We are now eight weeks into the season and two weeks since the last NBA power rankings. Usually at about this time, we start to discover which teams are going to be the best this year and which are mere flukes.
It is still relatively early, but we now know more than we did at the beginning of the season.
Stats Glossary
Offensive Rating: Points Scored Per 100 Possessions
Defensive Rating: Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions
Net Rating: Point Differential Per 100 Possessions
Simple Rating System (SRS): Combination of Strength of Schedule and Net Rating)
All stats updated as of Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. EST.
Honorable Mentions
Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets
10. New York Knicks (Change: -2)
The Knicks are 14-11, sixth in the East, eighth in offensive rating, 10th in net rating, and 10th in SRS. They started pretty slow at 2-4 but were able to climb up to the fourth seed and now settle in as the sixth seed. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games, which is not terrible (especially for the Knicks’ standards), but it is part of the reason they are a little bit lower than last time. Although Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle are playing much better than at the beginning of the season, the rest of the team needs to improve if they want to have a shot at winning another playoff series.
if you’re a Knicks fan wake up pic.twitter.com/Ili8DB9ebY
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 19, 2023
9. Dallas Mavericks (Not Previously Ranked)
The Mavs are 16-9, third in the West, fifth in offensive rating, 11th in net rating, and 14th in SRS. They started red hot and were first in the West on Nov. 17. Although they slowed down for a few weeks, they have climbed back up to third place. What holds Dallas back is its defense (22nd in the league) and the fact that they have played the fourth-easiest schedule to date. Does this guarantee they will fall in the standings eventually? Of course not, but teams who score a ton of points on weak opponents tend to not age well later in the season.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (+2)
The Clippers might be the hottest team in the league. They are sixth in the West, seventh in defensive rating, fifth in net rating, and sixth in SRS. After it seemed like trading for James Harden was a huge mistake, he has been playing great for them. He is averaging 18 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds per game on 67 percent True Shooting. And, of course, how can I talk about the Clippers’ run without mentioning Kawhi Leonard? He has been lights out. averaging 29 points, 6 rebounds, and four assists on 75.1 percent True Shooting over his last nine games. Everyone knows how good this Clippers team can be. The question is how good will they be in the playoffs?
HARDEN BEST GAME THIS SEASON 🔥
35 PTS (21 in 4Q, career-high)
9 AST
8 3PM
12-16 FGClippers win their 8TH STRAIGHT 😤 pic.twitter.com/gsHxVLnemZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 19, 2023
7. Denver Nuggets (No Change)
The Nuggets are currently fourth in the West, which is a disappointment for the defending champs, but the situation is not as bad as the seeding says. They are only half a game behind second place, as well as three and a half behind first, which is not terrible. They are ninth in offensive rating, seventh in net rating, and fifth in SRS. In addition to this, Nikola Jokic has been playing the worst basketball he has played in a while for the past month. He is averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds per game on 53 percent True Shooting. While this is discouraging, you could argue that it is important for him to battle adversity now so he can know how to get better by the playoffs.
6. Orlando Magic (-1)
Despite losing two straight to the Celtics last weekend, the Magic have been fantastic this year. They are fourth in the East, fourth in defensive rating, ninth in net rating, and ninth in SRS. However, there are a couple of reasons people feel pessimistic about them. First, they have enjoyed the ninth-easiest schedule and are 18th in offense. Even though defense wins championships, they will need to find a way to be more creative on offense against eventual tougher teams. With this being said, the fact this young core is finding ways to win when they have not looked great on offense shows how scary they can be once they mature more.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (-2)
Despite being two spots lower than two weeks ago, the Thunder are still extremely impressive. They are seventh in offense, sixth in defense, fourth in Net Rating, and fourth in SRS. Everything about this team is exciting. From their star player looking like an MVP candidate to the potential Rookie of the Year playing some of the best defense in the league to their role players performing at high levels, this is one of the more exciting teams in the league. What is their ceiling? Nobody knows at this point, but for now, they are a fun team to watch.
4. Milwaukee Bucks (+1)
The Bucks seem to be figuring things out. They are second in the East, third in offense, sixth in net rating, and seventh in SRS. What keeps them lower is their below-average defense and relatively light schedule so far. With this being said, when a team is playing well despite some hiccups from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
Congrats to Giannis on earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/twY4H3nmWM
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 18, 2023
3. Philadelphia 76ers (+1)
The Sixers are one of the hottest teams in the league. They have won eight of their last 10, ranking third in the East, fifth in defensive rating, and first in offensive rating, net rating, and SRS. They are also the only team that is among the top five in both offense and defense. What holds them back is a lack of consistency against better teams. They are 6-7 against teams above .500. Their SRS suggests they have been the best team in the NBA, but they also have been running up the score against bad teams. With this being said, it is also not something every team can do, which is why they are in the top three.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (-1)
The Timberwolves continue to be one of the most impressive teams in the league. They are first in the West, first in defensive rating, third in net rating, and third in SRS. The big three of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert have been one of the best in the league. Amidst their dominant run, most fans outside of Minnesota have been asking, “Is it sustainable?” The answer has grown clearer: this team seems to be more and more real every time they play. They are 10-3 against teams over .500. Whether they are the best team in the West or not will be a mystery until the playoffs, but one is certain: this is a very exciting team to watch.
1. Boston Celtics (+1)
No surprises here. Despite looking not so hot a few weeks ago, the Celtics are the best team in the league again. They have won five straight (eight out of their last nine), are sixth in offense, third in defense, second in net rating, and second in SRS. People might ask why Boston is ahead of Philadelphia, and the justification is simple: the Celtics have been much better against better teams. They are 14-4 against teams over .500 while the Sixers are 6-7. My biggest concern with the Celtics is their road record. They are 14-0 at home and 6-5 on the road. I would like the best team in the league to be better than average on the road, but winning every home game certainly outweighs any concern there. Given that the Celtics have been near the top for close to a decade now, could this be the year they go all the way? Time shall tell.
CELTICS WIN!!! 20-5 WITH THE MOST WINS IN THE NBA!!! UNDEFEATED AT HOME!!! BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE!!! pic.twitter.com/Cp7NwBCIpD
— Boston Diehards (@Boston_Diehards) December 17, 2023
