1
—
48-22
The Sixers remain the hottest team in the league with eight straight wins, including victories over the Cavs, Hornets and Pacers this week. The offense looked unstoppable behind a 35-point average by Joel Embiid in three games, helping Philadelphia to a ridiculous 130.6 offensive rating.
2
1
51-20
Aside from the Bucks inexplicably allowing 139 points in a home loss to the Pacers without Tyrese Haliburton, the Bucks kept the train going this week with victories over the Kings, Suns and Raptors. As if they needed more good news, Khris Middleton – who has struggled from distance so far this season – knocked down 48 per cent of his 3-pointers this week while averaging over 22 points per game.
3
1
43-27
The Kings rolled on with three more wins this week, their only loss coming in a litmus test against the Bucks on Monday. De’Aaron Fox continued his clutch exploits with a game-winning 3-pointer with less than a second remaining to win the Bulls.
4
1
45-28
The Cavs beat the Hornets and Wizards this week, with a loss to the 76ers in between. Caris LeVert had a strong stretch, averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 assists and three steals per game on 56 percent 3-point shooting this week.
5
6
42-30
The Knicks only had two games this week, winning against the Blazers and Nuggets. Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett each averaged over 21 points in their two wins.
6
—
43-27
Strong week for the Grizzlies, whose only loss in the heat came with victories over the Mavs, Spurs and Warriors. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane each averaged over 20 points for the week and continue to lead the offensive attack with Ja Morant away from the team.
7
3
49-23
Boston’s loss to the Rockets on Monday was one of the most shocking of the season, and they extended another huge lead in Saturday’s loss to the Jazz. In between were victories over the Wolves and Blazers as Jaylen Brown led offensively at 32.5 points per game on 46 percent 3-point shooting.
8th
—
48-24
The Nuggets’ struggles continued this week with losses to the Raptors and Knicks, but they managed to beat the Pistons and Nets. Nikola Jokic averaged 26 points, 11 rebounds and 8.5 assists with an absurd 72 percent shooting over the four games.
9
1
38-34
The Clippers beat the Warriors and Blazers this week, interspersed with a loss to the Magic. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George averaged over 27 points each, while center Ivica Zubac averaged 16.3 points and 14 rebounds per game.
10
2
39-34
Strong week for the Heat as they continue to gain ground in the Nets to take a coveted 6th place in the East which would keep them out of the play-in. They beat the Jazz, Grizzlies and Pistons in a loss to the Bulls. Jimmy Butler averaged 24.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists over the four games.
11
2
38-33
The Suns beat the Magic on Thursday but that was their only win of the week with losses to the Warriors, Bucks and Thunder. Devin Booker carried offense while Kevin Durant continued his rehab, averaging 32 points over the four games on 54 percent shooting.
12
7
36-35
With Luka Doncic still out, the Mavs lost to the Grizzlies and earned an overtime win over the Spurs. Then they welcomed back Kyrie Irving with a thrilling win over the Lakers. Irving scored 38 points, but Maxi Kleber played hero by scoring six points in the final seven seconds, including an unlikely 3-pointer that hit the buzzer to win it.
13
—
35-37
The Lakers lost to the Rockets this week without Anthony Davis and were stunned by a miraculous game-winner from the Mavericks’ Maxi Kleber, but they managed to pull off two more wins while awaiting the return of LeBron James. Austin Reaves took the lead in Sunday’s win over the Magic, scoring a career-high 35 points and making 16 of 18 free throws.
14
9
35-37
The Raptors had a good week, beating the Nuggets, Thunder and Wolves before meeting a team from the Buzzsaw Bucks. Fred VanVleet caught fire from long range and averaged 26.5 points and 7.8 assists on 49 percent 3-point shooting this week.
15
2
35-36
OKC beat the Nets and Suns this week, with a loss to the Raptors in between. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander mastered Sunday’s win against Phoenix, scoring 40 points while going 16-19 from the free-throw line.
