Six of the nine best teams in the league will match up during this year's Christmas Day slate. But Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't have to wait until the holiday to make a statement, posting 37 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in a win over the Lakers on Thursday and crowning himself the new king of the NBA along the way.

That win has the Bucks at the top of the Power Rankings for a fourth straight week, and barring any serious issues with the team that has won 21 of its last 22 games, it could keep them there for a few more. But there's plenty of intrigue beyond No. 1, and the Western Conference is looking a little stronger as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers push themselves into playoff position with four-game winning streaks.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Enjoy the hoops.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: Oklahoma City (4-0) -- The Thunder won the first four games of a five-game homestand, pulling off two crazy comebacks and beating Paul George and the Clippers on Sunday.

Oklahoma City (4-0) -- The Thunder won the first four games of a five-game homestand, pulling off two crazy comebacks and beating Paul George and the Clippers on Sunday. Something Just Ain't Right: Detroit (0-4) -- The Pistons were seemingly on a surge, entering Week 9 having won five of their last seven games. Then they dropped four straight, including home games vs. Washington and Chicago, by an average of 15 points.

East vs. West

The East and West are even (80-80) in interconference games after the West went 10-8 last week.

Schedule strength through Week 9

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

1. Cleveland, 2. Atlanta, 3. New Orleans Easiest: 1. Brooklyn, 2. San Antonio, 3. Indiana

1. Brooklyn, 2. San Antonio, 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: Cleveland (+6), Portland (+6), Chicago (+5)

Cleveland (+6), Portland (+6), Chicago (+5) Free falls of the week: Minnesota (-5), Charlotte (-4), Dallas (-4), Detroit (-4)

Week 10 Team to Watch

Philadelphia -- After hosting the Bucks on Christmas, the Sixers have a weekend back-to-back in Florida, looking to avenge last week's loss to the Heat on Saturday.

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 108.5 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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