NBA Power Rankings Based on NBA Championship Odds After Week 13
2022 is now upon us and we're starting to get a picture of the contenders and pretenders in the NBA.
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. Phoenix Suns (+700, LW: No. 2)
The Suns are now nearly three games ahead of the Warriors for the top spot in the West. They should be on their way to the No. 1 seed if everything continues to go according to plan.
2. Miami Heat (+1400, LW: No. 7)
This is a big jump for the Heat, but that's because they are fully healthy again. Miami has been a force without its two stars and can now have flexibility with its roster.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (+3000, LW: No. 8)
Ja Morant and the Grizzlies are the new kids on the block, and they are also the cool kids on the block. Morant is leading them on the right path.
4. Golden State Warriors (+400, LW: No. 1)
With Steph Curry's struggles, Draymond Green's injuries and just a lack of offensive power, the Warriors have lost their edge as of late.
5. Brooklyn Nets (+275, LW: No. 6)
The Nets will be without Kevin Durant for some time, but the fact that James Harden and Kyrie Irving will be there to hold it down will be just fine.
6. Milwaukee Bucks (+650, LW: No. 4)
Milwaukee has to drop because it hasn't been as dominant. Yet once the Bucks get fully healthy, expect a big run.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (+10000, LW: No. 11)
Cleveland is in a really good groove right now. With the Bulls and Bucks struggling, they could be a dark horse in that division.
8. Chicago Bulls (+2200, LW: No. 3)
Chicago is in a heavy slump right now. Without Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso, they are seriously compromised on both sides of the ball.
9. Utah Jazz (+1000, LW: No. 5)
Utah is starting to get its act together, but a loss to the Lakers isn't the best thing for them.
10. Dallas Mavericks (+4000, LW: No. 10)
Luka Doncic has quietly gotten the Mavericks into the conversation for home court advantage in the first round.
11. Philadelphia 76ers (+2500, LW: No. 9)
As long as Joel Embiid is playing at this level, Philadelphia is dangerous.
12. Charlotte Hornets (+20000, LW: No. 14)
The Hornets desperately need to trade for Myles Turner. Charlotte needs defense, or a semblance of it, to make any kind of noise.
13. Denver Nuggets (+3000, LW: No. 12)
Nikola Jokic may be the MVP this season, but we'll never see it if the Nuggets don't end up in the top 5 in the Western Conference.
14. Los Angeles Lakers (+1400, LW: No. 13)
The Lakers look better, but still look like they are one move away from unlocking their full potential.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (+20000, LW: No. 16)
Minnesota has sneakily had one of the better defenses all season long. If the T-Wolves can keep it up, they can make it back to the playoffs.
16. Boston Celtics (+7000, LW: No. 19)
The Celtics seem to have turned a corner. However, I'm keeping them in the back half of the league because they have shown they can't be trusted.
17. Toronto Raptors (+20000, LW: No. 15)
Toronto has cooled off, but the Raptors are still formidable. On any given night, the amount of length they can put on the floor can be suffocating.
18. Washington Wizards (+15000, LW: No. 17)
Washington feels like it should be lower on the list, but it has been able to keep its head just above water to stay alive.
19. New York Knicks (+15000, LW: No. 18)
The Knicks' inconsistency is still holding them back. The one bright spot has been R.J. Barrett's development though.
20. Los Angeles Clippers (+3000, LW: No. 20)
Without Paul George, the Clippers should be one of the worst teams in the league. Yet, they find ways to win games and be competitive.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (+15000, LW: No. 21)
With the help of Anfernee Simons, Portland has been able to stay the course and hold onto the last play-in spot. We'll see how long it can keep up.
22. Sacramento Kings (+50000, LW: No. 26)
Sacramento's opportunity is slipping slowly away from it. The Kings are 3-7 in their last 10 and are falling behind the Blazers for the No. 10 spot.
23. Atlanta Hawks (+5000, LW: No. 22)
It's crazy to think that this Hawks team was in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Trae Young is HOOPING, but the Hawks can't stop anyone on defense.
24. New Orleans Pelicans (+50000, LW: No. 24)
The Pelicans have stabalized themselves and are one of the better teams in the bottom third of the league.
25. San Antonio Spurs (+50000, LW: No. 23)
The Spurs were in position to make a run, but they have sunk recently. Unless they can get their defensive act together, more losses are on the way.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (+100000, LW: No. 27)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a budding star. However, he can't carry this Thunder team that is devoid of talent.
27. Indiana Pacers (+25000, LW: No. 25)
Indiana is still trying to trade Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, but nobody is biting.
28. Houston Rockets (+100000, LW: No. 28)
Houston has shown the ability to play well in spurts. The Rockets just can't keep it up long enough to get a win.
29. Detroit Pistons (+500000, LW: No. 29)
Detroit is like Houston. It has shown some spunk, but still is at the bottom of the league.
30. Orlando Magic (+500000, LW: No. 30)
The Magic haven't done anything to move out of the basement.