Headline: Lakers Defy Expectations: Navigating Close Games While Timberwolves True Potential Shines Through

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For the second consecutive season, the Los Angeles Lakers’ performance exceeds expectations based on their point differential.

As of Sunday, the Lakers have outscored their opponents by 1.4 points per game, a differential that places them eighth in the Western Conference. Nevertheless, L.A. holds a solid position in the top five of the standings.

On the other hand, the Minnesota Timberwolves are one of three Western teams that appear in the top 10 for both offensive and defensive metrics but sit at seventh place, lagging four games behind the Lakers, who do not feature in the top 10 in either category.

The Lakers have displayed superior performance in tight contests compared to the Timberwolves: they hold a record of 20-13 (fifth-best) in games decided by five points or fewer in the closing five minutes, while Minnesota stands at 18-23 (seventh-worst). While point differential can often offer a clearer picture of a team’s quality than their win-loss record, the ability to execute in crunch time is equally crucial.

Below are the three teams with the largest gap between their actual victories and their “expected” wins, according to point differential…

1. Washington: 15-51, showing a point differential reflective of a 10-56 team

2. Los Angeles Lakers: 41-25, with a differential consistent with a 36-30 record

3. Portland: 29-39, with a differential indicative of a 25-43 record

Conversely, on the other end of the spectrum …

1. Minnesota: 40-29, with a differential suggesting a 45-24 team

2. Memphis: 43-25, with a differential of a team expected to be 48-20

3. Boston: 49-19, with a differential corresponding to a 53-15 record

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Teams of the Week

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East vs. West

Strength of schedule through Week 21

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Rankings Movement

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Week 22 Spotlight Team

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Previously…

OffRtg: Points produced per 100 possessions (League Rank) DefRtg: Points permitted per 100 possessions (League Rank) NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank) Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

This season, the league has averaged 113.5 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.7 possessions (per team) every 48 minutes.

NBA.com’s Power Rankings are updated every Monday throughout the season and reflect a solitary perspective. If you’ve got feedback on the rankings or questions for John Schuhmann, reach out to him via Bluesky.