Two weeks have gone by, and there are a handful of teams that have swapped spots, but still look like strong teams. For the sake of the atmosphere that The Sports Affiliation sets, I decided to reflect on how sure you could be to use certain teams to bet for or against. The top half of this list are either better percentage-wise, or are good bets overall. Let us know if you think someone is ranked too high, too low, etc. Happy betting.

  1. Boston Celtics (Last rank: 1) – This result is from consistency over the last 2 weeks, a drop by OKC from their road trip and the fact that this team is playing the best ball right now. However, I am 10 toes in on this: If this team is Championship-bound, they’ll need more end-to-end dominance.They are getting too close to letting subpar teams beat them!.
  2. Denver Nuggets (Last rank 5) – Call it a fluke, a viral strain of bad games, bad luck or whatever. This team has seemingly shaken off their losses. I’m making this team a soft 2, because they’re back in the Finals when fully healthy, but are definitely a machine without a cog when anyone key is out of their line-up. This team could be complete with a bit more bench help.
  3. Milwaukee Bucks (Last rank 3) – Teams seem to be moving around the Bucks – and I don’t think that’s a good thing. The Dame acquisition should have put this offense on a scoring pace (123.5 for January) rivaling the 2016 Warriors. Lo and behold, this team seems allergic to consistently dominating the cream of the crop, and worse staying healthy. Hopefully there will be less headlines of “Dame dominates for 40” and more of “Bucks keep on winning.” Otherwise, this team is all gas.
  4. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last rank: 2) – This team is still playing championship ball despite getting absolutely schmacked on their road trip (b2b losses in LA). This road trip has shown me something though – They need help in the middle, and quick. If Memphis is ready to make a trade…
  5. Minnesota Timberwolves (Last rank: 4) – Down , and down this team goes, but it’s not all bad. They’re losing against some of the best opponents in the league (BOS, DAL, OKC), and they’re starting to turn their opponents’ scoring average down. (107.3/1st) Something just seems off when the belief starts to creep in about playoffs for this team – kind of like the Cow-
  6. Philadelphia 76ers (Last rank: 6) – While this team still has an issue with the Big Man and his consistency/health, this team and Tyrese Maxey have been playing up to expectations. Beating the Nuggets and Rockets, a 5 game winning streak and doing what’s needed until this team is 100 percent are all indicators that this team is a safe bet in most games over the next 2 weeks.
  7. Los Angeles Clippers (Last rank: 8) – Take out the loss to the Lakers (more on that later.) Focus on the fact that this team is (dare I say it) good. They got their get-back against a hot OKC team, they’re atop the Pacific Division (and it ain’t that close despite the standings), the health isn’t that much of a concern and their defense is improving.
  8. Dallas Mavericks (Last rank: 7) – The team continues to improve, but there isn’t enough data of a complete squad to say whether this is just a “it depends on how Luka/Kyrie is/are” or if this is a solid team needing one trade to take them into the upper echelon.
  9. Phoenix Suns (Last rank:13) – This team is back to being the offensive threat we pegged them to be in the preseason. Beal still isn’t 100 percent, but it hasn’t mattered. The play of Grayson Allen, the consistency from Booker and Durant and the smart usage of Nurkic has all led to this team starting to regain some traction in the Pacific, and more importantly – the Western Conference
  10. New Orleans Pelicans (Last rank: 12) – This team plays really well when everything goes right: Zion and BI leading the offensive charge, defense interrupting any plans your team might have at getting a flow or rhythm, and they finish games. When this team gets out of sorts, or a more focused team plays them, the score in their losses never reflects the mistakes they make (BI/Zion lead the team w/ 2.5 TOs). This team just needs to continue to work on the little things.
  11. Indiana Pacers (Last rank: 9) – The Pacers are living up to their namesake in the frequency and amount that they score. It seems at times, that is a detriment to the result they’re trying to achieve. They are still a good basketball team that could be a wrecking ball in the playoffs, but something has to give for this team. It just cannot be on the defensive end. I understand that adding Pascal Siakam via trade is to help raise the offensive game for all starters, but…
  12. Miami Heat (Last rank: 11) – First, apologies for those that followed the advice of, “Jaime Jaquez Jr. Go get him in fantasy. “ He got hurt, and it may have hurt your line ups (it did mine). Nonetheless, this team is still doing its best McGuyver impression by winning with paper clips, bubblegum, the insight of Spolestra and some really decent defense (5th in opp ppg)
  13. Brooklyn Nets (Last rank: 15) – Killa Cam Thomas and the Nets are lighting up the West, showing how to do what they came to do (win) without Dinwiddie (doing his best Kyrie). Not sure what the direction of this team is, but based on the rankings over this season, everything is moving up.
  14. Sacramento Kings (Last rank: 14) – I’m at a loss for words on what to write here. 3 reasons why: 1) I’m still comparing this team to their performance last season. They haven’t achieved that pace yet. 2) This team just went on a string of losses right after a string of wins. Is this team a safe bet? 3) Key games over the next 10 days give me pause to say how this team’s record and play will match (GSW, ATL, DAL, MEM, MIA)
  15. Orlando Magic (Last rank 10) – The current stretch of subpar scoring bothers me. While this team can push to be an average 120-ppint scoring team, it doesn’t seem to find the efficiency to do so. So, some of their recent losses has been due to all of the above, plus, its been a tough run. The Denver win has been one of their saving graces