NBA Power Rankings Based on NBA Championship Odds (Where Does Everyone Stand at All-Star Break?)
By Peter Dewey
NBA teams are preparing for the stretch run of the 2022-23 season, and the playoff picture in both conferences is starting to heat up.
The beauty of the play-in tournament is that it keeps nearly every team alive for a playoff spot until the final games of the 2022-23 season.
Right now, the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets lead their respective conferences, and Nikola Jokic is the favorite to win the MVP this season.
Let's dive into the Power Rankings for each team with the All-Star break almost over:
1. Boston Celtics (+275) Last Week: No. 1
Boston has the best net rating in the NBA, and if it stays healthy it should earn the top spot in the East.
2. Denver Nuggets (+750) LW: No. 3
Denver has a five-game cushion in the Western Conference, and Nikola Jokic has a 71% chance (-250 favorite) to win the MVP this season.
3. Milwaukee Bucks (+550) LW: No. 2
The Bucks need to hope that Giannis' wrist injury isn't serious if they want a shot at the No. 1 spot in the East.
4. Phoenix Suns (+425) LW: No. 4
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant should be fun to watch following the All-Star break. Phoenix is a legit title contender.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (+1200) LW: No. 4
Philly is in the conversation for the top spot in the East, but it has the hardest remaining schedule in the NBA.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (+3000) LW: No. 6
Speaking of schedules, the Cavs (who are No. 2 in net rating) are 27th in strength of schedule, making them a sneaky team to jump up the standings in the closing weeks of the season.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (+900) LW: No. 7
The Clippers added Russell Westbrook this week, and it will be interesting to see how he meshes with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (+1700) LW: No. 8
Memphis has fallen off in the odds and standings, slipping to five games behind Denver for the No. 1 spot.
9. Dallas Mavericks (+1600) LW: No. 9
The Mavericks lack depth behind Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, but they're a tough duo to face if healthy in the playoffs.
10. Sacramento Kings (+15000) LW: No. 10
The Kings may be the biggest losers of the deadline just because of how good the West is now. Still, they are the No. 3 seed until further notice.
11. New York Knicks (+20000) LW: No. 13
The Knicks entered the break a three-game winning streak, taking sole possession of the No. 6 spot in the East.
12. Miami Heat (+6000) LW: No. 12
Miami added Kevin Love in the buyout market, but it still needs to turn things on to avoid the play-in tournament in the East.
13. Brooklyn Nets (+15000) LW: No. 13
Brooklyn got a massive game from Mikal Bridges before the break, and it does have intriguing upside defensively with this new-look roster.
14. Golden State Warriors (+1700) LW: No. 14
It's the Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson show until Steph Curry returns, and Golden State is far from a lock to make the playoffs.
15. Atlanta Hawks (+15000) LW: No. 16
Atlanta is the No. 8 seed in the East, but the team has not created enough distance from a team like Toronto to feel safe for a top play-in spot.
16. New Orleans Pelicans (+6000) LW: No. 17
Zion Williamson's health will determine the Pels' ceiling in the 2022-23 campaign.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (+30000) LW: No. 12
Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to return for about the final 10-15 games for the Wolves, which could save them in the play-in race in the West.
18. Toronto Raptors (+20000) LW: No. 18
The Raptors are a sneaky team to make the playoffs in the East, as the addition of Jakob Poeltl makes them a much stronger defense.
19. Washington Wizards (+50000) LW: No. 19
Washington is back in the play-in picture, but it has been a streaky team all season. Will it finish on a hot streak?
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (+70000) LW: No. 20
The Thunder are the No. 10 seed in the West, and they certainly could end up in the play-in, ranking in the top half in the league in net rating this season.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (+50000) LW: No. 22
Damian Lillard is as hot as ever right now, but can he carry Portland into a play-in spot?
22. Utah Jazz (+60000) LW: No. 21
Utah may be a team that falls off down the stretch after trading several players at the deadline.
23. Los Angeles Lakers (+4000) LW: No. 23
LeBron James and Anthony Davis have a chance to get the Lakers into the play-in, but they'll need a strong finish to the season.
24. Chicago Bulls (+50000) LW: No. 24
The Bulls added Patrick Beverley in buyout market, but they are on the outside looking in of the playoff picture after losing six in a row.
25. Indiana Pacers (+100000) LW: No. 25
The Pacers have fallen off a cliff, entering the break winning just two of their last 10 games.
26. Orlando Magic (+100000) LW: No. 26
Orlando could make a push for the 10 seed, but this team is likely still a year away from playoff contention.
27. Charlotte Hornets (+100000) LW: No. 28
The Charlotte Hornets would be a fun spot for Victor Wembanyama if they win the NBA draft lottery.
28. Detroit Pistons (+100000) LW: No. 27
It's a lost season for the Pistons, but maybe they can get something out of James Wiseman.
29. Houston Rockets (+100000) LW: No. 29
Houston, despite all of its young offensive talent, has the worst offensive rating in the NBA...
30. San Antonio Spurs (+100000) LW: No. 30
The Spurs have lost 14 straight and have even been a tough team to bet on, covering in just twice in that stretch.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.