[NBA.com] Power Rankings: Week Three Deserves its own thread edition

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/2017-18-week-3#/

1

Last week:
6
Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 5-1
Pace: 96.7 (29) OffRtg: 104.5 (14) DefRtg: 97.2 (4) NetRtg: +7.4 (6)

The Grizzlies are undefeated with Chandler Parsons, who got a rest day in Dallas on Wednesday and finally had his breakout game against Houston on Saturday, making more shots from outside the paint (eight) than he did in his first eight games (six), including preseason. It's only two weeks, but it has to be noted that Parsons is now the official league-leader in 3-point percentage. As the Grizzlies' own shot selection gets more Houston-esque (they've turned mid-range shots into both more layups and more threes), they've held the Rockets, who have scored 109 points per 100 possessions in their other five games, to less than 93 per 100 in their two meetings. They'll face two top-10 offenses (those of the Magic and Clippers) this week.

Week 3: vs. CHA, vs. ORL, @ LAC, @ LAL

2

Last week:
1
Houston Rockets
Record: 5-2
Pace: 99.2 (23) OffRtg: 104.2 (16) DefRtg: 102.7 (15) NetRtg: +1.5 (14)

The Rockets remain undefeated against all teams that are not the Grizzlies, but injuries (to Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza) and illness (for Eric Gordon on Saturday) have kept their offense (which ranked No. 1 in the preseason) from finding its rhythm early on. James Harden's effective field goal percentage is up (he's been one of the league's best finishers in the restricted area), but his true shooting percentage is down, because, among 99 players who took at least 500 shots last season and have taken at least 50 shots this season, only Kyle Lowry has seen a bigger drop in free throw rate (FTA/FGA).

Week 3: vs. PHI, @ NYK, @ ATL, vs. UTA
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take home lesson: Adam Silver trying to kill Kyle Lowry's career