The San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons are making significant leaps in the latest NBA power rankings. The Eastern Conference is performing better than expected, with its top teams holding a 16-10 record against the West entering Wednesday.
In the most recent NBA power rankings from CBS Sports, the Spurs and Pistons highlight upward momentum early in the season. The Eastern Conference has surprised observers, posting a 16-10 record for its top 10 teams against Western Conference opponents as of Wednesday. Teams like Miami, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee are exceeding preseason expectations, contributing to the East's strong start.
Despite the East's gains, the Western Conference remains dominant, claiming five of the top seven spots in the rankings. Detroit is on the rise, while Cleveland and New York have established themselves as legitimate contenders. The Oklahoma City Thunder, with just one loss, lead the chase after dismantling the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. The Houston Rockets, powered by their twin-tower frontcourt, continue to overwhelm opponents with size and physicality.
The Los Angeles Lakers maintain steady performance without LeBron James. Rankings balance current results with reasonable projections over the next few weeks, emphasizing wins but tempering moves based on schedule strength. For instance, beating weaker teams may not yield dramatic shifts if a team is overperforming temporarily.