SportsTips’ NBA Power Rankings 2021: Week 14 

SportsTips’ NBA Power Rankings 2021: Week 14 
Tue 23rd March 2021

Injuries have begun to ravage the NBA, as both the MVP and ROY favorites suffer long term injuries in Week 13. With some of the best players in the NBA on the sidelines as the trade deadline approaches, the door is now ajar for some teams to make an end of season run that might just propel them into championship contention.

Here’s where all 30 NBA teams stand heading into Week 14 of the 2020-21 NBA season:

1. Brooklyn Nets

NBA Championship Odds: +290
Current Record: 29-14
Previous Ranking: 1

A 3-1 Week 13 coinciding with LeBron James’ injury has resulted in the Nets holding onto the No. 1 spot on the SportsTips’ NBA Power Rankings heading into Week 14, while also resulting in Brooklyn shortening to +290 co-favouritism to win the 2021 NBA title. This is the first time since the market has opened that the Lakers have not been the standalone favorite to win the championship.

The Nets defeated the Knicks, Pacers and Wizards last week, however were also upset by the Magic. James Harden continued his MVP caliber form in the absence of Kevin Durant, averaging 26.5 points, 11.8 assists and 8.3 rebounds through Brooklyn’s four games. Blake Griffin scored just two points and grabbed two rebounds in his Nets debut on Sunday, however the injury prone former slam dunk champion did register his first dunk since 2019.

2. Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Championship Odds: +1400
Current Record: 30-13
Previous Ranking: 3

Whether this level of play is sustainable with Joel Embiid on the sidelines remains to be seen, however a 3-1 Week 13 without Embiid and with Ben Simmons managing a knee injury is worthy of a rise in the Power Rankings heading into Week 14.

The 76ers one loss last week came against the in-form Bucks in overtime. Other than that, Philly defeated the Knicks twice and the Kings (without Embiid or Simmons) to hold onto the No. 1 spot in the East. Tobias Harris stepped into the primary scorer role this week, averaging 24.5 points on 50% three point shooting to go along with 4.5 assists through Philadelphia’s four games.

3. Utah Jazz

NBA Championship Odds: +800
Current Record: 30-11
Previous Ranking: 2

Utah have held onto a 2.0 game lead in the Western Conference after a 2-1 Week 13, however the Jazz are still far from their best. Utah defeated the struggling Celtics by eight points, lost to the below .500 Wizards by 11 points and closed out their week with a three point win over the COVID riddled Raptors.


In their loss to Washington, the Jazz allowed Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook to combine for 78 points. Still with the best record in the West and the NBA, Utah have put together a great season so far, however with a 5-5 record in their past 10 games, the Jazz will need to find another gear if they want to hold onto the No. 1 seed in the West.   

4. Phoenix Suns

NBA Championship Odds: +2800
Current Record: 28-13
Previous Ranking: 4

The Suns had another good week against Western Conference teams, winning three of their four games to hold onto the No. 2 seed in the West. Phoenix’s blemish in Week 13 came in the first night of their back to back against Minnesota, as Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 83 points in a four point win for the T-Wolves.

However, the Suns redeemed themselves the following night, closing out the week with victories over Minnesota and the Lakers. Devin Booker put up 26 points per game last week, while Chris Paul’s ninth assists against the Lakers made him just the sixth player in NBA history to reach the 10,000 assist mark. 

5. Milwaukee Bucks

NBA Championship Odds: +700
Current Record: 27-14
Previous Ranking: 6

A 3-0 week for the Bucks extended their active winning streak to six consecutive games, giving them nine victories from their last 10 encounters. Milwaukee defeated the Wizards by 11 points, the 76ers by four points in overtime and the Spurs by seven points on Saturday. Giannis Antetokounmpo had another monstrous week, averaging 29.7 points on 58% shooting from the field to go along with 12.7 rebounds and 10 assists in the Bucks three games.

