The NBA: Power Rankings: Week 13

Kevin Durant and his OKC Thunder are staying at the top of the West even without Russell Westbrook. KD has been spectacular all-season long and he notched his 2nd triple-double of the season. The Blazers already matched their win total from last season (33) while LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard have played at All-Star levels. The Spurs are going through injury woes but still keep on winning. Nothing new there.

The Pacers will win the top record in the East unless Miami goes on another crazy winning streak like last season. That will most probably NOT happen especially with the injury problems of Dwyane Wade. There's also Miami's overall lackluster play and uneven effort, blah blah blah.

Hero team of the week: The Thunder has won 7 straight and Kevin Durant has solidified his hold as the MVP of the season, so far.

Sucky team of the week: The Lakers continue to tumble down the standings with or without Kobe. They are 3-14 in their last 17 games.

The standings are current up to January 26, 2014 and the rankings from Last Week refer to Week 12.

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Kevin Durant has kept the Thunder near the top of the West without Westbrook.
KD is the MVP for the first half of the season.
(Image by: Getty Images)

1. Indiana Pacers | 34-9 | Last Week: 1 | Same
The Pacers suffered their worst loss of the season (24 points) to the Suns but they will have a chance to avenge that loss next Thursday. Lance Stephenson has played so well that MIP considerations are real.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder | 35-10 | Last Week: 4 | +2
Kevin Durant came back from missing a game by getting a triple-double. The Thunder even won vs the Celtics by 18 points without KD who was resting. Reggie Jackson scored a career-high 27 vs the Spurs.


3. San Antonio Spurs | 33-10 | Last Week: 3 | Same
The Spurs lost Kawhi Leonard for a month due to a hand injury. Danny Green is also out with a similar injury. Tiago Splitter is still out as well. They will face Miami with a depleted roster but the Heat is hurting too.

4. Portland | 33-11 | Last Week: 2 | -2
LaMarcus Aldridge is making sure that he gets an All-Star spot. He torched the Nuggets with a career-high 44 points and 13 rebounds. He has 9 double-doubles in January. LA is arguably the best PF in the NBA right now.

5. Miami Heat | 31-12 | Last Week: 6 | +1
Miami still keeps losing to weaker teams but their biggest concern is the health of Dwyane Wade who has missed 4 straight games. Chris Bosh has picked up the scoring slack: 24 ppg in his last 5 games.

6. Los Angeles Clippers | 31-15 | Last Week: 5 | -1
Offensively, Blake Griffin has expanded his game and shooting better. Defensively, DeAndre Jordan has been amazing. DJ is a legit contender for DPOY. He is #1 in rebounding and 3rd in blocks.

7. Houston Rockets | 29-16 | Last Week: 8 | +1
Chandler Parsons had a career-high 34 points including 10 threes all in the 2nd half in a loss to the Grizzlies. Patrick Beverley is back and has played the last 4 games: 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

8. Golden State Warriors | 26-18 | Last Week: 7 | -1
Tough stretch for the Dubs who lost the last 2 games and with 2 of the next 3 vs the Blazers and Clippers, a longer losing streak can happen. David Lee is averaging 21 and 10 in January.

9. Phoenix Suns | 24-18 | Last Week: 10 | +1
The Suns best win of the year came against the Pacers in a rout. They also beat the Nuggets before that game but they lost to the Wizards recently. Barbosa played the last 3 games after missing a few games.

10. Dallas Mavericks | 25-20 | Last Week: 9 | -1
Dallas lost twice to the Raptors after having double digit leads in both games. Jose Calderon is averaging only 4.7 assists per game which is the 2nd lowest of his career.

11. Toronto Raptors | 22-21 | Last Week: 11 | Same
Terrence Ross exploded for 51 points (career-high) vs the Clippers and tied Vince Carter for the franchise record. DeMar DeRozan sprained his ankle in the same game.

12. Atlanta Hawks | 23-20 | Last Week: 14 | +2
Impressive win by the Hawks vs the Heat last Monday. Paul Millsap would be an All-Star if he always played against Miami (26 ppg, 9 rpg). Kyle Korver has made a three in 112 straight games.

13. Memphis Grizzlies | 22-20 | Last Week: 12 | -1
The Grizzlies swept 2 games vs the Rockets over the weekend. Courtney Lee has fit in nicely with them averaging 15 ppg. Memphis is 7-2 with Lee on the team.

14. Denver Nuggets | 22-21 | Last Week: 14 | Same
Danilo Gallinari will miss the whole season due to complications with his ACL injury. The Nuggets had their best win of the season vs the Pacers. Wilson Chandler scored a season-high 25 points.

15. Chicago Bulls | 22-21 | Last Week: 16 | +1
The Bulls are an astounding 8-3 since the Luol Deng trade and are temporarily back in the East playoffs. DJ Augustin has been spectacular lately. He has scored at least 27 points in 3 of their past 4 games, all wins.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves | 21-22 | Last Week: 17 | +1
The Twolves have yet to go above 0.500 since they were 8-7 in November. Kevin Love's spectacular play allowed him to win the vote as an All-Star starter for the West.

17. Washington Wizards | 21-22 | Last Week: 15 | -2
John Wall not making the All-Star team as a starter is a travesty. He has been the best PG in the East and his team is winning more than Irving and the Cavs. Wall is also averaging a career-high 8.5 apg.

18. Brooklyn Nets | 19-22 | Last Week: 19 | +1
The Nets have won 9 of 10 and are temporarily in the playoffs. Mirza Teletovic scored a career-high 34 points on 7 of 11 from threes in just 27 minutes vs the Mavs.

19. Charlotte Bobcats | 19-27 | Last Week: 20 | +1
Kemba Walker will miss around 2 weeks with a sprained ankle. The Bobcats are 2-2 in the 4 games he missed. Al Jefferson is trying to make up for Walker's production with 25 and 13 in the last 5 games.

20. New Orleans Pelicans | 17-25 | Last Week: 25 | +5
Anthony Davis continues to impress this year with his 20 points, 10 boards and 3 blocks. Bad news, Ryan Anderson will miss at least 2 months with a herniated disc.

21. Cleveland Cavaliers | 16-27 | Last Week: 21 | Same
Luol Deng has been okay with the Cavs. In 8 games, he is averaging 16.5 ppg and 4 rpg but the Cavs are just 4-4 in those games which is actually an improvement for them.

22. Detroit Pistons | 17-26 | Last Week: 18 | -4
Josh Smith's numbers are all down from his last season in Atlanta. The Pistons are underachieving but they are just a game and a half from the 8th spot. Brandon Jennings is #6 in assists per game.

23. New York Knicks | 16-27 | Last Week: 22 | -1
Carmelo Anthony scored a career-high 62 points in MSG vs the Bobcats. Melo now has the scoring record at MSG. The only active players with at least 60 points are Melo and Kobe.

24. Sacramento Kings | 15-27 | Last Week: 23 | -1
Marcus Thornton tied a career-high 42 points vs the Pacers but the Kings failed to upset them without DMC and Rudy Gay. Cousins is day-to-day while Gay could miss weeks.

25. Utah Jazz | 15-29 | Last Week: 27 | +2
Gordon Hayward is back after missing 5 games with an injury. Hayward promptly averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the past 2 games that he played.

26. Los Angeles Lakers | 16-28 | Last Week: 24 | -2
The Lakers are 2-4 in their Eastern road trip with the last game vs the Knicks. They 3-14 in their past 17 games even with Kendall Marshall putting up double digit assists in 9 of 12 games in January.

27. Boston Celtics | 15-30 | Last Week: 26 | -1
Rajon Rondo has played 4 games and averaged 5 points and 5 assists. All 4 games were losses including an 18-point blowout loss to the Thunder who played without Durant and Westbrook.

28. Philadelphia 76ers | 14-30 | Last Week: 28 | Same
The Sixers are last in points allowed and 29th in winning margin. There are talks of Evan Turner and possibly Thad Young being traded soon to further cement their tanking season.

29. Orlando Magic | 12-32 | Last Week: 29 | Same
The Magic are 2-2 in their past 4 games. Tobias Harris blasted the Lakers with 28 points and 20 boards for his first ever 20-20 game. Harris is averaging 17 points and almost 10 boards in January.

30. Milwaukee Bucks | 8-35 | Last Week: 30 | Same
The Bucks are probably safe from having the worst record in NBA history. It is unlikely that they go 1-38 in their final 39 games. Larry Sanders has been a disappointment: 6 points and 6 rebounds.

Biggest Jump of the Week: Pelicans +5
Biggest Drop of the Week:  Pistons -4 


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The NBA: Power Rankings: Week 13

It appears that the Top 3 spots of the Power Rankings simply rotate between the top 3 teams in the West (Thunder, Spurs, Clippers). For Week 13, the San Antonio Spurs reign supreme as the top team in the standings and in the rankings.

The Heat held on to the top spot in the East even after losing to the Celtics without Rondo due to the lack of competition in their division and conference. If the Heat played in the West, they would just be a fourth seed at the moment. Heck, the Celtics wont even be in the playoffs if slotted in the Western Conference.

The Lakers are making a little headway with their 3-game win streak but they are still 4 games behind the 8th spot which was the same position they were in a week ago. Still, that's a lot better than more losses. Anyone else impressed at how Kobe Bryant has been passing the ball and racking up insane assists???

The standings are current up to January 30, 2013. The rankings from last week refer to Week 12.

Manu Ginobili and the Spurs are back on top of the standings and the Power Rankings
(Image from: Solar Sports Desk)

1. San Antonio Spurs | 36-11 | Last Week: 2 | +1
The Spurs are 9-1 in their last 10 and have won 8 straight with Manu missing games during that streak while Tim Duncan and even Coach Pop missing some games as well. That streak could go into double-digits with games against the Bobcats and Wizards at home.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder | 34-11 | Last Week: 1 | -1
The Thunder had 2 losses last week where they failed to score 100 in both games. Russell Westbrook has been misfiring lately, going 16-56 (.285) in the last 3 games, averaging 15 points and 5 turnovers. The Thunder need Russ to be efficient because no one else can play the point.

