NBA Power Rankings: Tuesday October 16th
Last updated: Oct 16, 2018, 6:03AM | Published: Oct 16, 2018, 4:18AM
Welcome to Stats Insider's NBA Power Rankings!
We have built our Power Rankings to factor in past performance, current form, changes in lineup and personnel and moves in betting markets. Every month (sometimes more), we'll run the numbers on all 30 NBA teams.
So without further ado, here are our NBA Power Rankings, as of Tuesday, October 16th:
Please note:
* These Power Rankings reflect the teams as they stand today, and will be updated at least every month.
* This data should not be used for betting, only as a baseline. Check out our match pages for all betting information.
1. Golden State Warriors
% Chance of Winning Championship: 59.8%
Previous Rank: N/A
Who else? The Warriors greatest threat might be themselves. The only thing that could derail this Golden State juggernaut is possibly, injuries. The Western Conference is as loaded as it has ever been, and LeBron James' arrival in Los Angeles could actually work in the Warriors favour - all eyes will be on James and the Lakers - which might allow the Warriors to cruise through the season with less attention on them before they flick on the playoff switch in April.
Good luck, NBA.
2. Houston Rockets
% Chance of Winning Championship: 10.1%
Previous Rank: N/A
Chris Paul's injury in last year's Western Conference Finals will haunt the Rockets for a long time, but they now know they have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the Warriors on the biggest stage. The question is how much the departures of Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute will hurt Houston defensively - there's no question their offense is elite, but the hit their defense has taken might be the crucial difference against the NBA's best.
3. Boston Celtics
% Chance of Winning Championship: 8.1%
Previous Rank: N/A
Boston looms as one of the most intriguing teams in the league. The potential five-man starting group of Al Horford, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kyrie Irving is mouthwatering; we might have finally found the solution to the Warriors' 'death' lineup. LeBron James has left the East after 15 years of dominance, and leaving an opening for a new ruler. The big question with their stars is health - if they can stay on the floor, watch out.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
% Chance of Winning Championship: 4.3%
Previous Rank: N/A
Philadelphia has a huge opportunity to cement themselves as the powerhouse in the East this season, with young superstars - Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons - another year older and wiser. A hopefully reinvigorated Markelle Fultz, and the addition of Wilson Chandler add a new dimension to the team, with J.J. Redick returning to the team for a second season, but having lost elite shooting and defense in Bellinelli and Ilyasova. The sky is the limit for these Sixers, and they'll go right to the wire with the Celtics for supremacy in the East.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
% Chance of Winning Championship: 4.2%
Previous Rank: N/A
#LakeShow is officially back - LeBron James' arrival in Hollywood cemented as much when he signed a 4-year deal with the Lakers this past summer. He's brought a bunch of misfits with him - Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley are new to LA too, and the question now for coach Luke Walton is how he makes his blend of talented youth and experienced veterans work. If our early simulations are anything to go by - it's going to go pretty damn well. Watch this space.
6. Toronto Raptors
% Chance of Winning Championship: 2.7%
Previous Rank: N/A
Things are going to be very different in Toronto. Coach of the Year Dwane Casey, and superstar DeMar DeRozan are gone, but the talented Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and former assistant coach Nick Nurse take their place. If Leonard and Green rediscover the best versions of themselves, Toronto are a dark horse to make serious noise in the East this season. If Leonard checks out early to get ready for free agency, the Raptors may instead be headed for a rebuild. This could play out a lot of ways.
7. Utah Jazz
% Chance of Winning Championship: 1.5%
Previous Rank: N/A
The Utah Jazz stormed home to end 2017/18, finishing the regular season on a 29-6 run, off the back of Rudy Gobert's defensive dominance, and Donovan Mitchell's breakout Rookie season. Jonas Jerebko has been the only departure while Grayson Allen is a nice addition to the bench, and Quin Snyder's well-drilled troops will be another year smarter with his coaching. Nobody will want to play the Jazz this season.. so just how high can they climb?
8. Oklahoma City Thunder
% Chance of Winning Championship: 1.4%
Previous Rank: N/A
Heading to Golden State on opening night, the Thunder's season is already off to a shaky start with Andre Roberson ruled out for a further two months and Russell Westbrook doubtful to play early as he hasn't been cleared for full contact yet. Consistency issues plagued Oklahoma City last season, and new backup point guard, Dennis Schröder's ability to adjust to a bench role will be key. The Thunder won the off-season by keeping Paul George in OKC - but can they keep the momentum rolling on the hardwood?
