Stephen Curry made 29 threes in four games last week. DeMar DeRozan can’t seem to miss between five and 15 feet. James Harden is averaging 30 points and 13 assists. The Cleveland Cavaliers have set an NBA record with at least 10 threes in nine straight games to start the season. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, between the two of them, are averaging almost seven points per game more than they did last season.

There’s a lot of offense going around. And while some teams are struggling, we may be in the midst of the best offensive season in a long time.

Through Sunday, the league has scored 103.7 points per 100 possessions. That’s a little less than it scored last season (103.9), but offensive efficiency typically increases as the season goes on.

Over the last five non-lockout seasons, the league has seen an average jump of 1.7 points per 100 possessions from the three-week mark (where we are now) to the end of the season. Last season at this point, the league had scored 100.9, so it went up another 3.0 points per 100 possessions before the end of the season.

A jump from 1.7 from now until April 12 would put the league at about 105.4 points per 100 possessions, which would match the most efficient season of the last 20 years. That was 2008-09, when the league had only scored 102.1 points per 100 possessions through the first three weeks. This season is well ahead of that mark.

After a slow start offensively, the LA Clippers have picked things up on that end of the floor. With the league’s No. 1 defense, they’ve put it all together and are off to the best start in franchise history.

It’s Week 4 and we have our fourth different team at the top of the rankings. Who’s next?

Last week: Cavs survive and advance

This time last year: Little separation in the pack — The Warriors were 11 games into their 24-game winning streak to start the season after Brook Lopez missed a bunny to beat them. The Wolves were 0-4 without Ricky Rubio and the Sixers and Pelicans were a combined 1-19. Dirk Nowitzki got Kobe Bryant with the up-and-under, Nikola Vucevic beat the Lakers at the buzzer, and Dwane Casey wants you to know that Carmelo Anthony stepped out of bounds.

Plus-minus stud: Blake Griffin (LAC) was a plus-94 in four games last week.

Plus-minus dud: Evan Fournier (ORL) was a minus-67 in four games last week.

Hero team of the week: Toronto (3-0) — The Raptors’ perfect week included two road wins over teams – Oklahoma City and Charlotte – that were both 6-1 prior to the loss.

Zero team of the week: Denver (0-4) — The Nuggets lost at the buzzer on Tuesday and things went downhill from there.

East vs. West: The East and West are tied at 19 games apiece in interconference games after a 10-7 week for the West.

Toughest schedules through Sunday: 1. Washington, 2. Philadelphia, 3. Dallas

Easiest schedules through Sunday: 1. Milwaukee, 2. Atlanta, 3. Golden State

Schedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record, and adjusted for home vs. away and days of rest before a game.

High jumps of the week: Minnesota (+8), Brooklyn (+7), Chicago (+5)

Free falls of the week: Denver (-9), Oklahoma City (-6), Miami (-5)

Team to watch this week: Toronto — DeMar DeRozan is still on fire and the Raptors have won six of their last seven. They play a Tuesday-Wednesday, road-home back-to-back against the Cavs and Warriors before heading out on a five-game trip.

***

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 is averaging 99.4 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 103.7 points scored per 100 possessions this season.

***

1. LA Clippers

Last week: 2

Record: 9-1

Pace: 99.3 (16) OffRtg: 107.5 (8) DefRtg: 92.7 (1) NetRtg: +14.8 (1)

After scoring just 98 points per 100 possessions in their first five games, the Clippers have scored 117 over their last five, with their starting backcourt shooting 25-for-45 (56 percent) from 3-point range and Chris Paul dishing out more than seven assists for every turnover. Still defending well, they led two games last week (over Detroit and Portland) by more than 40 points. Friday’s close win in Oklahoma City was their last road game against a team currently over .500 before they visit Cleveland on Dec. 1.

