NBA Perfect (Week of Nov. 27)
The NBA In-Season Tournament will hit the late stages next week and some of the league’s premier teams may not even be a part of it. They may not be In-Season Tourney-ready, but do they still make the cut in our Perfect 10? Let’s dive into this week’s Perfect Ten.
Perfect Ten (Week of November 27th)
#10. Sacramento Kings (9-6) (+2000/+4500) - Slow week for the Kings but they’ve still won seven of ten overall. Strengths: The Kings look far more potent on offense with Fox back in the fold. Weaknesses: Will the Kings’ brass make the right moves at the deadline to give this team a chance in the playoffs? Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#9. Dallas (10-6) (+1200/+2500) - The Mavs have played .500 ball since a hot start to the season. Strengths: Thus far, the Mavs role players have thrived as the team spaces the floor and Doncic finds the open man. Weaknesses: Add Doncic’s thumb sprain to Irving’s series of aches and pains and this team could fall back in a crowded Western Conference field. Last Week’s Rank: 10th
#8. Orlando Magic (12-5) (+7000/+20,000) - There’s a new Florida team in our Perfect Ten and this young team has won seven straight games. Strengths: The Magic have a nice blend of size and scoring guards that are causing teams fits. Weaknesses: They’re young, so how they handle the first sign of adversity will be interesting. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#7. OKC Thunder (11-5) (+3500/+6500) - The Thunder will not sink quietly down the rankings. They play fast, and aggressively and exploit mistakes. Strengths: The Thunder have accumulated several assets, including picks, that they can use to bring in a key player via trade. Weaknesses: Some off-the-court issues with Giddey have surfaced that could derail this team. Last Week’s Rank: 6th
#6. Phoenix Suns (11-6) (+360/+700) - The Suns are back in the Perfect Ten after reeling off seven straight wins. Strengths: Booker looks better than ever and, while they still don’t have their Big Three, they have a dynamic duo in Booker and Durant. Weaknesses: Do the Suns have enough depth for a deep playoff run? Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#5. Denver Nuggets (11-6) (+225/+425) - The Nuggets continue to struggle a bit with Murray out but the decision to sit him for November should pay off in the long run. Strengths: The growth of Weaknesses: Aaron Gordon’s absence does indicate how thin the Nuggets are upfront. Last Week’s Rank: 4th
#4. Philadelphia 76ers (11-5) (+600/+1300) - The Sixers have stumbled a bit since Oubre went down. They need to continue to tinker with their rotation until he is ready to return. Strengths: With the departure of Harden, the Sixers have brought in some solid role players who don’t need the ball in their hands to be effective. Weaknesses: Can Tobias Harris maintain a high level of play throughout the season or could he end up being trade bait for a better fit? Last Week’s Rank: 2nd
#3. Milwaukee Bucks (12-5) (+190/+425) - The Bucks have won eight of ten games and seem to be the team most thought they’d be now. Strengths: The inside/outside game of Giannis and Dame Lillard may be second only to Jokic and Murray. Weaknesses: Will the Bucks suffer on the defensive end long-term without a legitimate stopper in the backcourt? Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
#2. Minnesota Timberwolves (12-4) (+1300/+3000) - The T-Wolves’ defense remains the best in the league in keeps them near the top of the standings. Strengths: The Timberwolves showed some toughness in the near-brawls against the Warriors in what turned out to be a playoff-atmosphere-type contest. Weaknesses: Does Minnesota have enough scoring after Towns and Edwards? Last Week’s Rank: 5th
#1. Boston Celtics (13-4) (+155/+380) -A decent week was soured by a poor performance in Orlando in a tournament matchup. Strengths: Jayson Tatum’s improved overall game is making it very difficult to contain him late in games. Weaknesses: The injury bug has finally hit Kristaps Porzigis. He’s out for the week with a calf injury as the C’s play it very safe. Last Week’s Rank: 1st
Top-Five MVP Candidates:
At the start of December, I will begin to rank the Top Five MVP candidates on a weekly basis 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.
GAME OF THE WEEK:
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns Friday at 10:00 PM EST
Season Record 3-0: We had the Kings upending the T-Wolves at home last week and were proved correct in a 15-point Kings win on the road.
The Suns not only added Bradley Beal in a deal this summer but the addition of Portland center Jusuf Nurkic gives them the kind of physicality they need against Denver’s Jokic. Will he shut him down? No, of course not. But he will make him work and, assuming KD is ready to go, the Suns' dynamic weapons will do the rest.
In parenthesis, conference odds and finals odds. Player MVP props are also in parenthesis. All odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com.
By Mark Ruelle