NBA Perfect 10 -December 20
The NBA gears up for one of their biggest days of the year, the Christmas Day five-pack of NBA games. Who will be at the top of our rankings heading into the Holiday spectacular? Let’s dive into this week’s Perfect Ten.
Perfect Ten (Week of December 18th)
#10. LA Lakers (15-12) (+850/+1700) - The Lakers have stumbled a bit after winning the tournament but, for this team, it is all about getting to the postseason. Strengths: Davis has looked like the star he should be for long stretches this season. Weaknesses: The Lakers look like a team that might need a reliable wingman that can score and defend. Last Week’s Rank: 9th
#9. Dallas Mavs (16-10) (+1200/+2500) - The Mavs are still very much in the thick of the Western Conference race as we head to the New Year. Strengths: Doncic is clicking and he’s got a slew of shooters on the perimeter to utilize. Weaknesses: Kyrie Irving is saying all the right things about being in Dallas but can he be counted on when it matters? Last Week’s Rank: 8th
#8. LA Clippers (16-10) (+750/+1400) - After some tinkering, the Clippers suddenly look like a viable threat in the Western Conference. Strengths: They are capable of beating teams with a variety of options late in the game. Weaknesses: Should anyone, based on their history, feel comfortable that both Leonard and George can stay healthy come playoff time to team with Westbrook and Harden? Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#7. Sacramento Kings (16-9) (+1800/+4000) - The Kings have righted the ship after a slow start and again look like a fast-paced, exciting team. Strengths: An up-tempo offense led by All-Star point guard Aaron Fox. Weaknesses: Can the Kings get past the first round this season? Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#6. OKC Thunder (16-8) (+1600/+4000) - OKC’s odds dropped a bit this week as they maintain a hold on the second slot in the Western Conference. Strengths: Rookie of the Year candidate Chet Holmgren has certainly added another dimension to the Thunder’s defense with his shot-blocking. Weaknesses: With the two LA teams showing signs of life, can OKC hang onto their high spot in the Western Conference? Last Week’s Rank: 7th
#5. Philadelphia 76ers (18-8) (+500/+1100) - It will likely be a three-horse race in the Eastern Conference this season and the Sixers are just off the pace of the Celtics and Bucks. Strengths: The Sixers’ depth at the wing could prove very useful, particularly against Milwaukee. Weaknesses: Sixers have started to rely a little too much on Embiid as of late. Last Week’s Rank: 5th
#4. Denver Nuggets (18-10) (+225/+425) - Denver still looks like the class of the West even with the fast start from the T-Wolves and the Lakers’ In-Season Tourney title. Strengths: The Nuggets are getting healthier and that is bad news for the Western Conference. Weaknesses: Denver hasn’t been as dynamic away from home this season. They may need the homecourt advantage in the playoffs. Last Week’s Rank: 4th
#3. Milwaukee Bucks (20-7) (+180/+390) - A wacky week of insignificant turmoil overshadowed the Bucks’ 4-0 stretch. Strengths: Khris Middleton had a solid week and that’s a good sign for a Bucks team that needs his production in the postseason. Weaknesses: The Bucks are winning by outsourcing teams. Can they win by defending teams late in games? Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
#2. Minnesota Timberwolves (20-5) (+1000/+2200) - The Timberwolves’ odds dropped just a bit this week with three more wins. Are you tempted yet? Strengths: Year two of the Gobert/Towns tandem seems to be a much bigger success. Weaknesses: It will be interesting to see how the TWolves can inject more offense into this team at the trade deadline. Last Week’s Rank: 2nd
#1. Boston Celtics (20-6) (+165/+370) - The Celtics lost a tough one to the Warriors to start this West Coast trip but they remain the NBA’s best team thus far. Strengths: The Celtics starting five can match up with anyone. Weaknesses: The team is playing it safe with Porzingis but his fragility could decide the Celtics’ fate this season. Last Week’s Rank: 1st
Top-Five MVP Candidates:
At the start of January, I will begin to rank the Top Five MVP candidates every week including their up-to-date odds to win the award. Last year, the odds and rankings shifted several times on the way to Joel Embiid claiming his first MVP award. There will likely be several shifts as well this year and I will be there to update you every step of the way while offering compelling arguments as to why you should jump in with a future bet if the odds are right.
In-Season Tournament Predictions:
Season Record 4-3: We dropped to 4-3 in our picks of the week after the Knicks’ offense exploded against the Suns on the road. Here are my top two picks for the five Christmas Day games.
Golden State at Denver: I expect the champs to put on a great show in this prime-time battle. Denver will have a distinct advantage on the boards and have the type of defense that can get out on the Warriors’ shooters.
Philadelphia at Miami: Christmas in Miami sounds delightful. It will be delightful for the Sixers who will throw a slew of hybrid wing players at the Heat and the league’s MVP in Embiid to pull out the victory.
In parenthesis, conference odds and finals odds. Player MVP props are also in parenthesis. All odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com.
By Mark Ruelle