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Change
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Team
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W-L
(ATS)
|
Power Rating
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Team Comments
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| 1 |
2 |
 1 |
 |
29-8
(22-13-2)
|
-14.5 |
Oklahoma City
For the second time this season, the Thunder get the top spot. Last time didn't go so well as they lost to the Heat on Christmas Day. Still, it's tough to ignore the best point differential in the league (+9.2) |
| 2 |
3 |
1 |
 |
28-9
(22-15-0)
|
-14.3 |
L.A. Clippers
Have lost only three games since November 26 and just rolled Memphis and Houston without Chris Paul. I'd say they're for real. |
| 3 |
4 |
1 |
 |
29-11
(23-16-1)
|
-14.1 |
San Antonio
The league's most consistent team has won 18 straight division home games. Going back to last season, they've covered nearly 70 percent of the time at home. |
| 4 |
1 |
 3 |
 |
24-11
(17-18-0)
|
-14.0 |
Miami
A stunning drop from the top spot is justified by an inexcusable 8-9 SU road record. Still, I anticipate they will easily win the East and be back at the top by season's end. |
| 5 |
5 |
 |
 |
24-11
(21-13-1)
|
-11.5 |
Memphis
We're starting to see some distance between the Grizzlies and the Top 3 in the West. Losing by a combined 47 points to Dallas and the Clippers isn't inspiring. |
| 6 |
6 |
|
 |
24-13
(19-17-1)
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-9.5 |
New York
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, there was no way they could maintain the hot shooting of the first month. But can any other team supplant them as No. 2 in the East? |
| 7 |
7 |
|
 |
23-16
(23-16-0)
|
-9.0 |
Denver
Though only sixth in the Western Conference standings, the Nuggets continue to justify my lofty ranking with six wins in a row and an outstanding 15-2 SU home record. |
| 8 |
8 |
|
 |
23-13
(20-15-1)
|
-8.5 |
Golden State
It doesn't look like the Warriors will be going away. Though they've failed to cover four straight and have to play host to Miami Wednesday. |
| 9 |
10 |
1 |
 |
23-15
(19-19-0)
|
-7.0 |
Indiana
This looks like the hottest team in the East right now, but how low will the totals be for their games? They are No. 1 in points allowed, but No. 29 in points scored. |
| 10 |
12 |
2 |
 |
20-15
(13-22-0)
|
-6.8 |
Chicago
It's going to be neck-and-neck with Indiana in the Central Division, and remember they are still hoping to get Derrick Rose back. Weird stat: Bulls are on a 14-3 ATS run on Fridays |
| 11 |
13 |
2 |
 |
19-17
(14-20-2)
|
-6.6 |
Boston
If Indiana isn't the hottest team in the East, then Boston is. Assuming they beat New Orleans, the Celtics will head into Friday's game with Chicago on a seven-game win streak. |
| 12 |
9 |
3 |
 |
21-15
(14-21-1)
|
-6.3 |
Atlanta
This is without question the coldest team in the Eastern Conference, at least among the contenders. On Monday, they became just the third team in the shot clock era to score 20 points or less before halftime. |
| 13 |
14 |
1 |
 |
22-15
(18-17-2)
|
-6.2 |
Brooklyn
Or maybe, if its not Indiana or Boston, the Nets are the hottest team in the East. Technically, they are on the longest win streak (seven straight), but my god they've played a lot of bad teams since P.J. Carlesimo took over. |
| 14 |
11 |
3 |
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21-17
(21-16-1)
|
-6.1 |
Houston
Have lost four straight (0-4 ATS). This team is the opposite of Indiana. All offense and no defense. On average, Rockets games average nearly 30 PPG more than Pacers games. I point this out because the teams play Friday. |
| 15 |
15 |
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 |
16-21
(15-21-1)
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-6.0 |
L.A. Lakers
You have to have a feeling that the season will take a dramatic turn no matter what the result of Thursday's TNT showdown with the Heat is. |
| 16 |
17 |
1 |
 |
20-19
(19-19-1)
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-5.5 |
Utah
The Jazz get plenty of time to celebrate Monday's upset of the Heat. They don't play again until Saturday when they host Cleveland. Then, they host Washington. A four-game win streak seems likely. |