Given the recent injuries sustained by Joel Embiid and LeBron James, Antetokounmpo should be in the conversation to win his third straight  MVP award at the conclusion of this regular season, especially if the Bucks can sneak into the first or second seed in the East.

6. Los Angeles Lakers

NBA Championship Odds: +290
Current Record: 28-15
Previous Ranking: 5

In a rare five game week, the Lakers opened up with three consecutive wins against the Warriors, Timberwolves and Hornets, before closing out Week 13 with losses against the Hawks and Suns. However, the only talking point for the Lakers last week is surrounding the health of LeBron James, who sustained a high ankle sprain during Los Angeles’ victory over Charlotte on Thursday.

The Lakers are now 0-3 in games without both James and Anthony Davis, a record they will have to improve on in the coming weeks, with Davis still two weeks away and James out indefinitely. 

7. Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Championship Odds: +500
Current Record: 27-16
Previous Ranking: 7

The Clippers split a two game mini-series against the Mavericks in Dallas this week, winning the first game by 10 and dropping the second by 16, before closing out the week with a 27 point victory over the Hornets in LA. With just a 4-6 record in their last 10 games, the Clippers need to start consistently winning games, as they now have a golden opportunity to surpass the Lakers as the No. 3 seed in the West, with Anthony Davis and LeBron James both out due to injury.


However, Saturday’s win over Charlotte was the first of the Clippers 11 games at home in their next 13 contests, and with the trade deadline approaching, Los Angeles are capable of making a title altering move later in the week.  

8. Denver Nuggets

NBA Championship Odds: +2000
Current Record: 25-17
Previous Ranking: 8

The Nuggets opened up their week with victories over the Pacers, Hornets and Bulls, before closing out Week 13 with a five point loss to the Pelicans on Sunday. Given the recent injuries to both Joel Embiid and LeBron James, Nikola Jokic is now the frontrunner to win the 2020-21 MVP award, and the Serbian did his odds no harm with 26.8 points per game on 58% three point shooting as well as 12.3 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game last week.

Jamal Murray also broke out of his post All-Star break shooting slump, putting up 23 points per game this week on 59% shooting from behind the arc. Denver are just a game and a half behind the fourth seeded Clippers and 2.5 games behind the injury riddled Lakers. 

9. Portland Trail Blazers

NBA Championship Odds: +6000
Current Record: 25-17
Previous Ranking: 11

Portland were given a morale boost last week as CJ McCollum returned to the lineup after missing almost two month with a foot fracture. McCollum averaged 16.5 points on 39% three point shooting in 24.6 minutes per game, as the Blazers defeated the Pelicans twice, and split their two game mini-series with Dallas at one game apiece.

The return of McCollum only made things easier for Damian Lillard, who averaged 34.0 points and 5.0 assists last week, making big plays down the stretch in each of the three wins. Portland should only get stronger with Jusuf Nurkic set to return in the next two weeks.

10. Dallas Mavericks

NBA Championship Odds: +4000
Current Record: 22-19
Previous Ranking: 12

The Mavs had a pair of mini-series last week, splitting their two games against the Clippers in Dallas, while also splitting their two games against the Blazers in Portland for a 2-2 record in Week 13. Luka Doncic has continued his post All-Star break dominance, averaging 35.5 points on 50% three point shooting, 9.5 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game last week.

Tim Hardaway Jr was the Maverick who stepped up last week, averaging 18 points per game on 50% three point shooting, as Dallas defeated two opponents who are seeded higher than them in the West. The Mavericks now have seven wins from their last 10 games and 16 wins from their last 20.

11. San Antonio Spurs

NBA Championship Odds: +10000
Current Record: 22-17
Previous Ranking: 14

San Antonio kicked off Week 13 with three consecutive victories, before closing out their week with a loss to the Bucks. The Spurs defeated the Pistons and Bulls without DeMar Derozan, before welcoming back the four time All-Star for their victory over the Cavaliers.


