The Utah Jazz They have the best record in Western Conference and this is just one of many surprises to have come up during the first month 2022 NBA season.
The ascending 8-2 Cleveland Cavaliers Had a chance to get a 9-1 start, and a share in first place in Eastern Conference. But they lost a 13 point lead to the end. LA Clippers. After a difficult return from the sidelines, the Clippers are beginning to find their groove. Kawhi Leonard And Paul George. They could be a popular choice in the West’s wide-open West, particularly when Leonard returns.
The Atlanta Hawks Made an early statement when they handed the undefeated Milwaukee Bucks Their first loss was a resounding success. Trae Young. The Hawks may be able to challenge Milwaukee and Cleveland in the East once Young is back on court.
Luka Doncic With a historical stat line of any player in the first nine games, is looking like an early-season frontrunner for MVP. The Dallas Mavericks Although they haven’t met any of the expected West competitors, Doncic playing at his current level could pose a problem for any team.
Note: Throughout the regular season our panel (Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk ) ranks all 30 teams. They take stock of which teams have the best basketball right now and which look most like title contenders.
Previous rankings: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3
1. Milwaukee Bucks
2022-23 record: 9-1
Ranking from the previous week: 1
The Bucks have had a disappointing start to their season, losing the Atlanta Hawks their first game. However, they are off to the best start in franchise-history thanks to their No. 1 defense. Milwaukee continues to defend the rim at an elite standard Brook Lopez And Giannis Antetokounmpo They patrolled the court while keeping their preseason promise to reduce the number of 3s that they give up. This will result in teams being limited to 31.6 in 2022-22-23, after last season’s record 40.6 attempts.
Collier
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
2022-23 record: 8-2
Ranking from the previous week: 3
The Cavaliers’ start to their season has been spectacular. They have jumped out to an 8-2 record and look like a serious contender in the East. Losses like the one against the Clippers on Monday aren’t painful. With five minutes remaining, the Cavs had a 13 point lead. The Clips surged to their final victory. The bright side is that Evan Mobley The loss saw a record 26 point performance by exploded.
McMenamin
3. Phoenix Suns
2022-23 record: 7-3
Ranking from the previous week: 2
The Suns are having a problem with small forward. After Jae Crowder Phoenix was attempting to trade Phoenix, while Phoenix left the team just before training camp. Cam Johnson Johnson, the man the franchise elected to move up in the lineup, resulting in the Crowder situation in first place, was injured. Johnson sustained a torn meniscus injury in his right knee. He will be out of action for a few months. It may be time for Josh Okogie Get a better look
McMenamin
4. Boston Celtics
2022-23 record: 7-3
Ranking from the previous week: 4
Sam Hauser Taking advantage of Danilo GallinariHe was injured and was able to earn a spot in Boston’s rotation. He is hitting 54% of his 3s, and is strong enough defensively to keep him on the court.
Bontemps
5. Utah Jazz
2022-23 record: 9-3
Ranking from the previous week: 11
Jordan Clarkson He’s thriving as a starter full-time — a role that he hasn’t had since 2015-16. He’s showing that he is capable of being a playmaker and not just as a gunner. He averages 5.2 assists, which is more than twice his career rate. His 18.3 points per games is just short of his career-high from 2020-21’s Sixth Man of Year season. Additionally, his.556 effective goal percentage is his highest yet.
— MacMahon
6. Denver Nuggets
2022-23 record: 7-3
Last week’s ranking: 9
Michael Malone, coach says the combination Nikola Jokic And Jamal Murray It’s like peanut butter mixed with jelly. Murray is scoring 19.3 points in his last four games. Jokic is scoring 21.3 points per game and has 10 assists. The Nuggets still need to improve their defensive efficiency in order to match their offensive output.
— Andrews
7. Memphis Grizzlies
2022-23 record: 7-4
Last week’s ranking: 7
Desmond Bane (24.0 points per games) He has become one of the league’s most valuable second offensive options. This is due in large part to his ability to create off the ball. He is shooting 45.9% on 8.5 threes per game, with 25-of-48 from the dribble. He was 20 of 57 on off dribble 3s during his rookie season two years back.
— MacMahon
8. Portland Trail Blazers
2022-23 record: 7-3
Last week’s ranking: 5
Portland coach Chauncey billsups has a plan. The Blazers are off to a 7-3 win, but they’re also winning in dramatic fashion with two wins on buzzer-beating shot. Josh Hart To complete the come-from-behind victory at Miami, he buried a 3. Three nights prior, Jerami Grant The Suns were stunned in Phoenix by a buzzer-beating score. This is the kind of winning that inspires young players to believe in themselves. And Damian Lillard He is also recovering from an injury.
