NBA Power Ranking: Clippers Still Ahead of Lakers in West

These Rankings are Based on Who Has the Best Chance to Win the Championship

1LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 44-20 | 2020 Projection: 58 Wins
Win 74% of Neutral Court Simulations

They win the championship in 32% of simulations which makes them a good betting value. Current Odds are 3/1, 25%. They are projected to win 58 games and go over their pre-season futures line of 52.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #2 in the West. After 64 games, their expected win percentage is 68% based on the money line odds. At 44-20 they are in line with these expectations.

2LOS ANGELES LAKERS 49-14 | 2020 Projection: 64 Wins
Win 73% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are not a good bet to win the championship. Their 26.7% chance is #2 in the league. Current Odds are 9/5, 35.7%. Their pre-season futures line was 48.5 wins so they have hit the over. Based on wins per simulation they are projected to have the best record in the West. After 63 games, their expected win percentage is 70% based on the money line odds. At 49-14 they ahead of expectations.

3MILWAUKEE BUCKS 53-12 | 2020 Projection: 65 Wins
Win 69% of Neutral Court Simulations

Their simulation based win percentage (21.4%) is not better than their odds implied probability but it would be if not for the juice on the lines. Current Odds are 3/1, 25%. They are projected to win 65 games and go over their pre-season futures line of 57.5. Based on wins per simulation they are projected to have the best record in the East. After 65 games, their expected win percentage is 77% based on the money line odds. At 53-12 they are in line with these expectations.

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4TORONTO RAPTORS 46-18 | 2020 Projection: 57 Wins
Win 62% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are a good bet to win the championship (5.4 percent chance). Current Odds are 20/1, 4.8%. Their pre-season futures line was 46 wins so they have a push with 18 games remaining. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #2 in the East. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 38.3-25.7. They are ahead of expectations with their 46-18 record.

5BOSTON CELTICS 43-21 | 2020 Projection: 54 Wins
Win 62% of Neutral Court Simulations

Their simulation based win percentage (4.4%) is not better than their odds implied probability but it would be if not for the juice on the lines. Current Odds are 20/1, 4.8%. They are projected to win 54 games and go over their pre-season futures line of 49.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #3 in the East. After 64 games, their expected win percentage is 61% based on the money line odds. At 43-21 they ahead of expectations.

6DENVER NUGGETS 43-21 | 2020 Projection: 54 Wins
Win 63% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are better in our neutral power ranking. Their sim win percentage vs every other team on a neutral court has them as the #4 team in the league. If futures lines were not heavily juiced, the Nuggets would be a good betting value. Their 3.6% chance to win the championship (based on simulations) is #6 in the league. Current Odds are 25/1, 3.8%. They are projected to win 54 games and live up to their pre-season futures line of 53.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #3 in the West. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 39.6-24.4. At 43-21 they ahead of expectations.

7UTAH JAZZ 41-23 | 2020 Projection: 52 Wins
Win 62% of Neutral Court Simulations

If futures lines were not heavily juiced, the Jazz would be a good betting value. Their 2.4% chance to win the championship (based on simulations) is #7 in the league. Current Odds are 40/1, 2.4%. They are projected to win 52 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 53.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #4 in the West. After 64 games, their expected win percentage is 66% based on the money line odds. They are coming up short of expectations at 41-23.

8INDIANA PACERS 39-26 | 2020 Projection: 49 Wins
Win 55% of Neutral Court Simulations

Their simulation based win percentage (0.9%) is not better than their odds implied probability but it would be if not for the juice on the lines. Current Odds are 100/1, 1%. They are projected to win 49 games and go over their pre-season futures line of 46.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #6 in the East. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 36.8-28.2. At 39-26 they are in line with these expectations. They are worse in our neutral power ranking where they are ranked just #10 in the league.

9PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 38-26 | 2020 Projection: 49 Wins
Win 56% of Neutral Court Simulations

Our projection recommends not betting on them to win it all. Their 0.9% chance is #9 in the league. Current Odds are 40/1, 2.4%. They are projected to win 49 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 55. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #5 in the East. After 64 games, their expected win percentage is 60% based on the money line odds. At 38-26 they are in line with these expectations.

