Last week saw Cleveland, Oklahoma City, and Boston continue their winning ways while bottom-feeders Portland, New Orleans, and Washington continue their struggles. The New York Knicks are a team to watch heading into Week 10. If they sweep this week’s four-game slate, they could be heading for a top-5 ranking.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
A perfect 3-0 last week, Cleveland continues to win and show no signs of slowing down. They’ve improved defensively and have many victories by 20+ points. This week features a winnable game against Utah, followed by a touch matchup against Denver.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City swept last week’s two games and continued their dominance both offensively and defensively. The Thunder have four upcoming games this week against Washington, Indiana, Charlotte, and Memphis. Expect dominance during the first three games with a touch end-of-the-week matchup against Memphis.
3. Boston Celtics
Boston split last week’s two games against Chicago. A three-point cold streak saw them fall to Chicago on Saturday. Cold streaks happen, and Boston has enough firepower to rebound. This week features bouts against Orlando and Philadelphia and two against Indiana. Boston can easily jump back into the top two, going a perfect 4-0 this week.
4. Memphis Grizzlies
The league’s top offense was at it again, locking in wins against Golden State and Atlanta. Memphis has seen a lighter schedule in terms of opponents ranked in the top ten defensively but face a tougher Clippers team first this week before ending the week against Oklahoma City.
5. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas split their two games that Luka Doncic missed. However, they are 7-2 in games where either Doncic or Kyrie Irving did not play. Dallas has a light schedule ahead with games against Portland, Minnesota, Phoenix, and Portland.
6. Houston Rockets
Houston continues their steady play and winning games where they are ahead entering the fourth quarter. Shooting consistency was a non-factor last week, and Houston will look to continue their hot start with four games against Charlotte, New Orleans, Minnesota, and Miami.
7. New York Knicks
New York is starting to find their form. New faces, such as Karl-Anthony Towns, are starting to mesh, and their defense is coming around. If New York sweeps this week’s games against Toronto, San Antonio, Orlando, and Washington, they should find themselves in the top five heading into Week 11.
8. Milwaukee Bucks
Three-point consistency has been an issue for Milwaukee, but the return of Khris Middleton will help the Bucks’ depth. Health and consistency will play a role all season, and Milwaukee has a light schedule ahead, with games against Chicago to start and end the week, followed by a meeting with Brooklyn the day after Christmas.
9. Orlando Magic
Injuries have plagued Orlando. Moe Wagner was a bright spot but has since been lost to an ACL injury. Their bench played well last week, but this could be the week Orlando starts to slide with a tough upcoming schedule featuring games against Boston, Miami, New York, and Brooklyn.
10. Denver Nuggets
Denver’s season has been up and down for several reasons. Inconsistency and poor bench production have arisen at different points, but Denver continues to power ahead. This week’s four-game set features two games against Phoenix, followed by Cleveland and Detroit. Denver needs to play their best basketball to at least split their upcoming four-game slate.
11. Golden State Warriors
Golden State continues their steady play and eight of their next nine games at home. Expect the Warriors to start their upcoming home game stretch strong with a favorable schedule featuring Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota’s hot defensive performances hit a speed bump last week, and poor shooting saw them drop both of their games. Week 10’s schedule isn’t for the faint of heart, with matchups against Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Minnesota could fall outside the top 15 following this week’s conclusion.
13. Miami Heat
Miami hit a rough patch, dropping all three of last week’s games. Jimmy Butler is dealing with an illness, and Miami cannot afford their catalyst to miss any of the upcoming games against Brooklyn, Orlando, Atlanta, and Houston.
14. Los Angeles Clippers
Winning two of three last week, Los Angeles has a knack for beating bad teams as shown against their victory over Utah. However, word is still out on how good the Clippers are. This week features tough contests against Memphis and Golden State.
15. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers’ offense has been one of the worst in the league over the last month. They’ve played strong games, followed by falling flat. Week 10 features games against Detroit, Golden State, and Sacramento. Their offense will need to play well, or they could be headed for a 0-3 week.
16. San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio’s young players continue to develop on the fly and were catalysts in last week’s perfect 2-0 record. However, this week’s four-game slate features matchups against Philadelphia, New York, Brooklyn, and Minnesota and could prove tough tests for San Antonio’s young core.
17. Atlanta Hawks
The roller coaster production continued last week as Atlanta dropped both of their week 9 games. Atlanta will look to rebound in Week 10 with a soft schedule featuring winnable games against Minnesota, Chicago, Miami, and Toronto.
18. Indiana Pacers
Indiana’s defense has improved and aided in sweeping last week’s two-game late. Week 10 is a brutal four-game schedule against Golden State and Oklahoma City ending the week with two games at Boston.
19. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix has performed well against Western Conference opponents but are 2-7 against the Eastern Conference. They have yet to feature a consistent starting lineup of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, and this could be an issue with a tough week’s scheduling featuring games against Denver (2), Dallas, and Golden State.
20. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is continuing its chase for consistency, and when they seem to be on the right track, they stumble, as shown last week, dropping four games. This week features games against Detroit and the Los Angeles Lakers. Sacramento cannot afford to drop both games this week.
21. Chicago Bulls
Chicago is coming around and Lonzo Ball’s return has been a bright spot for the 2024-2025 Chicago Bulls. However, Milwaukee has given Chicago issues, and this week features two of three games against Milwaukee. Splitting against Milwaukee can give Chicago the motivation they need heading into the New Year.
22. Detroit Pistons
Detroit continues to improve, and they are two wins away from reaching their 14 wins a season ago. Detroit will undoubtedly face tough contests throughout the season, and this week’s matchups against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Denver Nuggets will give them a run for their money.
23. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia cannot compete without Joel Embiid. It’s as simple as that. Until he’s fully healthy, which probably won’t happen this year, it will continue to be a rough season for Philadelphia.
24. Brooklyn Nets
Injuries, specifically to Cam Thomas, have hindered Brooklyn early in the season. Consistency is a major concern, and this week features tough matchups against Miami, Milwaukee, San Antonio, and Orlando.
25. Utah Jazz
Limiting turnovers leads to wins, and Utah found that out last week, winning two straight games for the first time this season. Utah will look to continue their momentum with a rough three-game slate against Cleveland, Portland, and Philadelphia.
26. Toronto Raptors
Injuries and a lack of talent across the roster have been the story of Toronto’s season. Their season isn’t going to get better anytime soon, and they can be headed for a 0-3 week with matchups against New York, Memphis, and Atlanta.
27. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland lacks talent, but they have found ways to win. This week features two tough matchups against Dallas, with Utah in between. Winning one of this week’s three games would be a positive outcome.
28. Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo returned, but Brandon Miller went down with an injury. This continues to be the story of Charlotte’s season and will continue until they roster a fully healthy team.
29. New Orleans Pelicans
Expect New Orleans to continue to lose until they feature a healthy Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III. Until all six are healthy at once, New Orleans will be no better than the 29th.
30. Washington Wizards
Injuries and a lack of talent continue to hinder Washington. This week features games against Oklahoma City, Charlotte, and New York. Charlotte is the only matchup they have a chance of earning a victory.
