NBA Power Rankings: Suns, Warriors flying high at midseason
By Ric Bucher
FOX Sports NBA Writer
We've reached the midway point of the 2021-22 NBA season, which means it's time to check in on where each team stands in the hierarchy of the league.
These are my halfway-point NBA power rankings, with records through games Tuesday.
1. Phoenix Suns: 34-9, first in the Western Conference
This is the NBA’s most balanced team, and nobody has more blowout wins.
2. Golden State Warriors: 32-12, second in the West
The Warriors have the best net rating in the league but the 12th-most efficient offense (!).
3. Miami Heat: 28-16, second in the Eastern Conference
This team went 11-4 without Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo.
4. Milwaukee Bucks: 27-19, fifth in the East
At full strength, the Bucks are the East's team to beat. They haven’t been at full strength all season.
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Ric Bucher joins Marcellus Wiley and Emmanuel Acho to discuss which Big 3 they'd choose: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday or Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving?
5. Utah Jazz: 29-15, fourth in the West
A recent loss to the Lakers exposed how vulnerable the Jazz are when the 3s aren’t falling.
6. Brooklyn Nets: 27-16, third in the East
This team was struggling even before being reduced to 1.5 stars.
7. Memphis Grizzlies: 31-15, third in the West
It's not a mirage: The Grizzlies are 19-10 against winning teams.
8. Chicago Bulls: 27-15, first in the east
The Bulls have the East’s best winning percentage despite being a season-long COVID ward.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers: 27-18, fourth in the east
The Cavs are the Grizzlies of the East: a young team led by a dynamic point guard.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: 25-18, sixth in the East
Joel Embiid’s best season (so far) is keeping this squad afloat.
11. Dallas Mavericks: 25-19, fifth in the West
The Mavs have won nine of their past 10, including victories over the Warriors, Bulls and Grizzlies.
12. Charlotte Hornets: 24-20, seventh in the East
ABTO (Always Bet The Over): This is the NBA's highest scoring offense and second-most generous defense.
13. Denver Nuggets: 22-20, sixth in the West
Denver is above .500 only because the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic, has been more valuable than ever.
14. Washington Wizards: 23-21, eighth in the East
This is an overall average team that has won an NBA-leading eight close games, a credit to coach Wes Unseld Jr.
15. Boston Celtics: 23-22, 10th in the East
The Celtics' defense (sixth) is surprisingly good and their offense (19th) surprisingly bad.
16. Toronto Raptors: 21-20, ninth in the East
Nick Nurse is milking wins by riding his starters (all 34 minutes per game or more).
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: 22-22, seventh in the West
Their secret sauce? Forcing more turnovers than any other team in the league.
18. New York Knicks: 22-23, 11th in the East
The Knicks have a thoroughly mediocre defense (15th) despite playing at the league’s slowest pace.
19. Los Angeles Lakers: 22-22, seventh in the West
This team is 24th in points per game, despite LeBron James scoring better than he has in a decade.
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Lakers head coach Frank Vogel has been facing criticism over the team's performance. Nick Wright joins Colin Cowherd to discuss if the Lakers should replace Frank Vogel as head coach.
20. Atlanta Hawks: 18-25, 12th in the East
The Hawks' offense (second) has never been better. Their defense (27th) has never been worse.
21. LA Clippers: 22-23, ninth in the West
The Clips are hanging tough (9-11) without either Kawhi Leonard or Paul George.
22. Portland Trail Blazers: 18-25, 10th in the West
This organization is getting a long look at what life would be like without Damian Lillard.
23. New Orleans Pelicans: 16-28, 13th in the West
Being relatively COVID-free hasn’t made up for the Pelicans' being completely Zion-free.
24. San Antonio Spurs: 16-28, 12th in the West
This team has no stars, is 29th in 3s and sits dead last in free throws. The Spurs have fallen and can’t get up.
25. Sacramento Kings: 18-28, 11th in the West
Decent backcourt talent and none in the front court equals little interior defense or rebounding.
26. Indiana Pacers: 15-29, 13th in the East
The Pacers have issues galore, but being 1-10 in close games points to a biggie: No closer.
27. Oklahoma City Thunder: 14-29, 14th in the West
Who knew tanking could be this entertaining?
28. Houston Rockets: 13-32, 14th in the West
What does it say that the G League Ignite have more veteran leadership than the Rockets?
29. Detroit Pistons: 10-33, 14th in the East
The Pistons were already the worst shooting team in the league before they lost leading scorer Jerami Grant.
30. Orlando Magic: 8-37, 15th in the East
Orlando is the Unhappiest Place on Earth: eight total wins and 0-3 against the next two worst teams, the Pistons and the Rockets.
Ric Bucher is an NBA writer for FOX Sports. He previously wrote for Bleacher Report, ESPN The Magazine and The Washington Post and has written two books, "Rebound," the story of NBA forward Brian Grant’s battle with young onset Parkinson’s, and "Yao: A Life In Two Worlds," the story of NBA center Yao Ming. He also has a daily podcast, "On The Ball with Ric Bucher." Follow him on Twitter @RicBucher.