| Team | Chris Walder Rank | OS Computer Rank | Power | Schedule | Adjusted Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 1 | 13 | +23.83 | 0.42 | +10.08 |
| Oklahoma City | 2 | 2 | +30.70 | 0.49 | +14.94 |
| Boston | 3 | 1 | +39.95 | 0.48 | +19.26 |
| Memphis | 4 | 19 | +30.71 | 0.43 | +13.16 |
| Houston | 5 | 18 | +24.56 | 0.48 | +11.75 |
| Dallas | 6 | 14 | +14.68 | 0.44 | +6.52 |
| Orlando | 7 | 15 | +25.02 | 0.42 | +10.39 |
| New York | 8 | 5 | +18.34 | 0.42 | +7.62 |
| Golden State | 9 | 12 | +7.78 | 0.54 | +4.23 |
| LA Clippers | 10 | 7 | +15.57 | 0.48 | +7.43 |
| Miami | 11 | 17 | +19.69 | 0.49 | +9.65 |
| Denver | 12 | 4 | -1.66 | 0.49 | -0.85 |
| Milwaukee | 13 | 11 | +7.03 | 0.50 | +3.50 |
| LA Lakers | 14 | 20 | -21.72 | 0.47 | -11.51 |
| Minnesota | 15 | 3 | +18.48 | 0.49 | +9.03 |
| Phoenix | 16 | 10 | -1.08 | 0.47 | -0.57 |
| Atlanta | 17 | 22 | -8.54 | 0.48 | -4.41 |
| San Antonio | 18 | 26 | -6.35 | 0.45 | -3.49 |
| Sacramento | 19 | 16 | -2.52 | 0.48 | -1.33 |
| Brooklyn | 20 | 23 | -20.91 | 0.52 | -9.97 |
| Indiana | 21 | 9 | -11.49 | 0.44 | -6.47 |
| Chicago | 22 | 21 | -0.21 | 0.53 | -0.10 |
| Detroit | 23 | 28 | -14.16 | 0.51 | -6.94 |
| Portland | 24 | 27 | -30.25 | 0.51 | -14.70 |
| Philadelphia | 25 | 8 | -9.81 | 0.55 | -4.45 |
| Toronto | 26 | 25 | -20.16 | 0.56 | -8.82 |
| Charlotte | 27 | 30 | -4.66 | 0.55 | -2.12 |
| New Orleans | 28 | 6 | -40.92 | 0.54 | -18.89 |
| Utah | 29 | 24 | -27.07 | 0.55 | -12.18 |
| Washington | 30 | 29 | -57.94 | 0.61 | -22.67 |
NBA Power Ranking Notes (December 11, 2024)
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: New Orleans Pelicans
The largest discrepancy between my personal power rankings and that of the computer is easily the New Orleans Pelicans, with a difference of 22 spots on each front.
They're starting to get some bodies back in the lineup, thankfully, yet they still only have a single victory since Nov. 16 and currently own the worst record in all of basketball. The computer slotting New Orleans sixth overall is utterly ridiculous.
NBA Power Rankings Most Underrated Team: Houston Rockets
Underrated? That's an understatement. The computer rankings have the Houston Rockets 18th overall, yet in reality, they sit third in the Western Conference with a 16-8 record SU, the second-best defense, and sixth-best net rating.
Algorithms are what they are, but this one needs to offer more respect to arguably the most pleasant surprise of the season in Houston.
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.
