Week 16 NBA Power Rankings: The Suns Make History

Image © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

✍️ Written by :

Frank Weber

🗓 Updated :

Aug 23rd 2023

1. Phoneix Suns (40-9) (-)

For the third week in a row, the Phoenix Suns rank atop the rest of the NBA in the Oddsseeker NBA Power Rankings. This comes while they are on a 10-game winning streak, which cemented Monty William’s spot as head coach of the NBA All-Star Game’s Team LeBron.

The Suns are the first team in NBA history to go 8-0 or better on the road in multiple months in a single season, doing so in November and January. The Suns are out here setting records this season, and will look to carry this success all the way to an NBA Championship. They are currently +700 to win the finals on BetMGM, which may not be too bad of a bet if you are interested in betting NBA futures.

2. Golden State Warriors (37-13) (+1)

The Warriors are beginning to turn things back on track after their abysmal January. The Warriors capped off a 6-1 homestand with a win over the Nets, doing so with a hurt Draymond Green and a slumping Stephen Curry. If the Warriors can figure out Steph’s struggles and have the rest of the team remain healthy, they could find themselves back in the #1 spot in no time. However, this last stretch of play has proven that even without their stars, the Warriors are no cakewalk.

3. Memphis Grizzlies (35-17) (-1)

If the Grizzlies win the championship this year, I deserve a ring. I’ve been the biggest Grizzlies fan all year, and still think they will take home the championship this year. Seeing as how they are at +2500 to win it all on BetMGM Sportsbook, it’s fair to say I’m the only one showing them any respect. Ja Morant is continuing his historic stretch of play, having scored 400+ points in January alone–which is the most by any Grizzly in any month.

4. Philadelphia 76ers (30-19) (+2)

Joel Embiid is quickly proving why he is one of the best players not only in the NBA right now, but in NBA history. Embiid has scored over 30 points in seven of his last eight games, and has surpassed the 40 point mark three times in that stretch. The Sixers are currently on a four-game win streak, and have won seven of their last ten. Now we all await to see what they do with Ben Simmons and if they can deal him before the February 10th trade deadline.

5. Miami Heat (32-18) (-1)

The Heat lost a heart-wrenching triple-overtime game against the Raptors this weekend, marking an end to their three-game win streak. Jimmy Butler continues to prove why he is one of the best scorers in the league, averaging 26.3 points per game in his last four. The Heat still sit atop the Eastern Conference but sit at +600 to finish the season there, according to BetMGM.

6. Milwaukee Bucks (31-21) (-1)

This is the first time the Bucks have moved on these Power Rankings in a while, and if I’m being honest it’s more so because of what OTHER teams are doing, not them. The Bucks continue to be the modicum of consistency in the NBA, winning 5 of their last 10 and remaining 10 games over 500.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-20) (-)

This Cavaliers team is special, and I’ll be the first to raise my hand and admit that I didn’t recognize that sooner. They’ve won eight of their last ten, and are having the success they haven’t seen since the Lebron James years. The Cavs are another sneaky championship contender, coming in at +5000 per BetMGM.

8. Denver Nuggets (28-21) (+5)

The Nuggets are the second team solely led by their big man in the NBA, and like Embiid and the Sixers, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is proving he doesn’t need any help to get the job done. Jokic has five triple-doubles in his last nine games and continues to be an MVP threat.

9. Chicago Bulls (31-18) (+2)

The Bulls are still rebounding from their sluggish January but should have something to look forward to in the All-Star game, seeing as how they’re sending two teammates to the big week for the first time since 2015-16. Demar DeRozen and Zach LaVine will look to spring this All-Star momentum into more wins for the streaky Bulls.

10. Dallas Mavericks (29-22) (-1)

Luka Doncic seems to have taken his lack-of-invite to the All-Star game personally. He’s averaged 30 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 9.3 assists over his past seven games. While he’s not an All-Star starter, there's no question he’ll at least be a reserve.