NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Give LeBron His Flowers Now)
By Peter Dewey
We've seen some ridiculous scoring performances in the NBA lately, with Donovan Mitchell dropping 71 points on Monday and Luka Doncic posting a 60-point triple double in a comeback win over the New York Knicks last week.
But the man who is going to be the all-time leader scoring in NBA history, LeBron James, is putting up eye-popping numbers at age 38 for the Los Angeles Lakers. Sure, the Lakers are in the No. 12 spot in the West, but it's not because James is playing poorly.
The four-time champion is averaging 29.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 51.0 percent from the field. What more can he do, especially with Anthony Davis out?
While we should all be appreciating LeBron's game while he's still in his prime (amazing that he is), the NBA doesn't wait for anyone.
The Brooklyn Nets have figured that out, as they've won 12 straight games to move into second in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics.
Brooklyn isn't the only team making some noise in the standings, as Dallas (seven straight wins) and Indiana (four straight wins) are both moving themselves up in their respective conferences. With Doncic looking like the MVP, Dallas has jumped to fourth in the West.
How does that change this week's Power Rankings? Here's how things look, along with the latest title odds, as 2023 gets started:
1. Boston Celtics (+360) Last Week: No. 1
Boston still has the best record and offense in the NBA, but the East's contenders are gaining ground, with four teams less than four games behind the C's.
2. Brooklyn Nets (+800) LW: No. 4
This is what the Nets were supposed to be all along! A huge winning streak has put Brooklyn in the conversation for the top spot in the East.
3. Denver Nuggets (+1300) LW: No. 2
Nikola Jokic is back to looking like the MVP, but Denver hasn't been great when he's off the floor (-13.1 points per 100 possessions).
4. Memphis Grizzlies (+1200) LW: No. 5
Memphis has won three straight and is just half a game behind Denver for the top spot in the West.
5. Milwaukee Bucks (+650) LW: No. 3
Until Khris Middleton can stay healthy, the Bucks are very much beatable in the East.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (+2000) LW: No. 8
Donovan Mitchell is going off for the Cavs this season, and they are in striking distance of the top spot in the East.
7. New Orleans Pelicans (+2000) LW: No. 6
Zion Williamson's hamstring injury could be a problem for a Pels team that is already down Brandon Ingram...
8. Dallas Mavericks (+3600) LW: No. 12
Luka Magic! The Mavs star is the MVP favorite, and he has Dallas right back in the top four in the West after the team's slow start to the season.
9. Philadelphia 76ers (+1800) LW: No. 9
The Sixers are finally healthy, which could be a problem for anyone trying to catch them for the No. 5 spot in the East.
10. Golden State Warriors (+1400) LW: No. 19
Here come the Warriors! Golden State has won five straight, improving to a league best 17-2 at home this season.
11. Los Angeles Clippers (+950) LW: No. 7
The Clippers have yet to make a run in the West, and now Paul George is dealing with a hamstring injury.
12. Sacramento Kings (+16000) LW: No. 11
The Kings continue to show that this isn't a fluke, sticking in the top-5 in the West for another week.
13. Miami Heat (+4200) LW: No. 16
Jimmy Butler's nagging knee injury is the biggest concern the Heat have at the moment. If he can't go all season, Miami is cooked.
14. Indiana Pacers (+49000) LW: No. 18
The Pacers might be for real! Indiana is in the No. 6 seed in the East and had four great wins on its recent homestand.
15. New York Knicks (+20000) LW: No. 13
The Knicks lost five straight after their eight-game winning streak, but they're getting back on track with two wins and Jalen Brunson returning to the lineup.
16. Portland Trail Blazers (+8000) LW: No. 15
Portland has been consistent enough to stay in the play-in tournament convo, but it isn't worth wagering on as a Finals contender.
17. Phoenix Suns (+1400) LW: No. 10
Devin Booker's absence has crushed the Suns, who are all the win in the play-in picture now.
18. Atlanta Hawks (+7000) LW: No. 14
The Hawks are three games under .500, and they may need to make a trade to rejuvenate this roster.
19. Utah Jazz (+25000) LW: No. 17
Utah is now under .500 and has lost four straight after a red-hot start.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (+12000) LW: No. 20
The Wolves desperately need Karl-Anthony Towns back, and they may be regretting the Rudy Gobert trade at the moment.
21. Washington Wizards (+50000) LW: No. 26
Washington makes a leap out of the bottom of this list with a five-game winning streak.
22. Chicago Bulls (+30000) LW: No. 22
The Bulls either have to make a run soon, or they may want to blow things up at the trade deadline.
23. Los Angeles Lakers (+10000) LW: No. 25
The Lakers are in striking distance of the play-in, but can they hold up without Anthony Davis?
24. Toronto Raptors (+6500) LW: No. 21
Toronto has to be one of the biggest disappointments this season, and the team has been brutal on road, going 5-13.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (+100000) LW: No. 24
The Thunder are likely going to finish in the lottery, but they aren't out of the play-in chase yet.
26. Orlando Magic (+80000) LW: No. 23
After a hot stretch, Orlando has come back to earth, losing three in a row. The team has struggled against the East, going just 7-18.
27. San Antonio Spurs (+100000) LW: No. 27
The Spurs get blown out a lot, but they've mixed in enough quality wins to not be in last this week.
28. Houston Rockets (+100000) LW: No. 28
Houston is starting to sputter, losing nine of its last 10 and four straight to fall to dead last in the West.
29. Charlotte Hornets (+100000) LW: No. 29
LaMelo Ball and the Hornets could use a top pick to really improve this roster, because this season it just isn't happening.
30. Detroit Pistons (+100000) LW: No. 30
The Pistons still have the worst record in basketball, and it's hard to see that changing given their injuries.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.