For the reason that flip of the brand new yr the Denver Nuggets have crushed the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Clippers, and have taken excessive spot within the Western Convention alongside the Memphis Grizzlies. Two-time defending MVP Nikola Jokic is placing collectively his third authentic marketing campaign for the award and is getting big-time contributions from teammates Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon.
However do not anticipate Denver to shake Memphis simply. The Grizzlies have gained seven in a row. Whereas these wins have come towards lesser competitors than the Nuggets’ current stretch, Memphis may have loads of alternatives to show it may be the highest group within the West with two extra contests towards the Nuggets to come back within the subsequent few months.
Memphis has already confirmed it will probably fend off the third-place New Orleans Pelicans, having gained the previous two video games between them. Nonetheless, the Pelicans have a declare in what’s shaping as much as be a three-team race within the West, as New Orleans remains to be simply two and a half video games behind Memphis and Denver.
In the meantime, the Celtics managed to outlast the Nets’ current scorching streak to maintain maintain of the highest spot within the Jap Convention. Boston is also getting an enormous break in its quest to maintain that spot with Kevin Durant set to overlook a month of motion simply in time for 2 high-stakes conferences between the Nets and Celtics within the coming weeks.
Observe: All through the common season, our panel (Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is rating all 30 groups from prime to backside, taking inventory of which groups are enjoying the perfect basketball now and which groups are wanting most like title contenders.
Earlier rankings: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12
1. Boston Celtics
2022-23 file: 29-12
Earlier rating: 1
Robert Williams III has moved again into the beginning lineup, and Boston, after a monthlong offensive swoon, has gotten again on monitor at that finish. The Celtics nonetheless stay the league’s greatest offensive group, along with having the NBA’s greatest file on the midway level. — Bontemps
2. Denver Nuggets
2022-23 file: 27-13
Earlier rating: 3
The Nuggets are tied for the perfect offense within the league, they usually’re nonetheless getting higher and more healthy. Jamal Murray scored a season-high 34 factors on Monday night time, Aaron Gordon is enjoying at an All-Star stage, Michael Porter Jr. is coming into his personal, after which there’s Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets have gained 11 of their previous 13, and there are not any indicators of slowing down any time quickly. — Andrews
3. Memphis Grizzlies
2022-23 file: 27-13
Earlier rating: 4
Tyus Jones averaged 22.5 factors, 6.0 assists and just one.5 turnovers whereas filling in for Ja Morant (thigh soreness) the previous two video games. He has scored greater than 20 factors in his previous 4 begins — all wins. The Grizzlies are 23-7 when Jones has crammed in as a starter the previous two seasons, which is why Memphis made re-signing him a prime precedence final summer time. — MacMahon
4. Brooklyn Nets
2022-23 file: 27-13
Earlier rating: 2
The most popular group within the league has rattled off 18 wins in its previous 20 video games — however misplaced Kevin Durant to an MCL damage in Sunday’s win over the Warmth, and he’s anticipated to overlook a number of weeks earlier than he returns to the ground. Within the brief time period, T.J. Warren and Joe Harris are going to have to select up somewhat extra slack offensively. Ben Simmons can also be going to have to supply extra on each ends of the ground to take some stress off Kyrie Irving. — Friedell
5. Milwaukee Bucks
2022-23 file: 26-14
Earlier rating: 5
Since beginning the season 9-0, the Bucks have performed simply over .500 ball (17-14) for a lot of the previous two months. Whereas Milwaukee’s protection stays top-of-the-line within the league, its offense ranks twenty fifth within the NBA in factors per 100 possessions, and Khris Middleton has missed 12 straight video games. — Collier
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
2022-23 file: 26-16
Earlier rating: 6
Donovan Mitchell continued his storybook first season with the Cavs with a memorable night time in his return to Salt Lake Metropolis to play his former squad on Tuesday. The Jazz followers confirmed their former star love all night time, and Mitchell made the worth of admission effectively price it, ending with 46 factors for his fifth 40-plus-point recreation this season. These Jazz followers additionally received to see the house group use a late 13-0 run to win. “The reception was phenomenal, and I am appreciative of it,” Mitchell informed reporters afterward. — McMenamin
7. Philadelphia 76ers
2022-23 file: 25-15
Earlier rating: 7
It is by no means a great factor to listen to about Joel Embiid having foot soreness, however after the massive fella returned in a dominant win over Detroit on Tuesday, Philadelphia is sitting 10 video games over .500 after a gradual begin. The 76ers have had solely 9 video games this season by which their prime three gamers — Embiid, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey — have all been obtainable to play collectively. — Bontemps
8. New Orleans Pelicans
