The Cleveland Cavaliers had a slow start to the season but are red-hot as we enter December. They have won 10 straight games, which is the longest winning streak in the NBA right now. They’re at +500 to win the NBA Championship as odds makers finally see the team that went to back-to-back NBA Finals. It’ll be interesting to see how they look when Isaiah Thomas can get back into the lineup.
As good as the Cavaliers have been, the Boston Celtics have been even stronger. They’re at 19-4 and still hold a 3.5-game lead in the East. As as hot as the Cavaliers have been, they don’t even lead their division as the Detroit Pistons are at 14-6 and have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA. On that note, let’s take a look at this week’s NBA power rankings.
1. Golden State Warriors
Last Week: 1
NBA Title Odds: -300
The Warriors (16-6) lost in Oklahoma City and at home to Sacramento last week, but they also defeated Chicago and New Orleans at home, and also in Los Angeles over the Lakers in overtime. The Warriors stay on the road this week at Orlando, Miami, New Orleans and Charlotte. Golden State is still only 20th in the league in points allowed, but they’re scoring almost four points a game more than Houston to lead the NBA, which should scare every other team.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Week: 2
NBA Title Odds: +500
The Cavaliers (14-7) won at home over Brooklyn, Charlotte and Miami, and they also won in Philadelphia, while they’ll host Memphis and Sacramento this week, along with visits to Atlanta and Chicago. The Cavaliers have won nine in a row and they have been better defensively, holding four of their last five opponents under 100 points, and that was their biggest knock through their earlier struggles. They’re not out of trouble yet, but the Cavaliers are moving in the right direction and they still have LeBron James, which makes them the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
3. Boston Celtics
Last Week: 3
NBA Title Odds: +1000
The Celtics (18-4) lost in Miami and at home against Detroit, but they won at home over Orlando and in Indiana. The Celtics will be at home all week as they host Philadelphia, Phoenix, Milwaukee and Dallas. Boston has been great defensively, ranking first in points allowed and defensive efficiency, and they’re tied for fifth in the NBA in terms of fewest turnovers. The Celtics are doing an excellent job of not beating themselves.
4. Houston Rockets
Last Week: 4
NBA Title Odds: +1200
The Rockets (17-4) won at home over Denver, the New York Knicks, Brooklyn and Indiana, and this week, they’ll head out to visit the Lakers and Utah. James Harden continues to be incredible at the offensive end, leading the league in points and assists, and he also continues to lead the league in free throw attempts despite changes to the rules in regards to drawing fouls. Harden is definitely one of the early MVP favorites, along with Cleveland’s LeBron James, Boston’s Kyrie Irving, Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.
5. San Antonio Spurs
Last Week: 5
NBA Title Odds: +1500
The Spurs (14-7) lost in New Orleans, then won in Charlotte followed by home victories over Dallas and Memphis. The Spurs play the second half of a home-and-home with the Grizzlies to kick off the week, then they visit Oklahoma City before returning home to host Detroit and Miami. The Spurs are still waiting for the return of Kawhi Leonard, who is still a couple weeks away from getting back in the lineup due to his quadriceps injury.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week: 6
NBA Title Odds: +2000
The Thunder (8-12) won over Golden State at home, then lost to Detroit at home as well as at Dallas and Orlando. They’ll be at home this week to host Minnesota, San Antonio and Utah, and the Thunder are still trying to fit their three stars into some sort of system. They’re struggling in close games as the Thunder are 0-4 in games decided by three points or less. They’re also shooting the ball terribly, ranking 28th in field-goal percentage and 25th from beyond the arc.
7. Washington Wizards
Last Week: 7
NBA Title Odds: +5000
The Wizards (11-10) lost in overtime in Charlotte, as well as in Philadelphia and at home to Portland, but they did manage to win in Minnesota. The Wizards will host Detroit, then head out to Utah, Portland and Phoenix. Keep an eye on status of John Wall, who is out for about two weeks with knee soreness. He has missed three games already and is receiving injections in his knee, but the Wizards can’t afford to be without Wall for too long.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Week: 8
NBA Title Odds: +6000
The Timberwolves (13-9) won at home over Orlando and Phoenix and in New Orleans, but lost at home to Miami and Washington. Minnesota will visit Oklahoma City, Memphis and the LA Clipers, who will also be in Minnesota this week. The Timberwolves are 10-3 against teams under .500, but only 3-6 against teams above .500 and that is something they’ll have to improve on to take the next step.
9. Toronto Raptors
Last Week: 9
NBA Title Odds: +6500
The Raptors (13-7) lost at the Knicks and Indiana, then won in Atlanta and at home over Charlotte. The Raptors will host Indiana and Phoenix this week. Kyle Lowry has been getting better as the season goes, and in his last five games, he has averaged 22.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists while shooting 51.2% from three-point land. Lowry got off to a slow start in October, but he is definitely picking up the pace in November and that is good news for the Raptors, who are third in offensive efficiency behind Golden State and Houston.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Last Week: 10
NBA Title Odds: +7500
The Bucks (10-9) won in Phoenix in overtime and in Sacramento, while they also lost in Utah. This week, the Bucks will visit Portland and Boston while also hosting the Kings and Detroit. Milwaukee is still largely a one-man show with Antetokounmpo, but Khris Middleton is playing well this season, averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Still, it feels like the Bucks are still a move away from challenging Cleveland and Boston in the Eastern Conference, or even getting to the level of Toronto or Washington.
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.
