NBA Power Rankings: The Clippers keep coming

The Lakers were without Lonzo Ball this week, as the rookie point guard sat out due to a swollen left knee. Tyler Ennis got the start for Los Angeles on Monday against the Grizzlies, but the whole team stunk on defense, letting the Grizzlies shoot over 50 percent from the field and 45 percent on 3-point attempts. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 27 points, but the whole team was so ineffective on defense that it didn’t matter. They had to go on the road to play the Thunder, and lost a game where they were beat by some old-man strength from Steven Adams. The Thunder had a 54-30 edge in rebounding, with 21 on the offensive glass, and the Lakers weren’t able to counter the Thunder’s physical play.

The Lakers took advantage of the Pacers tired legs, with Indiana coming to Los Angeles on the second night of a back-to-back, for a 99-86 victory. Miraculously, the Lakers went 2-for-14 from the free throw line — Jordan Clarkson was the only Lakers player to make a free throw in the game. The Lakers ran past the Knicks on Sunday, 127-107, with Alex Caruso taking the reins of the offense with Ball still out with a sore knee. Julius Randle worked the Knicks defense over for a double-double, with 27 points and 12 rebounds, as he continues to have his finest season as a professional.