Week 14 Power Rankings: Rockets soar to No. 3; Bucks knocking on the door of Top 10

We've made it to the halfway point of the season, and it's been full of unexpected twists and turns.

If we look back at the the Week 1 Power Rankings (published the day before opening night), we see that the Houston Rockets (18th in those initial rankings), Memphis Grizzlies (17th) and LA Clippers (20th) are the teams that have most exceeded expectations. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers (eighth), Phoenix Suns (sixth) and New Orleans Pelicans (12th) have been the biggest disappointments.

Injuries have been a factor for two of those three disappointing teams and … there’s still half of a season to go!

We probably can’t expect a team to repeat the turnaround of the 2016-17 Miami Heat (11-30 in their first 41 games, 30-11 in their last 41), but we can expect some more surprises and disappointments in the next three months.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Right Way: Norman Powell (LAC) was a plus-104 in four games last week.Wrong Way: Kelly Oubre Jr. (PHI) was a minus-66 in four games last week.

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: New Orleans (3-0) — Rising from the abyss…Something Just Ain’t Right: Chicago (0-4) — The Bulls probably should have won all four of those games.

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East vs. West

The West is 114-86 (.570) against the East in interconference games after going 17-7 last week.

Schedule strength through Week 13

Toughest: 1. Washington, 2. Toronto, 3. BrooklynEasiest: 1. Cleveland, 2. New York, 3. MilwaukeeSchedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record.

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Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the week: Atlanta (+4), New Orleans (+4)Free falls of the week: Orlando (-6), Chicago (-3)

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Week 14 Team to Watch

Boston — Maybe a road trip will do the Celtics some good. They’ll begin a four-game trip against the Warriors on Monday, also visiting the Clippers, Lakers and Mavs before the week is done.

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Previously…

Last week: Cavs, Thunder a step above the rest as season nears halfway pointThe archive: NBA.com Power Rankings

OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

The league has averaged 112.8 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.7 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.

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, contact him via Bluesky.