Week 9 of basketball is done and a few top-tier teams have gained momentum in the standings. While a number of teams are thriving, quite a few are struggling as of late.
While the top four of each conference are packed, the same can’t be said for the middle-of-the-pack teams. The bottom of each conference’s standings are getting crowded too.
Today, we will take a look at the ranking of all 30 NBA teams after week 9. Let’s quickly get into it.
30. Detroit Pistons (Last Week’s Rank: 30)
The Pistons are nearing the all-time infamous record of games lost in a row. Is this the worst team of all time? It probably is. What’s more baffling is that they have quite a number of players who were selected high in the lottery for the past few years.
29. San Antonio Spurs (Last Week’s Rank: 28)
The Spurs, even with Victor Wembanyama, are a pretty bad team. Coach Pop’s experiment with Jeremy Sochan in the point guard position has been an eye-sore to witness as he’s constantly missing Wembanyama’s roll to the basket.
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28. Washington Wizards (Last Week’s Rank: 29)
This Wizards team is just plain bad. While they surprisingly won a game against the struggling Blazers this past week, it still doesn’t hide the fact that their players are often looking to bolster their stats rather than play team basketball.
27. Charlotte Hornets (Last Week’s Rank: 25)
The Hornets continue to sink without the presence of LaMelo Ball. Terry Rozier is doing his best to keep this team afloat without their star but without much help from his teammates, the losing will inevitably continue. This will be another forgettable season for the struggling franchise.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (Last Week’s Rank: 27)
The Blazers surprisingly pulled off a huge win against the slumping Suns in week 8 of basketball. Anfernee Simons is quietly balling out this season for the team. Jerami Grant is also back in the fold and for the first time this season, they are looking hopeful as a team.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (Last Week’s Rank: 26)
Ja Morant returned to the court this week and his season debut was phenomenal. He hit a buzzer-beater over the outstretched arms of the Pelicans’ defense. The team is on a different vibe right now. Do they still have enough time to turn their season around?
24. Utah Jazz (Last Week’s Rank: 24)
Even with a decimated roster because of injuries, the Jazz won a couple of games this past week. They are a gritty bunch that backs down to no one. Their players want to win and they have the correct mindset as of late.
23. Toronto Raptors (Last Week’s Rank: 23)
The Raptors are on a plateau right now. The roster needs a ton of help, especially at the point guard position and their bench. Scottie Barnes has looked tired recently and that’s not a good sign for the proud franchise.
22. Atlanta Hawks (Last Week’s Rank: 21)
Even with Trae Young’s offensive outburst, the Hawks still remain outside the top ten of the Eastern Conference this month. It’s quite hard to root for them as they have the tendency to fade at big moments. This team definitely needs to do a trade to improve their roster.
22. Chicago Bulls (Last Week’s Rank: 22)
The Bulls are on a roll right now despite missing the services of Zach LaVine. They have defeated quality teams such as the Sixers and the Lakers this past week. Coby White is having himself an outstanding season.
20. Brooklyn Nets (Last Week’s Rank: 19)
This was not a good week for the Nets. They lost to an incapacitated Utah roster which was clearly a low moment for the team this season. Mikal Bridges has been struggling for the past couple of weeks and they need him to play well to give this team a chance to succeed.
19. Phoenix Suns (Last Week’s Rank: 17)
After a hot start this season, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker inexplicably cooled off in the last couple of weeks. At this rate, this team might fail to secure a play-in spot in April. They are playing uninspired basketball right now.
18. Golden State Warriors (Last Week’s Rank: 19)
The Warriors are back to their old winning ways sans Draymond Green. Andrew Wiggins’ demotion from the starting lineup may have woken him as he’s playing well recently. It’s also a great sight to see that Klay Thompson’s jump shots are falling at a decent rate.
17. Indiana Pacers (Last Week’s Rank: 14)
Did Haliburton peak early this season? That seems to be the case as he’s in a cold spell for now. His three-point shot isn’t falling as it used to after the In-Season Tournament.
16. Los Angeles Lakers (Last Week’s Rank: 11)
The Lakers may have given their all when they won the In-Season Tournament a couple of weeks ago. They are playing uninspired basketball as of late and they are in real danger of having a losing record once December ends.
15. Houston Rockets (Last Week’s Rank: 15)
After an astounding week 8, the Rockets struggled mightily in week 9 of basketball. Against top competition, they failed to impose their will and are looking like a play-in candidate at the end of this season. The biggest problem for them is their inconsistency.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Week’s Rank: 17)
There’s no denying that the Cavs are missing the services of Evan Mobley. However, they are starting to turn the tide around this past week sans the talented forward. There are rumors that Donovan Mitchell is available at the trade deadline if the right offer comes along.
13. New Orleans Pelicans (Last Week’s Rank: 16)
It seems like Zion Williamson has heard all the criticisms thrown at him and took them all seriously as he’s been playing great as of late. It also helps that CJ McCollum is back at full strength after his injury scare.
12. Miami Heat (Last Week’s Rank: 13)
Now that Adebayo and Herro are back, the Heat are looking like a contender. They are playing great as of late and teams are having a hard time stopping their superb attack.
11. New York Knicks (Last Week’s Rank: 12)
The Knicks are like a well-oiled piece of machinery. Nobody on the roster is a top-tier superstar but they still find ways to overwhelm their opponents through their grit and passion.
10. Dallas Mavericks (Last Week’s Rank: 7)
The Mavs are on a backward spiral right now. Their defense is almost non-existent and with Luka and Kyrie missing time, it would be a safe bet that they will tumble out of the top ten sooner rather than later.
9. Orlando Magic (Last Week’s Rank: 8)
Week 9 was not kind to the Magic. The losses are starting to quickly pile up after a promising start early this season. Still, they have the potential to bounce back once they have everyone back in top shape.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (Last Week’s Rank: 10)
The Clippers’ winning streak was finally snapped this past week but they really gained a lot during that fantastic run. It wouldn’t surprise us if they’ll continue their winning ways again.
7. Sacramento Kings (Last Week’s Rank: 9)
The Kings are finally healthy and at full strength right now. Keegan Murray is on fire as of late and his improvement really came at the right time for Sacramento.
6. Denver Nuggets (Last Week’s Rank: 5)
The Nuggets are winning but they are playing catch up to the top two teams in the West right now. The good news is that they have the potential to secure the top spot in the West once the season is over.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week’s Rank: 4)
This young OKC team is impressive and looks legitimately like a dark horse contender this season. Chet Holmgren is a super rookie and he might edge out Victor Wembanyama for the ROTY award this season.
4. Philadelphia 76ers (Last Week’s Rank: 6)
It’s hard to ignore Philadelphia’s recent surge in the East. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are one of the best duos in the league right now and the rest of the league are taking notice.
3. Milwaukee Bucks (Last Week’s Rank: 3)
The Bucks are slowly climbing their way at the top of the Eastern Conference and are only half a game behind the Celtics. Damian Lillard is getting comfortable with his new role with each week passing by.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (Last Week’s Rank: 2)
The Wolves continue to enjoy their dominance in the West. Anthony Edwards’ growth has been phenomenal and people tend to forget that he’s only 22 years old.
1. Boston Celtics (Last Week’s Rank: 1)
Despite missing a couple of guys, the Celtics had little problem dismantling their opponents so far this season. They boast the best starting five in the league right now. This team wants to win it all.
