NBA power rankings

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

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1. Miami, last week 2

The Heat needed a LeBron James buzzer-beating layup over Orlando to extend its franchise record winning streak to 16 games, but Miami won its games by an average of 11.5 points during the run.

David Santiago / AP

2. San Antonio, last week 1

The Spurs have lost Tony Parker for the next month with an ankle sprain but continue to win because they are the only NBA team that ranks in the top five in offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency.

Eric Gay / AP

3. Oklahoma City, last week 3

Serge Ibaka became the first player in the past 20 years to strike an opponent in the groin and only get fined. The previous four players - including Dwyane Wade and DeMarcus Cousins - were suspended.

Sue Ogrocki / AP

4. Los Angeles Clippers, last week 4

Blake Griffin had a great response to Serge Ibaka's below the belt hit, then delivered the highlight of the year when he threw down a windmill dunk after Jamal Crawford made a between-the-legs alley-oop pass.

Doug Pensinger / GETTY IMAGES

5. Memphis, last week 5

The Grizzlies became the second team this season to overcome deficits of 17 or more points in consecutive home games. They have rallied from similar deficits three times this season and 10 times since 2009-10.

John Raoux / AP

6. Denver, last week 8

The Nuggets are creeping up on the Grizzlies for the fourth seed in the Western Conference and they have a definite home-court advantage, having won 12 straight at Pepsi Center since losing to Washington.

Doug Pensinger / GETTY IMAGES

7. New York, last week 7

Mike Woodson admitted that he kept Carmelo Anthony on the court too long before the all-star forward suffered a right knee injury in Cleveland. Anthony has no structural damage but is day-to-day.

Frank Franklin II / AP

8. Indiana, last week 6

The Pacers will be without Danny Granger for at least another week after he aggravated the same left knee that forced him to miss the first 54 games. Granger averaged just 5.4 points in five games.

STEVEN C. MITCHELL / EPA

9. Brooklyn, last week 10

Only a few months into a two-year, $24 million contract, former starting power forward Kris Humphries is now the odd man out of the Nets' rotation after averaging just 5.5 points in 52 games.

RAY STUBBLEBINE / REUTERS

10. Atlanta, last week 9

The Hawks waived big man Jeremy Tyler two weeks after acquiring him from Golden State at the trade deadline in exchange for draft considerations and replaced him with former Wizard Shelvin Mack.

David Zalubowski / AP

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