10HOUSTON ROCKETS 40-24 | 2020 Projection: 49 Wins
Win 57% of Neutral Court Simulations

If healthy on a neutral court they have a better power ranking (#8 in the league). Their 0.8% chance is #10 in the league which is not high enough to be a good bet. Current Odds are 20/1, 4.8%. They are projected to win 49 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 54.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #5 in the West. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 42.8-21.2. They are coming up short of expectations at 40-24.

11MIAMI HEAT 41-23 | 2020 Projection: 51 Wins
Win 53% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are not a good bet to win the championship. Their 0.7% chance is #11 in the league. Current Odds are 40/1, 2.4%. They are projected to win 51 games and go over their pre-season futures line of 44.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #4 in the East. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 36.7-27.3. At 41-23 they are in line with these expectations.

12ORLANDO MAGIC 30-35 | 2020 Projection: 39 Wins
Win 52% of Neutral Court Simulations

Their championship based ranking is better than their #14 ranking based on our neutral court simulations. They are a good bet to win the championship (0.2 percent chance). Current Odds are 2000/1. They are projected to win 39 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 42.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #7 in the East. After 65 games, their expected win percentage is 48% based on the money line odds. At 30-35 they are in line with these expectations.

13DALLAS MAVERICKS 39-27 | 2020 Projection: 47 Wins
Win 54% of Neutral Court Simulations

If healthy on a neutral court they have a better power ranking (#11 in the league). They are not a good bet to win the championship. Their 0.2% chance is #13 in the league. Current Odds are 40/1, 2.4%. They are projected to win 47 games and go over their pre-season futures line of 42.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #7 in the West. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 40.1-25.9. At 39-27 they are in line with these expectations.

14BROOKLYN NETS 30-34 | 2020 Projection: 38 Wins
Win 47% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are much worse in our neutral power ranking where they are ranked just #19 in the league. Even with the juice, the Nets are a good betting value. Their 0.1% chance to win the championship (based on simulations) is #14 in the league. Current Odds are 1000/1, 0.1%. They are projected to win 38 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 42.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #8 in the East. After 64 games, their expected win percentage is 48% based on the money line odds. At 30-34 they are in line with these expectations.

15OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 40-24 | 2020 Projection: 48 Wins
Win 50% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are worse in our neutral power ranking where they are ranked just #17 in the league. They do not have any real chance to win the championship. Current Odds are 100/1, 1%. Their pre-season futures line was 32 wins so they have hit the over. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #6 in the West. After 64 games, their expected win percentage is 51% based on the money line odds. They are ahead of expectations with their 40-24 record.

16MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 32-33 | 2020 Projection: 40 Wins
Win 52% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are much better in our neutral power ranking. Their sim win percentage vs every other team on a neutral court has them as the #13 team in the league. They win the championship in less than 0.1% of simulations. Current Odds are 500/1, 0.2%. Their pre-season futures line was 27.5 wins so they have hit the over. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #8 in the West. After 65 games, their expected win percentage is 39% based on the money line odds. They are ahead of expectations with their 32-33 record.

17PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS 29-37 | 2020 Projection: 38 Wins
Win 51% of Neutral Court Simulations

They do not have any real chance to win the championship. Current Odds are 100/1, 1%. They are projected to win 38 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 45.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #10 in the West. After 66 games, their expected win percentage is 48% based on the money line odds. At 29-37 they are short of expectations.

18NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 28-36 | 2020 Projection: 38 Wins
Win 51% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 38 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 39. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #9 in the West. Their playoff chances stand at 23.7% (0% to win the division). After 64 games, their expected win percentage is 45% based on the money line odds. At 28-36 they are short of expectations. If healthy on a neutral court they have a much better power ranking (#15 in the league).

