NBA Power Rankings Betting Update Heading Into Week 22

We are heading down the homestretch in the 2023 NBA regular season, with the battle for playoff spots and seedings beginning to heat up. While they are certainly not an indicator of how things might go the rest of the way, the NBA Power Rankings are definitely a good way to quickly see how teams are doing right now. As we head into Week 22 of the season, let’s take a quick look at the top and bottom 5 in the most recent rankings to consider in your NBA betting.

NBA Betting: NBA Power Rankings After Week 21

Top 5

Milwaukee Bucks
There is no change at the top, with the Milwaukee Bucks continuing their strong push for the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They have won 8 of their last 10 and now have a 2 ½ game lead at the top.
Boston Celtics
In recent games, the Celtics have made a habit of gassing leads and taking the loss. They have fallen to 5-5 in their last 10 games and look a little fragile at the moment. This, though, does feel like a temporary glitch.
Philadelphia 76ers
That #2 seed in the Eastern Conference doesn’t look as secure as it once did. The 76ers are getting hot and have won 5 in a row to get within a game of that #2 spot. They are now 45-22 overall.
Denver Nuggets
It was all going rather smoothly for the Denver Nuggets at the top of the Western Conference, but they have hit a slump now, losing 3 in a row. They still, though, have a 4 ½ game lead at the top.
Cleveland Cavaliers
If there was a knock against the Cavaliers this season, it was that they seemed to have a tough time against quality opposition. Wins over the Heat and Celtics this past week might be a positive sign of change.

Bottom 5

26. Orlando Magic
Even at 28-40, the Magic are still within reach of the play-in zone and are coming off a win that took them to 4-6 in their last 10. Still, making up 4 games in the final stretch seems like a tough ask.
27. Charlotte Hornets
There is no such hope for the Hornets, as they are well off the play-in pace now and close to officially being eliminated from playoff contention. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games.
28. Houston Rockets
You have to go all the way back to February 1 to find the last time the Rockets beat a team other than the San Antonio Spurs. With just 16 wins on the season, this has been a bit of a nightmare year, although not totally unexpected.
29. San Antonio Spurs
There was a time when the Spurs were a playoff lock, or at least close to it. This year will be the 4th straight that they have failed to make it to the postseason, so you can bet that their fans will be getting more than a little restless.
30. Detroit Pistons
Miracles do actually happen it seems, as Detroit started their week out with a win. Before anyone gets too carried away, it was just their 15th victory this season. They still look like a good bet to finish with the worst record in the NBA.