[ESPN] NBA 实力榜：爱德华兹、约基奇赛季初遇阻，骑士高歌猛进

阿拉莫议事厅
, , , , ,
1

By NBA Insiders | ESPN, 2024-11-05 21:00:00

由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。

Image

2024-25 NBA 赛季开赛几周以来，赛况扑朔迷离，一些季前赛的夺冠热门开局不利。

在东部，扬尼斯·阿德托昆博(Giannis Antetokounmpo)和达米安·利拉德(Damian Lillard)仍在努力寻找最佳搭档模式，密尔沃基雄鹿队遭遇了队史最糟糕的开局之一。费城76人队在新引进的超级巨星保罗·乔治(Paul George)缺阵的情况下也步履蹒跚，并且仍在等待乔尔·恩比德(Joel Embiid)的回归。

反观西部，菲尼克斯太阳队和金州勇士队开局强劲。太阳队终于激活了德文·布克(Devin Booker)、凯文·杜兰特(Kevin Durant)和布拉德利·比尔(Bradley Beal)的三巨头组合，而勇士队则在休赛期引进的巴迪·希尔德(Buddy Hield)身上找到了一个三分神射手。

让我们来看看赛季两周后所有 30 支球队的排名情况，以及随着超级巨星伤愈复出、各队逐渐找到状态，有哪些值得关注的点。

注：球队排名基于 ESPN 专家小组成员（肯德拉·安德鲁斯、蒂姆·邦坦普斯、贾马尔·科利尔、迈克尔·莱特(Michael Wright)、蒂姆·麦克马洪、戴夫·麦克梅纳明、奥姆·杨米苏克、克里斯·赫林和凯文·佩尔顿）的评估。

先前排名：季前赛 | 10 月 30 日

安东尼·爱德华兹(Anthony Edwards)和明尼苏达森林狼队本赛季开局不稳，已经跌至西部垫底。 快速跳转到一支球队：

ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE

DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND

LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN

NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX

POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

  1. 波士顿凯尔特人队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 7-1
  • 先前排名： 1
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 GS（11 月 6 日），对阵 BKN（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 MIL（11 月 10 日），对阵 ATL（11 月 12 日）

截至周一的亚特兰大比赛，凯尔特人队场均三分球出手超过 50 次，比目前的三分球出手纪录保持者——2018-19 赛季的休斯顿火箭队——多出 5 次，比本赛季其他任何一支球队都多出 6 次，而他们的三分命中率高达 38.1%。这使得波士顿几乎在每场比赛开始时都拥有着内在的得分优势。预计本周在 TD 花园球馆还会有更多三分球出手，因为波士顿将主场迎战金州勇士队和布鲁克林篮网队，这两支球队的三分球出手次数都排在联盟前八。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯

  1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 7-0
  • 先前排名： 2
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 DEN（11 月 6 日），对阵 HOU（11 月 8 日），对阵 GS（11 月 10 日），对阵 LAC（11 月 11 日）

以 NBA 盖帽王切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)为核心的密不透风的防守是雷霆队保持不败的关键。截至周一晚，俄克拉荷马城以每百回合仅失 95.1 分的成绩，以 6.1 分的优势领跑联盟防守效率榜。上一支赛季防守效率低于 100 的球队是 2015-16 赛季的圣安东尼奥马刺队，他们在分区半决赛中输给了雷霆队。亚历克斯·卡鲁索(Alex Caruso)和卢根茨·多尔特(Luguentz Dort)被广泛认为是 NBA 最好的外线防守者，但二年级后卫凯森·华莱士(Cason Wallace)也正在努力跻身这一行列。华莱士在雷霆队轮换球员中拥有最低的防守效率 (86.3)，场均出场 25.3 分钟，贡献 1.8 次抢断和 3.7 次干扰球。 – 蒂姆·麦克马洪

  1. 克利夫兰骑士队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 8-0
  • 先前排名： 3
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 NO（11 月 6 日），对阵 GS（11 月 8 日），对阵 BKN（11 月 9 日），客场对阵 CHI（11 月 11 日）

在周一对阵缺少扬尼斯·阿德托昆博的雄鹿队的比赛中，骑士队在比赛还剩 1 分 18 秒时以 111-108 落后，但他们打出了一波 8-0 的攻势，最终 secured 胜利，并将赛季开局战绩提升至 8-0。克利夫兰现在已经追平了 1976-77 赛季球队创造的队史最佳开局纪录，并有机会在本周四客场挑战新奥尔良鹈鹕队的比赛中创造新的纪录。 – 戴夫·麦克梅纳明

  1. 菲尼克斯太阳队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 6-1
  • 先前排名： 7
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 MIA（11 月 6 日），客场对阵 DAL（11 月 8 日），对阵 SAC（11 月 10 日），客场对阵 UTAH（11 月 12 日）

尤素夫·努尔基奇(Jusuf Nurkic) 为太阳队首发了至今为止的每一场比赛，但他不一定是打到最后的那个人。在战胜湖人队的比赛中，他第四节只打了 6 秒。在战胜快船队的比赛中，他第四节出场时间不到 4 分钟。努尔基奇本赛季场均出场时间只有 22.2 分钟，这是他自职业生涯早期在丹佛与尼古拉·约基奇(Nikola Jokic)分享出场时间以来的最低值。 – 麦克梅纳明

  1. 金州勇士队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 6-1
  • 先前排名： 11
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 BOS（11 月 6 日），客场对阵 CLE（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 OKC（11 月 10 日），对阵 DAL（11 月 12 日）

尽管斯蒂芬·库里(Stephen Curry)缺席了三场比赛，但勇士队依然保持着令人难以置信的稳定性，并拥有着骄人的战绩。巴迪·希尔德和乔纳森·库明加(Jonathan Kuminga)为金州勇士队提供了过去几年板凳席上所缺乏的补充得分。但勇士队强劲开局的原因不仅仅是进攻——他们的防守才是他们的支柱。勇士队的对手油漆区命中率排名联盟第二 (49.5%)，对手油漆区外有效命中率排名联盟第一 (44%)。 – 肯德拉·安德鲁斯

