NBA Power Rankings Version 1 (10/31/22)

The XSM gets its first test as the NBA Season is off and running. Which teams off to hot starts may be pretenders? Which teams that are cold have the statistics in their favor? Take a look below

Team (Record, Z-Score)

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-1, .856): The Cavs are no longer a team that can be viewed as under-the-radar. They have the largest average margin of victory through the beginning of the season at +12.

2. New Orleans Pelicans (4-2, .724): The Pelicans are extremely above average in offensive rating , three point percentage and rebound differential six games into the season. They may be one of the surprises of the 2022, as their strength of schedule is also strong and sit at a solid 4-2.

3. Milwaukee Bucks (5-0, .562): The Bucks thrive on the defensive end, and it shows in these rankings. They have played a relatively easy schedule, but have a margin of victory of 10.8. Domination.

4. San Antonio Spurs (5-2, .587): A shock to the season is that the Spurs are 5-2. Pop continues to work wonders with a rather average lineup, led by dominance on the glass.

5. Portland Trail Blazers (5-1, .489): The Blazers are 5-1?? They are getting a ton of free points, with a 9.8 free throw differential, tops in the league.

6. Phoenix Suns (5-1, .480)

7. Dallas Mavericks (3-3, .419)

8. Indiana Pacers (3-4, .287): Definitely a surprise here. Statistics seem to love head coach Rick Carlisle's strategy. Plenty of pace and 3-pointers.

9. Boston Celtics (4-2, .247)

10. Charlotte Hornets (3-3, .244)

11. Denver Nuggets (4-3, .182)

12. Memphis Grizzlies (4-2, .149): The numbers don't love the Grizzlies. Despite the hot start, they rank very low in terms of defensive rating and often go "iso-ball" with a large number of unassisted points.

13. Chicago Bulls (3-4, .080)

14. Philadelphia 76ers (3-4, .062)

15. Sacramento Kings (1-4, .054): Another surprise in the numbers here. The Kings play with pace and are very careful with the ball, averaging 3.7 less turnovers per game than their opponents which could translate in more wins.

16. Utah Jazz (5-2, .012): The Jazz are 5-2 despite being below average in FT Differential, Rebound Differential and Turnover Differential. The numbers think this will catch up to them.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3, -.077)

18. New York Knicks (3-3, -.099)

19. Golden State Warriors (3-4, -.125): The Warriors are such an unorthodox team that the numbers will almost never like them. However, their 3-4 start leaves a lot to be desired.

20. Atlanta Hawks (4-2, -.164): Just like the Jazz, the Hawks are being outrebounded, have less free throw attempts and more turnovers than their opponents. They have faced the 2nd easiest schedule so far.

21. Toronto Raptors (3-3, -.246)

22. Detroit Pistons (2-5, -.300)

23. Miami Heat (2-5, -.343)

24. Washington Wizards (3-3, -.382)

25. Houston Rockets (1-6, -.420)

26. Orlando Magic (1-6. -.474)

27. Los Angeles Clippers (2-4, -.494)

28. Brooklyn Nets (1-5, -.562): The worst defense in the league by a wide margin with a DRTG of 121.6 (giving up 121.6 points on every 100 possessions).

29. Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3, -.683): Honestly, the Thunder have been respectable to start the year. They just rank below average in almost every category, but have been able to get off to a .500 start.

30. Los Angeles Lakers (1-5, -.972): Oh boy. A team shooting 26.6% from three over their first six games is not a recipe for success. They find themselves in the final spot, by a significant margin.