December has been a month of parity, with every team having at least three losses, only one (the Knicks) having fewer than three wins, and a bunch of modest winning streaks coming to an end in the last week.

That can make it hard to figure out who goes where in the Power Rankings. It also means that almost every game means something. Look no further than the Christmas Day slate, which features four important games in regard to the standings. The fifth has Giannis Antetokounmpo looking for some revenge on the Madison Square Garden stage.

In addition to being Christmas week, Week 11 is home-and-home week, with six pairs of teams facing in each other on both home floors over the next five days, and three of those six pairings -- Nets-Hornets, Mavs-Pelicans and Kings-Clippers -- involving teams that are within a game of each other in the win or loss column.

Every game counts. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Previously...

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: Miami (3-0) -- The Heat ended the Rockets' five-game winning streak on Thursday and the Bucks' four-game winning streak on Saturday, handing the league's No. 2 offense its worst offensive game of the season.

Miami (3-0) -- The Heat ended the Rockets' five-game winning streak on Thursday and the Bucks' four-game winning streak on Saturday, handing the league's No. 2 offense its worst offensive game of the season. Something Just Ain't Right: New York (0-3) -- The Knicks' 1-9 stretch has included losses to the Cavs, Suns and Hawks.

East vs. West

Schedule strength through Week 10

Toughest: 1. Utah, 2. Phoenix, 3. New Orleans

1. Utah, 2. Phoenix, 3. New Orleans Easiest: 1. Philadelphia, 2. Oklahoma City, 3. Charlotte

1. Philadelphia, 2. Oklahoma City, 3. Charlotte 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: Miami (+7), San Antonio (+7), Brooklyn (+5)

Miami (+7), San Antonio (+7), Brooklyn (+5) Free falls of the week: New Orleans (-7), Dallas (-6), Detroit (-6)

Week 11 Team to Watch

L.A. Lakers -- The Lakers played the Warriors twice in the preseason, but the Christmas showcase game will be their first regular-season meeting with the champs. They'll also have their first meeting with the Clippers on Friday, and that game is sandwiched by an important home-and-home set (Thursday and Sunday) against the Kings.

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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 100.8 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 108.4 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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