NBA Power Rankings Update – February 18

It only took two-thirds of the season for the team with the best record to become the favorite to win the 2021-22 NBA title. The Phoenix Suns finally became the team to beat per the NBA futures odds this week, as they head into the All-Star Break with a 48-10 record. Phoenix has the best point differential in the league, and the Suns should have the easiest path to the NBA Finals as the East looks to be more of a minefield than the West this season.

1. Phoenix Suns

This Week’s Odds: +425
Last Week’s Odds: +500

Chris Paul is one of two players averaging at least 10 APG this season and leads the league with 10.7 APG. CP3 is thriving although he is now in his late 30s, and he is still playing significant minutes. Devin Booker has taken his game to another level with the veteran guard playing alongside him, and Deandre Ayton is the type of big man that teams are prioritizing in the modern NBA. Cameron Payne is still dealing with a wrist injury, but he is expected to return after the All-Star Break, giving the Suns solid depth in the backcourt too.

2. Golden State Warriors

This Week’s Odds: +450

Last Week’s Odds: +400

Perhaps we expected too much from Klay Thompson after missing two seasons because of injury. Golden State became the team to beat in the eyes of the oddsmakers after Brooklyn dealt James Harden before the trade deadline, but the Warriors have lost four of their last five games. Those defeats have probably given the West to Phoenix with less than 25 games to play in the regular season. The Warriors could really use a big man when the postseason rolls around in two months, as Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman have failed to contribute much despite being top ten picks.

3. Brooklyn Nets

This Week’s Odds: +600

Last Week’s Odds: +500

The loss of James Harden might end up being addition by subtraction although the oddsmakers have disagreed given the movement we have seen in the NBA title odds over the last week. Seth Curry gives Brooklyn the perimeter shooter it needed, and Ben Simmons can theoretically be the playmaker and lockdown defender he was in Philadelphia. However, there are a lot of concerns for this team. Simmons hasn’t played the whole season, so we don’t know what shape he is in, and Kevin Durant is still dealing with an injury.

4. Milwaukee Bucks

This Week’s Odds: +600

Last Week’s Odds: +700

Sharps have started to back the defending champions in the last couple weeks. Milwaukee finally welcomed back Brook Lopez just before the All-Star Break, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the best player in the league. The Bucks lost to the 76ers at home in their last game before the break, but there’s plenty to like about this team going forward.

5. Philadelphia 76ers

This Week’s Odds: +675
Last Week’s Odds: +650

Joel Embiid is close to being an odds-on favorite to be named NBA MVP. Embiid has been dominant this season, and he has managed to stay healthy for the first time in his career. The addition of James Harden gives Philadelphia another superstar to help ease the burden, but there are some legitimate concerns about their chemistry together. There is a lot of pressure on guards Tyrese Maxey and Shake Milton too after Seth Curry was dealt to Brooklyn.

Follow our Twitter account for the latest sports news and wagering odds, and come to our Instagram for more useful betting info too.