However, it was San Antonio’s up and coming stars that made the headlines this week, with Keldon Johnson putting up 23 points and a career high 21 rebounds (11 offensive) in Friday’s win in Cleveland, and Lonnie Walker IV putting up a career high 31 points in Saturday’s loss to the Bucks in Milwaukee. The Spurs are just a game and a half behind the Blazers for the coveted No. 6 seed in the West, which would currently see them competing in the play-in tournament.

12. Atlanta Hawks

NBA Championship Odds: +10000
Current Record: 22-20
Previous Ranking: 17

Here come the Hawks! Victories against the Rockets, Thunder and Lakers have extended Atlanta’s win streak to eight consecutive games, leaving them undefeated under Nate McMillan and in the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. Since taking over as the interim head coach, Atlanta has boasted the second best defensive rating in the NBA (105.2).

While offensively, Trae Young once again averaged below 20ppg, with just 16.7 points at a shocking 16% from three point territory last week. However Young’s 11.3 assists per game last week made him the ideal facilitator on a team surrounded by capable weapons. 

13. Miami Heat

NBA Championship Odds: +3300
Current Record: 22-21
Previous Ranking: 9

After winning their opening game of Week 13 against the Cavaliers by 15 points, Miami had won 11 of their past 12 games and were the No. 4 seed in the East. Now, after dropping their final three games last week, the Heat are just one game above .500 and have slipped to the No. 5 seed in the East, trailing the in-form Hawks.

Miami only managed to score 85 points in their loss to the Grizzlies in Memphis on Wednesday, before dropping consecutive games against the Pacers at home to close out the week. On a positive note, Bam Adebayo returned to the lineup after a four-game absence and averaged 19.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the week. Miami also traded for Trevor Ariza last week, Ariza has now been traded 11 times in his NBA career.

14. Golden State Warriors

NBA Championship Odds: +7000
Current Record: 22-21
Previous Ranking: 13

Golden State book ended their week with losses against the Lakers and the Grizzlies in their second night of a back to back, defeating the Rockets and Grizzlies in between to finish the week 2-2 and remain one game above .500. Steph Curry missed two games because of a bruised tailbone, allowing Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole to show what they are capable of on the offensive end.

Wiggins scored a season-high 40 points to beat the Grizzlies in Memphis, while Poole added  25 points of his own. The following night, Poole tied a career high with 26 points in the loss, now giving him 20+ points in three consecutive games. The Warriors did slide to the No. 9 seed in the West, a game behind Dallas and a game infront of Memphis.

15. Boston Celtics

NBA Championship Odds: +4000
Current Record: 21-21
Previous Ranking: 10

Boston opened up Week 13 with three consecutive losses to the Jazz, Cavaliers and Kings, before salvaging something from the week with a victory over the Magic. All-Stars Jaylen Brown (27.3 ppg at 46% from three) and Jayson Tatum (24 ppg at 42% from three) both averaged 20+ points per game at better than 40% shooting from the three point line, however the Celtics are still lacking a playmaker and defensive piece, even with Marcus Smart increasing his minutes.


Everyone in Boston will be eagerly waiting to see whether Danny Ainge is going to use the $28 million trade exception to improve the roster.

16. Indiana Pacers

NBA Championship Odds: +6000
Current Record: 19-22
Previous Ranking: 18

A 2-2 week for the Pacers sees them remain three games below .500 and in the No. 9 seed in the East. Indiana dropped their opening games against Denver and Brooklyn, before closing out their week with two victories against the Heat in Miami.

The duo of Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis continue to carry the brunt of responsibility in Indiana, with Brogdon averaging 21.8 points for the week on 45% three point shooting, and Sabonis averaging 14.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. However, Caris LeVert has also injected some life into the team since returning from having a mass removed from his kidney, putting up 14.3 points and 4.3 assists last week.

17. New York Knicks

NBA Championship Odds: +10000
Current Record: 21-22
Previous Ranking: 16

A 1-3 Week 13 for the Knicks has resulted in New York falling below .500 and seen them slip into the No. 7 seed in the East, which currently has them participating in the play-in tournament. New York dropped two games against Philadelphia and a game against Brooklyn last week, while picking up their singular win against Orlando by one point.