9. Indiana Pacers
% Chance of Winning Championship: 1.3%
Previous Rank: N/A
Indiana were one of the feel-good stories of last season, led by an incredible campaign by the addition of Victor Oladipo. They took the Cavaliers all the way in the Playoffs to finally be the unlucky losers. They've added big men Doug McDermott and Kyle O'Quinn to the roster, and expectations will be much higher this time around. Questions remain as to whether they can maintain last season's momentum, and whether teams will start to zero in on Oladipo. We'll soon find out.
10. Denver Nuggets
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.7%
Previous Rank: N/A
Things are looking up in the Mile High City as the Nuggets continue to build upon a 46-win season that was unlucky to miss the post-season. Built around Nikola Jokic's individual brilliance, Denver is an offensive juggernaut with surprising defensive upside, led by Paul Millsap and Gary Harris. If Millsap can stay healthy (he couldn't last season) enough to make Denver a tough team to score against, the Nuggets can climb this list. Their time is coming.
11. New Orleans Pelicans
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.7%
Previous Rank: N/A
Again, everything revolves around Anthony Davis - with the Brow's health the central concern. The Pelicans can only go as far as their talisman can take them, and we saw after DeMarcus Cousins went down with his torn achilles what that looks like. They were ruthless in their sweep of the Blazers, and if AD can put it all together, 50 wins and an MVP award aren't that hard to believe. He's gotta stay healthy though, and that's always been a problem.
12. Miami Heat
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.6%
Previous Rank: N/A
This feels generous for the Heat, who were the only team in the NBA not to make any roster additions this summer. They are in salary cap hell because of past moves, and ultimately this is a slightly above average group with a limited ceiling. But with the Heat the frontrunners in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes, and Erik Spoelstra one of the league's best coaches, it'd be silly to count out Miami completely.
13. Milwaukee Bucks
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.6%
Previous Rank: N/A
With new coach Mike Budenholzer on board and set to build a system around the talents of Giannis Antetokounmpo, expectations are high for this Bucks unit. Khris Middleton is the perfect complementary piece to the Greek Freak, while Brook Lopez and Ersan Ilyasova are ideal bigs who can shoot in Budenholzer's spread offense. This Milwaukee team has a lot of upside, and it would not be a surprise to see them climb these ranks with a hot start.
14. Portland Trail Blazers
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.6%
Previous Rank: N/A
This ranking feels slightly harsh on a Portland team that won 49 games last season but perhaps is fitting considering the nature of their sweep at the hands of the Pelicans last season. The problem facing the Blazers is that they might have hit their ceiling with this current group, and a retooling might be what's needed. The duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have a lot to prove this season if they are to quieten their doubters.
15. Washington Wizards
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.5%
Previous Rank: N/A
Washington have been mocked for their off-season acquisitions of Dwight Howard and Austin Rivers, but both moves have medium-risk, high-reward feels about them. Howard still has a place in the NBA as a dominant big (unless he demands too many post touches on offense), whilst Rivers is a solid backup guard off the bench. If John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter can stay healthy, the Wizards could even be in the mix for home court advantage in the Playoffs.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.5%
Previous Rank: N/A
Alarm bells have been ringing in Minnesota for the last month, as Jimmy Butler's trade demands have ruled over proceedings in the Twin Cities. Butler has returned to the team (for now), but that won't solve the underlying tensions between management and their star wing. Players generally get their way in the modern NBA, so sooner or later Butler will likely get his wish. What will remain for the Wolves, whose future was once so promising?
17. San Antonio Spurs
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.5%
Previous Rank: N/A
The San Antonio Spurs in the bottom half of the rankings!? Blasphemy! But this is not the Spurs of old. Duncan, Ginobli, Parker, Leonard, and Green: all gone. Injuries to first round draft talent Lonnie Walker IV ,and Dejounte Murray, have left Patty Mills as the only healthy Point Guard on the roster. Coach Gregg Popovich has turned water into wine before, but it'll be interesting to see what he puts together with this group as the pairing of LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan come into full focus.
18. Detroit Pistons
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.5%
Previous Rank: N/A
Detroit are all in on their core of big men, as Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin team up with new coach Dwane Casey in 2018/19. Reggie Jackson's health remains paramount to this team's chances of success, but Playoffs are the aim this season if their core remains fit and firing. Griffin has a lot to prove, with his doubters circling. With so many concerns around Jackson and Griffin's health, it's still a little hard to get excited about this team.
19. Los Angeles Clippers
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.2%
Previous Rank: N/A
It's rebuilding time on the other side of Los Angeles, as the Clippers retool their roster to the post-Lob City era, without DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. They don't appear to be rushing into the mix for Jimmy Butler, instead they're backing themselves in free agency to land a big fish (Kawhi Leonard, anyone?). This roster might have .500 potential if things go their way otherwise they're a tanking disaster waiting to happen.
