Minnesota Timberwolves defense has them near top of NBA power rankings

The Minnesota Timberwolves held the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic’s potent offense to 89 points. They limited the Philadelphia 76ers (minus Joel Embiid) to 99 points. The Boston Celtics barely cracked 100 in regulation against Minnesota. Four other teams failed to reach 100 against the Timberwolves.

Defense is the key to Minnesota’s early success. The Timberwolves are No. 1 in field goal percentage allowed (.431), No. 2 in defensive rating (106.8 points allowed per 100 possessions), No. 3 in points allowed per game (106.4), No. 3 in defensive rebounds per game (35.8) and No. 4 in blocks per game (6.3).

The Timberwolves are off to the best 16-game start in franchise history and atop the Western Conference at 12-4, and in a loaded West, they have the best winning percentage against conference foes with an 8-2 record.

The offense started slow but has gradually improved over the past 10 games. Now, can they maintain this level of play and become a contender?

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Here are this week’s USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings (records through Sunday’s games):

NBA power rankings

1. Boston Celtics (13-4)

How are Celtics newcomers Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday faring? When they are on the court together, the Celtics score 116.4 points and allow 104.8 points per 100 possessions, making the desired impact.

Last week: 1

2. Minnesota Timberwolves (12-4)

The Timberwolves have won 11 of their past 13 games, and this is their best start through the 16 games in franchise history.

Last week: 3

3. Philadelphia 76ers (11-5)

If Sixers center Joel Embiid continues to play like he is — 32.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.0 steal per game — and the Sixers continue to win like this, he will be in line for his second consecutive MVP.

Last week: 2

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (11-5)

The Thunder have the No. 2 net rating in the league at plus-8.5 points per 100 possessions, featuring the sixth-best offense and seventh-best defense — just one of three teams that are in the top-10 offensively and defensively.

Last week: 4

5. Orlando Magic (12-5)

The Magic have won seven consecutive games and the young players are learning to finish games, going 4-2 in games decided by five points or fewer, including a 124-119 victory against Denver.

Last week: 10

6. Phoenix Suns (11-6)

The Suns are rolling right now, winners of seven consecutive games, and Devin Booker averaged 28.9 points and 8.4 assists in that stretch, including 28 points, 11 assists and the game-winning 3 Sunday vs. New York.

Last week: 13

7. Milwaukee Bucks (12-5)

The Bucks are stringing together wins, and while the defense isn’t quite where they want it to be, the offensive firepower with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard allows the Bucks to put up points – at least 116 points in 10 of their past 12 games.

Last week: 5

8. New York Knicks (9-7)

The Knicks offense has made strides in the past 10 games, especially on 3-pointers with Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Donte DiVincenzo and Quentin Grimes shooting a combined 44% from deep.

Last week: 9

9. Miami Heat (10-7)

The Heat’s offense is starting to catch up with their defense, and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. is helping, averaging 14.9 points and shooting 52.2% from the field and 50% on 3-pointers in his past 10 games.

Last week: 12

10. Dallas Mavericks (10-6)

Even though the Mavs had just 88 points in a loss against the Los Angeles Clippers, offense isn’t their problem. The Mavs are 25th defensively.

Last week: 8

11. Houston Rockets (8-6)

Another positive sign for the improved Rockets: They responded to a three-game losing streak with victories against Memphis and Denver.

Last week: 15

12. Denver Nuggets (11-6)

After an 8-1 start, the championship hangover hit the Nuggets hard. They are 3-5 in their past eight and the three victories were against teams with losing records, including Detroit and San Antonio, who have lost a combined 25 consecutive games. Jamal Murray's return from an injury will help.

Last week: 6

13. Los Angeles Lakers (10-7)

The Lakers are 7-2 in their past nine games and doing it with defense, allowing just 107.8 points per 100 possessions and holding opponents to 43.8% shooting from the field and 33.8% 3-point shooting during that stretch.

Last week: 14

14. Indiana Pacers (9-6)

The Pacers are No. 2 in 3s made per game (15.7) and 3-point shooting percentage (.394) and guards Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield are in the top-10 in 3s made with 54 and 49 and both are shooting at least 43% on 3s.

Last week: 11

15. Sacramento Kings (9-6)

It was an up-and-down week for the Kings, who lost consecutive road games to New Orleans but traveled north from near the mouth of the Mississippi River to near its headwaters and beat Minnesota.

Last week: 7

16. Atlanta Hawks (8-8)

The Hawks can score – 136, 147, 152 in three of their past four and they’re No. 2 offensively – but defending is an issue at No. 24 defensively.

Last week: 17

17. Los Angeles Clippers (7-8)

The Clippers have won four of five and are starting to show signs that maybe it can work with James Harden. This upcoming 12-game stretch with eight games against teams with winning records (not including three games against Golden State) will reveal just how good the Clippers can be.

Last week: 21

18. New Orleans Pelicans (9-8)

Jordan Hawkins is one of three rookies to score at least 30 points this season and leads all rookies in made 3s (47), which is 16th-best in the league.

Last week: 20

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (9-8)

Donovan Mitchell’s streak of scoring at least 20 points, going back to last season, came to an end at 22 games with just 10 points in Cleveland’s victory over Toronto Sunday.

Last week: 16

20. Golden State Warriors (8-9)

The Warriors were 1-4 during Draymond Green’s suspension, and a victory over San Antonio helped the Warriors snap out of a funk that included seven losses in the previous eight games.

Last week: 19

21. Brooklyn Nets (8-8)

The Nets made 25-of-53 3-pointers in Sunday’s victory against Chicago and are No. 3 in 3s made per game (15.6) and No. 4 in 3-point percentage (.392).

Last week: 18

22. Toronto Raptors (8-9)

First-year coach Darko Rajakovic has the Raptors sharing the basketball – Toronto has recorded at least 25 assists in 12 of its past 13 games, including a franchise-record 44 assists against Detroit Nov. 19.

Last week:  22

23. Charlotte Hornets (5-10)

Since he returned from his suspension for a domestic violence no contest plea, Miles Bridges is averaging 21.5 points and 8.8 rebounds and shooting 50.7% from the field and 37.5% on 3s.

Last week: 27

24. Chicago Bulls (5-13)

The Bulls have lost four in a row and their next nine games are against teams with winning records.

Last week: 23

25. Utah Jazz (5-11)

The Jazz had lost eight of 10 games before producing a 105-100 victory against New Orleans Saturday. Having Walker Kessler back in the lineup should help.

Last week: 24

26. Portland Trail Blazers (4-12)

The Blazers are 1-9 in their last 10 and have scored 100 points or fewer in five of those games.

Last week: 25

27. Memphis Grizzlies (3-13)

The Grizzlies are counting down the days until Ja Morant returns from his suspension (Dec. 23 if all goes according to plan) and hoping they can turn it around a bit before he comes back.

Last week: 26

28. Washington Wizards (2-14)

The goal for the Wizards is finding out who they’re keeping and who they can trade for more first-round picks as they rebuild.

Last week: 28

29. San Antonio Spurs (3-14)

A little more than a month into the season, it’s time to start thinking about who the Spurs should take in the 2024 draft to add alongside Victor Wembanyama.

Last week: 29

30. Detroit Pistons (2-14)

Let’s not focus on the 13 consecutive losses. Guard-forward Ausar Thompson at 6-foot-6 leads all rookies in rebounds (9.8) and offensive rebounds (3.6) per game.

Last week: 30

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA power rankings: Timberwolves move up with stellar defense