As we roll into another week of NBA action, it’s time to take stock of where teams stand across the league — and what their betting odds are on Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook are to win the title. There’s been movement throughout the top 10, with Oklahoma City continuing to look like the league’s gold standard, Denver looking like a threat in the West, and several dark horses emerging.

Let’s dive into this week’s NBA Power Rankings.

10. San Antonio Spurs (+3000)

The Spurs’ 5–0 start now feels like a distant memory. At 4–4 since then, San Antonio’s turnover woes have started to catch up with them — coughing it up on 17% of their possessions over the last eight games, the second-worst rate in the league.

Teams like Phoenix, the Lakers, and Golden State have exposed their lack of ball security and half-court organization. Still, there are positives: De’Aaron Fox bounced back from a rough showing against the Warriors with a sharp 28-point, 11-assist performance versus Sacramento, showing signs of leadership and rhythm.

The Spurs’ early promise has hit its first speed bump — but adversity now could pay dividends later for a young group learning how to win.

9. Atlanta Hawks (+3000)

Winners of five straight, the Hawks are starting to find their balance on both ends. They’re top-six in offensive and defensive rating during this stretch, forcing nearly 19 turnovers per game and converting them into 28 points a night.

The emergence of Jalen Johnson — averaging 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists on 60% shooting — has given Atlanta a dynamic new wrinkle. Meanwhile, Onyeka Okongwu has stretched his game beyond the arc, knocking down 41% from three on meaningful volume.

Consistency is the next frontier, but this team looks dangerous — a well-balanced group finally living up to its potential.

8. Golden State Warriors (+1400)

After an embarrassing loss to Oklahoma City, the Warriors responded the way a championship-caliber team should — with grit, defense, and one transcendent Steph Curry performance after another.

Golden State’s three-game win streak included back-to-back road victories in San Antonio and a thrilling 49-point masterpiece from Curry to close the week. His relentless scoring gravity created opportunities everywhere; even role players like Moses Moody have thrived, posting a career-high 32 points in New Orleans.

The Warriors are far from perfect, but this version — engaged, defensive, and centered on peak Steph — is still a force.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (+750)

Cleveland took a couple of lumps this week, losing to Miami and Toronto, but there’s little panic in Northeast Ohio. Darius Garland’s toe injury was re-aggravated but isn’t considered serious, and the Cavs have held steady thanks to Lonzo Ball’s resurgence — 10-for-17 from deep over the past three games — and solid minutes from Craig Porter in the backcourt.

The Cavs need Garland at full health to unlock their ceiling, but the foundation remains sturdy. If their defense can return to last year’s elite form, they’ll stay firmly in the mix.

6. New York Knicks (+1300)

The Knicks’ week was a roller coaster. They looked flat in an ugly loss to Orlando — a game that exposed some of their old issues in transition defense — and then responded with one of their best offensive outings of the year, dropping 140 points on Miami.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Landry Shamet combined for 75 points, while Tom Thibodeau finally seems to be loosening his grip on the rotation, trusting his bench more. The challenge ahead: depth. With OG Anunoby sidelined by a hamstring strain, the Knicks will need to weather the next stretch with resilience and flexibility.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (+1500)

The Lakers have officially steadied the ship. Their back-to-back wins over New Orleans and Milwaukee were a statement: when locked in defensively, they can look like a contender again.

Luka Doncic torched the Bucks’ defense, drawing double teams and creating efficient four-on-three looks all night. The Lakers’ transition defense was the real story, holding Milwaukee to minimal fast-break opportunities.

At 10–4 despite absences from LeBron James and multiple rotation players, this team is quietly building toward something. Their upcoming soft schedule gives LeBron and company a chance to ramp up without overexertion — just in time to test themselves against the West’s elite.

4. Houston Rockets (+1000)

Houston’s transformation is no fluke. Winners of nine of their last ten, the Rockets are first in offense and eighth in defense, powered by the rise of Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant, who have formed one of the most effective duos in the league.

Their roster depth — filled with strong, switchable, two-way athletes — gives them lineup versatility most teams can’t match. As long as Şengün continues his ascent and the defense remains disciplined, the Rockets will stay in the contender conversation.

3. Detroit Pistons (+3000)

Yes, you read that right — the Detroit Pistons have arrived. Winners of nine straight, the Pistons have survived injuries to Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren thanks to the emergence of Daniss Jenkins, who’s averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists in their absence.

Paul Reed has been excellent filling in at center, averaging 19 and 11 in the last two games, while Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson have provided crucial spacing and scoring support.

At 11–2, Detroit looks like the breakout team of the early season — big, physical, and surprisingly deep.

