NBA Week 7 Power Rankings
December 16, 2009
One of the tools that NBA handicappers use to make sure that they have the best chance of beating the NBA point spreads are power rankings. Each week Eric Williams posts his power rankings with his thoughts on why each team is placed where they are. I think it’s a pretty good read and something to keep in mind as you look to make your NBA picks for this week. If you are looking for a great place to get in on the action, then take a look at the $500 in match bonus money available to our readers by BetUS!
1. Boston Celtics 19-4 (up 1)
The Celtics won all three of their games this past week and have won 10 games in a row overall to reclaim the top spot in the weekly power rankings. The Celtics look like they are on a mission to return to the NBA Finals.
2. Los Angeles Lakers 18-4 (down 1)
The Lakers went 2-1 this past week, but have some major concerns for the near future with Kobe Bryant’s broken finger.
3. Dallas Mavericks 17-7 (up 4)
The Mavericks won all three of their games this past week with quality wins over Charlotte, Miami and Phoenix along the way. The Mavs could be L.A.’s top contender in the west this season.
4. Atlanta Hawks 17-6 (up 5)
The Hawks went 3-0 this past week and have the look of a very legitimate contender so far.
5. Orlando Magic 17-6 (down 2)
The Magic went 1-2 this past week, but lost two quality opponents in Utah and Phoenix.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 15-5 (down 1)
The Cavs went 2-2 over their four games this past week and generally have the look they’ve always had – LeBron and the Wannabes.
7. Denver Nuggets 17-7 (down 1)
Denver went 2-2 this past week, but are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the Western Conference this season.
8. Utah Jazz 14-9 (up 5)
The Jazz went 3-1 last week and have won 10 of 13 and suddenly look very strong with its savvy veteran-laden roster.
9. Phoenix Suns 16-8 (down 1)
A 1-2 week dropped the Suns in the power rankings and the team’s lack of defense is a glaring weakness if you ask me.
10. Houston Rockets 13-10 (same)
The Rockets went 2-1 last week and just keep on playing hard, led by all-star caliber point guard Aaron Brooks and the underrated Trevor Ariza.
11. San Antonio Spurs 12-9 (up 4)
The Spurs have won three consecutive games coming into this contest but I think they’ve got quite a way to go before they can be considered an elite ballclub.
12. Oklahoma City 12-10 (down 1)
The Thunder went 2-1 last week and just keep surprising their opponents by playing fantastic defense and getting stellar performances from Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook.
13. Charlotte Bobcats 14-11 (up 3)
The Bobcats have lost two straight games, but I like the way they’ve played since acquiring veteran forward Stephen Jackson and think they are going to give some team fits by the time the postseason rolls around.
14. Portland Trail Blazers 13-8 (down 2)
Portland has gone a dismal 1-3 over their last four games and appear to be totally out of synch after losing center Greg Oden. Veteran free agent Andre Miller doesn’t seem to be fitting in with his new ballclub.
15. Milwaukee Bucks 11-11 (up 3)
Milwaukee went 2-1 this past week, thanks to a whole lot of Brandon Jennings and just enough Andrew Bogut. Milwaukee is playing hard for head coach Scott Skiles every night out.
16. Detroit Pistons 11-12 (up 5)
The Pistons have won three consecutive games and are starting to find their new identity after parting ways with Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace.
17. Memphis Grizzlies 10-13 (up 6)
The Grizzlies have gone 4-1 over their last five games and 2-1 last week to move up the NBA power rankings in a big way. With Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo and Zach Randolph, the Grizzlies have three players that can score the ball at will.
18. Miami Heat 11-11 (down 4)
The Heat are really stating to look like the mediocre team that many expected them to be this season. I feel sorry for Dwyane Wade.
19. New Orleans Hornets 10-12 (up 1)
New Orleans won two of its three games this past week, but just don’t have enough firepower to compete with the top contenders in the Western Conference.
20. Sacramento Kings 10-12 (down 1)
The Kings went 1-2 last week but remain one of my favorite teams in the league this season. No matter the opponent, Sacramento doesn’t back down – a trait some other teams (Philly, Washington) need to take a lesson from.
21. Toronto Raptors 11-15 (up 1)
A 2-2 week did nothing to hide the fact that the Raptors are one of the league’s biggest underachieving ballclubs this season. Chris Bosh, Hedo Turkoglu, Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani should not be struggling like they have this season.
22. New York Knicks 8-15 (up 5)
The Knicks are playing very good basketball heading into Week 8 winning two games last week and four straight overall.
23. L.A. Clippers 9-13 (down 6)
The Clippers lost to San Antonio and Orlando this past week – and there is absolutely no shame in that.
24. Indiana Pacers 8-13 (up 1)
No Danny Granger for the next four weeks means this team could hit rock bottom pretty soon. Nevertheless, the Pacers went 2-1 this past week, thanks to the contributions of rookie Tyler Hansbrough who averaged 20 points per game during the two-game stint.
25. Chicago Bulls 8-14 (down 1)
The Bulls are a complete mess and their 1-3 week showed it. This team has a bit too much talent to be paying as poorly as they are this season.
26. Golden State Warriors 7-16 (same)
The Warriors went 1-3 last week in large part because they don’t play any defense whatsoever.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves 3-21 (up 1)
Head coach Kurt Rambis and assistant Bill Laimbeer are probably thinking about suiting up for the pathetic Timberwolves at this point. Both former power forwards would probably improve this team with no heart in a big way too. The Timberwolves went 0-4 this past week.
28. New Jersey Nets 2-22 (same)
The Nets have a boatload of young talent, but clearly are lacking when it comes to the mental aspects of the game. Still, Brook Lopez looks like the best young center in the game if you ask me!
29. Philadelphia 76ers 5-18 (down 3)
Philly lost all three of its games this past week and look like a bunch of clueless rookies under head coach Eddie Jordan if you ask me.
30. Washington Wizards 7-14 (same)
The Wizards lost both of their games this past week and are undeniably the biggest bunch of underachievers in the league this season. Washington has three all-star caliber players and several other talented players, yet their selfish style of play has produced nothing but losses time and time again.
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: