The Cleveland Cavaliers were the championship favorite for a while but it appears that recent struggles have finally knocked them down a peg. Even as the Cavs bolster their lineup with some trades, the Chicago Bulls take over as the top dog atop the futures power ranking:
1. Chicago Bulls
Championship Odds: +450
The Bulls have been rolling along as of late with eight wins in their last 10, but those two losses came by double-digits at home against Brooklyn and Utah, two teams that shouldn’t be beating Chicago by 14 and 20 points, respectively. Defense continues to be an issue for the Bulls, who have 11 losses on the season and seven of those have come when they’ve allowed 100 points. They’re 13th in the league in that category.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Championship Odds: +500
The Cavs have lost six of their last seven and they’re 1-5 without LeBron James in the lineup. They just sent two first-round picks to acquire Timofey Mozgov, who should help the Cavs improve on the boards, where they’re 26th in the league. And earlier in the week, they managed to trade away Dion Waiters to Oklahoma City and got J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert in return. Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving are putting up numbers, but the team isn’t winning. No team is under the microscope more than Cleveland and the pressure is starting to show.
3. San Antonio Spurs
Championship Odds: +600
The Spurs continue to be inconsistent, and blowing a big lead to the Detroit Pistons at home on Tuesday isn’t a good look. Kawhi Leonard is still out with a hand injury and Tony Parker just returned from a hamstring problem. And yet, the Spurs are still in good shape in the odds because you have to assume they’ll come around; we’ve seen them do this for years now. They’re out of rhythm right now but the good news is they’re building even more depth: every player that has suited up for them this season has averaged at least 9.5 minutes.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
Championship Odds: +650
The Thunder had been pretty solid defensively, ranking eighth in the NBA in points allowed. However, they’re currently in a stretch where they’ve allowed 100 points or more in 10 of their last 11. The Thunder have lost six of those games. Adding Waiters gives them a little insurance if Kevin Durant and/or Russell Westbrook get hurt again, but OKC ranks dead last in the league in assists. Waiters won’t help them improve in that respect.
T-4. Golden State Warriors
Championship Odds: +650
The Warriors keep chugging along and have won five in a row, which follows a two-game skid after seeing their 16-game winning streak end. Their 28 wins is the most in the NBA and they’re powered by an offense that leads the league in points and assists. The Warriors are ranked 11th in the league defensively but they should improve when Andrew Bogut returns from his knee injury. He’s had trouble staying healthy but if he’s around for a playoff run, this +650 could be good value.
6. Dallas Mavericks
Championship Odds: +800
The Mavericks had a five-game winning streak snapped by Detroit but that’s nothing to be ashamed of. The Pistons are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. Even with the loss, the Mavs are still 7-3 since acquiring Rajon Rondo from Boston. The Mavs also have 13 wins each on the road and at home. However, you have to wonder how long they can get by with their defense, which ranks 23rd in the NBA in points allowed. They’re one of two teams in the top eight of the Western Conference (along with Phoenix) that allows 100 points or more.
7. Los Angeles Clippers
Championship Odds: +1200
The Clippers have won four of their last five and like many teams, defense seems to fuel them as they allowed fewer than 100 points in all four of the wins, but 107 in the loss. The Clippers rank 19th in the league in points allowed. It is still mind-boggling that the Clippers are 24th in rebounding and, with DeAndre Jordan becoming a free agent in the offseason, there are some big questions that have to be asked of the Clippers, starting now.
8. Houston Rockets
Championship Odds: +1500
While the Pistons are flourishing without Smith, the Rockets are struggling with him as they’re 5-4 since trading for the forward. Truth be told, it definitely isn’t all Smith’s fault as he knows he is coming into a team with James Harden and Dwight Howard, but he has to stop shooting three-pointers (2-of-11 in his last five games) and Smith has been awful from the foul line lately (only 10 attempts in six games, making just one free throw). However, the Rockets are fourth in points allowed and Smith’s addition should make up for Harden’s issues at that end of the floor.
9. Atlanta Hawks
Championship Odds: +1600
The Hawks are finally getting some love from the NBA odds and they’re probably the biggest surprise in the season so far. They’ve won six in a row and 11 of their last 12 overall, and the Hawks are winning all types of ways: high-scoring firefights and defensive showdowns. You can definitely tell that coach Mike Budenholzer learned under San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich as he preaches ball movement and the Hawks are third in the NBA in assists.
10. Portland Trailblazers
Championship Odds: +1800
The Trailblazers have won five of their last six, losing only to Atlanta at home during that time. Portland is quietly flying under the radar in the West but their 27 wins are tied for second in the NBA with the Hawks. Their 16 home wins is tied for the league lead with the Clippers. Still, you get the feeling that this is another team that is one move away from becoming a legitimate player in the NBA title race and moving Nicholas Batum could be that move. The French forward is averaging 9.4 points on 40.5 percent shooting, including a miserable 26.9 percent from beyond the arc
11. Toronto Raptors +1800
12. Washington Wizards +2000
13. Memphis Grizzlies +2000
14. Phoenix Suns +12500
15. New Orleans Pelicans +12500
