It’s week 8 and the rankings feature Cleveland and Boston continuing the fight for the number one spot. Oklahoma City is the darling of the Western Conference, but Dallas and Memphis are continuing their upward trend. Here is this weeks full NBA Power Rankings!
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland reclaims the top spot after a strong week, going 3-1. Cleveland has the next four days off before Friday’s matchup against Washington. Expect Cleveland Boston to fight for the top spot week after week.
2. Boston Celtics
The Celtics struggled from deep a week ago and lost close games to Detroit and Memphis. Boston looks to get back on track with enticing matchups against Detroit in Washington in Week 8.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City’s defense has been a key to their fast start. The Thunder finished last week 3-0, and Tuesday’s game versus Dallas should be one worth viewing. Until another West Conference team heats up, Oklahoma City should stay atop the standings deep into the season.
4. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is firing on all cylinders, having won seven straight games. Tuesday’s matchup in Oklahoma City could put an end to their streak. Their first meeting on November 17th saw Dallas win by two.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
Wins in nine of their last ten games, Memphis is playing well offensively and defensively. One of the best free throw shooting teams, the Grizzlies are establishing themselves as a true contender in the Western Conference.
6. Houston Rockets
Houston lost two straight games for the first time this season but rebounded Sunday. This week’s game features Golden State who has been one of the strongest teams in the second half of games.
7. Golden State Warriors
Golden State continues strong play in the second halves of games. Jonathan Kuminga has cemented himself in the starting lineup, but he will need to improve his shooting percentage (44.8%) if he wants to hold off Draymond Green from reclaiming a spot in their starting five.
8. New York Knicks
New York’s defense is heating up. Match that with one of the most efficient offenses in the league, and the Knicks are continuing to rise in the power rankings. This week features games against Toronto and Atlanta. Can New York crack the top five heading into Week 9?
9. Orlando Magic
Orlando finds themselves without Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Both stars are dealing with oblique injuries, and it is time for the next player to stand up and make an impact. It is no easy task, and as their schedule becomes more difficult, it is hard to see Orlando not seeing a slight dip in the power rankings.
10. Los Angeles Clippers
Injuries are starting to hit after Los Angeles’ hot start. This week features a tough matchup against Denver, and the question remains as to whether the Clippers have enough depth to get past any significant injuries.
11. Miami Heat
Three straight wins, and Miami is starting to heat up. Their offensive production has corrected itself after early season struggles. Expect Miami to continue their hot play in the upcoming weeks.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota’s defense corrected itself after a poor Week 7 performance. Defense will be the key for the Timberwolves to continue an upward trend.
13. Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic put together a two-game stretch that saw him score 104 points while collecting 30 rebounds and 16 assists. Denver won one of the two games. There will be tough weeks, but this team will be tough to beat as the season progresses.
14. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta is tough to beat when they are hitting from deep. There will be weeks when they shoot poorly compared to weeks where they cannot miss from three. Expect Atlanta to hover just above .500 throughout the season.
15. Milwaukee Bucks
Khris Middleton made his season debut, and Milwaukee must have a full roster as the season moves forward. Giannis needs other players to step up and alleviate the workload. The end of this month should give an idea of where Milwaukee needs to make additions to their roster.
16. Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant reinjured his ankle and the season continues with Phoenix not having a starting five that includes Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker. Until the team is healthy, they do not possess the depth to win while dealing with injuries.
17. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento won two games for the first time in over a month. If Sacramento can get past the early season struggle of dropping close games, they should be a team on the rise.
18. Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid returns, and Philadelphia’s lineup features Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. Expect the 76ers to continue an upward trend until another injury hits.
19. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers’ defense, or lack off, has caught up. There will be brutal weeks should they continue as one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Week 8 features games against Minnesota and Memphis, and neither game will be easy.
20. San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio continues to play from behind, and this will cause a team to endure many losses. They are young, but starting games in front will be the deciding factor in San Antonio’s ability to finish out of play-in games.
21. Chicago Bulls
Chicago’s season has been a head-scratcher through the first seven weeks. They have a winning record on the road but a losing record at home. Should they find ways to win at home; while staying above .500 on the road, they could be a sneaky team in the play-in games.
22. Brooklyn Nets
Expect Brooklyn to see tough weeks as they maneuver through injuries. Nic Claxton, Dennis Schroder, and Dorian Finney-Smith will look to keep the team respectable as they await Cam Thomas’ return from injury.
23. Detroit Pistons
Detroit’s improvement from a season ago has been noticed, but there are still efficiency issues in overall performance. This week, they face the Celtics in Boston. Losers of 11-straight games to the Celtics, it is hard to imagine they pull out a victory.
24. Toronto Raptors
Toronto’s lack of depth will hinder them all season, but the return of Scottie Barnes is positive. Week 8 features tough matchups against the Knicks and Heat.
25. Indiana Pacers
Indiana needs to find a way to beat teams with losing records. They’ve struggled early into the season and posted a 5-8 record against teams with records below .500. They face Philadelphia and New Orleans in Week 8.
26. Charlotte Hornets
Brandon Miller has played well since LaMelo Ball went down to injury. However, the team is young and lacks depth. There are no signs pointing to Charlotte crawling out of the bottom of the rankings anytime soon.
27. Utah Jazz
Turnovers have crushed Utah through the first eight weeks of the season. Until they fix this issue, they will continue to drop winnable games.
28. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland has seen a defensive improvement, but they are still being outscored by opponents. The team’s mediocrity will continue throughout the season.
29. New Orleans Pelicans
Health has been the story for the Pelicans. Zion is MIA, and Brandon Ingram suffered an ankle injury. The team does not possess enough talent to push through injuries to their stars.
30. Washington Wizards
The tough season continues for Washington even though their solo victory last week came against Denver. This week features games against the top two teams in the league against Cleveland Boston. Washington’s season only looks like it’s getting gloomier as the season progresses.
