NBA Basketball Power Ratings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-11) - Cleveland regains the top spot in the power rankings, after some time spent at # 3. Cleveland was able to complete the home and away sweep of the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The Cavaliers continue to sail along at the top of the Central Division, leading by a healthy 12.5 game margin. LeBron James leads the team with just under 30 points per game, adding 8 rebounds per game. The Cavaliers have been playing without point guard DeLonte West, who broke his finger during game action. Cleveland will host the surging Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, then head to Miami on Monday, host Minnesota on Wednesday, and a trip to Indiana on Friday to complete the month of January. Cleveland, with the recent hot play have moved up from # 3 to # 1.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (33-10) - The Lakers, at 33-10, hold the best record in the NBA, granted, just ½ game over the Cavaliers. Los Angeles has two losses to Cleveland on the season. The Lakers are 23-3 when playing at home, while 10-7 away from home. Kobe Bryant, at 28.3 points per game, leads the team in scoring while Pao Gasol is picking up 11 rebounds per game. Los Angeles, as a team, is scoring 103.4 points per game, while the defense is yielding just over 96. The Lakers remain # 2, sandwiched in between the two Eastern Conference contenders. Los Angeles will continue their six game road trip on Sunday, north of the border, in Toronto. Following that, the Lakers will head to Washington, Indiana and Philadelphia.

3. Boston Celtics (28-13) - The Boston Celtics, at 28-13, continue to stay afloat, despite their number injuries. Several of the Celtics key offensive cogs have missed time due to varying injuries. The Celtics snapped a three game losing streak on Friday night, downing the Portland Trailblazers. Boston holds a 7.5 game lead over the  Toronto Raptors at the top of the Atlantic Division. The Celtics will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, followed by back-to-back trips to Orlando and Atlanta, which should test them heading into February.

4. Atlanta Hawks (28-14) - The Hawks have taken a half game lead in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. With that lead, the Hawks have moved into the top five, up two positions from # 6 to # 4. The Hawks have won two straight games; over Sacramento and Charlotte; both at home. Atlanta is led in scoring by Joe Johnson, who is scoring just over 21 points per game. Al Horford, Atlanta’s big man, is pulling down just under 10 rebounds per game for the Hawks. Atlanta will look to extend their winning streak on Monday when they head to Houston. While in Texas, the Hawks will travel to San Antonio and play the Spurs on Wednesday. Following that trip, Atlanta will host the Boston Celtics on Friday and play at Orlando on Saturday.

5. Denver Nuggets (28-14) - Scoring 107 points per game, the Denver Nuggets have pushed their lead in the Northwest Division to three games. The Nuggets lead Portland, Utah and Oklahoma City, all jumbled up two through four. The Nuggets have won five straight games, including back-to-back nights at Golden State, and home over the Clippers. Denver is 19-3 when playing at home this season.  Carmelo Anthony paces the offense, scoring 29.7 points per game. The Nuggets will host the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday and Charlotte Bobcats on Monday. Following that, the Nuggets will make trips to Houston and Oklahoma City to complete the month.

6. Dallas Mavericks (28-15) - Falling just one spot from the previous rankings; the Dallas Mavericks come in at number six. The Mavericks are just 5-5 in their last ten, but lead the San Antonio Spurs by 2.5 games. Dallas is led by big man Dirk Nowitzki, who is scoring 25.3 points per game. The Mavericks, as a team, are scoring just 99.6. Dallas, is one of a few teams that have a better road record than they do home record. Away from home, the Mavericks are 15-8, while they are 13-7 at home. Dallas will travel to New York on Sunday, then come back home to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. On Thursday, Dallas will play in Phoenix, followed by a home game with Portland on Saturday.

7. Orlando Magic (28-15) - The Magic fall from # 4 to # 7, game behind the Atlanta Hawks in the Southeast Division. The Magic picked up home wins over Indiana and Sacramento this week, and prepare for trips to Charlotte and Memphis upcoming. Following those games, Orlando will host the Celtics and the Hawks(Thursday/Saturday). Orlando is getting 17.2 points per game, taking over the team lead in points per game, from Vince Carter, who continues to be day-to-day with an injury. Orlando is 16-4 when playing at home this season.

