NBA Power Rankings: Cavaliers (15-0) Take No. 1 Spot

· Nov 18 - 5 minutes read

The Cavaliers lead the NBA in scoring at 123.7 points, per NBA betting trends
The Thunder sit second in the league, keeping opponents to 103.5 points per game.
Check out all the odds for the NBA at the BetUS sportsbook.

We’re back with another edition of NBA Power Rankings – your go-to guide for separating contenders from pretenders. This week, we’re diving deep into the league’s top four juggernauts while giving the other 26 their moment of accountability.

NBA Power Rankings: Cavaliers (15-0) Take No. 1 Spot — Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers / Jason Miller/Getty Images/AFP

From the teams crushing it on the court to the squads barely holding it together, we’ve got all the intel and NBA predictions you need to make smart bets. Pull up a chair, and let’s get crackin’.

4 Teams Worth Betting to Win the NBA Championship

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (+1200)

Two weeks ago: 3

Cruising to the top spot, it’s the Cleveland Cavaliers – and it’s not even close. At a perfect 15-0, they’re the league’s only undefeated team and an offensive powerhouse, leading the NBA scoring 123.7 points per game.

Guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland have been the driving force, with Mitchell averaging 24.6 points and 4.4 rebounds while Garland adds 21.4 points and 7.0 assists. Meanwhile, center Jarrett Allen has been a force in the paint, contributing a double-double with 14.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

DG’s got it HANDLED.@dariusgarland22 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/stUTc3hGJW

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 18, 2024

The Cavs are also locking it down defensively, ranking 10th in the league, allowing just 111.4 points per game – tied with the defending champs, the Celtics, per NBA betting tips. Do I think they’ll go 82-0? No way. But for now, they’re the team to beat.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (+500)

Two weeks ago: 1

Look, it was a toss-up between the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder for this week’s silver slot. Both teams are 11-3, but while Boston thrives on offense, OKC dominates defensively – and I’m siding with defense.

Like them or not, the Thunder are just as electric as last season, with point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way at 28.5 points and 6.3 assists per game, followed by power forward Chet Holmgren averaging nearly a double-double with 16.4 points and 8.7 rebounds.

Oklahoma City is 3-1 without Holmgren, who made NBA news by suffering a fractured hip on Nov. 10. He is expected to miss at least two months.

That puts more of an onus on their defense. The Thunder are second in the league, holding opponents to just 103.5 points per game. This team is efficient, balanced, and consistent. See if OKC will stay in my top four for weeks to come.

This ENERGY >>>>>> pic.twitter.com/VVUbTPJwBc

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 18, 2024

3. Boston Celtics (+300)

Two weeks ago: 2

Trailing the Thunder at the bronze spot, it’s the Boston Celtics. While Boston may not be a defensive stopper like Oklahoma City, its offense makes up for it more than enough. Sitting second in the league, putting up 121.6 points per game, just behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. On top of that, they have been scorching hot from 3-point land, leading the NBA with 18.9 3-pointers per game.

However, a lot of Boston’s offensive success can be credited to Jayson Tatum, who’s having a breakout season, leading the charge with 29.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. Here’s the deal: if this team stays healthy, they’ll continue to make defenses sweat all season long.

Tatum is the third betting choice in NBA Most Valuable Player odds at +450.

Hot from this spot 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BPW5llkFl2

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 17, 2024

4. Golden State Warriors (+1800)

Two weeks ago: 6

For my sleeper fourth pick in this week’s NBA Power Rankings, the final spot goes to the Golden State Warriors. At 10-2, they’ve surprised us all and have been a problem for nearly every team they’ve faced.

The Warriors are currently third in the league, putting up 121.3 points per game, and second only to the Celtics with 16.3 made 3-pointers per game. Not to mention, defensively, they’ve been just as solid, holding opponents to just 11.7 made threes per game.

Despite the best record in the Western Conference, Golden State offers value in NBA futures odds at +1800 to win the championship.

Curry makes the crowd goes wild 👌

📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/zHYaLPilF1

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 16, 2024

Offensively, PG Steph Curry is leading the charge with 22.7 points and 6.4 assists per game while SG Buddy Hield, in his first season with Golden State, is adding 17.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Look, the Warriors may have been written off by most, but they’re showing they can still compete at a championship level on both ends of the floor.

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