USA TODAY Sports' NBA power rankings: Week 4

9. Philadelphia 76ers - This marks the first time this season that the Sixers — who snapped their 44-game October/November losing streak last week — aren't at the bottom of our rankings.

28. Brooklyn Nets - The Nets are on a seven-game losing streak and have the league's third-worst point differential (-8.6)

27. Phoenix Suns - The Suns beat Orlando this week (92-87) but lost close games to Washington (106-101) and Minnesota (98-95).

26. Orlando Magic - Four straight losses — all against teams not currently in the playoff picture — moves the Magic down five spots.

25. Washington Wizards - The Wizards still aren't anywhere near preseason expectations, but they made progress this week with back-to-back wins over Phoenix and Orlando.

24. Sacramento Kings - The Kings went 3-1 this week, with back-to-back wins over Toronto and Oklahoma City.

23. Denver Nuggets - This week, the Nuggets followed up two wins against Utah and Chicago with two losses against Utah and Oklahoma City.

22. Miami Heat - Despite a pedestrian 5-11 record, Miami has the NBA's fifth-ranked defense (100.7 rating).

21. New Orleans Pelicans - Since the return of Jrue Holiday, the Pelicans — who started out 2-8 — have found new life. They've won four of their last five.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves - With three starters 21 years old and a new head coach, patience is a virtue for Minnesota.

19. Milwaukee Bucks - Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging a career-high 22.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.9 steals, but the Bucks can't seem to get any sort of win streak going.

18. Los Angeles Lakers - A victim of back-to-back games against the Golden State Warriors and injuries to D'Angelo Russell, Nick Young and Julius Randle, the Lakers came back down to earth a bit this week.

17. Indiana Pacers - Paul George, who has missed five games this season with back and ankle ailments, called a players-only meeting on Thanksgiving — the day after the Pacers suffered their ninth loss of the season. They're not in panic mode ... yet.

T-15. New York Knicks - The Knicks went 3-1 this week, with wins over Charlotte, Portland and Atlanta.

T-15. Detroit Pistons - Until starting point guard Reggie Jackson (knee) returns, expect the Pistons to continue to flirt with .500.

14. Portland Trail Blazers - The Blazers boast one of the NBA's most high-powered offenses, but they have a league-worst 109.3 defensive rating and have lost five of their last seven.

13. Boston Celtics - The Celtics have gotten out to an unexpectedly slow start, but with Al Horford and Jae Crowder back in the lineup, they have won three of their last four. They could crack our top 10 sooner rather than later.

12. Charlotte Hornets - After an 8-3 start, the Hornets have lost four of their last five.

T-10. Utah Jazz - After going on a four-game skid, the Jazz bounced back this week with convincing wins over the Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks by a total of 52 points.

10. Oklahoma City Thunder - Russell Westbrook has a league-leading seven triple-doubles through 18 games. He also has the league's highest usage rate (41.4) and the Thunder have lost three of their last five.

9. Houston Rockets - Behind one of the NBA's deadliest offensive players in James Harden, the Rockets have come back strong after a disappointing 41-41 finish last year.

8. Memphis Grizzlies - Winners of eight of their last 10, the Mike Conley-led Grizzlies seem destined for their seventh straight playoff appearance.

7. Atlanta Hawks - After jumping out to a 9-2 start, the Hawks have faltered as of late, losing four of their last five games.

T-5. Chicago Bulls - One of the NBA's most pleasant surprises, the Bulls — led by a surging Jimmy Butler averaging career-highs across the board — are looking like the real deal.

T-5. Toronto Raptors - Led by DeMar DeRozan (30.2 ppg), the Raptors — who finished 2015-16 with a franchise-best 56 wins — have looked like the East's second-best team thus far.

4. San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs are quietly on a nine-game winning streak and are on pace for a 65-plus win season. What else is new?

3. Cleveland Cavaliers - With the Big Three of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love all playing phenomenal basketball, the defending champs are off to the best 14-game start in franchise history.

2. Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers rank third in the NBA in both offensive (111.4) and defensive (99.2) rating.