8. San Antonio Spurs (25-17) - Despite losing two straight games, the San Antonio Spurs moved up one spot from # 9 to # 8. The Spurs lost at home to Utah and Houston this week. San Antonio fell to 17-8 at home. Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess continue to be sidelined with injuries, but the Spurs still have Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Duncan is scoring 19.9 points per game, and grabbing 10.5 rebounds per game. The Spurs will host the Chicago Bulls on Monday, followed by a visit from Atlanta on Wednesday, Memphis on Friday and the Denver Nuggets on January 31st.

9. Portland Trailblazers (26-18) - Portland was a 98-95 loser at the hands of the Boston Celtics on the road Friday night. The Trailblazers have dropped to three games back of the Denver Nuggets in the Northwest Division. With the recent play, Portland has moved up from # 10 to # 9. The Trailblazers continue to watch leading scorer Brandon Roy play with a bit of an injury to his hamstring. Roy leads the team, with 23.1 points per game. Portland will finish their road trip Saturday at Detroit, followed by two straight home games with New Orleans and Utah, before heading out to Utah and Dallas over the weekend.

10. Houston Rockets (24-18) - The Houston Rockets have moved into the Top 10, up from # 13. Houston picked up a home win over Milwaukee and then went to San Antonio and beat the Spurs this week. The Rockets will stay at home for their next six, including a visit Saturday from the Chicago Bulls. Following that, Houston will host Atlanta, Denver, Portland and Phoenix in January, and welcome the Golden State Warriors on February 2nd. The Rockets are led in scoring by Aaron Brooks, and his 18.7 points per game. As a team, Houston is scoring just over 100 points per game.

11. Utah Jazz (24-18) - The Utah Jazz have won seven of their last ten games, and moved to within 4 games of the Denver Nuggets. Utah is led by Carlos Boozer and DeRon Williams, aiding the team to 101.2 points per game. Utah picked up a seven point win at San Antonio earlier in the week. The Jazz will host the putrid New Jersey Nets on Saturday, and then the Phoenix Suns on Monday. Utah will head on the road on Wednesday to Portland, followed by a home game with Sacramento on Friday. The Jazz are 17-6 when playing at home, but just 8-12 on the road.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-19) - The most surprising team this season: The Oklahoma City Thunder. Kevin Durant is putting up Most Valuable Player type numbers to lead the Thunder into contention in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City is currently just 5  games back of Dallas in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. Durant is scoring 29.3 points per game and picking up over 7 rebounds per game. The Thunder were downed on the road at Memphis Friday night, which snapped their winning streak. Oklahoma City will look to get back on track Saturday night in Cleveland, followed by three home games to complete the month of January. On Wednesday, they will host the Chicago Bulls, Friday Denver Nuggets and Sunday Golden State Warriors. Oklahoma City remains # 12.

13. Phoenix Suns (25-19) - The Phoenix Suns make the biggest drop of the week, falling six positions from # 7 to # 13. The Suns have struggled as of late, losing six of their last ten. Phoenix fell Friday night at home to the Chicago Bulls, after their blow-out win over New Jersey on Wednesday. The Suns are led in scoring by Amare Stoudemire’s 20.9 points per game. Phoenix is 17-5 when playing at home, but just 9-14 on the road. The Suns are 8 games back of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Pacific Division. Phoenix will head on the road Monday at Utah, followed by a home game Tuesday with Charlotte and another home game Thursday with Dallas. On January 31st the Suns will travel to Houston to finish January.

14. New Orleans Hornets (23-19) - Despite being in last place within the Southwest Division, New Orleans is four games above .500. The Hornets are up one spot from # 15 to # 14 with their recent play. The Hornets beat Memphis on Wednesday and Timber wolves on Friday. The Hornets will travel to Denver on Saturday, Portland on Monday, and Golden State on Wednesday. New Orleans then will host the Chicago Bears on Friday, before heading to Memphis on Saturday to finish the month. The Hornets are led in scoring by Chris Paul with 19.2 points per game, and 11.2 assists per game. New Orleans, despite having a record above .500, are being out scored 100.6 - 99.

15. Memphis Grizzles (23-19) - One of the hottest teams in the NBA: the Memphis Grizzles. Memphis has climbed into a tie with New Orleans; just five games behind division leader Dallas. Memphis has won seven of their last ten, including a win Friday over Oklahoma City. The Grizzles are getting 21 points per game from big man Zach Randolph, while he is also adding 11.4 rebounds per game. Memphis moved up one spot from # 16 to # 15. Memphis will face a busy week, starting Monday with Orlando, followed by a road trip at Detroit on Wednesday and San Antonio on Friday. On Saturday, the Grizzles will host the New Orleans Hornets.

