nba

TST’s NBA Power Rankings Week 18

The Lakers are a mess, the Clippers still have something to prove, and the Bucks and Celtics are battling it out to see who the best team in the NBA is tonight

30. Houston Rockets, 13-44 (Previous Ranking #30)

Jalen Green (23.8 points and 4 assists per game with a TS% of 55.8 over his last 10 games) is already off to another strong second-half of the season and Alperen Sengun (15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game with a TS% of 61.9 and an AST% of 20.8, ranked in the 93rd percentile for Bigs) continues to impress on a nightly basis.

On the other hand, the Rockets have lost twenty-one out of their last twenty-four games and have an offensive rating of 110.3 (ranked 29th) and a defensive rating of 118.2 (ranked 28th in the NBA). They have a nice young core that will continue to improve with another top pick in next year’s NBA Draft.

29. San Antonio Spurs, 14-44 (Previous Ranking #29)

The Spurs aren’t going anywhere this season, but they have a great chance to secure the #1 pick and select generational talent Victor Wembanyama. They also got a nice return in both of the trades they made. In the Jakob Poeltl trade, they received a protected first rounder in 2024, and two future second round picks in 2023 and 2025, and in the Josh Richardson trade, they acquired four future second round picks. A young player to watch out for on this team the rest of the season is Malaki Branham, who has averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game with a TS% of 55 over his last 10 games.

28. Detroit Pistons, 15-43 (Previous Ranking #27)

Rookies Jalen Duren (12.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game with a TS% of 70.9) and Jaden Ivey (15.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game with a TS% of 58.1) have taken their game to another level over the last few weeks, and Bojan Bogdanovic (21.7 points per game with a 3PT% of 40.8 and a TS% of 62.8) continues to be one of the more efficient high-level scorers in basketball this season. Still, the Pistons have just an offensive rating of 111.6 (ranked 26th) and a defensive rating of 118.9 (ranked 29th in the NBA) and will have a very good chance to land the #1 pick in next year’s NBA Draft to further accelerate their rebuild.

27. Charlotte Hornets, 16-43 (Previous Ranking #28)

Even though the Hornets have the worst offense in basketball (offensive rating of 110), they managed to put up 144 points in a win against the Hawks on Monday. LaMelo Ball (23.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game with a TS% of 53.7) had his best game of the season finishing with 30 points and 15 assists, and Terry Rozier (23.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists with a TS% of 57 over his last 10 games) finished with 29 points and 5 rebounds. Monday’s win shows how good the offense can become in future year’s with Ball at the forefront, but there is still a lot of work to be done and that will start with securing a top pick in the NBA Draft.

26. Orlando Magic, 24-34 (Previous Ranking #22)

The Magic are off to a great start this week after beating the Bulls 100-91 on Monday night. Despite having the most talented young front-court in the NBA in Paolo Banchero (20 points and 6.7 rebounds per game with a TS% of 52.8 and a PSA of 105.2, ranked in the 20th percentile for Forwards) and Franz Wagner (19.1 points, 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists per game with a TS% of 58.9 and a PSA of 117.8, ranked in the 70th percentile for Wings), it has been the supporting cast that has won them a lot of games this season.

In the win against the Bulls, Markelle Fultz (14.2 points, 5.1 assists, and 4 rebounds per game with a TS% of 55.2 over his last 10 games) had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, Wendell Carter Jr. (15.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game with a TS% of 62.1) had 15 points and 7 rebounds, and Gary Harris (8.8 points per game with a 3PT% of 45.7 and a TS% of 65) had 8 points and 3 steals. The Magic now have a defensive rating of 114.3 (ranked 16th in the NBA) and have enough depth to compete against anyone on any given night.

25. Indiana Pacers, 25-33 (Previous Ranking #24)

Despite Tyrese Haliburton (20 points, 10.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game with a PSA of 123.8, ranked in the 90th percentile for Point Guards) coming back a few weeks ago, the Pacers have still lost five games in a row and have fallen to 12th in the Eastern Conference standings.

They have an offensive rating of 113.1 (ranked 23rd) and a defensive rating of 115.9 (ranked 24th in the NBA), but also have the fourth-best Win Differential of +2.5 in basketball. Based on their 26th ranked Efficiency Differential of -3.8, they should have fewer wins than 25 at this point of the season. Despite their hot start to the year when they were a top 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, they have come back to earth and are still a year or two away from competing with elite teams.