  1. 达拉斯独行侠队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 4-3
  • 先前排名： 4
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 CHI（11 月 6 日），对阵 PHX（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 DEN（11 月 10 日），客场对阵 GS（11 月 12 日）

尽管球队内部普遍认为二年级大个子德里克·莱夫利二世(Dereck Lively II)拥有更高的上限，但主教练贾森·基德(Jason Kidd)仍然坚持让丹尼尔·加福德(Daniel Gafford)担任首发中锋。基德表示，莱夫利会在某个时候获得首发的机会，但教练们希望避免给人一种加福德在球队赛季末的崛起和 NBA 总决赛之旅中扮演了关键角色后被降级的印象。截至周一晚，莱夫利本赛季的场均出场时间比加福德多出约 4 分钟。当莱夫利在场时，独行侠队每百回合净胜对手 10.2 分，而加福德在场时，球队的净效率值为-6.2。 – 蒂姆·麦克马洪

  1. 纽约尼克斯队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3-3
  • 先前排名： 8
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 ATL（11 月 6 日），对阵 MIL（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 IND（11 月 10 日），客场对阵 PHI（11 月 12 日）

尼克斯队的赛季揭幕战对阵凯尔特人队的比赛可以用惨不忍睹来形容。但在那之后的五场比赛中，OG·阿奴诺比(OG Anunoby)和米卡尔·布里奇斯(Mikal Bridges)的防守组合非常稳固，在 106 分钟的出场时间里，他们的每百回合失分仅为 101.8 分。（这个数字将仅次于俄克拉荷马城和金州勇士队，排名联盟第三。）尤其是在上周对阵底特律的比赛中，这对组合的防守十分强悍，帮助尼克斯队在一场大胜中贡献了 16 次抢断。 – 克里斯·赫林

  1. 明尼苏达森林狼队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 4-3
  • 先前排名： 5
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 CHI（11 月 7 日），对阵 POR（11 月 8 日），对阵 MIA（11 月 10 日），客场对阵 POR（11 月 12 日）

森林狼队的球星安东尼·爱德华兹在本赛季初毫不吝啬自己的三分球出手。他场均出手 12.3 次三分球，是目前 NBA 的领跑者，这远远超过了他职业生涯的平均水平。自 2012-13 赛季以来，詹姆斯·哈登(James Harden)或斯蒂芬·库里每年都领跑联盟三分出手榜，但爱德华兹似乎准备终结他们的统治，尤其是在他三分命中率保持在 43.2% 且森林狼队的进攻能够保持高效的情况下。明尼苏达在本赛季初的进攻效率排名联盟第 13 位。 – 贾马尔·科利尔

  1. 洛杉矶湖人队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 4-3
  • 先前排名： 6
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 MEM（11 月 6 日），对阵 PHI（11 月 8 日），对阵 TOR（11 月 10 日）

湖人队的防守效率排名联盟第 25 位，每百回合失分 117.6 分，比上赛季的 17th 排名时几乎多了 3 分。当被问及在周一输给底特律后球队需要在哪些防守方面进行改进时，安东尼·戴维斯(Anthony Davis)直截了当地回答：“所有方面。” – 戴夫·麦克梅纳明

  1. 孟菲斯灰熊队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 4-4
  • 先前排名： 9
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 LAL（11 月 6 日），对阵 WAS（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 POR（11 月 10 日）

贾·莫兰特(Ja Morant) 表现出色，七场比赛中有五场助攻上双。但两名首发球员——德斯蒙德·贝恩(Desmond Bane)和马库斯·斯马特(Marcus Smart)——都受到了伤病困扰，预计需要数周时间才能康复。此外，两名轮换球员卢克·肯纳德(Luke Kennard)和约翰·康查尔(John Konchar)也正在从伤病中恢复。这四名球员都缺席了周六战胜费城的比赛，此外还有卡姆·斯宾塞(Cam Spencer)和文斯·威廉姆斯二世(Vince Williams Jr.)。灰熊队球员上赛季因伤缺席的比赛场次创下了联盟纪录，达到了 578 场，俱乐部希望本赛季不会重蹈覆辙。 – 迈克尔·莱特

  1. 丹佛掘金队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 4-3
  • 先前排名： 13
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 OKC（11 月 6 日），对阵 MIA（11 月 8 日），对阵 DAL（11 月 10 日）

在以 0-2 开局，其中包括揭幕战输给雷霆 15 分之后，掘金队在接下来的四场比赛中赢下了三场，包括在多伦多和布鲁克林的两场加时赛胜利。他们在明尼苏达输掉了一场艰难的比赛，但克里斯蒂安·布劳恩(Christian Braun)隔扣鲁迪·戈贝尔(Rudy Gobert) 的精彩画面预示着他将如何以积极的运动能力和攻防兼备的表现取代肯塔维厄斯·考德威尔-波普(Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) 进入首发阵容。布劳恩在前七场比赛中均得分上双，场均得到 14.5 分、5.0 个篮板、1.2 次盖帽、1.0 次抢断，三分球命中率为 42.1%。 – 奥姆·杨米苏克

  1. 迈阿密热火队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3-3
  • 先前排名： 18
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 PHX（11 月 6 日），客场对阵 DEN（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 MIN（11 月 10 日），客场对阵 DET（11 月 12 日)

迈阿密本赛季的开局有些奇怪。截至周一，泰勒·希罗(Tyler Herro) 和特里·罗齐尔(Terry Rozier) 的三分球命中率都超过了 40%，而且场均出手次数都超过了 8 次，而巴姆·阿德巴约(Bam Adebayo) 和吉米·巴特勒(Jimmy Butler) 有时却成了比赛的旁观者。主教练埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉(Erik Spoelstra) 正试图在两者之间找到一个平衡点，这可能会从周六在墨西哥城以 118-98 战胜奇才队的比赛中阿德巴约砍下 32 分开始。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯

  1. 奥兰多魔术队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3-5
  • 先前排名： 10
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 IND（11 月 6 日），对阵 NO（11 月 8 日），对阵 WAS（11 月 10 日），对阵 CHA（11 月 12 日）

