brian Shaw’s seat is starting to heat up.

26. Orlando Magic (2-5), Last Week: 27

Minnesota Timberwolves v Orlando Magic
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26. Orlando Magic (2-5), Last Week: 27

Minnesota Timberwolves v Orlando Magic
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The Magic had a nice week with wins over the 76ers and Timberwolves, but a loss to the Nets brought them back to earth. This is a fun, young team, but they still aren’t very good.

25. New York Knicks (2-5), Last Week: 17

New York Knicks v Atlanta Hawks
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25. New York Knicks (2-5), Last Week: 17

New York Knicks v Atlanta Hawks
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After a promising start, the Knicks fumbled through their second week, losing four straight and looking really bad in the process. They are stagnant offensively. They still can’t play defense, and Carmelo is shooting 35 percent in his last four games.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder (2-5), Last Week: 24

Memphis Grizzlies v Oklahoma City Thunder
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24. Oklahoma City Thunder (2-5), Last Week: 24

Memphis Grizzlies v Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Thunder managed to salvage the week with a tough win against a quality Kings team. The other piece of good news is that it is one week closer to the return of Westbrook and Durant.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-4), Last Week: 22

Minnesota Timberwolves v Orlando Magic
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23. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-4), Last Week: 22

Minnesota Timberwolves v Orlando Magic
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The Wolves have been extremely inconsistent so far, as is to be expected with such a young team. One day, they are beating a tough Nets team, but they lose to the Magic the next. A sizable loss to the Heat is probably a more accurate representation of where they really stand. Rubio is going to be out for a while, and the Wolves will suffer as a result.

22. Detroit Pistons (2-4), Last Week: 26

Milwaukee Bucks v Detroit Pistons
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22. Detroit Pistons (2-4), Last Week: 26

Milwaukee Bucks v Detroit Pistons
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This week was much better for the Pistons than the first, but that’s not really saying much. They are still last in the league in shooting percentage. Getting Greg Monroe was big, but unless this team can shoot the rock with more efficiency, it could be another long season.

21. Charlotte Hornets (3-4), Last Week: 20

Atlanta Hawks v Charlotte Hornets
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21. Charlotte Hornets (3-4), Last Week: 20

Atlanta Hawks v Charlotte Hornets
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Who are the Hornets? They are super talented, but just can't seem to get it together. A loss to the Lakers to end the week pretty much sums up where this team is right now. Oh, and wasn't Lance supposed to be the missing piece? Well, he is missing about everything he throws up right now.

20. Atlanta Hawks (2-3), Last Week: 18

New York Knicks v Atlanta Hawks
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20. Atlanta Hawks (2-3), Last Week: 18

New York Knicks v Atlanta Hawks
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The Hawks are playing extremely mediocre basketball right now, and their record reflects that. They lost two close games to the Spurs and Hornets, and bounced back against the Knicks. It's hard to say what this team really is yet.

19. Milwaukee Bucks (3-4), Last Week: 19

Memphis Grizzlies v Milwaukee Bucks
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19. Milwaukee Bucks (3-4), Last Week: 19

Memphis Grizzlies v Milwaukee Bucks
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The Bucks had a week of mixed emotions. Tough losses to the Bulls and to the Pistons are overshadowed by their brilliant win against the Grizzlies, ending their undefeated start. This team is actually pretty good.

18. Utah Jazz (3-4), Last Week: 23

Cleveland Cavaliers v Utah Jazz
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18. Utah Jazz (3-4), Last Week: 23

Cleveland Cavaliers v Utah Jazz
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Much like the Timberwolves, the Jazz are extremely erratic. They can look really good one night and then look equally as bad the next. They did get a nice win in Detroit this week, but an absolutely brutal schedule to start the season doesn’t help things. Playing the Rockets, Mavs twice, Suns, Clippers and Cavs is about as tough as it gets. Things will get a bit easier for the Jazz next week.

