Mid-Season NBA Power Rankings (1/10/23)

We have reached the halfway point of the NBA season! Trade deadline is about five weeks away as some teams will decide to reload or sell off. Here is the landscape of the teams as we hit mid-January.

Team (Record, Z-Score, Previous Ranking)

1. Boston Celtics (29-12, .890, 1): 3-1 since the last rankings, and the Celtics truly have been the best team in the NBA at the halfway point. The combination of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown averaging 57 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists every night has been too much for the NBA defenses to handle. The Eastern conference is tight, but they have been above the rest.

2. Denver Nuggets (27-13, .756, 3): The rankings are at least doing something right with both #1 seeds in the top two spots as the Nuggets are now the highest they've been all year. 7 players averaging double figures in points, and the best three point shooting team has the Nuggets in a really good position as we enter the second half.

3. New Orleans Pelicans (25-16, .750, 2): 2-2 since the last ranking, and one has to wonder if the Zion injury could catch up to them. Their offense numbers have dipped a little bit, but their defense continues to be strong. Will their 2nd best rebound differential take a hit if Zion is out for extended time?

4. Brooklyn Nets (27-13, .516, 4): Decent drop off from #3 to #4, but the Nets keep playing good ball. Despite all of the talent, Jacque Vaughn has to be the Coach of the Year favorite through 41 games. The real test comes now, with Kevin Durant sidelined for around a month.

5. Memphis Grizzlies (27-13, .459, 5): Six wins in a row for the Grizzlies has them tied with the Nuggets for the #1 seed in the Western Conference, and they continue to do it in an unorthodox way. They have the best DRTG and the best rebound differential in the NBA, as the Grit & Grind doesn't seem to leave this franchise. They continue to overcome a rather average offense, and well below average three point percentage.

6. Sacramento Kings (21-18, .440, 8)

7. Philadelphia 76ers (24-15, .352, 9): After starting 12-12, the 76ers have won 12 of their last 15 games. They are doing a lot of things well, despite really not being fully healthy all season. They are the only team to rank in the top-5 in both 3P% and DRTG, which has led them to this hot stretch. A tough second half schedule remains for the boys in red, white and blue.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (26-15, .338, 7)

9. Utah Jazz (20-23, .318, 10)

10. Phoenix Suns (20-21, .284, 6): Ranked as high as #2, the Suns are sputtering losing nine of their last ten. Despite shooting really well from behind the arc, the rest of the offense really has struggled in 2023. They have the second worst free throw differential (-4.2), and they need every point they can get right now.

11. Chicago Bulls (19-22, .240, 15): The Bulls were extremely sluggish to start the season, but may be starting to get rolling winning six of their last ten. They will have the easiest second half schedule in the NBA which helps elevate their ranking here.

12. Portland Trail Blazers (19-20, .155, 11)

13. Indiana Pacers (23-18, .133, 12)

14. New York Knicks (22-19, .075, 13)

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (18-22, -.014, 21): Seeing the Thunder above some of a couple other teams that haven't been listed yet is funny (we'll get there), but they are playing some good, and quick (2nd highest pace in the league) basketball! They have firmly taken themselves out of the tanking race and are 1.5 games out of a spot in the Western Conference play-in.

16. Golden State Warriors (20-20, -.024, 14)

17. Los Angeles Lakers (19-22, -.040, 19)

18. Dallas Mavericks (23-18, -.067, 16): Despite sitting in the #4 seed in the West, the numbers don't like the Mavs' style of play which causes this ranking. The combination of below average 3P%, the 2nd slowest pace, the league worst rebound differential (-4.8) and 4th lowest assist % has them showing as a below average team according to the model. Luka seems to trump all models, but it will be interesting to see if they can keep this up.

19. Toronto Raptors (17-23, -.085, 17): This ranking shouldn't be too surprising, but the Raptors truly are the most confusing team as we hit the halfway point. Off-court drama has started to come up for a franchise that has had very little of it in its history. They could be the surprise seller once mid-February hits.

20. Milwaukee Bucks (26-14, -.129, 18): Okay, if this is your first time reading the rankings, the model does not like the Bucks. They are a good team, but they do it in such a unique way that it doesn't reflect well here. They have the 25th best ORTG, 20th best 3P%, 3rd best DRTG and have the worst turnover differential in the league. They still find themselves in a good spot at the halfway point, despite how they have gotten there.

21. Minnesota Timberwolves (20-21, -.215, 22)

22. Washington Wizards (17-24, -.259, 20)

23. Miami Heat (21-20, -.285, 23)

24. Atlanta Hawks (19-21, -.391, 25)

25. Los Angeles Clippers (21-21, -.420, 24): The Clippers have been disrespected from the jump in the rankings, but they are starting to slip in the standings as well. Three double-digit losses in a row to the Heat, Nuggets and Timberwolves respectively over the last three games.

26. Detroit Pistons (11-32, -.591, 26)

27. Orlando Magic (15-26, -.620, 27)

28. Charlotte Hornets (11-30, -.786, 29)

29. San Antonio Spurs (13-28, -.844, 30)

30. Houston Rockets (10-30, -.937, 28): A new team in the basement! Houston is reeling and very much is in the "Wemby" sweepstakes. They are a tough team to watch right now, and should be playing a little bit better with the amount of young talent they have. They have the 29th best offense, 28th best 3P%, 28th best defense and 29th best Margin of Victory at -6.7. Yikes.