NBA Power Rankings Based on NBA Championship Odds (Grizzlies, Celtics Peaking at Right Time)
By Peter Dewey
The 2022-23 NBA regular season comes to an end on April 9, which means there are less than two weeks for teams to get into the play-in tournament for a shot at the playoffs.
The Western Conference is still as crowded as ever, but the Memphis Grizzlies are on a hot streak, winning six in a row and nine of their last 10. They're looking to solidify their spot as the No. 2 seed in the West.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks (No. 11 in the West) are falling apart, losing two games over the weekend to the Charlotte Hornets. They did bounce back with a win over Indiana on Monday, but this is far from what the team expected when it traded for Kyrie Irving.
Brooklyn Nets fans, you're allowed to say, "I told you so," if you want.
Four teams in the East have already locked up a playoff spot, including the Boston Celtics, who are No. 1 in the league in net rating over their last 10 games. Does Boston (second in the odds to win the title) have some value at +330?
Let's dive into the latest title odds and the NBA Power Rankings at this point in the season:
1. Milwaukee Bucks (+320) Last Week: No. 1
Milwaukee has a two-game lead on Boston and has been dominant when Khris Middleton has played this season.
2. Boston Celtics (+330) LW: No. 2
Boston is first in the NBA in net rating over its last 10 games, and they may be a value at +330 to win the title.
3. Denver Nuggets (+750) LW: No. 4
Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets have turned things around after a rough patch, and they need just a few more wins to lock up the top spot in the West.
4. Phoenix Suns (+450) LW: No. 5
Kevin Durant could return soon, which would immediately elevate the Suns' chances of winning the title.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (+1100) LW: No. 3
Joel Embiid is the MVP favorite, but the Philly has to be careful of the surging Cavs in the Eastern Conference standings.
6. Memphis Grizzlies (+1600) LW: No. 7
The Grizzlies are HOT! with Ja Morant back, Memphis is looking like a title contender once again, especially on this six-game winning streak.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (+4500) LW: No. 6
Cleveland is just 1.5 games back of the No. 3 seed in the East, and the team is second in the league in net rating. Don't sleep on this team.
8. Sacramento Kings (+5500) LW: No. 8
The Kings lack playoff experience, but they are a little undervalued for a team that will likely finish in the top-3 in the West.
9. New York Knicks (+9000) LW: No. 11
The Knicks are a few wins away from locking up the No. 5 seed in the East, a huge improvement from last season's finish.
10. Los Angeles Clippers (+1800) LW: No. 9
Paul George's knee injury complicates things in the futures market for the Clippers. If he returns, they can still contend for a title.
11. Golden State Warriors (+1200) LW: No. 10
Can Golden State avoid the play-in? It seems like the Warriors can't shake free of the pack, and they currently are No. 7 in the West.
12. Miami Heat (+9000) LW: No. 13
Miami is 22nd in the NBA in net rating, which is concerning for any playoff team, but Jimmy Butler has reached a new gear since the All-Star break. The Heat are a team nobody should want in the first round.
13. Brooklyn Nets (+40000) LW: No. 12
Brooklyn is in a dead heat with Miami for the No. 6 spot in the East, but I'm not sure the team can hold on over the last week-plus of the season.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (+15000) LW: No. 15
Minnesota picked up a huge road win over Golden State and is now the No. 6 seed despite Karl-Anthony Towns missing most of the 2022-23 season.
15. New Orleans Pelicans (+25000) LW: No. 21
Make if five straight wins for the New Orleans Pelicans, who are peaking at the right time with Zion Williamson potentially back for the playoffs.
16. Los Angeles Lakers (+2800) LW: No. 16
LeBron James is back, and the Lakers are hoping he can take them to a top ply-in spot, at least, by the end of the regular season.
17. Atlanta Hawks (+30000) LW: No. 17
The Hawks may have to blow things up after this season, because this team as constructed is just unbeliveably average.
18. Toronto Raptors (+25000) LW: No. 18
Toronto has a chance to pass Atlanta for the No. 8 seed in the East. That would make things very interesting down the stretch of the season.
19. Chicago Bulls (+100000) LW: No. 20
The Bulls are 10-6 since acquiring Patrick Beverley, and they have a top-10 defense this season. Could they be sneaky in the play-in tournament?
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (+100000) LW: No. 19
Can the Thunder make the playoffs? OKC continues to play well, holding the No. 10 spot in the West.
21. Dallas Mavericks (+5500) LW: No. 14
Dallas is now the No. 11 seed in the West, and Luka Doncic has said himself that he's struggling to find joy in the game right now...
22. Washington Wizards (+100000) LW: No. 23
Washington is three games back of the play-in with just seven to play. It looks like another season without postseason action.
23. Utah Jazz (+100000) LW: No. 22
The Jazz have hung around in the playoff picture, but injuries to Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton may doom the team's season.
24. Indiana Pacers (+100000) LW: No. 25
Indiana's play-in tournament hopes are dwindling after Monday's loss to Dallas.
25. Orlando Magic (+100000) LW: No. 26
The Magic are 27-23 over their last 50 games. This team could be scary next season.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (+100000) LW: No. 24
The Blazers decided to tank, and they are likely sitting Damian Lillard for the rest of the season. This is a massive disappointment after trying to compete this season.
27. Charlotte Hornets (N/A) LW: No. 27
Charlotte played spoiler over the weekend against Dallas, but the team has nothing to play for over the final week and change.
28. Houston Rockets (N/A) LW: No. 28
Houston has lost six straight, and the team is back in the top of the lottery for the third straight season.
29. San Antonio Spurs (N/A) LW: No. 29
The Spurs are tanking as much as they can, and they should finish with one of the three worst records in the league.
30. Detroit Pistons (N/A) LW: No. 30
There are very few things that went right this season for the Pistons...
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.