What a week of basketball! Two of the hottest teams in the Eastern conference, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, saw their win streaks extend to 8 in a row. The bottom teams in each respective conference, Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets had their losing streaks extend to five in a row. This week was all capped off with five big time matchups on Christmas day, with the Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics being the must watch game. Now, before we get to the updated power rankings, I have to shout out to my Chicago Bulls as we went 3-0 this week which included back to back game winners.

These are my rankings based on games played through 12/25/2022.

1. Boston Celtics (24-10)

The Boston Celtics are back on top of the power rankings list. They seem to have gotten out their offensive struggles and picked up two important wins to end the week with wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas day. The Celetics are back at number one in offensive rating while still remaining a top ten defensive team. They will be tested again on the road after these next two home games as they will play 10 of their next 13 games on the road. Their last road trip they went 2-4 and suffered their worst loss of the season.

2. Denver Nuggets (21-11)

The Denver Nuggets had a strong 3-0 week by beating three western conference teams who all have winning records. Nikola Jokic may have jumped Jayson Tatum to be the front runner of the MVP race with his performances this week. He had two triple doubles this week and is now basically averaging a triple double on the year. Jamal Murray is back and playing well, along with Aaron Gordon playing at an elite level the Nuggets are now atop this Western Conference standings.

3. Memphis Grizzlies (20-12)

7-3 in their last 10 games but currently 1-4 on this road trip. The one win was against the Phoenix Suns where they saw the return of Desmond Bane. The Grizzlies still are a top ten offensive team and slid just outside of the top ten in regards to defensive rating (currently 11th). However, they still are top overall net rating and now with the team getting back to full health, they should remain atop the Western Conference.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (22-12)

7-3 record in their last 10 games and were on a five game win streak until suffering a loss Friday 12/23. By only allowing 104.9 points per game, the Cavaliers currently hold the number one defensive rating amongst the league and overall are second behind Boston in total net rating with 6.0 (Boston is at 6.5) Cleveland is the real deal and have a legit chance in the East as long as Donovan Mitchell continues his All-Star/Superstar level of play.

5. Brooklyn Nets (21-12)

Besides the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn is probably the hottest team in the NBA right now. Winners of 8 in a row and overall 9-1 in their last 10 games. The Nets are currently a top 5 offensive ranked team thanks to the play of Kevin Durant who is averaging 30 points per game, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Next in line: Philadelphia 76ers

Some of the top performances this week include:

 Monday (12/19)

• Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks went to work and put in 37 points and 13 assists in a close win against the Orlando Magic. This ended the Magic’s win streak of 6 games in a row. Hawks win 126-125.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo had a dominating performance against the New Orleans Pelicans tallying 42 points and 10 rebounds. This was a top five match up according to my power rankings last week. The Milwaukee Bucks hold Zion to only 18 points and go on to win 128-119.
• The Oklahoma City Thunder win against the Portland Trail Blazers thanks to another game winning shot from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who finished with 35 points and 6 assists. In this game we also saw Damian Lillard become the all-time leading scorer in Portland Trail Blazers history. Final score 123-121, OKC wins.

Tuesday (12/20)

• The New York Knicks destroyed the Golden State Warriors as they continue to be horrible on the road this season. Immanuel Quickley was top scorer for the Knicks with 22 points and helped bring the team’s win streak to 8 in a row. Final score 132-94.
• The Washington Wizards end their 10 game losing streak as they win a close game on the road against the Phoenix Suns. Kyle Kuzma of the Wizards scored 29 points in the win.
• Nikola Jokic had his second straight triple double performance as he led the Denver Nuggets to a win against the Memphis Grizzlies. Jokic tallied 13 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists. Nuggets win 105-91.

Wednesday (12/21)

• Joel Embiid continued his MVP play as he led the Sixers to six straight wins as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Detroit Pistons 113-93. Embiid finishes with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
• Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers scored 33 points and also dished out 8 assists as they beat the Boston Celtics 117-112.
• Domantas Sabonis had a triple double with 13 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists and the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers 134-120.

Thursday (12/22)

• CJ McCollum scored a season high 40 points as the New Orleans Pelicans won 126-117 against the San Antonio Spurs.

Friday (12/23)

• James Harden dished out a career high 21 assist and a triple double while teammate Joel Embiid scored 44 points as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Los Angeles Clippers 119-114.
• Jaylen Brown scored 36 points and ended the Boston Celtics three game losing streak as they won 121-109 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
• Zach Lavine of the Chicago Bulls scores 33 points and teammate DeMar DeRozan saves the day and scores the game winning basket against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. DeRozan finished with 25 points. RJ Barrettt of the Knicks had a game high 44 points in the loss. Bulls win 118-117.
• Tyrese Haliburton racked up a career high 43 points and also had the game winning three pointer against the Miami Heat. Indiana Pacers win 111-108 on the road.
• Two big double doubles from teammates Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a win against the Portland Trail Blazers. Murray had 25 points and 12 assists while Jokic had 29 points and 11 assists. Nuggets win 120-107.

Sunday (12/25)

• Joel Embiid led the 76ers to 119-112 win over the New York Knicks. He finished with 35 points and 8 rebounds.
• LeBron James playing in his historic 17th Christmas game puts in 38 points. The Los Angeles Lakers come up short as Luka Doncic, who scored 32 points, led the Dallas Mavericks to a 124-115 win. Christian Wood also scored 30 points.
• Jayston Tatum and Jaylen put on a scoring clinic as they lead the Boston Celtics past the Milwaukee Bucks 139-118. Tatum tallied 41 points while Brown put in 29 points of his own.
• Jordan Poole scores 32 points and the Golden State Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies 123-109.
• Nikola Jokic had himself another triple double with 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists. Teammates Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon had monster games as well. Murray had 26 points while Gordon added 28 points and 13 rebounds. The Nuggets win in Overtime against the Phoenix Suns 128-125.