NBA Power Rankings Based on NBA Championship Odds (Are the Knicks Contenders?)
By Peter Dewey
The 2022-23 NBA season is nearing the final month, which means the playoff picture is tightening in each conference.
The Boston Celtics have lost their lead in the Eastern Conference, falling two games behind the Milwaukee Bucks, who have won all but one game since Jan. 23! The Bucks have a two-game lead in the East, but they may not be the hottest team in the conference...
That title belongs to the New York Knicks, who have won nine straight, including two upset wins over Boston. The Knicks have not lost since trading for Josh Hart, and they are now the No. 5 seed in the East, just 1.5 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 4 spot.
In the West, the biggest story has been the suspension of guard Ja Morant, who flashed a gun on his Instagram Live following a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday. The Memphis Grizzlies' odds have changed in the futures market, falling to +2200, so Morant's absence is certainly worrisome to their chances of winning the title.
Hopefully he gets the help he needs.
There are so many teams alive in the playoff race, but how do they all match up? Let's dive into the latest rankings:
1. Milwaukee Bucks (+475) Last Week: No. 1
The Bucks are 17-4 when Khris Middleton plays this season. They're going to be tough to beat in the playoffs, especially after adding vets like Jae Crowder and Goran Dragic.
2. Denver Nuggets (+700) LW: No. 3
The Nuggets (30-4 at home) are being disrespected in the odds, especially since they rank No. 1 in the NBA in clutch defense (games within five points inside the final five minutes).
3. Boston Celtics (+310) LW: No. 2
The Celtics have lost three straight, blowing three straight double-digit leads. Should we be concerned?
4. Phoenix Suns (+350) LW: No. 4
The Suns haven't lost with Kevin Durant, and he and Devin Booker are becoming impossible to stop on offense.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (+1200) LW: No. 5
Does Philly have a run in it to catch Boston for the No. 2 seed? It's only two games back..
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (+4000) LW: No. 6
The Cavs are still undervalued in the futures market, especially since they rank No. 1 in the NBA in net rating.
7. Sacramento Kings (+12000) LW: No. 10
The Kings are getting no love in the odds, but they are just half a game out of the No. 2 seed and eighth in the league in net rating.
8. Golden State Warriors (+1000) LW: No. 11
Steph Curry is back, and the Warriors have a shot to close the season strong and finish in the top half of the Western Conference standings.
9. New York Knicks (+9000) LW: No. 9
The Knicks have won nine straight, and they rank seventh in the league in net rating. The Knicks are going to be a team nobody wants to face in the playoffs in the East.
10. Memphis Grizzlies (+2200) LW: No. 7
Ja Morant is suspended indefinitely and Brandon Clarke is out for the season. Things are unraveling for Memphis.
11. Dallas Mavericks (+2200) LW: No. 12
Unless Dallas' defense improves, it's not going to make it far in the playoffs against elite offenses like Phoenix and Denver.
12. Los Angeles Clippers (+1500) LW: No. 8
The Clippers are in the bottom half of the league in net rating and adding Russell Westbrook hasn't turned things around for the team, which is now in the play-in mix.
13. Miami Heat (+6000) LW: No. 12
The Heat are two games behind the No. 6 seed Nets, and they have some bad losses at home recently that are hurting their chances to avoid the play-in.
14. Brooklyn Nets (+40000) LW: No. 14
Credit to the Nets, they have picked up some impressive wins behind Mikal Bridges over the past week.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (+30000) LW: No. 18
Three straight wins have moved the Wolves all the way up to the No. 6 spot in the West with Karl-Anthony Towns potentially returning soon...
16. Atlanta Hawks (+15000) LW: No. 15
Quin Snyder is in for the Atlanta Hawks as their head coach, but the team looks destined for a play-in tournament or first-round exit.
17. Los Angeles Lakers (+3500) LW: No. 21
The Lakers' playoff chances hinge on whether or not LeBron James will be health enough to return this season.
18. Toronto Raptors (+25000) LW: No. 17
Toronto is surging in the East, moving to the No. 9 spot and closing the gap on the Atlanta Hawks (No. 8).
19. New Orleans Pelicans (+13000) LW: No. 16
If the season ended today, the Pelicans wouldn't be in the play-in in the West. This team has collapsed amidst key injuries.
20. Utah Jazz (+100000) LW: No. 19
The Utah collapse is coming, as the team has lost three striaght to fall into a tie for ninth in the West.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (+60000) LW: No. 20
Damian Lillard is having an unreal season, but this team simply isn't good enough around him.
22. Washington Wizards (+70000) LW: No. 22
Washington has dropped back-to-back games and is clinging to the No. 10 spot in the East.
23. Oklahoma City Thunder (+100000) LW: No. 24
The Thunder are still alive in the West, but three missed games by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knocked them down to No. 13.
24. Indiana Pacers (+100000) LW: No. 25
Can Tyrese Haliburton carry the Pacers to the play-in? He's going to need more 40-point games to get them there.
25. Orlando Magic (+100000) LW: No. 26
Orlando isn't going to make the play-in, but the team has a lot of fun young pieces to watch on a nightly basis.
26. Charlotte Hornets (+100000) LW: No. 27
This was a lost season for the Hornets will LaMelo Ball dealing with injuries for most of the campaign.
27. Detroit Pistons (+100000) LW: No. 28
The losing streak has reached eight games for Dwane Casey's club.
28. Houston Rockets (+100000) LW: No. 29
Houston is still in last in the West despite back-to-back wins over the Spurs.
29. San Antonio Spurs (+100000) LW: No. 30
The Spurs were swept by the Rockets in a two-game set, solidifying their spot at 30.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.