NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Getting Ready for League's Schedule Release)
By Peter Dewey
Can the NBA just stop teasing us with all these awesome matchups and release the full schedule already?
The league's full schedule will drop on Wednesday, but we already know the Christmas Day matchups and several others, which makes an NBA fan like myself eager for the start of the season that is over two months away.
Sources: NBA’s 2022 Christmas Day schedule:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 14, 2022
Bucks at Celtics
76ers at Knicks
Suns at Nuggets
Lakers at Mavericks
Grizzlies at Warriors
Two more notable early-season games on 2022-23 NBA schedule, sources say:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 16, 2022
- Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo open the year on road vs. 76ers, Oct. 20
- Celtics at Heat on Oct. 21 in rematch of the Eastern Conference finals https://t.co/pJU7gGf0Jk
The schedule release will be a nice break up in the news cycle, as nothing has been done on the Kevin Durant front, leaving the league in a bit of a standstill. Let's jump into this week's Power Rankings, with odds from WynnBET:
1. Golden State Warriors (+650)
The defending champs are going to be right back in the mix in the 2022-23 season.
2. Boston Celtics (+400)
Boston is the favorite at WynnBET, and it seems to be the frontrunner for KD. A trade may split the fan base, but it's Kevin Durant people!
3. Milwaukee Bucks (+700)
One word: Giannis.
That's all you need for the reasoning behind the Bucks being in the top three.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (+700)
The Clippers may be the deepest team in the NBA, and they have one of the league's best coaches. The sky is the limit if they stay healthy.
5. Miami Heat (+1400)
I won't count out this Miami team, especially since it could attempt to bring Kevin Durant in later this offseason.
6. Denver Nuggets (+2000)
Denver could fight for the top seed in the West with Jamal Murray and Michael Porte Jr. returning to the lineup.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (+1000)
Oddsmakers are loving the James Harden-Joel Embiid duo, but until they get it done in the playoffs, they are a tough team to bet on at this number.
8. Phoenix Suns (+800)
The Suns faded in the playoffs last season, and they haven't gotten much better. If Chris Paul starts to fall off, the championship window could be closed.
9. Dallas Mavericks (+2500)
Is this the year that Luka Doncic finally wins the MVP?
10. Memphis Grizzlies (+2500)
The health of Jaren Jackson Jr. has to be the biggest concern for this team heading into the 2022-23 campaign.
11. New Orleans Pelicans (+4500)
I probably am too high on the Pelicans, but if they stay healthy, they are a young team poised to make a leap.
12. Los Angeles Lakers (+1400)
There is no way you can bet the Lakers at these odds until we see them play well in the 2022-23 season.
13. Atlanta Hawks (+5000)
The Hawks made the ECF just two years ago, and they improved by adding Dejounte Murray this offseason. This could be a value price.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (+4000)
The Wolves are definitely a top-heavy team, but they should be one of the best defenses in the NBA.
15. Brooklyn Nets (+1000)
Another week with the Kevin Durant situation unresolved. The sooner this saga is over, the better for the NBA.
16. Chicago Bulls (+6000)
If the Bulls don't deal with as many injuries as last season, they could jump up the standings in the East.
17. Toronto Raptors (+2500)
I don't understand this number for Toronto, who didn't make a major move this offseason and was thrashed in the postseason as a No. 5 seed last season.
18. Cleveland Cavaliers (+10000)
The Cavs were knocked off in the play-in tourney last season, but they seem poised to take a step in the 2022-23 campaign.
19. New York Knicks (+10000)
Jalen Brunson's presence, and a healthy Derrick Rose could work wonders for the Knicks.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (+10000)
The Blazers have fallen from +8000 to +10000 in the odds in a loaded Western Conference.
21. Charlotte Hornets (+15000)
The Hornets are almost guaranteed to take a step back in the 2022-23 season after a rough offseason.
22. Utah Jazz (+15000)
Danny Ainge is going to hold onto Donovan Mitchell until he gets a king's ransom. That doesn't mean Utah will be good this season.
23. Detroit Pistons (+50000)
I think the Pistons should have better odds than the Wizards, as they have the makings of a young team ready to make a leap.
24. Washington Wizards (+30000)
Can Washington build a contender around Bradley Beal? After he re-signed, the team has a few seasons to get it done.
25. Sacramento Kings (+50000)
Do the Kings need another win-now player to sneak into the playoff conversation? It will be interesting to see a full year of De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis together.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (+50000)
Imagine OKC tanks to get Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama on the same team? That would be scary.
27. Orlando Magic (+50000)
The Magic should be better this season, especially with Paolo Banchero, but they'll need guys like Cole Anthony to take a huge step to be a playoff team.
28. Indiana Pacers (+50000)
Bright sides with the Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Chris Duarte
Down sides: Just about everyone else
29. San Antonio Spurs (+50000)
Gregg Popovich coaching one of the worst team's in the NBA? I thought I had seen it all...
30. Houston Rockets (+50000)
Houston may be one more lottery pick away from making a real run in the West, but I think this team is too inexperienced to fight for a playoff spot in the 2022-23 season.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.