SportsTips’ NBA Power Rankings 2021: Week 18

SportsTips’ NBA Power Rankings 2021: Week 18
Tue 20th April 2021

We have analysed last week’s action and adjusted our NBA Power Rankings accordingly! There are some big risers and massive falls, but where do we have your team?

The Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets continue to fall down the rankings with injuries becoming a massive factor in their performances while the Knicks are surging, winners of six straight games.

Here’s where all 30 NBA teams stand heading into Week 19 of the 2020-21 NBA season:

1. Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Championship Odds: +700
Current Record: 40-19
Previous Ranking: 1

The Clippers hang on to the top spot on our NBA Power Rankings after a 3-1 week. Kawhi Leonard missed the first three games of the week, all on the road, and LA went 2-1 in those games. Their performance without Leonard in Philadelphia, losing by just three points to the East-leading Sixers, was very impressive and gave Paul George another opportunity to continue his hot form and get momentum heading to the playoffs.

This week sees Los Angeles play just three games, two of which are on the road and two of which are against teams that are destined for the playoffs. They start the week in Portland, against a Blazers team they have already beaten twice this season but have to back it up the next night against Memphis, who are in some good form of late. It is a tough back to back set but they are expected to win both.

2. Phoenix Suns

NBA Championship Odds: +2400
Current Record: 40-16
Previous Ranking: 2

Despite an impressive 3-1 week and now being just 1.5 games behind the Jazz on top of the West, Phoenix were lucky not to slip down the rankings this week. A relatively weak schedule should have easily been a 4-0 week but they ended their homestand with a disappointing performance. Shooting just 6/27 from deep, the Suns managed just 85 points against the Spurs, who were without DeRozan, and lost by 26 points. 

Things don’t get any easier this week, playing four games on the road against the four best teams in the Easten Conference. This is a make or break week for Phoenix as a 3-1 week against Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Boston and Brooklyn would see them establish themselves as the team to beat in the league, but anything less than that and we begin to question whether they can get the job done when it matters most.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Championship Odds: +1200
Current Record: 39-17
Previous Ranking: 6

A 3-0 week sees the Sixers rise up the rankings but it was far from convincing. Wins over Dallas, Brooklyn and the Clippers can’t be overlooked and are extremely impressive, but the way they got them is the worry. A fully healthy squad only beat Brooklyn, who were without Durant and Harden, by just six points. They followed that up by managing just a three point win over the Clippers, who were without Kawhi for the clash. 

They were without Tobias Harris for that last clash with LA and his knee injury, while not being serious, is obviously something to be concerned about as he remains on the injury list heading into the week. A four game week against playoff bound opponents will see how the East-leading Sixers are really going. Hosting the red hot Warriors and Suns before playing two games in Milwaukee could either extend their lead on top of the conference or bring them back to the pack.

4. Brooklyn Nets

NBA Championship Odds: +220
Current Record: 38-19
Previous Ranking: 4

Are you a pessimist or an optimist? That determines how you judge the Nets’ week and their season overall. Going just 2-2 is obviously not what a team that is aspiring for a championship would want, but there are some positive signs. Durant and Harden sat out the loss to the Sixers and they lost by just six points. Against the Heat, Harden was sidelined again while Durant lasted just four minutes with the Nets losing by two points on the buzzer. 

This is where your perspective comes in. Durant, Harden and Irving have played just seven games together this season and their lack of chemistry could become an issue when push comes to shove down the stretch. Alternatively, you can look at how they are still second in the East, just 1.5 games behind the Sixers, despite all of this and have three of the best players in the league on their roster, when all healthy.

5. Boston Celtics

NBA Championship Odds: +6000
Current Record: 31-26
Previous Ranking: 9

One of the biggest risers of the week, Boston finds themselves in the top five after a 3-0 week. It was a very impressive week for the Celtics, winning in Portland and LA (Lakers) before coming home and ending the Warriors’ four game winning streak. The team seems to have found their groove with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart leading the way.

