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Week 5 NBA Power Ranking – OKC Thunder stay in the mix despite winless week

By Tamberlyn Richardson

NOVEMBER 9: The OKC Thunder stand during the National Anthem before the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 9, 2019 (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
NOVEMBER 9: The OKC Thunder stand during the National Anthem before the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 9, 2019 (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Team Previews
OKC Thunder Team Previews: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Sacramento Kings:

Offense: (106.7) – 19th
Defense: (110.2) – 20th
Net: (-3.6) -23rd

Record: 7-8
Games Week 5: (2-1) Wins vs. Suns, Wizards, lost to Nets
Games Week 6 (3 games): Mon, Nov. 25 at Celtics | Weds, Nov. 26 at 76ers | Sat, Nov. 29 vs. Nuggets

Entering week six the Kings have won seven of their last ten games and possessed the best offense in the NBA since November 1st. Coincidentally, prior to the Friday loss to the Nets, Sacramento’s only losses were to the Raptors and Lakers. And, the Lakers game was lost on LeBron James free throws for a foul the league admitted the next day should’ve been on James.

To think the Kings have kept their heads above water without either De’Aaron Fox or Marvin Bagley in the lineup is quite frankly surprising.  Could it be the effect of Luke Walton on this club? The Kings are still struggling defensively and it’s doubtful the two young stars will move the needle much when they return.

That said, young clubs typically take a few months to grasp new and more aggressive defensive schemes so keep an eye on this moving forward in the season.

Much like the Pelicans could still be in the mix for a bottom playoff berth so too could the Kings.

Bogdan Bogdanovic scored a career-high 31 points in the winning effort over the Suns.

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