2012 NBA power rankings: Suns rising

The Phoenix Suns were hovering near the bottom of most NBA Power Rankings after the first week of the season, but after winning three of their last four games, the team is rising in in the ranks.

Phoenix (4-4) is up four spots to No. 23 in ESPN's Power Rankings as compiled by Marc Stein. The Suns rallying from a 21-point deficit to topple the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 9 might have been the glimmer of hope that this Suns team needed to start playing a bit more consistently.

Matt Moore of CBSSports.com has the Suns slotted at No. 22, up four spots from last week's rankings, noting that while the Suns have been getting some good breaks of late, the team's "overall complexion is spotty".

Pro Basketball Talk has Phoenix up four spots to No. 23 in their rankings. While the Suns notched wins against lackluster opponents last week (Cleveland, Charlotte) the team's schedule is getting tougher with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat on the upcoming Slate.

SB Nation's own Seth Rosenthal put the Suns at No. 24 and says that this Suns squad might be able to "steal a handful of wins off good teams that come in unprepared to contain them".