This week looks to be extremely tough, hosting the Bulls before getting two nights off to prepare for one of the toughest back to backs of the season. They host the Suns before having to play in Brooklyn the next night, who games against current two-seeds in their respective conferences and Boston will want to get both, especially the Nets. 

6. Utah Jazz

NBA Championship Odds: +700
Current Record: 42-15
Previous Ranking: 3

The Jazz keep slipping and it doesn’t look like improving anytime soon. A 2-2 week may be bad but losing Donovan Mitchell to a bad ankle sprain only adds to their recent woes. Their home winning streak was ended by the Wizards while they added another road loss against the Lakers, two games they wish they could have back. 

Conley and Gobert did sit out the loss to the Lakers on the second day of a back to back, but for a team that has played as good as they have this season, things better turn around quickly. Mitchell is expected to miss at least a week of action but they have caught a break in the schedule. Games on the road against the Lakers and Rockets before hosting the Timberwolves is a very easy week and should see them go 3-0.

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7. Denver Nuggets

NBA Championship Odds: +3000
Current Record: 36-20
Previous Ranking: 5

This week couldn’t have started any worse for the Nuggets, losing 107-116 to the Warriors but more importantly, losing Jamal Murray to a torn ACL. The loss of Murray obviously hinders their ability to compete against the best in the West, but they managed to close out the week with wins over the Heat and Rockets. 

Miami and Houston are both out of form and wins over them shouldn’t be praised with this week being the real test of how the Nuggets will go down the stretch. Hosting the in-form Grizzlies before playing the Blazers and Warriors on the road could easily be three losses for this side and could see them start slipping down the standings.

8. Milwaukee Bucks

NBA Championship Odds: +750
Current Record: 35-21
Previous Ranking: 10

Milwaukee looked to have turned things around, beating the Timberwolves before getting Giannis back and beating the streaking Hawks, in Atlanta, but their return home brought a shocking result. A 13 point home loss to the Grizzlies is definitely a worrying sign, allowing a middle of the road offense to score 128 points. 

In saying that, Milwaukee is ranked fifth for offensive rating and eighth for defensive rating, one of just three teams that are in the top 10 for both. The will look to tighten things up at both ends of the floor in a tough four game week. They open the week at home against the Suns before hosting the Sixers for two games in three nights, both of those teams with better records this season. They will want to win two of those three and take momentum into Atlanta to close out the week. Could they win all four though?

9. Atlanta Hawks

NBA Championship Odds: +19000
Current Record: 31-26
Previous Ranking: 7

The Hawks have fallen back down the rankings despite a 2-1 week. The two teams they beat, Toronto and Indiana, combined to go just 4-4 for the week while an 11 point home loss to the Bucks is a sign that while they may be fourth in the East, there is still a big gap to the big three.

A four game week looks quite tough for Atlanta. Starting with a home game against the Magic should easily be a win but then the next three could go either way. Having to backup the next night in New York will see the Hawks likely start underdogs before they host the Heat and the Bucks to close out the week. Atlanta have been one of the in-form teams in the league but this week could easily see them go 1-3…

10. New York Knicks

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 31-27
Previous Ranking: 14

The Knicks just keep on winning, currently on an equal-league best six game winning streak thanks to an impressive 4-0 week. A home win over the Lakers and road win in Dallas, supplemented with two wins over the Pelicans have seen the Knicks climb to just 0.5 games back from a home first round series, currently with the Hawks in fourth in the East.

A three game week allows the Knicks starters to get some rest but back to back games against the Hornets and Hawks could shape the standings. With the positioning in the standings between New York and Atlanta, that Wednesday night clash could be game of the week for both sides. 

11. Los Angeles Lakers

NBA Championship Odds: +350
Current Record: 35-22
Previous Ranking: 8

No one can fault the Lakers’ endeavour over the last four weeks without both LeBron James and Anthony Davis but a 2-2 week sees them slip down the rankings. Splitting a road back to back set with the Knicks and Hornets is all you could have asked for before returning home for a pair of games against very good teams saw them go 1-1 as well. Losing to the in-form Celtics before beating the shorthanded Jazz saw the Lakers keep in contact with the Nuggets in fourth in the West.

