NBA Power Rankings: All Star Break

Welcome to Stats Insider's NBA All Star Power Rankings! 

We've custom built our Power Rankings to factor in past performance, current form, changes in lineup and personnel, and moves in betting markets. 

So without further ado, here are our NBA Power Rankings, as of the All Star break:

Please note:

* These Power Rankings reflect the teams as they stand today, and will be updated regularly.

* This data should not be used for match betting, only as a baseline of recent form. Check out our NBA match pages for all specific match information.

* This is not a list of predicted finishing place nor Championship chance. You can see this in our NBA Championship projections. 

1. Milwaukee Bucks

Most thought Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks would have faltered by now. Instead, they're 43-13, with the 'Greek Freek' in line to win his first Most Valuable Player award. While adding three-point threat Nikola Mirotic just before the trade deadline was an astute move, it's the long-range shooting of Milwaukee's superstar that is the big news. Struggling to 22.3% shooting from beyond the arc for the season, Antetokounmpo has hit 37.5% of his three's so far in February.

2. Golden State Warriors

As if the Warriors needed a week off to rest an recuperate. Winners of 16 of their last 18 games heading into the All-Star break, it seems it's only a matter of time before they once again have the best record in the NBA. Managing to coast their way to the number one seed in the West, it's scary to think what they might do to opposition teams throughout May and June.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

It didn't look like the Thunder would be here after the first fortnight of the season. However, with the NBA's fourth-best defence (105.8 DefRtg), Russell Westbrook again averaging a triple-double, and Paul George playing out of his mind at MVP level, the Thunder are a genuine contender in the West. A little more support from the role players, and the Thunder will play in the Western Conference Finals.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

Philly's worst fears aren't being realised just yet, but Joel Embiid's newest injury has fas again preparing for the apocalypse. He's listed as 'Out' with a knee issue. If Embiid isn't 100% come playoff time, we can put a line through the Sixers as a real threat in the East. Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris make for a nice trio, but Embiid is their point of difference in a top-heavy Eastern Conference.

5. Boston Celtics

The Celtics are doing a lot of talking, but the results simply aren't flowing onto the court consistently. Just as they looked to go on the sort of run that would plant them towards the top of the East, back-to-back LA losses against the Lakers and Clippers crippled them again. Both of Boston's offensive (112.9) and defensive ratings (106.5) rank in the top ten in the NBA. It's consistency that eludes the Celtics.

6. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are coasting, and it's showing in their current ranking. A few closer than expected results against sub-par opposition and Kawhi Leonard sitting has the Raptors a lot lower than they should be. The rest over the All-Star break, Marc Gasol's integration, and the drive that comes with the playoffs approaching should soon see the Raptors back to their best, though.

7. Portland Trail Blazers

Every year the Trail Blazers are "one piece short of contending in the West". New centre, Enes Kanter, is not that piece. Kanter gives them another floor-spacing shooter, and is a guy Portland has been after for years, but he's not enough to elevate them into the West's elite. Strong defensively to start the season, the Blazers' 110.2 defensive rating now ranks just 16th. In their five February games so far, it's blown out to 113.7. They'll be lucky to stay this high in the rankings without a significant improvement on the defensive end.

8. Utah Jazz

The Jazz are ever so slowly living up to the expectations many had for them in October. Up into third defensively (105.8 DefRtg), the Jazz have refound their identity to sit 6th in the West. Scoring remains an issue; they're in the bottom half in both points per game (109.2) and offensive rating (109.0). However, they look good to climb the standings as their defence takes over.

Side note: Rudy Gobert should have been an All-Star. Prove me wrong.

9. Houston Rockets

As amazing as James Harden's recent run of scoring has been, it's not enough to keep the Rockets in the hunt for the championship. Kobe Bryant - somewhat ironically - went as far to say "that style's never going to win championships". For the most part, Harden agreed. Just a season after finishing at the 1st seed, the Rockets are barely relevant in the championship conversation.

10. Indiana Pacers

The surprise packet of the 2018-19 NBA season keeps surprising. Victor Oladipo's injury - which ruled him out for the rest of the season - saw the Pacers bandwagon clear out quick-smart. However, after dropping the first four games without him, Myles Turner's 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game has inspired six wins from Indiana's last seven games. All aboard; the Pacers aren't done just yet.

11. Denver Nuggets

An unconvincing fortnight prior to the All-Star break has seen the Nuggets take a dive in the rankings. They scraped by the Grizzlies, Pelicans and Timberwolves, before a 26-point shellacking by the Pistons. We've seen how good the Nuggets can be this season, but regular injuries haven't allowed them to build continuity and consistency. Health will determine their season from here.

12. Orlando Magic

What are the Magic doing this high? Well, they're on a five-game winning streak and have a top ten defence. Out of nowhere, the Magic have become a defensive powerhouse who slows the pace right down to suit their own game. There's a lot to be desired on the offensive end, but the Magic are carving out a defensive identity, and recently, it's been paying dividends.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves

This is looking all too familiar for the Timberwolves right now. For years, they've been good, but not quite good enough. Despite Karl-Anthony Towns putting up healthy numbers, they've suffered too many four and five-game losing streaks to threaten in the West this season.

14. San Antonio Spurs

As usual, the Spurs are hanging around in the West. Gregg Popovich has changed things up and adapted to the mid-range heavy play of DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, to rebound from an 11-14 start, to now occupy the 7th seed with a positive record (33-26). They've struggled more recently; a four-game losing streak ended with just a one-point win over the lowly Grizzlies. However, the All-Star break has given Pop a week to figure things out.

