With the NBA Cup officially done, the NBA is now moving towards Christmas Day. Congratulations to the Milwaukee Bucks on winning the 2024 NBA Cup. This has been impressive for them as they turned around their season after a 2-8 start. Also, congratulations to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Atlanta Hawks for representing the top four in the In-Season Tournament.
Now, with only a few days left until Christmas. Let’s take a look at the games.
- San Antonio Spurs @ New York Knicks- Look for Victor Wembyama, the game’s biggest young star take on Karl Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson in the Garden.
- Minnesota Timberwolves @ Dallas Mavericks- Anthony Edwards and Minnesota are returning to Dallas for a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals against Luka Donic.
- Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics- Despite the disappointment, it is a matchup between the team with the flashiest offseason vs. the defending champs.
- Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors- Who else? LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry. Eight titles, and 16 final appearances between two of the game’s biggest stars in the past 10 years.
- Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns- The Joker, the reigning MVP vs. the three-headed monster in the Valley.
Let’s get right into it!
Next Week: December 27
*Stats are as of December 20, 2024
Risers: Bucks +7, Lakers +5, Blazers +4
Fallers: Warriors -9, Magic -5, Nuggets, Kings- 3
NBA Power Rankings Week 8/9
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 24-4(2) +1
OFF: 119.3 (1st) DEF: 106.8(7th) NET:+11.1 (2nd)
People might say the Cavaliers benefited from having an easy schedule the past couple of weeks. However, their win against the NBA Cup-winning Bucks has proved they are still a legit contender. Evan Mobley had his first 40-point game of his career against Charlotte. That is promising!
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 22-5 (3) +1
OFF: 112.5(9th) DEF: 100.7(1st) NET: +11.7(1st)
If I were the Thunder, I would care less about the NBA Cup result. A banner might have been nice but this is a team that is all about the results come in the spring. But the Thunder will need to figure out how to create more offense, especially in a playoff environment where the game slows down tremendously.
3. Boston Celtics 21-6 (1) -2
OFF: 117.0 (3rd) DEF: 108.1(9th) NET: +9.5 (4th)
When you are at the top of the league, a couple of losses might knock you down a peg or two. Nevertheless, the Celtics are fine. This team still loses a lot of threes. They are number one in attempts, and shoot seven more threes on average than the 2nd best team. Their loss to Chicago was a shocker but the Celtics shot 25% from three. Maybe that might be a threat to Boston if they match up with a pesky perimeter defensive team. But they still are top 10 in three-point percentage.
4. Memphis Grizzlies 19-9 (5) +1
OFF: 114.1(6th) DEF:104.9(4th) NET: +9.9 (3rd)
A loss to the Lakers wasn’t ideal but who cares? The Grizzlies are only 9 wins away from passing their win total of all of last year and look even better than they did in the 2021-2022 season. This team is out for revenge after being completely written off and Memphis has the most bench points in the NBA by far in the past two weeks. Let’s not forget they are the fastest pace team and now lead the league in total points.
5. New York Knicks 17-10 (7) +2
OFF: 117.5 (2nd) DEF:111.0 (15th) NET: +7.0 (5th)
Karl Anthony Towns’ revenge game had to be one of the best revenge games of all time. KAT posted 32 points and 20 rebounds on yes 83% shooting which was only 12 shoots and 5-5 from three. Yeah, that is a memorable game in my book. Looks like the Knicks are winning this trade so far.
6. Dallas Mavericks 17-10 (4) -2
OFF: 115.6 (4th) DEF: 109.8(12th) NET: +5.9(7th)
This slight drop had nothing to be concerned about. The Mavericks had two losses but one of the losses both Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic were out. It sounds like a proceed with caution type. Luka Donicic shows what he can bring when he’s healthy and in shape. A good example is the 143-133 win over the Warriors when put up a 45-point triple-double on 70% shooting.
7. Houston Rockets 18-9 (9) +2
OFF: 108.7(20th) DEF:102.9(2nd) NET: +6.5 (6th)
Unfortunately, the Rockets fell short in the NBA Cup semifinals. However, it is a great confidence booster for a team on the rise. It was a battle between the top 2 defenses in the NBA, but the Thunder had the edge offensively and in star power. Houston is still struggling offensively as they are 28th and 29th in field goal and three-point percentage.
8. Los Angeles Clippers 16-12 (10) +2
OFF: 108.9(18th) DEF: 106.8(6th) NET: +2.5 (13th)
Great news. Kawhi Leonard is close to making his return. Remember, how most people this team would be written off early? I’ll admit I was one of them. But not only the Clippers are in the playoff mix, but they are first in the deep Pacific Division. Ty Lue, you have done it again!