2. Denver Nuggets (+550)

Denver’s seven-game win streak culminated with a statement victory — a road domination of Minnesota despite being down two starters. Nikola Jokić continues to redefine efficiency: over his last seven games, he’s averaged 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists on 71% shooting and 55% from three.

The Nuggets’ defense, ranked No. 2 in the NBA, has been the true revelation. Even without key contributors, their bench has started to extend leads rather than surrender them — a luxury Denver hasn’t always had.

They’re playing like a team that knows exactly what it takes to win another ring.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (+200)

And once again, the Thunder hold the top spot — and it’s not even close.

Oklahoma City dismantled both the Warriors and Lakers this week, suffocating elite offenses with what might be the best defense of this era. They turn defense into devastating transition attacks, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and AJ Mitchell, who’ve mastered the art of creating advantages early in possessions.

Chet Holmgren’s offensive evolution is the final piece: 19 points per game on 70% true shooting, with elite rim finishing and expanding midrange touch. The Thunder’s blend of length, spacing, and chemistry is unmatched.

Simply put, this looks like the best team in basketball — and right now, the title is theirs to lose.

As always, these rankings are strictly about the regular season. This isn’t about who I think will win the title in June — it’s about who’s playing the best basketball right now. Championship odds are courtesy of Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, and the numbers don’t lie. Let’s count them down.

10. Milwaukee Bucks (+4000, 40-1 to win the title)

Milwaukee edges into the top 10 after a solid, if unspectacular, 6–4 start. What gives them the nod over other .600 teams like Miami, Minnesota, and Philly is strength of schedule — the Bucks have already beaten four teams .500 or better, more than the other three combined.

Their recent collapse against Houston exposed some of their flaws: a late-game over-reliance on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s individual creation, and defensive matchups that couldn’t handle Kevin Durant in switches. But let’s not overreact. The Bucks are still solid on both ends — rim pressure, spacing, and athleticism around their star are all there. They just have to learn how to close.

9. New York Knicks (+1300, 13-1)

The Knicks have found their offensive rhythm. Over their four-game win streak, they’ve posted a 131 offensive rating, with six players in double figures and three topping 20 points per game.

The key? Movement and pace. After ranking near the bottom in pass frequency to start the year, New York is now fifth in the NBA. They’re finally executing what they promised in training camp — getting out in transition. Their transition scoring has nearly doubled from 18.6 to 34 points per game during this stretch.

Tom Thibodeau’s group looks balanced, energized, and cohesive — and they’ve quietly climbed to third in the East.

8. Chicago Bulls (+10000, 100-1)

Chicago’s offense has cooled off, and their defense has cratered. After a 5–0 start, they’ve lost three of four, giving up a 120 defensive rating over that stretch.

They can still run — averaging 43 transition points per game — but it’s transition or bust right now. In the halfcourt, they’re barely clearing 0.9 points per possession, and when you pair that with their leaky transition defense (allowing 29 points per game the other way), it’s easy to see why the early momentum has fizzled.

The Bulls need more balance — right now, their identity is built on volatility.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (+750, 7.5-1)

The story in Cleveland is simple: Darius Garland is back, and everything looks better.

I’ve said it before — Garland is the engine of this offense. His ability to get into the teeth of the defense and make quick reads transforms everything. Even while shaking off rust, the Cavs have a 131 offensive rating in Garland’s 54 minutes this season.

Add in Donovan Mitchell’s late-game brilliance — like his takeover against Chicago — and this team’s top-tier defense, and Cleveland looks every bit like a top-four team in the East again.

6. Houston Rockets (+1000, 10-1)

Don’t look now, but Houston’s sitting at 6–1 in their last seven and leading the league in offensive rating.

The Kevin Durant–Alperen Şengün pick-and-roll has become their bread and butter, and it’s borderline unguardable. Switch it? Durant isolates your small. Hedge or trap? Şengün and Amen Thompson eat you alive on the short roll.

The Bucks found that out the hard way — there’s just no good answer. And with Dorian Finney-Smith soon to fill that corner spot instead of Josh Okogie, this offense could somehow get even cleaner.

5. San Antonio Spurs (+3000, 30-1)

It got ugly for a minute — back-to-back losses to the Lakers and Suns — but Victor Wembanyama and co. are already problem-solving.

They’ve adjusted by running Wemby from the elbows, surrounding him with smart shooting spacing. Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes in the corners, De’Aaron Fox back in the mix creating clean looks, and Stephon Castle living in the dunker spot.

The result: two straight wins, including a statement victory over Houston. San Antonio’s starting to look comfortable again — and that’s bad news for everyone else.