17. Boston Celtics (3-3), Last Week: 21

Indiana Pacers v Boston Celtics
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17. Boston Celtics (3-3), Last Week: 21

Indiana Pacers v Boston Celtics
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The Celtics will scratch and claw, poke and pull, and push and shove their way into nearly every game they play. Without Marcus Smart in the lineup, this team willed their way past the Bulls on the road. Watch out for the Celtics. They are sneaky good.

16. Cleveland Cavaliers (2-3), Last Week: 12

Cleveland Cavaliers v Denver Nuggets
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16. Cleveland Cavaliers (2-3), Last Week: 12

Cleveland Cavaliers v Denver Nuggets
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The Cavs finally looked like they were beginning to understand each other and share the ball in their win against the Nuggets (25 assists). That said, everyone has looked good against the Nuggets. I'm still withholding judgment for now, but this team is too talented to stay this low for long.

15. Brooklyn Nets (4-2), Last Week: 16

New York Knicks v Brooklyn Nets
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15. Brooklyn Nets (4-2), Last Week: 16

New York Knicks v Brooklyn Nets
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The Nets have played some good ball at times through the first two weeks. Joe Johnson has been on fire, Deron Williams looks rejuvenated, and even Garnett has looked a bit spry. They got easy wins against the Thunder, Knicks and Magic, with a loss to the Timberwolves mixed in. Not bad, but not great.

14. New Orleans Pelicans (3-2), Last Week: 15

New Orleans Pelicans v San Antonio Spurs
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14. New Orleans Pelicans (3-2), Last Week: 15

New Orleans Pelicans v San Antonio Spurs
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Anthony Davis is playing at an MVP clip, Omer Asik is making a huge difference defensively, and Tyreke Evans is scoring, albeit extremely inefficiently. This team remains among the poorest shooting teams in the league, but are finding ways to win. A big win over the Spurs this week moves them up the rankings.

13. Washington Wizards (5-2), Last Week: 14

Washington Wizards v Indiana Pacers
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13. Washington Wizards (5-2), Last Week: 14

Washington Wizards v Indiana Pacers
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The Wizards have lost to every quality opponent they have played so far (Heat, Raptors), but have beaten everyone else handily. John Wall continues to make his case as the best point guard in the league, while Garrett Temple was shut out completely against the Raptors, showing how much this team misses Beal.

12. San Antonio Spurs (2-3), Last Week: 3

San Antonio Spurs v Houston Rockets
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12. San Antonio Spurs (2-3), Last Week: 3

San Antonio Spurs v Houston Rockets
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The Spurs seem to be all over the place right now and can’t quite get it together. I'm not terribly worried about them yet, but Kawhi Leonard looks out of sorts. Could the lack of a contract extension be weighing on his mind?

11. Dallas Mavericks (4-3), Last Week: 8

Dallas Mavericks v Portland Trail Blazers
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11. Dallas Mavericks (4-3), Last Week: 8

Dallas Mavericks v Portland Trail Blazers
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The Mavericks have lost to nearly every quality opponent they have faced (Spurs, Blazers, Heat). They have one good win against the Pelicans but outside of that, this team continues to disappoint. They are the best offensive team in the league, but continue to be a sieve on defense.

10. Portland Trail Blazers (4-3), Last Week: 11

Portland Trail Blazers v Los Angeles Clippers
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10. Portland Trail Blazers (4-3), Last Week: 11

Portland Trail Blazers v Los Angeles Clippers
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The Blazers had a pretty good week with big wins over the Cavs and the Mavs, although it ended with a tough, hard-fought loss to the Clippers. After a somewhat shaky start, this squad is showing they may have what it takes to compete for that top seed in the west. One of the worst defensive teams in the league last year, this team is now eighth overall in terms of defensive rating.