9. Milwaukee Bucks 14-12 (16) +7
OFF: 111.7(11th) DEF:110.4(14th) NET: +0.5 (15th)
Things are clicking for Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing the best basketball of his career and is a strong candidate to get his 3rd MVP. And let’s not forget about the NBA Cup banner they now hold. Let’s hope that the NBA Cup victory isn’t the peak of their season. Remember what happened to the Lakers last season?
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 14-12 (11) +1
OFF: 108.6(21st) DEF: 105.6(5th) NET:+3.1(9th)
It’s not a look when your former superstar comes into your building and provides a whopping. To add insult to injury, the former star you traded provides a 30-point-20 rebound revenge game. This has led to another callout by Anthony Edwards saying the Wolves have “no offensive identity”. Let’s hope this season isn’t identified by these callouts by their star.
11. Orlando Magic 17-12 (6) -5
OFF: 106.9 (25th) DEF:104.1(3rd) NET: +3.2 (8th)
Remember when the offense struggled without Paolo Banchero initially before Franz Wagner took over as the focal point? Yep, now with Wagner and Banchero out, the Magic will need everyone to step offensively for them to win games. Orlando still has the third best defense but their offense is still near bottom five of the league. Man, people must be hating on oblique injuries.
12. Miami Heat 13-12 (15) +3
OFF: 110.8(13th) DEF:109.4(10th) NET: +2.7 (10th)
Miami has some big wins against the Suns and Cavaliers and is looking like they are still going to be a contender this season. The big question will be about Jimmy Butler. Will he still be in Miami past February? He has been the heart and soul of Heat Culture in the past five years but it might be Miami to face reality for what might be best for Miami going forward.
13. Phoenix Suns 14-12 (13) –
OFF: 113.6 (7th) DEF:113.5(24th*) NET:-0.6 (16th)
The Suns are going to need to figure out two things for them to restore their status as a contender. The first thing is figuring how to manage Kevin Durant’s minutes. When KD is on the court, the Suns have only lost twice. Without him, it’s the opposite story. Phoenix also needs to get some defensive stoppers as they are ranked 24th in defensive efficiency.
14. Los Angeles Lakers 15-12 (19) +5
OFF:110.0(14th) DEF:112.3 (20th) NET: -2.9 (21st)
The Lakers have improved a bit in the past couple of weeks and this has been without LeBron James for a couple of those games. The biggest contributor has been their defense. The Lakers have been the number one team in defensive efficiency in the past two weeks. This team has finally shown promise on that end after looking horrible for most of the season.
15. Denver Nuggets 14-11 (12) -3
OFF:114.4(5th) DEF: 111.3(18th) NET: +2.5(12th)
It’s tough to put a team with the reigning MVP at the literal middle point of the league. However, Denver has lost to both Washington and Portland in the past 2 weeks. At least Jamal Murray has returned from injury but the Nuggets need a third star for them to maintain their status as a contender.
16. Atlanta Hawks 14-14 (14) -2
OFF: 108.9(19th) DEF:111.2(17th) NET:-2.0(20th)
Atlanta had a week that saw them coming back down to Earth. However, it has been nice to see how athletic and fast this Hawks team plays. De’Andre Hunter has looked like a star for December by averaging 22 points on 48% shooting which includes a 51% shooting from deep. Atlanta could be a sleeper in the playoffs.
17. Golden State Warriors 14-12 (8) -9
OFF: 109.7(17th) DEF:107.4(8th) NET: +2.0 (14th)
Since their 12-4 start right around Thanksgiving, the Warriors have gone 2-8 and fallen back down to Earth. Since December seven, Golden State’s efficiency numbers for offense and defense were 21st and 29th respectively. Even worse, Steph Curry had arguably the worst game of his career against the Grizzlies with two points in 24 minutes, and has shot under 40% for December.
18. San Antonio Spurs 14-14 (18) –
OFF: 109.9 (15th) ` DEF:111.0(15th) NET:-1.7 (17th)
It is crazy to think that a guy who isn’t even 21 yet is in the MVP conversation and the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. Yep, Victor Wembyama is leading the league in blocks at 3.5 and his numbers for December are a reminder for the rest of the NBA of what problem he will be for the next 10-15 years.
19. Indiana Pacers 13-15 (22) +3
OFF: 111.3 (12th) DEF:113.1 (22nd*) NET:-2.4(18th)
There was some spark this week with the Indiana Pacers offense which resulted in a 3-1 record the past two weeks. Tyrese Halliburton might be playing his best basketball before his injury last season, but their bench has been a huge difference as they are 8th in total bench points. This team is the most fun team to watch when their offense clicks.
