NBA Perfect Ten - 11/22

Another week in the books in the NBA. Once again, the league is at the forefront of the sports pages and the gossip columns. Teams are also trying to distance themselves from the pack while other teams are just trying to get healthy. So, without further ado, here is our second NBA Perfect 10 of 2022-23.

Perfect Ten (Week of November 14th)

#10. Sacramento Kings (+8000, +20,000) - Don’t look now, but Mike Brown is building the Warriors-Light in Sacramento. Using many of the strategies of Golden State, the Kings rely on a scoring point guard and interchangeable wing players to outscore the opposition. They have now won six in a row. Strengths: Interchangeable wings and all-star level play from De’Andre Fox. Weaknesses: Rebounding and perimeter defense. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked

#9. Memphis Grizzlies (+750/+1800) - The Grizzlies have been bitten by the injury bug as well, playing multiple games without sharpshooter Bane and the latest injury to Morant. The return of Jaren Jackson can’t come soon enough but he is still not playing at full strength. Strengths: Tempo and shooting. Weaknesses: Defense on the perimeter and injuries. Last Week’s Rank: 8

#8. Cleveland Cavaliers (+850/+2200) - The Cavs are back in the Perfect 10 as their roster returns to health and two straight wins to close the week. Strengths: Scoring and Garland meshing with Mitchell. Weaknesses: Depth at the five position. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked

#7. Portland Trail Blazers (+2200/+5500) - The Blazers remain one of the surprises of the season thus far at 10-6. If this keeps up, they will be buyers and not sellers at the trade deadline. Strengths: Three-point shooting and scoring defense. Weaknesses: Rebounding and depth. Last Week’s Rank: 6

#6. Atlanta Hawks (+1500/+3500) - The Hawks have displayed excellent ball movement with what amounts to a 2-point guard offense with Murray and Young Strengths: Guards and 3pt defense Weaknesses: Inside scoring. Last Week’s Rank: 9

#5. Phoenix Suns (+500/+950) - The Suns are dealing with injuries as well, as Paul sat out the week with an injury to his heel. As a result, the Suns have dropped four out of seven including a rare 2 in a row. Strengths: Depth and offensive efficiency Weaknesses: Turnovers, size. Last Week’s Rank: 4

#4. Denver Nuggets (+800/+1900) - The Nuggets had a tough week with an illness running through several key players including Jokic and Murray. Prior to sitting with an illness, Murray had started to look like the dominant force he was prior to his knee surgery. Strengths: Depth, Defensive field goal % and 3pt shooting. Weaknesses: A/T ratio and field goal percentage. Last Week’s Rank: 3

#3. Utah Jazz (+6000/+12,000) - After three straight losses, everyone was ready for the Jazz’ tumble. It didn’t happen as the team followed that up with two straight wins over the Sun and Blazers. The ride will eventually end, right? Strengths: Depth and 3pt shooting. Weaknesses: Size and inexperience. Last Week’s Rank: 5

#2. Milwaukee Bucks (+265/+550) - The Bucks have still not unveiled their best lineup this season but still have the second best record in the NBA. The grind of playing shorthanded seemed to catch up to the Bucks as they have lost three of their last four games. Strengths: Giannis Antetokounmpo and floor spacing. Weaknesses: Injuries. Last Week’s Rank: 1

#1. Boston Celtics (+210/+450) - The Celtics have now won nine in a row and own the best record in the NBA. The Derrick White trade looks better and better with each outstanding performance he gives, proving his playoff run wasn’t a fluke last season. And this team still hasn’t gotten Robert Williams III back. Strengths: Perimeter shooting, bench play. Weaknesses: Rebounding and turnover lapses. Last Week’s Rank: 2

Top-Five MVP Candidates thus far:

1. Giannis Antetokoumpo (+300) - As his team keeps winning and the injuries keep mounting, you appreciate the complete dominance of the Greek Freak more and more. And please let this man shoot free throws after the game in a stadium near you. Last Week’s Rank: 1

2. Luka Doncic (+270) - He has better odds than Antetokoumpo at this point and numbers that are almost video game-like but his team has cooled off. If the Bucks end up with a high seed, he might have a difficult time overtaking Antetokoumpo. Last Week’s Rank: 2

3. Jayson Tatum (+475) - No one questions the excellence of Kevin Durant, Steph Curry or LeBron James, but is it time to recognize Tatum as the #1 U.S.-born player in the league now? At just 24 years old, it looks like his time is now. Last Week’s Rank: 4

4. Steph Curry (+900) At +900, Curry could be the steal play of MVP futures. He will certainly get some votes based on his body of work alone and we all expect the Warriors to eventually get their road issues under control and climb up the Western Conference Standings. When they do, Curry’s numbers will really jump off the page. Last week’s Rank: 5

5. Nikola Jokic (+3000) - Jokic’s odds keep rising but don’t rule out the two-time MVP. Denver could end up a top-3 seed in the Western Conference and you can be sure that The Joker’s numbers will be there in the end. Last Week’s Rank: 4

• In parenthesis, conference odds and finals odds. Player MVP props also in parenthesis. All Courtesy of Draftkings.com

By Mark Ruelle