9. Sacramento Kings (5-2), Last Week: 7

Sacramento Kings v Phoenix Suns
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9. Sacramento Kings (5-2), Last Week: 7

Sacramento Kings v Phoenix Suns
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The Kings finally lost after five straight wins, and falling to an undermanned Thunder team raises some questions about how good this team really is. Cousins and Gay both appear unstoppable, and Collison has been surprisingly good. This next week will tell us a lot about this team with games against the Mavericks, Grizzlies, Spurs and Pelicans.

8. Phoenix Suns (4-3), Last Week: 10

Sacramento Kings v Phoenix Suns
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8. Phoenix Suns (4-3), Last Week: 10

Sacramento Kings v Phoenix Suns
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The Suns are a confusing team. They handed the Warriors their first loss of the season this week, but lost to the Grizzlies and Kings. For as much as this team shoots, and at the pace they play, they really don’t share the ball like they should be (21st in assists). That said, this team can beat anybody on any given night.

7. Miami Heat (5-2), Last Week: 6

Minnesota Timberwolves v Miami Heat
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7. Miami Heat (5-2), Last Week: 6

Minnesota Timberwolves v Miami Heat
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The Heat just keep on rolling on the backs of Bosh and Wade. They lost their first two games this week against the Rockets and Hornets, but a huge road win in Dallas caps off the week nicely. This team appears to be here to stay.

6. Los Angeles Clippers (4-2), Last Week: 9

Portland Trail Blazers v Los Angeles Clippers
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6. Los Angeles Clippers (4-2), Last Week: 9

Portland Trail Blazers v Los Angeles Clippers
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The Clippers continue to be one of the more baffling teams. They are supremely talented, yet they can’t seem to put it all together on a consistent basis. Losses to the Kings and Warriors this week got people talking, and a win against a tough Blazers squad shut them up -- for now.

5. Chicago Bulls (5-2), Last Week :4

Boston Celtics v Chicago Bulls
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5. Chicago Bulls (5-2), Last Week :4

Boston Celtics v Chicago Bulls
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The Bulls may be the most balanced team in the league. They haven’t been quite as dominant defensively, but they are surprisingly efficient on offense thanks to Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol. Derrick Rose has been in and out of the lineup, but Aaron Brooks has done a fantastic job in his place. A tough loss to the Celtics drops them down a few spots.

4. Toronto Raptors (6-1), Last Week: 13

Toronto Raptors v Boston Celtics
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4. Toronto Raptors (6-1), Last Week: 13

Toronto Raptors v Boston Celtics
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The Raptors haven’t had much in the way of competition early on, but you can only play who’s in front of you, right? Their signature win came in a blowout against the Wizards. That said, this team has looked really good so far on both ends of the court. They are currently second in offensive rating and 12th in defensive rating.

3. Memphis Grizzlies (6-1), Last Week: 5

Memphis Grizzlies v Milwaukee Bucks
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3. Memphis Grizzlies (6-1), Last Week: 5

Memphis Grizzlies v Milwaukee Bucks
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The Grizzlies had a pretty good week, although a tough loss to the Bucks brought their undefeated start to an end. An elite defensive team, they are extremely questionable on the offensive side of the ball, which could come back to haunt them. They grind you down and wear you out.

2. Golden State Warriors (5-1), Last Week: 2

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets
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2. Golden State Warriors (5-1), Last Week: 2

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets
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This team hasn’t missed a beat under Steve Kerr on either side of the ball. They are playing the best defense in the league while maintaining their elite offensive output. This team is scary good. They did lose their first game this week, but all that means is that 82-0 is out the window.

1. Houston Rockets (6-1), Last Week: 1

San Antonio Spurs v Houston Rockets
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1. Houston Rockets (6-1), Last Week: 1

San Antonio Spurs v Houston Rockets
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The Rockets fell from the ranks of the undefeated this week against the Warriors, although Dwight Howard was out with the flu. I will give the Rockets the benefit of the doubt here. Howard being out of the lineup essentially nullifies their loss to the Warriors in my opinion. They are still playing exceptional basketball.

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