This week: vs. BKN, vs. MEM, @ SAC, vs. CHI

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

Last week: 1

Record: 8-1

Pace: 100.1 (12) OffRtg: 109.4 (3) DefRtg: 101.7 (9) NetRtg: +7.7 (4)

The Cavs’ offense continues to roll along. They’ve seen a big reduction in turnovers (from 14.1 per 100 possessions last season to 11.9 this season) and, even with Channing Frye missing two games, J.R. Smith (ankle) missing Sunday’s win over Charlotte, and Mike Dunleavy going cold, they’ve made at least 11 threes in all nine of their games. Even LeBron James has gotten into the act, shooting 7-for-14 from beyond the arc last week. But in handing the champs their first loss, the Hawks were the better shooting (and rebounding) team on Tuesday. The two teams won’t face each other again until March.

This week: vs. TOR, @ IND, vs. DET

3. Golden State Warriors

Last week: 4

Record: 8-2

Pace: 103.3 (3) OffRtg: 112.9 (1) DefRtg: 104.6 (16) NetRtg: +8.3 (3)

Stephen Curry is letting it fly, hitting a record 13 threes against the Pelicans and 16 more over the next three games. Not coincidentally, the Warriors’ offense scored 122 points per 100 possessions last week and has risen to No. 1 in efficiency, where it just might remain for the rest of the season. But it’s not just about shooting. Ten of Curry’s 13 threes on Monday were assisted and the Dubs dished out at least 32 dimes in all four games. If their assist percentage (AST/FGM) stays at or above 70 percent (it’s currently at 70.4), they’d be the first team to hit that mark in the last 13 years.

4. Toronto Raptors

Last week: 7

Record: 7-2

Pace: 96.7 (25) OffRtg: 109.2 (5) DefRtg: 102.4 (12) NetRtg: +6.7 (6)

DeMar DeRozan continues his remarkable run, leading the league with 34.0 points per game, having made just three 3-pointers total. He’s shooting a remarkable 53 percent between the restricted area and the arc (where the league average is 40 percent). The Raptors aren’t getting consistent offense from anywhere else, but are suddenly getting a big contribution from Lucas Nogueira (aka “Bebe”) off the bench. He closed each of their three wins last week (including two impressive ones on the road) and had two huge blocks against the Knicks on Saturday.

This week: @ CLE, vs. GSW, @ DEN, @ SAC

5. Atlanta Hawks

Last week: 8

Record: 7-2

Pace: 102.8 (4) OffRtg: 107.0 (10) DefRtg: 95.8 (2) NetRtg: +11.2 (2)

The Hawks got their first win over the Cavs in 12 tries on Tuesday and do seem to be more qualified to not get swept by the champs in the playoffs. They have a healthier Thabo Sefolosha (who ranks third among non-Clippers in raw plus-minus), better rim protection, and better defensive rebounding. They’ve had the best bench in the league (Sefolosha hasn’t been the only big plus) so far, with an aggregate bench NetRtg of plus-19.2 points per 100 possessions.

This week: @ MIA, vs. MIL, @ CHA, @ NYK

6. San Antonio Spurs

Last week: 3

Record: 7-3

Pace: 95.4 (28) OffRtg: 107.7 (6) DefRtg: 100.6 (6) NetRtg: +7.2 (5)

The Spurs are 5-0 on the road, but have been treading water since their 4-0 start, working their starting backcourt back into the lineup. Kawhi Leonard’s usage rate has seen a bigger jump this season than it did last season, and he’s dialing his own number more often. With just three assists in his last four games, his assist rate (assists per 100 possessions used) is at a career-low 10.1. His free throw rate is at a career-high 42 attempts per 100 shots from the field and he’s 74-for-76 (97.4 percent) from the stripe.

This week: vs. MIA, @ SAC, @ LAL

7. Charlotte Hornets

Last week: 6

Record: 6-3

Pace: 99.7 (15) OffRtg: 105.2 (12) DefRtg: 98.7 (3) NetRtg: +6.5 (7)

Kemba Walker is shooting incredibly well (47 percent) from beyond the arc and putting up big numbers (25.3 points per game, including 40 against Toronto on Friday). But the Hornets couldn’t get the stops they needed (with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist out) against the Raptors and didn’t get enough from their bench in Cleveland on Sunday. Even with Jeremy Lin gone, Steve Clifford hasn’t staggered the minutes of Walker and Nicolas Batum much, playing 12 minutes per game with neither on the floor.

