What a week! We saw some impressive individual performances this week from the league’s best that has intensified the race for MVP. The greatness of Luka Doncic this week was on full display and the Dallas Mavericks extended their win streak to 6 in a row. The Brooklyn Nets keep their winning ways alive as well and push their win streak to 11 in a row. What is going on with the other New York team? The New York Knicks had won 8 in a row and now have gone 1-5 in their last six games. We now enter into the new year and can only expect to see more exciting games, performances and historical statistics.

These are my power rankings based on games played through 1/1/2023.

1. Boston Celtics (26-11)

The Celtics remain number one even after a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The offense struggled during the month of December but the offense is still ranked as the best in the league. While the offense struggled in December, the defense did not drop off. The team ranked second defensively to the end the 2022 calendar year. In their last ten games, they’ve gone 5-5. This week they have two tough road games against OKC and then Dallas to end their road trip so they will look to improve on their current 11-6 road record.

2. Denver Nuggets (24-12)

The play of Nikola Jokic is the main reason the Nuggets are atop the Western Conference but the others are starting to pick up their play while Jokic continues to put up historic numbers. Bones Hyland has been contributing off the bench while Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. have been scoring in bunches as well. With the depth playing consistently, the Nuggets are 8-2 in their last ten games. They currently are ranked fifth in points per game and second in assists. They are a nightmare to defend.

3. Brooklyn Nets (24-12)

Without a doubt, the Nets have been the hottest team in the league and are winners of 11 in a row. They now have the second-best record in the league. The defense is nearing top five in the league (currently 7th) and over this win streak, the offense has been scoring 123.4 points per 100 possessions. That is almost 5 more points than any other team.

4. Memphis Grizzlies (23-13)

After a bad home loss against the Phoenix Suns, Memphis bounced back with two dominating wins against the Toronto Raptors on the road and then a home win against the New Orleans Pelicans. Currently on a three-game win streak and are 6-4 over their last ten. Grizzlies continue to dominate in the paint against the league thanks to the constant attacking of Ja Morant on the offensive end while Jarron Jackson Jr. dominates both offensively and defensively with his rim protection.

5. New Orleans Pelicans (23-13)

The Pelicans went 3-1 to end the 2022 calendar year. They won five in a row before having a bad shooting night on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies. Zion Williamson is still dominating offensively. This week he had a career high 43 points against the Timberwolves and then followed it up with 36 points against the 76ers. The team remains a top ten offensive and defensive team according to the ratings.

Next in line: Cleveland Cavaliers

Some of the top performances this week include:  

Monday (12/26)

• Paul George led the Los Angeles Clippers to an overtime win against the Detroit Pistons, putting in 32 points. Clippers win 142-131.
• Kevin Porter Jr. scored a season high 36 points and led the Houston Rockets to a 133-118 road victory against the Chicago Bulls.

Tuesday (12/27)

• The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic thanks to a triple double from Russell Westbrook (15,13 & 13) while LeBron James added 28 points. The Lakers win 129-110.
• Jayson Tatum (38 points) and Jaylen Brown (39 points) combined for 77 points and led the Boston Celtics to a 126-102 victory over the Houston Rockets.
• Luka Doncic put up an insane triple double stat line with 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists as he led the Dallas Mavericks to a comeback win against the New York Knicks in overtime. Final score, 126-121, Dallas wins.

Wednesday (12/28)

• Kevin Durant had a 26 point, 16 rebound double double which helped the Brooklyn Nets extend their win streak to 10 games in a row. The Nets defeat the Atlanta Hawks 108-107.
• In a scoring duel between DeMar DeRozan (42 points)of the Chicago Bulls and Giannis Antetokounmpo (45 points) of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Bulls get the victory in overtime, 119-113.
• Zion Williamson scored a career high 43 points and led the New Orleans Pelicans to a 119-118 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Thursday (12/29)

• Ja Morant set a new career high in assists with 17, to go along with 19 points and led the Memphis Grizzlies to a 119-106 road victory against the Toronto Raptors.
• Luka Doncic had a triple double (35 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists) and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 129-114.
• LaMelo Ball fell one assist shy of a triple double (27, 10 & 9) and the Charlotte Hornets pulled away to get the victory 121-113 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
• The Boston Celtics get a huge home win against the Los Angeles Clippers as duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both score 29 points. The Celtics win 116-110.

Friday (12/30)

• Kristaps Porzingis had 30 points and 13 rebounds which helped lead the Washington Wizards to a 119-100 win over the Orlando Magic.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo has a monster 43 points and 20 rebounds to give the Milwaukee Bucks a 123-114 home win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
• Zach Lavine scored a season high 43 points. The Chicago Bulls beat the Detroit Pistons 132-118 at home.
• Jordan Poole of the Golden State Warriors scored 41 points and added 6 assists to give the Warriors a 118-112 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.
• Birthday boy, LeBron James almost nets a triple double (47 points, 10 rebounds & 9 assists) as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 130-121 on the road.

Saturday (12/31)

• Joel Embiid led the Philadelphia 76ers with a 16 point, 13 rebound, 10 assist triple double and the 76ers went on to win 115-96 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
• Bam Adebayo led the Miami Heat with 32 points but the hero of the game was teammate Tyler Herro, who put in 29 points and the game winning three pointer as time expired. Heat win against the Utah Jazz 126-123.
• Ja Morant had 32 points and 8 assists as the Memphis Grizzlies won at home against the New Orleans Pelicans 116-101.
• Tyrese Haliburton had 24 points and 10 assists which helped lead the Indiana Pacers to a 131-130 win against the Los Angeles Clippers. Former Pacer, Paul George scored 45 points in the loss.
• Luka Doncic’s 51 points and 9 assists led the Dallas Mavericks to a 126-125 road win against the San Antonio Spurs.

Sunday (1/1)

• Nikola Jokic tallied another triple double (30 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists) and the Denver Nuggets won against the Boston Celtics, 123-111.
• Ja Morant scored 35 points and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Sacramento Kings at home 118-108.