NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Memphis Keeps on Winning)
By Peter Dewey
We're over halfway through the 2022-23 NBA season, and the Western Conference playoff race is aboslutely insane.
Just six games seperate the No. 3 seed from the No. 13 seed, which should make for a fun race for play-in tournament spots this season.
However, atop the conference the Memphis Grizzlies (10 straight wins) and Denver Nuggets (six straight wins) are battling things out with win after win after win.
Things are a little less interesting in the East, as Jayson Tatum's Boston Celtics have a 4.5 game lead in the conference with Kevin Durant now out for the Brooklyn Nets.
How is the futures market reacting to each of these stretches? Here's a look at the latest odds in our NBA Power Rankings:
1. Boston Celtics (+360) Last Week: No. 1
The Celtics continue to build a lead in the East even with Jaylen Brown out. Jayson Tatum may be the league MVP at this point in the season.
2. Denver Nuggets (+850) LW: No. 2
The Nuggets are holding off Memphis for the top spot, and they boast an insane 19-3 record at Ball Arena this season.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (+950) LW: No. 3
Ja Morant and the Grizzlies are for real, and like Denver, they have an elite record at their home arena this season.
4. Milwaukee Bucks (+800) LW: No. 5
The Bucks' offense desperately needs Khris Middleton back, but the team is still in the conversation for the top spot in the East.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (+1700) LW: No. 7
Philly has played terrific basketball since James Harden returned and is just half a game out of the No. 2 seed in the East.
6. Brooklyn Nets (+550) LW: No. 4
Ben Simmons still won't shoot, and the Nets' offense generated just 200 total points in two games since KD was hurt.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (+2000) LW: No. 6
The Cavs are in a great spot to avoid the play-in, but the team has been below average on the road so far this season.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (+2200) LW: No. 9
Somehow, the Pelicans are weathering injuries to Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson right now and still in the No. 3 seed.
9. Sacramento Kings (+9000) LW: No. 12
Don't look now, but the Kings have won four straight and are the No. 4 seed in the West. Light the Beam!
10. Golden State Warriors (+950) LW: No. 8
Steph Curry is back, and he carried the Warriors to a win over the Wizards. Golden State needs to stay healthy if it wants to make a charge in the West.
11. Dallas Mavericks (+2500) LW: No. 10
Luka Doncic is doing all he can for the Mavs, but the team just needs another piece to truly jump into the "elite" teams in the West.
12. New York Knicks (+18000) LW: No. 14
Tom Thibodeau's scrappy Knicks are the No. 6 seed in the East and have won seven of their last 10, going 14-8 overall on the road, an impressive mark.
13. Los Angeles Clippers (+1200) LW: No. 13
Paul George has missed time with a hamstring injury and the Clippers have dropped seven of 10 as a result.
14. Miami Heat (+3500) LW: No. 13
The Heat are making a push for a top-6 spot in the East, and if they can stay healthy they'll certainly be in the mix.
15. Indiana Pacers (+30000) LW: No. 11
Tyrese Haliburton's injury has crushed the Pacers, who are coming back to earth with four straight losses.
16. Atlanta Hawks (+9000) LW: No. 16
The Hawks are back to .500 on the season, but the team has been rumored to be looking to move John Collins prior to the deadline.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (+18000) LW: No. 17
The Wolves are hanging around without Karl-Anthony Towns, and they could make a big second half run once he returns from a calf injury.
18. Utah Jazz (+40000) LW: No. 22
The Jazz won't quit, and I will admit that Lauri Markkanen is probably an All-Star, or at least a replacement this season.
19. Portland Trail Blazers (+9000) LW: No. 19
Damian Lillard and the Blazers got back into the play-in picture with two big wins over Dallas this weekend.
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (+80000) LW: No. 23
The Oklahoma City Thunder are firmly in the playoff mix in the West, thanks to the play of soon-to-be All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
21. Chicago Bulls (+30000) LW: No. 20
When is the run going to come for the Bulls? Because if it doesn't, they need to make a deal.
22. Toronto Raptors (+9000) LW: No. 24
Toronto has underperformed this season, but the team may want to wait before blowing things up after winning five of its last 10.
23. Los Angeles Lakers (+4000) LW: No. 21
LeBron James can only do so much for a Lakers team that is without three rotation pieces in Lonnie Walker IV, Austin Reaves and obviously, Anthony Davis.
24. Phoenix Suns (+2000) LW: No. 18
The Suns have been horrendous without Devin Booker, and they have fallen out of the play-in picture altogether.
25. Washington Wizards (+60000) LW: No. 25
The Wizards should deal Kyle Kuzma for a haul at the deadline because this team is going nowhere fast.
26. Orlando Magic (+100000) LW: No. 26
Paolo Banchero is looking like the easy ROY in the NBA, but Orlando isn't quite ready to compete for a playoff spot.
27. San Antonio Spurs (+100000) LW: No. 27
The worst net rating in the NBA belongs to the Spurs, but they have more wins than these next three teams...
28. Detroit Pistons (+100000) LW: No. 29
No Cade Cunningham really derailed the Pistons season, and they may look to sell some veterans at the deadline.
29. Charlotte Hornets (+100000) LW: No. 28
The Hornets have the worst record in the East, and they might as well tank for Victor Wembanyama to pair him with LaMelo Ball.
30. Houston Rockets (+100000) LW: No. 28
11 straight losses for Houston. I can't imagine Stephen Silas has much longer of a leash with this young team.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.