NBA Power Rankings Based on NBA Championship Odds (Bucks Undervalued in Market?)
By Peter Dewey
There isn't a team in the NBA hotter than the Milwaukee Bucks right now, and it doesn't seem to matter who plays for them, the Bucks just keep on winning.
Milwaukee's win over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night was yet another step towards the team earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
With the Boston Celtics still favored in the odds, is now the time to jump on the Bucks?
We'll break the Bucks down and the rest of the NBA in this week's Power Rankings:
1. Milwaukee Bucks (+360) Last Week: No. 1
The Bucks' odds have dropped significantly from +475 last week, and it shows that they are being looked at more and more like the potential favorite in the East.
2. Boston Celtics (+340) LW: No. 3
Boston just lost to the Houston Rockets, but I still think the team has a championship profile as long as it is healthy. Boston, when hot from deep, is nearly unstoppable on offense.
3. Denver Nuggets (+700) LW: No. 2
Three straight losses, including one to the Spurs knocks the Nuggets down here. They have struggled at times (especially on the road) defensively.
4. Philadelphia 76ers (+1200) LW: No. 5
Don't look now, but Philly is just a game back of Boston for the No. 2 seed in the East...
5. Phoenix Suns (+425) LW: No. 4
The Suns have some depth issues with Kevin Durant out, but if he returns for the postseason they should make a run.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (+4500) LW: No. 6
The Cavs remain the best value in the odds considering they have the profile (No. 2 in net rating) of a title contender. They just lack experience.
7. Sacramento Kings (+7000) LW: No. 10
The Kings' odds have dropped from +12000 to +7000, and they are just a game out of the No. 2 seed in the West.
8. Golden State Warriors (+1200) LW: No. 8
The Warriors can't win on the road, but they are 7-3 in their last 10 games even though Andrew Wiggins (personal) has been out of the lineup.
9. Los Angeles Clippers (+1300) LW: No. 12
Just when I thought I was out... the Clippers win three straight games to move back to the No. 6 spot in the West. They'll be a tough out no matter who they play, if healthy.
10. New York Knicks (+9000) LW: No. 9
It's not an exaggeration to say that Jalen Brunson's foot injury could make or break the Knicks' season depending on when he can return.
11. Brooklyn Nets (+25000) LW: No. 14
The Nets aren't going to win the NBA title, but Mikal Bridges is blossoming into a star in front of us, and this team has held on to the No. 5 spot in the East.
12. Memphis Grizzlies (+2200) LW: No. 10
Ja Morant (suspension) may not play again this season, or he may return. Either way Memphis is on shaky ground until his status is decided.
13. Miami Heat (+8000) LW: No. 13
The major concern with the Heat is their offense (26th in the NBA) which is extremely reliant on Jimmy Butler getting to the line and creating his own looks. This isn't last year's team.
14. Dallas Mavericks (+2500) LW: No. 11
Dallas is 7-8 since the Kyrie Irving trade and has fallen into the play-in field in the West.
15. Los Angeles Lakers (+3500) LW: No. 17
The Lakers are 8-4 since the trade deadline and are winning games even with LeBron James out. They are going to be a dangerous team if they can make the postseason.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (+40000) LW: No. 15
The Wolves hold the No. 7 spot in the West despite not having Karl-Anthony Towns for most of this season. If he comes back, they'll be a tough matchup in the postseason.
17. Atlanta Hawks (+15000) LW: No. 16
Atlanta has taken a leap under new head coach Quin Snyder, and the team is likely going to be in some tough battles for playoff spot in the play-in tournament.
18. Toronto Raptors (+30000) LW: No. 18
Toronto is going to end up in the play-in field unless it falls apart down the stretch, but can it sneak into the top-8? The odds aren't promising.
19. New Orleans Pelicans (+15000) LW: No. 19
Zion Williamson's Pelicans tenure has been marred with injuries, and the team has fallen way short of expectations this season because of it. He and Brandon Ingram have played just 12 games together all season.
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (+100000) LW: No. 23
OKC is the No. 11 seed in the West, but it has been sitting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in games, which could lead to it ending up in the lottery.
21. Utah Jazz (+100000) LW: No. 20
Injuries to Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson have dropped the Jazz to the No. 12 spot in the West and outside of the play-in field.
22. Chicago Bulls (+100000) LW: No. 24
The Bulls are back in the No. 10 spot, but are just percentage points ahead of the Wizards and Pacers. None of those teams are serious contenders.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (+100000) LW: No. 21
The Blazers are now two games out of a play-in spot, despite how well Damian Lillard has played this season.
24. Washington Wizards (+100000) LW: No. 22
Washington has lost three straight, falling out of the No. 10 seed in the process...
25. Indiana Pacers (+100000) LW: No. 25
The Pacers are still alive for the play-in, but it's unlikely they'd make it out to make the postseason.
26. Orlando Magic (+100000) LW: No. 26
The Magic have a lot of young talent, and if the second half of this season is any indication, they'll be in the playoff conversation in the 2023-24 campaign.
27. Charlotte Hornets (+100000) LW: No. 27
The Hornets have showed some fight as of late, but the team has to focus on landing LaMelo Ball a running mate in the upcoming draft.
28. Detroit Pistons (+100000) LW: No. 28
Detroit is in full tank mode, sitting out several veterans down the stretch of this lost season.
29. Houston Rockets (+100000) LW: No. 29
The best description of the Rockets' offense is that they play like an AAU team that just met each other. It's sad how accurate that is.
30. San Antonio Spurs (+100000) LW: No. 30
The Spurs have the worst net rating in the NBA and even though they beat Denver, they've gotten crushed by the Rockets as of late.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.