This week: @ MIN, vs. ATL, @ NOP

8. Utah Jazz

Last week: 10

Record: 7-4

Pace: 93.5 (30) OffRtg: 104.7 (13) DefRtg: 99.4 (4) NetRtg: +5.3 (8)

The Jazz went 4-1 on their trip East with George Hill missing the last four games. And the game they lost – in Charlotte on Wednesday – was one they led in the fourth quarter. We knew their defense would be good, but they’re in position to finish better than the league average on both ends of the floor for the first time since Jerry Sloan’s last full season on the bench (2009-10). Offensively, their assist rate has dropped, but their turnover rate has gone down even more (from 15.8 to 13.6 per 100 possessions). Rodney Hood has taken the next step, though his mid-range shooting (60 percent) obviously isn’t sustainable.

This week: vs. MEM, vs. CHI, @ HOU, @ DEN

9. Chicago Bulls

Last week: 14

Record: 6-4

Pace: 98.2 (21) OffRtg: 107.3 (9) DefRtg: 103.4 (14) NetRtg: +3.9 (10)

Jimmy Butler had a couple of huge games (39 and 37 points) last week, but the rest of the Chicago offense didn’t really come along for the ride. Butler has seen a big jump in both free throw rate (from 46 attempts per 100 shots from the field last season to 62 – most among non-bigs – this season) and free throw percentage (from 83 percent to 89 percent). The only East team that hasn’t yet played the West now plays 10 of its next 14 games against the opposite conference, and the first four of those games are against teams with winning records.

This week: @ POR, @ UTA, @ LAC, @ LAL

10. Portland Trail Blazers

Last week: 9

Record: 7-4

Pace: 101.0 (8) OffRtg: 104.6 (14) DefRtg: 106.9 (24) NetRtg: -2.3 (18)

The Blazers are 7-1 against teams that aren’t the Clippers or Warriors, but six of the seven wins were within five points in the last five minutes. Their bench has been shaky (they’ve been outscored by 18.2 points per 100 possessions with Evan Turner on the floor), but they’ve been the league’s second best fourth-quarter team, outscoring their opponents by 15.8 points per 100 possessions. Damian Lillard (8-for-18) and C.J. McCollum (9-for-17) have combined to shoot 17-for-35 (49 percent) in the fourth quarter and overtime.

This week: vs. CHI, @ HOU, @ NOP, @ BKN

11. Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week: 5

Record: 6-4

Pace: 102.2 (6) OffRtg: 100.1 (23) DefRtg: 100.6 (7) NetRtg: -0.5 (17)

The Thunder’s first seven games were about offensive regression and defensive improvement. But they’ve scored 107 points per 100 possessions and allowed 115 over a three-game losing streak. Andre Roberson started making some threes and Russell Westbrook was 6-for-10 on clutch shots against the Clippers and Magic (putting up 41, 12 and 16 on Sunday), but that wasn’t good enough, as their opponents made five of six clutch threes and Serge Ibaka beat them with a baseline jumper. With the Thunder last year, Ibaka got just two shots in the final minute with the score within three.

This week: vs. @ DET, vs. HOU, vs. BKN, vs. IND

12. Boston Celtics

Last week: 13

Record: 5-4

Pace: 100.1 (13) OffRtg: 109.3 (4) DefRtg: 107.2 (26) NetRtg: +2.1 (11)

The Celtics have been without Al Horford for the last six games and without Jae Crowder for the last five. But they finally got around to defending in back-to-back wins over the weekend, holding both the Knicks and Pacers under a point per possession. And though the absences of Horford and Crowder have challenged their depth, it was their bench (including James Young) that came up big in Indy. Only two of their next 11 games are against teams that currently have winning records.

This week: @ NOP, vs. DAL, vs. GSW, @ DET

13. Houston Rockets

Last week: 15

Record: 5-4

Pace: 99.2 (17) OffRtg: 107.6 (7) DefRtg: 107.8 (27) NetRtg: -0.2 (15)

Starting Corey Brewer helped the Rockets get off to stronger defensive starts in two of their last three games, and Eric Gordon had a huge game (27 points, 7-for-12 from 3-point range) off the bench in Saturday’s loss to the Spurs. Patrick Beverley’s likely return this week gives Mike D’Antoni more flexibility on the perimeter, but he has only played a super-floor-spacing lineup – with Ryan Anderson at the five – for about seven minutes thus far. James Harden is averaging 30.3 points (with an effective field goal percentage of 60.4 percent), 8.5 rebounds and 14.2 assists in six November games.