保罗·班凯罗(Paolo Banchero) 因斜肌撕裂将缺席至少一个月，魔术队因此陷入困境。作为一个团队，魔术队难以持续输出进攻和得分，他们的进攻效率排名联盟倒数前五。没有了上周曾砍下 50 分的班凯罗，解决他们的进攻问题将更加困难。魔术队还必须在没有中锋温德尔·卡特(Wendell Carter Jr.) 的情况下生存下去，后者遭遇了左足底筋膜拉伤。 – 肯德拉·安德鲁斯

  1. 休斯顿火箭队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 4-3
  • 先前排名： 21
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 SA（11 月 6 日），客场对阵 OKC（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 DET（11 月 10 日），对阵 WAS（11 月 11 日）

在周四对阵独行侠队的比赛中取得了主教练伊梅·尤杜卡(Ime Udoka) 所说的球队本赛季首场具有说服力的胜利后，火箭队在周六对阵勇士队的比赛中经历了一场惊心动魄的加时赛失利，他们在比赛中一度落后 31 分。火箭队的投篮命中率接近联盟垫底，但他们凭借出色的进攻篮板球（场均 15.3 个）和二次得分（场均 20.8 分）取得了 113.9 的进攻效率。尽管对阵勇士队的比赛表现不佳，但杰伦·格林(Jalen Green) 在他的发展道路上又迈出了一步，并有可能在得分和三分球命中率方面创下新的职业生涯新高。 – 迈克尔·莱特

  1. 萨克拉门托国王队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 4-3
  • 先前排名： 19
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 TOR（11 月 6 日），对阵 LAC（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 PHX（11 月 10 日），客场对阵 SA（11 月 11 日）

关键时刻的表现是国王队上赛季的致命弱点，但他们乐观地认为，德玛尔·德罗赞(DeMar DeRozan) 的加入可以缓解这个问题。他们在亚特兰大经历了德罗赞和达龙·福克斯(De’Aaron Fox) 首次在关键时刻的合作——最终帮助他们在加时赛中赢得了比赛。然而，在周一战胜热火队的比赛中，国王队的关键时刻英雄不是德罗赞也不是福克斯，而是多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯(Domantas Sabonis)，他在比赛结束前补篮绝杀，帮助球队胜率超过 50%。 – 肯德拉·安德鲁斯

  1. 新奥尔良鹈鹕队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3-5
  • 先前排名： 15
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 CLE（11 月 6 日），客场对阵 ORL（11 月 8 日），对阵 BKN（11 月 11 日）

赛季开始不到两周，鹈鹕队的健康状况就已经到了可能危及赛季的程度。后卫德章泰·穆雷(Dejounte Murray)（手部骨折）和 CJ·麦科勒姆(CJ McCollum)（内收肌拉伤）以及前锋赫伯·琼斯(Herb Jones)（肩关节半脱位）将缺席数周，而前锋特雷·墨菲三世(Trey Murphy III) 也尚未从腿筋拉伤中恢复。由于锡安·威廉姆森(Zion Williamson) 周日因腿筋紧张缺席，新奥尔良只能以六大主力中的一人出战。鹈鹕队在排名上没有损失太多，但他们的-7.0 的净胜分排名西部第 13 位。 – 凯文·佩尔顿

  1. 芝加哥公牛队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3-4
  • 先前排名： 22
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 DAL（11 月 6 日），对阵 MIN（11 月 7 日），客场对阵 ATL（11 月 9 日），对阵 CLE（11 月 11 日）

在过去两个赛季三分球出手次数都排在联盟倒数前五之后，公牛队本赛季开始更多地尝试三分球。本周初，他们以全新的快节奏进攻，三分球出手次数排名联盟第三，三分球命中数排名第四。乔什·吉迪(Josh Giddey) 是公牛队在夏天从俄克拉荷马城交易过来的，他场均得到 14.7 分和 6.2 次助攻，三分球命中率高达 47.6%，帮助点燃了球队的进攻。 – 贾马尔·科利尔

  1. 印第安纳步行者队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3-4
  • 先前排名： 17
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 ORL（11 月 6 日），客场对阵 CHA（11 月 8 日），对阵 NYK（11 月 10 日）

两届全明星泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿(Tyrese Haliburton) 在经历了突破性的 2023-24 赛季并带领球队打入东部决赛后，本赛季开局缓慢。哈利伯顿场均得到 14.0 分和 7.3 次助攻，投篮命中率仅为 33.7%，这是他自新秀赛季以来的最低值。他的挣扎对步行者队来说不是一个好兆头，因为这也导致球队开局不利。 – 贾马尔·科利尔

  1. 费城 76 人队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 1-5
  • 先前排名： 12
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 LAC（11 月 6 日），客场对阵 LAL（11 月 8 日），对阵 CHA（11 月 10 日），对阵 NYK（11 月 12 日）

费城在周一晚上迎来了急需的助力，保罗·乔治完成了赛季首秀。但这还不够，因为乔治在比赛还剩 3.1 秒时错失了一记 22 英尺的跳投，76人队最终输给了太阳队。自 10 月 14 日在亚特兰大进行的季前赛中意外扭伤并遭受骨挫伤以来，乔治已经缺席了三周。现在的问题是，同样在本赛季尚未出场的乔尔·恩比德何时能够回归。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯

  1. 亚特兰大老鹰队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3-5
  • 先前排名： 20
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 NYK（11 月 6 日），客场对阵 DET（11 月 8 日），对阵 CHI（11 月 9 日），客场对阵 BOS（11 月 12 日）

由于德章泰·穆雷不在球队名单中，防守球员都把注意力集中在特雷·杨(Trae Young) 身上。一个明显的例子：杨本赛季 46.2% 的突破都以传球结束，这比上赛季的 35.5% 大幅上升。杨场均送出 11.7 次助攻，领跑全联盟，这帮助老鹰队的进攻效率排名联盟第九，但在杨效力亚特兰大期间，球队的挑战一直都在防守端，本赛季到目前为止，他们的防守效率排名联盟第 28 位。 – 克里斯·赫林

