The surprises continue across the NBA as the third week of the 2022-23 season gets underway.
The six- Milwaukee Bucks stand alone as the final undefeated group, and get proper placement at the leading of this week’s energy rankings. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. have not had the toughest schedule so far but clutched out critical wins against other leading Eastern Conference contenders, such as the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks.
The Cleveland Cavaliers presently sit ideal behind Milwaukee in the East, as the offseason addition of Donovan Mitchell has helped jumpstart Cleveland’s return to significant postseason contention this year.
Meanwhile in the West, the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers sit atop the conference, but the surprising six-two Utah Jazz have not faltered like a lot of anticipated them to, so far. Utah notched back-to-back property wins against the Memphis Grizzlies. Whether the Jazz can retain it up has however to be determined, but their early accomplishment is nevertheless recognized in this week’s rankings.
The Miami Heat have surprisingly underperformed so far, joining the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers on a list of teams constructed to be win-now contenders on paper but have not lived up to expectations on the court however. However, Miami’s outlook for the rest of the year is nevertheless a great deal a lot more constructive compared to Brooklyn and Los Angeles.
Note: Throughout the common season, our panel (Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 teams from leading to bottom, taking stock of which teams are playing the very best basketball now and which teams are hunting most like title contenders.
Previous rankings: Week 1 | Week two |
1. Milwaukee Bucks
2022-23 record: six-
Previous week’s ranking: 1
The Bucks are six- for the third time in franchise history. In the prior two situations (1971-72 and 2018-19), they completed with 60 wins and the league’s MVP (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Giannis Antetokounmpo, respectively). It’s nevertheless early, but Antetokounmpo is displaying indicators of asserting himself into contention for that award once more, racking up at least 30 points in 5 straight games, the second-longest streak of his profession (six straight in November 2019). — Collier
two. Phoenix Suns
2022-23 record: six-1
Previous week’s ranking: three
It has been a week complete of history for the Point God. On Saturday against the Rockets, Chris Paul completed with 15 assists and zero turnovers. It was the ninth time he has had at least 15 assists in a game with no turnovers, which is second all time in NBA history behind only John Stockton (14) given that person turnovers had been 1st tracked in 1977-78. Paul is also the oldest player to have a 15-help game given that a 38-year-old Steve Nash did it for the Suns on March 28, 2012. And on Tuesday against the Wolves, Paul joined LeBron James as the only players in NBA history with 21,000 points and ten,000 assists.
— Lopez
three. Cleveland Cavaliers
2022-23 record: five-1
Previous week’s ranking: six
Kevin Love was hotter than fish grease in Sunday’s win against the Knicks, scoring 29 points in 22 minutes. He did his harm with eight 3s and eight rebounds to extend the Cavs’ winning streak to 5. Just wait till Darius Garland gets back from his eye injury. Cleveland appears like the true deal.
— McMenamin
four. Boston Celtics
2022-23 record: four-two
Previous week’s ranking: two
Predictably, the Celtics are struggling devoid of large man Robert Williams III on the glass. They presently rank 24th in rebounding price, per NBA.com sophisticated stats. In the meantime, they are cobbling collectively a large-man rotation of Noah Vonleh, Blake Griffin and Luke Kornet behind starter Al Horford.
— Bontemps
five. Portland Trail Blazers
2022-23 record: five-1
Previous week’s ranking: eight
Damian Lillard suffered a strained calf and will be reevaluated in a single to two weeks. Without the team’s franchise player, Anfernee Simons went for 30 points against Houston, sliding back into the function he had final season when Lillard was out and CJ McCollum was traded. Jusuf Nurkic had his very best game of the season against the Rockets with 27 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. Portland will quickly discover out regardless of whether it is for true: Six of its subsequent seven games are on the road, whilst its subsequent 3 games are against Memphis and a back-to-back at Phoenix.
— Youngmisuk
six. New Orleans Pelicans
2022-23 record: four-two
Previous week’s ranking: 9
The Pelicans had been devoid of Zion Williamson for two games and have been devoid of Herb Jones and Brandon Ingram for 3 every single. Naji Marshall is the cause they’ve created it by way of these games. Starting in spot of Jones, Marshall has averaged 17.7 points on 57.1% shooting (six-of-14 from deep) whilst drawing Jones’ common assignment of guarding the opposing team’s leading perimeter player.
–– Lopez
7. Memphis Grizzlies
2022-23 record: four-three
Previous week’s ranking: four
How a great deal does Memphis miss Jaren Jackson Jr., who is recovering from surgery immediately after breaking his foot this summer time? The Grizzlies rank dead final in defensive rating, permitting 119.five points per one hundred possessions. Memphis had a 106. defensive rating with Jackson on the floor final season, when he led the league with two.three blocks per game and earned 1st-group All-Defensive recognition.