15. New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans are lucky to be this high, and it's unlikely to last. The fall-out from Anthony Davis' trade request is tearing the franchise apart. GM Dell Demps has been fired, and Davis was left on the bench in the 4th quarter of a close game upon his return from injury. The feeling is that 'The Brow' will be shut down for the rest of the season any day now.

16. Los Angeles Clippers

To be 16th in the rankings sums up the Clippers perfectly. They opitimise the middle of the road NBA team that, on their day, can beat anyone. That 'day' just doesn't come often enough to be relevant, though. 'Sweet Lou' Williams can still drop 40 points, but the Clippers front office will be quite happy to lose a few games and fall into the lottery. Their pick goes to the Celtics if it drops below 14th.

17. Detroit Pistons

The outlook for the Pistons could have been so much different had they traded for Mike Conley. Reggie Jackson isn't the answer, while Conley could slot into any team and be productive. Despite a recent four-game winning streak - including a big W over the Nuggets - there's not a lot to be excited about in Motor City. This roster is destined for mediocrity.

18. Dallas Mavericks

It doesn't matter what the Mavericks do from here; they're winners this season. They've unearthed one of the best rookies in recent memory in Luka Doncic, and landed an ideal partner for him in Kristaps Porzingis (if he can get healthy again), via trade. They've lost three of their last four games, but any wins now come as a bonus.

19. Miami Heat

Erik Spoelstra reputation as one of the best coaches in the league is being tested at the moment. An already poor Heat roster has been riddled with injuries this season, leaving Spoelstra helpless. They've lost six of their last eight games, and don't look like improving anytime soon. Without point guard, Goran Dragic, the Heat struggle too much to score. Their semi-respectable 108.5 offensive rating with Dragic on the court, drops to 105.0 when he's off. The problem for the Heat is the Slovenian hasn't been on the floor since mid-December.

20. Brooklyn Nets

When you're one of the youngest teams in the NBA, you're going to hit a few bumps in the road. For every great game or winning streak, the Nets play a shocker and lose a bunch in a row. They are on the right track, though. With D'Angelo Russell now an All-Star and Caris LeVert working his way back to 100% faster than expected, things are looking up for the Nets. They'll be one of the rare teams to put their foot down to finish the regular season strongly.

21. Sacramento Kings

Similar to the team above them, the Kings are up and down. De'Aaron Fox has taken a nice leap forward, while Buddy Hield is shooting the lights out at 44.9% from beyond the arc. However, losing streaks will define the Western Conference playoff picture at the end of the regular season, and the Kings will probably have had too many.

22. Washington Wizards

We really shouldn't be surprised that the Wizards are one of the 2018-19 seasons most disappointing teams. They've made a habit of earning that tag in recent years. Bradley Beal is doing his best to put the team on his back, but he's not been able to stop the Wizards from losing five of their last seven to fall ten games below .500 at the break. Then, there's the whole John Wall injury and the massive $37.8 million contract owed to him next season. Ouch.

23. Los Angeles Lakers

There was always a chance the LeBron James Lakers might struggle in year one, but wow, this is bad. To be below .500 at the break is simply shocking. To be three games outside of the playoff seeds is downright worrying.

James said he likes it when he's counted out, but getting the Lakers to continue his post-season streak from here will be one of the biggest challenges of his career.

24. Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are playing for Kemba Walker. You probably wouldn't know it, though. With nothing done to significantly bolster the squad around the deadline in an effort to keep Walker happy, there's every chance they lose him for nothing this summer. Sure, they're looking good to make the playoffs in the East, but who wants to play for a below .500 team all season just to get swept in the first round? Not someone of Walker's talent, that's for sure.

25. Memphis Grizzlies

After 50 days the talk was about how "Memphis seems determined to prove the Power Rankings wrong, amidst a 13-9 start".

They haven't.

Recent losers of 14 from 15 games, the Grizzlies knew it was over. They got on the phone and dealt perennial All Star and DPOY candidate, Marc Gasol, to the Raptors in a trade that signified the end of an era. All they care about now is holding on to their top-eight protected first-round draft pick.

26. Atlanta Hawks

The best of the bad teams, the Hawks have surprised a few people this season. Trae Young has consistently improved, while John Collins announced himself as a future star of the game. With Kevin Heurter and Taurean Waller-Prince also proving handy, the Hawks have a fun, young core. Even with the regular losing streaks, they're a team to keep an eye on.

27. Chicago Bulls

Just thinking about the Bulls prompts a head-shake. How is a team with Kris Dunn, Lauri Markkanen, Wendel Carter Jr and Zach LaVine this bad? Injuries have obviously played a part, but the Bulls should have won their 15th game of the season long before now. Perhaps Otto Porter proves to be a difference maker in Chicago?

28. New York Knicks

The Knicks have gone all-in on 2019 free agency, but traded away their brightest (injured) young star to get there. It's a questionable move that could blow up in their face. Which part of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving would want to play for a famously dysfunctional franchise that, right now, has the worst record in the NBA and recently lost 18 straight games?

29. Phoenix Suns

Losers of 15 games on the bounce leading into the All-Star break, the Suns have all but secured the best chance they could at landing the number one pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. With Devin Booker nursing regular injuries all season, he's another candidate for an early shutdown. It wouldn't change much, though. This team is a dumpster fire.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers might be a little unlucky to be ranked 30th. They at least look like they're trying - and Kevin Love is back, too - although, they currently own the worst defensive rating in NBA history at 117.1. Maybe that's why?*

*It is why.

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READ: What is the Edge?

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