Week 3 NBA power rankings: Warriors claim top spot
For this week’s power rankings, we start off by ranking the NBA's top five defenses thus far. Then we rank all 30 teams at this point in the season (through Nov. 19).
Top defenses
1. Atlanta Hawks
With Dwight Howard, Paul Millsap and Thabo Sefolosha leading Atlanta's defensive-minded frontcourt, the Hawks boast a 95.1 defensive rating — a significant improvement when compared to this point last season (100.0; 14th in NBA). They also lead the NBA in steals, with 10.2 a game.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
The only legitimate championship contender on this list, the Clippers (96.5 defensive rating) are one of the NBA's elite defenses, holding opponents to a league-low 41.8% from the field. L.A.'s starting unit — led by six-time All-Defensive First Team member Chris Paul and two-time All-Defensive First Team member DeAndre Jordan — is the NBA's best with a 92.0 defensive rating.
3. Miami Heat
Anchored by shot-blocking phenom Hassan Whiteside, teams are shooting a league-low 49.2% within five feet of the basket against the Heat (98.9 defensive rating) this season. His defensive prowess hasn't exactly translated into success, though, as Miami is struggling to contend in the Eastern Conference.
4. Charlotte Hornets
With defensive stalwart Michael Kidd-Gilchrist back healthy after playing just seven games last season, and with the 7-foot-2, 270-pound Roy Hibbert manning the paint, the Hornets (100.0 defensive rating) are holding opponents to 43.3% shooting, ranking fifth in the NBA.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
Despite losing Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka, the Thunder (100.4 defensive rating) have seen significant improvement on the defensive end this season behind defensive stoppers Steven Adams and Andre Roberson. The Thunder finished last season with the league's 12th-ranked defense (103.0 defensive rating).
Power rankings
Team (record) movement
1. Golden State Warriors (11-2) +1
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-2) -1
3. Los Angeles Clippers (12-2) -
4. Atlanta Hawks (9-3) -
5. San Antonio Spurs (10-3) +1
6. Charlotte Hornets (8-4) +1
7. Toronto Raptors (8-4) -
8. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-5) -3
9. Chicago Bulls (8-5) +3
10. Houston Rockets (8-5) -
11. Memphis Grizzlies (8-5) +6
12. Boston Celtics (7-6) +2
13. Utah Jazz (7-7) -4
14. Portland Trail Blazers (7-7) -3
15. Los Angeles Lakers (7-6) +1
16. Detroit Pistons (6-8) -3
17. Indiana Pacers (6-7) +1
18. Milwaukee Bucks (5-7) -3
19. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-8) +2
20. New York Knicks (5-7) -
21. Orlando Magic (6-7) +6
22. Denver Nuggets (4-8) -3
23. Miami Heat (4-8) +1
24. Brooklyn Nets (4-8) +1
25. Sacramento Kings (4-9) -3
26. Washington Wizards (3-9) -3
27. New Orleans Pelicans (4-10) +2
28. Phoenix Suns (4-10) -2
29. Dallas Mavericks (2-10) -1
30. Philadelphia 76ers (3-10) -
List of voters: USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt, Sam Amick, Kevin Spain, AJ Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer; Arizona Republic's Paul Coro; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery; Detroit Free Press’ Vince Ellis; Indianapolis Star’s Nate Taylor; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Charles Gardner; The (Bergen) Record’s Steve Popper; HoopsHype.com’s Jorge Sierra and Raul Barrigon; USA TODAY Sports Weekly’s Howard Megdal.