| 17 |
21 |
4 |
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15-23
(19-19-0)
|
-5.0 |
Dallas
Signs of life from the Mavericks! They've won and covered three straight, but Houston and Oklahoma City are upcoming. Will be a real test. |
| 18 |
19 |
1 |
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20-17
(17-18-2)
|
-4.5 |
Portland
Led by Rookie of the Year front runner, Damian Lillard, the Blazers would be in the playoffs if they started today. But they don't and come April, I don't see this team making it. |
| 19 |
18 |
1 |
 |
19-17
(19-17-0)
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-4.0 |
Milwaukee
Thursday, the Bucks will be in Phoenix to play a Suns team they just beat last Tuesday in interim coach Jim Boylan's first game. Only problem is that they've lost 24 straight times in Phoenix. |
| 20 |
20 |
|
 |
14-23
(19-18-0)
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-3.4 |
Toronto
Raptors are a tough out and 4-2 ATS as a home dog this season. But playing in the Atlantic Division seems to have them relegated to last place. |
| 21 |
23 |
2 |
 |
14-24
(17-21-0)
|
-3.3 |
Detroit
They will play the Knicks in England Thursday afternoon. Interesting to note the last five overseas NBA games have all gone over the total. |
| 22 |
16 |
6 |
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16-18
(17-17-0)
|
-3.3 |
Minnesota
They went winless on a four-game road trip and have to turn around and host the Clippers Thursday night. Too many injuries for the T-Wolves to have the season they had envisioned. |
| 23 |
24 |
1 |
 |
13-26
(16-21-2)
|
-3.0 |
Phoenix
It's sad that there are seven teams rated lower than the Suns, who have dropped 12 of their last 15. But hey - there's always hosting Milwaukee. |
| 24 |
27 |
3 |
 |
11-26
(19-18-0)
|
-2.5 |
New Orleans
The Hornets are moving up in the world, having won and covered in five of their last six games. They are a lethal 31-17 ATS as a road dog the last two seasons. |
| 25 |
22 |
3 |
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16-22
(16-22-0)
|
-2.3 |
Philadelphia
What has happened here? The Sixers are plummeting faster than Lance Armstrong's Q Rating. They just lost by 12 - at home - to New Orleans! Have just four wins in last 18 games. |
| 26 |
26 |
|
 |
13-24
(16-20-1)
|
-2.1 |
Sacramento
Why is the city of Sacramento fighting so hard to keep this team? Maybe the fans like cashingovers? The Kings have gone over in 11 of 12 games entering Wednesday. |
| 27 |
25 |
2 |
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13-23
(19-16-1)
|
-2.0 |
Orlando
The Magic were an awesome 14-3 ATS as a road dog. That was before they lost by 29 - at Washington - which was their 11th loss in 12 games overall. |
| 28 |
28 |
|
 |
9-30
(17-22-0)
|
-1.0 |
Cleveland
This team stinks. Have won back-to-back games just once all season and have only one win by 10 points or more. Now they are openly begging for LeBron to come back. Have you no shame, Cleveland? |
| 29 |
30 |
1 |
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6-28
(18-14-2)
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-0.5 |
Washington
John Wall is back and so are the Wizards - winners of three straight entering Wednesday. Believe it or not, but there could be some value moving forward. They have 12 losses by six points or fewer, five of them coming in overtime. |
| 30 |
29 |
1 |
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9-27
(14-22-0)
|
0.0 |
Charlotte
OK. Not to be mean, but can we just contract this team already? They have lost 26 of 28 and scored only 76 points in yet another awful defeat at the hands of Indiana Tuesday. |
| Return to the Current Week's rankings |
Power Ratings compute offensive and defensive statistics into one number for each team, while accounting for factors like recent performances and strength of schedule. Power Ratings can be used as a baseline for relative spread index to compare current or future match-ups between two teams. The relative spread does not account for non-statistical factors like home-field advantage, recent injuries, game time decisions, rivalries, publicity, and weather.