16. Miami Heat (22-20) - The Miami Heat continue to fall down the rankings; dropping two positions from # 14 to # 16. The Heat, at 22-20 overall, and just barely holding onto the fifth place position in the Eastern Conference. If the postseason started today, the Heat would be starting on the road; at Orlando. Miami is led by Dwyane Wade, and his 27 points per game.  The Heat, as a team, are scoring 97.6 points per game, while the defense is allowing 96.9 per game. Miami will start a tough week of games, on Monday, hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James. Then, the Heat will go on the road to Toronto, Detroit and Milwaukee to finish the month of January. The Heat are 10-10 when playing on the road this season.

17. Charlotte Bobcats (21-20) - The Charlotte Bobcats have turned into one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winners of seven of their last ten games. The Bobcats are in the midst of their toughest stretch of the season, playing eight straight road games. The trip started Friday night with a loss at Atlanta. The Bobcats will play in Orlando Saturday night, before taking trips to Denver, Phoenix, Golden State, Sacramento, Portland and Los Angeles Lakers, with the trip ending February 3rd. The Bobcats next home game will not come until February 6th, with New Orleans. The Bobcats are just 3-15 on the road this season. Charlotte is led in scoring by Stephen Jackson. Jackson is scoring 20.8 points per game, while Gerald Wallace is dominating the paint, grabbing 11.1 rebounds per game.

18. Toronto Raptors (22-22) - The Raptors, at 22-22, remain right in the middle of the pack with their .500 season. The Raptors are eight games behind the divisional leading Boston Celtics, in the Atlantic. Toronto has been discussing trading big man Chris Bosh, but nothing has come to fruition at this point. Bosh leads the team in scoring, with 24.1 points per game, along with rebounds, at 11.1 per game. The Raptors continue to play without big man Andrea Bargnani, who is listed as day-to-day. The Raptors will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Miami Heat Wednesday, and play in the Big Apple, against the Knicks Thursday night. On January 31st, Toronto will play their final game of the month; at home, with the Indiana Pacers.

19. Chicago Bulls (19-22) - The Chicago Bulls are on their toughest road trip of the season, and after a slow start; losing at Golden State and Los Angeles, have bounced back with a win in Phoenix on Friday. The Bulls will continue the trip next week with visits to San Antonio, Oklahoma City and New Orleans.  The Bulls, second year stud Derrick Rose leads the team, with 19.4 points per game, and also 6 assists per game. Chicago is in second place in the Central Division, 12.5 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. If the postseason started today, Chicago would be the eight seed, playing in Cleveland. The Bulls moved up four spots from # 23 to # 19.

20. Los Angeles Clippers (19-23) - The Clippers, at 19-23, have climbed to within five games of second place Phoenix, in the Pacific Division. The Clippers picked up two straight wins over the Nets and Bulls, but then fell Thursday night in Denver. Los Angeles will face a tough week, as they continue their eight game road trip. The second game of the trip will take place Sunday at Washington, and continue into Boston, New Jersey, Minnesota, Cleveland, Chicago and Atlanta. The Clippers next home game will be Saturday February 6th with San Antonio. The Clippers are led in scoring by big man Chris Kaman, with 20.4 per game.

21. Milwaukee Bucks (17-24) - The Bucks have fallen two games behind Chicago for the eighth and final postseason position in the Eastern Conference. Brandon Jennings, who started the season smoking, has leveled off to 18 points per game. Andrew Bogut is carrying the load in the paint for Milwaukee, scoring 15.6 points per game, and 10.2 rebounds per game. The Bucks will travel to Dallas on Tuesday, then come back to host the 76ers on Wednesday. Milwaukee will host the Miami Heat on Saturday evening for the final game of January. The Bucks fall two spots from # 19 to # 21.

22. New York Knicks (17-25) - The Knicks are continuing their push towards .500, and ultimately a possible playoff position. New York, after beating Detroit, then taking three days off, came back and fell to the Lakers Friday night. Now the Knicks will look to regroup, with three straight home games, starting Sunday with Dallas, followed by visits from Minnesota and Toronto. On January 30th and 31st the Knicks will play at Washington and Minnesota. New York is led by David Lee and his 19.4 points per game and 11.4 rebounds per game.

