NBA power rankings: Path to a title for league's best 10 teams

Over a quarter way through the NBA season, we're finally confident enough to rank the top-10 teams in the league. Plus, we explain why each team can win an NBA title... and what might be standing in the way. (Statistics are through games of Dec. 17, 2023.)

1. Boston Celtics (20-5)

Why they can win it all: Boston doesn't have a weakness. Offseason addition Kristaps Porzingis (18.9 points, 1.6 blocks) is a splendid fit, Jayson Tatum is playing at an All-NBA level and the C's still have yet to lose at home (14-0). If this team isn't unbeatable, they're close to it.

Why they might not: How deep does Boston go? Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet have been reliable this season, but can they be trusted with regular playoff playing time? If one thing will bring about Boston's demise, it might be a bench that lacks a leader, but even that feels like a reach.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves (19-5)

Why they can win it all: The Wolves have a defensive answer for every scheme. If a team has an aggressive wing, employ Jaden McDaniels or Kyle Anderson. Dominant big man? Rudy Gobert is back to DPOY form. Crafty point guard? Toss Nickeil Alexander-Walker his way.

Why they might not: Does Minnesota have enough scoring punch after Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns? Conley and Naz Reid are great, but not as volume scorers. McDaniels is a wonderful defensive player but hasn't blossomed into the offensive creator many expected him to be. We're confident in Edwards leading the charge, but is there enough consistency down the lineup to beat teams that are elite on both ends?

3. Denver Nuggets (17-10)

Why they can win it all: We saw the formula last season. Michael Malone can coach with anyone in the league, Nikola Jokic is still a transcendent offensive talent, Jamal Murray is a perfect combo guard and while Michael Porter Jr.'s shooting has taken a modest dip (still 38.5% from deep), we're not concerned about his shooting when the playoffs roll around.

Why they might not: Repeating is really hard — the last team to do it was the Golden State Warriors in 2017-18. Winning one is tough, and then doing it when everyone is hell-bent on knocking you off is even tougher. The pressure to repeat — plus the loss of Bruce Brown in the offseason to the Indiana Pacers— might be impossible to overcome. Christian Braun, Peyton Watson and, recently, Julian Strawther have done their best to replicate Brown's impact, but can they keep it up for 20+ playoff games? 

4. Philadelphia 76ers (18-7)

Why they can win it all: The list is long. The Joel Embiid + Tyrese Maxey two-man game continues to be deadly, and both players' passing improvements result in a high-powered offense in Philly. Kelly Oubre has provided buckets off the bench. Meanwhile, Nicolas Batum and Patrick Beverley are filling gaps seamlessly. The Sixers have a net rating of 12.1, more than three points better than Boston's. They're simply crushing teams now.

Why they might not: Philly might need one more pure shooter on the roster. Just like last season, this is a good three-point shooting percentage team (fifth in the NBA, 38.1%) but not a high-volume three-point shooting team (21st in attempts, 32.5 per game). Plug Alec Burks into the minutes Marcus Morris is receiving, and Philly might look like a title favorite. Until a move that like takes place, (small) holes remain.  

5. Milwaukee Bucks (19-7)

Why they can win it all: Well, they've done it before, and now they have Damian Lillard. Milwaukee looked a little shaky to start the season, but they were still winning games. Now the offense is clicking — the Bucks own the league's best three-point percentage (41.9) and field-goal percentage (53.7) in December — and the wins keep rolling in. 

Why they might not: You'd think a defense that employs Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo would be league-average at worst. You'd be wrong. Milwaukee's defense has been bad all season, posting bottom-10 numbers in defensive rating, opposing fast break points, opposing points in the paint and opposing second-chance points. Milwaukee has the personnel to be great defensively, but that hasn't materialized yet.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder (16-8)

Why they can win it: Chet Holmgren has developed much faster than anticipated. Jalen Williams has done the same. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander somehow got better, Isaiah Joe is an elite floor-spacer (42.6% 3PT) and Mark Daigneault is one of the most respected young coaches in the NBA. OKC is built like a contender.

Why they might not: 2023 still might be too early for OKC. Theoretically, it has the pieces to go all the way, but none of the players on this roster have ever actually done it. Great things are in store for this core... someday.

7. Los Angeles Clippers (15-10)

Why they can win it: Remember when this experiment wasn't working? That's no longer the case. Kawhi Leonard looks like his old, All-NBA self, scoring 30+ in four of his past five games. As a team, the Clips were winning by stifling teams defensively, but now the offense (fourth best in December) is rounding into form, too.

Why they might not: The entirety of Leonard and Paul George's tenures in L.A. has been volatile. Then the team added perhaps the most volatile player in the league. Health will always be a question, and James Harden's playoff struggles also will be a question until he puts those narratives to rest. It could all click this season, but it could have clicked every season for L.A., but it hasn't yet. Is Harden going to be the player who gets a team over a postseason hump? We'll believe it when we see it.

8. Orlando Magic (16-9)

Why they can win it: This team just keeps throwing guys on the floor and it works every time. What this team lacks in superstar production it makes up for in real bench depth. Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, Joe Ingles, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Wagner make up a balanced bench unit that's second in the league in points per game (45.1).

Why they might not: Losses to Boston on Friday and Sunday show Orlando isn't quite ready to compete with the top-tier teams yet. The future is blindingly bright, but the Magic's youth becomes apparent every once in a while and reminds us that rebuilds take a long time and patience is still key in Orlando, much like in Oklahoma City.

9. Dallas Mavericks (16-9)

Why they can win it: Luka Doncic is putting up silly numbers. Yes, he usually is, but his production this season is outrageous even for his standards (32.7 points, 9.1 assists, 8.3 rebounds, career-high 37.9% three-point shooting). Dallas is also getting high-level play from Tim Hardaway Jr. and Grant Williams and surprisingly good play from Dante Exum.

Why they might not:  When the playoffs roll around, Exum and Dereck Lively II will be hugely important. Based on what we've seen from them, that's not a problem. But how much can we trust what we've seen from them so far? Lively II is still a rookie and Exum is playing better than he ever has. Overall, Dallas is such an oddly built roster that matching up with Denver, Minnesota or the Los Angeles Clippers might be tricky.

10. Houston Rockets (13-10)

Why they can win it: This team gets after it defensively. Dillon Brooks talks a lot but (mostly) backs up that talk on defense. Tari Eason is developing into an All-Defense level player. Jabari Smith Jr. is long and athletic. This team takes pride in its defense, and that shows on a game-to-game basis.

Why they might not: There's just not enough star power on offense. Fred VanVleet is doing wonders when compared to Houston's offense last season, but there's not a reliable No. 1 shotmaker on this team. They're average in most shooting categories, and they slow the ball way down (third-slowest pace). Houston just doesn't have enough creation ability throughout its roster to survive a long series against elite teams.