24. Washington Wizards, 26-30 (Previous Ranking #26)

Kristaps Porzingis (26.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game with a TS% of 67.6 over his last 10 games) and Bradley Beal (22.8 points and 5.2 assists per game with a TS% of 61.5 and an excellent PSA of 124.5, ranked in the 95th percentile for Combo Guards) have been going off recently, but the Wizards have serious depth issues.

Besides Porzingis, Beal, Kyle Kuzma (when healthy), and Deni Avdija , they have limited options that can produce value on either end of the floor. They could possibly make the Play-In Tournament but it will be almost impossible for them to win a playoff series in a talented Eastern Conference this year.

23. Chicago Bulls, 26-31 (Previous Ranking #25)

The Bulls didn’t make any drastic moves at the deadline, and so far it has proven costly. They have lost four straight games and DeMar DeRozan has been going through a brutal scoring stretch as he’s only averaged 17 points with a TS% of 50.7 during that four game span. Somehow, they still have a defensive rating of 112.6 (ranked 7th in the NBA), but it just hasn’t translated into wins.

Zach LaVine (23.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game with a TS% of 59.2 and a PSA of 119.3, ranked in the 76th percentile for Wings) has played great this season, but it looks like the Bulls may just make the Play-In Tournament in what was supposed to be a promising season.

22. Utah Jazz, 28-30 (Previous Ranking #17)

The Jazz sent Jared Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley to the Lakers, and Mike Conley to the Timberwolves, and at some point they have to start losing right? After the deadline, the Jazz have gone 2-1 with impressive wins against the Raptors and Pacers, and a 6 point loss to the Knicks.

Lauri Markannen (24.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game with a TS% of 65.7 and an incredible PSA of 132.5, ranked in the 98th percentile for Forwards), Jordan Clarkson (21.1 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game with a TS% of 56.4), and Colin Sexton (14.9 points and 2.9 assists per game with a TS% of 62.2) have been quite the trio since the trade deadline, and rookie Walker Kessler (8.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game with a TS% of 70.3) continues to dazzle.

21. Toronto Raptors, 27-31 (Previous Ranking #21)

Pascal Siakam (25.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game with a TS% of 56.8) was selected as an NBA All-Star last week and Fred VanVleet (22.9 points and 7 assists per game with a TS% of 55.1 over his last 10 games) has turned it up a notch recently. Everyone assumed the Raptors would just blow it up and trade OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr. and VanVleet, but instead, one of the best executives in all of basketball, Masai Ujiri, went all in trading a first round pick to the Spurs for coveted center Jakob Poeltl (11.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3 assists per game with a TS% of 62.4).

The Raps have now won four out of their last five games and are only 3 games back of the 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Though they have a defensive rating of 114.6 (ranked 18th in basketball), the Raptors force the most turnovers of any team in the NBA and also turn over the ball the least of any team in basketball on the offensive end. People have never won money betting against the Raptors, and they are poised for a serious run over the final stretch of the season.

20. Los Angeles Lakers, 26-32 (Previous Ranking #20)

The Lakers started off last week consumed with LeBron James‘ scoring record and players not knowing whether they’d be on the roster or not by the end of the week. Though James had an impressive 38 point performance where he secured the scoring record on Tuesday, the Lakers suffered their worst loss of the season against a Thunder team that should never beat them when both James and Anthony Davis (25.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game with a TS% of 62.6) are on the court (Even though they are relatively good this season).

Then as the week progressed, they made some amazing moves trading for 3PT specialist Malik Beasley, lockdown defender and tenacious rebounder Jared Vanderbilt, and offensive star point guard D’Angelo Russell. They finally shipped away Russell Westbrook (who was statistically one of the worst players in the NBA over the last two years and just did not gel on and off the court with the team) and added some interior depth with Mo Bamba.

As expected, they lost to the Bucks, but even with a limited roster they kept it close. On Saturday, they had their weekly impressive win against the Warriors in the Bay Area, and then last night, to start this week off they laid an egg against what should have been an inferior Trail Blazers team (in a game that the Lakers could have gained some ground in the playoff race).

It is important to note that James has not played since he broke the scoring record and is dealing with significant soreness in his ankle, but after a superb performance on Saturday with the new additions, more was expected from them. They don’t have much more time to spare as they sit at 13th in the Western Conference standings and are 2.5 games back of the 10 seed Jazz.

