NBA power rankings

Michael Lee evaluates the best teams in the National Basketball Association.

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1. Oklahoma City

The Thunder appears set to finish as the top seed in the West, especially now that they have three players capable of scoring 30 points (in the same game). James Harden is making a stronger case to claim sixth man of the year after scoring a career-high 30 in a win over Phoenix. Last week: 2

Sue Ogrocki / AP

2. Chicago

The Bulls had their eight-game losing streak come to an end at home against Orlando, but they have greater concerns now that all-star forward Luol Deng is struggling because of a torn ligament in his left wrist that he has been playing with for more than a month. Last week: 3

Charles Cherney / AP

3. Miami

The Heat streak of 456 regular season games with a three-pointer was snapped this week. Despite shooting 0-for-10 from beyond the arc against Atlanta, Miami still won. The return of Chris Bosh following the death of his grandmother should ensure more wins. Last week: 1

Andrew Innerarity / REUTERS

4. San Antonio

Manu Ginobili and T.J. Ford have both returned from injuries to the underrated Spurs, who finally have their full complement of healthy players for the first time in two months. Ginobili had 17 points and six assists in a win over New York. Last week: 4

Darren Abate / AP

5. Memphis

Zach Randolph is close to returning: He is back participating in full contact practices with the Grizzlies and traveling with the team on their current three-game road trip. Memphis was 1-3 with Randolph this season, but has figured out how to win in absence. Last week: 9

LANCE MURPHEY / REUTERS

6. Orlando

Just another wacky week in Dwight Howard’s Magic Kingdom. Two days after blowing a 20-point lead and losing to Charlotte, the NBA’s worst team, Orlando defeated Chicago, which entered the game with the NBA’s best record. Last week: 7

Charles Rex Arbogast / AP

7. Indiana

After returning from his first all-star appearance, Roy Hibbert struggled in his next four games, missing 16 of 26 field goals. But another concern for the Pacers is that they lost seven straight games against teams with winning records. Last week: 5

Dave Martin / AP

8. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers lost eight of first 15 games after Chauncey Billups was lost for the season with a ruptured left Achilles tendon. Caron Butler is certainly starting to feel the affect. He scored a combined two points in losses to Minnesota and New Jersey. Last week: 6

LM Otero / AP

9. Philadelphia

Former No. 2 overall pick Evan Turner has been inserted into the starting lineup in favor of Sonny Weems and responded with 12 rebounds in a loss to Milwaukee and a career-high 26 points – his first double-digit scoring game in a month – in a win over Boston. Last week: 10

Alex Brandon / AP

10. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers went from believing they were championship contenders after defeating Miami at home, but have started finger-pointing and blaming Coach Mike Brown after losing consecutive road games to the lowly Pistons and Wizards. Last week: 8

Rob Carr / GETTY IMAGES

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