The Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors lead their respective conferences and both are on fire. The Cavaliers are still struggling on defense. The Western Playoff Race looks like it will be exciting while we wonder if the over-performing teams in the East can keep their momentum and hang on to a Playoff spot. Where will your favorite team be this week in these power rankings? Let's see where the computer has them ranked.
#1 Boston Celtics: .9496
Last Week: 1
Record: 10-2 | Last 10: 10-2 | Net Rating: +9.2 | Statsplit Ranking: 1349.82
The Celtics have now won 10 games in a row and have the best defense in the league. Kyrie Irving has adjusted well to his new home and fits well in the new system. They will look to keep their streak going tonight against the Charlotte Hornets.
#2 Golden State Warriors: .8881
Last Week: 3
Record: 9-3 | Last 10: 8-2 | Net Rating: +14.2 | Statsplit Ranking: 1285.89
And the Warriors look like they have returned to form, having the best offense and the best net rating by a large margin. They also lead the league in blocks and their defense is good enough to make their opposition irrelevant. They have won their past 5 games by at least 15.
#3 Houston Rockets: .7577
Last Week: 5
Record: 9-3 | Last 10: 7-3 | Net Rating: +6.3 | Statsplit Ranking: 1227.87
The Rockets are tied for the lead in the West with the Warriors and outside their close game with the Cavaliers, they have destroying teams effectively as well. They have the second best offense and lead the league in threes. And this is without Chris Paul playing.
#4 Detroit Pistons: .7188
Last Week: 11
Record: 8-3 | Last 10: 7-3 | Net Rating: +4.3 | Statsplit Ranking: 1202.24
Have the Pistons finally figured it out? After years of playing disappointing basketball, they seem to have turned things around. Adding Avery Bradley has definitely improved the whole dynamic of the team. They face off against lowly Atlanta to keep things rolling.
#5 Orlando Magic: .6316
Last Week: 2
Record: 7-4 | Last 10: 6-4 | Net Rating: +5.1 | Statsplit Ranking: 1117.69
Orlando's offense efficiency cooled off and it resulted in two losses. One was to Chicago by 22. That's not a good sign going forward. Orlando is good enough defensively to be a playoff team. Whether or not they will be one is a good question. Schedule gets harder coming up.
#6 Toronto Raptors: .6266
Last Week: 12
Record: 7-4 | Last 10: 6-4 | Net Rating: +4.4 | Statsplit Ranking: 1123.05
Toronto looks like they will be the third best team in the East once Cleveland gets it together. Toronto could definitely improve on defense, though. They are rather average on that end. And this has allowed teams to keep up with their Top 5 offense.
#7 Memphis Grizzlies: .6208
Last Week: 9
Record: 7-4 | Last 10: 7-4 | Net Rating: +4.4 | Statsplit Ranking: 1108.21
Grizzlies are grind out basketball at its best. They have the third best defense in the league and have the least turnovers per game in the league. With unspectacular shooting, they have still found a way to win. Can they grind out another playoff appearance?
#8 San Antonio Spurs: .5898
Last Week: 19
Record: 7-4 | Last 10: 6-4 | Net Rating: +0.4 | Statsplit Ranking: 1131.83
The Spurs responded to a four game losing streak with a three game winning streak. Having a long home stand also helps with turning things around. We still don't when Kawhi Leonard is coming back. Spurs host the struggling Bucks tonight.
#9 Minnesota Timberwolves: .5868
Last Week: 15
Record: 7-4 | Last 10: 7-3 | Net Rating: -2.6 | Statsplit Ranking: 1130.58
The Timberwolves have improved their terrible defense a little bit. They are still in the Bottom 5, but were still able to go 2-1 in the past week, losing to the Warriors. With a negative net rating, they need to improve on defense or they'll eventually start losing close games.
#10 Denver Nuggets: .5581
Last Week: 16
Record: 7-5 | Last 10: 6-4 | Net Rating: +0.4 | Statsplit Ranking: 1101.97
The Denver Nuggets are 4-1 in November and have turned things around since their slow start to the season. Nikola Jokic has shown flashes of superstar play. He toasted the Nets for 41 and 12. If he can be more consistent, they should continue winning games.