16
9
39-32
Tough week for the Nets who lost to the Thunder, Kings and Nuggets. Offense was hard to come by as they only managed 104 points per 100 possessions despite playing a few forgiving defenses.
17
5
34-36
The Jazz lost a close game to the Heat on Monday but bounced back on Saturday with an impressive one-point win over the Celtics in which they erased a 19-point deficit. The Utah defense held Jayson Tatum to victory with a 4-of-12 shooting.
18
4
35-37
After the Hawks were blown out earlier in the week, Minnesota went downhill with losses to the Celtics, Bulls and Raptors and an ankle injury to Anthony Edwards. Defensive genius Jaden McDaniels bolstered his offense with Edwards off, averaging 21.5 points in 8-on-15 3-point shooting over the last two games of the week.
19
3
35-36
Thank goodness the Hawks beat the Warriors this week because their other two games weren’t pretty. They lost by 21 points at home to Wolves on Monday and suffered a devastating late meltdown in Sunday’s loss to Spurs. A 24-point lead in the third quarter at San Antonio was essentially shattered by the start of the fourth en route to a demoralizing loss.
20
5
36-36
The Warriors started the week with a win over the Suns but then took to the streets where they just weren’t able to win a game. Steph Curry lost 50 points to the Clippers and averaged 30 points for the week, but the Golden State’s defense, as usual, forgot to get on the plane.
21
—
33-37
The Bulls narrowly trailed the Kings earlier in the week before beating the Wolves and Heat on back-to-back nights. DeMar DeRozan is on the rise averaging over 35 points across his three games, while Zach LaVine was close behind at 27.3 per game.
22
4
34-37
The Pels lost to the Lakers earlier in the week and then were stunned by Jabari Smith Jr.’s game-winning 3-pointer in Friday’s loss to the Rockets. However, New Orleans retaliated in Houston on Sunday, with CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram each scoring 26 points.
23
3
32-39
It’s pretty rare that you lose to the Pistons at 20 and beat the Bucks at 16 in the same week, but that’s exactly what the Pacers did before they were blown out by the 76ers on Saturday. What a ride. Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard led the batting average, with Tyrese Haliburton missing all three games.
24
—
32-39
The Wizards beat the Pistons earlier in the week before losing to the Cavs and Kings. Bradley Beal scored 36 points against Detroit, but Washington couldn’t keep up in the next two games.
25
—
31-40
Three losses this week for the Blazers, whose total slip is now six games. Damian Lillard is still going strong, averaging 33 points on 38 percent 3-point shooting this week, but Portland struggled to generate enough offense with Jerami Grant sidelined.
26
3
18-53
Break up the missiles! Houston notched up three unexpected straight wins this week, beating the Celtics, Lakers and Pelicans — the last one coming with a cold-blooded last-second 3-pointer from rookie Jabari Smith Jr. Even Sunday’s rematch loss to New Orleans produced some positives , as Jalen Green hit the 40-point mark for the fourth time this season.
27
1
19-52
The Spurs decided they were tired of being a doormat this week, with victories over the Magic and Hawks and narrow losses to the Mavs and Grizzlies. Players have been in and out of the lineup, but Devin Vassell averaged 19.5 points on 50 percent 3-point shooting in the two wins.
28
1
29-43
Orlando picked up a solid road win against the Clippers this week but made up for it with an 18-point loss to the Spurs on top of losses to the Suns and Lakers. Markelle Fultz continues to be a great story for the Magic as he scored back-to-back 25-point games against the Suns and Clippers for the first time in his career.
29
1
16-56
The Pistons started the week on a positive note, beating the undermanned Pacers by 20 points, but then suffered double-digit losses to the Wizards, Nuggets and Heat. Rodney McGruder was the team’s top scorer this week, which should tell you everything you need to know about the Detroit Pistons’ current state.
30
4
22-50
The Hornets were blown out by two tough Eastern Conference opponents in the Cavs and 76ers this week. Kelly Oubre Jr. led the team with 19.5 points per game, but Charlotte shot just 11-58 from 3-point range in the two games. Won’t make it