NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Knicks, Nets, Sixers Surging in East)
By Peter Dewey
The Eastern Conference is full of win streaks right now, as the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat have all won at least four straight games to tighten the top half of the standings in the conference.
The Orlando Magic deserve an honorable mention in here (may be the only time I say that this season), as they had a six-game streak snapped on Monday night. Paolo Banchero has been terrific for the Magic, although they still are not a playoff contender.
The Western Conference is a little more wide open, and injuries to Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry (shoulder, one month) and Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis (foot, 1-3 months) has certainly changed the lower half of the playoff picture.
Should you be betting on any team to win the title ahead of Christmas?
Here's how each team stands in my latest NBA Power Rankings:
Latest NBA Finals Odds
NBA Power Rankings Based on NBA Finals Odds
1. Milwaukee Bucks (+600) Last Week: No. 2
The Bucks now have the best record in the NBA, and they're only going to get better the more Khris Middleton plays.
2. Boston Celtics (+350) LW: No. 1
Back-to-back losses to the Orlando Magic knocks Boston out of the top spot. The Celtics' shooting has cooled off a bit since their torrid start.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (+1500) LW: No. 4
Ja Morant and the Grizz have the No. 1 spot in the West and the best net rating in the NBA over their last 10 games.
4. Denver Nuggets (+1600) LW: No. 6
Denver is somehow a game out of the one spot in the West despite playing the No. 27 defense in the league right now...
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (+2400) LW: No. 5
The Cavs have won four straight and continue to dominate at home, going 15-2 this season.
6. Brooklyn Nets (+1300) LW: No. 7
Kevin Durant and the Nets have won nine of their last 10 games to pull into the four spot in the East. They are a big man away from being extremely dangerous.
7. New Orleans Pelicans (+2100) LW: No. 3
After taking control of the top spot in the West, New Orleans has dropped four straight. The team needs Brandon Ingram back for an extra scoring punch.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (+1000) LW: No. 8
The Clippers are slowly climbing in the Western Conference, and long term they should be a top team, if they stay healthy.
9. Phoenix Suns (+1000) LW: No. 9
Phoenix got a 58-point game from Devin Booker over the weekend and has now won three straight.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (+2000) LW: No. 11
The Sixers are 5-1 since James Harden returned the lineup, and they should get Tyrese Maxey back soon.
11. Golden State Warriors (+1000) LW: No. 10
Can Golden State weather the storm without Steph Curry?
12. Miami Heat (+4200) LW: No. 19
Here come the Heat, winners of four straight now that they have most of their rotation back healthy.
13. New York Knicks (+24000) LW: No. 16
The Knicks are the hottest team in the league, winning seven in a row to grab the six spot in the East. Jalen Brunson looks like a surefire All-Star this season.
14. Sacramento Kings (+16000) LW: No. 12
The Kings have dominated below .500 teams this season (10-3), but will that be enough to secure a playoff spot?
15. Portland Trail Blazers (+8000) LW: No. 13
Damian Lillard has the Blazers in the playoff picture, but they will need to play better on defense (currently 23rd in the NBA).
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (+9000) LW: No. 20
The Wolves have won three straight behind some big scoring nights from Anthony Edwards.
17. Atlanta Hawks (+6500) LW: No. 14
Atlanta is back over .500 after two straight wins, but the team has not lived up to expectations so far this season.
18. Dallas Mavericks (+4200) LW: No. 15
Does Dallas sell? This team is hovering around .500 and simply doesn't have a good enough supporting cast around Luka Doncic to win right now.
19. Utah Jazz (+24000) LW: No. 17
The Jazz have taken a massive step back from their hot start, but they are still No. 4 in the league in offensive rating.
20. Indiana Pacers (+50000) LW: No. 21
The Pacers are coming back to earth after a strong start, but this year is about building a foundation for the future, which they certainly are doing.
21. Toronto Raptors (+6000) LW: No. 18
Six straight losses? Nick Nurse's squad is in trouble this season and hasn't even been good on defnese, ranking in the bottom half of the league to this point.
22. Los Angeles Lakers (+6000) LW: No. 22
Anthony Davis' injury could spell the end of the Lakers' chances at a playoff spot.
23. Oklahoma City Thunder (+100000) LW: No. 24
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander keeps hitting game-winning shots, but the Thunder may not be good enough to sneak into the play-in tournament.
24. Orlando Magic (+100000) LW: No. 28
The Magic put together a nice win streak, and Paolo Banchero has been as good as advertised in his rookie season.
25. Chicago Bulls (+25000) LW: No. 23
The Bulls need to blow it up, especially with the Shams report that Zach LaVine isn't seeing eye to eye with the franchise right now.
26. Washington Wizards (+40000) LW: No. 25
10 straight losses for the Wizards. Regression was coming, but they fell off a cliff over the last two weeks.
27. San Antonio Spurs (+100000) LW: No. 26
The Spurs are 4-6 in their last 10 games, which could put them outside the sweepstakes for Victor Wembanyama this season...
28. Houston Rockets (+100000) LW: No. 27
The Rockets are solid at home and terrible on the road, which is exactly what you'd expect from a young team.
29. Charlotte Hornets (+100000) LW: No. 29
LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward are back, but the Hornets may be too far gone at this point in the season.
30. Detroit Pistons (+100000) LW: No. 30
Cade Cunningham is done for the season, and so are the Pistons' playoff chances.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.