NBA Christmas Day Matchups and Week 9 Drama
As the NBA gears up for Christmas Day matchups, the drama of Week 9 unfolds with the New York Knicks recently clinching the NBA Cup after defeating the San Antonio Spurs. In the wake of these results, we revisit the current power rankings to assess who’s moving up and who’s falling behind in the league. Here’s a comprehensive update, complete with championship odds from DraftKings.
Top Teams in Focus
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (25-2)
- Championship Odds: +110
- Top Scorer: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.4 points)
- Top Rebounder: Isaiah Hartenstein (10.6 rebounds)
- Top Playmaker: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6.4 assists)
While the Thunder faced a rare defeat at the hands of the Spurs, they quickly regained their momentum by defeating the Clippers decisively by 21 points. They are set for a rematch with San Antonio on Christmas Day, and with a favorable home game schedule, including five of their next seven at home, expectations are high. Current projections for the Thunder indicate a +500 chance to break the Warriors’ record of 73 wins from the 2015-2016 season.
2. Denver Nuggets (20-6)
- Championship Odds: +650
- Leader in Points: Nikola Jokic (29.6 points)
- Leader in Rebounds: Nikola Jokic (12.3 rebounds)
- Leader in Assists: Nikola Jokic (10.9 assists)
The Nuggets are riding a robust six-game winning streak, the longest in the Western Conference, complemented by strong overall team performance despite missing key players Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. Three out of their next four games will take place at home, but they face a challenging stretch with seven consecutive away games scheduled between December 27 and January 7.
3. New York Knicks (19-7)
- Championship Odds: +1300
- Leading Scorer: Jalen Brunson (28.7 points)
- Rebounding Leader: Karl-Anthony Towns (11.9 rebounds)
- Assists Leader: Jalen Brunson (6.4 assists)
Fresh off a Cup victory and enjoying an impressive seven-game winning streak, the Knicks’ current form is commendable. They have dominated teams like Charlotte and San Antonio during this stretch. With a match against Cleveland on Christmas, the Knicks look to maintain their winning momentum, especially as they’ve achieved a remarkable 9-1 record this month.
4. Los Angeles Lakers (19-7)
- Championship Odds: +1300
- Top Scorer: Luka Doncic (35.2 points)
- Rebound Leader: Deandre Ayton (9.0 rebounds)
- Assist Leader: Luka Doncic (9.1 assists)
The Lakers have been inconsistent, showcasing the league’s third-lowest defensive rating but performing well offensively, ranking eighth in that category. Since the return of LeBron James, they have gone 4-2, but the strength of their competition remains questionable.
5. Houston Rockets (16-8)
- Championship Odds: +1200
- Top Points Getter: Kevin Durant (25.1 points)
- Rebound Leader: Alperen Sengun (9.5 rebounds)
- Assist Leader: Alperen Sengun (7.2 assists)
Following two back-to-back overtime losses, the Rockets need to rebound effectively after struggling defensively. With key players like Tari Eason expected to return in January, they may soon bolster their roster.
6. San Antonio Spurs (19-7)
- Championship Odds: +2500
- Points Leader: Victor Wembanyama (25.1 points)
- Rebounding Leader: Victor Wembanyama (12.3 rebounds)
- Top Assists: Stephon Castle (6.9 assists)
Despite a recent loss to the Knicks, the Spurs have bounced back in previous matchups, currently showing a strong 4-1 record in their latest games. They will face a tough schedule ahead, including a Christmas Day game against the Thunder.
7. Detroit Pistons (21-6)
- Championship Odds: +2000
- Top Scorer: Cade Cunningham (27.2 points)
- Rebound Leader: Jalen Duren (11.0 rebounds)
- Assists Leader: Cade Cunningham (9.2 assists)
The Pistons recently faced a setback with a close overtime defeat, but remain solid with a robust overall record. Their reliance on star player Cade Cunningham, however, raises questions about sustainability as they embark on a challenging road trip.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-10)
- Championship Odds: +3000
- Leading Points: Anthony Edwards (28.7 points)
- Rebounding Leader: Rudy Gobert (10.5 rebounds)
- Assists Leader: Julius Randle (5.7 assists)
The Timberwolves are on the verge of a test as they face top-tier teams like Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, New York, and Denver in their upcoming games.
9. Orlando Magic (15-12)
- Championship Odds: +3500
- Points Leader: Franz Wagner (22.7 points)
- Top Rebounder: Paolo Banchero (8.4 rebounds)
- Assists Leader: Jalen Suggs (4.8 assists)
Despite struggles against stronger teams, Orlando maintains a top-10 ranking primarily due to the current competitiveness of the league. Their most recent performances have raised concerns regarding their offensive capabilities.
10. Toronto Raptors (17-11)
- Championship Odds: +15000
- Top Points Scorer: Brandon Ingram (22.0 points)
- Rebounding Leader: Scottie Barnes (8.0 rebounds)
- Assists Leader: Immanuel Quickley (6.3 assists)
After consecutive victories against notable opponents, the Raptors manage to sneak into the top ten. However, the overall quality of competition remains a point of contention as teams struggle for consistency.
Stock Up/Down
The Knicks find themselves on the rise as they look forward to a pivotal Christmas matchup against Cleveland, which could bolster their impressive streak. In contrast, the Boston Celtics are struggling after two consecutive defeats, casting doubt about their ability to maintain their earlier form.
As the NBA season continues, fans can catch all the action through NBC and Peacock, with various games scheduled for viewing. For the latest updates, insights, and game odds, keep an eye on platforms like DraftKings and tuning into regular broadcasts.
