NBA Power Rankings Based on NBA Championship Odds After Week 12
2022 is now upon us and we're starting to get a picture of the contenders and pretenders .
The Association is constantly changing, and keeping up with who looks best can be difficult. Every week, I'll be providing my NBA Power Rankings for each team in relation to their NBA title odds.
Here's how things stand after the first few weeks of action. All odds listed are via WynnBET.
1. Golden State Warriors (+400, LW: No. 1)
The Warriors are still on top, despite being tied with the Suns in record. Klay Thompson is back and that gives them an extra boost.
2. Phoenix Suns (+700, LW: No. 2)
Phoenix has slipped recently and is playing close to .500 basketball over its last 10 games. It's still 1B in the league, but the Suns have to take the No. 2 spot.
3. Chicago Bulls (+2200, LW: No. 3)
Chicago is cruising at the top of the East. The Nets and Bucks are within striking distance, but Chicago keeps winning and staying on top.
4. Milwuakee Bucks (+750, LW: No. 5)
The Bucks beat the Nets convincingly, and that was without Jrue Holiday. With Giannis Antetokounmpo rounding into form, they are becoming dangerous.
5. Utah Jazz (+1000, LW: No. 4)
Utah has had a little bit of injury trouble, but the Jazz managed to stay afloat without its two stars. Their depth showed off and that is going to be huge.
6. Brooklyn Nets (+275, LW: No. 6)
Brooklyn is just inconsistent at this point. The Nets are still to be feared, but that's only if all three stars are there and locked in. Otherwise, they're just another above average team in the East.
7. Miami Heat (+1400, LW: No. 7)
Miami still isn't at 100%, but the Heat are above the Bucks and right on the Nets' tail.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (+6000, LW: No. 8)
Memphis is looking legit, especially with how it keeps embarrasing the Lakers. The Grizzlies' nine-game winning streak is almost as impressive as Ja Morant's block.
9. Philadelphia 76ers (+2500, LW: No. 11)
The 76ers are on the second-longest winning streak in the league right now. Embiid is on another level and as long as he's there, Philly will be fine.
10. Dallas Mavericks (+5000, LW: No. 15)
Dallas has turned things around and has won six games in a row. Thanks to their streak, the Mavericks are in control of the No. 5 seed now.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers (+10000, LW: No. 10)
Cleveland lost to the Warriors in Klay Thompson's return, but were able to turn it around with a win over the Kings. The Cavs don't look as potent as before Ricky Rubio got hurt, but they are still formidable.
12. Denver Nuggets (+2800, LW: No. 9)
Denver got overtaken by the Mavericks, but that was expected to happen when Nikola Jokic has to do absolutely everything for them. Once Jamal Murray gets back, Jokic can finally exhale. Until then, the carrying continues.
13. Los Angeles Lakers (+1300, LW: No. 13)
The Lakers showed a few bright spots over the last week, but really they still need help. The trade deadline is coming up and a move needs to be made. I can still see the Lakers being a long term play.
14. Charlotte Hornets (+20000, LW: No. 12)
Charlotte is a league-pass must watch, but the Hornets can not consistently get wins. They did beat the Bucks, which was nice, but they'll stay around middle of the pack.
15. Toronto Raptors (+20000, LW: No. 22)
The Raptors have surged back into the play-in conversation their six-game winning streak. They are hitting the overs and covering at a high rate. All I need to see is a little more consistency after this streak ends.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (+20000, LW: No. 17)
Minnesota has clawed back to .500 and is back in the No. 8 spot in the West. At the pace they're going, Minnesota could be the No. 6 seed by the end of the week.
17. Washington Wizards (+15000, LW: No. 19)
Washington is sitting at .500 and the 9th seed. They'll probably be in contention for a play-in spot for the rest of the season and that's right where they belong.
18. New York Knicks (+12500, LW: No. 20)
The Knicks, like the Celtics below them, are defined by their inconsistency. New York hasn't been able to live up to expectations and Julius Randle's up-and-down play is a big contributor for that.
19. Boston Celtics (+6000, LW: No. 14)
The Celtics are dropping because their inconsistency is a true weakness. They can't rely on Jayson Tatum to be their No. 1 guy and it's hurting the potential of this team. A deadline deal needs to be in play for them.
20. Los Angeles Clippers (+2500, LW: No. 16)
Los Angeles stopped the bleeding and got out of a free fall, but the Clippers need Paul George to come back -- BADLY.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (+12500, LW: No. 26)
Portland seems to have found a bit of life in Damian Lillard's absence. Anfernee Simons is carrying the team, which sounds weird to say, but even weirder to watch.
22. Atlanta Hawks (+5000, LW: No. 23)
Atlanta doesn't have it in it to turn the season around. The Hawks are 3-7 in their last 10 and can't give Trae Young the help he needs.
23. San Antonio Spurs (+50000, LW: No. 21)
San Antonio has fallen off slightly, but is still in a position to take over the No. 10 spot. The Spurs are on a three-game losing streak, but one win can put them in the play-in.
24. New Orleans Pelicans (+50000, LW: No. 25)
New Orleans continues to tread water. While its record is still at the bottom of the league, most of those losses came before it turned competent.
25. Indiana Pacers (+25000, LW: No. 24)
Without the return of Lance Stephenson, the Pacers might've been the most boring team in the NBA. They have no future or present and are just here.
26. Sacramento Kings (+100000, LW: No. 22)
Sacramento is falling hard. It's lost six in a row and can't seem to find any continuity on either side of the ball.
27. Oklahoma City Thunder (+100000, LW: No. 27)
The Thunder are on a four-game losing streak and are barely hanging on to their lead over the Rockets for the worst team in the West.
28. Houston Rockets (+100000, LW: No. 30)
Houston is another bad week from dropping down. The Rockets have lost three in a row and nine of their last 10.
29. Detroit Pistons (+500000, LW: No. 29)
Detroit was not only able to beat the Magic, but the Pistons got on a small winning streak as well.
30. Orlando Magic (+500000, LW: No. 28)
Orlando lost the matchup of the two worst teams. They get the bottom spot this week.