4. Denver Nuggets (+550, 5.5-1)

Business as usual.

Denver hasn’t faced a murderers’ row yet — the schedule’s been soft — but they’re the only team in the NBA ranked top three in both offense and defense.

Tim Hardaway Jr. has been a perfect fit — 17 points, five threes, +24 in 24 minutes against Indiana — but Cam Johnson still looks tentative. The real test starts now: a brutal three-game road trip through Sacramento, L.A., and Minnesota.

We’ll learn a lot about Denver this week.

3. Los Angeles Lakers (+1500, 15-1)

Four teams sit at seven wins, but the Lakers get the edge for one reason: strength of schedule. They’ve played the league’s fourth-toughest slate and have five wins against .500+ teams, tied for most in the NBA.

Saturday’s loss to Atlanta was a classic trap game — they weren’t locked in defensively, got sliced up in transition, and never matched the Hawks’ intensity. But that’s been rare.

Here’s what should scare the rest of the league: despite having just 13 combined games from LeBron, Luka, and Austin Reaves out of a possible 30, L.A. still owns the third-best halfcourt offense in basketball. When healthy, this team’s floor is high and their ceiling is championship-level.

2. Detroit Pistons (+6000, 60-1)

Yes, you read that right.

Detroit has been that good. They just beat the Sixers behind a suffocating defensive trio — Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, and Javonte Green — and have the third-best defense in the league through the early going.

More importantly, Cade Cunningham is playing like an MVP candidate: 29 points, 11 assists, 61% true shooting over his last six. The Pistons look balanced, poised, and legitimately scary on both ends.

They’re not just a fun young team anymore — they’re a problem.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (+230, 2.3-1)

For the second straight week, OKC sits on top.

They stumbled against Portland, then responded by dismantling Sacramento and closing out Memphis behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s late-game shotmaking. There’s even some friendly banter brewing — Chet Holmgren joked postgame that he told Shai to stop settling, only for Shai to hit two step-back daggers to shut him up.

This team’s chemistry is elite, but so is the context: OKC’s had the second-easiest schedule in the league, and just one of their last nine wins has come against a .500 team. Still, they’ve taken care of business — and reinforcements are coming.

If they get through the Warriors and Lakers this week (both banged up), they could be 16–1 in two weeks. Then we’re not just talking about power rankings — we’re talking about history.

The Chicago Bulls are off to an electric start this NBA season, fueled by relentless pace, timely shot-making, and composure in the clutch. They’re not overpowering opponents with half-court brilliance — they’re outworking them, running them off the floor, and capitalizing on every extra possession.

What’s made this Bulls team so tough early on is their commitment to pushing tempo. They’re thriving in transition, knocking down threes at a high clip, and playing with the kind of collective energy that’s hard to match when they’re locked in. But that style also comes with an inherent challenge: it demands a ton of effort.

When Chicago’s energy dips — like it did in the first half against the Sixers, or earlier this season versus the Knicks — the cracks start to show. They’re not an elite half-court team yet. When their legs go or their defensive focus slips, they lose the sharpness that makes them special. Still, when they’re flying around and running with purpose, few teams in the league can keep up.

The real test will come once teams start to adjust. Opponents will scout their transition tendencies, their shooting will cool off, and the game will force Chicago to rely more on half-court execution. That’s when we’ll learn who these Bulls really are.

Can the Bulls win the East?

It’s still early, but this stretch has been fascinating from a betting perspective. Chicago’s pace-and-effort identity gives them volatility — but they may be the kind of team that can reel off surprising wins and outperform expectations.

And for what it’s worth, over on Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, the Bulls sit at +3000 to win the Eastern Conference — 10th-best odds overall. That caught my attention. They’re certainly not a lock to finish atop the conference, but for a group playing this hard, that’s a pretty intriguing value.

A Tale of Two Halves: Sixers Run Out of Gas

On the other side, I actually came away impressed with Philadelphia — at least early on. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey dominated the first half. But in the second half, they simply ran out of steam.

The numbers tell the story: Maxey and Embiid took 26 of the team’s second-half shots, while the rest of the Sixers combined for just 19. Compare that to the first half, when those two took 21 and the supporting cast took 28 — that’s the balance they need. Down the stretch, though, the offense devolved into isolation ball. Both stars went cold, no one else found a rhythm, and by the fourth quarter, the fatigue was obvious.

Even Quintin Grimes’ wide-open look in the final moments — his only attempt of the stretch — spoke volumes about how static their offense had become. Philly put up 75 in the first half, but just 36 in the second. It wasn’t just about missed shots; it was about predictability. Too much one-on-one, not enough drive-and-kick flow that had made them dangerous earlier in the season.