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.
