| Team | OS Computer Rank | Chris Walder Rank | Power | Schedule | Adjusted Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 1 | 2 | +43.92 | 0.48 | +21.18 |
| Cleveland | 2 | 1 | +29.71 | 0.53 | +15.69 |
| Boston | 3 | 3 | +25.36 | 0.52 | +13.27 |
| Memphis | 4 | 6 | +18.72 | 0.47 | +8.76 |
| New York | 5 | 5 | +10.44 | 0.48 | +5.04 |
| Houston | 6 | 4 | +16.24 | 0.53 | +8.55 |
| Denver | 7 | 7 | +9.06 | 0.42 | +3.84 |
| Milwaukee | 8 | 12 | -5.46 | 0.49 | -2.79 |
| LA Clippers | 9 | 10 | +1.62 | 0.47 | +0.76 |
| Dallas | 10 | 8 | -20.14 | 0.55 | -9.13 |
| Minnesota | 11 | 15 | +13.54 | 0.50 | +6.73 |
| Sacramento | 12 | 16 | -0.25 | 0.53 | -0.12 |
| Indiana | 13 | 11 | +3.59 | 0.49 | +1.75 |
| Miami | 14 | 17 | -12.78 | 0.49 | -6.58 |
| Golden State | 15 | 22 | +5.94 | 0.52 | +3.08 |
| Orlando | 16 | 9 | -20.13 | 0.50 | -10.14 |
| Detroit | 17 | 14 | +4.77 | 0.49 | +2.34 |
| Phoenix | 18 | 19 | -13.32 | 0.45 | -7.28 |
| LA Lakers | 19 | 13 | +5.50 | 0.47 | +2.56 |
| San Antonio | 20 | 20 | -9.03 | 0.55 | -4.10 |
| Atlanta | 21 | 18 | -2.33 | 0.56 | -1.04 |
| Chicago | 22 | 23 | +4.38 | 0.49 | +2.14 |
| Philadelphia | 23 | 24 | -5.98 | 0.51 | -2.91 |
| Charlotte | 24 | 28 | -7.17 | 0.49 | -3.63 |
| Toronto | 25 | 26 | -25.68 | 0.48 | -13.39 |
| Utah | 26 | 27 | -11.86 | 0.50 | -5.93 |
| Portland | 27 | 25 | -1.84 | 0.47 | -0.97 |
| Brooklyn | 28 | 21 | -23.11 | 0.51 | -11.31 |
| New Orleans | 29 | 29 | -9.70 | 0.46 | -5.24 |
| Washington | 30 | 30 | -46.34 | 0.50 | -23.02 |
NBA Power Ranking Notes (January 14, 2025)
The above NBA power rankings include a combined ranking conjured up by Odds Shark's computers stemming from data from the early portion of the 2024-25 regular season, along with the rankings of basketball expert Chris Walder to compare.
Here is where Chris differs most from the computer-generated rankings:
NBA Power Rankings Most Overrated Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
A 21-18 record has the Minnesota Timberwolves slotted as the eighth seed in the Western Conference, which is well below expectations and certainly short of being deserving of the third spot on the OS power rankings. They're, at best, a middle-of-the-pack team that's underperforming, and while it's not out of the realm of possibility that Minnesota could make a run during the second half of the season, an optimistic outlook doesn't warrant such high standing as of now.
NBA Power Rankings Most Underrated Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Anything other than the No. 1 or 2 spot for arguably the best team in basketball is a gigantic flaw in the computer's rationale here. The Cleveland Cavaliers have rallied for a 15-game winning streak to start the season and just recently a 12-game winning streak, as well. They've lost five games in total and own the first-ranked offense, so why does it make sense to have them slotted at 13th? The answer is that it doesn't.
How Are NBA Power Rankings Created?
* Power rankings are updated every Monday and Friday of the NBA regular season. Ranks are based on a rolling 20-game range; early in the season, this date range reaches back to regular-season games of the previous year.
How many times have you looked at the NBA standings and saw a team that seems to have good talent and excellent stats, near the bottom of the standings? Did you think “That’s strange. I’ll bet they're an underdog tonight against a team they can beat.”)
This happens all the time because standings only detail past wins and losses. They don't help you predict NBA futures, nor do they give an accurate picture of the true strength of each team relative to one another -- that’s what an NBA Power Rankings grid is for! We aim to crunch all the important stats – field-goal percentage, three-point defense, ATS road victories, home rebounding and more -- to rate all NBA teams based on our unique handicapping formulas.
One team’s weakness may play perfectly into another's strength. Compare these power rankings against NBA point-spread and NBA moneylines to find an edge and you'll have a better chance of winning your wagers! See below for a ratings chart that details all the nerd math underlying our rankings.
The NBA Power Rankings page here at Odds Shark factors in home and road scoring, rebounding, margin of victory average, three-pointers per game, free-throw percentage, and more. We rate each team in each category and apply our weightings to each. We do the same for the defensive end of the court – steals, defensive rebounding, road and home efficiencies, which teams defend the perimeter, and more.
We take an overall power number and multiply it by a strength-of-schedule weighting that gives our overall NBA power rank. That list should help you judge the best odds on the NBA spread and moneyline at your favorite sportsbook. It’s part of our commitment to provide better NBA data, truer NBA rankings and stats that help you win more often!
Good luck with your NBA handicapping and bookmark this page for weekly power rank updates.