This week: vs. PHI, @ OKC, vs. POR, vs. UTA

14. Los Angeles Lakers

Last week: 11

Record: 6-5

Pace: 102.1 (7) OffRtg: 106.3 (11) DefRtg: 105.5 (18) NetRtg: +0.9 (13)

Bench scoring can be a misleading statistic, but the Lakers not only lead the league in bench scoring (51.3 points per game), they also rank sixth in aggregate bench NetRtg, having outscored their opponents by 16 points per 100 possessions in 202 minutes with four or five reserves on the floor. Their defense got smoked in Minnesota on Sunday and will continue to be tested. After hosting the Nets on Tuesday, they play seven of their next nine games against top-10 offenses.

This week: vs. BKN, vs. SAS, vs. CHI

15. Milwaukee Bucks

Last week: 17

Record: 5-4

Pace: 98.6 (18) OffRtg: 104.1 (15) DefRtg: 102.3 (10) NetRtg: +1.8 (12)

The Bucks have lost to two of the worst teams in the league – Dallas and New Orleans – and have the league’s worst road offense (90 points scored per 100 possessions). But they keep finding ways to score at home. Jabari Parker has averaged 22 points in November and when he had an off shooting night against Memphis on Saturday, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points on just 13 shots while coming one steal and one block from a 5 x 5 game. Rookie Malcolm Brogdon has provided important contributions in a few of the Bucks’ wins.

This week: @ ATL, @ MIA, vs. GSW

16. Detroit Pistons

Last week: 12

Record: 5-5

Pace: 97.2 (22) OffRtg: 99.9 (24) DefRtg: 100.3 (5) NetRtg: -0.5 (16)

The Pistons finally got their first road win of the season, salvaging a four-game trip by getting into the paint early and often in Denver when the perimeter shots weren’t falling. After scoring 36 points in the first 12 minutes on Saturday, they’ve scored 107.5 per 100 possessions in the first quarter of games and just 97.3 over quarters 2-4. The road trip is over, but the schedule remains tough. Eleven of their next 14 games are against teams that currently have winning records.

This week: vs. OKC, @ NYK, @ CLE, vs. BOS

17. Memphis Grizzlies

Last week: 21

Record: 4-5

Pace: 97.0 (23) OffRtg: 97.1 (28) DefRtg: 103.9 (15) NetRtg: -6.8 (26)

The Grizzlies are on their way to another season where their record is much better than their point differential says it should be. They’ve lost three of their last four games, with the win coming against Denver on Marc Gasol’s buzzer-beating alley-oop after a couple of calls were missed. Vince Carter has had a bit of a renaissance the last two games (37 points on 15-for-24 shooting), but the Grizz rank last offensively (by a wide margin) in November, with six of their next nine games against top-10 defenses.

This week: @ UTA, @ LAC, @ DAL, vs. MIN

18. Brooklyn Nets

Last week: 25

Record: 4-5

Pace: 104.2 (2) OffRtg: 102.9 (17) DefRtg: 102.3 (11) NetRtg: +0.5 (14)

At this point, the Nets’ only healthy point guard is a not-quite 6-foot, undrafted rookie – Yogi Ferrell – who they signed on Wednesday. But they scored 114 points per 100 possessions (with six guys averaging double-figures) in their two wins last week. After a really rough start to the season (4-for-23 in his first five games), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been filling up the boxscore and providing a positive impact. In their five November games, the Nets have been at their best (plus-16.2 points per 100 possessions) with him on the floor.