19. Portland Trail Blazers, 28-29 (Previous Ranking # 18)

Damian Lillard (31.2 points and 7.3 assists per game with a TS% of 65 and an incredible PSA of 130.1, ranked in the 97th percentile for Point Guards) continued his hot streak with a 30 point first half in the win against the Lakers last night. Lillard finished with 40 points and the Blazers now have the 5th-best offense in basketball (offensive rating of 117.3).

Though they still have an abysmal defense (defensive rating of 117, ranked 27th in the NBA), they will go as far as Lillard carries them. They have a lot of talent in the starting 5, but the Blazers sport some of the worst depth in basketball.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder, 27-29 (Previous Ranking #23)

The Thunder have an offensive rating of 115.1 (ranked 12th), a defensive rating of 114.1 (ranked 14th), and are in a prime position to make the play in tournament. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game with a TS% of 62.4 and a PSA of 125.9, ranked in the 95th percentile for Point Guards), Jalen Williams (12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game with a TS% of 57.6), and Josh Giddey (16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game with a TS% of 53.9) are one of the best young trios in all of basketball, and next season they’ll be even better when they add Chet Holmgren.

17. Atlanta Hawks, 29-29 (Previous Ranking #15)

Trae Young (26.9 points and 10.2 assists per game with a TS% of 57) and Clint Capela (12.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game with a TS% of 63.3) have been going off recently in the pick-and-roll game, but the Hawks have lost three out of their last five games and suffered an embarrassing 144-138 loss to the Hornets last night. The Hornets have the worst offense in basketball, yet the Hawks let them score 144 points on them. With an offensive rating of 114.9 (ranked 13th) and a defensive rating of 114.9 (ranked 20th), the Hawks are sitting at 8th in the Eastern Conference with a .500 record.

16. Brooklyn Nets, 33-24 (Previous Ranking #9)

Despite getting a haul for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, the Nets‘ offense is going to have issues. Right now they have an offensive rating of 115.6 (ranked 9th), but that will undoubtedly decrease over the final stretch of the season. On the other hand, the Nets’ defensive rating of 114 (ranked 14th) will drastically improve with the additions of Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Dorain Finney-Smith, and Spencer Dinwiddie. They may not be one of the elite teams in the East anymore, but they will absolutely make the playoffs.

15. Golden State Warriors, 29-28 (Previous Ranking #16)

Though the Warriors suffered tough losses to the Blazers and Lakers last week, they opened this week with a 135-126 win over the Wizards and will take that momentum into their LA roadtrip later this week. Jordan Poole (21.3 points and 6 assists per game with a TS% of 60.2 over his last 5 games) and Klay Thompson (25.8 points per game with a 3PT% of 41.8 and a TS% of 59.8 over his last 5 games) have stepped up in the absence of Stephen Curry , but this just isn’t the Warriors from years before.

Those championship teams were amazing on both ends of the floor, meanwhile this team has an offensive rating of 114.8 (ranked 14th) and a defensive rating of 114.6 (ranked 16th). This is going to be the toughest road to a ring the Warriors have had in recent years.

14. Minnesota Timberwolves, 31-29 (Previous Ranking #14)

Anthony Edwards (24.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game with a TS% of 57.1) has been completely taking over games for the Timberwolves, indicative of his 32-point performance in the win against the Mavericks last night. Mike Conley seems to be fitting in alongside Edwards and Rudy Gobert (who had 21 points and 14 rebounds last night), and the Wolves have won two out of their last three games. In a congested Western Conference where almost every team is within 4-5 games of them, Edwards and the Wolves will need to keep their foot on the gas this week with matchups against the Hornets and Warriors.

13. New Orleans Pelicans, 30-28 (Previous Ranking #19)

Though the news of Zion Williamson reaggravating his hamstring injury is not good, Brandon Ingram has been one of the best players in basketball recently, averaging 30 points and 5.6 assists per game with a 3PT% of 46.2 and a TS% of 63 over his last 5 games. The comeback win against the Lakers two Saturday’s ago gave the Pelicans life as they have now won four out of their last five games and are sitting at 7th in the Western Conference standings. They have a very important matchup against the Lakers on Wednesday, but the Pels are back in a fantastic position heading into the All-Star break.