— Youngmisuk
9. Dallas Mavericks
2022-23 record: 6-3
Last week’s ranking: 12
Luka Doncic and Wilt Chamberlain are the only two players in NBA history who have scored at least 30 points during the first nine games. Doncic has also had at least five assists each game. Oscar Robertson, Tiny Archibald, and Tiny Archibald were the only players to have a nine game streak with at least 30 points and five assists. James Harden, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
— MacMahon
10. Atlanta Hawks
2022-23 record: 7-3
Ranking from the previous week: 13
The Hawks were back on track after a win against New York on Nov. 2. They carried that momentum into home wins over New Orleans on Friday, and the previously undefeated Milwaukee Bucks Monday night. The Hawks were without Trae, who was suffering from right shin pain and missed the game against Milwaukee. Young was also unable to play against the Knicks due to a hit to the face. Dejounte Murray Atlanta has remained strong. Murray averaged 26.7 points, 10.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds in the last three games.
— Lopez
11. Toronto Raptors
2022-23 record: 6-5
Last week’s ranking: 8
Pascal Siakam Before he was injured, he was playing like an All-NBA forward. The Raptors will now need to focus even more on their depth and length, including rookie starting centre. Christian Koloko — To make up his absence.
Bontemps
12. New Orleans Pelicans
2022-23 record: 5-5
Last week’s ranking: 6
New Orleans lost three of its five games in overtime while two were in the last week. After Matt RyanThe Pelicans were unable to overcome the Lakers’ desperate corner-3 and force overtime. Against Atlanta, New Orleans erased a 13-point deficit in a matter of 2½ minutes and even took the lead late but ran out of gas on the second night of a back-to-back. Another attempt at a comeback failed, as the Pelicans lost to the Pacers. Willie Green was not happy with the team’s performance and said, “We can’t wait to try to play hard with one quarter and a tenth of an hour remaining in the game.” This is a direct reflection on me. I promise that we will be better.
— Lopez
13. LA Clippers
2022-23 record: 6-5
Last week’s ranking: 18
A week ago, the Clippers celebrated narrowly not losing an embarrassing defeat to the Houston Rockets Weighing in relief, the Clippers sighed. The Clippers are trending up after their most recent win, against Cleveland. The Clippers have won four out of five of their last five games, starting with the Halloween night victory over Houston. Paul George, who has been the team’s leader with Kawhi Leonard out, was awarded the Western Conference Player of Week award last week. Marcus Morris And Ivica Zubac Clippers are off to a strong start and Clippers’ veterans have begun to settle into their roles.
— Youngmisuk
14. Philadelphia 76ers
2022-23 record: 5-6
Ranking from the previous week: 14
This is it! Joel Embiid Philadelphia will be trying to turn around its bad start to the season with Embiid back. The 76ers need to do more, but Embiid will still need to get in shape. Tobias Harris You can also find them here.
Bontemps
15. Golden State Warriors
2022-23 record: 4-7
Ranking from the previous week: 10
The Warriors returned from a five-game road trip that ended in defeat to seek answers. They found one. Stephen CurryThe Warriors won the match against the Kings thanks to Curry. Curry is the only thing left for the Warriors at this point. Steve Kerr tried out a new rotation in the Kings match, but it was abandoned by the Warriors in the second period. The search for defense, a solid team and an identity continues.
— Andrews
16. Chicago Bulls
2022-23 record: 6-6
Last week’s ranking: 20
Zach LaVine As he continues to improve his ability to play on his left knee, LaVine posted his first 30-point game since April 2. LaVine has been under the control of the Bulls on back-to -backs. The good news for Chicago though is that there won’t be another back-to -back until Dec. 10.
Collier
17. Minnesota Timberwolves
2022-23 record: 5-6
Ranking from the previous week: 15
The Timberwolves are currently in the midst of losing four of their five previous games. Their only win was against the Rockets. Anthony Edwards The team is “soft” The most alarming aspect is the inclusion of lineups. Karl-Anthony Towns And Rudy Gobert Average of just 101.4 points per 100 possessions (worst in NBA) in 206 minutes.
— Andrews
18. New York Knicks
2022-23 record: 5-5
Ranking from the previous week: 17
With Mitchell Robinson A knee injury has left the athlete sidelined. Obi Toppin And Julius Randle Knicks fans have been longing for the chance to see them together on the court. It seems to have worked so far: The Knicks won 2 of their 3 previous games.
Bontemps
19. Washington Wizards
2022-23 record: 5-6
Ranking from the previous week: 19
Bradley Beal Washington won for the third time in nine consecutive games despite being back in safety and health protocols. After last Friday’s disaster, the Wizards responded by beating 42 to Brooklyn Nets 42. This was despite being mired in Kyrie Irving dramas and not having the point guard at their home. The schedule isn’t any easier as Washington will be visiting Utah, Dallas and Memphis in the three remaining games.
