The Cavaliers have the NBA's best record (31-4) and they are currently on a 10-game winning streak (after opening the season with 15-straight wins). Cleveland has the NBA's best offense and sixth-best defense.
The Thunder have the NBA's top-ranked defense and ninth-best offense. They have won 15-straight games and are running away with the Western Conference. On Wednesday, OKC has a chance to take down the Cavs and earn the top spot in these power rankings.
The defending-champion Celtics have the NBA's second-best offense and seventh-best defense. Boston is averaging 18.4 made threes per game, which is on pace to shatter the NBA record of 16.7 per game by the 2020-21 Jazz.
After finishing as a .500 team and missing the playoffs last season, the Rockets have the second-best record in the Western Conference. This is in large part due to their defense, which is the third-best in the NBA.
This season, only two NBA teams rank in the top-six both offensively and defensively: the Cavaliers and the Grizzlies. Memphis has the fourth-best defense and sixth-best offense. The Grizzlies have the third-best record in the West, and Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Co. have had several years to develop chemistry.
The Knicks have the NBA's third-best offense and 15th-best defense. Karl-Anthony Towns has been a terrific addition for New York, as he's averaging 25.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks.
The Nuggets have the fourth-best offense in the NBA, but they have struggled defensively (ranking 18th). Nikola Jokic is averaging a career-high 31.5 points to go along with 13.0 rebounds, 9.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
Kawhi Leonard made his season debut on Saturday and will gradually ramp up his minutes and usage, but he joins a team that has the NBA's fifth-best defense. While the Clippers have struggled offensively (ranking 22nd), Leonard should help once he returns to form.
The Timberwolves have the NBA's eighth-best defense, but their offense is ranked 19th in the league. Anthony Edwards has been excellent, but he recently expressed his frustration with the double-teams and traps he's been seeing.
Luka Doncic is sidelined for the next few weeks due to a left calf strain, and the Mavericks have struggled without him. Kyrie Irving and Co. will need to step up over the next few weeks while Doncic is out. But this team is terrific when at full strength.
The Lakers currently have the NBA's 11th-best offense and 21st-ranked defense, and they have a negative point differential. It's tough to know what to make of this team, but I like the additions of Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
The Bucks are only 18-16, but they have a ton of potential. They currently have the NBA's 10th-best defense and 12th-best offense, plus legitimate superstars in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. With an easy January schedule, they can gain some momentum.
Despite missing Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Moe Wagner, and Jalen Suggs due to injuries, the Magic beat the Knicks on Monday. Jamahl Mosley's group is tough, physical, and terrific defensively. Once they get healthy, this team will be a tough out in the playoffs.
The Pacers' eighth-ranked offense has carried this team, but their 23rd-ranked defense has held them back. However, Indiana has won three straight games and their defensive effort seems to significantly better.
During his sophomore season, Victor Wembanyama has improved his points (25.6), rebounds (10.8), blocks (4.0), field goal percentage (48.0%), three-point percentage (35.4%), and free-throw percentage (87.3%). Wemby is realizing his potential, which is terrifying for the rest of the league.
Miami is a well-coached team that ranks 14th in the league both offensively and defensively. However, as of late, all of the talk surrounding this Heat team is about disgruntled star Jimmy Butler and his future (and understandably so).
Cade Cunningham is averaging career-highs in points (24.4), assists (9.5), rebounds (6.7), blocks (0.8), field goal percentage (45.1%), and three-point percentage (37.7%). Most importantly, his breakout has translated to winning basketball, as Detroit has won four straight and is currently the East's seventh-best team.
The Warriors have the NBA's ninth-best defense and 16th-ranked offense. Golden State hoped that Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga would take significant steps forward and give Stephen Curry some help, but that hasn't happened.
When the Kings fired head coach Mike Brown on Dec. 28, they had lost six straight games. They have yet to lose since making that controversial decision, winning five straight with interim head coach Doug Christie leading the way.
Sacramento now has the NBA's seventh-best offense and 15th-best defense.
The Hawks have the NBA's 15th-best offense and 20th-ranked defense. Dyson Daniels have been a great find for Atlanta and Jalen Johnson has come into his own alongside Trae Young, but this team has lost three games in a row.
Philadelphia has the 13th-best defense, but the 76ers have struggled offensively, ranking 23rd in the league. It doesn't help that Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George have missed a combined 37 games.
After losing seven of eight games and dropping to 12th in the Western Conference, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer benched Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic for Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee. We'll see if Phoenix can turn things around, but even Devin Booker recently admitted that "the vibes are low."
The Bulls went from making the third-fewest three-pointers per game in the NBA last season (11.5) to the second-most threes per game this year (16.4). The change in approach has worked, as Chicago's offense now ranks 13th in the league.
The Nets have the NBA's 23rd-ranked offense and 25th-ranked defense. Brooklyn already traded Dennis Schroder to the Warriors and Cam Johnson could be the next piece moved. The Nets are definitely sellers to watch as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches.
The Blazers are the second-youngest team in the NBA, with an average age of 24.2 years old, and it shows. Portland has struggled on both ends of the court this season, ranking 28th in offense and 26th in defense.
The Jazz have the NBA's worst defense, allowing 116.4 points per 100 possessions. As a result, they have the second-worst record in the Western Conference. Utah is set up nicely with a ton of future draft picks, but this season has been rough.
During Toronto's Media Day, Jakob Poeltl candidly told reporters that this team is "a long-term project" and that "it makes no sense for us to try to win every single game... and sacrifice development." He added: "We all know we are not going to attack the championship this year." Well, Poeltl was right. Toronto has the 25th-ranked offense and 27th-ranked defense.
The Hornets have struggled mightily on the offensive end, with the NBA's 29th-ranked offense. They have been better defensively, ranking 17th this season. LaMelo Ball is averaging a career-high 29.8 points, but it hasn't translated into wins.
The Pelicans have the worst record in the Western Conference and the second-worst record in the NBA. This team has been a huge disappointment, but it doesn't help that Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, and Trey Murphy III have already missed a combined 91 games.
Unlike the Pelicans, nobody expected the Wizards to be good, so it isn't shocking that they have the NBA's worst record. Washington has the NBA's 30th-ranked offense and 29th-ranked defense, so they are getting destroyed on both ends of the court.