2022-23 file: 25-16
Earlier rating: 8
After setting a profession excessive with 23 factors on Jan. 6 towards Brooklyn, Naji Marshall broke that mark once more the subsequent night time with 24 towards the Dallas Mavericks. Jose Alvarado additionally broke out of a hunch and is averaging 13.5 factors, 4.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds prior to now 4 with Zion Williamson out. Over that stretch, the 2 are tops on the group in plus-minus — Alvarado is plus-43 and Marshall is plus-36. The subsequent highest Pelican who performed in all 4 video games is Devonte’ Graham at plus-7. — Lopez
9. Dallas Mavericks
2022-23 file: 23-19
Earlier rating: 9
The Mavs have allowed 116.0 factors per 100 possessions since defensive anchor Maxi Kleber tore his proper hamstring, falling to twenty second in defensive effectivity for the season. Dallas is 9-6 in that span as a result of the Luka Doncic-led offense is scoring 116.3 factors per 100 possessions. Doncic rested in two of the losses. — MacMahon
10. Indiana Pacers
2022-23 file: 23-18
Earlier rating: 13
The Pacers have gained six of their previous seven video games and eight of their previous 10. Throughout that stretch, Tyrese Haliburton has put up 22.7 factors and 9.2 assists whereas capturing 51% from the sphere and 45% from 3-point vary. — Collier
11. Golden State Warriors
2022-23 file: 20-21
Earlier rating: 14
The Warriors lastly have their beginning 5 again collectively, with Andrew Wiggins and Stephen Curry again on the ground, they usually imagine they’ll lastly begin placing all of their items collectively. They went 5-3 on their homestand, however now comes the true take a look at: What can they do on their five-game highway journey? — Andrews
12. Sacramento Kings
2022-23 file: 21-18
Earlier rating: 11
The beam remains to be vibrant in Sacramento. The Kings’ offense has been capable of make up for his or her shaky protection, and Domantas Sabonis remains to be on an absolute tear. In addition to Jokic, Sabonis is the one different participant to be within the prime 19 in each rebounds and assists. Sabonis additionally leads the league in double-doubles. — Andrews
13. New York Knicks
2022-23 file: 22-19
Earlier rating: 17
New York, pretty, is just not seen as a championship-caliber group. That stated, the Knicks at the moment sit tenth in each offensive and defensive ranking — an indication of not less than a contending group. That is the excellent news for the Knicks. The unhealthy information: Three of the opposite 4 groups that qualify for that honor — the Celtics, Nets and 76ers — reside within the Atlantic Division alongside them. — Bontemps
14. Miami Heat
2022-23 file: 22-20
Earlier rating: 12
Jimmy Butler and the Warmth set an NBA file in Tuesday’s win over the Thunder by going 40-for-40 from the free throw line. Miami has back-to-back showdowns at dwelling this week towards the Bucks, which ought to present one other likelihood for the Warmth to get again on monitor towards one of many East’s elite groups. — Friedell
15. LA Clippers
2022-23 file: 22-21
Earlier rating: 10
The Clippers halted a six-game shedding streak — the longest of the Kawhi Leonard–Paul George period — with a much-needed win over outdated nemesis Luka Doncic. With George and Luke Kennard out due to accidents, head coach Ty Lue benched Reggie Jackson and put Terance Mann within the beginning lineup. In his two begins, Mann has given the Clippers further vitality, particularly firstly of video games. Leonard continues to construct as he has performed 35 or extra minutes in 5 of his previous six video games. — Youngmisuk
16. Phoenix Suns
2022-23 file: 21-21
Earlier rating: 15
Devin Booker has missed 11 of the Suns’ previous 12 video games due to a pesky hamstring damage, and Phoenix has gone simply 3-9 in that stretch. It stopped the bleeding for one night time with Tuesday’s win in Golden State — with not solely no Booker, however no Chris Paul or Deandre Ayton both — due to a close to triple-double from Dario Saric and a stellar two-way efficiency from Mikal Bridges. — McMenamin
17. Minnesota Timberwolves
2022-23 file: 20-21
Earlier rating: 22
Rudy Gobert lastly had an enormous night time whereas sporting a Timberwolves uniform, and issues have been enhancing for Minnesota over its previous 4 video games, however how all the items will match collectively each time Karl-Anthony Cities returns remains to be an enormous query. — Andrews
18. Portland Trail Blazers
2022-23 file: 19-21
Earlier rating: 16
The Blazers proceed to sink within the standings, shedding their fourth straight after Orlando gained in Portland. The Blazers have now dropped 9 of their previous 12, and the schedule does not get any simpler. Portland faces Cleveland and Dallas again to again, together with Denver and Philadelphia in its subsequent 5 video games. — Youngmisuk
19. Los Angeles Lakers
2022-23 file: 19-22
Earlier rating: 21
We’re coming into into circling-the-calendar territory in the case of LeBron James and the all-time scoring title. He is 423 factors away from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for No. 1. At his present 29.1 points-per-game common this season, he’ll want 15 video games to get there if he does not miss any time. That will be Feb. 9 at dwelling towards Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. “I do not even know the way I will really feel, I suppose, till that second,” James told ESPN when requested in regards to the file final week. — McMenamin
