NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Bucks Dominating, Time to Take Utah Seriously?

The NBA is off on Tuesday, Nov. 8 for Election Day, so it's a perfect time for us to take a step back and re-evaluate the first three weeks of the season in our NBA Power Rankings.

The Milwaukee Bucks finally lost a game to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, but they still hold the No. 1 spot after a 9-1 start without Khris Middleton.

In the Western Conference, well, nobody expected the Utah Jazz to amount to much this season. So, naturally they are 9-3 and in first place through the first three weeks of the season.

With contenders like the Brooklyn Nets (can we still consider them contenders?), Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors struggling, a few teams have jumped into the top-10 this week.

Let's get into this week's NBA Power Rankings:

1. Milwaukee Bucks (+500) Last Week: No. 1

Milwaukee started the season 9-0, and it's only going to get better once Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton return.

2. Boston Celtics (+550) LW: No. 2

The Celtics picked up a big win in Memphis on Monday, and they look just as dangerous as last year's team that made the NBA Finals.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (+1600) LW: No. 3

The Cavs' eight-game winning streak was snapped on Monday, but they are the No. 1 team in the NBA in terms of net rating this season.

4. Phoenix Suns (+800) LW: No. 3

Phoenix lost Cam Johnson to a torn meniscus, but the team is still 7-3 so far this season and should contend for a top spot in the West.

5. Denver Nuggets (+1400) LW: No. 9

The Nuggets have shaken off a slow start to improve to 7-3. As Jamal Murray gets his legs under him, the Nuggets are going to be a much scarier team.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (+6000) LW: No. 6

Damian Lillard returned for the Blazers on Monday, and the team upset the Heat in Miami on a Josh Hart game winner. This Blazers team should make the postseason in the 2022-23 campaign.

7. Atlanta Hawks (+4000) LW: No. 11

The Dejounte Murray trade is looking terrific for the Hawks, who handed the Bucks their first loss of the season and are 7-3 this season.

8. Dallas Mavericks (+2200) LW: No. 12

Luka Doncic is carrying Dallas right now, averaging 36.0 points per game and scoring at least 31 in every game this season.

9. Utah Jazz (+20000) LW: No. 15

The Jazz... are for real? Utah continues to win games behind an elite offense (No. 3 in ORTG) and ranks fourth in net rating this season.

10. Memphis Grizzlies (+2000) LW: No. 7

Ja Morant and the Grizzlies certainly could use Jaren Jackson Jr. back in the lineup for defensive purposes. The Grizz are 7-4 but rank 23rd in the NBA in defensive rating.

11. Los Angeles Clippers (+800) LW: No. 16

Even without Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers beat the Cavs on Monday and Paul George is in the midst of a huge hot stretch scoring the ball.

12. Toronto Raptors (+3000) LW: No. 10

Toronto drops a couple spots with Pascal Siakam (abductor strain) out at least two weeks.

13. Philadelphia 76ers (+1800) LW: No 13

Joel Embiid is back in the lineup, but James Harden is out for a month, putting a lot of pressure on Tyrese Maxey.

14. Chicago Bulls (+7500) LW: No. 19

DeMar DeRozan continues to score in bunches for Chicago, and the Bulls are quietly No. 5 in defense so far this season.

15. New Orleans Pelicans (+3300) LW: No. 8

Bad losses to the Lakers and Pacers knock the Pelicans down a few spos this week.

16. Golden State Warriors (+700) LW: No. 5

Steph Curry cannot be stopped right now (32.6 points per game), but the Warriors supporting cast has been dreadful in the first three weeks of the season.

17. New York Knicks (+10000) LW: No. 17

The Knicks are .500 on the season, thanks to some insanely efficient play from point guard Jalen Brunson.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (+4000) LW: No. 14

I can't figure this Wolves team out, as it's been great on defense but brutal on offense (22nd in the league) so far this season.

19. Washington Wizards (+15000) LW: No. 19

The Wizards are hovering around .500 and should compete for a play-in spot in the East.

20. Brooklyn Nets (+1400) LW: No. 23

Kyrie Irving is suspended, and the Nets are 3-0 ATS and 2-1 straight up without him.

21. Miami Heat (+2200) LW: No. 18

The Heat blew a big lead on Monday against the Blazers, and I'm not sure this team, as currently constructed, is a true Finals contender.

22. Indiana Pacers (+50000) LW: No. 25

Tyrese Haliburton is playing elite basketball, as is rookie Bennedict Mathurin. That's put the Pacers at 5-5 through their first 10 games.

23. Oklahoma City Thunder (+50000) LW: No. 24

The Thunder may not go anywhere this season, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an All-NBA level, averaging 30.8 points per game.

24. Sacramento Kings (+50000) LW: No. 26

The Kings have goals to make the play-in tournament this season, but playing the No. 24 defense in the league is going to make that tough.

25. Charlotte Hornets (+25000) LW: No. 22

This Hornets team is going to struggle until LaMelo Ball comes back, and even that may not be enough to get them into the playoffs.

26. San Antonio Spurs (+100000) LW: No. 20

The Spurs have fallen off a cliff after a fast start, now ranking 27th in net rating.

27. Los Angeles Lakers (+6600) LW: No. 27

The Lakers still have just two wins and now their defense is starting to go after a strong start to the 2022-23 season.

28. Detroit Pistons (+50000) LW: No. 28

The Pistons are dead last in net rating this seasons. So much for being everyone's fun preseason playoff dark horse.

29. Houston Rockets (+50000) LW: No. 230

Houston is 29th in the NBA in net rating, and it doesn't look like its going anywhere soon with such a young roster.

30. Orlando Magic (+50000) LW: No. 29

The Magic lost to the Rockets on Monday, and the loss of Cole Anthony has really hurt them early this season.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.