NBA Power Rankings Update – January 27

For the first time since the offseason, the Brooklyn Nets odds to win the NBA Championship are +300 or more. Brooklyn is unlikely to finish atop the Eastern Conference in the regular season given the Kyrie Irving situation and Kevin Durant’s injury, and the East has more potential contenders than we originally believed. They are in a much better position than the other preseason favorite though as the Los Angeles Lakers have hovered around .500 for most of the season.

1. Brooklyn Nets

This Week’s Odds: +300

Last Week’s Odds: +290

Brooklyn has seen its championship odds slowly creep up over the course of January. Although Kyrie Irving is finally on the court again for selected games, Kevin Durant is dealing with another injury and James Harden is having one of the least efficient seasons of his career. Harden is still filling the stat sheet with a near triple double a game, but his shooting numbers are down and the lack of consistent numbers from role players have led to the Nets losing three straight games ahead of Sunday’s showdown with the Golden State Warriors.

2. Golden State Warriors

This Week’s Odds: +375 (No Change)

Steve Kerr has steered the Golden State Warriors back on track after a rough two weeks. Golden State has won three straight games and leads the league in both scoring defense and scoring margin. The Warriors have been an NBA-best 22-4 at home this season, but they have had a hard time winning away from the Bay Area. Steph Curry is shooting the lights out, and rookie Jonathan Kuminga has looked good in spots.

3. Phoenix Suns

This Week’s Odds: +700 (No Change)

Last year’s Western Conference champions have the best record in the NBA. Phoenix has proved that last year is no fluke despite not having a top ten player on the roster. Instead, the Suns have a bevy of very talented players led by Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton. All three players have a PER over 20, and they have won eight straight games including back-to-back tilts against Utah.

4. Milwaukee Bucks

This Week’s Odds: +750

Last Week’s Odds: +700

The Milwaukee Bucks have a lot of value at this price. They are just one game above .500 on the road this season, but this team has not gotten out over its skis as its focus is on winning a second straight title. The backcourt is still a problem though as Grayson Allen is playing serious minutes opposite Jrue Holiday. Milwaukee might look to make a move in this area before the trade deadline.

5. Utah Jazz

This Week’s Odds: +1100
Last Week’s Odds: +1000

Utah’s woes have now lasted three weeks as the Jazz are 2-9 in their last 11 games. They were tested and found wanting in their recent losing streak as they lost to Golden State and Phoenix (twice). It’s clear that the Jazz need to shake things up at the trade deadline if they truly want to compete with the Warriors and the Suns.

6. Miami Heat

This Week’s Odds: +1200
Last Week’s Odds: +1400

Miami has won eight of its last ten games to stay ahead of Chicago in the Eastern Conference. Jimmy Butler should be an All-Star for the sixth straight season, and he will certainly be named to the All-NBA Team for a fifth year if he stays healthy. Bam Adebayo has shown that he can distribute too in recent games, giving the Heat another facet to scare teams in the postseason.

7. Los Angeles Lakers

This Week’s Odds: +1400 (No Change)

It’s really hard to see a way forward for the Los Angeles Lakers. The decision to deal for Russell Westbrook blew up in their face, and Westbrook is essentially untradeable at this point. They still have LeBron James and Anthony Davis to give them hope, but the Lakers are just 24-24 and have not played good defense. This team is currently behind Minnesota in the Western Conference standings, and that could lead to LeBron looking for an exit in the offseason.

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