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Less than a month before Christmas Day in the NBA, two contenders in the finals, the Celtics and Rockets, are stuck at .500, while surprise teams like the Grizzlies and Clippers are at the top in the west . What are the real beginnings?
During the regular campaign, our panel (consisting of Kevin Arnovitz, ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Andre Snellings, Marc Undefined's Marc J. Spears and FiveThirtyEight's Chris Herring) will rank the top 30 teams in the NBA from top to bottom.
1. Toronto Raptors
Record: 17-4
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
1  |
4-0 | @MEM, GS, @CLE |
The Raptors played four games on their calendar the week before in which they were top favorites and added four wins, making it the only undefeated NBA team of the period. The opening of the season in Toronto at 17-4 is the best in franchise history and the Raptors are one of only two NBA clubs to limit their rivals to an effective percentage of goals scored less than 50 percent (just like the Clippers). The return of C.J. Miles only increases the incomparable depth of Toronto. – Arnovitz
2 Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 14-5
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 2 |
3-1 | @CHA, CHI, @NY |
Finally, we saw the potential negative side of the Milwaukee trio burst the week before, when the Bucks Brook Lopez was 0-12 in long distance (NBA record) in a Phoenix defeat by two points. Despite this, coach Mike Budenholzer said he is encouraged to see Lopez continue to point the basket at the sign, a sign that one or two nights without luck will not prevent the major plan of the L & B. Team to create spaces on the ground. – herring
3. Warriors of the state of the gold
Record: 14-7
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 3 |
2-1 | ENT, @TOR, @DET |
4. THE Clippers
Record: 13-6
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
8  |
3-1 | PHX, @SAC, @DAL |
The NBA could be a league supported by the power of its super stars. However, with a quarter season already in the story, the big-name Clippers are at the top of the NBA's Western Conference. They added another pair of unsuitable wins to the heart during the holiday weekend, against Memphis and a visitor to Portland. A way in which an egalitarian team can thrive in the NBA without talent in the Top 10? On the defensive: the Clippers limit their rivals to an effective percentage of .488, the best league record. – Arnovitz
5 Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 12-7
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
4  |
2-2 | CLE, ATL |
The Thunder suffered a disappointing home defeat at the hands of the Nuggets on Saturday, prompting Russell Westbrook did a late night shooting training that was widely covered in the media. With the exception of this bad moment, they continue at a steady pace. Thunder has been imposed in 12 of his 15 previous engagements and is part of the six-team squad that has been in two games since first place in the West. – Snellings
6. Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 12-7
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 11 |
2-2 | TOR, @BKN, @PHI |
7. Denver Nuggets
Record: 13-7
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 12 |
3-1 | LAL, @POR |
It seems that the Nuggets ended their bad moment after winning three straight games after losing six of their previous seven games. His good race is due to a balanced team effort, with Nikola Jokic averaging 9.7 points per game with 27.5% in the basket of his last three games; However, he was team leader with 8.7 assists per game, in order to keep his teammates involved. – Shouts
8. Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 14-8
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 7 |
3-1 | NY, WAS, MEM |
Well, you know, it was another week of routine for the Sixers: a mysterious turning point in the history of Markelle Fultz, his first regular season loss since mid-March against … Cleveland and another setback by Jimmy Butler. During the first quarter of the season, the Sixers maintained a neutral point differential (with and without Butler). But optimists say that, as they are currently armed, the Sixers have an alignment that can be much better than today's, while they hold the 16th position in defense of the NBA. – Arnovitz
9. Portland Trail Blazers
Record: 12-8
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 5 |
1-3 | ENT, DEN, @SA |
10. Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 11-8
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 13 |
2-1 | @DEN, IND, DAL, PHX |
11. Indiana Pacers
Record: 11-8
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 10 |
1-2 | @UTAH, @PHX, @LAL, @SAC |
Indiana supposed to do "by committee" things to replace the production of Victor Oladipo, missing the last three Pacers games due to injury. Recently, Bojan Bogdanovic was more aggressive and efficient than usual, averaging about 21 points in less than 13 shots per game since Oladipo stopped being part of the starting lineup . – herring
12. Boston Celtics
Record: 10-10
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 6 |
1-3 | @NO, CLE, @MIN |
The Celtics have fallen in four of their last five games, scoring the .500 after 20 games and six games behind the Atlantic Raptors. They face all sorts of difficulties in attack, ranking 27th in the NBA in terms of offensive rankings, with no clear hierarchy among their peripheral talents. Their defense, second-best in the league, allows them to remain competitive, but they must ensure that their offensive is picking up speed again to become contenders. –– Snellings
13 Detroit Pistons
Record: 10-7
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 18 |
3-1 | NY, CHI, GS |
Detroit has avenged for a two-point loss Wednesday in Houston by beating the Rockets Friday at home. Dwane Casey cataloged the demonstration made in said triumph by Andre Drummond, with 23 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks as the best (and most disciplined) I've seen from the giant. – herring
14. Houston Rockets
Record: 9-9
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 9 |
1-2 | @WAS, DAL, @SA, CHI |
Associate Coach Jeff Bzdelik, the Rockets defensive guru, returned to the team full time last Friday after a brief retreat. His return did not have an immediate impact, as Houston allowed 119.5 points for 100 possessions in consecutive losses on the road against Detroit and Cleveland. The Rockets are ranked 23rd in the defensive classification (110.7), down 16 places from the previous season. – MacMahon
15 New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 10-10