Julius Randle dished out a career high 17 assists against the Magic, on his way to averaging 23.5 points, 11 rebounds and 8.5 assists throughout the week.

18. Charlotte Hornets

NBA Championship Odds: +20000
Current Record: 20-21
Previous Ranking: 15

After winning their first game of Week 13, Charlotte dropped their final three games against the Nuggets, Lakers and Clippers, slipping below .500. As injuries are starting to sweep across the NBA, No. 3 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, LaMelo Ball, is expected to miss the rest of the season with a wrist fracture.

Six Hornets averaged 10+ points per game last week, led by 18.8 ppg from Terry Rozier. If Charlotte are going to remain in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs, their bench and role players will need to continue to perform at a high level in Ball’s absence.

19. Memphis Grizzlies

NBA Championship Odds: +12500
Current Record: 19-20
Previous Ranking: 20

A 2-2 week for the Grizzlies has left Memphis one game below .500 at the conclusion of Week 13. The Grizzlies lost to the Suns, defeated the Heat and split their two game mini-series against the Warriors. Shooting at just 22.9% on three pointers this season, Ja Morant’s jump shot is the glaring flaw in the developing stars game, shooting at the lowest percentage of the 182 players with at least 100 three point attempts this season.


Currently the No. 10 seed in the West, 2.5 game ahead of New Orleans, Memphis look set for a spot in the play-in tournament, however they currently aren’t capable of upsetting the teams seeded above them. 

20. Chicago Bulls

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 19-22
Previous Ranking: 22

Chicago book ended their week with wins against the Thunder and Pistons, losing to the Spurs and Nuggets in between to finish the week 2-2 and remain three games below .500.

The Bulls were leading the Nuggets in Denver by 14 points in the last quarter, however were overrun down the stretch, going down 131-127 in overtime. Zach Lavine continued his phenomenal offensive season last week, averaging just shy of 30 points at 46% three point shooting.

21. Toronto Raptors

NBA Championship Odds: +5000
Current Record: 17-25
Previous Ranking: 21

Despite getting some players back from health and safety protocols, Toronto dropped each of their three games last week to extend their losing streak to eight consecutive games. The Raptors are now out of the playoff and play-in tournament seeding, thanks to their Week 13 losses against Detroit, Utah and Cleveland leaving them with a 17-25 record.

As the trade deadline approaches, the biggest question surrounding Toronto is whether their front office will decide to part ways with Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell between now and Thursday’s deadline.

22. New Orleans Pelicans

NBA Championship Odds: +10000
Current Record: 18-24
Previous Ranking: 19

New Orleans dropped back to back games against the Blazers in Portland, before upsetting the Nuggets in Denver, 113-108. Both Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram put up 30 points in Sunday’s win over the Nuggets, boosting Zion’s averages for the week to 28 points per game, at 62% shooting from the field, with 10.3 free throw attempts.

As has been the case all season, the Pelicans best basketball is great, but their worst basketball is more common and is up there with the worst in the league. 

23. Sacramento Kings

NBA Championship Odds: +30000
Current Record: 17-25
Previous Ranking: 24

Sacramento split their four East coast games in Week 13, losing to Charlotte and Philadelphia, while upsetting the Wizards and Celtics. Still the 13th seed in the West, playoffs are almost out of reach for the Kings, however De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield showed their value last week.


Hield put up 21.5 points on 46% three point shooting, while Fox scored 11 fourth quarter points against the Wizards to lead Sacramento to a two point victory.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 18-24
Previous Ranking: 23

After dropping their opening two games of Week 13 against the Bulls and the Hawks, OKC avoided a winless week thanks to a gritty two point victory over the Rockets without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Al Horford.

