|
Change
|
Team
|
W-L
(ATS)
|
Power Rating
|
Team Comments
|
| 1 |
1 |
 |
 |
33-9
(25-15-2)
|
-14.5 |
Oklahoma City
The Thunder maintain the top spot for a second straight week thanks to a very big win last night in Los Angeles. Perhaps the most impressive thing about this team is its 14-5 ATS mark vs. .500 or better teams. |
| 2 |
4 |
 2 |
 |
26-12
(19-19-0)
|
-14.4 |
Miami
I still believe Miami is going to repeat. But none of its numbers are as good as Oklahoma City's. However, they did beat the Thunder on Christmas Day. |
| 3 |
2 |
 1 |
 |
32-11
(25-18-0)
|
-14.1 |
L.A. Clippers
Not too concerned the Clippers have lost back-to-back games as Chris Paul is banged up. But 10 of their next 11 games are on the road. |
| 4 |
3 |
1 |
 |
33-11
(25-18-1)
|
-14.0 |
San Antonio
As always, the Spurs quietly go about their business. They've won five straight and all of those games went under. Their upcoming schedule looks very easy. |
| 5 |
5 |
|
 |
26-14
(23-16-1)
|
-11.5 |
Memphis
This team is an under bettors' best friend, cashing 67% of the time this season. That includes a 12-0 mark after scoring 85 points or less in their previous game entering play Wednesday. |
| 6 |
6 |
|
 |
25-14
(20-18-1)
|
-9.5 |
New York
They have a big revenge game upcoming Thursday in Boston. The Celtics beat the Knicks by six at MSG earlier this month despite missing Rajon Rondo. |
| 7 |
7 |
|
 |
25-18
(24-19-0)
|
-9.0 |
Denver
I can't believe the Nuggets lost to the Wizards at home last Friday. But they responded by beating the Thunder, avenging a loss in OKC earlier in the week. |
| 8 |
8 |
|
 |
25-15
(23-16-1)
|
-8.5 |
Golden State
Only the Warriors and Thunder have beaten the Clippers multiple times this season. But Take note of their 11-32 SU record without Steph Curry. |
| 9 |
9 |
|
 |
26-16
(22-20-0)
|
-8.0 |
Indiana
The Pacers are just one-half game behind the Knicks for the second spot in the East. They are #1 in rebounding and defense. Good combination. |
| 10 |
10 |
|
 |
24-16
(16-24-0)
|
-7.9 |
Chicago
The fact the Bulls are 24-16 SU without Derrick Rose is a great sign. The fact Rose has been cleared for more contact is an even better sign. |
| 11 |
13 |
2 |
 |
25-16
(19-19-3)
|
-6.5 |
Brooklyn
I think there's a noticeable drop after the top four in the East just like after the Top three in the West. But the Nets have won 11 of 13 overall under PJ Carlesimo, so they deserve this spot. |
| 12 |
12 |
|
 |
23-18
(16-23-2)
|
-6.4 |
Atlanta
It's sad that the Hawks aren�t lower after dropping eight of 11, but who else are you going to put above them? Atlanta's last road win came on New Year's Day, going into Wednesday. |
| 13 |
11 |
2 |
 |
20-21
(14-24-3)
|
-6.2 |
Boston
Once upon a time, I thought there was a chance the Celtics would be riding a 10-game win streak into Thursday's game vs. the Knicks. Instead, they've lost four straight, including losses to New Orleans, Detroit and Cleveland. |
| 14 |
14 |
|
 |
22-21
(21-21-1)
|
-6.1 |
Houston
The Rockets snapped a seven-game losing streak by beating Charlotte. But they've definitely been "giving some back," going 0-7-1 ATS in their last eight games. |
| 15 |
15 |
|
 |
17-24
(16-24-1)
|
-6.0 |
L.A. Lakers
What a catastrophe this has turned out to be. A team with Kobe, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash could miss the playoffs. Jim Buss is the runaway winner for worst executive of the year. |
| 16 |
16 |
|
 |
22-19
(21-19-1)
|
-5.5 |
Utah
