Bettings
article-picture
article-picture
NBA
Bets

2024 FTN NBA Power Rankings: Cavs Stay at 2, 76ers Running out of Time?

Share
Contents
Close

Welcome back to FTN Fantasy’s NBA Power Rankings!

We’re about a month into the 2024-2025 NBA season, and the Cleveland Cavaliers still haven’t lost a game. Surely, they must be ranked first, right? Actually, FTN still has them at No. 2, trailing only the Celtics, who our simulation model rates as a cut above the rest. While most power rankings overreact to recent performances, FTN’s model evaluates the season holistically, focusing on predicting future success. So if you’re here for hot takes about your favorite team winning it all because they went 3-0 last week, this isn’t that article. Even though the Cavaliers boast the league’s best record and deserve their No. 2 spot, we still have the reigning champs as the top team. And I think I speak for all our readers when I say we can’t wait to watch the Cavs and Celtics face off tomorrow night.

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.

Want to stay ahead of the curve this season? Don’t miss our special offer – use promo code POWER to save 10% on a subscription to FTN Fantasy. Dive deeper into the NBA with us!

Key Takeaways

The Celtics Are in a League of Their Own

FTN’s betting model assigns offensive and defensive ratings to every team based on their expected performance. Right now, the Celtics are head and shoulders above the competition with an overall rating of 9.1. The next-best team, the Cavaliers, sit at 6.2. On offense, Boston stands out even more with a 6.9 rating; the next-closest is Dallas at 4.3. In other words, the Celtics are in a league of their own and are expected to be favorites in every game they play. This is reflected in the betting lines – they’re five-point favorites against the undefeated Cavaliers on Tuesday.

The Cavaliers’ Start is For Real

Cavs fans might be bummed we don’t have them at the top of the rankings, but let’s give credit where it’s due – Cleveland has clearly separated itself from the rest of the Eastern Conference. The next highest-ranked team in the conference is the Knicks, sitting at No. 7. If you told a Cavs fan before the season that they’d be a definitive top-two team in the East, they’d have taken it in a heartbeat. While their starting lineup has been key, I have to give a shoutout to Ty Jerome. After playing just two games last season, he’s now averaging a ridiculously efficient 10.7 PPG off the bench. Talk about a comeback!

It’s Now or Never For the 76ers

The 76ers land at No. 11 in our power rankings despite a rough 2-10 start. On the bright side, Jared McCain looks like the steal of the draft, and if this team can ever get fully healthy, they’re as dangerous as anyone. Our model still believes a healthy Sixers team is at least a playoff-caliber one. But here’s the catch – they’re already eight games under .500. At some point, they need to start winning games if they want a shot at the postseason. The injury excuse only goes so far.

The Model Does Not Agree With My Eyes About the Rockets

The Rockets are 10-4 and one of the hottest teams in the league right now. When I watch them, I see a deep roster and rising stars like Alperen Sengun making plays every night. They’ve racked up quality wins against the Knicks and Mavericks, and even took the Warriors to overtime. So I expected them to crack the top 10 in our rankings. But here’s the thing – our model predicts future performance, and it still views the Rockets as an average team. It’ll be interesting to see if Houston can maintain this early-season momentum or if the model’s skepticism proves accurate.

Check out some more interesting NBA Information on ftnfantasy.com

Previous Prime-Time First TD Bets — Monday Night Football, Week 11 Next NHL Best Bets for Tuesday (11/19)