Through Week 5, there are, basically, 13 good teams in the league. (We'll keep the 8-8 Suns in that group because they still have a strong point differential - plus-2.9 per 100 possessions.)

The other 17 have been ... well, not good.

It makes for an interesting landscape, one where almost every team seemingly has a lot of winnable games on the horizon. Some of those not-good teams will begin to take advantage of the others and eventually arise from the morass. But there's no telling which of the 17 that will be. The quarter pole of the season is coming soon (next week) and every game counts.

Among the teams already taking advantage of an easy schedule is the Los Angeles Lakers, who are No. 1 in the Power Rankings for a second straight week.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: Denver (3-0) -- The Nuggets' first two wins came against teams - Houston and Boston - that arrived in Denver with 11-3 records. And on Sunday, Denver took care of business against the frisky Suns.

Denver (3-0) -- The Nuggets' first two wins came against teams - Houston and Boston - that arrived in Denver with 11-3 records. And on Sunday, Denver took care of business against the frisky Suns. Something Just Ain't Right: Portland (0-4) -- After starting their trip with a win in San Antonio, the Blazers have lost four straight, dropping games in New Orleans and Cleveland and in desperate need of a win in Chicago on Monday.

East vs. West

Schedule strength through Week 5

Toughest: 1. New Orleans, 2. Cleveland, 3. Memphis

1. New Orleans, 2. Cleveland, 3. Memphis Easiest: 1. Indiana, 2. Dallas, 3. L.A. Lakers

1. Indiana, 2. Dallas, 3. L.A. Lakers Schedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record, and adjusted for home vs. away and days of rest before a game.

Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the week: Dallas (+7), Washington (+6), Chicago (+5)

Dallas (+7), Washington (+6), Chicago (+5) Free falls of the week: Portland (-8), Houston (-6), Boston (-4), Charlotte (-4)

Week 6 Team to Watch

Dallas -- The Mavs are on fire, with Luka Doncic having averaged 34.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 10.8 assists over their five-game winning streak, which they take into a matchup with the Clippers on Tuesday (8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV). After that, they'll head out for a three-game trip visiting the Suns on Friday and the Lakers on Sunday. The last time Doncic and LeBron James met, they both had 30-point triple-doubles.

Previously...

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Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)

DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)

NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)

The league has averaged 102.0 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 107.9 points scored per 100 possessions this season.

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NBA.com's Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man's opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter.

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