News only begins to get better for the Lakers with Anthony Davis expected to return at some point in the week. The Lakers play just three games this week but all three are tough. A rematch at home with the Jazz before two games in Dallas pose as extremely tough tests and could easily see the Lakers go 0-3. The Mavs aren’t playing great though and the return of Davis could give this team the lift it needs.

12. Memphis Grizzlies

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 29-26
Previous Ranking: 16

The Grizzlies had an exceptional week and were unlucky to not go 4-0. Memphis only ended up going 3-1, losing to the Mavs on a last second flukey shot from Luka Doncic. Two wins over Chicago were expected but what has seen this team rise and what shocked most was a 13 point win in Milwaukee. 

Memphis is playing with a team first game style that saw three different players lead the team in scoring across their four games and keeps opposition defenses guessing. They will be hoping for much of the same this week, starting with a massive clash in Denver on Monday. Following that game they stay on the road against the Clippers before two games in Portland. Season defining stuff for the eight seed in the West. 

13. Golden State Warriors

NBA Championship Odds: +24000
Current Record: 28-29
Previous Ranking: 18

Golden State had a 3-1 week, going 2-1 on the road and it was all thanks to Steph Curry. The former two time MVP has put the Warriors on his back and is doing his best to shoot his team into the playoffs. Three of the four games saw Curry make 10+ threes whilst averaging 43.75 points per game across the week. 

The Warriors have two more games on the road before returning home, playing the Sixers and Wizards, both of whom are currently on four game winning streaks. They then return home to host the Nuggets and Kings and it honestly wouldn’t surprise, as long as the Curry stays hot, for the Warriors to go 4-0 this week. 

14. Portland Trail Blazers

NBA Championship Odds: +8000
Current Record: 32-24
Previous Ranking: 13

The first of a flurry of teams that fell in the rankings due to only winning one game, Portland comes in at 14th on the charts. A 1-2 week is not what the sixth seed in the West would have wanted but going 1-1 without Lillard was actually impressive and the sooner they get him back the better. 

Four games against playoff bound teams may seem daunting but having them all at home is definitely handy. They start the week against the Clippers, a team they have lost two in both encounters this season, and will likely be without Lillard still. A two game gap on Dallas is nice, but they need to start winning sooner rather than later.

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15. Dallas Mavericks

NBA Championship Odds: +4200
Current Record: 30-26
Previous Ranking: 11

Dallas had a 1-3 week and it really should have been a 0-4 week. Losses to Philly, New York and Sacramento, all at home, are very disappointing while they should have lost in Memphis if it wasn’t for some Luka-magic. Doncic hit an off-balance, leaning three as time expired to get the win and things could be a lot more bleak for the Mavs if he didn’t.

Doncic has commented on how tired and fatigued he has been over the last two weeks, something you don’t want your leader saying heading into the home stretch of the season. Luckily for Dallas they have the first two nights of the week off before playing at home for one against the Pistons and two against the Lakers. 

16. Miami Heat

NBA Championship Odds: +3600
Current Record: 29-28
Previous Ranking: 12

Starting the week with three road losses and your leader publicly calling you out and saying that you are playing soft, is definitely not what Erik Spoelstra and the Heat would have envisioned for this week but it may have had some effect. Even with Butler on the sidelines, Miami came out and beat the Nets on Sunday night, allowing them to end the week 1-3. 

There are obviously some bigger issues for the Heat as they are just 29-28 overall and seventh in the East, despite making The Finals last season. Four games against teams with records near theirs or worse should see Miami aiming for a 4-0 week, but games in San Antonio and in Atlanta will be the real tests of how much the Heat want success in the postseason.

17. Indiana Pacers

NBA Championship Odds: +16000
Current Record: 26-30
Previous Ranking: 15

Indiana was another team that had a 1-3 week last week but it was almost expected. Losses to the Clippers, Jazz and Hawks, with the latter two on the road, saw them start as underdogs while their win over the Rockets was essentially a given. The Pacers saw Myles Turner return to the lineup against the Hawks but news broke that he has torn a plate in his toe that will see him out indefinitely.

That is a massive loss for the Pacers and even with LeVert, Sabonis and Brogdon on the floor, Indiana may struggle down the stretch. Home games against the Spurs, Thunder and Pistons before finishing in Orlando should see the Pacers pick up three wins at an absolute minimum, anything less and it is time to start panicking.

18. San Antonio Spurs

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 27-28
Previous Ranking: 20

San Antonio had another inconsistent week that saw them go 2-2 overall. A road win over the Magic was followed up with a road loss to the Raptors and games like that should just be another win for this team. The Spurs then lost to Portland, at home, before beating the Suns, in Phoenix, by 26 points. It is impossible to know which San Antonio side you are going to get and it may be their downfall.

We have picked the Spurs to start off the week with a win in Indiana and a home back to back against Miami and Detroit could easily see this team start the week 3-0. They then round the week out in New Orleans and given they are just three games ahead of the Pelicans in the standings, that game is a must win if the Spurs want to make the play-ins.

19. Charlotte Hornets

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 28-28
Previous Ranking: 19

Despite a 1-3 week, the Hornets are still clinging on to eighth in the East and sit two games clear of the Pacers in ninth. Losses to the Lakers and Nets were probably expected but losing to the Cavs at home will see James Borrego filthy with his side. They did respond with a win over the Lillard-less Blazers to round out the week but they are still just buying time until LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward can return to the lineup.

Ball is expected back in 7-10 days while Hayward is out for another two weeks, so Charlotte heads into this week shorthanded again. Playing at New York and at Chicago are tough tests as those two sides are either side of them in the standings but there is no confidence they can win either of those. Another matchup with the Cavs should see Charlotte turn the result in their favor before hosting the Celtics seems like another loss..

20. New Orleans Pelicans

NBA Championship Odds: +24000
Current Record: 25-32
Previous Ranking: 17

New Orleans is still learning how to play with each other and for Stan Van Gundy it seems. While they beat the Kings to open their week with a win, two losses to the Knicks and a loss to the Wizards have set this team back in their quest to reach the play-ins. Their second game against the Knicks, in New York on Sunday, saw Eric Bledsoe seem to lose concentration defensively down the stretch and not follow his coach’s instructions. 

That obviously isn’t a good thing for a side that is fighting to win games in order to get to at least the 10th seed and it may be too late to fix it. Two of their three games this week are against opponents with better records and it wouldn’t surprise to see this team go 1-2.

21. Washington Wizards

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 23-33
Previous Ranking: 23

If we were to tell you that four teams would have undefeated weeks, would you guess one was the Wizards? Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook have Washington firing on all cylinders with a win in Utah the highlight of their 4-0 week. 

Westbrook has a triple double in nine of his last ten games, falling just an assist shy of the tenth, and his play has seen the Wizards climb to a tie for 10th in the East with Chicago and Toronto. A four game week with two against the Thunder and one against the Cavs will see the Wizards continue this good form and you wouldn’t want to face them in the play-ins or playoffs.

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22. Toronto Raptors

NBA Championship Odds: +16000
Current Record: 24-34
Previous Ranking: 22

While Washington are making a claim for the final play-in spot, Toronto are right behind them. The Raptors had a 3-1 week, beating the Spurs, Magic and Thunder to join the three-way tie. It is still tough to know whether the Raptors are tanking or not, as they received a fine for breaking the NBA’s resting policy, but they could easily finish 10th. 

In some extremely weird fixturing, the Raptors play just twice this week. They host the Nets before playing in New York and they will start as underdogs in both of those contests. Can they continue their surge or will they succumb to the Wizards or Bulls..

