NBA Power Rankings: Philadelphia 76ers the last unbeaten after Week 2

Last week: Won vs. Charlotte 111-96, lost at Utah 110-96, won vs. San Antonio 103-97, won vs. Utah 105-94

This week: Wednesday vs. Milwaukee, Thursday vs. Portland

The LA Clippers continue to hold their own without Paul George, going 3-1 last week including splitting double-digit decisions with Utah.

Newly acquired Kawhi Leonard has been as advertised, averaging 29.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks in 30.5 minutes per game, but he was held out of the game at Utah on the front end of a back-to-back. That’s an issue that could come up again this week.

The Clippers have a fairly odd schedule this week, with just two games … but two games in a Wednesday-Thursday homecourt back-to-back. If LA follows the load-management plan the Raptors had for Leonard last season, Leonard will sit against either the Bucks or Trail Blazers. Leonard has not played both ends of a back-to-back since April 4-5, 2017.

LA is a surprising 17th in defensive efficiency, per Cleaning the Glass, giving up 107.9 points per 100 possessions, but are second in offensive rating at 113.1. Expect that defense to tighten up when George comes back. He’s on target to return some time later this month.

Last week: Won at Denver 109-106, lost to Lakers 119-110 (OT), won at Cleveland 131-111

This week: Wednesday vs. Orlando, Friday vs. New York, Saturday at Memphis

There’s a fair possibility Kristaps Porzingis has Friday, Nov. 8, circled in red on his calendar. That will be the first time Porzingis will face the New York Knicks since being traded by them to the Dallas Mavericks back in January. Porzingis is putting up numbers in his first game action in 20 months, but efficiency is a work in progress.

He’s played in all six games for Dallas thus far, averaging 20.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.2 assists in 32.4 minutes, with a shooting line of .430/.385/.688.

But a key factor in the Mavericks’ solid start is a bench unit that is outscoring its opponents by 14.4 points per game, with newly signed Delon Wright helping to lead the charge. After starting two of the first three games, Wright was on the second unit for all three games last week, helping lead Dallas to a win at Denver.

He had 12 points, six assists and three rebounds in 24 minutes and was a plus-30 in three games last week, trailing only Tim Hardaway Jr. and Boban Marjanovic on the club.

Last week: Lost at Philadelphia 117-95, won at Washington 131-109

This week: Monday vs. Milwaukee, Wednesday at Memphis, Friday vs. Golden State, Sunday vs. Denver

The Minnesota Timberwolves had a light week, splitting a pair of 22-point decisions on the road. On Wednesday, Karl-Anthony Towns was ejected along with Joel Embiid of the 76ers after the two tussled midway through the third quarter of the Timberwolves’ 117-95 loss, their first of the season.

Towns was suspended for two games, but Minnesota handled the first just fine, clobbering the Wizards in D.C., a night upon which three players scored at least 20 points, including rookie Jarrett Culver putting up 20 points in 26 minutes.

But after a litany of trade rumors swirling around him since last season, point guard Jeff Teague is off to a terrific start for the Wolves, averaging 13.8 points, 7.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 28.0 minutes per game. He’s shooting 51.1 percent overall and is 6-for-18 from 3-point range.

The 11th-year pro carved up Washington, with 15 points, 13 assists and three steals in 28 minutes, his first double-double since going for 20 points and 10 dimes in a win over the Knicks on March 10, the last game he played last season before undergoing a debridement procedure on his left ankle.