NBA Power Rankings Based on NBA Championship Odds (Bucks Jump to Favorites)
By Peter Dewey
For the first time this season, the Milwaukee Bucks are the favorites to win the NBA Finals, passing the Boston Celtics in the latest odds.
Boston has jumped back and forth between the No. 2 and No. 3 seed in the East as of late, and the Celtics may not be a lock to come out of the East with the healthy Bucks dominating since the All-Star break.
In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets are struggling mightily right now, but they still have the top spot in the conference. Meanwhile, the No. 5 through No. 12 seeds are just 3.5 games apart in the standings.
That could make for a wild finish to the 2022-23 season. Here's the latest NBA Power Rankings and odds to win the NBA Finals:
1. Milwaukee Bucks (+330) Last Week: No. 1
The Bucks are the rightful favorites to win the title, as they've been dominant since the start of 2023, going 28-8.
2. Boston Celtics (+340) LW: No. 2
Boston needs Jayson Tatum to shake his shooting struggles if it wants to make a push for the No. 1 spot in the East.
3. Philadelphia 76ers (+1000) LW: No. 4
The Sixers lost on Monday, but they are No. 1 in the league in net rating over their past 10 games.
4. Denver Nuggets (+800) LW: No. 3
Denver still leads the Western Conference, but the team has cooled off since the All-Star break... Will Nikola Jokic still win MVP?
5. Phoenix Suns (+475) LW: No. 5
The Suns are title contenders once Kevin Durant returns, but the team without him isn't nearly as dominant.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (+4500) LW: No. 6
Cleveland leads the NBA in net rating, but it will likely end up in the No. 4 spot in the East this postseason.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (+2000) LW: No. 12
Ja Morant is expected to return soon, and the Grizzlies have moved to within 3.5 games of the No. 1 seed in the West. Things are looking up.
8. Sacramento Kings (+7000) LW: No. 7
The Kings are an elite offense, but I am worried about the team's defense holding up in a seven-game playoff series. The Kings are a bottom seven defense right now this season.
9. Los Angeles Clippers (+1300) LW: No. 9
The Clippers are fifth in the West, and they have the inside track to avoid the play-in tournament this season.
10. Golden State Warriors (+1200) LW: No. 8
I'll keep the Warriors in the top-10, but the team has just been so bad on the road, I don't know how it could win an NBA title.
11. New York Knicks (+8000) LW: No. 10
The Knicks got Jalen Brunson back on Saturday, and they have a two-game cushion on the Brooklyn Nets for the No. 5 seed.
12. Brooklyn Nets (+35000) LW: No. 11
Brooklyn won't go away in the East, and the team may be able to hold off Miami for the No. 6 seed.
13. Miami Heat (+9000) LW: No. 13
This has been a down year for the Heat, who have struggled on defense since the All-Star break.
14. Dallas Mavericks (+2500) LW: No. 14
Kyrie Irving (foot) and Luka Doncic (thigh) are both hurt, putting the Mavs in a precarious position in the crowded Western Conference.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (+20000) LW: No. 16
Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards could return on Wednesday, which would be a huge boost to Minnesota's playoff outlook.
16. Los Angeles Lakers (+2500) LW: No. 15
LeBron is expected back this season, which could be the push the Lakers need to make the Western Conference play-in tournament.
17. Atlanta Hawks (+25000) LW: No. 16
Atlanta has underachieved all season and is just one game up on the No. 10 seed Bulls with 2.5 weeks to play.
18. Toronto Raptors (+25000) LW: No. 18
Can Toronto make a run in the Eastern Conference play in? With the Bulls heating it up, it's going to be tough.
19. Oklahoma City Thunder (+100000) LW: No. 20
The Thunder could always decide that the play-in isn't worth it and chase a top pick, but they have come too far. The team has won seven of 10 to move into the No. 9 spot in the West.
20. Chicago Bulls (+100000) LW: No. 22
Chicago is on fire right now, ranking inside the top-5 in the NBA in net rating over its last 10 games.
21. New Orleans Pelicans (+25000) LW: No. 19
The Pels are 12th in the West, and unless Zion Williamson returns, they may miss the play-in based on the latest odds.
22. Utah Jazz (+100000) LW: No. 21
The Jazz are in the play-in picture right now after back-to-back wins over the Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings.
23. Washington Wizards (+100000) LW: No. 24
Washington has lost seven of its last 10 games to fall into the No. 11 spot in the East.
24. Portland Trail Blazers (+100000) LW: No. 23
Damian Lillard said himself that the Blazers are essentially out of the race for the No. 10 seed, which is a real organizational failure given how well he's played this season.
25. Indiana Pacers (+100000) LW: No. 25
Tyrese Haliburton's recent injury has all but doomed the Pacers' chances at a playoff spot.
26. Orlando Magic (+100000) LW: No. 26
Orlando has shown a lot of promise this season, but it doesn't seem like it will result in a playoff berth.
27. Charlotte Hornets (N/A) LW: No. 27
The Hornets are likely going to finish just outside the top three odds for the No. 1 pick, unless they really try to lose out this season.
28. Houston Rockets (N/A) LW: No. 29
The Rockets have won a bunch of games lately, moving out of the worst record in the NBA in the process.
29. San Antonio Spurs (N/A) LW: No. 30
The Spurs have won five of their last 10 games, an interesting move for a team in tank mode.
30. Detroit Pistons (N/A) LW: No. 28
The Pistons now have the worst record in the NBA and are in the conversation for the No. 1 pick.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.