19SACRAMENTO KINGS 28-36 | 2020 Projection: 37 Wins
Win 50% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 37 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 38.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #11 in the West. Their playoff chances stand at 11% (0% to win the division). After 64 games, their expected win percentage is 44% based on the money line odds. At 28-36 they are in line with these expectations.

20SAN ANTONIO SPURS 27-36 | 2020 Projection: 36 Wins
Win 45% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 36 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 45.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #12 in the West. Their playoff chances stand at 4.7% (0% to win the division). Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 30.1-32.9. At 27-36 they are short of expectations.

21PHOENIX SUNS 26-39 | 2020 Projection: 34 Wins
Win 43% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 34 games and go over their pre-season futures line of 29.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #13 in the West. Their playoff chances are under 1%. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 29.6-35.4. They are coming up short of expectations at 26-39.

22WASHINGTON WIZARDS 24-40 | 2020 Projection: 29 Wins
Win 34% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 29 games and go over their pre-season futures line of 26.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #9 in the East. Their playoff chances are under 1%. After 64 games, their expected win percentage is 38% based on the money line odds. At 24-40 they are in line with these expectations.

23CHARLOTTE HORNETS 22-42 | 2020 Projection: 29 Wins
Win 35% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 29 games and go over their pre-season futures line of 23. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #11 in the East. Their playoff chances are under 1%. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 20.4-43.6. At 22-42 they are in line with these expectations.

24CHICAGO BULLS 22-43 | 2020 Projection: 29 Wins
Win 42% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are better in our neutral power ranking. Their sim win percentage vs every other team on a neutral court has them as the #22 team in the league. They are projected to win 29 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 34. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #10 in the East. Their playoff chances are under 1%. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 28.4-36.6. They are coming up short of expectations at 22-43.

25ATLANTA HAWKS 20-46 | 2020 Projection: 27 Wins
Win 35% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 27 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 34. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #12 in the East. In simulations, they have been eliminated from playoff contention. They were a +210 'underdog' to make the playoffs in the preseason. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 21.8-44.2. At 20-46 they are in line with these expectations.

26MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 19-45 | 2020 Projection: 26 Wins
Win 42% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 26 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 35.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #14 in the West. In simulations, they have been eliminated from playoff contention. They were a +350 'underdog' to make the playoffs in the preseason. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 26.4-37.6. At 19-45 they are short of expectations. They are much better in our neutral power ranking. Their sim win percentage vs every other team on a neutral court has them as the #23 team in the league.

27NEW YORK KNICKS 20-45 | 2020 Projection: 25 Wins
Win 29% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 25 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 27.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #13 in the East. In simulations, they have been eliminated from playoff contention. They were a +700 'underdog' to make the playoffs in the preseason. Based on money line odds their expected record at this point of the season is 21.8-43.2. At 20-45 they are in line with these expectations.

28DETROIT PISTONS 20-45 | 2020 Projection: 25 Wins
Win 30% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 25 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 37.5. Their average wins per simulation puts them at #14 in the East. In simulations, they have been eliminated from playoff contention. They were a +130 'underdog' to make the playoffs in the preseason. After 65 games, their expected win percentage is 41% based on the money line odds. They are coming up short of expectations at 20-45.

29CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 19-46 | 2020 Projection: 24 Wins
Win 34% of Neutral Court Simulations

They are projected to win 24 games and live up to their pre-season futures line of 24. In simulations they finish last in the East based on projected wins. In simulations, they have been eliminated from playoff contention. They were a +1500 'underdog' to make the playoffs in the preseason. After 65 games, their expected win percentage is 30% based on the money line odds. At 19-46 they are in line with these expectations.

30GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 15-50 | 2020 Projection: 21 Wins
Win 36% of Neutral Court Simulations

If healthy on a neutral court they have a much better power ranking (#24 in the league). They are projected to win 21 games and come in under their pre-season futures line of 47.5. In simulations they finish last in the West based on projected wins. In simulations, they have been eliminated from playoff contention. They were a -450 'favorite' to make the playoffs in the preseason. After 65 games, their expected win percentage is 28% based on the money line odds. They are coming up short of expectations at 15-50.

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