Week 7 Power Rankings: Cavaliers regain top spot, Rockets climb into Top 5

As we enter Week 7 of the season, Monday's four-game slate will mark the completion of a quarter of the league's 1,230 games.

The quarter mark (when teams have played about 20 games) is when you can look at a team’s record and believe that it means something.

Over the last 20 full (82-game) seasons, 84% of teams that have won at least 11 of their first 20 games have gone on to make the playoffs. Only 13% of teams that won fewer than nine of their first 20 games eventually made the playoffs.

There are nine Western Conference teams, including four that missed the playoffs last season, in that former group (11-9 or better through 20 games) this season, and they could be joined by the Denver Nuggets (10-8) this week. So there will be some tough trimming in the West this season.

The latter group (8-12 or worse through 20 games) includes two teams — the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers — that made the playoffs last season. Geography offers some hope for Philly, and both teams have defied the odds in the past. New Orleans made the playoffs (via the SoFi Play-In Tournament) after a 4-16 start three seasons ago, while the Sixers did likewise (after a 6-14 start) in 2010-11.

If the time for a turnaround hasn’t passed already, it’s right now.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Right Way: Franz Wagner (ORL) was a plus-80 in four games last week.Wrong Way: Dejounte Murray (NOP) was a minus-73 in three games last week.

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: Houston (3-0) — The Rockets may just hang out in the top five of these rankings for a while.Something Just Ain’t Right: Golden State (0-3) — It may be time to tighten up the rotation.

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East vs. West

The West is 50-33 (.602) against the East in interconference games, though the East was 8-6 last week.

Schedule strength through Week 6

Toughest: 1. Washington, 2. Chicago, 3. BrooklynEasiest: 1. Miami, 2. Memphis, 3. ClevelandSchedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record.

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Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the week: Atlanta (+5), Phoenix (+4)Free falls of the week: Golden State (-5), Denver (-4), Charlotte (-3), Portland (-3)

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Week 7 Team to Watch

Minnesota — The Wolves also need to figure things out sooner rather than later, especially with four big games within the Western Conference this week. They’ll finish a four-game homestand with a visit from the Lakers on Monday before embarking on a three-game trip with visits to L.A. (to play the Clippers) and Golden State (x 2).

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Previously…

Last week: Celtics take over No. 1 spot; Magic, Clippers enter Top 10The 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 112.7 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.7 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.

* = Emirates NBA Cup game

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.