Indiana More

1. Indiana Pacers (7-0; last week's ranking: 2): The Pacers are off to a franchise-record start. With a win over Memphis on Monday, Indiana can match the best winning streak to start a season since the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Hornets were both 8-0 in 2010.









San Antonio More

2. San Antonio Spurs (6-1; last week's ranking: 6): The Spurs are off to a great start despite Tim Duncan averaging a modest 13.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. The Spurs have winnable games ahead against Philadelphia, Washington, Utah and Boston.









Oklahoma City More

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (5-1; last week's ranking: 7): The Thunder have a tough back-to-back challenge this week on the road against the Clippers and Golden State. It will be Russell Westbrook's first back-to-back since knee surgery.









Minnesota More

4. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-2; last week's ranking: 4): After beating the Lakers, the T'wolves will stay in L.A. for a showdown against the Clippers on Monday. The matchup between Kevin Love and Blake Griffin is usually entertaining.









Miami More

5. Miami Heat (4-3; last week's ranking: 5): One of the big reasons for the Heat's success the past four seasons is that LeBron James has stayed healthy. But this season the NBA MVP has been slowed a bit by a sore back.









Phoenix More

6. Phoenix Suns (5-2; last week's ranking: 18): Eric Bledsoe and the Suns have risen past the Sixers to become the NBA's newest surprise team. Jeff Hornacek became the first coach in franchise history to win his first four home games.









Los Angeles More

7. Los Angeles Clippers (4-3; last week's ranking: 8): Former Boston coach Doc Rivers will be reunited for the first time with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett when the Clippers play Brooklyn in Los Angeles on Saturday.









Golden State More

8. Golden State Warriors (4-3; last week's ranking: 9): The Warriors have four players averaging at least 15 points per game. After signing a big contract extension, center Andrew Bogut is off to a slow start, averaging 5.4 points and shooting 47.1 percent from the free-throw line.









Houston More

9. Houston Rockets (4-3; last week's ranking: 3): Dwight Howard and the Rockets have dropped three of their past four games, including two to the Clippers, after a 3-0 start. Guard Jeremy Lin returns to New York on Thursday to play the Knicks.









Memphis More

10. Memphis Grizzlies (3-3; last week's ranking: 12): Memphis has the talent and size to give the Pacers their first loss of the season on Monday. After a disappointing 2-3 start, the Grizzlies are coming off a big home win over the Warriors.

Portland More

11. Portland Trail Blazers (4-2; last week's ranking: 13): Portland is off to strong start, but two wins were against Sacramento. If the Blazers are legit, they should win at least three of their next five games with Detroit, Phoenix, Boston, Toronto and Brooklyn.

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