SportsGrid’s NBA Power Rankings: T-Wolves Toast of the West

1. Boston Celtics

Last Week's Rank: 1 

Next 3 Games: @ CHI, @ NYK, vs. PHI

If the Boston Celtics don't win the NBA Finals, their season is a complete disappointment. Sitting with a 43-12 record, there is nothing else this team has to prove until the postseason.

NBA Finals Odds: +230

9. New Orleans Pelicans

Last Week's Rank: NR

Next 3 Games: vs. HOU, vs. MIA, vs. CHI

The New Orleans Pelicans have been a hard team to measure all season, but they ended up winning seven of their last eight games leading into the All-Star Break and currently hold the sixth seed in the West. 

Durability has been the defining factor for the playoff potential of this roster. Still, they are holding together strong and building up some serious chemistry for the stretch run. They may not be destined to make a championship bid, but they certainly won't make it easy for whoever they run into in the opening round.

NBA Finals Odds: +5500

8. Phoenix Suns

Last Week's Rank: 9 (+1)

Next 3 Games: @ DAL, @ HOU, vs. LAL

The Suns have put together some nice wins this season, but looking at their collective body of work, it seems like they're just trying to get to the postseason healthy. I don't blame them for knowing how talented their top three are, but the depth concerns have been apparent all season, and I can't imagine them flipping a switch heading into the final two months. 

They'll open back up against a red-hot Dallas Mavericks squad on Thursday night, so we'll be excited to see how these two teams stack up directly, as they'll likely be battling it out for playoff seeding until the very end.

NBA Finals Odds: +1400

7. Dallas Mavericks

Last Week's Rank: 7

Next 3 Games: vs. PHX, @ IND, @ CLE

Dallas ended the first half of the season on a great note as they won six straight games into the All-Star break. That said, they'll have their work cut out now, as three of their next five games will be against Phoenix, Cleveland, and Boston. 

Deadline acquisitions of PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford have been excellent alongside a healthy Kyrie Irving. Still, this next stretch of games will give us an accurate idea of the Mavs' potential.

NBA Finals Odds: +3600

6. Denver Nuggets

Last Week's Rank: 4 (-2)

Next 3 Games: vs. WSH, @ POR, @ GSW

We knocked the Denver Nuggets down a few spots in our power rankings from last week as they dropped three straight heading into the All-Star break. Still, that doesn't change how we feel about the Nuggs overall. They are the team to beat in the West until proven otherwise. 

Denver benefits from an easy schedule to open the unofficial second half, so with a few dominant victories, they'll be right back in the top five of these rankings, exactly where they belong.

NBA Finals Odds: +440

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Week's Rank: 5

Next 3 Games: vs. ORL, @ PHI, @ WAS

The Cleveland Cavaliers have won 17 of their last nine games and look like a true contender to battle Boston deep into the playoffs. Donovan Mitchell needs to be a more prominent MVP contender, and guys like Evan Mobley and Darius Garland will be a full-go for the remainder of the regular season after battling injuries early. It’s an exciting time to be a Cavs fan, so we’ll see if they can keep the winning ways going.

NBA Finals Odds: +2500

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Week's Rank: 6 (+2)

Next 3 Games: vs. LAC, vs. WSH, @ HOU

Could I be a bit too bullish on the Oklahoma City Thunder? Absolutely, but I'm a believer in what this team is building. On one end, I'm very frustrated that they didn't add a legitimate big man to pair with Chet Holmgren. It seemed like a no-brainer with their excess of picks, but still, they've been doing something right to have a 37-17 record.

 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+210) is my current MVP pick, and it will be exciting to see him and the Thunder stack up against the Clippers on Thursday night. What a matchup it will be.

NBA Finals Odds: +2500

3. LA Clippers

Last Week's Rank: 3

Next 3 Games: @ OKC, @ MEM, vs. SAC

The Clippers didn't necessarily look as dominant in the final game leading into the break, but they've shown that they can beat anyone in the league in a seven-game series. I'll chalk it up to a veteran-laden team looking forward to their vacation. There's no better fix than a statement victory in Oklahoma City on Thursday night for a morale boost.

NBA Finals Odds: +500

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

Last Week's Rank: 2

Next 3 Games: vs. MIL, vs. BKN, vs SAS

Minnesota has been my favorite team in the West for a few weeks now, but after 20-point wins in LA against the Clippers and in Milwaukee, nothing can convince me they aren't the top team in the West. Anthony Edwards is morphing into a superstar, Karl-Anthony Towns is an all-star, and Rudy Gobert is playing the best basketball he has in Minnesota. 

They'll have a chance to continue to prove their standing as the best squad in the conference if they can pull off another dominant win against the Bucks on Friday night.

NBA Finals Odds: +2500

1. Boston Celtics

Last Week's Rank: 1 

Next 3 Games: @ CHI, @ NYK, vs. PHI

If the Boston Celtics don't win the NBA Finals, their season is a complete disappointment. Sitting with a 43-12 record, there is nothing else this team has to prove until the postseason.

NBA Finals Odds: +230