  1. 洛杉矶快船队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3-4
  • 先前排名： 16
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 PHI（11 月 6 日），客场对阵 SAC（11 月 8 日），对阵 TOR（11 月 9 日），客场对阵 OKC（11 月 11 日）

赛季初的比赛展现了快船队在科怀·伦纳德(Kawhi Leonard) 回归之前的可能状态。他们改进后的防守帮助他们在丹佛和金州勇士队的主场都取得了爆冷胜利。但除了詹姆斯·哈登、诺曼·鲍威尔(Norm Powell) 和伊维察·祖巴茨(Ivica Zubac) 之外，快船队没有足够的进攻火力来战胜更多有天赋的球队，这使得他们的容错率非常低。在主场输掉前四场比赛之后，快船队终于在 Intuit Dome 球馆取得了他们的首场胜利，他们从 26 分的落后中逆转战胜了马刺队。接下来，他们希望在周三的比赛中破坏保罗·乔治回到洛杉矶的首秀。 – 奥姆·杨米苏克

  1. 密尔沃基雄鹿队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 1-6
  • 先前排名： 14
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 UTAH（11 月 7 日），客场对阵 NYK（11 月 8 日），对阵 BOS（11 月 10 日），对阵 TOR（11 月 12 日）

雄鹿队经历了队史最糟糕的六场比赛开局之一，1-5 的开局是自 2000-01 赛季以来的首次。尽管扬尼斯·阿德托昆博在前六场比赛中投篮命中率高达 62%，场均得到 32.2 分、12.3 个篮板和 6.3 次助攻，但密尔沃基仍然遭遇了六连败。在周一客场挑战克利夫兰之后，雄鹿队将在周末迎战两支东部顶级球队，他们将在周五客场挑战尼克斯队，并在周日主场迎战凯尔特人队。 – 贾马尔·科利尔

  1. 圣安东尼奥马刺队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 2-5
  • 先前排名： 23
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 HOU（11 月 6 日），对阵 POR（11 月 7 日），对阵 UTAH（11 月 9 日），对阵 SAC（11 月 11 日）

维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) 赛季初开局缓慢，在与疾病作斗争的同时，也在努力恢复比赛状态。他正在逐渐找回状态，周四在犹他州的比赛中，他拿到了职业生涯第二次 5x5 的数据，成为历史上第三位多次完成这一壮举的球员。球队的二号得分手德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell) 即将从休赛期的足部手术中恢复，过去一周他一直在球队的 G 联盟附属球队进行康复训练。瓦塞尔精准的投篮应该能帮助文班亚马获得更多他喜欢的出手机会，同时也让圣安东尼奥终于有机会培养首发阵容之间的化学反应。在周六的比赛前，主教练格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich) 患上了一种不明疾病，目前马刺队由助理教练米奇·约翰逊(Mitch Johnson) 执教，何时回归尚不确定。 – 迈克尔·莱特

  1. 夏洛特黄蜂队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 2-5
  • 先前排名： 24
  • 接下来的比赛： 对阵 DET（11 月 6 日），对阵 IND（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 PHI（11 月 10 日），客场对阵 ORL（11 月 12 日）

拉梅洛·鲍尔(LaMelo Ball) 的进攻势不可挡，在赛季初的几周里，他场均可以得到职业生涯新高的 30.2 分，而且效率也达到了职业生涯最佳。除了他的高失误率（本赛季场均 5.5 次失误，与詹姆斯·哈登并列联盟第一）之外，问题在于他已经三次犯满毕业，还有一场比赛领到五次犯规。主教练查尔斯·李(Charles Lee) 表示，俱乐部正在努力想办法帮助他。“我们必须继续挑战他，我们必须了解，‘他能否一对一防守，或者我们是否每次都需要对他进行包夹，或者你会不会犯规？’”他告诉记者。 – 克里斯·赫林

  1. 布鲁克林篮网队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 4-4
  • 先前排名： 26
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 BOS（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 CLE（11 月 9 日），客场对阵 NO（11 月 11 日）

连续第二个赛季，卡梅隆·托马斯(Cam Thomas) 在赛季前三场比赛中场均得分至少达到 30 分。但他的组织能力还有很大的提升空间。篮网队主教练霍尔迪·费尔南德斯(Jordi Fernandez) 在周日篮网输给底特律的比赛后也表达了同样的观点。“如果你是一个得分手，但他们对你采取了某些措施，那么也许有一天你的得分会减少，但你的助攻会更多，”费尔南德斯在谈到托马斯时说道，托马斯场均得到 26.6 分，但在八场比赛中只送出了 25 次助攻。 – 克里斯·赫林

  1. 多伦多猛龙队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 2-6
  • 先前排名： 25
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 SAC（11 月 6 日），客场对阵 LAC（11 月 9 日），客场对阵 LAL（11 月 10 日），客场对阵 MIL（11 月 12 日）

在周六加时赛战胜来访的国王队之后，猛龙队可以对他们在缺少首发球员斯科蒂·巴恩斯(Scottie Barnes)（眼眶骨折）、布鲁斯·布朗(Bruce Brown)（膝盖手术）和伊曼纽尔·奎克利(Immanuel Quickley)（骨盆挫伤）的情况下仍然保持竞争力感到满意。在缺少了队内得分榜前三名中的两名球员之后，多伦多非常依赖 RJ·巴雷特(RJ Barrett)，自从从肩伤中恢复以来，他场均得到 28.8 分和 7.3 次助攻。二年级后卫格雷迪·迪克(Gradey Dick) 作为首发球员也取得了进步，他的场均得分从新秀赛季的 8.5 分提升到了现在的 21.0 分，而且投篮命中率也更高。 – 凯文·佩尔顿

  1. 华盛顿奇才队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 2-4
  • 先前排名： 30
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 MEM（11 月 8 日），客场对阵 ORL（11 月 10 日），客场对阵 HOU（11 月 11 日）