Lu Dort scored 23 points in the victory over Houston, taking his average for the week up to 15.5 points in the two games he played. However, Dort’s presence on the defensive end was equally as impressive, coming up with the key block on John Wall late in the game against the Rockets to help seal the victory.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA Championship Odds: +30000
Current Record: 16-26
Previous Ranking: 28

With two wins from their four games last week, Cleveland overtook Washington for the No. 12 seed in the Eastern Conference and are now just 1.5 games behind Toronto for the 11th seed. The Cavs lost to the Heats and Spurs in Week 13, however also defeated the Celtics and Raptors.

Cleveland’s young backcourt duo of Colin Sexton and Darius Garland were the key players for the Cavs last week, with Sexton averaging 28.8 points per game on 46% three point shooting, including a 36 point performance in Sunday’s win over Toronto, while Garland averaged 20 points and 5.8 assists per game.

26. Washington Wizards

NBA Championship Odds: +15000
Current Record: 15-26
Previous Ranking: 25

Washington played the Bucks, Kings, Jazz and Wizards last week, winning just one of their four encounters. No, they did not beat Sacramento, in true Wizards fashion they responded from their two point loss to the Kings with a nine point victory over the league leading Jazz.

Russell Westbrook had a triple double week, averaging 28.3 points, 13.3 assists and 10.3 rebounds, while Bradley Beal put up 31.5 points per game on 43% shooting from behind the arc. However, Washington’s defense gave up an average of 122.5 points per game last week, which resulted in just one Week 13 victory, despite the production from their All-Star backcourt.

27. Detroit Pistons

NBA Championship Odds: +100000
Current Record: 12-30
Previous Ranking: 27

Although Detroit are still sitting comfortably at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, the Pistons did win two of their four games last week, closing the gap between them and the lowly Orlando Magic. After their 10 point loss to the Spurs, Detroit defeated Toronto by four points and Houston by 13 points, before losing to Chicago by 14 points to close out the week.


Saddiq Bey had a strong week, averaging 14.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, including a 28 point, 11 rebound performance in Wednesday’s victory over the Raptors.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves

NBA Championship Odds: +100000
Current Record: 10-32
Previous Ranking: 26

Minnesota opened Week 13 with a 16 point loss to the Lakers and closed it out with a 12 point loss to the Suns in their second game of a back to back in Phoenix on Friday. However, thanks to a combined 83 points from Anthony Edwards (41 – career high) and Karl-Anthony Towns (42), the Timberwolves managed to pull off a four point upset victory over the Suns in Phoenix on Thursday.

KAT put together another solid week, with 31.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while Edwards is now the favorite to be named the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year, given the season ending injury sustained by LaMelo Ball. 

29. Orlando Magic

NBA Championship Odds: +30000
Current Record: 14-28
Previous Ranking: 29

The Magic snapped their losing streak this week, with a shocking eight point upset against the Brooklyn Nets. Orlando now have just one win in their last 11 games and are just two games ahead of Detroit at the bottom of the East.

As we approach the trade deadline, it was recently reported that Aaron Gordon has requested a trade out of Orlando, and although Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross have not verbalised trade requests, they may be moved between now and Thursday’s deadline.

30. Houston Rockets

NBA Championship Odds: +50000
Current Record: 11-30
Previous Ranking: 30

Despite playing each of their four Week 13 games in Houston, the Rockets extended their losing streak to 20 consecutive games heading into Week 14. Houston lost to the Hawks by 12 points, the Warriors by 14 points, the Pistons by 13 points and most recently the Thunder (Without SGA) by two points.

Somehow, the Rockets still do not have the worst record in the NBA, however Houston are undeniably the worst positioned franchise in the league, on and off the court. 

*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of Bet365 

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Jesse is and always has been a lover of sports. No matter the league, no matter the game, Jesse is constantly keeping up to date with the latest odds, news, injuries and stats. He has a strong interest in the NBA and the NFL, and he will always strive to keep you up to date with the best news, odds, predictions and picks that the ever engaging sporting world has to offer.