NBA Power Rankings: There's a new No. 1

Houston More

1. Houston Rockets (Record: 9-1; last week’s rank: 3): The Rockets get a slight nod for the top spot over Memphis because they are actually undefeated when Dwight Howard plays.









Memphis More

2. Memphis Grizzlies (Record: 9-1; last week’s rank: 2): The Grizzlies host the Rockets on Monday in a big early-season showdown.









Golden State More

3. Golden State Warriors (Record: 8-2; last week’s rank: 1): After having assist-to-turnover woes, Stephen Curry has averaged 24.5 points, 12 assists and two turnovers the past two games.









Toronto More

4. Toronto Raptors (Record: 8-2; last week’s rank: 4): Is Toronto becoming a hoops town? While the Maple Leafs were losing 6-2 at Buffalo, Canadian fans there chanted, “Let's go Raptors!”









Washington More

5. Washington Wizards (Record: 7-2; last week’s rank: 8): Wizards guard Bradley Beal is slated to practice Monday, six weeks after fracturing his left wrist. A return vs. the Cavs on Friday?









Chicago More

6. Chicago Bulls (Record: 7-3; last week’s rank: 6): Lost in all the Derrick Rose drama is an All-Star-caliber start from newcomer Pau Gasol, who is averaging 18 points and 10.6 rebounds.









Portland More

7. Portland Trail Blazers (Record: 7-3; last week’s rank: 12): Portland expects power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (upper respiratory illness) to face the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis on Monday.









Dallas More

8. Dallas Mavericks (Record: 7-3; last week’s rank: 13): First-year Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons, who has been critical of the Rockets, returns to Houston on Saturday to face the Rockets for the first time.









Sacramento More

9. Sacramento Kings (Record: 6-4; last week’s rank: 14): Rudy Gay was more interested in re-signing now than at the end of last season. Winning, money and love by the Kings helped.









San Antonio More

10. San Antonio Spurs (Record: 5-4; last week’s rank: 9): The reigning champions face LeBron James Wednesday in Cleveland for the first time since the NBA Finals.









Los Angeles More

11. Los Angeles Clippers (Record: 5-3; last week’s rank: 5) DeAndre Jordan has averaged 15.5 rebounds and six blocks the past two games and leads the NBA in rebounding.









Cleveland More

12. Cleveland Cavaliers (Record: 5-3; last week’s rank: 10): The rivalry between the Wizards and Cavaliers, who have talked trash about backcourts recently, could regain steam Friday.









New Orleans More

13. New Orleans Pelicans (Record: 5-3; last week’s rank: 16) New Orleans is two games over .500 for the first time since the franchise started 2-0 in 2011-12.









Miami More

14. Miami Heat (Record: 5-5; last week’s rank: 7): Forward Chris Bosh missed 15 of 17 shots against the Bucks on Sunday and has missed 37 of 49 in his past three contests.









Phoenix More

15. Phoenix Suns (Record: 5-5; last week’s rank: 15): Phoenix is in the early stages of a six-game, 10-day road trip – its longest of the season – that covers nearly 7,000 miles.









Atlanta More

16. Atlanta Hawks (Record: 5-4; last week’s rank: 20): Guard John Jenkins scored 12 points in a loss to the Cavs on Saturday in his first game since having back surgery in February.









Brooklyn More

17. Brooklyn Nets (Record: 4-5; last week’s rank: 11): New coach Lionel Hollins is preaching to his players that the key to winning is team play and not worrying about personal statistics.









Milwaukee More

18. Milwaukee Bucks (Record: 5-5; last week’s rank: 19): The Bucks earned their fifth win of the season at Miami on Sunday. They needed 26 games to get to five victories last season.









Utah More

19. Utah Jazz (Record: 4-7; last week’s rank: 17): Sunday marked the 10-year anniversary of Utah retiring the No. 12 jersey of John Stockton, the NBA’s all-time assists leader.

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