20. Sacramento Kings 13-15 (17) –
OFF:113.0(6th) DEF:109.8(13th) NET: +2.5 (11th)
Are the De’Aaron Fox trade rumors true? It wouldn’t make sense to trade their star point guard because the Kings at their numbers look like a playoff contender. It is still early but Sacramento is 2 games below and is the 12th seed. A takeaway from this week was their slow starts. In the last couple of games, the Kings have been outscored by 14.5 points in the first quarter.
21. Chicago Bulls 13-15 (20) -1
OFF: 111.9(10th) DEF: 113.5(24th) NET:-2.8 (19th)
I know it might sound crazy to have a team that won 3 consecutive games which included a win against the Celtics dropping a spot. But do the Bulls believe that this core is anything better than a play-in team? Both Zach Lavine and Nikola Vucievic can net draft picks for Chicago at the rate they are playing.
22. Philadelphia 76ers 9-16 (23) +1
OFF: 106.0 (26th) DEF: 109.7(19th) NET:-4.0(23rd)
The good news for the 76ers is that they are only 4 games behind the current 6th seed and are 6-2 since their 3-14 start. The bad news is that rookie Jarred McCain is out indefinitely from a torn lateral meniscus after a terrific start. The nightmarish season has added another layer. Let’s hope Philly just gets into the postseason.
23. Detroit Pistons 11-17 (24) +1
OFF:107.8(23rd) DEF:111.6(19th) NET: -3.4 (22nd)
Some good news for the Pistons is that they only need four more wins to pass their total win total of all last season. Should we just give JB Bickerstaff the Coach of the Year award already? In all seriousness, the Pistons are one of the more improved teams obviously and Cade Cunningham is proving to be worthy of his all-star consideration especially in his triple-double against the Heat in a win.
24. Brooklyn Nets 11-16 (21) -3
OFF: 109.6(17th) DEF: 114.4(27th) NET: -4.0(23rd)
With Dennis Schroder being dealt, look for Brooklyn to become a possible seller by dealing with their top players for more assets and draft picks. Losses might start wracking up at a faster rate but this may be a resurgent season for Ben Simmons as coach Jordi Fernandez is looking to play at a faster pace.
25. Portland Trail Blazers 9-18 (29) +4
OFF: 104.7(28th) DEF:114.3 (26th) NET: -8.8 (27th)
The good news is that Portland has improved their play in the past couple of weeks by being relatively competitive in all their games. Even a nice game-winner against the Nuggets was something to smile at. Their offense has improved a bit but their defense has been a different story since being a middle pack defensive team early.
26. Utah Jazz 6-20 (26) –
OFF: 107.9(22nd) DEF:118.1 (30th) NET: -9.9(28th)
Can these guys defend at all? When you give up over 130 points a game on average in the past two weeks, there will be questions about what is causing that. The Jazz are dead last in turnovers and give up most points on turnovers. In fact, in their only win against the Pistons, they still managed to give up 100 points in 3 quarters.
27. Toronto Raptors 7-21 (25) -2
OFF: 107.6(24th) DEF:113.1 (22nd*) NET: -5.0 (25th)
Six consecutive losses is not something Raptors fans are looking to see. But at least they are competitive and this has been without Scottie Barnes as of late. The Raptors have struggled to start games as they have been outscored by an average of six points just the first quarter alone.
28. Charlotte Hornets 7-21 (27) -1
OFF: 105.6(27th) DEF: 112.5(21st) NET:-6.4 (26th)
Sooner or later, you will have to feel bad for LaMelo Ball. The superstar has box office written all over him. Yet, the Hornets look like they will have another sub-30-win season by losing 12 of 13. With Lamelo back in the past couple of games, it appears the shooting efficiency has taken a dip and it might have been due to rust and possible fatigue.
29. New Orleans Pelicans 5-23 (28) –
OFF: 104.2(29th) DEF:115.7 (28th) NET:-11.7(29th)
Another 2 weeks which has resulted in a 0-5 record. It is getting to the point, where the Pelicans are likely to be one of the top 5 sellers going into this year’s trade deadline. This includes the likes of Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, DeJounte Murray, and yes Zion Williamson. This project of being around Zion has been underwhelming and disappointing due to Zion’s lack of availability.
30. Washington Wizards 4-21 (30) –
OFF:102.2 (30th) DEF: 116.9 (29th) NET: -14.8(30th)
At least the Wizards won not just one game but two in the past two weeks! One of their wins was against the reigning MVP. Still, that statistic on all their losses so far this season. 20 of their 21 losses have been by double digits. At least, the Wizards got a couple of wins. six more wins to avoid futility.
Main Image: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images