— Youngmisuk
20. Miami Heat
2022-23 record: 4-7
Last week’s ranking: 21
As the Heat struggle to find their stride, Josh Hart and the Blazers shocked Miami with Monday’s buzzer-beater. It was Miami’s third consecutive loss in its last four games. Jimmy Butler He is only 15-for-42 in his three previous games.
— Friedell
21. San Antonio Spurs
2022-23 record: 5-6
Ranking from the previous week: 16
After four games missed with a sore left thigh, Devin Vassell The Clippers defeated him last Friday and he scored 29 points, shooting 12-of-16 from behind the arc and 4-of-5 from deep. He achieved this feat in just 25 minutes. Vassell was the third Spurs player to score this many points in such a short time, joining Manu Ginobili (229 points in 25 mins on January 17, 2014). Patty Mills 32 points in 25 minutes, Feb. 8, 2014; 31 points in 22 mins, Nov. 1, 2019,
— Lopez
22. Brooklyn Nets
2022-23 record: 4-7
Ranking from the previous week: 23
Kyrie IrvingAlthough he is still suspended, the Nets are playing better basketball these days due in large part thanks to Kevin DurantHe is currently shooting at 50.6% from the field in his four first November games. Ben Simmons After missing four games with a swollen leg, I was able to return to the lineup on Monday. But now the Nets are in desperate need of my help. Seth Curry Get going. Curry is only 1-for-12 in his first three games following offseason ankle surgery.
— Friedell
23. Indiana Pacers
2022-23 record: 5-5
Last week’s ranking: 25
The Pacers have won back to back games against the Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans and are still being led by Tyrese HaliburtonThe average scoring for the Pacers is 21.7 points, 9.7 assist and 5.0 rebound. He is the Pacers’ first ever player to average 20 points per game and nine assists in their first 10 games.
Collier
24. Oklahoma City Thunder
2022-23 record: 4-6
Last week’s ranking: 24
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander He is enjoying a great year offensively, averaging 30.8 points per game on 53.9% shooting and hitting 62 of 64 free shots. He’s also making a difference on the defensive side, with an average of 2.1 steals per game and 1.4 blocks. His 32 “stocks” combined are tied. Anthony Davis For fourth-most league players, Gilgeous Alexander and Davis rank in the top 20 for both steals per game and blocks per games.
— Lopez
25. Charlotte Hornets
2022-23 record: 3-8
Ranking from the previous week: 22
Charlotte enters Wednesday’s game against the Blazers after having lost five consecutive games. The Hornets are now waiting for LaMelo Ball To return (ankle), P.J. Washington He has had a few good games. In his last two games, he has scored 43 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
— Friedell
26. Sacramento Kings
2022-23 record: 3-6
Ranking from the previous week: 27
The Kings can take heart in the fact that most of their games these past weeks have been close. Two of their losses last week were decided by controversial no-calls — an unfortunate turn in travel. Tyler Herro And a foul on Klay Thompson But a loss is still loss.
— Andrews
27. Detroit Pistons
2022-23 record: 3-8
Prior week’s ranking was 28
Bojan Bogdanovic Since being traded to the Pistons before training camp, he has been a good fit. He is a veteran presence on the court and mentor as well as his performance on the court. He’s averaging 19.5 points and shooting 46.8% from 3s, which is his career best.
Collier
28. Los Angeles Lakers
2022-23 record: 2-8
Ranking from the previous week: 26
It wouldn’t be easy for the Lakers to get off to a bad start to their season. Their defense has been slipping and their injury bug (thumb surgeries) has already begun to bite them. They have lost their last three games by an average 17 point margin. Dennis Schroder And Thomas Bryant Symptoms and diseases LeBron James, Patrick Beverley And Lonnie Walker IV).
— McMenamin
29. Orlando Magic
2022-23 record: 2-9
Prior week’s ranking was 30
Although the Magic doesn’t have many wins, they do have No. One pick Paolo Banchero The best keeps coming. He had 30 points and six rebounds in the loss Monday and he is now the third rookie in Magic history with consecutive 30-point games, joining Shaquille O’Neal and Dennis Scott, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
— Friedell
30. Houston Rockets
2022-23 record: 2-9
Ranking from the previous week: 29
No. 3 overall choice Jabari Smith Jr.Although his jump shot was a major reason that he was such an attractive prospect, it was also one of the reasons why he was so highly valued. However, he has been much less successful than hit since the start of his rookie season. Smith has the lowest field goal percentage of.303 and the highest effective field goal percent (.385) among all players who have attempted at most 100 shots from floor.
— MacMahon