Hope all of you guys had an incredible weekend. As promised, we’re going to be doing a detailed NBA power ranking today. Let’s talk some basketball.
No. 10 – Los Angeles Lakers (+6000)
The Lakers got back on track with wins over a short-handed Warriors team and the Kings, staying in line with their season-long trend of handling lesser teams and struggling against better ones.
The optimism centers on the Luka-LeBron-Austin trio. Injuries have constantly derailed their rhythm, but in the last three games they’ve posted a 128 offensive rating – their best stretch together this season.
The emphasis on posting smalls rather than hunting bigs has helped, and the three-point shooting has been key. The big three hit 27 threes on 48% shooting over that stretch. If multiple stars are going to coexist as force multipliers instead of diminishing returns, they have to be aggressive and efficient from three.
There’s still a big drop-off after the top nine teams in the league – the Lakers aren’t on that level. Their only path to being competitive in round one against Houston, Denver, or Minnesota is if the offense reaches an elite level. I’d be stunned if they made a conference finals run, but competing or stealing a series would be positive momentum heading into a huge offseason.
No. 9 – Denver Nuggets (+550)
Denver has been in an absolute free-fall: 5-8 in their last 13 games, including measuring-stick losses to Oklahoma City and Minnesota.
Injuries to Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon matter. They’re Denver’s two best athletes, Gordon is their only viable vertical spacer at the four, and both are critical to their backline defense.
But two issues stand out.
First: turnovers. Jokic and Murray were sloppy against Minnesota, which led to transition offense and a 30-6 fast break advantage for the Wolves. Against elite defenses, the margin for error isn’t big enough for those decomposing moments.
Second: Jokic’s three-point shooting. When athletic teams swarm him on the roll and rotate well, he adjusts by popping in pick-and-roll – the hardest action to guard in drop coverage. But it doesn’t matter if he can’t hit the shots. We’ve seen extended slumps before.
At 45% from three, Jokic is head and shoulders above the rest of the league.
At 30% from three, Jokic is just another top-tier superstar.
They need him to find his rhythm.
No. 8 – Cleveland Cavaliers (+1100)
They’ve dropped three out of five, but Mitchell and Harden played in only one of those games. Harden’s playing through a fracture in his thumb. Mitchell has a groin issue.
They damn near won in Milwaukee and Detroit without their star guards. Jarrett Allen has been hooping – averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds on 73% shooting in his last 12 games.
Big key here is health. Is Harden going to replicate 95-98% of what he usually is with a broken thumb? How serious is Mitchell’s groin?
All eyes on the health of their two guards.
No. 7 – Houston Rockets (+2250)
Very up and down couple of weeks. Nice road win in Charlotte. Devastating late game collapse in MSG. Massive second half comeback in Orlando. Super disappointing loss in Miami.
Concerned about Alperen Sengun. He’s scored 20 points just twice in his last 11 games. Just 29% on jump shots inside 17 feet. 42% on floaters and hooks. 64% at the rim.
If Sengun could just find a way to put the ball in the basket more, it could go a long way toward stabilizing things.
The good news? You’re still the No. 3 seed. Everyone in the West outside of San Antonio and Oklahoma City has been struggling in various ways.
Two good weeks or two bad weeks and everything flips.
No. 6 – Minnesota Timberwolves (+3000)
They’ve won three in a row, 6 of 7, 11 of their last 15. The win in Denver was one of their more impressive defensive performances of the season.
When you put two on the ball, the reads are the same. But when you get there faster, when you’re bigger and more athletic, it’s really difficult to pass through it or shoot over it.
Minnesota is so fast and so physical that it can overwhelm teams.
34 transition points in Denver. Huge swing from Naz Reid. Jaden McDaniels repeatedly bullying his way to the rim.
I continue to think the Wolves have a fastball when they’re at their very best, that is every bit as good as the top teams in the league.
No. 5 – Boston Celtics (+1100)
Disappointing loss in Denver, bounced back with wins over Brooklyn and Philly.
Jaylen Brown went for 27, 8 and 8. Neemias Queta went for 27 and 17 with three blocks.
Baylor Scheierman has been playing through a finger fracture. He brings shooting, offensive skill, rebounding, and anticipatory defense to the table. Seven rebounds per 36 minutes. He’s turned into one of their better on-off guys this year.
No. 4 – New York Knicks (+1500)
Incredible defensive performance in Madison Square Garden. Forced 22 turnovers, scored 24 points off those turnovers.
Generated 23 unguarded catch and shoot threes.
They have the second-best record in the NBA against teams in the Top 10 in point differential. Fourth best point differential in those games.
I’ve noticed major improvement defensively and a more equal opportunity offense built on drive and kick.
No. 3 – San Antonio Spurs (+800)
Most disappointing thing I saw this week was the offense.
Teams will get physical with Wemby and force him into committing turnovers. I expect his first playoff run to be a relatively high turnover one.
Their most reliable half court offense will be running through a guard who may or may not even be a top 30 player in the NBA right now.
Not a death sentence. But a little worried about the Spurs.
No. 2 – Oklahoma City Thunder (+140)
Shai is back and he looks amazing.
Getting wherever he wants on the floor. 33, 7 and 7 with just two turnovers per game in his first two games back.
Alex Caruso straight up stole that Denver game. When Caruso is on the floor, the Thunder are +21 per 100 possessions.
No. 1 – Detroit Pistons (+2500)
The Pistons are just a winning machine.
Three straight wins. Debilitating ball pressure. Tobias Harris hitting that right shoulder fade. 23 points in Orlando.
Jalen Duren protecting the rim down the stretch.
Rematches with the Cavs and Spurs on the road this week. I have my eye on the San Antonio game because Cade was so bad in that first one.
Final Thoughts
All right guys. That’s all I have for today. As always, I sincerely appreciate you guys for supporting us and supporting the show. We’ll be back with some game reactions soon. I will see you guys then.
Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in FL. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC, in all other states. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, MI, NJ, OH, TN or VA to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about your gambling? In FL, call or text 1-833-PLAYWISE. In IN, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. In AZ and OH, call 1-800-MY-RESET.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1‑800‑GAMBLER (CO, IL, MI, NJ, TN, VA)
