NBA Perfect Ten (Week of January 2nd)
The New Year is here and the season is near the halfway point. Let’s dive into this week’s Perfect Ten.
Perfect Ten (Week of January 2nd)
#10. Miami Heat (19-14) (+1300/+3500) - The Heat keep getting contributions up and down the roster and remain a playoff threat, especially if they can add something at the trade deadline. Strengths: The Heat have the best coach in the league and he can break down matchups with the best of them. Weaknesses: The Heat will need to make a move to challenge the top three teams in the East. Last Week’s Rank: 10th
#9. Sacramento Kings (19-13) (+2000/+4500) - The Kings have kept chugging along this season as other teams have jumped up and down the standings in the Western Conference. Strengths: The Kings spread the floor effectively and have D'Aaron Fox to finish games. Weaknesses: Size and physicality can give the Kings’ problems. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#8. New Orleans Pelicans (20-13) (+2500/+5500) - Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have been healthy and the Pels look like a playoff team. Strengths: Lost in all of the focus on Williamson, Ingram is playing at an all-star level again. Weaknesses: Can the Pels manage Williamson down the stretch to keep him healthy? Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#7. LA Clippers (20-12) (+550/+1100) - The Clippers have reeled off three straight wins and have pushed back 20 wins. Strengths: The Clippers have as strong a half-court offense as there is in the NBA at this point. Weaknesses: This is a team that just needs to get to the playoffs, so they may need to consistently rest Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and even James Harden at points during the season. Last Week’s Rank: 7th
#6. OKC Thunder (23-9) (+900/+2200) - OKC is talented and looks capable of beating anyone on any given day. Strengths: The Thunders’ backcourt, led by SGA, is bordering on elite at this point. Weaknesses: The Thunder may have to part with a wing to get more size down low. Last Week’s Rank: 6th
#5. Philadelphia 76ers (23-10) (+475/+1100) - Joel Embiid returned this week and the dominance came with him. Strengths: The Sixers have taken to Nick Nurse’s coaching style very well and look like they’re capable of winning even without Embiid at his best. Weaknesses: Having said that, Embiid is the straw that stirs the drink. Perhaps he should be rested a bit more in the regular season. Last Week’s Rank: 5th
#4. Denver Nuggets (24-11) (+215/+425) - The Nuggets seem to be on cruise control so far this season and haven’t ripped off a big win streak as of yet. Strengths: This team plays with the confidence of a champion. Weaknesses: Aaron Gordon’s recent injury (dog bit his face) underscores this team’s need for some depth at the four. Last Week’s Rank: 4th
#3. Minnesota Timberwolves (24-8) (+900/+2000) - The Wolves remain atop the Western Conference standings but are still not favored by the oddsmakers. Strengths: Anthony Edwards is pushing his way toward the top ten NBA players. Weaknesses: The Thunder showed some glaring weaknesses of the Wolves by playing fast. Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
#2. Milwaukee Bucks (24-9) (+200/+475) - The Bucks have won eight of ten and remain just off the Celtics’ pace. Strengths: Khris Middleton’s game is rounding back into form. Weaknesses: The Bucks don’t have a viable option behind Dame Lillard. Last Week’s Rank: 2nd
#1. Boston Celtics (26-7) (+155/+350) - The Celtics routed the Spurs before falling to OKC on Tuesday night. They remain the class of the NBA. Strengths: The league’s best starting five is loaded with matchup nightmares. Weaknesses: The Celtics are still in search of a dual guard type to spell Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. Last Week’s Rank: 1st
Top-Five MVP Candidates:
Here are my Top Five MVP candidates in the NBA at this point along with their current odds to take the award.
#1. Joel Embiid Phi (+220) - the reigning MVP has been the most dominant force this season and added to that with a triple-double upon his return from injury this week. There’s still plenty of season left but he’s the deserved favorite right now.
#2. Luka Doncic (+500) - Doncic was in the discussion for much of last season before he appeared to tire down the stretch and the Mavs fell off. He has been his usual dominant self this season and has kept the Mavs afloat as Kyrie Irving sits.
#3. Nikola Jokic (+260) - Jokic might take on the role of Embiid this season and come from behind to take this award late in the season. He remains the most well-rounded force in the game.
#4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+400) - the best player from the league’s most surprising team deserves mention in the MVP race. The team’s record and Gilgeous-Alexander’s health will determine how long he stays in the top five.
#5. Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1500) - you can’t keep the most dominant force in the NBA out of the top five. He could also end up rising in the ranks if the Bucks get close to 60 wins this season. This is a number to keep an eye on and consider taking. He won’t be at +1500 for too long.
Game of the Week, Season Record 4-6: The Knicks were trounced by Indiana this week to drop us two games under .500 in our Game of the Week picks.
Memphis at Lakers: The brash Memphis Grizzlies head into LA, the site of several dust-ups between the two teams. Even without some of the players that caused the turmoil last year, you can bet LeBron hasn’t forgotten. I like the Lakers big in this one.
In parenthesis, conference odds and finals odds. Player MVP props are also in parenthesis. All odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com.
By Mark Ruelle