NBA Power Rankings Version 6 (12/12/22)

We have reached the 1/3 point of the NBA season as things begin to shape into form. A true "Big 3" at the top continue to really dominate the rankings as we hit mid December.

Team (Record, Z-Score, Previous Ranking)

1. Boston Celtics (21-6, 1.09, 1): The Celtics Z-Score of 1.09 is the highest we have seen all season as their distance from the "average" NBA team continues to grow. They went 3-1 on their most recent road trip with wins over Brooklyn, Phoenix and Toronto.

2. New Orleans Pelicans (18-8, .922, 2): The Pelicans have now won seven in a row and are definitely in shouting distance of the Celtics at this point. They are more than one standard deviation above the average in both OTRG and DRTG. Willie Green should be in talks for Coach of the Year.

3. Phoenix Suns (16-11, .684, 3): The top three remains unchanged despite the Suns dropping 4 in a row. They're a team that relies on majorly dominating on the offensive side of the ball, and letting the defense really hang in there. They sit in the #4 spot of the West, but #3 in the rankings this week.

4. Sacramento Kings (14-11, .582, 4): Kings stay in the same spot as last week despite a 1-2 record. They lead the league (by a significant margin) on assist %, as 65.6% of their baskets come off an assist.

5. Denver Nuggets (16-10, .447, 6): The Nuggets make their first jump into the top five with a 2-1 record last week. Their offense has really been starting to click, and with a majorly below average defensive rating, they will need to keep the points coming.

6. Memphis Grizzlies (17-9, .429, 5)

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-10, .368, 6)

8. Utah Jazz (15-14, .333, 8)

9. Golden State Warriors (14-13, .221, 10): The Warriors are hanging onto their spot in the top ten, but it truly does seem like they are starting to find their groove again. They play such a different type of basketball that the numbers normally do not like their style (-7 FT differential being a huge outlier).

10. Portland Trail Blazers (14-12, .202, 11)

11. Milwaukee Bucks (19-7, .201, 9): We know the Bucks are good, but they do it in such a different way that they may never gain the XSM respect. Dominant defense gets it done and it results in Ws.

12. Chicago Bulls (11-15, .199, 13): Like mentioned last week, the Strength of Schedule statistic is saving the Bulls. They have been playing a very blah brand of basketball, and talks of a breakup of the core could have them sink down the list in the future.

13. Philadelphia 76ers (14-12, .118, 14)

14. Indiana Pacers (14-13, .103, 15)

15. Dallas Mavericks (13-13, .048, 16)

16. Toronto Raptors (13-14, .043, 12): The Raptors are skidding down this list after losing four of their last five games. Nick Nurse normally is able to pull them together, but their three point shooting has been woeful, keeping them on the outside looking in.

17. Brooklyn Nets (16-12, .006, 17): The numbers are skeptical of the Nets, but that also could be from their awful start to begin the 2022 campaign. They really don't do anything too, too well, and are -3.3 at the foul line and -3.1 on the glass. Still, they would be hosting a playoff series if the season ended today.

18. New York Knicks (14-13, -.178, 23): Three in a row since the last ranking has the Knicks making one of the biggest jumps of the week. The Knicks play a relatively clanky brand of basketball, but are a really good rebounding team which gets them extra possessions.

19. Oklahoma City Thunder (11-15, -.195, 20)

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (13-13, -.216, 22)

21. Los Angeles Lakers (11-15, -.229, 18)

22. Miami Heat (12-15, -.281, 19): The panic button shouldn't be pushed yet, but the button should be in sight. This team just cant string wins together, and it's surprising. Their ORTG is well below average with 109.7 points per 100 possessions (a full three points below the mean), and are getting clobbered on the glass which is unlike an Eric Spoelstra led team.

23. Washington Wizards (11-16, -.392, 24)

24. Atlanta Hawks (14-13, -.395, 21): The numbers don't like the Hawks when they were higher up in the standings, and like them even less now when they are cold. -3.8 free throw differential, the 2nd worst three point shooting team and the lowest assist % has the Hawks towards the basement.

25. Los Angeles Clippers (15-13, -.470, 26)

26. Houston Rockets (8-18, -.537, 25)

27. Detroit Pistons (7-22, -.615, 27)

28. Orlando Magic (8-20, -.758, 29)

29. Charlotte Hornets (7-20, -.830, 28)

30. San Antonio Spurs (8-18, -.906, 30): Get used to these bottom five teams sitting in these very similar spots from here on out. The Victor Wembanyama race is on!