— MacMahon
eight. Toronto Raptors
2022-23 record: four-three
Previous week’s ranking: 15
Pascal Siakam has played as effectively as any individual to start out this season. Averaging 26.1 points, 9.six rebounds and 7.four assists — all of which would be profession highs — Siakam has helped Toronto go four-three by way of a brutal opening stretch complete of playoff contenders.
— Bontemps
9. Denver Nuggets
2022-23 record: four-three
Previous week’s ranking: ten
The Nuggets are shooting almost 39.four% from deep — fifth-very best in the league — but are in the middle of the pack in offensive efficiency. On the other finish of the floor, the Nuggets are struggling with the fifth-worst defensive efficiency. Nuggets coach Michael Malone stated his group has defended specifically poorly in each and every road game this year.
— Andrews
ten. Golden State Warriors
2022-23 record: three-five
Previous week’s ranking: five
The Warriors are now -three on their present 5-game road trip, are winless on the road and are off to their worst eight-game start out given that 2019-20. That year, they went 15-50. After their loss to the Heat, Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated he was beginning to really feel a sense of urgency from his group, one thing he stated he was previously lacking. But the Warriors’ defense and bench continue to price them games.
— Andrews
11. Utah Jazz
2022-23 record: six-two
Previous week’s ranking: 13
Malik Beasley declared immediately after Monday’s win more than the Grizzlies that Lauri Markkanen is an All-Star. Markkanen appreciatively acknowledged that the 1st eight games is a bit early for such discussion, but there is no doubt he’s performing at that level, averaging profession bests of 22.six points, 9.three rebounds and two.9 assists per game for a single of the NBA’s most surprising teams.
— MacMahon
12. Dallas Mavericks
2022-23 record: three-three
Previous week’s ranking: 11
The Mavs have blown double-digit leads in the fourth quarter in two of their 3 losses. The property overtime loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday evening was specifically egregious. According to ESPN Stats & Information study, teams that led by at least 16 in the final 4 minutes of regulation more than the previous 25 years had been 9,975-1 ahead of the Mavs’ meltdown, which coach Jason Kidd attributed to an experiment with the closing lineup that went awry. “We left [Christian] Wood out there with that group, and it did not go effectively on either finish,” Kidd stated.
— MacMahon
13. Atlanta Hawks
2022-23 record: four-three
Previous week’s ranking: 16
Atlanta began their 5-game road trip with back-to-back wins more than the Pistons ahead of falling to the Bucks and Raptors. In Friday’s game against the Pistons, Trae Young completed with 36 points and 12 assists whilst playing just 30:07. According to ESPN Stats & Information study, the only players to play fewer minutes in a 35-point, ten-help efficiency are Luka Doncic (when) and James Harden (3 occasions).
— Lopez
14. Philadelphia 76ers
2022-23 record: four-four
Previous week’s ranking: 19
After falling to 1-four, it looked like the 76ers had been potentially getting into a tailspin. But Philadelphia has responded with 3 straight wins — two devoid of All-NBA center Joel Embiid — to get back to .500 and stabilize points.
— Bontemps
15. Minnesota Timberwolves
2022-23 record: four-four
Previous week’s ranking: 17
The Timberwolves have a leading-5 defense, which is what they need to have with the roster they’ve constructed. However, their 1st week was against teams close to the bottom of the league (or believed to be, in the Jazz’s case). So how precisely will that defense hold up against far better offensive teams, such as the Suns — to whom Minnesota lost on Tuesday — Bucks and Grizzlies, who are all coming up on the schedule. — Andrews
16. San Antonio Spurs
2022-23 record: five-two
Previous week’s ranking: 18
During his 1st two NBA seasons, Keldon Johnson created 73 three-pointers in 86 games. In his second season, he was shooting 33.1% beyond the arc on three.three attempts per game. Johnson upped each his efficiency and volume final season, shooting 39.eight% on six attempts per game, and he has taken it even additional this year. In seven games, Johnson is shooting 43.five% from deep. Heading into Tuesday’s play, only Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield and Bojan Bogdanovic had created a lot more 3s than Johnson’s 27. Also, he has hit at least 3 3s in six of the Spurs’ seven games.
— Lopez
17. New York Knicks
2022-23 record: three-three
Previous week’s ranking: 14
The Knicks have had a reality verify immediately after a three-1 start out, dropping back-to-back road games to the Cavaliers and Bucks more than the weekend — the start out of a stretch of seven straight games against projected playoff teams for New York.
— Bontemps
18. LA Clippers
2022-23 record: three-four
Previous week’s ranking: 7
The Clippers could be front-runners for most disappointing start out to the season. They had been hyped as championship contenders with probably the deepest roster in the NBA but now appear absolutely out of sync. Even if Kawhi Leonard has had a flare-up with his surgically repaired ideal knee that will retain him out by way of this week, the Clippers have a lot more than adequate talent and the coaching to win. They had been outplayed twice in OKC and required Paul George to rack up 35 points, 9 rebounds, eight assists, six steals and two massively clutch shots in the final 40 seconds just to escape at property against Houston. With the subsequent two games at Houston and San Antonio, probably the Clippers can lastly get going.
