NBA Team Rankings: Luka Magic

This week I want to take a moment to point out all of the incredible stars this league has. There are at least six players that you could make a real case for MVP right now. Luka Doncic is leading the league in scoring and Dallas has risen to 4th in the West. Nikola Jokic is shooting nearly 62% from the field and Denver is 1st in the West. Giannis Antetokounmpo just had a 40-20-5 game this week. Jayson Tatum continues to make defenders feel helpless on a nightly basis and is the best player on the team with the best record. Kevin Durant has helped Brooklyn win 11 straight while averaging about 30 points. Joel Embiid has been on a tear lately as well and the 76ers have won 8 of their last 10. You can keep going down the list….it’s just wild. I’d hate to be an MVP voter this season.

As always, the way I create these rankings is by answering the question: if the playoffs started today, who’s going to win the championship? I answer that question and then continue the rankings by comparing teams until I get to the last one.

1. Boston Celtics (26-11) – last week: 1st

In Boston’s win over the Clippers on Thursday, Tatum and Brown each had 29 points. I thought Derrick White made a few huge plays including his block on Paul George to seal the win.

2. Memphis Grizzlies (23-13) – last week: 3rd

Memphis came out with a win against Sacramento last night in which Steven Adams finished with 23 rebounds. Adams had 21 rebounds the night before in the win over New Orleans.

3. Brooklyn Nets (24-12) – last week: 5th

Brooklyn just keeps winning. I really am getting the sense Kevin Durant is taking on a big leadership role with this team in a way that I am not sure he has before. He seems to be more vocal and believes this team is capable of contending.

4. Denver Nuggets (24-12) – last week: 7th

Denver just picked up an awesome win over Boston in which they were lights out in terms of shooting the ball. Jokic had a triple-double and the Nuggets hit 17 three pointers.

5. Milwaukee Bucks (23-13) – last week: 2nd

The Bucks lost to the Wizards last night with Giannis, Khris, and Jrue all out. Injuries have hit them hard as of late and it’s a big reason why they are 1-5 in their last six.

6. New Orleans Pelicans (23-13) – last week: 6th

A guy I didn’t mention when I was discussing the players vying for the MVP is Zion Williamson. He’s putting up huge offensive numbers and has been very efficient. We also can’t forget about CJ McCollum making a franchise record 11 threes against the 76ers on Friday!

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-14) – last week: 4th

The Cavs struggled a bit this week. They gave up 135 points to the Pacers, but did bounce back with a one point win over the Bulls Saturday. Caris LeVert had 23 points in the win.

8. Philadelphia 76ers (21-14) – last week: 8th

The 76ers lost two of their three games this week. In their win over the Thunder, they got contributions from many players and a triple-double from Joel Embiid.

9. Dallas Mavericks (21-16) – last week: 11th

Dallas is up to six wins in a row. In their win over the Knicks, Luka Doncic had…..*deep breath*….60 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists. Huh??? What kind of sorcery is this?

10. Los Angeles Clippers (21-17) – last week: 10th

The Clippers are definitely looking solid, but I can’t help but point out Kawhi’s lack of burst athletically. He’s playing well despite not having it, but he has had to produce largely by way of jump shots and outsmarting the opposing team.

11. Sacramento Kings (19-16) – last week: 12th

The Kings went 2-2 on the week. In their latest loss against the Grizzlies, Domantas Sabonis had 18 points and 14 rebounds.

12. Indiana Pacers (20-17) – last week: 17th

Indiana has won three in a row after their latest win over the Clippers. In the win, Myles Turner had 34 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 24 points and 10 assists.

13. New York Knicks (19-18) – last week: 13th

After losing five straight, the Knicks were able to get a win over the Rockets. Julius Randle had 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.

14. Portland Trailblazers (18-17) – last week: 14th

Portland went 1-1 on the week. They most recently lost to Golden State in a game in which Damian Lillard had 34 points, but only shot 12-29 from the field.

15. Miami Heat (18-17) – last week: 20th

The Heat exited 2022 in style with a difficult running buzzer beater from Tyler Herro to beat Utah. He finished with 29 points in the win.

16. Phoenix Suns (20-17) – last week: 9th

It was reported that Devin Booker will miss at least four weeks due to a groin strain which obviously is the main reason for the big drop here. Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton will need to produce more on offense to help patch things together until he returns.

17. Golden State Warriors (19-18) – last week: 19th

I was wondering how Golden State would do in this home stretch without Curry. Well…they are 4-0 so far! I must say I am a bit surprised, but Jordan Poole continues to play well as he had 41 points in the win over Portland.

18. Toronto Raptors (16-20) – last week: 16th

I really believe this team is better than their record shows, and I think we could see them turn the corner in the new year. In their win over Phoenix, Gary Trent Jr had 35 points.

19. Utah Jazz (19-20) – last week: 15th

Utah lost all four of their games this week by margins of five points or less. In the Kings game on Friday, they lost to the Kings by one after Kevin Huerter’s go-ahead three pointer. Then the following night they lost to Miami on a Tyler Herro buzzer beater. Rough.

20. Chicago Bulls (16-20) – last week: 22nd

The Bulls continue be in a tricky spot. On Wednesday, they beat the Bucks in overtime. DeMar DeRozan had 42 points and 10 rebounds in yet another heroic performance that can only make fans smile.

21. Washington Wizards (17-21) – last week: 26th

The Wizards have suddenly won five in a row after the majority of their December was ugly. In their win over Orlando, Kristaps Porzingis had 30 points and 13 rebounds.

22. Atlanta Hawks (17-19) – last week: 21st

Atlanta lost all three of their games this week. In their latest loss to the Lakers, Trae Young had 29 points and 8 assists.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-21) – last week: 18th

I thought maybe Minnesota was starting to figure things out a couple weeks ago after the Chicago game. Well…. doesn’t seem that way now after six straight losses. They lost to Detroit on Saturday and got out rebounded by thirteen.

24. Los Angeles Lakers (15-21) – last week: 25th

LeBron James is now 38 years old and he just had 47 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists on his birthday. Those kind of performances are needed on a nightly basis for the Lakers to consistently win games without Anthony Davis. That’s a lot to ask for.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-21) – last week: 24th

The Thunder lost two of three this week. In their loss to the 76ers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled with just 14 points.

26. Orlando Magic (13-24) – last week: 23rd

Orlando has lost three games in a row by double digits. In their loss to the Wizards, Franz Wagner had 28 points and 8 assists.

27. San Antonio Spurs (12-24) – last week: 27th

The Spurs lost a close one to the Mavericks on Saturday 126-125. Coach Popovich said before the game he hoped to hold Luka Doncic under 50 points. Doncic scored 51.

28. Houston Rockets (10-26) – last week: 28th

Houston was able to go 1-3 on the week with the lone win coming against Chicago. In that victory, Kevin Porter Jr finished with 36 points, 9 assists, and 7 assists.

29. Charlotte Hornets (10-27) – last week: 29th

Charlotte won one game this week at home against Oklahoma City. In that game, LaMelo Ball had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.

30. Detroit Pistons (10-29) – last week: 30th

In their latest outing, the Pistons beat Minnesota 116-104. The standout was Bojan Bogdanovic who ended with 28 points.