Prior to the start of the new season, we all have an idea of which teams we think will challenge for the NBA title. After a run of years where it seemed as though just a couple of teams had a legitimate shot, we have now reached a much better level of parity. Loading up a team with all-stars is no guarantee of success at this point, which is actually better for the fans who want to see an unpredictable season. As we do every week, we are going to take a look at the current NBA Power Rankings as put together by ESPN. Let’s take a look at the top and bottom 5 teams in the league so you can keep making your bets against their NBA odds.

2021 NBA Betting Update: Power Rankings Update for Week 5

Top 5

1. 1. Golden State Warriors – While the Warriors closed out last week with a loss, it was just their second L of the season. They are sitting at 11-2 on the year and earned the 1-spot move from 2^nd to 1^st in this week’s Power Rankings.
   2. Brooklyn Nets – After a sluggish start, the Nets are beginning to roll and are one of only two teams to have double-digit wins at this stage of the season. They have now won 3 in a row and 8 of their last 10 games overall.
   3. Phoenix Suns – The Suns name has never been more appropriate than it is now, as there is currently no team hotter than Phoenix in the NBA. The Suns started the season at 1-3, but they have since reeled off 8 straight wins to move into 2^nd in the Western Conference.

1. Washington Wizards – The Wizards were sitting at #11 in the Power Rankings at this time last week, but they have now won 4 in a row and are on top of the Eastern Conference. This is a team that is finding lots of different ways to win.
2. Denver Nuggets – The Nuggets made headlines for all the wrong reasons last week after Nikola Jokic drew a 1-game suspension for a cheap shot hit. They were able to win the game he missed and are now winners of 5 in a row.

Bottom 5

26. San Antonio Spurs – With back-to-back losses and just 3 wins in their last 10 games, the San Antonio Spurs are heading in the wrong direction. The dropped into the bottom 5 this week after sitting just above this group last week.
27. Orlando Magic – No change at this spot, with the Magic maintaining their place at #27. Things might be about to get even worse for the Magic, as they are about to embark on a 5-game road trip that looks to be brutally tough.
28. Detroit Pistons – No one is Detroit is getting carried away, but the Pistons did manage to pick up a pair of wins last week, albeit against poorer teams, but you do need to start somewhere. Those victories were enough to move them up 1 place this week.
29. Houston Rockets – The Pistons and Rockets swapped places this week, thanks in large part to one of Detroit’s wins coming against the Rockets. Houston still has just 1 win on the season and are on an 11-game losing skid coming into this week.
30. New Orleans Pelicans – A little bit of a bright spot in a poor season to this point for the Pelicans, who managed to pick up their 2^nd win of the season to close out last week. They are, though, still just 2-9, so not a lot to get excited about.

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