Last week’s schedule saw numerous teams playing two games or fewer. However, teams like Milwaukee and Miami are heating up and moving up the rankings. This week’s schedule will heat up, with numerous teams playing four games. The rankings could see a shakeup if any teams struggle after having light schedules a week ago.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Playing Friday without Evan Mobley, Cleveland took care of Washington in their only game of the week. Cleveland still sits atop the rankings until another team is ready to claim the top spot.
2. Boston Celtics
Last week’s games featured wins against Detroit and Washington. A perfect 2-0, and Boston is still chomping at Cleveland’s heels for the number one spot.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
2-0 last week, and Oklahoma City’s winning streak is up to five games. They will play in the NBA Cup Finals and are poised to make a push for the top spot in the rankings.
4. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas split their two games last week, with one being in the NBA Cup quarterfinals against Oklahoma City. They are still one of the hottest teams in the NBA and face the Clippers in their two upcoming games.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis finished last week 1-1, but they have two tough matchups this week versus Golden State and Atlanta. Should they find a way to win both, they could find themselves continuing to climb the rankings.
6. Houston Rockets
Shooting consistency is still an issue, but they have continued to find ways to win. They have favorable matchups this week versus New Orleans and Toronto.
7. New York Knicks
They dropped their quarterfinal NBA Cup game but rebounded against Orlando. They have yet to go deep into their bench, but this should change as the season progresses. Enticing matchups against Minnesota and New Orleans could see New York jump into the top five.
8. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is finding ways to win and will play in Tuesday’s NBA Cup finals against Oklahoma City. After, they have a grueling matchup against Cleveland before an easy tilt against Washington. The first two games of the week are anything but cakewalks.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Wins in six of their last seven games, Minnesota has improved in defensive efficiency. They will need their defense to stay strong in their matchups against New York and Golden State.
10. Miami Heat
Wins in four consecutive games, Miami has heated up at the perfect time. This week, they have matchups against Detroit and Orlando, with a touch tilt against Oklahoma City in between.
11. Orlando Magic
Maneuvering through Franz Wagner’s injury will be tough, and it showed after Orlando dropped their two games last week. It does not get easier as this week’s schedule features matchups against Oklahoma City and Miami.
12. Denver Nuggets
Two straight wins for the first time in over a month, and Denver is receiving needed production from their bench. This week’s schedule features winnable tilts against Sacramento, Portland, and New Orleans. Sweeping the week would see Denver jump into the top ten.
13. Golden State Warriors
Golden State is coming off two tough losses, and last week’s first loss saw their run to the NBA Cup finals come to an end. This week, they face off against Memphis and Minnesota, and they will need to be at their best, as dropping four consecutive games is a possibility.
14. Atlanta Hawks
Milwaukee proved too much in last week’s matchup. Atlanta’s production has been a roller coaster early on, but they will look to rebound with two tough matchups against San Antonio and Memphis.
15. Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant returns, and Phoenix wins two in a row. This week, Phoenix will look to A) keeping Durant healthy and B) sweep their upcoming games against Indiana and Detroit.
16. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have shown glimpses, but they are mediocre in terms of bench depth. However, they have a soft matchup against Utah before two tough games against Dallas to end the week.
17. Sacramento Kings
Three straight victories and Sacramento is back to .500. This week’s schedule will feature road battles against Denver, two versus Los Angeles Lakers, and Indiana.
18. Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James returned after two games and was back to carrying the team on his shoulders. This week features two games against a Sacramento team that has climbed to .500. Los Angeles needs consistent production when LeBron sits. This could be an issue all season.
19. San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio’s younger players are figuring it out on the fly and will hover around the play-in tournament all season. However, a string of victories could give them breathing room and their first game features a touch matchup against Atlanta followed by a favorable home game versus Portland.
20. Indiana Pacers
Indiana saw help with their schedule, featuring six games against opponents with losing records. This can help them rebound from early-season struggles, and this week will be a true test against Phoenix and Sacramento.
21. Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid is injured again, and the trio of Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey have played in three of a possible 23 games. They should be able to withstand Embiid’s injury with their first two games against Charlotte, but their final game of the week features an extremely tough matchup in Cleveland.
22. Chicago Bulls
Chicago is beating bad teams but continues to struggle at home and against teams with records above .500. They face Toronto on the road before ending the week with an away/home split versus the Celtics. Chicago is a team that will flirt at, and below, .500 all season.
23. Brooklyn Nets
Cam Thomas is set to return soon, but Brooklyn traded arguably their best player in Dennis Schroder. It will continue to be a long season with Schroder’s departure, and they face the top team in the Cleveland Cavaliers, followed by easier matchups against Toronto and Utah.
24. Detroit Pistons
Losers of four of their last five, and they succumbed to Boston for a 12th straight time. They continue to show improvement, and this week’s schedule features tough matchups against Miami and Phoenix, with a winnable game in the middle against Utah.
25. Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes injured his ankle, and Toronto enters the week sans Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. The tough season will continue, but they have two favorable matchups against Chicago and Brooklyn before ending the week versus Houston.
26. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte continues to be without LaMelo Ball and will continue to lose games. This is the time for their roster to step up and earn minutes. Two of their next three games feature a matchup against the 76ers and a very winnable contest against Washington.
27. Utah Jazz
Turnovers continue to be an issue, and playing close games will not come to an end any time soon. However, this week features matchups against the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit, and Brooklyn. Utah has the chance to take two of three and start a climb out of the bottom four.
28. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland continues to lose, but they’ve seen a bright spot in Deni Avdija. Many of their struggles are apparent in their young backcourt players. This week could feature big losses against Denver and San Antonio.
29. New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram continue to battle injuries, and New Orleans has lost 19 of their last 21 games. Their roster features health in Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III, but they have little production from their bench. Expect them to enter next week 5-25, with this week featuring touch matchups against Houston, New York, and Denver.
30. Washington Wizards
Washington lacks a talented roster, and Kyle Kuzma remains injured. Double-digit losses will continue to occur, but they have a chance to split this week as they play Charlotte before ending the week against a hot Milwaukee team.