12. Miami Heat, 32-26 (Previous Ranking #12)

The Heat stood pat at the deadline, despite an obvious need to improve if they want to compete against the Celtics and Bucks in the playoffs. However, they are still 5th in the Eastern Conference standings, have won three out of their last four games, and have the 4th-best defense in the NBA (defensive rating of 111.1.

Jimmy Butler has averaged 23.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists with a TS% of 57.7 over his last 5 games and Bam Adebayo (21.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game with a TS% of 59.6) is heading to the All-Star Game in Utah this weekend. The Heat are in a decent position heading into the break, but they should not expect to contend for a championship this season.

11. New York Knicks, 32-27 (Previous Ranking #10)

Jalen Brunson (30.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game with a TS% of 65.3 over his last 10 games) has been on another planet recently, single-handedly taking over games for the Knicks. Though both should have been named an All-Stars, Brunson is more deserving of the nod than teammate Julius Randle (24.7 points and 10.8 rebounds per game with a TS% of 58 and a PSA of 117.8 ranked in the 70th percentile for Forwards).

Though they were linked to OG Anunoby before the trade deadline, the Knicks ended up trading for Josh Hart (who is coming off of a 27 point game in the big win against the Nets last night). They had to give up a lottery protected 2023 first-round pick and Cam Reddish, but Hart is one of the best rebounders and finishers at the shooting guard position in the NBA. Though Hart doesn’t necessarily move the needle, the Knicks have solidified themselves as a top 5 team in the Eastern Conference and boast the 6th best offense (offensive rating of 116.6) in the NBA.

10. Los Angeles Clippers, 31-28 (Previous Ranking #7)

Despite some up and down moments in recent weeks, the Clippers are still sitting at 6th in the Western Conference standings and still boast a top 10 defense in basketball (defensive rating of 113.3, ranked 10th in NBA).

Though the Suns and Lakers got the most love at the deadline, the Clippers had a sneaky good deadline, bolstering their depth by adding talented 22-year old Bones Hyland (12.1 points per game with a TS% of 54), veteran scorer Eric Gordon (13.1 points per game with a TS% of 57.2), and underrated big man Mason Plumlee (12.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game with a PSA of 134.6, ranked in the 85th percentile for Bigs). Though the season relies on the health and production from Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Terance Mann will now have a bigger role, and he’s already proven to be one of the only reliable players on the team so far this season. The Clips are in a good position heading into the home-stretch of the season.

9. Dallas Mavericks, 31-28 (Previous Ranking #13)

The tandem of Luka Doncic (33.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game with a TS% of 61.3 and a PSA of 123.8, ranked in the 89th percentile for Point Guards) and Kyrie Irving (27.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game with a TS% of 61 and a PSA of 134.1, ranked in the 99th percentile for Combo Guards) are the best duo in basketball, and the Mavericks’ offensive rating of 116.5 (ranked 7th in the NBA) will continue to improve if Doncic and Irving stay healthy.

8. Sacramento Kings, 32-24 (Previous Ranking #8)

Domantas Sabonis (18.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game with a PSA of 133.9, ranked in the 84th percentile for Bigs) and De’Aaron Fox (24.6 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game with a PSA of 119.4, ranked in the 84th percentile for Point Guards) continue to dominate and are the biggest reason why this team has an offensive rating of 118.2, the best mark in the NBA. The Kings still have the 3rd seed in the Western Conference, but they have their work cut out for them this week with matchups against the Suns, Clippers, and Trailblazers.

7. Phoenix Suns, 31-27 (Previous Ranking #11)

The Suns won’t have Kevin Durant (29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game with a TS% of 67.3) until after the All-Star break, but the team has still won four out of its last five games and have moved up to the 5 seed in the Western Conference.

Devin Booker (26.6 points and 5.5 assists per game with a TS% of 58.2) returned last week and will play more minutes in each game this week. Deandre Ayton (23.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game over his last 10 games) and Chris Paul (14.9 points and 9.5 assists per game with a TS% of 54.1) have stepped up recently and will have some much-needed help on the offensive end of the floor when Booker and Durant can be on the court together.

6. Memphis Grizzlies, 34-22 (Previous Ranking #6)

Ja Morant (27.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game with a TS% of 56.3) and Desmond Bane (21.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game with a TS% of 60.5) are possibly the best backcourt in basketball and Jaren Jackson Jr. (16.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game with a TS% of 60.9) is still the front-runner for DPOY, yet it is obvious the Grizzlies aren’t at their best.

