Celtics, Warriors, Rockets, Wolves lead pack

Don’t look now, but the Minnesota Timberwolves have the second-best record in the Western Conference.

They’ve won five straight games, two of which were decided by three points, and are starting to look like the team we expected them to be heading into the season.

Meanwhile, out East, the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to struggle, while the Boston Celtics are rolling.

With three weeks down, here’s how we view the league’s current power structure:

1. Boston Celtics

The Celtics’ nine-game winning streak is most impressive considering the help Kyrie Irving is getting from Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford, who are all averaging 13-plus points per game.

2. Golden State Warriors

In three games since that surprising loss to Detroit, the Warriors have scored 126.7 points per game.

3. Houston Rockets

The good news for Houston? They’re riding a three-game winning streak and just put up 137 points against Utah’s stout defense thanks to a 56-point night from James Harden.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

The T’Wolves have won five straight games for the first time since January of 2009.

5. Detroit Pistons

Another week, another couple spots up in the rankings for the Pistons, who are off to a 7-3 start for the first time since 2008-09.

6. Portland Trail Blazers

Star point guard Damian Lillard poured in 36 points (on 18 shots) and 13 assists in Sunday’s win over Oklahoma City, becoming the first Portland player to reach those marks since Clyde Drexler in 1986.

7. Memphis Grizzlies

Veteran swingman Tyreke Evans, who the Grizzlies signed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal over the summer, has been a steal, averaging 17.1 points (on 48.8% shooting from the field and 44.7% from beyond the arc) and 5.1 rebounds off the bench.

8. San Antonio Spurs

Coach Gregg Popovich passed Phil Jackson for sixth on the NBA’s all-time wins list on Sunday night with his 1,156th victory on the San Antonio sidelines. He needs 180 more to pass Don Nelson for the No. 1 spot.

9. Washington Wizards

Sixth-year guard Bradley Beal is making a strong case to be selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career, as he’s only scored less than 20 points twice this season.

10. Toronto Raptors

The struggles continue for Kyle Lowry. The three-time All-Star point guard is averaging 11.9 points on 37.6% shooting.

11. Orlando Magic

12. Oklahoma City Thunder

13. Los Angeles Clippers

14. Philadelphia 76ers

15. New Orleans Pelicans

16. New York Knicks

17. Utah Jazz

18. Charlotte Hornets

19. Indiana Pacers

20. Milwaukee Bucks

21. Denver Nuggets

22. Los Angeles Lakers

23. Cleveland Cavaliers

24. Miami Heat

25. Phoenix Suns

26. Brooklyn Nets

27. Atlanta Hawks

28. Chicago Bulls

29. Dallas Mavericks

30. Sacramento Kings