NBA · 1 year ago

SportsGrid’s NBA Power Rankings: Thunder Atop the West

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

1. Boston Celtics
Last Week’s Rank: 1

Next 3 Games: vs. PHI, vs. DAL, vs. GSW

Standing with a 45-12 record, there is nothing else to say but wow about these Boston Celtics. They are consistently elite, and we are at the point where if they don’t win it all, their season is a complete failure.

NBA Finals Odds: +230
10. New Orleans Pelicans
Last Week’s Rank: 9 (-1)

Next 3 Games: @ NYK, @ IND, vs. IND

The New Orleans Pelicans have dropped two straight games in ugly fashion, blowing two double-digit leads at home. However, I have seen enough from the Pelicans to have them in the tenth spot. Zion Williamson continues to fly under the league's radar and has improved as a facilitator in February. Still, it’s hard to judge the overall trajectory of the Pelicans until they show continued consistency. With upcoming games against the Knicks and Pacers, it will be a good test for the Pelicans against teams that rank similarly to them.

NBA Finals Odds: +5500
9. Phoenix Suns
Last Week’s Rank: 8 (-1)

Next 3 Games: vs. HOU, vs. HOU, vs. OKC

After the All-Star break, the Phoenix Suns dropped two straight road games to Dallas and Houston but picked up a much-needed victory on Sunday against the Lakers. We’ve been saying all year that the Suns are just cruising through the regular season to ensure they reach mid-April as healthy as possible, but does there come a point where chemistry issues in the short term could outweigh future health?

NBA Finals Odds: +1400
8. Milwaukee Bucks
Last Week’s Rank: 10 (+2)

Next 3 Games: vs. CHA, @ CHA, @ CHI

The Milwaukee Bucks couldn’t have gone into the All-Star break any worse, but luckily for them, they opened the second half of the season as well as possible. They went into Minnesota and pulled out a gutsy win over the Timberwolves, showcasing a defensive effort that we’ve barely seen from them all season, then went into Philly on Sunday and dominated from start to finish. Their next three games give them an excellent opportunity to rack up wins to try and recoup the No. 2 seed in the East, but it’s a much happier time in Milwaukee than it was a week ago.

NBA Finals Odds: +650
7. Dallas Mavericks
Last Week’s Rank: 7

Next 3 Games: @ CLE, @ TOR, @ BOS

We wanted to have the Dallas Mavericks a notch higher in our power rankings after they pulled out a decisive win over the Suns in their first game back from the All-Star break, but they fell flat in Indiana over the weekend, snapping their seven-game win streak. They have a tough road ahead, with games in Cleveland and Boston, so it will be a great measuring stick to see how legit the Mavs are against some of the NBA’s best.

NBA Finals Odds: +3300
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Week’s Rank: 5 (-1)

Next 3 Games: vs. DAL, @ CHI, @ DET

After winning 17 of 18 games, the Cleveland Cavaliers have lost three of their last five. We won’t read too much into those losses, as they were without Donovan Mitchell for two. Still, they have a tough two weeks ahead with matchups against Dallas, New York, Boston, and Minnesota, which will tell us a lot if the Cavs can hold on to the No. 2 seed in the East for the remainder of the season.

NBA Finals Odds: +2500
5. LA Clippers
Last Week’s Rank: 3 (-2)

Next 3 Games: vs. LAL, vs. WAS, @ MIN

The LA Clippers haven’t looked special over their last six games. They’ve been unable to play up to the competition of more formidable opponents, dropping games to Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and Sacramento in ugly fashion. Given the upside they've shown throughout the season, we can’t be too quick to write the Clippers off. Still, if these issues persist on their upcoming road trip, including stops in Minnesota and Milwaukee, we would be right to be concerned about their postseason potential.

NBA Finals Odds: +500
4. Denver Nuggets
Last Week’s Rank: 6 (+2)

Next 3 Games: vs. SAC, vs. MIA, @ LAL

After losing three games heading into the All-Star break, the Denver Nuggets have won three straight, embodying their championship caliber. With solid showings over their recent stretch of games, including matchups against Sacramento, Los Angeles, and an NBA Finals rematch against Miami, they could find themselves positioned higher than Minnesota and Oklahoma City in these rankings.

NBA Finals Odds: +440
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Week’s Rank: 2 (-1)

Next 3 Games: vs. SAS, vs. MEM, vs. SAC

It hasn't felt like the Minnesota Timberwolves have missed a step all season. They have been highly consistent and prolific defensively while getting superstar-level performances from Anthony Edwards when needed. We dropped them a peg in our power rankings after they lost to Milwaukee at home, but I’m not focussing on that loss because Milwaukee needed that win. With a five-game home stand ahead, this will be a critical time for them to rack up wins to hold onto the No. 1 seed over the surging Thunder.

NBA Finals Odds: +2300
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week’s Rank: 4 (+2)

Next 3 Games: vs. HOU, @ SAS, @ PHX

The Oklahoma City Thunder came out of the All-Star break with a dominant victory over the Clippers, following it up with two resounding wins over Washington and Houston. What else is there to ask for? OKC has shattered expectations all season, but they have a legitimate shot at claiming the No. 1 seed in the West with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander competing for MVP honors. A win in Phoenix on national television on Sunday will be huge to further both narratives.

NBA Finals Odds: +2500
1. Boston Celtics
Last Week’s Rank: 1

Next 3 Games: vs. PHI, vs. DAL, vs. GSW

Standing with a 45-12 record, there is nothing else to say but wow about these Boston Celtics. They are consistently elite, and we are at the point where if they don’t win it all, their season is a complete failure.

NBA Finals Odds: +230
10. New Orleans Pelicans
Last Week’s Rank: 9 (-1)

Next 3 Games: @ NYK, @ IND, vs. IND

The New Orleans Pelicans have dropped two straight games in ugly fashion, blowing two double-digit leads at home. However, I have seen enough from the Pelicans to have them in the tenth spot. Zion Williamson continues to fly under the league's radar and has improved as a facilitator in February. Still, it’s hard to judge the overall trajectory of the Pelicans until they show continued consistency. With upcoming games against the Knicks and Pacers, it will be a good test for the Pelicans against teams that rank similarly to them.

NBA Finals Odds: +5500

SportsGrid’s NBA Power Rankings: Thunder Atop the West

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