They have lost nine out of their last ten games, and are a significantly weaker team without big man Steven Adams (who helped solidify what was one of the league’s best rebounding teams in the NBA). Brandon Clarke (10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game with a TS% of 69.2) and Xavier Tillman (5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game with a TS% of 61.7) have played well, but simply don’t have the size to dominate the boards like Adams did. Until Adams comes back, this Grizzlies team will struggle against good teams.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers, 38-22 (Previous Ranking #5)

Jarrett Allen (14.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per game with a TS% of 67.5) and Evan Mobley (15.6 points and 8.9 rebounds with a TS% of 59.1) are the best interior defensive duo in basketball, and as a result, the Cavaliers have the best defense in the NBA (defensive rating of 109.5).

Though Donovan Mitchell (27.2 points per game with a TS% of 61.7) and Darius Garland (21.6 points and 8 assists per game with a TS% of 59.4) have had up and down production recently and the team is still winning. The Cavs have the chance to be something special, but they will need more consistency on offense from Mitchell and Garland to get where they want to be.

4. Philadelphia 76ers, 37-19 (Previous Ranking #4)

Joel Embiid (33.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4 assists per game with a TS% of 64.8 and PSA of 130.1, ranked in the 74th percentile for Bigs) and James Harden (21.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game with a TS% of 61.7 and a PSA of 124.7, ranked in the 92nd percentile for Point Guards) are arguably the best duo in basketball this season and the 76ers have an offensive rating of 116.1 (ranked 8th) and a defensive rating of 112.2 (ranked 6th in the NBA). They are one of the more balanced team’s in basketball, and should continue to compete for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

3. Denver Nuggets, 40-18 (Previous Ranking #2)

Nikola Jokic (24.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 10.1 assists per game with a TS% of 70.3, a PER of 32, and a PSA of 142.2, ranked in the 4th percentile for Bigs) is having by far the best season of his career and is almost a shoe in to win his third straight MVP award. It is time to start putting Jokic in the argument of the best offensive player to ever touch a basketball.

That is how good he is. Aaron Gordon (17.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game with a TS% of 64.5) and Jamaal Murray (20.2 points and 5.8 assists per game with a TS% of 57.5) continue to be fantastic and the Nuggets have an offensive rating of 118.2 (ranked 2nd), a team eFG% of 58.1 (ranked 1st) and team TS% of 60.9 (also ranked 1st in the NBA).

2. Milwaukee Bucks, 39-17 (Previous Ranking #1)

The Bucks steamrolled through their Western Conference road trip picking up convincing wins over the Trail Blazers, Lakers, and Clippers to end last week 3-0. In fact, they have won ten straight games and Giannis Antetokounmpo has averaged 37.3 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists with a TS% of 64.4 over that span. Jrue Holiday (19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game with a TS% of 56.2) and Khris Middleton (13.4 points and 3.9 assists per game with a TS% of 53.8) are both starting to get going on the offensive end of the floor as well.

I am also interested to see how they implement Jae Crowder into the rotation, since he hasn’t played basketball in over 8 months, because he could become the missing piece to alleviate some pressure off of the other shooters (Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, and Bobby Portis when he returns). Nonetheless, the game of the week is tonight when the Bucks take on the Celtics, and the winner of that matchup should be #1 in these power rankings next week.

1. Boston Celtics, 41-16 (Previous Ranking #3)

The Celtics are back on top after a 4-0 week that included impressive wins over the 76ers and Grizzlies. Jayson Tatum (30.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game with a PSA of 122.5, ranked in the 81st percentile for Forwards) has been excellent as always, though he accidentally hit Jaylen Brown in the face, and now Brown will miss multiple weeks with a facial fracture. Derrick White (19.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game with a TS% of 65.3 over his last 10 games) just won Eastern Conference Player of the Week and has stepped up in Brown and Marcus Smart‘s absence.

Even when they don’t have some of their best players, the Celtics just find ways to win and are by far the best team in the NBA right now. Heading into their highly anticipated matchup with the Bucks tonight, the Celtics boast an offensive rating of 117.8 (ranked 3rd) and a defensive rating of 111.6 (ranked 5th in the NBA).

Note: Advanced Statistics used in this article are gathered from Cleaningtheglass.com and Statmuse.com, and are updated as of Tuesday, February 14th, 2023

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