Little shakeup after Week 11’s conclusion, but Wednesday’s matchup of Cleveland versus Oklahoma City could see the Thunder leap into the number one spot. Charlotte enters Week 12 on a 10-game losing streak with little light at the end of the tunnel.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
A perfect 4-0 last week, Cleveland continues their torrid pace. Posting the second-best point differential (+11.8), the Cavaliers’ winning ways have them just ahead of Oklahoma City for the top spot. Wednesday’s matchup against Oklahoma City will be a must-watch game. An Oklahoma City victory would undoubtedly plant them atop the rankings heading into week 13.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City finished last week’s schedule unblemished, winning four of four games. They continue to be not only the top team in the Western Conference but one of the top teams in the NBA. Wednesday’s matchup at Cleveland can push Oklahoma City atop the power rankings with a victory.
3. Boston Celtics
Through their first three games last week, Boston seemed to rebound after dropping four of their previous six games. Sunday’s contest against Oklahoma City gave them all they could handle, losing by 13. The front office saw how they size up against the darling of the Western Conference, and they know they have adjustments to make along the way.
4. New York Knicks
New York extended their winning streak to nine games before dropping back-to-back games Friday and Saturday. One of the best offensively and defensively, New York has two winnable games early this week against Orlando and Toronto. However, Friday and Sunday feature tough matchups against Oklahoma City and a rising Milwaukee squad.
5. Houston Rockets
Houston’s grit has them continuing to play well, but will their hardnosed demeanor take its toll as the season progresses? Last week, they posted wins against Dallas and Los Angeles while dropping Friday’s game against Boston. They will be one of the toughest teams in the Western Conference come playoff time.
6. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis has a knack for beating bad teams, but they surrender a high opposing field goal percentage. Games that see opponents shoot well have had Memphis in too many close games. This week features matchups against Dallas, Houston, and Minnesota. Memphis will undoubtedly need to play their best overall basketball to continue their winning ways.
7. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is coming off a rough week, losing three straight by four possessions or less. Luka Doncic remains out, and it will be rough sailing until their best player returns. This week’s schedule doesn’t get easier with contests against Memphis, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland, and Denver.
8. Denver Nuggets
Denver’s starting to show signs of consistency. The more they feature the same starting lineup, the better off they will be. This week is no easy task as their four-game schedule features Boston, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn, and Dallas.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers split last week 2-2 but saw the return of Kawhi Leonard. At this point in his career, it is hard to imagine Kawhi having the impact to take Los Angeles to the next level, but even at 80%, Leonard gives the Clippers one of the better veteran presences. There will be highs and lows, but the Clippers should remain toward the upper half of the NBA throughout the season, barring any setbacks.
10. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are still finding consistency, but they continue to be in nearly every game. Their last three losses were by four possessions or less. Stringing off a few close wins will only better this team in the long run.
11. Orlando Magic
Playing most of the season without their best player, Orlando has been one of the best stories this season. Paolo Banchero is starting to do light practice, and his return will only boost this team. Orlando is not a team that anyone should sleep on.
12. Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler publicly stated he wants out, and Miami’s front office decided to suspend their start for seven games. This could not come at a worse time as Miami is treading water to stay above .500, and this week features a four-game West Coast trip.
13. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee seems to be on the right track with consistency for one week, and then they hit a wall. They are middle-of-the-pack defensively, and this has caused them to lose close games by one or two possessions. Giannis will carry this team as far as he can but has been banged up at different times this season. Additional help is greatly needed.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
Closing out games was an issue last week, dropping three straight. They are one of the better defensive teams, but offensive consistency is lacking in crunch time. Until consistency starts to take shape, it will continue to be an up-and-down season in Minnesota.
15. Atlanta Hawks
All three losses a week ago were at 17+, with the worst being 26 on Saturday against the Clippers. Atlanta lives and dies by the three and surrenders one of the highest opposing three-point percentages in the league. They are a play-in team, and nothing more than this should be considered.
16. Indiana Pacers
Indiana finds themselves back at .500 with strong efforts by their young supporting cast. Consistency will be needed as this week features games against Brooklyn, Chicago, Golden State, and Cleveland.
17. Golden State Warriors
Inconsistent play continues to plague Golden State. Most of their wins have come by double-digits, but last week’s two losses were by an average of 24 points. They need to acquire a wing defender to help offset defensive deficiencies.
18. San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio’s young team continues to progress week-to-week. Gregg Popovich has been out since November after suffering a stroke, but the Spurs’ coaching staff has done well to keep this team afloat. The team is one of the best at the charity stripe, but bettering their three-point percentage will only see this team rise even more.
19. Philadelphia 76ers
Like many teams, Philadelphia has lacked consistency. Couple that with health, and it is easy to see why this season has been a struggle. A lack of consistency, health, and inability to hit the three may be the story for the entire season.
20. Phoenix Suns
Four-straight losses and the Suns find themselves 1.5 games back from a play-in spot. This team continues to underachieve. A move is needed, and the likely candidates are Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
21. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento fires their coach and rattles off four straight wins. Doug Christie has taken over the reins, but was last week a fluke? This week could play out differently with their schedule featuring games against Miami, Boston, and Chicago.
22. Detroit Pistons
Winners of six of their last seven, Detroit is a game under .500 and currently positioned in a play-in game. They continue to get better each week and will look to build on their current three-game winning streak.
23. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are playing better, but opposing teams continue to dominate on the glass. Either they find a way to fix their rebounding issues, or they will find themselves in the lower middle half of the league.
24. Brooklyn Nets
Cam Thomas comes back, and Cam Thomas is injured again. It has been a long season in Brooklyn, and the blows continue to hit. They shoot well, but the Nets are dreadful defensively. They may not be bad enough to find themselves in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.
25. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland was headed to an 0-3 week before a flukey win against Giannis and the Bucks on Saturday. Portland lacks overall talent and will be lucky to win 20 games by season’s end.
26. Utah Jazz
Utah was on a five-game losing streak before winning back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday. Brice Sensabaugh has been a bright spot, but Utah’s defensive woes have yet to be fixed.
27. Washington Wizards
Kyle Kuzma’s return gives them life, but that’s about it. Washington enters the week on a two-game losing streak, and this could increase with this week featuring games against Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Oklahoma City.
28. Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes is the only healthy scorer on the team, but a healthy RJ Barrett can give Toronto another scoring option. They lack overall talent and are entering the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.
29. New Orleans Pelicans
New week and same story: they are not healthy. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram continue to miss games, and the Pelicans continue to lose. This is a lost season.
30. Charlotte Hornets
The rough season continues even with LaMelo Ball back on the court. Losers of 10-straight, Charlotte has been on the wrong side of close games. This week features a tough West Coast trip with two games against Phoenix and one game against each Los Angeles team.