#11 Portland Trailblazers: .5332
Last Week: 13
Record: 6-5 | Last 10: 5-5 | Net Rating: +4.8 | Statsplit Ranking: 1033.08
The Trailblazers backcourt is averaging 50 points per game. The rest of the team scores just a little more than that. McCollum is shooting lights out while Lillard is struggling from 3. Even if Lillard improves, do they have enough to make a playoff run?
#12 Philadelphia 76ers: .5218
Last Week: 17
Record: 6-5 | Last 10: 6-4 | Net Rating: +0.4 | Statsplit Ranking: 1046.12
The young core of the 76ers is clicking and they are transitioning from being a rebuilding team to a competitive team. They lead the league in rebounding and are Top 3 in shots taken. This high pace, high energy team has a bright future ahead of them.
#13 New York Knicks: .5039
Last Week: 22
Record: 6-5 | Last 10: 6-4 | Net Rating: -2.4 | Statsplit Ranking: 1072.39
Kristaps Porzingis has been a revelation for the Knicks. The dude has easily been the most improved player in the league and is putting up big numbers. But injuries remain a concern. The sky is the limit if Porzingis can stay healthy.
#14 New Orleans Pelicans: .4952
Last Week: 23
Record: 6-6 | Last 10: 6-4 | Net Rating: 0.9 | Statsplit Ranking: 1008.90
The Demarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis experiment appears to be working for now. They were 3-1 last week and lost a close one to the Raptors. They have a three game home stand that should test their progress, with a rematch with Toronto at the end.
#15 Washington Wizards: .4910
Last Week: 14
Record: 6-5 | Last 10: 5-5 | Net Rating: +2.3 | Statsplit Ranking: 989.91
The Wizards have been very middle of the road this season. They have their moments but then disappoint so easily. They have a nice win over the Raptors only to lose to the one win Mavericks. They have the talent to challenge for a Top 3 seed, will they use it?
#16 LA Clippers: .4737
Last Week: 4
Record: 5-5 | Last 10: 5-5 | Net Rating: +3.6 | Statsplit Ranking: 955.76
The Clippers are struggling after starting 4-0. Injuries play a big role in their current struggles. Can Blake Griffin be the number one option when the depth is lacking? Can the defense step up? Their playoff status will depend on the answers to these questions.
#17 Charlotte Hornets: .4331
Last Week: 6
Record: 5-6 | Last 10: 5-5 | Net Rating: +0.4 | Statsplit Ranking: 977.46
The Hornets are on a 3 game losing streak on their current road trip. Their offense and defense both suffer from being remarkably average. Both are 16th best in the league. Can they improve either? Things don't get easier as they face the Celtics tonight in Boston.
#18 Miami Heat: .4040
Last Week: 21
Record: 5-6 | Last 10: 5-5 | Net Rating: -2.4 | Statsplit Ranking: 975.71
Miami can't seem to put together a good offense and defensive performance together. They hold the Warriors to 97 points, but lose by 17, and they give up 115 against the Suns and shoot lights out in a win. They have zero bad losses but no quality wins.
#19 Utah Jazz: .3697
Last Week: 10
Record: 5-6 | Last 10: 4-6 | Net Rating: -1.8 | Statsplit Ranking: 943.41
Utah did not have a very good defensive week. With a Bottom 5 offensive rating and no go to scorer, the Jazz went 0-3. They clearly have an elite defense, but their offense is anemic. They face the Heat at home tonight in a probable low scoring affair.
#20 Indiana Pacers: .3575
Last Week: 7
Record: 5-7 | Last 10: 4-6 | Net Rating: 0.0 | Statsplit Ranking: 902.56
The Pacers followed their big win over the Cavaliers by going 0-4 last week. Victor Oladipo has cooled off a little bit and so has the team. This team might be stuck in the back end of the lottery. Too good to get a high draft pick, but too bad to hang onto a playoff spot.
