As we enter Week 9 of the 2019-20 season, there's a clear gap between the good teams and the bad. Through Sunday, no team is within one game of .500 on either side, and the 13 teams over .500 are 172-34 (.835) against the 17 teams below, with the Los Angeles Lakers (18-0), Milwaukee Bucks (18-0) and Toronto Raptors (14-0) yet to lose against the bottom 17.

There's been some movement between the groups. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns were in the good group for a while, and the Brooklyn Nets have recovered from a slow start to join the other 12 teams with winning records. And at this point in the season, schedule strength has still played a role in where teams are in the standings.

Some teams in the lower group, like the Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings, have shown signs of life. But it might take a while before we have eight teams with winning records in either conference.

The East is still holding onto a slight edge in interconference games, and the No. 1 team in the East will host the No. 1 team in the West in the game of the week on Thursday.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: Charlotte (3-1) -- The Devonte' Graham Show hit stops in Brooklyn and Chicago as the Hornets ran off three straight wins for the second time this season.

Charlotte (3-1) -- The Devonte' Graham Show hit stops in Brooklyn and Chicago as the Hornets ran off three straight wins for the second time this season. Something Just Ain't Right: Atlanta (0-4) -- The Hawks lost an overtime game by 14 points, and then lost to the Bulls by 34. They have three more games before John Collins returns.

East vs. West

Schedule strength through Week 8

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

1. Atlanta, 2. New Orleans, 3. Cleveland Easiest: 1. Dallas, 2. Milwaukee, 3. Indiana

1. Dallas, 2. Milwaukee, 3. Indiana 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: Charlotte (+4), Detroit (+3), Memphis (+3), Sacramento (+3)

Charlotte (+4), Detroit (+3), Memphis (+3), Sacramento (+3) Free falls of the week: Minnesota (-6), Washington (-3), Three teams (-2)

Week 9 Team to Watch

L.A. Lakers -- The Lakers take their 14-game road winning streak to Indiana (Tuesday) and Milwaukee (Thursday), before returning home to face the fourth-place Nuggets on Sunday night.

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 101.2 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 108.3 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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