NBA Perfect Ten (Week of February 6th)
The Kyrie Drama is over…for now. Just a few days left until the trade deadline, which could alter this list drastically. Let’s take a look at this week’s Perfect-Ten and the Top Five MVP Candidates.
Perfect Ten (Week of February 6th)
#10. Miami Heat (+1500/+4000) - The Heat’s odds also dropped with Kyrie’s departure and they are certainly capable of being a postseason threat. Strengths: Ability to adjust to the opposition. Playoff savvy. Weaknesses: Consistency of play from the team’s 3pt shooting wings. Last Week’s Rank: 10
#9. Los Angeles Clippers (+400/+800) - They didn’t get Kyrie but the Clippers are getting healthy and the duo of George and Leonard are closing games strong. Strengths: Leonard and George getting stronger playing off of each other. Weaknesses: Health and consistent offense. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#8. Brooklyn Nets (+650,+2000) - Will this be the last time the Nets are in our Perfect Ten this season? Kyrie is gone and Durant is still hurt. The haul for Irving was marginal; Dinwiddie is solid but not spectacular and Finney-Smith is a bench piece but they did get some picks. Strengths: The circus atmosphere created by Irving’s constantly changing mind is gone. Weaknesses: Can Dinwiddie provide enough offense to support Durant? And, how long before Durant wants out? Last Week’s Rank: 6
#7. Sacramento Kings (+2200/+6000) - The fast-paced Kings are still first in the Pacific Division ahead of the likes of the Clippers and Warriors. Strengths: Scoring and pace of play. Weaknesses: Interior defense and rebounding. Last Week’s Rank: 7
#6. Cleveland Cavaliers (+1000/+2500) - The Cavs were in a fighting mood last week and are now just a ½ game behind Brooklyn. Strengths: Perimeter shooting Weaknesses: Rebounding Last Week’s Rank: 8
#5. Memphis Grizzlies (+450/+1000) - Things are getting interesting in the Western Conference. Should the Grizzlies be concerned with a rough patch right now? Strengths: Scoring and ability to create turnovers. Weaknesses: Inconsistent shooting and perimeter defense. Last Week’s Rank: 5
#4. Philadelphia 76ers (+400/+850) - Another team that benefits from the trade. Philly will likely stand pat at the deadline but they have the tools..if healthy. Strengths: Philly heating up at the right time and Harden could be heavily motivated after a perceived all-star snub. Weaknesses: Can Doc protect Embiid down the stretch and keep him fresh for the playoffs? Last Week’s Rank: 3
#3. Milwaukee Bucks (+250/+650) - Like Boston, the Bucks odds lowered with Kyrie’s trade to the Western Conference. They are hot with seven straight wins. Strengths: Improved offense and quality 3pt shooters. Weaknesses: Half court offense late in games. Last Week’s Rank: 4
#2. Denver Nuggets (+340/+700) - The Nuggets are hot on the heels for the NBA’s best record. Dallas’ addition of Kyrie could alter the playoff landscape a bit. Strengths: Offense perfectly in tune around Jokic. Continued improvement of Murray. Weaknesses: Defensive big behind Jokic. Last Week’s Rank: 2
#1. Boston Celtics (+155/+330) - Note the drop in odds for the Cs this week despite a so-so recent run. The reason is simple: the oddsmakers were still favoring the Nets if healthy. Kyrie is gone and the Nets are dropping in their eyes. Strengths: Improved defense with the return of the Time Lord, Robert Williams III. Weaknesses: An additional quality big protecting the fragile health of Williams III. Last Week’s Rank: 1
Top-Five MVP Candidates thus far:
Nikola Jokic (-115) - Denver is a half-game behind Boston for the league’s best record and Jokic continues to lead the way. Last Week’s Rank: 1
Joel Embiid (+300) - Embiid’s MVP odds have steadied at +300. Philly will likely need to surpass Denver if Embiid wants to take this award over the Joker. Last Week’s Rank: 2
Luka Doncic (+800) - Luka’s odds jumped up another +100 this week and could continue to rise with the addition of Kyrie. Luka’s numbers will likely reduce slightly which will probably be good for the Mavs but bad for his MVP chances. Last Week’s Rank: 3
Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1300) - The Bucks have won seven straight and Giannis has been playing his best ball of the season. Too many candidates are likely in front of him but +1300 is certainly a healthy number to consider taking a shot with. Last week’s Rank: 4
Jayson Tatum (+1400) - Tatum’s odds are officially the highest that they’ve been all year. Tatum is likely a year away from this award. Should Boston advance to the Finals this season and win it, he will be a favorite next year. Last Week’s Rank: 5
In parenthesis, conference odds and finals odds. Player MVP props also in parenthesis. Title odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com; MVP odds courtesy of Rotowire.com.
By Mark Ruelle