NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Kawhi Leonard Returns, Can Sixers Withstand Injury Bug?)
By Peter Dewey
We're getting to the point in the NBA season where several teams are affected by injuries, so having a healthy team can move you in the Power Rankings from week-to-week.
One team that is finally getting there is the Los Angeles Clippers, who welcomed Kawhi Leonard back into the lineup last week. Leonard's return puts the Clippers back in the NBA title mix, as long as he and Paul George can hold up all season long.
The Boston Celtics, who are in the top spot again, saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end on Monday, but they're still atop the Eastern Conference standings.
With players like Ja Morant, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Cade Cunningham and others dealing with injuries, how does each team stack up five weeks into the 2022-23 season?
Here are the latest Power Rankings:
1. Boston Celtics (+500) Last Week: No. 1
Boston finally lost a game, but the team still has the best offensive rating in the NBA and is improving on the defensive end after a rough start.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (+500) LW: No. 2
The Bucks need Khris Middleton's scoring back in the worst way, and Giannis Antetokounmpo appears to be struggling at the free-throw line again...
3. Denver Nuggets (+1600) LW: No. 3
Denver stays at No. 3 for still battling despite Nikola Jokic, Bones Hyland, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon all missing time with COVID-19.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (+750) LW: No. 11
Kawhi is back, and the Clippers have won three straight games to jump to the No. 4 spot in the West.
5. Phoenix Suns (+750) LW: No. 7
Chris Paul is still out with a heel injury, but Cam Payne has filled in admirably for the Suns. Phoenix is at least a good regular season team again.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (+2000) LW: No. 9
The Cavs have won three straight, their second strong winning streak this season. This is a complete team, albeit a young one.
7. Utah Jazz (+16000) LW: No. 10
The Jazz have to be taken seriously, even if their odds to win the Finals are still closer to those teams that are expected to be in the play-in conversation.
8. Atlanta Hawks (+4200) LW: No. 5
Atlanta is just 18th in net rating this season, which signals to me that it could be due for some regression, especially if Trae Young's shooting struggles continue.
9. New Orleans Pelicans (+3600) LW: No. 15
The Pelicans are playing well right now and they have Zion Williamson back in the lineup. I still think they are a top-6 team in the West.
10. Memphis Grizzlies (+2000) LW: No. 6
Memphis drops a few spots this week with Ja Morant and Desmond Bane both banged up. The Grizzlies face an uphill battle to repeat last year's success in an improved Western Conference.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (+8000) LW: No. 4
Losing Damian Lillard to a calf strain could knock the Blazers down even further in the West. The team has lost three straight.
12. Philadelphia 76ers (+1800) LW: No 12
Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and James Harden are all banged up, which could make the Sixers a volatile team over the next month or so.
13. Dallas Mavericks (+2100) LW: No. 8
The Mavericks have won a ton of close games this season, but the team has a glaring issue behind Spencer Dinwiddie and Luka Doncic. There just aren't enough shot creators on the roster right now.
14. Toronto Raptors (+4600) LW: No. 14
Toronto is hovering around .500, but a brutal OT loss to the Hawks this past weekend prevents them from moving up.
15. Golden State Warriors (+700) LW: No. 16
Klay Thompson appears to be finding his form, and the Warriors finally grabbed a road win. Things are looking up in Golden State after a slow start.
16. Sacramento Kings (+16000) LW: No. 19
Are the Kings... good? Sacramento has won six straight to move into the No. 5 spot in the West.
17. Washington Wizards (+19000) LW: No. 18
The Wizards ranks 20th in the NBA in net rating, but their No. 7 defense has carried them to some wins early this season.
18. Brooklyn Nets (+1700) LW: No. 17
Kevin Durant and the Nets are still below .500, but they should be boosted by the return of Kyrie Irving from suspension.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves (+3600) LW: No. 21
The Wolves are slowly starting to figure things out, although the Rudy Gobert-Karl-Anthony Towns fit hasn't looked great yet.
20. Indiana Pacers (+50000) LW: No. 24
The Pacers hold the No. 4 spot in the East at the moment, and while I don't expect them to stay there, this young team has a lot to look forward to.
21. Miami Heat (+2400) LW: No. 13
Four straight losses and a bunch of injuries have dropped the Heat to the 12th spot in the East.
22. New York Knicks (+13000) LW: No. 22
Are the Knicks the definition of mid? The team is 9-9 with the league's 23rd net rating. RJ Barrett has to play better for New York to make the playoffs.
23. Chicago Bulls (+8000) LW: No. 20
The Bulls did beat the Celtics on Monday, but they have been disappointing so far this season.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (+50000) LW: No. 23
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been carrying the Thunder, and they could hover around the play-in picture.
25. Los Angeles Lakers (+13000) LW: No. 29
The Lakers have won three straight! Anthony Davis is playing some of the best basketball we've seen him play in years, which is a good sign for L.A.'s long-term outlook.
26. San Antonio Spurs (+50000) LW: No. 25
The Spurs were blown out by the Lakers on Sunday, in case you needed to know how their tank is going.
27. Orlando Magic (+50000) LW: No. 27
The Magic are dealing with a plethora of injuries that has limited their potential, but watching Bol Bol cook has been an entertaining part of their season.
28. Charlotte Hornets (+27000) LW: No. 26
The Hornets look like one of the worst teams in the leageue, and ankle injuries have limited star LaMelo Ball early on this season.
29. Houston Rockets (+50000) LW: No. 30
Houston moves out of the last spot, simply because the Pistons are actually worse. Hard to do.
30. Detroit Pistons (+50000) LW: No. 28
Cade Cunningham may need surgery on his shin, and the Pistons are 29th in the NBA in net and defensive rating. This season has been a bit of a letdown for fans who thought they'd take the next step.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.