The NBA has undergone a significant and swift change in the last year with regards to its landscape. The league is now full of new shiny teams that have an unprecedented amount of talent, making it hard for anyone but the most dedicated fans to follow everyone’s rosters. The New York Knicks are one team who is truly doing their best to keep up, flying around town on luxury jets and playing games out of MSG like they’ve won multiple championships already this season. Additionally, for those who aren’t able to make it into Madison Square Garden or can’t afford tickets- you’re in luck! There’s another way we’ll be watching these games via live streaming broadcasts from TNT and ESPN+ launching next month!.
The reigning NBA champs, the Warriors of Golden State are still at the top of their game. They’re not what they were last year though-they’ve had to work for it this season. The Knicks and LeBron James’ Cavs have surprised a lot people with how well they’ve been doing in 2018, but also due to how many games they’ve lost as a result of injuries or bad luck.The NBA has been having a great season so far, with the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors running away from everyone. Let’s look at how these top teams stack up against each other.The “nba standings” is a list of the teams in the NBA. It includes information such as the team name, their current record and how many games they have left to play.
The Milwaukee Bucks have given up the No. 1 place this week after dropping to 3-4. On their path to the top of our list, the Utah Jazz, who were the league’s last undefeated club until losing to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, gave Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks their third consecutive loss.
With a 5-1 record entering Week 3, another Western Conference club, the Golden State Warriors, is also on a roll. Stephen Curry has a 28.7 point per game average and is benefiting from a revitalized bench. Jonathan Kuminga made his NBA debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, scoring his first points with a 3-pointer.
After a 5-1 start in the East, the New York Knicks continue to climb the standings. The East is open for the Knicks, Bulls, and Washington Wizards to claim, with the traditional contenders off to sluggish starts.
Will the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Brooklyn Nets regain their form? Can the Knicks, Warriors, and Jazz keep playing at this level? All 30 teams are dissected by our analysts.
Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, and Ohm Youngmisuk) will rank all 30 teams from top to bottom, determining which teams are currently playing the best basketball and which teams are most likely to win the championship.
1. The Utah Jazz have a 5-1 record in 2021-22, with a previous ranking of #2.
Utah was the final club in the NBA to be undefeated until falling to the Bulls on Saturday night, when point guard Mike Conley Jr. rested due to a back-to-back. The Jazz are off to their best start since the 2008-09 season, with a 5-1 record. Rudy Gobert became the first player in NBA history to score at least 16 points and grab at least 14 rebounds in each of the season’s first five games. MacMahon (MacMahon)
SAC, @ATL, @MIA, and @ORL are the teams to watch this week.
2. Miami Heat: 5-1 in 2021-22; previously ranked 6th.
The Heat went 4-0 this week, and they’re looking like the Eastern Conference front-runners they seemed to be before the season began. Jimmy Butler is averaging 25.3 points per game this season and is a big reason why Miami is so aggressive. Before embarking on their first West Coast tour of the season, Erik Spoelstra and his team face the Jazz on Friday. Friedell’s words
DAL, BOS, and UTAH are the teams to watch this week.
3. Brooklyn Nets: 4-3 in 2021-22. Previous position: 4
It’s just been seven games, but James Harden is scoring fewer points per game (18.7) than he has since his days as a reserve in Oklahoma City a decade ago, and he is shooting a career-low 39.8% from the field. However, Harden’s recent performances against Indiana (29 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) and Detroit (18 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists) were positive signs. — Best wishes
ATL, DET, and TOR are the teams to watch this week.
4. Golden State Warriors – 5-1 record in 2021-22 (formerly ranked #5)
The Warriors were defeated by Ja Morant and the Grizzlies in their opening game of the season on Thursday, but things are looking better for an experienced club on the rise. They have six games in a row at home over the next two weeks, as former All-Star Klay Thompson continues to get closer to a comeback. Steve Kerr and his team are pleased with the first month’s performance. Friedell’s words
This week’s letters are CHA, NO, and HOU.
5. Milwaukee Bucks: 3-4 in 2021-22. 1st place previously
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The Bucks’ offense is severely lacking, which has led to their early-season troubles and a three-game losing skid to end the week. Jrue Holiday (ankle) and Brook Lopez (back) were both out all week, though Holiday has resumed practice, while Khris Middleton was unable to play on Sunday due to sickness. Antetokounmpo has been saddled with a tough workload early on because to the team’s poor rotation. Collier’s
This week’s tweets are from @DET, @NY, and @WAS.
