NBA Power Rankings: Come fall in love with the Sacramento Kings

The Hornets’ record may not look that impressive but lurking somewhere in that 5-5 morass could be a sleeping juggernaut. Charlotte was 2-1 this week but outscored their opponents by 12.6 points per 100 possessions, which is representative of the larger trend of their season. Four of their five wins have been by ten or more. Four of their five losses have been by four points or less. On the season, they have the point differential of a team we would expect to be 7-3 through their first ten games and their strength-of-schedule-adjusted scoring margin is the sixth-best in the NBA.

If the Hornets are going to secure a playoff spot and, ultimately, show up well in a first-round series, they’ll have to start winning some of these close games in addition to running up the score on weaker opponents. But all the pieces are in place. Kemba Walker is better than ever. Cody Zeller is healthy and holding their defensive integrity. Bench players like Miles Bridge and Malik Monk are filling roles. As everyone gets more comfortable, this team really could shake up the Eastern Conference playoff picture.