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 14 |
1-3 | BOS, WAS, @MIA, @CHA |
16. Charlotte Hornets
Record: 9-10
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 20 |
2-2 | MIL, ATL, UTAH, NO |
It seems that being on the bench during Friday's defeat against the Hornets motivated the Hornets' guard, Malik Monk He shot 32.3% of the pack in November and 22.6% of the triple. The former Kentucky player was eliminated from the depression by scoring 26 points and seven triples in a defeat against the Hawks on Sunday. Monk is unquestionably a celebrity or hungry scorer, since he has scored at least 15 points four times this month and six or four times. – spears
17. Kings of Sacramento
Record: 10-10
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 22 |
2-2 | LAKE, IND |
18. Dallas Mavericks
Record: 9-9
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 19 |
2-1 | @HOU, @LAL, LAC |
19. San Antonio Spurs
Record: 9-10
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 16 |
1-3 | @CHI, @MIN, HOU, POR |
It seems that the Spurs 6-2 started a long time ago. San Antonio has lost eight of his 11 games since and it is reasonable to ask how long the coach Gregg Popovich can keep up with Dante Cunningham as input. Cunningham has the Spurs' worst net score in 11 games, with a sizeable margin, as San Antonio was outscored by 16.2 points for 100 possessions with him on the field. – MacMahon
20. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 9-11
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 17 |
2-1 | @CLE, SA, BOS |
21. Orlando Magic
Record: 10-10
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 21 |
1-2 | @GS, @POR, @PHX |
The Magic have come off a tough week with their second win over the Lakers, who otherwise would have been exciting in the last five games to stay at the top of the Southeast Division. The Magic lost a heartbreaking match against the Raptors, then was defeated by the Nuggets in Denver, but with their win in Los Angeles they have won four of their last six games as they prepare for the third match from a six-game tour on Monday. State of the gold. – Snellings
22 Utah Jazz
Record: 9-11
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 15 |
1-3 | IND, @BKN, @CHA, @MIA |
Coach Quin Snyder made a significant change after losing five of Jazz's six games, starting with Jae Crowder in place of Derrick Favors, Kings striker on Sunday. Utah responded with a season-high score of 133 points, despite the absence of Donovan Mitchell (bruised ribs). Crowder with regular incumbents scored at the elite level (115.9 points per 100 possessions). The initial lineup with Favors was an offensive group (96.9). – MacMahon
23. Washington Wizards
Record: 7-12
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 25 |
2-1 | HOU, @NO, @PHI, BKN |
One of the biggest problems for the Wizards is their fight from 3 points, since they occupy the 28th place in the NBA with 31.8%. The famous shooter Bradley Beal tries 7.1 triples per game, but he converts them to 32.8%, his best career result. The NBA star in 2018 scored 37.5% of his 3 points last season and 40.4% two seasons ago. John Wall achieves 32.3% of the triples so far this season, while Kelly Oubre has an average of 27.6%. – spears
24. Miami Heat
Record: 7-12
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 23 |
1-2 | ATL, NO, UTAH |
The Heat has not had a winning week since October and an offensive featuring some pure creators has sometimes seemed unpleasant. Josh Richardson was the only exception, and one of the reasons Dwyane Wade said this week was that Richardson "picked up the phone every time we called him." Richardson responded to the call in Heat's only win this week against Chicago and achieved a real 61.1% timeout this season. – Arnovitz
25. Brooklyn nets
Record: 8-13
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 24 |
1-3 | UTAH, MEM, @WAS |
The Nets have lost four of their last five and seven of their last nine games, slipping into the basement of the Eastern Conference. The nets are simply missing from game creators with Caris LeVert is no longer in the game and his 25th defense is not enough to stay competitive if he does not score. – Snellings
26. New York Knicks
Record: 7-14
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 26 |
3-1 | @DET, @PHI, MIL |
The Knicks, who entered a series of six consecutive losses last week, ended their fall with three straight wins over powerful opponents. The Knicks seem to have a different star each game. Five players have added 20 points by scoring at least once in the last five games. – Snellings
27 Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 4-14
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 30 |
2-2 | MIN, @OKC, @BOS, TOR |
It was easily the best week of the season for the Cavaliers, who held on to the return of LeBron James in Cleveland on Wednesday before winning both ends of the two Sixers and Rockets teams. The win in Philadelphia, in particular, was impressive, the 76ers were 10-0 at home. These are all positive developments for a Cavs club that has not had much good news lately. – herring
28. Chicago Bulls
Record: 5-15
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 27 |
1-2 | SA, @MIL, @DET, @HOU |
His defense is still nothing to boast about, and probably will never be, but Jabari Parker found an offensive rhythm. He averaged close to 21 points and nine rebounds while shooting close to 49% of the total and 40% of the range of 3 points in his last five games. – herring
29. Phoenix Suns
Record: 4-15
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 28 |
1-3 | IND, @LAC, ENT, @LAL |
The Suns receive a boost from the veteran guard Jamal Crawford of the bank. The 38-year-old had an average of 13 points and two points at three points in the last three games. Phoenix also got a jump shot that won the match with 0.8 seconds to go in a rare win in a 116-114 win over the Bucks. While Crawford, Devin Booker and rookie center Deandre Ayton play well, the Suns continue to fight, as they are the only team in the conference to have fewer than nine wins. – spears
30. Atlanta Hawks
Record: 4-16
| PREVIOUS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| 29 |
1-3 | @MIA, @CHA, @OKC |
The Hawks ended a 10-game losing streak Sunday against Charlotte when Kent Bazemore found an open path to the basket with five seconds. The defeat was not without hope, including the effort of 25 assists, 17 helpers from Trae Young and the return under the hope of John Collins. But the highlight of the week was Vince Carter, who scored 25,000 points in his career in a two-handed dunk with 0.5 seconds to play in Wednesday's game. – Arnovitz
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