3. Cleveland Cavaliers (8-2)
Last Week: 2
The Cavs have played some close games against less talented opponents, but continued to find ways to win.
All the times playing catch up may have caught up with them Saturday night in a double overtime thriller in Milwaukee, but even so, they are doing this without their starting backcourt.
Kevin Love is playing similar to his days in Minnesota and LeBron is playing like an MVP candidate.
It will be hard to measure the true greatness of this team until Kyrie Irving returns, but if Love keeps it up they should be even better than last season.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (6-4)
Last Week: 5
The Clippers have been playing without Chris Paul and J.J. Reddick the past few games, but are still getting by and pulled off an impressive win over the Detroit Pistons Saturday, in which Jamal Crawford scored 37 points in a fill in start.
Austin Rivers is a serviceable backup to Paul, and when LA is healthy they will be tough to take down.
5. Atlanta Hawks (8-4)
Last Week: 3
After a 7-1 start, the Hawks lost three of their last four games.
The Western Conference teams have been beating each other up lately, though, so Atlanta still has the fourth best record in the NBA.
The East is a much more competitive conference this season, so maybe Atlanta won’t have such an easy time getting to the conference finals in 2016.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder (6-4)
Last Week: 6
Already? Durant is hurt already?
At least it’s nothing serious, but he will miss a few games at best.
We saw last year what the Thunder was able to do without him, and that was simply put, stand around and watch Russell Westbrook lead them to the ninth seed.
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