NBA Power Rankings: It's golden (State) at the top

Golden State More

1. Golden State Warriors (Record: 3-0; last week’s rank: 2): The Warriors are 3-0 for the first time in 20 years, and Klay Thompson is playing like an All-Star. The rival Clippers are up next.









Memphis More

2. Memphis Grizzlies (Record: 3-0; last week’s rank: 6): The Grizzlies are 3-0 for the first time in franchise history and have held opponents to less than 90 points the past two games.









Houston More

3. Houston Rockets (Record: 3-0; last week’s rank: 7): The Rockets have not allowed opponents to score more than 93 points and have outscored their opponents by a combined 43 points.









San Antonio More

4. San Antonio Spurs (Record: 1-1; last week’s rank: 1): The reigning NBA champions will be tested this week against the Hawks, Rockets and Pelicans.









Cleveland More

5. Cleveland Cavaliers (Record: 1-1; last week’s rank: 3): LeBron James and the Cavaliers embark on their first West Coast road trip with games at Portland, Utah and Denver.









Chicago More

6. Chicago Bulls (Record: 2-1; last week’s rank: 5): Good news for Chicago as oft-injured point guard Derrick Rose expects to return from his ankle injury on Tuesday against the Magic.









Los Angeles More

7. Los Angeles Clippers (Record: 2-1; last week’s rank: 4) Slow start so far with a three-point win over the Thunder sans Kevin Durant, a close win over the Lakers and a bad home loss to the Kings.









Dallas More

8. Dallas Mavericks (Record: 2-1; last week’s rank: 8): Dirk Nowitzki needs 105 points to pass Hakeem Olajuwon to become the top international scorer in NBA history.









Miami More

9. Miami Heat (Record: 3-0; last week’s rank: 11): The Heat are winning without LeBron James and are the only undefeated team in the East. Unbeaten Houston is up next.









Portland More

10. Portland Trail Blazers (Record: 1-2; last week’s rank: 9): The Blazers are off to a tough start and it doesn’t get any easier with the Cavaliers, Mavericks and Clippers on the docket.









Toronto More

11. Toronto Raptors (Record: 2-1; last week’s rank: 12): Drake, a Toronto fan, cheered for LeBron James in Miami, yet trash-talked with the Heat’s Mario Chalmers during Sunday’s Raptors loss.









New Orleans More

12. New Orleans Pelicans (Record: 1-1; last week’s rank: 13) Anthony Davis is averaging 28.5 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks. He faces Memphis’ Zach Randolph next.









Phoenix More

13. Phoenix Suns (Record: 2-1; last week’s rank: 15): Keep an eye on guard Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging a team-high 18.7 points off the bench.









Washington More

14. Washington Wizards (Record: 2-1; last week’s rank: 16): Otto Porter never reached double-figures in scoring in his forgettable rookie season, but is now averaging 12.7 points.









New York More

15. New York Knicks (Record: 2-1; last week’s rank: 19): After a bad season-opening loss to Chicago, the Knicks have rebounded with wins over the Cavaliers and Hornets.









Atlanta More

16. Atlanta Hawks (Record: 1-1; last week’s rank: 10): Injury-prone center Al Horford has started strong, averaging 16 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.









Sacramento More

17. Sacramento Kings (Record: 2-1; last week’s rank: 23): It’s early, but keep an eye on the Kings, who have wins over Portland and on the road against the Clippers.









Denver More

18. Denver Nuggets (Record: 1-1; last week’s rank: 17): Forward Danilo Gallinari, who missed last season with an ACL injury, scored seven points in each of his first two games.









Brooklyn More

19. Brooklyn Nets (Record: 1-1; last week’s rank: 18): Kevin Garnett looked like his old self – but not old – with 18 points and 14 rebounds in a win over Detroit on Saturday.

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