Official /r/nba Power Rankings #6 (1.9.2023)

[24/30 rankers reporting this week.](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1–xX0VpsDJBfsTPlnpVkF2IRD0RMEfIzX1wEyOxDP7Q/edit?usp=sharing) /R/NBA’s Power Rankings are published every two weeks which is a bit different from most rankings. Other than that we rank the teams the same way as our competition. If write ups are left blank the team rep decided not to submit. We encourage any user to fill in the blanks in the comment section.

\# | Team | Δ | Record | Comment |
–: | :– | :– | :-: | :– |
1 | [](/BOS) Celtics | — | 28-12 | The Celtics are 4-2 since the last rankings, and still hold a slight edge over a surging Brooklyn team for the 1 seed in the East. Ironically, the Celtics and Nets face off on January 12th in a game that very well might be for first place in the East. After a troublesome stretch that saw the Celtics lose 5 of 6 leading into their Christmas blowout win over the Bucks, they’ve seemed to right the ship. Over the next 2 weeks the Celtics will play 7 times with matchups against the Bulls, Pelicans, @Nets, @Hornets, @Hornets again, Warriors, and then @Raptors. |
2 | [](/BKN) Nets | +1 | 27-13 | The Nets are playing like the best team in the league, their net rating is among the best in the league and the overall team play has been incredible to see after such a rocky start. However, as all things with this cursed franchise, it likely comes to end as KD took a freak hit fall to the knee from Jimmy Butler falling. Now all Nets fans wait as the fate of the season lies on the MRI results we should receive in the next day or so. Pain. Pain. Pain. |
3 | [](/DEN) Nuggets | — | 26-13 | Other than a tough loss to the Wolves and one lit beam in Sactown, the Nuggets have been *en fuego* lately, going 12-3 over their last 15 games and climbing to the top seed in the West. Efficient shooting seems to be the Nuggets’ identity this year, as their 50.9% FG and 40.1% 3PT remain 2nd and 1st in the league respectively, and they sport a +6.1 net rating over the last 15. Vlatko Cancar has been a welcome addition to the rotation with Jeff Green sidelined, as he’s provided a nice boost of scoring and defense for a bench unit that has struggled to find a rhythm this year. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Jokic is having possibly his best season yet, as his efficient scoring and playmaking has made up for the drop in volume that came with finally having some damn help. |
4 | [](/MEM) Grizzlies | +2 | 26-13 | After an embrassing Christmas day loss, the team has responded well and has reeled off 6 consecutive wins and posting the leagues best net rating in that time. JJJ continues to widen his DPOY gap by averaging 3.2 blocks per game. A relatively easy January schedule should allow for them and the Nuggets to pull away from the rest of the west and make the battle for the #1 seed a race to the finish. As the trade deadline slowly approaches, the team has a difficult decision to make, stay pat with the roster as is or attempt to make upgrades at the expense of future flexibility? An offer for players such as O.G. Anunoby seems within reach if the front office decides to make it. Armed with all of their FRPs, and the 2024 Golden State FRP, the expiring contract of Danny Green, and plenty of young players to choose from in Ziaire Williams, David Roddy, and Santi Aldama a deal could be made. |
5 | [](/CLE) Cavaliers | — | 26-15 | The Cavaliers went 4-3 since the last power rankings, with their losses coming from the red hot Nets, Pacers and Nuggets…. but who cares, Donovan Mitchell dropped one of the best performances of all time with a 71 point, 11 double double overtime W over the Bulls. Now, at the exact halfway point of the season, it’s clear that the biggest error in judging the Donovan Mitchell trade was the assumption that Spida was a finished product in Utah. Last year, he had a career high 57.2% ts% in Utah, but he’s destroying that mark at 62.9% this year while maintaining the same usage rate, with a great 48/40/87 line, all career highs. Importantly for the Cavs, Donovan gets back an old buddy soon that fans hope cement this roster: Ricky Rubio. Rubio played in Utah with Mitchell in both 17-18 and 18-19, logging >3000 total minutes together, and had net per 100 ratings of +8.3 and +7.6 in those years, the two highest ratings in a season for any guard Mitchell had paired with in his NBA career, including this year. That same same metric has the best two man lineup for Cavalier guards this year as Garland/Okoro, allowing for some versatile rotations. Both Garland and Mitchell are playing 36mpg this year, Ricky being able to come in and run PG will help them make the 2nd half easier on their legs. |
6 | [](/MIL) Bucks | -2 | 25-14 | Another tough couple ‘o weeks for the Bucks, where we saw Giannis will us to some wins despite being down his #2 and #3, but the fatigue proved to be too much. In the team’s most recent outing, he had his worst game in years during an embarrassing shellacking by the Charlotte Hornets. Bucks fans hope to see Middleton back soon and for the Flu to stop making its way around the team. P.S. MarJon Beauchamp is really damn good for rookie P.P.S. Vote Brook For DPoY |