6. Denver Nuggets, 4-2 in 2021-22. Previous ranking: 3.
Nikola Jokic was writhing in agony, grabbing his right knee, after colliding with Gobert on Tuesday in Utah, bringing the season to an end. Fortunately for the Nuggets, Jokic’s injury was limited to a bruised right knee, which kept him out of the second half of the Nuggets’ 122-110 defeat to the Jazz. Jokic returned to play against Dallas on Friday, helping the Nuggets snap a two-game losing run and start a two-game winning streak. Despite the absence of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. shooting 33.3 percent from the floor, Denver is 4-2. Youngmisuk’s remark
This week’s theme: HOU, HOU, HOU, @MEM, @MEM, @MEM, @MEM, @ME
7. New York Knicks: 5-1 in 2021-22; formerly ranked 11th.
The Knicks are in a four-way tie for the top record in the Eastern Conference after a flawless week. Kemba Walker’s outstanding performances against Philadelphia and Chicago also served as a reminder of the influence he can have in his timeshare at point guard with Derrick Rose, a pairing that is precisely what the Knicks hoped for. — Best wishes
TOR, @IND, @MIL, and CLE are the teams to watch this week.
The Philadelphia 76ers are ranked eighth in the NBA with a 4-2 record in 2021-22.
Ben Simmons is still out, while Joel Embiid’s knee is still an issue. Even without Simmons, Philadelphia can be a formidable defensive force — and Matisse Thybulle, who had four thefts and three blocks in 23 minutes off the bench, is a nightmare for opposition guards and wings, as seen by Saturday’s overwhelming victory over Atlanta. — Best wishes
POR, CHI, @DET, @CHI are the teams to watch this week.
The Chicago Bulls have a 5-1 record in 2021-22, which is a step up from their previous position of 10.
The Bulls’ up-and-down week might go a long way toward demonstrating that they are a legitimate playoff club. After starting the week with a victory in Toronto, they rebounded from a tight defeat at home to the Knicks to inflict the Jazz their first loss of the season. With Patrick Williams out for 4 to 6 months with a wrist injury and Zach LaVine playing with a thumb ailment on his non-shooting hand, the Bulls’ already low depth will be put to the test. And more tests are on the way with meetings against Eastern Conference adversaries, the Celtics and Sixers, looming up this week. Collier’s
@BOS, @PHI, PHI this week
The Los Angeles Lakers had a 4-3 record in the 2021-22 season. Previous position: 8
Let the campaign for Carmelo Anthony for Sixth Man of the Year begin. So far this season, the 19-year veteran has scored 20 points or more three times off the bench, with L.A. winning 3-0 in those games. Anthony had four blocks and two steals in the third game versus Houston, which was the first time he has done it since 2003. Coach Frank Vogel remarked of Anthony, “I didn’t expect to see him have a defensive effort like he did today.” McMenamin, McMenamin, McMenamin, Mc
HOU, OKC, and @POR are the teams to watch this week.
The Dallas Mavericks have a 4-2 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 13
Kristaps Porzingis’ optimism has dwindled since the start of the season, when he was as healthy and joyful as he’d been since coming in Dallas. So far this season, he’s been ineffectual and injured. Porzingis, who has missed the last three games due to lower back stiffness, shot 30.2 percent from the field in three games. MacMahon (MacMahon)
MIA, @SA, and BOS are the teams to watch this week.
The Washington Wizards have a 5-1 record in 2021-22, and they were ranked 16th last year.
For the first time since 2005-06, the Wizards are 5-1 and on a three-game winning run. Kyle Kuzma is off to a nice bounce-back start and looked like a rebounding presence in a double overtime victory against Boston, thanks to Tommy Sheppard’s offseason adjustments. Montrezl Harrell has three double-doubles in a row and is looking like the Trez that was named Sixth Man of the Year in 2019-20. Spencer Dinwiddie has provided the Wizards with the offensive punch they expected, while Bradley Beal is heating up, averaging 31.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and seven assists over his last two games. Youngmisuk’s remark
This week’s teams are: @ATL, TOR, MEM, and MIL.
The Charlotte Hornets have a 5-2 record in 2021-22. 14th place before.
Charlotte finished the week with a 2-2 record thanks to LaMelo Ball and Kelly Oubre Jr.’s contributions in Sunday’s victory against the Trail Blazers. For a squad that enjoys running up and down the floor, the two combined for 53 points. On Wednesday, the Hornets face Curry and the Warriors in a fascinating matchup, with Oubre getting to meet his former teammates for the first time. Ball also gets to show Golden State what might have been if he had been chosen instead of No. 2 overall choice James Wiseman in 2020. Friedell’s words
This week’s events include CLE, @GS, @SAC, and @LAC.