20. Atlanta Hawks
2022-23 file: 19-21
Earlier rating: 19
Atlanta was capable of put a successful stamp on its four-game West Coast highway journey with a 112-108 win over the Clippers on Sunday night time. The Clippers led by as many as 12 within the fourth quarter earlier than Atlanta stormed again for the win behind 14 fourth-quarter factors by Trae Young — essentially the most he has scored in a fourth quarter this season. It was additionally the 750th victory of Nate McMillan’s teaching profession, making him the 18th coach to succeed in that mark. — Lopez
21. Utah Jazz
2022-23 file: 21-23
Earlier rating: 18
Jordan Clarkson stole the present throughout Donovan Mitchell’s return to Salt Lake Metropolis, scoring 15 of his 32 factors throughout the fourth quarter because the Jazz rallied for a comeback win. Utah is 10-2 when Clarkson scores not less than 30 factors throughout his Jazz tenure. Clarkson is averaging a career-best 20.7 factors per recreation this season after transitioning from sixth man to fill Mitchell’s outdated spot within the beginning lineup. — MacMahon
22. Chicago Bulls
2022-23 file: 19-22
Earlier rating: 24
The Bulls have began to proper the ship recently, successful eight of their previous 12 video games after a disastrous loss to the Timberwolves. Chicago’s offense has lastly woken up and ranks sixth within the NBA in offensive effectivity throughout that span. Zach LaVine is beginning to seem like his outdated self, averaging 26.9 factors on 52% capturing (47% from 3) prior to now three weeks. — Collier
23. Toronto Raptors
2022-23 file: 18-23
Earlier rating: 23
For as disappointing as this season has been for Toronto, the Raptors are just one recreation out of tenth place within the Jap Convention. With video games towards Charlotte and Atlanta at dwelling the remainder of this week, the Raptors could possibly be throughout the prime 10 spots within the East by this time subsequent week. — Bontemps
24. Washington Wizards
2022-23 file: 17-24
Earlier rating: 20
The up-and-down Wizards are on one other slide, shedding three straight with Bradley Beal injured. Beal hasn’t performed for the reason that first half of Washington’s loss at Milwaukee on Jan. 3. Beal will likely be out for not less than yet another recreation towards Chicago and is anticipated to have his hamstring damage reevaluated later this week. — Youngmisuk
25. Oklahoma City Thunder
2022-23 file: 18-23
Earlier rating: 25
The Thunder carried out effectively of their first nationwide tv look since Aug. 14, 2020, after they performed the Clippers within the bubble. Sadly for Oklahoma Metropolis, the Warmth did not miss a free throw. Miami went 40-for-40 from the road — essentially the most makes in NBA historical past with out a miss. Josh Giddey had 18 factors, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for the sixth triple-double of his profession. That ties LaMelo Ball for the third most in NBA historical past for a participant underneath age 21, behind Luka Doncic (21) and Magic Johnson (seven). — Lopez
26. Orlando Magic
2022-23 file: 16-26
Earlier rating: 26
Orlando continues to indicate indicators of enchancment, particularly after a pleasant highway win over the Path Blazers on Tuesday night time. Franz Wagner is averaging 20.7 factors this month, Paolo Banchero continues to seem like the Rookie of the Yr, and the Magic seem like on the verge of lastly getting again Jonathan Isaac, based on reporting by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Magic needs to be on an excellent path heading into the second half of the season. — Friedell
27. San Antonio Spurs
2022-23 file: 13-28
Earlier rating: 27
Zach Collins performed in simply 39 video games over three seasons whereas coping with numerous accidents and missed 10 video games earlier this season due to a non-displaced fibula fracture. However since coming back from that on Nov. 25, Collins has been a strong rotational participant for the Spurs. On Jan. 7 towards the Celtics, Collins had top-of-the-line video games of his profession with 18 factors and 12 rebounds. He set or tied profession marks in factors (18), assists (5), subject targets made (eight) and was one off his profession excessive in rebounds. — Lopez
28. Charlotte Hornets
2022-23 file: 11-31
Earlier rating: 29
Charlotte is giving up a median of 121.8 factors over its previous 5 video games. The protection continues to have main issues discovering any rhythm. One of many lone vibrant spots is the offensive play of Terry Rozier, who’s averaging 26.5 factors per recreation over 5 video games this month. — Friedell
29. Detroit Pistons
2022-23 file: 11-33
Earlier rating: 30
Inserted into the beginning lineup because of Cade Cunningham‘s season-ending damage, Killian Hayes is lastly exhibiting indicators of growth this season. He matched a profession excessive with 26 factors this weekend towards the Sixers and is averaging 12.3 factors and 6.6 assists on 42.8% capturing and 36.5% from 3 as a starter. — Collier
30. Houston Rockets
2022-23 file: 10-30
Earlier rating: 28
Houston has misplaced 13 of its previous 14 video games. Kevin Porter Jr. has by far the Rockets’ worst plus-minus (minus-121) throughout that stretch, regardless of excellent particular person manufacturing (21.0 factors, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per recreation). — MacMahon