— Youngmisuk
19. Washington Wizards
2022-23 record: three-four
Previous week’s ranking: 16
The Wizards’ three-1 start out has been wiped away immediately after losing 4 of their previous 5. Washington’s 3-game slide is in danger of continuing with games against Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Memphis up subsequent. On the vibrant side, Kristaps Porzingis had his very best game of the season with 32 points and nine rebounds against the Sixers.
— Youngmisuk
20. Chicago Bulls
2022-23 record: four-four
Previous week’s ranking: 23
After struggling defensively at the finish of final season, the Bulls have been in the leading half of the league (13th getting into Tuesday) on defense to start out the season thanks to the pesky contributions of Alex Caruso and Javonte Green. Both Caruso and Green rank in the leading 5 in the NBA in deflections, and Green leads the NBA in deflections per 36 minutes.
— Collier
21. Miami Heat
2022-23 record: three-five
Previous week’s ranking: 21
Miami has struggled out of the gate, but it picked up a comeback win more than the Warriors on Tuesday evening. Max Strus has discovered a superior rhythm, averaging 16.three points more than his previous 4 games. Jimmy Butler had 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds against the Warriors and is going to have to carry Miami by way of its rough early stretch as the group continues to discover its way. — Friedell
22. Charlotte Hornets
2022-23 record: three-four
Previous week’s ranking: 20
Charlotte has dropped 3 of its previous 4, providing up 118.eight points per game in the procedure. P.J. Washington is in the midst of a good stretch, on the other hand he has recorded 59 points and 12 rebounds more than his previous two games.
— Friedell
23. Brooklyn Nets
2022-23 record: two-six
Previous week’s ranking: 22
It was a heck of a week for Brooklyn — even judged against the higher requirements the Nets have made for themselves in current years. They’ve lost 4 of 5, Kyrie Irving remains embroiled in controversy and coach Steve Nash and the Nets decided to component methods. It’s by no means a dull day in Netsland.
— Friedell
24. Oklahoma City Thunder
2022-23 record: four-three
Previous week’s ranking: 29
Despite trailing Dallas by 16 points with beneath 4 minutes to play Saturday, the Thunder stormed back to win 117-111 in overtime. According to ESPN Stats & Information study, this was the 9,977th time in the previous 25 seasons a group led by 16 or a lot more with 4 minutes remaining in regulation. This was only the second time a group in that situation came back to win, with OKC’s work joining the Kings’ comeback against Minnesota on Jan. 27, 2020.
— Lopez
25. Indiana Pacers
2022-23 record: three-five
Previous week’s ranking: 26
Myles Turner created headlines for his comments on “The Woj Pod” this week when stated the Lakers need to “take a difficult appear” at creating a trade with the Pacers: “I know what I can supply for a group,” he stated. However, Turner is off to a slow start out given that returning from an ankle injury, averaging 13. points and seven rebounds on 34% shooting (27% from three).
— Collier
26. Los Angeles Lakers
2022-23 record: 1-five
Previous week’s ranking: 25
Has Russell Westbrook lastly discovered a functional function in Los Angeles? While at 1st reluctant to assume the bench function that Darvin Ham envisioned, Westbrook looked mighty successful as the Lakers’ main playmaker in the second unit. He averaged 18 points, eight. rebounds and five.five assists in two games as a reserve, such as in the Lakers’ 1st win of the season against Denver.
— McMenamin
27. Sacramento Kings
2022-23 record: two-four
Previous week’s ranking: 28
De’Aaron Fox left midway by way of the Kings’ game against the Hornets since of ideal knee soreness. It’s the final point Sacramento requirements ideal now. The Kings managed to squeak out that win, but if the injury persists, they would be losing a single of their couple of vibrant spots on the floor this season.
— McMenamin
28. Detroit Pistons
2022-23 record: two-six
Previous week’s ranking: 24
Cade Cunningham is shooting 49.five% whilst placing up 25-five-five in his previous 4 games, the only Piston not named Grant Hill to do so in the previous 30 seasons. Overall, Cunningham place up 27.eight points, eight.three rebounds and 7.five assists for the duration of that span.
— Collier
29. Houston Rockets
2022-23 record: 1-7
Previous week’s ranking: 27
The Rockets’ winless 4-game road trip was specifically rough for Jalen Green. He shot only 25.7% from the floor and 22.six% from three-point variety on the trip, and Houston was outscored by 44 points with him on the floor in the 4 losses.
— MacMahon
30. Orlando Magic
2022-23 record: 1-7
Previous week’s ranking: 30
Aside from No. 1 choose Paolo Banchero’s hot start out to his profession, the Magic have gotten a good lift from Wendell Carter Jr. He’s averaging 20 points and eight.7 rebounds more than his previous 3 games. Both continue to place up strong numbers and large minutes for a group that requirements a lot more from its young core. — Friedell