7 | [](/PHI) 76ers | — | 24-15 | Don’t look now, but the Sixers are getting hot. Despite having some head scratching losses as of late, they are 12-3 in their last 15 games. Joel Embiid being out indefinitely is less than ideal, but it feels like everyone around him has picked their game up significantly. Tyrese Maxey looking like he’s back to form certainly won’t hurt either. As long as the Sixers keep pace and take advantage of worse teams, they may be competing for a seed that would have been unfathomable at season’s start. |
8 | [](/NOP) Pelicans | — | 24-16 | |
9 | [](/DAL) Mavericks | +3 | 23-18 | Dallas has won 8 of their last 10, and have capitalized on the weak schedule over the last few weeks and should continue to do so in the coming weeks. Luka missed Sunday’s game vs Oklahoma City, bringing the Mavs to 0-4 when he doesn’t play. The Mavs have some interesting decisions to make in the coming weeks, as Christian Wood appears to either be extended or traded. This will have a huge impact on the Mavs’ season and long-term outlook, so look for Dallas to be a key piece in next month’s trade deadline. |
10 | [](/IND) Pacers | +7 | 23-18 | The last thing you’d expect from a young team is the wherewithal to consistently close out games in clutch moments, but that’s exactly what these Indiana Pacers have been doing recently. So bad in the closing moments of close games in the past two season, coach Rick Carlisle has expertly coached up this team so that they now thrive in these situations. Not too shabby for a team that is now one win away from surpassing their preseason O/U win total. |
11 | [](/NYK) Knicks | — | 22-18 | “Julius Randle ain’t no spot up shooter he aint gotta run to the corner to shoot like hes some 3rd option bitch this aint jj redick this is a fuckin god human steph curry come again only this time hes not a fuckin pussy pull up from the fuckin logo and fight you at the same time” -/u/Sparrow_Wilson |
12 | [](/SAC) Kings | +1 | 20-18 | The biggest weakness once again shines bright. The Sacramento Kings lack of size is a problem. Their inability to rebound and defend longer and more athletic teams has cost this team too many winnable games. It’s unfortunate that a pick up hasn’t been made or a potential trade hasn’t developed. At some point this team will grow tired of just getting by. I understand this is the most success this team has had in 16 years, but a capable big has to be picked up. |
13 | [](/MIA) Heat | +5 | 21-20 | The Heat are doing as expected so far in the new year. We’ve lost Jovic and Yurtseven for a few weeks to injury (Duncan Robinson is also injured), and Dedmon and Martin are managing their own issues but aren’t missing time. We’re nearing the fated deadline where the Heat like to do business and I wonder if we will this year or accept our fate. I’m not sure which picks we have available to trade because they’re all tied to some trade but I’m sure that there’s one or two available to make deals with. |
14 | [](/GSW) Warriors | +5 | 20-20 | The team has formed a bit of chemistry and sense of urgency with Curry out. Klay and Poole have put together a couple big performances, however Pooles clutch time has been astonishingly bad. Warriors have 2 losses in a row to teams they should beat if they want to avoid the play in seeds. We are nearing week 4 of Curry’s injury which was the approximate timeline so he and Wiggins should be back soon to make a push before all star break. |
15 | [](/LAC) Clippers | -5 | 21-21 | |
16 | [](/LAL) Lakers | +9 | 19-21 | An inspiring turnaround for the Lakers during a stretch where it was least expected,as the team is nursing injuries to several wings including AD ruled out indefinitely, the team has somehow put together a 5-game win streak which is currently second best in the league. LeBron James aging like fine wine has put up 38.0/9.0/8.0 on 58/28/77 splits since turning 38 but as absurd as those numbers are, the more encouraging signs are that they pulled a win without him and AD against the Heat and the way Thomas Bryant and Schroder has stepped up. Coincidence or not, those two missed the first few weeks while the Lakers got to the ugly 2-10 start. Dennis is shooting 61% on threes on 5.8 attempts a game and is averaging 23.8 points in the month of January, while TB has put up 5 double-doubles in his last 7 while shooting 73.8% from the field. Lakers are now 1 game behind the 6th spot in the West, thanks to losing streaks for 7 of the 8 teams ahead of them in the standings. It’s crucial to keep the momentum going as they have an upcoming 5 game homestand and should welcome back players from injuries. Fingers crossed on the trade ends as well as it’s hard to argue this team can’t be playoff contender given how the rest of the conference seems to be faring. |
17 | [](/MIN) TWolves | +3 | 20-21 | Wolves ended 2022 down bad but have started 2023 on fire. A 4 game win streak, getting their guys healthy, and Rudy being Rudy again has the Wolves hopeful for a big 2nd half of the season. |
18 | [](/CHI) Bulls | +4 | 19-21 | |
19 | [](/PHX) Suns | -10 | 20-21 | Ayton becomes trade eligible on the 15th. Either we make some big moves and look interesting again or we start Tanking for Wemby. We suck right now. |
