The countdown to Christmas Day is on as it feels like the calm before the storm with the most highly anticipated showdown of the year so far right around the corner now this Sunday. The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to host the Golden State Warriors on December 25th in our first preview of what many expect to be the NBA Finals matchup for the third year in a row. Here is a look at the NBA top-five power rankings for this week.
1. Golden State Warriors (25-4)
Last Week: 1
NBA Championship Odds: -120
The Warriors continued their dominance by extending their win streak to five with a pair of double-digit wins over the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz in their last two games. Golden State followed up a 45-point win over Portland with a 30-point win over Utah in which they torched the top-ranked defense in the NBA for 104 points. Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry have combined to average 50.4 points per game while Klay Thompson has contribute another 21.4 points per game to complete the most potent offensive trio in the NBA right now. Meanwhile, Draymond Green has made a strong early case for NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Warriors are undoubtedly playing on another level right now and considering the way they have improved as the season has gone on it is scary to think about their overall potential if they can stay healthy and continue to improve their chemistry as the season goes on.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-6)
Last Week: 2
NBA Championship Odds: +300
Cleveland barely escaped Milwaukee with a 114-108 overtime win on Tuesday before bouncing back with a better effort in a 113-102 win over the Bucks on Wednesday to maintain the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers are still the team to beat on that side of the bracket but their goal is clearly to do just enough to clinch home advantage in the Eastern Conference while making sure their key players get enough rest and time off to avoid injuries and stay fresh for the playoffs. Cleveland’s perfect record against the Toronto Raptors this season means they have the inside track at the best record in the East once again but all eyes will be on the Cavaliers to see how they match up against the Warriors in their highly anticipated Christmas Day showdown.
3. San Antonio Spurs (23-5)
Last Week: 3
NBA Championship Odds: +750
The Spurs are still right there just 1.5 games back of Golden State for the best record in the Western Conference and the desire to contend for home court advantage has brought out the best in the Spurs. San Antonio has won five in a row and it will be very interesting to see how they fare this week with back-to-back road games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers after they took down the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. Kawhi Leonard is playing at an MVP level right now and as long as he continues to get enough help from his supporting cast the Spurs will be able to keep the pressure on Golden State at the top of the Western Conference.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (21-8)
Last Week: 4
NBA Championship Odds: +1200
The disappointing news that Blake Griffin will miss four-to-six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee put somewhat of a damper on the Clippers short-term outlook ahead of the holiday season.
It didn’t help that Los Angeles dropped another egg in its 117-110 loss ot the Washington Wizards although they did bounce back with a 119-102 win over the Denver Nugget on Tuesday night. Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan will both need to step up again with Griffin sidelined as the Clippers try to keep up with the Spurs and Houston Rockets near the top of the Western Conference standings.
5. Toronto Raptors (20-8)
Last Week: 5
NBA Championship Odds: +3300
The combination of Kyle Lowry’s improved three-point shooting and DeMar DeRozan’s increased confidence has Toronto right there behind Cleveland in the race for home court advantage in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are currently just 1.5 games back of the Cavaliers with Lowry and DeRozan combining to average 49.2 points per game so far this season. Toronto still needs more out of Jonas Valanciunas as they continue to wait on him to break through as a legitimate third wheel to complete their big three and he has shown signs that he is close if he can stay healthy. The Raptors have enough room to add at least one piece to their supporting cast and it will be interesting to see if they make a move at some point between now and the trade deadline in an effort to really challenge Cleveland for Eastern Conference supremacy.
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