20. New York Knicks
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.2%
Previous Rank: N/A
It feels like this is the highest the Knicks can climb this season, as they face potentially an entire season without franchise superstar Kristaps Porzingis, as the Latvian rehabs his long-term knee injury. Quite simply, there's not a whole lot to look forward to on this Knicks roster outside of second year guard, Frank Ntilikina and Porzingis. I fear it's going to be a long year, Knicks fans, so buckle up and focus on 2019 Free Agency.
21. Charlotte Hornets
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.2%
Previous Rank: N/A
Is this the last season of Kemba Walker in Charlotte? Hornets fans will want to hope not. They'll also hope that Nicolas Batum returns to better form and fitness this season, after a down campaign in 2017/18. Being free of Dwight Howard will make them better in the long run, while James Borrego takes over from the departed Steve Clifford, to get his first crack at a head coaching gig. It's not all doom and gloom, but a lot needs to go right.
22. Cleveland Cavaliers
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.2%
Previous Rank: N/A
It's going to be very different in Cleveland now, with LeBron James departing the Cavs for the second time. Kevin Love inherits the reins to the team, and the bit-parts from the the King's era remain (for now) on a roster amidst a big transition. J.R. Smith will keep things interesting, with Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson and Rodney Hood all getting extended chances to become the players some believe they can be.
23. Dallas Mavericks
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.2%
Previous Rank: N/A
They're ranked 23rd, but the best is ahead in Dallas, as a somewhat successful rebuild continues for the Mavericks. Dennis Smith Jr. arrived last year, and now he's partnered in the back-court by the talented Luka Doncic, a definite Rookie of the Year candidate. DeAndre Jordan has arrived to provide muscle in the middle, Dirk Nowitzki remains a Hall of Famer, and Harrison Barnes will continue to put up numbers. They're not there yet, but they're on the right track.
24. Phoenix Suns
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.2%
Previous Rank: N/A
They still need a Point Guard, but the Phoenix Suns are starting to find their way through what's been a tough rebuild. Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton are the building blocks for the future, and Josh Jackson, T.J. Warren, Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson provide forward depth. They aren't going to win too many games, but the leadership of Ariza, Anderson and Tyson Chandler will be important to guide this group through a tough season.
25. Brooklyn Nets
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.1%
Previous Rank: N/A
Remain calm, but the Brooklyn Nets finally own their own first round draft picks! The infamous Boston trade is now history, as the Nets can at last move on. Sean Marks has done a brilliant job so far, but now Brooklyn needs to find a way to supplement their potential talent and spare parts with real quality. They'll have two max salary slots next summer, but for now Kenny Atkinson will have to make do causing opponents difficulties with his team's run-n-gun style.
26. Atlanta Hawks
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.1%
Previous Rank: N/A
I'm not going to lie to you Hawks fans, it's going to be an ugly season and 26th might be generous. There aren't going to be many wins, and the organisation took a huge risk trading the pick that became Luka Doncic for sharpshooter Trae Young, whom the team has put their hopes in. John Collins and Taurean Prince are nice role players, but it is in the Steph Curry-like Young who the team hope can be the star this franchise needs moving forward.
27. Memphis Grizzlies
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.1%
Previous Rank: N/A
We're sorry Grizzlies fans, but the rankings have made their decision, and we're dubious about your team's chances. The health of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley remain important above all else for their hopes of making the Playoffs in the West, and Jaren Jackson Jr. has huge potential as a dark horse Rookie of the Year candidate. A lot needs to go right for the Grizz, and J.B. Bickerstaff has his work cut out for him to prove the model wrong.
28. Chicago Bulls
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.1%
Previous Rank: N/A
It's a youth movement in Chicago as the Bulls place their faith in Wendell Carter Jr, Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, Lauri Markkanen and Jabari Parker. Markannen is already injured and LaVine and Parker carry huge concerns with their respective knee histories. This team has the potential to run an action-packed offense, but their defense will likely be bottom five with so many minus defenders on the roster. Enjoy the ride, Bulls fans.
29. Orlando Magic
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.1%
Previous Rank: N/A
Length and athleticism is on the bill in Orlando as the Magic try to figure out their future, with Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba providing insane defensive potential in the front-court. But if D.J. Augustin is your lead Point Guard, you're probably not going very far. Steve Clifford has his work cut out for him, but he did a decent job in Charlotte making pieces fit together. It's going to be tough finding wins.
30. Sacramento Kings
% Chance of Winning Championship: 0.1%
Previous Rank: N/A
Another season of rebuilding for the Sacramento in the bloodbath that is the West, and winning games will be very tough for a young Kings roster. De'Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III are intriguing pieces to build around, but they are raw and not ready to lead a team yet. Things could get ugly at times for an already hard done by franchise, and it's going to be a long road back for a team that seems to always feels like it's rebuilding.