The Atlanta Hawks have a 3-3 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 9
Trae Young scored 5,000 career points in his 208th career game against New Orleans on Wednesday, becoming the fastest player in team history to do it, ahead of Bob Pettit (212), Pete Maravich (218), Joe Johnson (227), and Dominique Wilkins (230). Lopez’s words
WAS, @BKN, UTAH, and @PHX are the teams to watch this week.
The Phoenix Suns have a 1-3 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 12
When the Suns trailed Cleveland by 14 points in the second quarter on Saturday, they were in danger of losing their third consecutive game. The Suns, on the other hand, answered by going on a 50-12 run over the following 16 minutes of play, which enabled them avoid falling to 1-4. Lopez’s words
This week’s theme: HOU, ATL, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO
Memphis Grizzlies are 16th in the NBA with a 3-3 record in 2021-22. 15th place before.
Morant, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 174 pounds, is a force around (and above) the rim. Morant is fourth in the NBA in field goals made inside five feet of the hoop, shooting 36-of-55 (65.5 percent) from that distance, according to NBA.com/stats. He’s averaging 12.2 points per game solely on drives, which has fueled one of the Grizzlies’ most productive scoring runs in franchise history. Only Marc Gasol has scored more points in a five-game period for the Memphis Grizzlies than Morant’s 152 in the first five games of the season. MacMahon (MacMahon)
DEN, DEN, DEN, DEN, DEN, DEN, DEN, DEN, DEN, DEN,
The Trail Blazers are 17th in the NBA with a 3-3 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 17
Hawks vs. Nets, 7:30 p.m.; Hornets vs. Warriors, 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3 Hawks vs. Nets, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 5: 7:30 p.m., Knicks vs. Bucks; 10 p.m., Pelicans vs. Warriors
All timings are in Eastern Standard Time.
Under new coach Chauncey Billups, the Blazers are still looking for a rhythm. Following a 30-point setback to the Clippers to open the week, the Blazers responded by defeating Memphis by 20 points and routing the Clippers by 19 points. However, on Sunday, they were defeated by the Hornets by a score of 12 to begin a three-game road trip. CJ McCollum has been solid this season, leading the club in scoring in five of the team’s six games. Damian Lillard has yet to burst this season. Youngmisuk’s remark
@PHI, @CLE, IND, LAL this week
The Toronto Raptors have a 4-3 record in 2021-22. 22nd in the previous ranking
Scottie Barnes is delivering a lot of value to Toronto. The fourth overall choice in the NBA draft is averaging 18.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while shooting 55 percent from the floor, putting him in the lead for Rookie of the Year. — Best wishes
@NYK, @WAS, CLE, BKN this week
The Boston Celtics have a 2-4 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 19
The Celtics have already lost two double-extra games in the first two weeks of the regular season, and have now played five overtime periods in their first six games, including Saturday’s painful defeat in Washington. The additional minutes have been a drag for a squad suffering with a spate of injuries and COVID-19 absences. — Best wishes
CHI, @ORL, @MIA, and @DAL are the teams to watch this week.
20. Sacramento Kings, 3-3 in 2021-22. Previous position: 23
With a 105-99 setback in Dallas on Sunday, Sacramento’s perfect road record was shattered for the first time. As if the 2018 NBA Draft wasn’t bad enough, Luka Doncic’s 23 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds weren’t enough, and Marvin Bagley III’s fifth DNP-CD in Sacramento’s six games this season further added to the agony. McMenamin, McMenamin, McMenamin, Mc
This week’s events include @UTA, NOP, CHA, and IND.