20 | [](/POR) Trail Blazers | -4 | 19-20 | The Blazers are without three rotation players, and while none are stars, their loss has been incredibly impactful. For one, two of the three missing players represent 2/3 of Portland’s best defenders (Payton and Winslow), and the gap in talent between those three and the rest of the bench is vast. Portland has had to rely almost entirely on its starting lineup, and the toll is starting to show in their performance. |
21 | [](/ATL) Hawks | -6 | 19-21 | I’m truly truly sick of having to watch/write about this team. It’s emotionally exhausting to deal with them. Trae Young finally remembers how to shoot a basketball? Too bad Clint Capela is gonna miss the next 71 weeks and you’re never getting another rebound. Do you have any idea what watching Frank Kaminsky play center for your team in 2023 does to a man? I’ve seen more contested mid-range jumpers this season than anyone should ever have to endure. Last night the Hawks had a quarter where they took one three-pointer. We are a few weeks away from a class-action lawsuit against the Atlanta Hawks for emotional abuse. |
22 | [](/UTA) Jazz | -8 | 20-23 | The honeymoon period is well and truly over for this Jazz team as they slump to just 1-8 in their last 9 games. Mike Conley (35yrs), Kelly Olynyk (31yrs) and Jordan Clarkson (30yrs) are unlikely to be on the team following the trade deadline as Utah will look to stockpile more young talent and picks. In the meantime Walker Kessler’s rookie season has shown excellent defensive signs with the big man recording the third most blocks in the league since December, behind only Claxton and JJJ. |
23 | [](/WAS) Wizards | +3 | 17-23 | Slowly, I am once again losing my sanity as the Wizards battle through injuries and Kyle Kuzma attempts to try and stat-pad instead of fighting to win basketball games. The introduction of a Gafford-Porzingis line-up (some are calling it the “Twin Towers”/I prefer to call it the “Bucket List” out of respect for Admiral/Duncan along with laughing when picturing Porzingis as the Jack Nicholson of the duo) has provided an interesting ripple to the team’s defense. However, this season continues to feel so reliant on who has less injured players. Hachimura has looked great in his return (outside of his game against the Thunder where he elected to wear a headband and it cursed him). It still feels like the team is waiting for a trade to happen, potentially the departure of Kuz and/or Rui. The concern about Wes Unseld Jr’s coaching is slowly dissipating — which may just be a result of Stockholm Syndrome. The team’s competitiveness has been a nice change of pace. Being able to hang with the Milwaukee Bucks on a night where Giannis drops 55 isn’t normal for this team. But as I am typing , I am slowly realizing that once again I’m coping with the reality that the Washington Wizards aren’t going to win a championship this year and will be battling to try and make it into the play-in tournament instead improving their draft stock in a stacked draft. |
24 | [](/OKC) Thunder | -1 | 18-22 | The much awaited rise of Josh Giddey continues to propel OKC’s offense to newest levels. Chip Engelland has been an absolute miracle worker for the Thunder. The SGA+4 shooters lineup continues to be instant offense. It’s a work in progress, but the rookies and sophomores of OKC continue to provide many reasons to optimistic about the future. |
25 | [](/TOR) Raptors | -4 | 17-23 | |
26 | [](/ORL) Magic | -2 | 15-25 | So for a bit there we were back to looking like shit but we swept the Warriors for the first time since 2012. Paolo and Franz are also our first duo to both average 20PPG since Penny and Shaq during the 1995 season. The future is bright in Orlando, but at what point will the future become the present? |
27 | [](/SAS) Spurs | — | 13-27 | I wish we were better at actually bottoming out, but it is fun to watch the young guys fight and claw their way through competitive games. The Spurs are now going to be down Vassell for several weeks due to arthroscopic knee surgery, and Keldon has gone down with a hamstring injury that figures to be D2D but who knows. I’m of the opinion that in a building year like this, part of the philosophy that should be taken is building bodies to be stronger. Obviously sitting guys for the purpose of “the tank” is a tangential benefit, but there is also literally 0 reason to force guys to play through nagging injuries this season and have it potentially turn into a long-term health issue. We have so many players that need development anyway that freeing some of that time up on a semi-consistent basis to let gets heal is a good move. Bit of a brutal stretch incoming, with @MEM, @MEM, GSW (and Steph’s likely return game), SAC, BKN, LAC over the next two weeks. |
28 | [](/CHA) Hornets | — | 11-30 | |
29 | [](/DET) Pistons | +1 | 11-32 | I’m going to switch gears a little bit here. How fucking bad were the refs in the Rams vs Seahawks game? Detroit getting screwed over in a game they aren’t even playing in. Typical Lions fashion…. Oh and how about the Pistons domination over the Warriors these days? Bey rabbit punched them. That’s not even legal in competitive fighting. |
30 | [](/HOU) Rockets | -1 | 10-30 | Austin Rivers said this team needs a veteran presence, and I’m inclined to agree. As much as we can celebrate having a lot of good young talent, we also need to ensure that the talent is growing. Adjustments will need to be made this summer because with OKC owning our pick next year, the tank can’t last forever. |

by powerrankingsnba