Oklahoma City Thunder make a move in NBA Power Rankings; Bucks still No. 1

Last week: Beat Charlotte 107-85, beat Lakers 105-102, beat Sacramento 119-105

This week: Sunday at Milwaukee, Monday vs. Toronto, Friday at Miami

The Indiana Pacers have run their winning streak to five after sweeping a three-game homestand last week, including handing the Lakers just their second road loss of the season (at the time). The Indiana defense continues to be outstanding, holding opponents to a 49.7 effective field goal percentage, the third-lowest mark in the NBA, per Cleaning the Glass.

And this is all without former All-Defensive selection Victor Oladipo, who should be returning at some point in the near future (but is still without a time frame).

Domantas Sabonis continued his strong play, averaging 17.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 33.8 minutes per game last week, shooting 55.3 percent overall and making 1-of-2 from deep. That included a 26-point, 10-rebound night in the win over the Lakers, which was his 13th consecutive game with a double-double.

Last week: Beat New York 111-105, beat Orlando 113-104, beat Minnesota 109-100

This week: Sunday at Lakers, Monday at Phoenix, Wednesday vs. New Orleans, Saturday vs. Memphis

The Denver Nuggets have responded well to their first slump of the season, following up a stretch of five losses in six games with a 5-0 homestand, including going 3-0 last week. Denver doesn’t score much and doesn’t get to the line often, but they are second in the NBA in both defensive rating (103.9) and opponents’ effective field goal percentage (49.4), per Cleaning the Glass.

Nikola Jokic is showing signs of breaking out of a bit of an early-season funk, averaging 21.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.3 blocks in 33.0 minutes per game last week, shooting 51.9 percent overall and making 6-of-13 from 3-point range. He recorded his 33rd career triple-double against the Timberwolves, tying Bob Cousy for 10th-most all-time.