This week: @ LAC, @ LAL, @ OKC, vs. POR

19. Minnesota Timberwolves

Last week: 27

Record: 3-6

Pace: 98.3 (20) OffRtg: 110.4 (2) DefRtg: 106.4 (22) NetRtg: +4.0 (9)

Andrew Wiggins leads the league in 3-point percentage and has been more of a jump-shooter this season than he was in his first two. But in Sunday’s win over the Lakers, 33 of his career-high 47 points came at the basket or from the free throw line. That wasn’t his only big game last week; He’s averaged 33.5 points (and even 3.5 assists over his last four). Believe it or not, Tom Thibodeau is coaching a top-two offense and a bottom-10 defense, which is probably driving him crazy. The No. 3 defense comes to town on Tuesday.

This week: vs. CHA, vs. PHI, @ MEM

20. Indiana Pacers

Last week: 18

Record: 4-6

Pace: 100.9 (10) OffRtg: 103.6 (16) DefRtg: 108.3 (29) NetRtg: -4.7 (23)

Paul George’s absence against the Celtics on Saturday gave the Pacers their first home loss. They’re still winless on the road because they were the first team to lose to the Sixers (after needing overtime to beat them at home two days earlier). Myles Turner got just six shots and just 15 frontcourt touches in 21 minutes in the Philly loss on Friday. He’s scoring more efficiently (and shooting a league-best 60 percent from mid-range), but his usage rate hasn’t budged much from his rookie year.

This week: vs. ORL, vs. CLE, vs. PHX, @ OKC

21. Sacramento Kings

Last week: 22

Record: 4-7

Pace: 95.3 (29) OffRtg: 102.4 (18) DefRtg: 107.1 (25) NetRtg: -4.7 (21)

Dave Joerger has slowed the Kings down considerably. After leading the league in pace last season, they rank 29th this year. That may be one reason why eight of their 11 games (including each of the last four) have been within five points in the last five minutes. They fought back from a double-digit deficit in Portland on Friday, but couldn’t get stops in overtime. They’re now in the middle of four days off before a five-game homestand. But the five teams coming to town have a cumulative record of 34-14.

This week: vs. SAS, vs. LAC, vs. TOR

22. Orlando Magic

Last week: 20

Record: 4-6

Pace: 95.9 (26) OffRtg: 99.2 (26) DefRtg: 108.3 (28) NetRtg: -9.1 (29)

The Magic roller coaster keeps going up and down, with two three-game losing streaks sandwiching a three-game winning streak. The latter losing streak, in which they were outscored by more than 21 points per 100 possessions was particularly brutal. But Serge Ibaka’s incredible return to Oklahoma City on Sunday (career-high 31 points, four blocks and the game-winning jumper) and their best offensive game of the season (against what was a top-five defense) got them back on the winning side, with five of their next six games against teams that currently have losing records.

This week: @ IND, vs. NOP, vs. DAL

23. Dallas Mavericks

Last week: 24

Record: 2-6

Pace: 95.6 (27) OffRtg: 100.3 (21) DefRtg: 103.0 (13) NetRtg: -2.7 (19)

The Mavs have played five of their eight games without Dirk Nowitzki, who they hope to have back in New York on Monday. Nowitzki’s absence has allowed Harrison Barnes to take over the offense, and Barnes’ true shooting percentage is at a career-high 57.8 percent with his usage rate having seen a huge jump. But he has taken 65 percent of his shots from between the restricted area and the 3-point line, down from 40 percent in his four seasons with the Warriors. If his mid-range shooting comes back down to earth a bit, he’ll need to get to the basket more.

This week: @ NYK, @ BOS, vs. MEM, @ ORL

24. Miami Heat

Last week: 19

Record: 2-6

Pace: 96.9 (24) OffRtg: 96.9 (29) DefRtg: 100.8 (8) NetRtg: -3.9 (20)

Things have gone downhill quickly for the Heat. They’ve lost four straight, scoring just 95 points per 100 possessions and losing their best offensive player – Goran Dragic – to an ankle injury along the way. Dion Waiters, the starting point guard in Saturday’s loss to Utah, has shown some passing ability, but not enough to keep the offense afloat. He has shot a brutal 32 percent in the restricted area and the Heat have scored a paltry 91.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor (and 106.7 with him off).

