The New Year just tipped off as the NBA schedule rolls into 2022 as teams look to make a run to the NBA Playoffs. As the 2021-22 NBA schedule has rolled into January 2022, the NBA action continues to deliver excitement night in and night out including record breaking performances, buzzer beating jump shots and dramatic finishes. 

Along with the excitement that has been delivered, fans around the NBA have been delivered some surprises much like a kid on Christmas Morning.

One of those major surprises is the Chicago Bulls who currently own the top record in the NBA Eastern Conference after a strong start to the season. Meanwhile over in the Western Conference the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns continue to battle for the top overall spot. 

While these teams have delivered other teams like the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers have not.

With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 NBA Teams

Honorable Mention

Washington Wizards

After a red hot start, the Washington Wizards have struggled of late as they have barely hung on to a winning record and just outside of the Top 10 NBA teams. The Wizards have won just four of their last 10 games overall including key losses against three crucial games against other top Eastern Conference teams including the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers. 

However, the Wizards have shown at times they are still a solid team to face picking up wins against a very good Cleveland Cavaliers team as well as a 109-103 win over the Utah Jazz on the road.

Dallas Mavericks

As the Dallas Mavericks have struggled at times the team has been able to get on run of late winning three straight contests including a key win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday Night while also winning four of their last five contests. 

The team’s recent surge has landed them within a playoff spot in the Western Conference while Luka Doncic has returned from missing time due to COVID-19. In the year the Mavericks have won 19 of their first 37 contests while posting a 16-10 record against a very solid Western Conference.

Top 10 NBA Teams

10. Denver Nuggets

While the Denver Nuggets come in at number 10 on the Top 10 NBA teams list, the team has the potential and talent to be one of the top two or three teams in all of the NBA. The Nuggets, who are led by NBA MVP and possible 2021-22 NBA MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, have won six of their last ten overall contests while pushing their season record to 18-17 overall. 

Currently Jokic leads the Nuggets in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game. Despite losing Michael Porter Jr for the season, the Nuggets have found ways to pick up wins this season. 

9. Cleveland Cavaliers

As people debated whether or not the Cleveland Cavaliers hot start was expected or a big time surprise, the reality with this team is they are loaded with young talent while having a few key veterans to balance the load. 

Unfortunately the loss of Ricky Rubio may hit this team down the stretch but as of now the team is still holding on to the 6th spot in the Eastern Conference while winning six of their last ten overall games. Leading the charge is the teams 1st round pick from the 2019 NBA Draft Darius Garland. Garland currently leads the team averaging 19.7 points a game to go along with 3.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game.

8. Philadelphia 76ers

One team many expect to make a deep run into the 2021-22 NBA playoffs is the talented Philadelphia 76ers. The team is loaded with talent including December’s Player of the Month Joel Embiid. Despite expectations, the 76ers have been much like many of the other teams on this list lacking any type of consistency. 

Some of these issues stem from not having their All-Star point guard Ben Simmons who is not expected to join the team this season. With or without, Simmons the 76ers have the talent to make a deep run this season.

7. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are surging in the Eastern Conference winning seven of their last ten contests helping to push their record to 23-15 on the year. Over this run, the Heat put together a five game winning streak picking up wins against some talented teams including the Washington Wizards while dropping critical games against the Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings. 

While Jimmy Butler continues to be the team’s best player, rookie center Omer Yurtseven has put together a solid run over this current stretch posting at least 12 rebounds in nine of the ten contests while posting four double doubles.

6. Memphis Grizzlies

The top four of the Western Conference may be the best four teams in the NBA though the first few months of the 2021-22 NBA season. Through their first 39 games, the Grizzlies have picked up 25 wins including winning their last six games while putting together a 7-3 record over their last ten games. 

The recent streak has helped them move into four in the Western Conference while picking up wins over some of the NBA’s top teams including the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. Ja Morant continues to carry the load for the Grizzlies leading the team in scoring in five of their last six contests while posting over 30 points in four of those five games. 

5. Milwaukee Bucks

Don’t count the Milwaukee Bucks from coming back to take over the Eastern Conference by the end of the 2021-22 NBA schedule. The Bucks are led by Giannis Antetekounmpo who continues to play at an MVP level this season while helping the Bucks to a 25-14 record. Currently the Bucks rank 4th in the NBA in scoring averaging 112.1 points per game while ranking in fifth in points differential and third in team rebounding. 

In addition to Antetokounmpo, the team has seen five other players average at least 11 points a game this season including Jrue Holiday (18.5 ppg) and Kris Middleton (18.3 ppg). The deep roster has given the Bucks the opportunity to emerge as a title contender.

4. Utah Jazz

Coming in at number four on the Top 10 NBA Teams is the Utah Jazz after winning seven of their last 10 contests to push their overall record to 27-10 on the season. The 27-10 mark is the third best record in the NBA while the team has cruised in the Western Conference winning 17 of their first 21 conference matchups this season. 

The Jazz currently ranked 1st in the NBA in point differential outscoring their opponents by 9.8 points a game while also sitting at number two in the NBA in rebounds per game. The team is led by Donovan Mitchell who is averaging 25.7 points a game while Rudy Gobert continues to dominate on both sides of the floor. 

3. Brooklyn Nets

Despite sitting behind the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls in the overall NBA standings, the Brooklyn Nets are still the third best team in the NBA season despite winning just 25 of their first 35 games. Over the last week plus, the team has dealt with COVID-19 health issues but still managed to win six of their last ten contests. 

Now that Kevin Durant is back and the team is expected to get Kyrie Irving back for road games in specific towns, the Nets have the potential to make a run back to the top of the Eastern Conference. As long as the Nets have both Kevin Durant and James Harden full time and Irving part time, the team has the depth to make a deep run.

2. Phoenix Suns

For the start of the 2021-22 NBA season, the Phoenix Suns were the top team in all of the NBA and they currently still sit neck and neck with the Golden State Warriors as the top team in all of the NBA. The Suns have won two straight games and seven of their last ten overall to push them into second place in the Western Conference. 

The Suns currently rank 3rd in the NBA in points per game, 2nd in the NBA in field goal percentage, 3rd in points differential and fifth in points allowed per game. The Suns are loaded with talent including Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton while also having a deep team with seven different players averaging double digit points with at least 20 plus games played this season.

1. Golden State Warriors

Coming in at number one on the Top 10 NBA Power Rankings is the Golden State Warriors as they have been able to capture the NBA’s top overall record at 29-7. After struggling with injuries over the past year or so, the Warriors are slowly returning to full strength as Stephen Curry and Draymond Green continue to put together stellar seasons. 

Curry ranks near the top in every offensive category while Green is one of the best two way players in all of the NBA. In addition, the team is expected to get Klay Thompson back to a roster that is loaded with a ton of talent or scoring capabilities. For now the Warriors are the top team in the NBA.

How would you rank these teams so far in the 2021-2022 NBA Season? Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Fanatics.com, or more that is specific to you. Join the contest by ranking below.

Related Links:

• Top 10 NBA Teams 2021 Rankings
• Top 10 NBA Season Preview 2021-2022 Team Rankings
• Top 10 NBA Teams – November 2021 Power Rankings
• Top 10 Best NBA Players – November 2021 Rankings
• Top 10 NBA Rookies of November 2021 Rankings
• Top 10 NBA Best Players MVP Race – December 2021 Rankings
• Top 10 NBA Teams – December 2021 Rankings
• Top 10 NBA Rookie Leaders – December 2021 Rankings
• Top 10 NBA Rookie Leaders – January 2022 Rankings