NBA Power Rankings - November 27, 2014

PF/C Marreese Speights is filling it up, averaging 11.5 points per game in less than 15 minutes of playing time per game, presenting some inside presence while the Warriors bomb away from behind the arc.

Key Injuries: PF David Lee (hamstring).

The Spurs are giving SF Kawhi Leonard more touches on offence, but could probably use something better than 27.0% from beyond the arc if he's going to get those looks.

Key Injuries: C Tiago Splitter (calf), SG Patty Mills (shoulder).

The Grizz have lost twice, by four at Toronto and by one at Milwaukee and SG Courtney Lee (shooting 56.1% on threes and averaging a career-high 13.5 ppg) has given the offence a jolt.

Key Injuries: None.

The Raptors have feasted on a soft schedule early in the year, but their wins have been decisive and were competitive in their two losses. If they are going to be legitimate contenders this year, though, they could really use C Jonas Valanciunas to take on a bigger role because, when he's on, Valanciunas can be a real asset in the paint.

Key Injuries: PF Tyler Hansbrough (shoulder).

Funny thing about the Rockets, whose offence is primarily three-pointers and plays at the rim, they haven't been particularly effective shooting threes, where their 35.3% ranks 15th in the league but, where they have excelled in in three-point defence, allowing a league-low 27.5% from beyond the arc.

Key Injuries: C Dwight Howard (knee), PF Terrence Jones (leg), PG Patrick Beverley (hamstring).

Winners of nine straight, the Blazers are rather top-heavy, with C Chris Kaman the only reserve putting up better than 5.0 points per game off the bench.

Key Injuries: SG C.J. McCollum (finger).

They aren't the heralded parts of the Mavericks offence, but C Tyson Chandler and PF/C Brandan Wright are ridiculously efficient when they get the ball around the basket. They have combined to shoot 72.5% from the field, generating 1.75 points per shot. 

Key Injuries: PG Raymond Felton (suspension).

The Kings lack depth, for the most part (F Omri Casspi has been solid off the bench) but have been successful early riding the big shoulders of C DeMarcus Cousins and SF Rudy Gay. An early surprise.

Key Injuries: None.

Improving defensively is the Clippers' main issue, but PF Blake Griffin, who shoots more than anyone on the roster, has been inefficient offensively, shooting a career-low 46.5% from the field and generating 1.17 points per shot, which is the lowest among any Clippers that average at least four shots per game.

Key Injuries: None.

The Bulls can score more, with SG Jimmy Butler turning into a star and PF Pau Gasol dominating in the post, but aren't quite the same lockdown defensive team and questions about PG Derrick Rose's health will persist for a while until he shows he can stay in the lineup for an extended period of time.

Key Injuries: PF Taj Gibson (ankle).

That there has been an adjustment period necessary isn't a huge shock, but it should be a little troubling that SG Dion Waiters is still attempting 10 shots per game while shooting 37.7% from the field.

Key Injuries: SG Matthew Dellavedova (knee).

PF Anthony Davis has been the league's best player, though his efficiency is countered by SFTyreke Evans, who is averaging 1.04 points per shot.

Key Injuries: SG Eric Gordon (shoulder).

PG Jeff Teague has steadily increased his points per game in each of his six seasons, up to a team-leading 18.3 points per game this season.

Key Injuries: None.

Two of the Suns' top three scorers come off the bench -- PG Isaiah Thomas (15.5 ppg) and SF Gerald Green (14.8 ppg) -- though the team's top five scorers all range between 14.4 and 15.5 points per game. Balanced.

Key Injuries: None.

Got off to a rough start (2-7), but have won five of six since, but they're going to need some stops on defence if they're going to get into the playoff picture.

Key Injuries: None.

Same as it ever was. The Wizards' most productive players, PG John Wall and SG Bradley Beal, are not efficient enough and the most efficient player on a points-per-shot basis is PG Andre Miller and he plays all of 12 minutes a night.

Key Injuries: SF Martell Webster (back).

Still some work to do offensively, and that could come as their young talent matures, but the Bucks are already more competitive with a better defensive game this season.

Key Injuries: None.

A mostly mediocre team even when healthy, the Heat are less than that with Dwyane Wade hurt.

Key Injuries: SG Dwayne Wade (toe).

Nets have lost six of eight, with wins over Philadelphia and Oklahoma City, so they're kind of fortunate to be in the Eastern Conference, where they are somehow good enough for the eighth playoff spot.

Key Injuries: None.

There's some reason for hope here, as young players are taking advantage of opportunities. SF Tobias Harris, SG Evan Fournier and G Victor Oladipo look to be part of the Magic's future. PG Elfrid Payton may be as well, but he's going through some growing pains, generating less than a point per shot.

Key Injuries: PF Aaron Gordon (foot).

Not quite as bad as expected, considering all the injuries, but when journeymen like SF Chris Copeland and PG Donald Sloan are crucial parts of the lineup, they are going to be limited until they get healthy.

Key Injuries: SF Paul George (leg), PG George Hill (knee), PG C.J. Watson (foot), PF David West (ankle).

A young team that is rounding into form and has a couple of quality threats right now: SG Gordon Hayward and PF Derrick Favors. As C Enes Kanter continues to develop, their frontline will be more formidable.

Key Injuries: None.

Snapped a six-game slide with Wednesday's win over Utah, but they're stuck in a deep hole and Durant and Westbrook may not be back soon enough to lift them out.

Key Injuries: SF Kevin Durant (foot), PF Perry Jones (knee), PG Russell Westbrook (hand).

Their only win in the past 10 games was in overtime at Oklahoma State, so the Pistons aren't magically fixed under Stan Van Gundy's leadership and that's going to take some work when their least efficient shooter is the same as their most active shooter (Josh Smith). What they are, however, is a better defensive team than they were last season.

Key Injuries: SG Jodie Meeks (back).

The Celtics need to do some work defensively, and could be something more competitive offensively if they could get any long-range shooting. C Kelly Olynyk has been their best three-point threat and that's a credit to him, but a problem for the others jacking up long-range shots.

Key Injuries: G Marcus Smart (ankle).

The Hornets were supposed to be competitive this year, a playfof team, but they're having trouble. Aside from C Al Jefferson, there isn't much going right offensively.

Key Injuries: SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (foot).

One of the great subplots of this NBA season is watching SG Kobe Bryant fire up shots indiscriminately, currently leading the league with 23.4 field goal attempts per game, five more per game than anyone else in the league.

Key Injuries: PG Steve Nash (back), PF Julius Randle (leg), SF Xavier Henry (Achilles).

With Carmelo hurting, the Knicks don't have anyone else on the squad averaging better than 12 points per game and their number two scorer, PF Amar'e Stoudemire, can only play a part-time role.

Key Injuries: SF Carmelo Anthony (back), PF Andrea Bargnani (hamstring).

This was already going to be a learning year for the young Timberwolves, let alone what the current case is, with three veteran starters out with injuries.

Key Injuries: PG Ricky Rubio (ankle), SG Kevin Martin (wrist), C Nikola Pekovic (wrist),

There's bottoming out and stocking up on talent and then there is what's going on in Philadelphia right now. The Sixers seems destined to be historically bad and that means a long climb to get back to relevance.

Key Injuries:  C Joel Embiid (foot), SG Jason Richardson (knee, foot).