NBA Power Rankings: Week 8

Week 8 of the NBA Power Rankings, we are into the knock out rounds of the NBA Cup, the Thunder may never lose again, and the Boston Celtics are good.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Last: #1

The Thunder are 23-1, and for the last 3 weeks all I have done is change up the first number in their record. They are incredible and still have a +16.2 differential.

2. Denver Nuggets

Last: #2

If the MVP was handed out today, it would be tough for me to give it to Jokic. The Nuggets get out scored by opponents when he is off the floor, but the Nuggets are 17-6 and tied for the 2nd seed in the West.

3. Los Angeles Lakers

Last: #4

The Lakers are tied with the Nuggets for the 2nd seed in the West, slightly concerning is the fact that they don’t blow teams out. But on the other side they know how to win close games which will come in clutch during the playoffs.

4. Houston Rockets

Last: #3

The Rockets were without their best player, Sengun last week for a few games due to illness. A good win over Phoenix, but a bad defensive game against the Mavs had me drop them down a rung.

5. Detroit Pistons

Last: #5

The Pistons lost a game to Milwaukee that Giannis only played the 1st quarter, but they are still a top ten team in offense and defense and lead the Eastern Conference. Tradon is looking like a genius right now picking them to win the Eastern Conference.

6. Boston Celtics

Last: #15

I am going to be very honest here, I never thought I would have the Celtics this high in my rankings. But they had a quality win over the Lakers, have won ten of twelve and are now 3rd in the Eastern Conference.

7. New York Knicks

Last: #6

The Knicks got a key contributor in OG Anunoby back after missing the last 9 games. They are 16-7 and have firmly placed themselves in the upper tier of Eastern Conference teams.

8. Phoenix Suns

Last: #8

I left the Suns here for now, they have lost 3 out of their last 4 and Devin Booker is out with a groin injury. They are winning the possession battle, out possessing the Rockets by 24 and the Lakers by 9.

9. San Antonio Spurs

Last: #7

Other than the Nuggets is there any team that feels like it relies on its star more? Well the Spurs are 7-3 without Wemby and Stephon Castle has missed time as well. The Spurs are good and it's so annoying.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves

Last: #12

I am going to leave the Wolves here at the 10 spot this week again, they are healthy and winning. This team can easily jump the Lakers, Nuggets, Rockets, etc to get into the 2nd seed.

11. Orlando Magic

Last: #9

Orlando just can’t stay healthy. Paolo Banchero is back, the Magic technically have played better with him off the court but whatever. But now Franz Wagner is injured as well, I really hope this team can stay healthy for the playoffs.

12. Miami Heat

Last: #13

Similar to the NHL, the West is much much stronger than the East. Miami is hanging onto a top 6 spot right now, but if they were in the West it would be a play-in spot. Loses to the Mavs and Kings are not a great look.

13. Toronto Raptors

Last: #11

I feel bad being kind of right about Toronto, they have come back down after losing five of 6, including a buzzer beater three by Rui Hachimura. The City of Los Angeles is really just shitting all over Toronto right now.

14. Atlanta Hawks

Last: #14

Atlanta is a contender but they need to find some offensive consistency. Jalen Johnson has been in and out of the lineup but when playing is very effective. A top 15 rating is not going to get it done in the playoffs.

15. Cleveland Cavaliers