A new team at number one in this week edition of the Top 10 NBA Power Rankings. A weird group of teams, left out are the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trailblazers, Dallas Mavericks, and Memphis Grizzlies. Let's take a look at the rankings...
- Oklahoma City Thunder 12-2: The Thunder have won seven straight games. Russell Westbrook is starting to snap out of his season-long funk. With their next five games @ Washington, @ New Jersey, vs. Detroit, vs. New Orleans, and @ Golden State there is a strong possibility OKC is going to be 17-2.
- Philadelphia 76ers 10-3: The 76ers still have the highest point differential in the NBA by far. They also still have the highest defensive efficiency rating. The only game Philly has lost in its last 10 games was to the Knicks and it was their third game in as many days. We will learn more about the Sixers in their next three games when they host Denver, Atlanta, and travel to Miami.
- Chicago Bulls 12-3: The Bulls have the second highest point differential in the NBA. Derrick Rose has missed two of their last four games and they have gone 1-1. For the Bulls to reach their full potential Joakim Noah needs to play at a higher level.
- Orlando Magic 9-3: The Magic have the highest offensive efficiency rating in the NBA. The Magic are going back to what made them successful when they advanced to the NBA Finals putting Dwight Howard on the court with four shooters.
- Indiana Pacers 9-3: The most impressive part about the Indiana Pacers record is their best player Danny Granger has struggled for the majority of the season. It speaks volumes about Indy's depth for them to be having so much success.
- Los Angeles Clippers 7-3: They beat the Los Angeles Lakers which I didn't think they would even though the Lakers were playing the second night of a back to back. The Clips have won three straight games.
- Atlanta Hawks 10-4: The Hawks are 3-0 since they lost Al Horford. Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, and Josh Smith have all picked up their play and are carrying the team.
- Miami Heat 8-4: After a scorching start to the season the Heat have come back down to earth with three straight losses. The LeBron James down the stretch issue has resurfaced despite him playing far and away the best basketball in the NBA. They are going to be without Dwayne Wade, possibly for a while because of an ankle sprain.
- Los Angeles Lakers 10-5: The Lakers might have been a little higher, but their win over the Dallas Mavericks Monday night was one of the most brutal basketball games I have ever sat through. Downgraded and punished.
- Utah Jazz 8-4: The Utah Jazz got the final spot over the San Antonio Spurs because the Spurs still haven't won a game on the road. The Jazz had an impressive victory @ Denver.
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