The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers are still atop the NBA power rankings. The Warriors were always locked in but the Cavaliers – after a shaky start – have gotten it together. The group of Boston, San Antonio, Houston and Oklahoma City are the next wave of teams trying to make up ground.
There are injuries aplenty in that group but the Houston Rockets will get back point guard Chris Paul tonight. We’ll see if he elevates their player or whether it’s merely more of the same.
Aside from this group of contenders, the rest of the league is struggling to keep up themselves as most people are still banking on a fourth straight Finals matchup between the Warriors and the Cavaliers.
Stats as of Thursday, November 16th.
1. Golden State Warriors
Last Week: 1
NBA Title Odds: -200
The Warriors (11-3) won at home over Philadelphia and Orlando to extend their winning streak to seven games, and then they’ll head out on the road to visit Boston, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Oklahoma City this week. The Warriors averaged 122.5 points in their two wins, and they’re now averaging 119.6 points per game, which is eight points ahead of second-place Toronto in terms of points per game. The Warriors can still get even better on that end of the floor, which is a frightening prospect for the rest of the NBA.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Week: 2
NBA Title Odds: +450
The Cavaliers (8-7) lost in Houston, and then won in Dallas, New York and Charlotte. They’ll host the Los Angeles Clippers next, then visit Detroit before returning home to host Brooklyn. The Cavaliers are still bad defensively, ranking 28th in points allowed per game, but they’re fifth in points scored per game and it appears as though that might be their formula for success. LeBron James is fourth in the NBA in both scoring and assists and without him, the Cavaliers would be in absolutely huge trouble.
3. Boston Celtics
Last Week: 5
NBA Title Odds: +1500
The Celtics (13-2) won at home over Charlotte and Toronto, and also in Brooklyn, and they’ll host Golden State before heading to Atlanta, Dallas and Miami this week. The Celtics have now won 13 games in a row since losing their first two games of the season, and they’re still first in the NBA in points allowed while Kyrie Irving leads a team in which six players are averaging 9.6 points or more.
4. Houston Rockets
Last Week: 3
NBA Title Odds: +1500
The Rockets (11-4) won at home over Cleveland and Memphis, and also in Indiana, but they lost at home to Toronto. Next, the Rockets will head to Phoenix and Memphis, and then return home to host Denver. James Harden has been remarkable over his last five games, averaging 38.6 points, 12.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 42.4% from the three-point line. The Rockets are third in the league in scoring, and Harden leads all players in scoring, although he is just in front of Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.
5. San Antonio Spurs
Last Week: 4
NBA Title Odds: +1500
The Spurs (9-6) lost at home to Milwaukee and in Minnesota, but they also won at home over Chicago and Dallas. This week, the Spurs will host Oklahoma City and Atlanta, and then head to New Orleans. The Spurs are still without Kawhi Leonard and there is really no word on when he’ll be back, likely not before December. However, they’re still fourth in the league in points allowed. LaMarcus Aldridge is still carrying the load offensively, averaging 21.2 points over his last five games to go with 8.0 rebounds.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week: 6
NBA Title Odds: +1500
The Thunder (7-7) lost in Denver, but won at home over the Clippers, Dallas and Chicago. They’ll head out on the road to San Antonio and New Orleans, and then it is back home to host Golden State. Paul George has averaged 23.4 points and 7.2 rebounds over his last five games for the Thunder, who are 5-2 at home this season, but they’re 2-5 on the road. The Thunder are also 0-5 so far this season against the Northwest division and that needs to change immediately.
7. Washington Wizards
Last Week: 7
NBA Title Odds: +5000
The Wizards (9-5) won at home over the Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta and Sacramento, and then on the road against Miami. They’ll host the Heat in the second half of a home-and-home, and then head out on the road to visit Toronto, Milwaukee and Charlotte. The Wizards took care of business, winning all four games over the last week by an average of 15.5 points. John Wall has averaged 21.4 points and 7.8 assists over his last five games as the Wizards are hitting a nice little groove right now.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Week: 8
NBA Title Odds: +5000
The Timberwolves (9-5) lost in Phoenix, then won in Utah and at home over San Antonio. Next, they’ll head to Dallas and Charlotte, while hosting Detroit and Orlando. The key for the Timberwolves all season will be defense as they rank 25th in points allowed, but they’re a perfect 5-0 so far this season when they hold opponents to 100 points or less. If they can be consistent defensively, the Timberwolves can leapfrog a lot of teams in the Western Conference.
9. Toronto Raptors
Last Week: 10
NBA Title Odds: +6500
The Raptors (9-5) won at home over New Orleans, and then lost in Boston before winning in Houston and New Orleans. The Raptors will come home to host New York and Washington, and then head on the road to visit the Knicks as well. DeMar DeRozan is starting to heat up as he has averaged 26.6 points over his last five games and he is even shooting 36.8% from the three-point line, which is great for him.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Last Week: 9
NBA Title Odds: +7500
The Bucks (8-6) won in San Antonio, and then at home over the Lakers, Memphis and Detroit. The Bucks will visit Dallas and Phoenix this week, along with a home game against Washington. The Bucks are 10th in the league in points allowed, and in three of their four wins last week, they held their opponents under 100 points; when they do that so far this season, the Bucks are 4-1.
The 2017-18 NBA is well underway. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