华盛顿上周连续战胜老鹰队，取得了赛季的首个连胜。虽然连胜在墨西哥城被热火队终结，但奇才队在赛季初看到了一些积极的迹象。随着凯尔·库兹马(Kyle Kuzma) 缺席了过去两场比赛，像比拉尔·库利巴利(Bilal Coulibaly) 这样的年轻球员站了出来。在周三奇才队第二次战胜亚特兰大的比赛中，库利巴利得到 27 分、9 个篮板和 3 次抢断。在对阵热火队的比赛中，他得到了 22 分和 8 个篮板。自从在赛季揭幕战中得到 8 分之后，库利巴利在接下来的四场比赛中有三场得分达到或超过 22 分。乔丹·普尔(Jordan Poole) 延续了他的火热开局，在周一晚上奇才队输给他的老东家金州勇士队的比赛中，他得到了全队最高的 24 分。 – 奥姆·杨米苏克

  1. 底特律活塞队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3-5
  • 先前排名： 28
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 CHA（11 月 6 日），对阵 ATL（11 月 8 日），对阵 HOU（11 月 10 日），对阵 MIA（11 月 12 日）

随着周一令人印象深刻地战胜湖人队，活塞队的胜场数已经超过了他们在 2023-24 赛季前 30 场比赛中取得的两场胜利，当时他们经历了 NBA 纪录的 27 连败。在本赛季以 0-4 开局之后，底特律现在已经赢得了过去四场比赛中的三场。对于活塞队的未来来说，最重要的是，年轻的后场组合凯德·坎宁安(Cade Cunningham)（两分球和三分球的命中率都创下了职业生涯新高）和杰登·艾维(Jaden Ivey)（使用率和真实投篮命中率都创下了职业生涯新高）在老将射手的帮助下正在蓬勃发展。 – 凯文·佩尔顿

  1. 波特兰开拓者队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3-5
  • 先前排名： 27
  • 接下来的比赛： 客场对阵 SA（11 月 7 日），客场对阵 MIN（11 月 8 日），对阵 MEM（11 月 10 日），对阵 MIN（11 月 12 日）

充满活力的开拓者队已经证明，他们改进后的阵容深度、投篮和防守可以爆冷击败一些毫无防备的老牌球队，就像他们在周三在 Intuit Dome 球馆击败快船队一样。然而，由于惨败给勇士队和雷霆队，波特兰仍然拥有西部第二差的净胜分。这反映了开拓者队试图在以下两方面之间取得平衡：在本赛季展现进步

点击查看原文：NBA Power Rankings: Edwards, Jokic hit early-season struggles while Cavs climb

NBA Power Rankings: Edwards, Jokic hit early-season struggles while Cavs climb

Image

The first couple of weeks of the 2024-25 NBA season have been anything but predictable, with a few preseason contenders having some shaky starts.

In the East, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are still struggling to find their perfect partnership as the Milwaukee Bucks have gotten off to one of the worst starts in franchise history. The Philadelphia 76ers are also stumbling without newly acquired superstar Paul George to start the season and are still awaiting the return of Joel Embiid.

On the flip side, the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors have had strong starts in the West as the Suns have finally unlocked their big three in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, and the Warriors have a 3-point phenomenon in offseason acquisition Buddy Hield.

Let’s see where all 30 teams stack up two weeks into the season and what to keep an eye on as superstars return from injury and teams begin to find their footing.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30

Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are off to a shaky start this season and have fallen to the bottom of the Western standings. ESPNJump to a team:\

ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE\

DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND\

LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN\

NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX\

POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

1. Boston Celtics

  • 2024-25 record: 7-1
  • Previous ranking: 1
  • Next games: vs. GS (Nov. 6), vs. BKN (Nov. 8), @ MIL (Nov. 10), vs. ATL (Nov. 12)

Entering Monday’s game in Atlanta, the Celtics are averaging more than 50 3-point attempts per game, five more than the current record holders, the 2018-19 Houston Rockets, and six more than any other team this season, while making 38.1% of them. That’s giving Boston a built-in scoring advantage to start just about every game. And expect plenty more to be launched this week inside TD Garden, as Boston hosts Golden State and Brooklyn, both of which are in the top eight in 3-point attempts. – Tim Bontemps

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

  • 2024-25 record: 7-0
  • Previous ranking: 2
  • Next games: @ DEN (Nov. 6), vs. HOU (Nov. 8), vs. GS (Nov. 10), vs. LAC (Nov. 11)

A smothering defense anchored by NBA blocks leader Chet Holmgren has keyed the Thunder’s undefeated start. Entering Monday night, Oklahoma City had the NBA’s top-ranked defense by a margin of 6.1 points, allowing only 95.1 points per 100 possessions. The last team to finish a season with a double-digit defensive rating: the 2015-16 San Antonio Spurs, who lost to the Thunder in the conference semifinals. Alex Caruso and Luguentz Dort are widely considered among the NBA’s best perimeter defenders, but second-year guard Cason Wallace is earning his way into that conversation. Wallace has the lowest defensive rating (86.3) among OKC rotation players and averages 1.8 steals and 3.7 deflections in 25.3 minutes per game. – Tim MacMahon

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

  • 2024-25 record: 8-0
  • Previous ranking: 3
  • Next games: @ NO (Nov. 6), vs. GS (Nov. 8), vs. BKN (Nov. 9), @ CHI (Nov. 11)

Down 111-108 with 1:18 remaining Monday to the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks, the Cavs used an 8-0 run to secure the win – and an 8-0 start to the season. Cleveland has now tied the 1976-77 squad for the best start in franchise history, with a chance to set a new record Thursday in New Orleans. – Dave McMenamin

4. Phoenix Suns

  • 2024-25 record: 6-1
  • Previous ranking: 7
  • Next games: vs. MIA (Nov. 6), @ DAL (Nov. 8), vs. SAC (Nov. 10), @ UTAH (Nov. 12)

Jusuf Nurkic started every game for Phoenix so far, but he hasn’t necessarily finished. In a win against the Lakers, he played just six seconds in the fourth quarter. And in a victory over the Clippers, he played fewer than four minutes in the fourth. Nurkic is playing just 22.2 minutes per game so far, his least amount of burn since splitting time with Nikola Jokic in Denver to begin his career. – McMenamin