23. Sacramento Kings (15-27) - The Kings are in the middle of a six game losing streak, and have been rumored to be shopping leading scorer Kevin Martin. Sacramento took a 16 point loss on Friday night in Orlando, and will look to bounce back Saturday in Miami. That game will complete the road trip, as the Kings will come home and host Golden State on Monday. The next game for Sacramento will be Friday in Utah, then back home Saturday with Charlotte. The Kings are 12-9 at home, and 3-19 on the road. The Kings fell one position from # 22 to # 23 with their losing streak.

24. Detroit Pistons (15-27) - The Detroit Pistons, at 15-27, continue to struggle, as the first half of the season comes to a close. Detroit has split their games at home(11-11), but have won just four of 21 on the road. The Pistons are 18 games back of Cleveland in the Central, and 5.5 behind the Bulls for the eighth and final postseason spot. Detroit’s injury problems continue to mount, as Tayshaun Prince, Ben Gordon and Will Bynum continue to be day-to-day. The Pistons will host the Portland Trailblazers Saturday night, then welcome Memphis, Miami and Orlando into town the next week.

25. Indiana Pacers (15-28) - In last place in the Central Division is the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers fall just one spot from # 24 to # 25, dropping below the Pistons. Indiana is 4-6 in their last ten games, struggling to find ways to win on the road. The Pacers are 10-11 at home, and 5-18 on the road. The Pacers are led in scoring by Danny Granger, despite his injury problems. Troy Murphy is leading the team in the paint, with 9.9 rebounds per game. Indiana will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, and then head to Philadelphia on Monday. Indiana will then play back-to-back home games with the Lakers and the Cavaliers. On January 31st, the Pacers will play on the road at Toronto.

26. Golden State Warriors (13-28) - Golden State, the worst defensive team in the league is allowing 111 points per game. The Warriors are in last place in the Pacific Division, trailing the Kings by two games. Golden State picked up a blow-out win on Friday over the dreadful Nets. The Warriors will play their next two games on the road; Saturday at Phoenix and Tuesday in Sacramento. Golden State will then host New Orleans and Charlotte, before heading to Oklahoma City, Houston and Dallas. The Warriors move up one spot, by passing Philadelphia, from # 27 to # 26.

27. Washington Wizards (14-28) - The Wizards move up one spot from # 28 to # 27. Washington continues to play without star Gilbert Arenas, who hopes to know his ban from the league this week. The Wizards are in fifth place in the Southeast Division, 14 games back of first place Atlanta, and 7 games behind fourth place Charlotte. The Wizards have won 8 of 21 at home, and 6 of 21 on the road. Washington will play two straight home games; against both Los Angeles’ teams, with the Clippers on Sunday and Lakers on Tuesday. Following those games, the Wizards will head to New Jersey on Friday, and host the Knicks on Saturday. Washington is allowing 103 points per game, as a team.

28. Philadelphia 76ers (14-28) - Philadelphia, despite their big win over Dallas on Friday night, have fallen two spots from # 26 to # 28. Philadelphia will look to extend that winning streak Saturday at Indiana, and then will turn around and host the Pacers on Monday. Following that, the 76ers will play at Milwaukee Wednesday, and host the Lakers on Friday. On January 31st, the 76ers will play the dreadful New Jersey Nets. Philadelphia is led in scoring by Andre Iguodala, and his 17.5 points per game.

29. Minnesota Timber wolves (9-35) - Minnesota, has picked up their ninth win of the season, now just one shy of reaching double digits. That may be an accomplishment for a weak Timber wolves squad. Minnesota executives have began discussions of trading top scorer Al Jefferson. Jefferson is scoring 18.2 points per game. The Timber wolves picked up a win Monday over Philadelphia, but since then, have fell in two straight: at home to Oklahoma City and New Orleans. Minnesota will look for that tenth win on Saturday in Milwaukee, and then Tuesday in New York and Wednesday in Cleveland. The Timber wolves will then host the Clippers on January 29th and the Knicks on the 31st.

30. New Jersey Nets (3-39) - With the risk of becoming the worst ever professional team, the New Jersey Nets have dropped 10 straight games. The Nets are averaging just 89.9 points per game, while the defense is allowing 102.9 - the worst differential in the NBA. The Nets were blown out in Phoenix and Golden State in their last two games, and hope to bounce back Saturday in Utah. The Nets will then start a home stand on Wednesday with the Clippers, with  visits from Washington, Philadelphia and Detroit - to open up February. The Nets are led in scoring and rebounding by Brook Lopez, with 19.0 and 9.4.