The weekly SBNation.com NBA Power Rankings for week 5 of the season are out, and the Bulls maintained their No. 3 ranking from last week, edging closer to the top-ranked Celtics and Magic.
The Bulls, of course, had a winning record on the circus trip for the first time since Michael Jordan wore the red and black, and if John Lucas III could have made a pair of easily makeable free throws, they probably would have won in Denver as well. The mothership has video of Carmelo Anthony's buzzer-beater -- we won't relive that moment for Chicago fans here, but here's video of Derrick Rose with a sweet crossover move in the win against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night:
The only real surprise in the rankings, which do not include last night's games, is the Heat ranked above the Pacers. They had virtually identical records (9-8 for Miami, 8-7 for Indiana) and the Pacers not only defeated the Heat, but have also defeated the Lakers, and lost to the Magic by only four and to the Thunder by four in OT.
The Bulls will get their shot to prove they belong with "the big boys" when the Magic invades the United Center on Wednesday. The Bulls are 5-1 at home so far this season.