23. Chicago Bulls

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 23-33
Previous Ranking: 21

With Zach LaVine being sidelined for 10-14 days due to the health and safety protocols, Chicago’s hold on a play-in spot is slowly slipping away. Two losses to Memphis sandwiching a loss to the lowly Magic is a sign that this team isn’t ready to take the next step.

Chicago did find some good form with a comfortable victory over Cleveland to close out the week but they start this one in Boston before playing in Cleveland, against the Hornets and in Miami. The Bulls simply just need to keep winning but that may be tough without one of their two All Stars.

24. Sacramento Kings

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 23-34
Previous Ranking: 26

Sacramento finally ended their losing streak, stopping it at nine games with an impressive performance in Dallas. They did lose three games to start the week before that but had an average losing margin of just nine points, much better than the two teams they overtook in the rankings, Minnesota and Cleveland.

While this season is a write-off, the play of De’Aaron Fox is clearly a bright spot for the team and a home back to back against the Timberwolves could see them cement themselves as one of the top teams not in playoff contention. If that is really even an accolade worth getting.

25. Minnesota Timberwolves

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 15-43
Previous Ranking: 24

A disappointing 1-3 week for the Timberwolves, losing to the Nets, Bucks and Clippers by an average of 25 points. They are three of the top seven teams in the league based on record plus a win over the playoff bound Miami Heat gives this team a boost in credibility. 

Things might be tough for the Wolves this week, playing a back to back in Sacramento before travelling to Utah to face the league-leading Jazz. Draft capital is an important thing when it comes to this time of year so it wouldn’t surprise to see Minnesota to take it easy in their three games. 

26. Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 20-36
Previous Ranking: 25

Cleveland have had a really disappointing second half to the season, once being as high as fourth in the East but now seem themselves in 13th and have no chance of making the play-in. A surprise win over a shorthanded Hornets side was soon forgotten after losses to the Warriors and Bulls. 

The Cavs have four games this week and they could easily lose all four. Monday night in Detroit is their most winnable game before the Bulls, Hornets and Wizards will see them start as big underdogs. Another year of hoping to strike gold in the draft for the Cavaliers. 

27. Houston Rockets

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 15-42
Previous Ranking: 28

The Rockets have jumped up a spot in the standings thanks to a win over the Magic and some close losses against the Suns and Pacers. Losing by just six points to the team with the second best record in the league is an impressive feat and gives some hope for their future. 

A four game week against four teams heading to the playoffs will likely be a winless week for the Rockets, but that isn’t a bad thing in the race for the number one pick in the 2021 draft. 

28. Detroit Pistons

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 17-40
Previous Ranking: 27

Detroit had a 1-2 week, losing to the Clippers and Wizards whilst beating the Thunder. Jerami Grant has been in and out of the lineup with Detroit preferring to lose games and increase their chances at the number one pick. 

A home game against the Cavs before playing in Dallas, San Antonio and Indiana should see the Pistons go hard for a win to start the week before losing games they are clearly expected to after that. Tough stage of the year but at least the young kids can get a run. 

29. Orlando Magic

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 18-39
Previous Ranking: 29

Orlando has had an incredible month or so allowing them to play their young, inexperienced players and get some minutes into them which will be beneficial in the long run. A 1-3 week is what was expected from this side and winning doesn’t really matter anymore. 

30. Oklahoma City Thunder

NBA Championship Odds: +25000
Current Record: 20-37
Previous Ranking: 30

The only winless team of the week was the Thunder, losing to the Jazz, Warriors, Pistons and Raptors. In a similar boat to the Magic and Pistons, giving their young players minutes is the most important thing for this side and doing better in the draft is more important than doing better down the stretch for this side.

*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.

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Tim is a keen follower of all American sports, in particular the NBA and NFL. He has followed both sports for over a decade and would happily sit down and watch every game, regardless of who is playing! No matter the sport, whether it be NFL and NBA or even MLB, NHL, UFC and all sports, Tim covers it from every angle, staying in the loop to bring you the most up-to-date information and the best picks and predictions on the market.