NBA Power Ranking Notes (November 11, 2024)
The above NBA power rankings include a combined ranking conjured up by Odds Shark's computers stemming from data from the early portion of the 2024-25 regular season, along with the rankings of basketball expert Chris Walder to compare.
Here is where Chris differs most from the computer-generated rankings:
NBA Power Rankings Most Overrated Team: New Orleans Pelicans
One again, the New Orleans Pelicans are valued to a much greater and undeserved degree by the computer when compared to someone who can analyze the ins and outs of their current shortcomings, which can mostly be attributed to a slew of injuries.
At 3-7, yes, the absences of a starting lineup's worth of talent is a major factor in New Orleans' slow start. Zion Williamson (hamstring), Dejounte Murray (hand), CJ McCollum (adductor), Herb Jones (shoulder), Trey Murphy III (hamstring), and Jordan Hawkins (back) are all out of action, but excuses are just that.
Being slotted in at No. 6 when taking everything into account is blasphemous, and basically feels more sympathetic than accurate.
NBA Power Rankings Most Underrated Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
One day, the OS computer will come around and recognize just how special the Cleveland Cavaliers are with their flawless start to kick off this season.
There's no rational reason out there as to why the Cavaliers should be anything other than the No. 1 or 2 spot on these power rankings, making the No. 13 spot all the more egregious. They possess the best offense in basketball and a top-10 defense, all the while bringing back an identical roster to last season with a new head coach with fresh philosophies in Kenny Atkinson.
This start is no fluke. Cleveland is here to stay.
How Are NBA Power Rankings Created?
* Power rankings are updated every Monday and Friday of the NBA regular season. Ranks are based on a rolling 20-game range; early in the season, this date range reaches back to regular-season games of the previous year.
How many times have you looked at the NBA standings and saw a team that seems to have good talent and excellent stats, near the bottom of the standings? Did you think “That’s strange. I’ll bet they're an underdog tonight against a team they can beat.”)
This happens all the time because standings only detail past wins and losses. They don't help you predict NBA futures, nor do they give an accurate picture of the true strength of each team relative to one another — that’s what an NBA Power Rankings grid is for! We aim to crunch all the important stats – field-goal percentage, three-point defense, ATS road victories, home rebounding and more — to rate all NBA teams based on our unique handicapping formulas.
One team’s weakness may play perfectly into another's strength. Compare these power rankings against NBA point-spread and NBA moneylines to find an edge and you'll have a better chance of winning your wagers! See below for a ratings chart that details all the nerd math underlying our rankings.
The NBA Power Rankings page here at Odds Shark factors in home and road scoring, rebounding, margin of victory average, three-pointers per game, free-throw percentage, and more. We rate each team in each category and apply our weightings to each. We do the same for the defensive end of the court – steals, defensive rebounding, road and home efficiencies, which teams defend the perimeter, and more.
We take an overall power number and multiply it by a strength-of-schedule weighting that gives our overall NBA power rank. That list should help you judge the best odds on the NBA spread and moneyline at your favorite sportsbook. It’s part of our commitment to provide better NBA data, truer NBA rankings and stats that help you win more often!
Good luck with your NBA handicapping and bookmark this page for weekly power rank updates.