NBA Power Rankings Update

The 2021-22 NBA season has largely gone as expected through the first three weeks. Most of the perceived title contenders have lived up to the part, but the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks and preseason favorite Los Angeles Lakers have not played well. It might be time to start worrying about the Lakers, as this team is already banged up, and they have blown two double-digit leads to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

1. Brooklyn Nets

This Week’s Odds: +250 (No Change)

After starting the season 2-3, the Brooklyn Nets have won five straight games. Kevin Durant has played great in that stretch, and this team is starting to move on from Kyrie Irving. The big question now is whether James Harden can recapture his form, as he is out of shape and struggling under the new rules that no longer allow players to draw contact with no intention of taking a shot.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

This Week’s Odds: +500 (No Change)

The Lakers were hammered by the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday night. Los Angeles has another five home games before the team embarks on a long road trip. At the conclusion of this homestand, 12 of the Lakers’ 15 games to date will have been at home.

3. Milwaukee Bucks

This Week’s Odds: +800 (No Change)

The defending NBA champions currently have a losing record. Milwaukee has lost four straight home games after starting its season with a win over Brooklyn, but there isn’t much of a reason to worry about the Bucks just yet.

4. Golden State Warriors

This Week’s Odds: +800

Last Week’s Odds: +850

Golden State has the best record in the NBA despite not having Klay Thompson. The Warriors must be respected now, as they have looked strong throughout their 7-1 start, and Draymond Green is shooting well enough to make this offense very formidable once more.

5. Utah Jazz

This Week’s Odds: +1000

Last Week’s Odds: +1200

Donovan Mitchell is dealing with a sprained ankle, but the Utah Jazz keep winning games. Utah has knocked off Atlanta and Milwaukee on the road recently, and the Jazz nearly knocked off Miami in south Florida on Saturday night too.

6. Miami Heat

This Week’s Odds: +1200

Last Week’s Odds: +1400

The Heat have been superb on defense through the first few weeks of the season. Miami is allowing an Eastern Conference low 100.2 PPG, and they lead the conference in point differential too.

7. Phoenix Suns

This Week’s Odds: +1600 (No Change)

Chris Paul is still playing at a very high level. He is averaging 12.9 PPG and 12.1 APG through the first eight games, and that puts him among the league leaders in PER. If Paul can stay healthy and remain in this form, Phoenix has a very good chance to repeat as Western Conference champions.

8. Philadelphia 76ers

This Week’s Odds: +1800

Last Week’s Odds: +2200

No Ben Simmons, no problem. Philadelphia currently holds the best record in the Eastern Conference despite the continued absence of Simmons. The 76ers are continuing to win despite Tobias Harris missing the last week due to COVID, as Furkan Korkmaz is thriving so far this year.

9. Denver Nuggets

This Week’s Odds: +2000

Last Week’s Odds: +2200

Nikola Jokic currently leads the NBA in PER. He leads Denver in every major category, proving that last year was no fluke for the reigning NBA MVP.

10. Los Angeles Clippers

This Week’s Odds: +2000

Last Week’s Odds: +2200

The Clippers have won three straight games after a 1-4 start. Los Angeles is hoping to just tread water until Kawhi Leonard returns to the lineup, but he is out for at least another two months.

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