NBA Power Rankings: January 3rd, 2023

New Year’s Resolution: To Win a Title

1. Brooklyn Nets (-) – Record: 24-12 (3-0)

2. Boston Celtics (+2) – Record:26-11 (2-1)

3. Denver Nuggets (+2) – Record: 24-12 (3-1)

4. New Orleans Pelicans (+2) – Record: 23-13 (3-1)

5. Memphis Grizzlies (+3) – Record: 23-13 (3-1)

6. Dallas Mavericks (+5) – Record: 21-16 (3-0)

7. Philadelphia 76ers (-5) – Record: 21-14 (1-2)

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (-5) – Record: 23-14 (1-2)

9. Milwaukee Bucks (-2) – Record: 23-13 (1-3)

New Year’s Resolution: To Improve Glaring Weaknesses

10. Los Angeles Clippers (-) – Record: 21-17 (2-2)

11. Indiana Pacers (+3) – Record: 20-17 (3-1)

12. Miami Heat (+7) – Record: 19-18 (3-1)

13. Golden State Warriors (+7) – Record: 19-18 (3-0)

14. Sacramento Kings (+3) – Record: 19-16 (2-2)

15. Phoenix Suns (-6) – Record: 20-17 (1-2)

16. Portland Trailblazers (-3) – Record: 18-17 (1-1)

17. New York Knicks (-1) – Record: 19-18 (1-2)

New Year’s Resolution: To Be Less Dysfunctional

18. Washington Wizards (+6) – Record: 17-21 (4-0)

19. Utah Jazz (-7) – Record: 19-20 (0-4)

20. Atlanta Hawks (-5) – Record: 17-19 (0-3)

21. Chicago Bulls (+1) – Record: 16-20 (2-2)

22. Los Angeles Lakers (+4) – Record: 15-21 (2-1)

23. Toronto Raptors (+2) – Record: 16-20 (2-2)

24. Oklahoma City Thunder (+1) – Record: 15-21 (1-2)

25. Minnesota Timberwolves (-7) – Record: 16-21 (0-4)

New Year’s Resolution: Be Bad Enough to Draft Wembanyama

26. Orlando Magic (-4) – Record: 13-24 (0-3)

27. San Antonio Spurs (+2) – Record: 12-24 (2-2)

28. Detroit Pistons (+2) – Record: 10-29 (2-2)

29. Charlotte Hornets (-2) – Record: 10-27 (1-3)

30. Houston Rockets (-2) – Record: 10-26 (1-3)

Biggest Winners

Tie: Miami Heat (19-18, +7 spots); Golden State Warriors (19-18, +7 spots)

The trio of Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Victor Oladipo have a fiery 119 offensive rating during the Heat’s recent torrid stretch. Even with a diminished Kyle Lowry, Miami has found contributions from around the roster, along with heightened play from its key starters, to plug up deficiencies. As for the Warriors, good wins this week against the Grizzlies and Blazers sandwiched victories against the lowly Hornets and free-falling Jazz. Klay Thompson has emerged from an early-season slump and Jordan Poole has stepped up in Steph Curry’s absence to help keep the Warriors afloat. If they can play .500 or so ball until Curry returns, Golden State can remain firmly in the playoff hunt. If they get there, no team will want to face Steph Curry in a 7-game series.

Honorable Mentions: Wizards (+6 spots); Mavericks (+5 spots)

Biggest Losers

Tie: Utah Jazz (19-20, -7 spots); Minnesota Timberwolves (16-21, -7 spots)

A string of losses has the Jazz falling under .500. Lauri Markkanen is having an excellent campaign to be the Jazz’s lone all-star, but his excellent efforts are simply not translating into wins. As for the Timberwolves, six straight losses culminated in a brutal defeat to the lowly Pistons on New Year’s Eve. Their effort is atrocious, their communication is abysmal, and their camaraderie is nonexistent. This team is out of sorts, having searched for answers all season and found no solutions to date. Amid their worst stretch of games this season, will Head Coach Chris Finch be scapegoated?

Honorable Mentions: Suns (-6 spots); Hawks, Cavs, Sixers (-5 spots)