Minnesota Timberwolves (2021-22) 3-2 previous ranking: 20
Even though the Timberwolves lost the other two of their three games last week, a midweek win against the Bucks in Milwaukee helped keep the good energy going in Minnesota. They’ve gotten off to a good start owing to the offensive firepower of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and D’Angelo Russell, while the Wolves’ defense has been an unexpected top-five defense thus far. Collier’s
ORL, LAC, LAC, ORL, ORL, ORL, ORL, ORL, ORL, ORL
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a 3-4 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 25
Evan Mobley made a triumphant return to Los Angeles, where he played collegiate basketball at USC. He finished with 23 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals, giving the Cavs a serious scare until the Lakers pulled away. Afterward, LeBron James remarked of Mobley, “They got a good one.” “There’s an excellent one in Cleveland. I think they’ve done a wonderful job in the draft throughout the years.” McMenamin, McMenamin, McMenamin, Mc
@CHA, @POR, @TOR, @NYK this week
The Los Angeles Clippers have a 1-4 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 18
The Clippers have battled to rediscover the chemistry that propelled them to the Western Conference playoffs last season. The Clippers are 1-4 after losing Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka, as well as Marcus Morris Sr., who has missed the previous three games due to injury. Paul George continues to do all he can to help his team, scoring 42 points in a defeat to Portland, his second 40-point game of the season. He does, however, need more assistance. Luke Kennard was the only other Clipper to score in double digits in the 19-point defeat to Portland. Coach Ty Lue isn’t exaggerating when he says the Clippers have lost their last two games by an average of 16 points. Youngmisuk’s remark
Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota,
San Antonio Spurs have a 2-4 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 24
Dejounte Murray scored at least 20 points in three straight games for the second time in his career, beginning with a 21-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound performance in an overtime defeat to the Lakers. Murray’s usage rate (24.7 percent) is the most of his career, but his turnover rate (10.4 percent) is the second-lowest of his career, matching his previous season’s best (10.2 percent ). Lopez’s words
@IND, DAL, ORL, and OKC are the teams to watch this week.
The Indiana Pacers have a 1-6 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 21
The Pacers have now lost four consecutive games, dropping to 1-6 for the first time since the 2014-15 season. Since the 2009-10 Miami Heat, no team has come back from such a bad start to reach the playoffs. The good news is that Caris LeVert made his season debut on Saturday, although with limited minutes, as Indiana (17th offense, 23rd defense) is in desperate need of assistance on both sides of the floor right now. Collier’s
SAS, NYK, @POR, and @SAC are the teams to watch this week.
Previous ranking: 26. Houston Rockets 2021-22 record: 1-5
Christian Wood, a vital player in his prime with the rebuilding Rockets, is an exception. Wood, who has averaged 19.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game for Houston, has been the team’s most productive player. It’s still unclear if Wood is more valuable as a long-term fit with the Rockets’ emerging young talent or as a trade asset. MacMahon (MacMahon)
This week’s theme: @LAL, @PHX, @DEN, @GSW, @LAL, @PHX, @DEN, @DEN, @DEN, @DEN,
The New Orleans Pelicans have a 1-6 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 27
New Orleans went 0-3 in a three-game homestand against Atlanta, Sacramento, and New York after picking up its first victory of the season on Monday against the Timberwolves. The Pelicans dropped all three games by a combined 13 points, as the squad just didn’t have enough down the stretch while still missing Zion Williamson. Lopez’s words
This week’s theme: @GSW, @PHX, @SAC
The Orlando Magic have a 1-6 record in 2021-22. Previous ranking: 28
The good news for the Magic is that they have five consecutive home games following Monday’s game against the Timberwolves on the road. The bad news is that, after a terrific victory against the Knicks last Sunday night, they’ve lost four consecutive games, with a schedule that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. On a brighter note, youngster Franz Wagner has scored in double digits in each of his first seven games, including 19 points against the Pistons on Saturday. Friedell’s words
@MIN, BOS, SAS, and UTA are the teams to watch this week.
Previous ranking: 29. Detroit Pistons 2021-22 record: 1-5
The greatest news for Pistons fans is that Cade Cunningham made his season debut on Saturday, after missing the first four games of the regular season due to an ankle ailment. He had a modest stat line in 19 minutes, with two points, seven rebounds, and two assists, so the club rested him for the second half of their back-to-back on Sunday. However, a new era in Detroit is about to begin, and the Pistons are eager to see what they can accomplish with their No. 1 overall choice. Collier’s
MIL, PHI, and BKN are the teams to watch this week.
Oklahoma City Thunder are ranked 30th in the NBA with a 1-5 record in 2021-22.
Josh Giddey, a rookie forward, has shown the playmaking abilities that drew the Thunder to him with the No. 6 overall choice. Giddey, who is 6-foot-8, tops all rookies with 5.7 assists per game. In the Thunder’s comeback victory against the Lakers, he recorded 10 assists. According to ESPN Stats & Information, a boy called LeBron James is the only player younger than him to record double-digit dimes in a game. MacMahon (MacMahon)
This week’s theme: SAS, @LAC, @LAL
The “nba standings 2021” is a list of the top teams in the NBA. The New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and the hottest teams in the league are on this list.
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