NBA Power Rankings Version 9 (1/3/23)

First ranking of the New Year, and some crazy individual games have occurred since the last six days. Let's see how it affects the team's rankings to start 2023.

Team (Record, Z-Score, Previous Ranking)

1. Boston Celtics (26-11, .882, 1): The Celtics continue to grow upon their lead on the Pels even after a flat 1-1 week. It's crazy that when looking at the ten statistics that make up this model, the Celtics rank below average in only one (rebound differential at a -.4)

2. New Orleans Pelicans (23-14, .726, 2): The Pels go 2-2 to close out 2022 and ring in 2023, but there is definitely a little concern with Zion picking up a hamstring injury last night. Still though, without Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans continue to keep it rolling, with a 3rd best +3.4 rebound advantage helping them.

3. Denver Nuggets (24-13, .630, 4): The #1 seed in the West moves up into the top three this week, capped off with a big win over the Boston Celtics last night. We are 37 games into the Nuggets' season, and they are shooting 39.8% from three as a team. Crazy!

4. Brooklyn Nets (25-12, .549, 5): The Nets have now won 12 in a row, and have deservingly moved up a spot to #4. They rank 3rd in ORTG, and 2nd in 3P% which has helped spark this rise.

5. Memphis Grizzlies (23-13, .396, 6): The Grizzlies crack the top 5 for the first time as they have rattled off three straight wins. They really are a strange team when it comes to their success, playing quick but not having a great offense. Their 109.1 DRTG though now ranks them first in the league, which has led them to this success.

6. Phoenix Suns (20-18, .391, 3)

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (24-14, .3560, 8): I can't go through these rankings without mentioning that Donovan Mitchell dropped 71 (!!!) last night.

8. Sacramento Kings (19-16, .3559, 7)

9. Philadelphia 76ers (22-14, .354, 10)

10. Utah Jazz (19-20, .329, 9): You have to wonder if the luck is starting to run out for Utah. Their offensive numbers still look very good, but they have dropped four in a row (all by within 5 points or less). Their lack of starpower seems to be catching up to them, and there are some teams close by that can/may start to overtake them.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (19-17, .268, 11)

12. Indiana Pacers (21-17, .150, 16): Nice jump by Indiana as they have won four straight. It's definitely a little surprising their DRTG is higher than their OTRG which would normally signal a team that loses more often than wins. However, four wins in a row, including three against playoff teams shows that they are going to hang around.

13. New York Knicks (20-18, .120, 13)

14. Golden State Warriors (20-18, .088, 14)

15. Chicago Bulls (16-21, .075, 17)

16. Dallas Mavericks (22-16, .015, 15): The Mavs seem to finding a groove, but the numbers don't love them. They play a strange brand of basketball, and it's evident when watching their games. They are the slowest team in the league, and have the third lowest assist rate. We will see if they can keep the wins coming.

17. Toronto Raptors (16-21, 0, 18)

18. Milwaukee Bucks (23-13, -.055, 12): See the previous rankings...

19. Los Angeles Lakers (16-21, -.098, 21)

20. Washington Wizards (17-21, -.180, 24): Don't look now, but the Wizards would be in the play-in tournament (at four games below .500) if the season ended today. They've rattled off five straight wins which included the Kings, Suns and Bucks. They will face the Bucks again and the Pelicans later this week.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-21, -.244, 20)

22. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-21, -.2654, 22)

23. Miami Heat (20-18, -.2657, 25)

24. Los Angeles Clippers (21-18, -.319, 23)

25. Atlanta Hawks (17-20, -.348, 19): The Hawks would be in the Eastern conference play in as well, but it's seemed like a down year for them so far. They are below average in the top three statistics in the model, and just seem to be in a funk that has lasted 37 games.

26. Detroit Pistons (10-30, -.582, 27): Despite currently leading the tank for Victor, the Pistons have a relatively distant lead on being the worst team based on the model. Their three point shooting is right on average for the NBA, and have played the second toughest schedule behind Washington.

27. Orlando Magic (13-24, -.713, 26)

28. Houston Rockets (10-27, -.835, 28)

29. Charlotte Hornets (10-28, -.852, 29)

30. San Antonio Spurs (12-25, -917, 30): I don't think they're leaving this spot anytime soon.