5. Golden State Warriors

  • 2024-25 record: 6-1
  • Previous ranking: 11
  • Next games: @ BOS (Nov. 6), @ CLE (Nov. 8), @ OKC (Nov. 10), vs. DAL (Nov. 12)

Despite losing Stephen Curry for three games, the Warriors remain incredibly solid with a winning record. Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga have provided Golden State with the supplemental scoring off the bench that it has lacked the past few years. But it’s not just the offense that has gotten the Warriors off to a strong start – their defense has been their anchor. The Warriors rank second in opponent field goal percentage in the paint (49.5%) and first in opponent effective field goal percentage on shots from outside the paint (44%). – Kendra Andrews

6. Dallas Mavericks

  • 2024-25 record: 4-3
  • Previous ranking: 4
  • Next games: vs. CHI (Nov. 6), vs. PHX (Nov. 8), @ DEN (Nov. 10), @ GS (Nov. 12)

Coach Jason Kidd has stuck with Daniel Gafford in the starting center role despite the general consensus within the organization that second-year big man Dereck Lively II has a higher ceiling. Kidd has indicated that Lively will get an opportunity to start at some point, but the coaches wanted to avoid the perception that Gafford was getting demoted after he played a critical role in the Mavs’ late-season surge and NBA Finals run. Entering Monday night, Lively was averaging about four minutes per game more than Gafford this season. The Mavs have outscored opponents by 10.2 points per 100 possessions with Lively on the floor and have a minus-6.2 net rating in Gafford’s minutes. – MacMahon

7. New York Knicks

  • 2024-25 record: 3-3
  • Previous ranking: 8
  • Next games: @ ATL (Nov. 6), vs. MIL (Nov. 8), @ IND (Nov. 10), @ PHI (Nov. 12)

Things were downright ugly in New York’s season opener against the Celtics. But in the five games since, the defensive duo of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges has been stout, surrendering 101.8 points per 100 possessions in 106 minutes. (That number would rank third in the league behind Oklahoma City and Golden State.) In particular, the pair was relentless in Detroit this past week, helping lead the Knicks to a 16-steal performance in a blowout victory. – Chris Herring

8. Minnesota Timberwolves

  • 2024-25 record: 4-3
  • Previous ranking: 5
  • Next games: @ CHI (Nov. 7), vs. POR (Nov. 8), vs. MIA (Nov. 10), @ POR (Nov. 12)

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards hasn’t been afraid to let it fly from 3 to start the season. He’s shooting 12.3 3s per game, leading the NBA with by far the most 3s he has averaged in his career. James Harden or Curry has led the league in that category each season since 2012-13, but Edwards looks poised to uncrown them, especially if he keeps shooting 43.2% from deep and the Wolves’ offense can be effective. Minnesota ranks 13th in points per possession to start the season. – Jamal Collier

9. Los Angeles Lakers

  • 2024-25 record: 4-3
  • Previous ranking: 6
  • Next games: @ MEM (Nov. 6), vs. PHI (Nov. 8), vs. TOR (Nov. 10)

The Lakers are 25th in defensive rating, allowing 117.6 points per 100 possessions – nearly three points more than they did last season, when they finished 17th. When asked what areas of the defense the team has to shore up after losing in Detroit on Monday, Anthony Davis bluntly responded: “Everywhere.” – McMenamin

10. Memphis Grizzlies

  • 2024-25 record: 4-4
  • Previous ranking: 9
  • Next games: vs. LAL (Nov. 6), vs. WAS (Nov. 8), @ POR (Nov. 10)

Ja Morant has been brilliant with 10 assists or more in five of seven games. But two starters – Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart – are dealing with injuries that put them on week-to-week timelines for return, while two rotational players are also working back from injuries in Luke Kennard and John Konchar. All four missed Saturday’s win over Philadelphia, along with Cam Spencer and Vince Williams Jr. Memphis’ players missed a league-record 578 games combined last season because of injuries, and the club hopes it’s not experiencing a repeat this season. – Michael Wright

11. Denver Nuggets

  • 2024-25 record: 4-3
  • Previous ranking: 13
  • Next games: vs. OKC (Nov. 6), vs. MIA (Nov. 8), vs. DAL (Nov. 10)

After a rocky 0-2 start that included a 15-point opening night loss to the Thunder, the Nuggets won three of their next four games, including two overtime wins at Toronto and Brooklyn. They lost a tough game at Minnesota, but Christian Braun’s dunk on Rudy Gobert is a glimpse at how Braun will replace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the starting lineup with aggressive athleticism and his two-way game. Braun scored in double figures in each of the first seven games and averaged 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.0 steals and 42.1% shooting from behind the arc. – Ohm Youngmisuk

12. Miami Heat

  • 2024-25 record: 3-3
  • Previous ranking: 18
  • Next games: @ PHX (Nov. 6), @ DEN (Nov. 8), @ MIN (Nov. 10), @ DET (Nov. 12)

It has been an odd start to the season in Miami. Entering Monday’s action, both Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier are shooting better than 40% from 3-point range on more than eight attempts per game, while both Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler have been, at times, bystanders to the action. There’s a balance that coach Erik Spoelstra is trying to strike, which could begin after Adebayo scored 32 points in a 118-98 win in Mexico City over the Wizards on Saturday. – Bontemps

13. Orlando Magic

  • 2024-25 record: 3-5
  • Previous ranking: 10
  • Next games: @ IND (Nov. 6), vs. NO (Nov. 8), vs. WAS (Nov. 10), vs. CHA (Nov. 12)

The Magic find themselves in tepid water after losing Paolo Banchero for at least one month with a torn oblique muscle. As a team, the Magic struggle to produce consistent offense and scoring, ranking in the bottom five of the league in offensive rating. Without Banchero – who had a 50-point game last week – it’ll be even harder to fix their offensive struggles. Orlando will also have to survive without center Wendell Carter Jr., who suffered a left plantar fascia strain. – Andrews