#21 Los Angeles Lakers: .3430
Last Week: 24
Record: 5-7 | Last 10: 4-6 | Net Rating: -2.8 | Statsplit Ranking: 937.39
Lonzo Ball was supposed to help out on the offense end with his ability to pass the ball. Unfortunately other teams eliminate his passing threat by leaving him open. And his shooting has been abysmal. Like below 30% from the field abysmal. Yikes.
#22 Oklahoma City Thunder: .3273
Last Week: 8
Record: 4-7 | Last 10: 3-7 | Net Rating: +3.9 | Statsplit Ranking: 847.32
The Thunder have the second best defense after the Celtics. They have a top ten net rating. What's the issue? They can't win close games. They are 0-4 in November and all four games have been within 8 points. They need to work on closing out games.
#23 Milwaukee Bucks: .3197
Last Week: 18
Record: 4-6 | Last 10: 4-6 | Net Rating: -2.4 | Statsplit Ranking: 884.23
Milwaukee looked like it was primed for a breakout season given their season last year and the improvement of the Greek Freak. Things haven't worked out as well as they would have hoped. We'll see how much Eric Bledsoe contributes to the team.
#24 Cleveland Cavaliers: .2829
Last Week: 26
Record: 5-7 | Last 10: 3-7 | Net Rating: -4.0 | Statsplit Ranking: 886.10
Well, I guess I have to talk about how bad Cleveland's defense is. They have a Top 3 offense and are still losing games. Cleveland has an elite offense. But when outside shot is not falling, anyone can beat them. With an aging core, we'll see how much they improve by.
#25 Brooklyn Nets: .2701
Last Week: 25
Record: 4-7 | Last 10: 4-6 | Net Rating: -4.8 | Statsplit Ranking: 854.18
It looks like another year that the Nets are bad without having any incentive to be bad. Russell is averaging 20 a game, but who is their second best scoring option? Rondae Hollis-Jefferson? Demarre Carroll? Caris Levert? Hopefully someone steps into the role.
#26 Phoenix Suns: .2078
Last Week: 20
Record: 4-8 | Last 10: 4-6 | Net Rating: -8.7 | Statsplit Ranking: 825.31
Well, Phoenix's turnaround was short. They're still better than the Earl Watson Suns, but their defense still ranks in the Bottom 3. Unlike the Bucks and Cavs, the Suns aren't a very good offensive team. Devin Booker is a good scorer, but they lack any defensive quality.
#27 Sacramento Kings: .1430
Last Week: 30
Record: 3-8 | Last 10: 3-7 | Net Rating: -10.6 | Statsplit Ranking: 837.29
The Kings have the worst net rating in the league. Their offense is awful and their defense is bad. Somehow they managed to win two games this past week. Old Zach Randolph is their leading scorer with less than 14 a game. There is too much sharing of the scoring load.
#28 Chicago Bulls: .1094
Last Week: 27
Record: 2-7 | Last 10: 2-7 | Net Rating: -8.7 | Statsplit Ranking: 806.86
The worst offense team in the league. They still managed to beat the Magic by 20, but that was more of an anomaly than anything. Lauri Markkanen is their best offense player. Which is good for their future, but bad news for this season.
#29 Atlanta Hawks: .0500
Last Week: 28
Record: 2-9 | Last 10: 1-9 | Net Rating: -6.2 | Statsplit Ranking: 716.48
Atlanta is a more competitive team than Chicago and the Kings, but they don't have the talent to close out games. They only have 1 win in the past 10. And of course, it is against the Cavaliers. Fun Fact: Atlanta has a 3 game streak over the Cavaliers.
#30 Dallas Mavericks: .0437
Last Week: 29
Record: 2-10 | Last 10: 2-8 | Net Rating: -9.2 | Statsplit Ranking: 721.05
The Mavericks have the worst record in the league with the second worst net rating. But their two wins are against solid teams: the Grizzlies and the Wizards. Their next game is against Cav's defense tomorrow which gives Dallas a good shot at win #3.