The Jazz will continue to be a playoff hopeful because of their strong home play. They are now 13-4 SU and 12-5 ATS at Energy Solutions Arena. |
| 17 |
19 |
2 |
 |
22-18
(22-18-0)
|
-5.0 |
Milwaukee
The Bucks are in no man's land in the Eastern Conference and I can't see them doing any better than the eight seed. They have won three straight. |
| 18 |
17 |
1 |
 |
18-24
(23-19-0)
|
-4.5 |
Dallas
The Mavs will have plenty of time to prepare for Friday's showdown with the Spurs on ESPN. They last played Sunday beating Orlando, a fifth straight ATS win. |
| 19 |
18 |
1 |
 |
20-21
(18-21-2)
|
-4.0 |
Portland
Portland has dropped six straight games with every loss coming by six points or less. But the last three defeats were all as home favorites and against Cleveland, Milwaukee and Washington. |
| 20 |
22 |
2 |
 |
17-21
(18-19-1)
|
-3.5 |
Minnesota
Injures are mounting and the T-Wolves are 1-6 straight up and 1-5-1 ATS in the last seven games. After road games vs. Washington and Charlotte, they play six straight at home. |
| 21 |
20 |
1 |
 |
15-26
(21-19-1)
|
-3.4 |
Toronto
Before beating the Lakers Sunday, the Raptors had lost four straight. Two losses were in overtime and twice they blew a lead of 19 points or more. Before that the Raps had won 10 of 13 games. |
| 22 |
21 |
1 |
 |
16-25
(19-22-0)
|
-3.3 |
Detroit
The Pistons have won 9 of their last 13 games. Had they not dug themselves an 0-8 hole at the start of the season, they could be a legit playoff hopeful. |
| 23 |
24 |
1 |
 |
14-27
(22-19-0)
|
-3.0 |
New Orleans
The Hornets continue a slight move up the rankings by virtue of winning and covering seven of nine. But you get the feeling they're reaching their ceiling. |
| 24 |
25 |
1 |
 |
17-25
(18-24-0)
|
-2.5 |
Philadelphia
You also get the feeling this team is reaching its basement. Tuesday's loss in Milwaukee was The Sixers 15th in the last 20 games. Philadelphia doesn't play again until Saturday. |
| 25 |
26 |
1 |
 |
16-26
(17-23-2)
|
-2.3 |
Sacramento
It looks more and more like the Kings will be heading to Seattle. Therefore, kiss any kind of home-court advantage goodbye. The Kings are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five home games. |
| 26 |
23 |
3 |
 |
13-28
(16-23-2)
|
-2.1 |
Phoenix
It's getting ugly for the Suns, as they've lost 13 of their 15 games. Phoenix has also gone under in eight of its last nine games. The Suns haven't scored 100 points in a game since December 27th. |
| 27 |
29 |
2 |
 |
9-30
(23-14-2)
|
-2.0 |
Washington
Ladies and gentleman, the Wizards are currently the most profitable bet in the NBA. Since John Wall returned, they are 4-2 SU and a perfect 6-0 against the spread. Undervalued! |
| 28 |
27 |
1 |
 |
14-27
(20-20-1)
|
-1.5 |
Orlando
At one time the Wizards were ranked last in the Power Rankings every week. Now there are two teams in their own division rated lower. One is Orlando, which has only two wins since December 19th. |
| 29 |
28 |
1 |
 |
11-32
(19-23-1)
|
-0.5 |
Cleveland
The best thing you can say about the Cavs is that they have a lot of cap space. Seeking back-to-back wins for just the second time all season, Cleveland visits Milwaukee Friday night. |
| 30 |
30 |
|
 |
10-31
(16-24-1)
|
0.0 |
Charlotte
The Bobcats have lost 15 straight home games entering action Wednesday and have dropped 26 of their last 29 overall. Yep, they're the worst team in the league yet again. |
| 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.