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OKC Thunder week 5 power rankings – Continued progress and TI’s top 10

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Russell Westbrook, OKC Thunder (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Russell Westbrook, OKC Thunder (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Power Ranking
Damian Lillard, (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers:

Hitting the road turned out to expose problem areas for the previously top five ranked team on both sides of the hardwood. Week five also pushed the Blazers out of my top five. Still, Portland remains top 10 offensively and defensively. They did retain their standing in the  one column which I give most credence to which is point differential.

Moving forward we’ll need to keep an eye on whether the road issues continue. Fortunately for the Blazers their six game road trip will be followed by five at home.

Damian Lillard has been spectacular this season. It sure feels like he is on a mission to prove their sweep from last season’s playoffs was a one time blip and he spent the offseason prepping to make sure of it. Given Lillard’s ability to use “chip on his shoulder” motivation better than any player in the NBA I’m not sure I would bet against him.

Factors:

Offensive Rating: 6th
Defensive Rating:  8th
Net Differential:  3rd
Offensive field goal efficiency: 45.2 percent (16th)
Opponent field goal efficiency:  45.0 percent (12th)
Win/Loss 1-2: Losses to the Lakers and Wolves with a win over the Wizards.
Record: 11-5

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