NBA Power Rankings: Milwaukee Bucks reclaim top spot after Week 5

Last week: Lost at Clippers 90-88, lost at Lakers 112-107, lost to Lakers 130-127

This week: Monday at Golden State, Wednesday at Portland, Friday vs. New Orleans

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been in nearly every game this season, but they’ve had some trouble finishing. Such was the case last week, when the Thunder lost three games to the two Los Angeles teams by a total of 10 points.

Based on Basketball-Reference’s Phythagorean Wins calculation, Oklahoma City could be expected to be 7-8 based on their net scoring numbers. Instead, they are 5-10 with five losses in their last six games — four of those defeats by five points or fewer.

The Thunder will be without Hamidou Diallo (elbow) on Monday night against the Warriors and didn’t have Nerlens Noel for Friday’s loss to the Lakers due to an illness, while Andre Roberson has yet to play this season as he attempts to return from a knee injury that cost him all of last season.

Chris Paul had a very up-and-down week for Oklahoma City, scoring 22 points in the loss to the Clippers before scoring a total of 22 points in the two losses to the Lakers. For the week, he averaged 14.7 points, 7.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 steals in 31.8 minutes per game, shooting 39.3 percent overall and going 4-for-12 from deep.

Last week: Lost to Indiana 115-86, beat Charlotte 101-91, beat Sacramento 116-97, won at New York 103-101

This week: Monday at Cleveland, Wednesday at Boston, Friday vs. Boston

With four wins in their last five games, the Brooklyn Nets have climbed to the .500 mark for the first time since they were 1-1 on Oct. 25. Coincidentally, both wins that got Brooklyn to the break-even point have come against the New York Knicks.

The 4-1 mark over their last five games coincides also with Kyrie Irving‘s absence due to a right shoulder impingement. Irving has already been ruled out for the rest of Brooklyn’s current road trip, which continues Monday night at Cleveland and finished up Wednesday in Boston. In case you hadn’t heard, there is a theory Irving is ducking his former team(s).

The Nets were hammered at home by the Pacers on Monday before bouncing back with three straight wins.

Spencer Dinwiddie carried much of the load in the win at Madison Square Garden Sunday night with 30 points, four rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes as he continues to start at the point in Irving’s stead. In four games, Dinwiddie averaged 25.3 points, 6.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals on 43.7 percent shooting overall, hitting just 32.1 percent on 7.0 3-point tries a night.