14. Houston Rockets

  • 2024-25 record: 4-3
  • Previous ranking: 21
  • Next games: vs. SA (Nov. 6), @ OKC (Nov. 8), @ DET (Nov. 10), vs. WAS (Nov. 11)

After putting together what coach Ime Udoka said was his team’s first statement win Thursday against the Mavericks, the Rockets followed that up with a thrilling overtime loss to the Warriors in which they erased an early 31-point deficit. The Rockets rank near the bottom of the league in field goal percentage, but they’ve feasted on offensive rebounding (15.3 per game) and second-chance scoring (20.8 points per game) to achieve a 113.9 offensive rating. Despite the rough showing against the Warriors, Jalen Green has taken another step in his development and might be poised to set new career highs in scoring and 3-point percentage. – Wright

15. Sacramento Kings

  • 2024-25 record: 4-3
  • Previous ranking: 19
  • Next games: vs. TOR (Nov. 6), vs. LAC (Nov. 8), @ PHX (Nov. 10), @ SA (Nov. 11)

Clutch time was an Achilles’ heel for the Kings last season, but they were optimistic that adding DeMar DeRozan would alleviate those issues. They got their first taste of the DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox duo in the clutch – ultimately winning them an overtime game in Atlanta. However, on Monday the clutch time hero for the Kings was not DeRozan or Fox but instead Domantas Sabonis, who had a buzzer-beating putback to win against the Heat, putting the team above .500. – Andrews

16. New Orleans Pelicans

  • 2024-25 record: 3-5
  • Previous ranking: 15
  • Next games: vs. CLE (Nov. 6), @ ORL (Nov. 8), vs. BKN (Nov. 11)

Less than two weeks into the season, the Pelicans’ health is already in season-threatening territory. Guards Dejounte Murray (hand fracture) and CJ McCollum (adductor strain) and forward Herb Jones (shoulder subluxation) are out multiple weeks, while forward Trey Murphy III has yet to return from a hamstring strain. With Zion Williamson sidelined Sunday by hamstring tightness, New Orleans played with only one of its top six players. The Pelicans haven’t lost much ground in the standings, but their minus-7.0 point differential ranks 13th in the West. – Kevin Pelton

17. Chicago Bulls

  • 2024-25 record: 3-4
  • Previous ranking: 22
  • Next games: @ DAL (Nov. 6), vs. MIN (Nov. 7), @ ATL (Nov. 9), vs. CLE (Nov. 11)

After finishing in the bottom five of the NBA in 3-point attempts the past two seasons, the Bulls are letting it fly from beyond the arc. They entered this week third in 3-point attempts and fourth in made 3s with a remade, up-tempo offense. Josh Giddey, who the Bulls acquired from Oklahoma City over the summer, has helped ignite the offense with 14.7 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 47.6% from 3.– Collier

18. Indiana Pacers

  • 2024-25 record: 3-4
  • Previous ranking: 17
  • Next games: vs. ORL (Nov. 6), @ CHA (Nov. 8), vs. NYK (Nov. 10)

Two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton has been off to a slow start this season after leading his team to the Eastern Conference finals during a breakout 2023-24 campaign. Haliburton is averaging 14.0 points and 7.3 assists on 33.7% shooting, his lowest production since his rookie season. His struggles haven’t been a good sign for the Pacers, who have stumbled out the gates because of it. – Collier

19. Philadelphia 76ers

  • 2024-25 record: 1-5
  • Previous ranking: 12
  • Next games: @ LAC (Nov. 6), @ LAL (Nov. 8), vs. CHA (Nov. 10), vs. NYK (Nov. 12)

Philadelphia received a much-needed boost Monday night when Paul George made his season debut. But it wasn’t enough as the 76ers fell to the Suns after George missed a 22-foot jump shot with 3.1 seconds left in the game. George had been out for three weeks since stepping awkwardly and suffering a bone bruise in a preseason game in Atlanta on Oct. 14. Now, the question will be when Joel Embiid, who also has yet to play this season, will join him. – Bontemps

20. Atlanta Hawks

  • 2024-25 record: 3-5
  • Previous ranking: 20
  • Next games: vs. NYK (Nov. 6), @ DET (Nov. 8), vs. CHI (Nov. 9), @ BOS (Nov. 12)

Without Dejounte Murray on the roster, defenses are loading up on Trae Young. Case in point: Young is passing on 46.2% of his drives this season, up considerably from 35.5% last season. Young’s league-leading 11.7 assists per night has helped spark the Hawks’ ninth-ranked offense, but the challenge throughout Young’s tenure in Atlanta has always been the defense, which ranks 28th so far this season. – Herring

21. LA Clippers

  • 2024-25 record:
  • Previous ranking: 16
  • Next games: vs. PHI (Nov. 6), @ SAC (Nov. 8), vs. TOR (Nov. 9), @ OKC (Nov. 11)

The start to the season has been a glimpse of what the Clippers likely will be until Kawhi Leonard is able to return. Their improved defense has helped them pull off upset wins at Denver and Golden State. But outside of James Harden, Norm Powell and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers don’t have enough offense to overcome more talented teams, leaving very little margin for error. It took longer than expected, but after losing their first four home games, the Clippers finally got their first win at Intuit Dome, rallying from a 26-point deficit to stun the Spurs. Next, they’re hoping to spoil Paul George’s return to L.A. on Wednesday. – Youngmisuk

22. Milwaukee Bucks

  • 2024-25 record: 1-6
  • Previous ranking: 14
  • Next games: vs. UTAH (Nov. 7), @ NYK (Nov. 8), vs. BOS (Nov. 10), vs. TOR (Nov. 12)

The Bucks had one of their worst six-game starts in franchise history, going 1-5 for the first time since the 2000-01 season. Milwaukee has lost six consecutive games despite some dominant performances by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who shot 62% and averaged 32.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the team’s first six games. Following Monday’s game in Cleveland, the Bucks have two of the Eastern Conference’s top contenders over the weekend, as they visit the Knicks on Friday and host the Celtics on Sunday. – Collier

