The Golden State Warriors will get their first test of the NBA season as Stephen Curry is out for a couple weeks with an ankle sprain. We can already see what type of impact it’s having on the betting lines. On Friday, the Warriors head to Detroit to face a quality Pistons team but the Warriors are merely a 4.5-point favorite. The Pistons have lost four straight, so you’d think that the Warriors would be laying -6 or -7 with Curry in the lineup.
With Curry out, it could give the rest of the league some time to catch up to them. The league’s hottest team comes from Cleveland, who have won 13 in a row and those early season struggles seem so far away. They got Derrick Rose back and should get Isaiah Thomas soon too. If they can finish with a better record than Golden State, that would be huge for them. Here’s a look at this week’s power rankings.
1. Golden State Warriors
Last Week: 1
NBA Title Odds: -300
The Warriors (20-6) won at Orlando, Miami, New Orleans and Charlotte, and they’ll wrap up their road trip in Detroit before returning home to host Portland and Dallas. Curry was injured in the win over the Pelicans and his ankle will be re-evaluated in two weeks, bu Kevin Durant promptly had 35 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the win over the Hornets. Golden State can let Curry heal as long as he needs to; they’ll be fine.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Week: 2
NBA Title Odds: +500
The Cavaliers (18-7) continued their winning streak with victories in Atlanta and Chicago, along with at home over Memphis and Sacramento. LeBron James has been phenomenal and his teammates have been stepping up, but again, their defense has improved a lot as the Cavaliers have held six of their last eight opponents under 100 points. When they do that this season, the Cavaliers are 8-0.
3. Boston Celtics
Last Week: 3
NBA Title Odds: +1000
The Celtics (22-4) won at home over Philadelphia, Phoenix, Milwaukee and Dallas, and this week they’ll head out on the road to visit San Antonio, Detroit and Chicago before going back home to host Denver. Kyrie Irving has to be in the MVP conversation and over his last five games, he has averaged 25.6 points on 52.7% shooting, while shooting 40.7% from the three-point line.
4. Houston Rockets
Last Week: 4
NBA Title Odds: +1000
The Rockets (18-4) have won seven straight games and they had a quiet week as they won in Los Angeles over the Lakers; that was their only game. James Harden had 36 points and nine assists in that game, while Chris Paul added 21 points and six assists and it might not be a coincidence that the Rockets’ winning streak started when Paul returned from a knee injury.
5. San Antonio Spurs
Last Week: 5
NBA Title Odds: +1500
The Spurs (17-8) won in Memphis and at home over Detroit and Miami, and they lost in Oklahoma City. They’ll host Boston this week before heading to Phoenix and Dallas. That the Spurs are not only above water without Kawhi Leonard, but a solid third behind Golden State and Houston in the Western Conference is a testament to head coach Gregg Popovich and their system. Leonard could return this week from his quadriceps injury, but the Spurs will give him as much time as he needs.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week: 6
NBA Title Odds: +2000
The Thunder (11-12) won at home over Minnesota, San Antonio and Utah, and they’ll head to Brooklyn, Memphis and Indiana this week while also hosting Charlotte. The Thunder seem to be figuring things out, especially in clutch situations. However, Russell Westbrook is still the team’s #1 option and he has averaged 27.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 10.4 assists in his last five games. Paul George has been consistent and Carmelo Anthony has been struggling, but the Thunder still revolve around the reigning MVP.
7. Toronto Raptors
Last Week: 7
NBA Title Odds: +5000
The Raptors (15-7) won at home over Indiana and Phoenix, and they’ll travel this week to Memphis, Sacramento, the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix. The Raptors are fourth in the NBA in offensive efficiency, ninth in defensive efficiency and they’re third in the Eastern Conference behind Boston and Cleveland. It has been a fantastic start to the season for Toronto, who could be trouble if they can make one more big move; what that move, that is going to be tough to figure out.
8. Washington Wizards
Last Week: 8
NBA Title Odds: +5000
The Wizards (13-11) won at home over Detroit and in Portland, and they lost to Utah as well. The Wizards will stay on the road this week as they’re in Phoenix, Los Angeles against the Clippers and in Brooklyn before going home to host Memphis. Bradley Beal went off in the win over the Trailblazers as he scored 51 points and the Wizards need him to be great with John Wall still out on with a knee injury. He doesn’t have a timetable for his return, so Beal will have a green light to shoot as much as he wants.
9. Utah Jazz
Last Week: 9
NBA Title Odds: +5000
The Jazz (13-12) won at home over New Orleans and Washington, and they also lost in Oklahoma City. This week, the Jazz will host Houston, and then head to Milwaukee and Chicago. Rookie Donovan Mitchell has been lights out over his last five games, averaging 26.6 points on 52.3% shooting, and he has hit 46.7% of his three-point attempts. The Jazz have been missing a dynamic scorer this season, and it looks like Mitchell is ready to step up and take the mantle.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Week: 10
NBA Title Odds: +7000
The Timberwolves (15-11) lost in Oklahoma City and Memphis, and they also won in Los Angeles over the Clippers; they also won at home over the Clippers. Minnesota’s young stars, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins are in a bit of a slump right now, so Jimmy Butler has taken it upon himself to step up. He has averaged 24.6 points, 5.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds over his last five games and showing a lot of veteran leadership. Still, the Timberwolves need their youth to raise their game and play to their potential at both ends of the court if they’re going to take the next step.
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.