This week: @ SAS, vs. ATL, vs. MIL, @ WAS

25. Denver Nuggets

Last week: 16

Record: 3-7

Pace: 102.4 (5) OffRtg: 99.7 (25) DefRtg: 105.6 (19) NetRtg: -5.9 (25)

After Tuesday’s buzzer-beater in Memphis, the Nuggets’ last three losses haven’t been quite so heartbreaking. Rather, they’ve each come via that one bad quarter in which Denver has been outscored by at least 15 points. One positive from the four-game losing streak has been rookie Jamal Murray starting to provide some offense (12.5 points per game). Still, they could use a healthy Will Barton, who has missed the last seven games. Mike Malone has already broken up the Jokic-Nurkic combo, replacing Nikola Jokic in the starting lineup with Kenneth Faried and not playing Jokic with Jusuf Nurkic in either of the last two games.

This week: vs. PHX, vs. TOR, vs. UTA

26. New York Knicks

Last week: 23

Record: 3-6

Pace: 100.2 (11) OffRtg: 101.6 (19) DefRtg: 109.6 (30) NetRtg: -7.9 (28)

The Knicks picked up six technical fouls in Friday’s loss in Boston, but that wasn’t the only game in which fouls (technical or otherwise) were an issue. In fact, over their last four games, their opponents (35.8 per game) have attempted 74 more free throws than they have (17.3 per game). When you rank worse than the league average (50.1 percent effective field goal percentage) in both shooting offense (49.2 percent) and shooting defense (50.9 percent), you can’t get beat (badly or just by a little) at the line. Some relief could come this week with three straight games against bottom-10 offenses.

This week: vs. DAL, vs. DET, @ WAS, vs. ATL

27. Phoenix Suns

Last week: 26

Record: 3-8

Pace: 105.1 (1) OffRtg: 100.9 (20) DefRtg: 106.2 (21) NetRtg: -5.3 (24)

The Suns had a weird weekend. They played better on the second night of a home-road back-to-back at Golden State than they did on the first night vs. Brooklyn. And while both games were close late, they both quickly got out of hand in similar fashion, a 17-0 run from the Nets on Saturday and a 22-3 run from the Warriors on Sunday. Phoenix has played a league-high nine games that were within five points in the last five minutes and play their next seven against teams that currently have losing records.

This week: @ DEN, @ IND, @ PHI

28. Washington Wizards

Last week: 28

Record: 2-7

Pace: 98.4 (19) OffRtg: 100.1 (22) DefRtg: 104.8 (17) NetRtg: -4.7 (22)

Otto Porter had a break-out game (34 points and 14 rebounds) in Wednesday’s big win over the Celtics, but the Wizards’ offense returned to its anemic state over the weekend, as Bradley Beal missed both games with a hamstring injury and John Wall sat out the second one (because it was a back-to-back). After playing seven of their first nine games against teams currently over .500, now’s the time to turn things around. Their next five games are against teams currently below .500, but, of course, they have another back-to-back this week.

This week: @ PHI, vs. NYK, vs. MIA



29. New Orleans Pelicans

Last week: 29

Record: 1-9

Pace: 101.0 (9) OffRtg: 98.6 (27) DefRtg: 105.9 (20) NetRtg: -7.3 (27)

The Pelicans actually withstood Stephen Curry’s 3-point record for most of the night on Monday. Still, they needed two more games to get off the schneid, scoring 68 points in less than 29 minutes with Anthony Davis playing center in Milwaukee on Thursday. In general, they’ve been better (especially defensively) with Davis at the four. Jrue Holiday is expected to return this week, but Davis had another injury scare in Saturday’s loss to the Lakers.

30. Philadelphia 76ers

Last week: 30

Record: 1-8

Pace: 99.8 (14) OffRtg: 93.8 (30) DefRtg: 106.6 (23) NetRtg: -12.8 (30)

Friday’s game against Indiana looked like another “Oh, Sixers” moment, as they blew a five-point lead with less than 25 seconds left with another late-game turnover and the dumbest foul of the season. But they forsook Joel Embiid’s minutes restriction to bring him back for the last two minutes of overtime to score the final five points of their first win. Thus far, The Process has had a bigger impact on defense, where the Sixers have allowed 8.1 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor (101.0) than with him on the bench (109.1).

This week: @ HOU, vs. WAS, @ MIN, vs. PHX