23. San Antonio Spurs

  • 2024-25 record:
  • Previous ranking: 23
  • Next games: @ HOU (Nov. 6), vs. POR (Nov. 7), vs. UTAH (Nov. 9), vs. SAC (Nov. 11)

Victor Wembanyama started the season slowly, working his way back into playing shape while dealing with an illness. He’s rounding into form, dropping his second career 5x5 game Thursday at Utah to become the third player to ever accomplish that on multiple occasions. Second-leading scorer Devin Vassell is close to returning from offseason foot surgery, having spent the past week with the team’s G-League affiliate on a rehab assignment. Vassell’s sharp shooting should help Wembanyama get more of the shots he prefers, while finally giving San Antonio its first chance to develop chemistry with the starting group. The Spurs are also being coached by assistant Mitch Johnson for an indefinite period of time after head coach Gregg Popovich suffered an undisclosed illness before Saturday’s game. – Wright

24. Charlotte Hornets

  • 2024-25 record: 2-5
  • Previous ranking: 24
  • Next games: vs. DET (Nov. 6), vs. IND (Nov. 8), @ PHI (Nov. 10), @ ORL (Nov. 12)

LaMelo Ball’s offense has been unstoppable, with a career-high 30.2 points per game on career-best efficiency over the first few weeks of play. The issue, aside from his high turnover rate (tied for most this season with James Harden at 5.5 per game), is he has already fouled out a league-high three times while finishing another game with five fouls. Coach Charles Lee said the club is trying to figure out how to help. “We have to continue to challenge him and we have to learn about, ‘Can he guard one-on-one, or do we need to send a double-team every time, or are you going to foul?’” he told reporters. – Herring

25. Brooklyn Nets

  • 2024-25 record: 4-4
  • Previous ranking: 26
  • Next games: @ BOS (Nov. 8), @ CLE (Nov. 9), @ NO (Nov. 11)

For the second straight season, Cam Thomas averaged at least 30 points through his first three games. But there is ample room for his playmaking to grow. Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said as much after the Nets’ loss to Detroit on Sunday. “If you’re a scorer but they do certain things to you, then maybe it’s a day that you score less, but you assist more,” Fernandez told reporters of Thomas, who’s averaging 26.6 points per night but has just 25 dimes through eight games. – Herring

26. Toronto Raptors

  • 2024-25 record: 2-6
  • Previous ranking: 25
  • Next games: @ SAC (Nov. 6), @ LAC (Nov. 9), @ LAL (Nov. 10), @ MIL (Nov. 12)

After an overtime win Saturday against the visiting Kings, the Raptors can feel good about remaining competitive despite being without starters Scottie Barnes (orbital fracture), Bruce Brown (knee surgery) and Immanuel Quickley (pelvic contusion). Down two of its top three scorers, Toronto has relied heavily on RJ Barrett, who’s averaging 28.8 points and 7.3 assists since returning from his own shoulder injury. And second-year guard Gradey Dick has taken a leap as a starter, pushing his scoring average from 8.5 points as a rookie to 21.0 thus far while shooting more accurately. – Pelton

27. Washington Wizards

  • 2024-25 record: 2-4
  • Previous ranking: 30
  • Next games: @ MEM (Nov. 8), @ ORL (Nov. 10), @ HOU (Nov. 11)

Washington put together its first winning streak of the season with consecutive wins over the Hawks last week. While that streak ended in Mexico at the hands of the Heat, the Wizards have seen some positive signs early. With Kyle Kuzma sidelined the past two games, young players like Bilal Coulibaly have stepped up. Coulibaly had 27 points, nine rebounds and three steals in the Wizards’ second win over Atlanta on Wednesday. He followed that up with 22 points and eight rebounds against the Heat. Since scoring eight points in the season opener, Coulibaly scored 22 or more points in three of his next four games. And Jordan Poole continued his hot start with a team-high 24 points in the Wizards’ loss to Golden State (his former team) on Monday night. – Youngmisuk

28. Detroit Pistons

  • 2024-25 record: 3-5
  • Previous ranking: 28
  • Next games: @ CHA (Nov. 6), vs. ATL (Nov. 8), vs. HOU (Nov. 10), vs. MIA (Nov. 12)

With Monday’s impressive win over the Lakers, the Pistons have already surpassed the two wins they had through their first 30 games of 2023-24, which included an NBA-record 27-game losing streak. After starting 0-4 this season, Detroit has now won three of its past four games. Most importantly for the Pistons’ future, the young backcourt of Cade Cunningham (shooting at career-high rates on both 2s and 3s) and Jaden Ivey (new career highs in both usage and true shooting percentage) is flourishing with veteran shooters around them. – Pelton

29. Portland Trail Blazers

  • 2024-25 record: 3-5
  • Previous ranking: 27
  • Next games: @ SA (Nov. 7), @ MIN (Nov. 8), vs. MEM (Nov. 10), vs. MIN (Nov. 12)

The frisky Blazers have shown their improved depth, shooting and defense can catch unsuspecting veteran teams for an upset, as they defeated the Clippers Wednesday at Intuit Dome. Yet Portland still boasts the West’s second-worst point differential because of lopsided losses to the Warriors and Thunder. That reflects the Blazers’ attempt to thread the needle between showing progress this season – particularly second-year guard Scoot Henderson, who has cut his turnovers and improved his scoring efficiency – while remaining in position for an anticipated draft lottery. – Pelton

30. Utah Jazz

  • 2024-25 record: 1-6
  • Previous ranking: 29
  • Next games: @ MIL (Nov. 7), @ SA (Nov. 9), vs. PHX (Nov. 12)

Third-year center Walker Kessler has been a bright spot during the Jazz’s early-season woes. Kessler is averaging 9.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks, a production boost across the board. After an All-Rookie season, Kessler admittedly didn’t make the strides he hoped to in his sophomore year. He impressed the Jazz’s coaching staff with his response over the summer, when the 7-footer packed on more than 20 pounds to beef up to 272. – MacMahon

By NBA Insiders | ESPN, via ESPN