2024 FTN NBA Power Rankings: Can Anyone Take Down Boston?

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As we pass the quarter-mark of the season and enter the NBA Cup Quarterfinals, one thing has become abundantly clear in our model: the Boston Celtics are the team to beat. Despite falling short in the NBA Cup chase, Boston’s dominance in the league is undeniable. They stand alone as the favorites at +280 odds to win the NBA Finals (per DraftKings Sportsbook), with only the Oklahoma City Thunder (+380) remotely close in contention. For context, the next closest team – the New York Knicks – sit far behind at +1000.

This gap reflects what oddsmakers see as a two-team race, and FTN Fantasy’s NBA model paints an even starker picture. We rate Boston at a staggering 10.3 points above expectation, with OKC in second at 7.7. To put this into perspective, the gap between Boston and OKC (2.6 points) is larger than the gap between the Thunder and our sixth-ranked team, the Denver Nuggets. Right now, the Celtics are operating on a completely different level, solidifying their position as the league’s clear frontrunner – even if they won’t be lifting the NBA Cup in Las Vegas.

Every Monday, we bring you an up-to-the-minute snapshot of the league with our exclusive power rankings, powered by the FTN NBA Betting Model. These rankings adjust for recent results, injuries and news, giving you a dynamic view of the NBA’s shifting landscape. We also track which teams are trending up – and which are trending down.

But this isn’t just about rankings – it’s about giving you the edge. Whether you’re betting on the NBA or simply keeping tabs on your favorite team’s performance, our rankings provide key insights to help you make smarter decisions. Curious to see how we evaluate a specific matchup? Our NBA Betting Model is constantly updated with the latest data, and we highlight the best value picks in our NBA Bet Tracker.

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Key Takeaways

The Boston Celtics Are on Their Own Level

As a die-hard Knicks fan, it pains me to admit that the Celtics are in a class of their own. While Jayson Tatum, ranked sixth in our player model, is the undisputed leader, Boston’s dominance stems from its depth. Our model ranks eight Celtics among the top 100 players in the league, including seven in the top 70. This means their starting lineup is elite, but their bench, featuring players like Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser, keeps the machine humming throughout the game. It’s hard to imagine anyone slowing them down anytime soon.

Can The Thunder Compete With Boston?

If there’s one team that looks capable of challenging Boston in a seven-game series, it’s Oklahoma City. With a team rating of 7.7 points above expectation – the second-best in the league – the Thunder are firmly in contention, even without Chet Holmgren Our player model rates Holmgren as the 18th-best player overall and the fourth-best defender, underscoring how much they’re missing.

However, there’s a looming question about fit. Isaiah Hartenstein, ranked 30th in our model and playing brilliantly since his return from injury, occupies the same position as Holmgren. Finding the right balance between their roles will be critical. But make no mistake: based purely on talent and potential, OKC is Boston’s most serious competition.

Are the Indiana Pacers the Biggest Disappointment?

If you’ve been following our rankings since the season started, the Pacers’ struggles shouldn’t be surprising. We rated them 18th in the preseason, and they’ve only fallen three spots since. But for Pacers fans, expectations were far higher following last season’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Much of their disappointment revolves around Tyrese Haliburton Coming off an All-NBA selection, a spot on Team USA and a super-max extension, Haliburton has not delivered at the same level as last year. In a loss to the Hornets yesterday, he managed just nine points, highlighting his inconsistency. He’s dropped to 43rd in our player model, ranking as the 12th-best point guard and 18th guard overall. If the Pacers want to salvage their season, Haliburton must step up.

Are the Atlanta Hawks Good?

Before their blowout loss to Denver, the Hawks were on a six-game winning streak that included two victories over the Cavaliers and another over the Bucks – impressive feats. Yet, despite this success, we still rank Atlanta 18th, suggesting the Hawks are a play-in team at best.

Surprisingly, this recent surge has come despite minimal contributions from their star point guard, Trae Young Trae is enduring the worst shooting season of his career, hitting just 38% from the field and 31% from three. Additionally, he ranks as the league’s sixth-worst defender in our model, compounding Atlanta’s issues. As a team, the Hawks have only three players in our top 100, and one of them, Bogdan Bogdanović, has appeared in just 10 games this season.

Advancing past the Knicks in the NBA Cup could help make me a believer in Atlanta. Until then, I remain skeptical of this team’s ceiling.

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