3. Los Angeles Clippers | 33-13 | Last Week: 3 | Same
Chris Paul has missed 7 of their last 9 games with an injured kneecap. The Clippers went 1-3 in their last 4 without him. Blake Griffin has been great the last 5 games: 23 ppg, 9 rpg, 7 apg on 58% shooting but he needs more help with Willie Green and Butler struggling.

4. Miami Heat | 28-13 | Last Week: 4 | Same
The Heat lost in Boston without Rondo on Ray Allen's first game back there. Chris Bosh has started to rebound well having double-doubles in 2 of the 3 games last week. The Heat still struggles on the road and have a very mediocre 10-10 road record with 3 more road games in this trip.

5. Memphis Grizzlies | 29-15 | Last Week: 4 | Same
The Grizzlies and Rudy Gay seem to be forever tied to trade rumors until the trade deadline passes or a trade does happen. Rumor: Rudy Gay for Paul Pierce has been floated around and Im not sure thats a good deal for the Grizz to trade their best scorer for a slumping veteran.

6. New York Knicks | 27-15 | Last Week: 6 | Same
The Knicks are getting healthier with Felton back and Shumpert playing back into game condition. Kidd has sat out a couple of games with minor injuries. Tyson Chandler will be going to his 1st all-star game and he is very deserving even if his numbers arent that impressive.

7. Golden State Warriors | 28-17 | Last Week: 7 | Same
Good news: Andrew Bogut played on Monday after missing 38 games. He had 12 points, 8 boards and 4 blocks in 24 minutes. Bad news: Stephen Curry sprained his ankle again and missed half the game vs the Raptors and the game on Tuesday, both wins.

8. Denver Nuggets | 28-18 | Last Week: 10 | +2
The Nuggets have won 4 straight and are 18-3 (3rd best) at home. Wilson Chandler continues to be hampered with more injuries. Corey Brewer has emerged as their 3rd best scoring option in the last 2 weeks after Lawson and Gallinari. The Nuggets are very deep.

9. Chicago Bulls | 27-17 | Last Week: 11 | +2
The Bulls have 2 all-stars: Deng and Noah. Joakim Noah has been exceptional this year with his defense and passing while Deng has been injured often. Jimmy Butler has been great as Deng's replacement in the last 5 games: 14 points and 8 rebounds in 42 minutes.

10. Brooklyn Nets | 27-18 | Last Week: 9 | -1
Brook Lopez not being named all-star reserve is a mistake. He is in the top 3 in points in the paint and is among the best low post players in the NBA. He leads the Nets in points and blocks. Lopez is arguably the best offensive center in the East.

11. Indiana Pacers | 26-19 | Last Week: 8 | -3
The Pacers have lost 3 straight and went 1-3 in their Western road trip. Paul George followed up his selection as an all-star with 22 points and 7 rebounds in his last 3 games. The Pacers continue to be a top top team defensively but their offense is still sputtering at 29th.

12. Atlanta Hawks | 25-19 | Last Week: 12 | Same
The loss of Lou Williams has allowed Jeff Teague to take over: 25 points and 7 assists in the last 2 games. Kyle Korver had a scorching hot night vs the Celtics last Friday when he made 8 threes and helped the Hawks come back from 27 down and win in OT. Easily their best game of the year.

13. Milwaukee Bucks | 24-19 | Last Week: 14 | +1
The Bucks have no all-stars since Brandon Jennings didnt make the reserves list. Jennings has been hot of late, especially in January where he scored 30 or more in 5 games. Ilyasova continues to play well as a starter for Coach Boylan with 22 and 10 in the last 5 games.

14. Houston Rockets | 25-22 | Last Week: 15 | +1
The Rockets have won 3 straight with solid wins over the Hornets and the Nets. Then they massacred the Jazz on the road with a 45-point drubbing. James Harden is making a run at the 2nd-best SG after Kobe but D-Wade has overtaken him at the PER department.

15. Utah Jazz | 24-21 | Last Week: 13 | -2
The Jazz and the Rockets are both trying to hold off the Blazers and the Lakers for the 8th spot in the West. The Jazz had their worst defeat at home when they lost to the Rockets by 45. Gordon Hayward has an injury forcing him to miss games. The Jazz cant afford more losses if they want to make the playoffs.

16. Portland Trailblazers | 23-22 | Last Week: 17 | +1
The Blazers came back from 21 down in the 3rd to beat the Mavs with a buzzer-beater from LaMarcus Aldridge. He also made a game-tying three in their previous possession. That was his first trey of the season. Aldridge has 2 game-winning shots against his hometown team.

17. Los Angeles Lakers | 20-25 | Last Week: 20 | +3
The Lakers have won 3 straight and Kobe has been passing the ball and sharing the scoring. He's had 39 assists in the last 3 games and almost got triple-doubles in all 3. The effect is less shots for him and more for the team. With all their winning, the Lakers are still 4 games back of the 8th spot.

18. Boston Celtics | 21-23 | Last Week: 16 | -2
The Celtics have enough weapons to make the playoffs but losing Rondo definitely hurts their chances. It might be time for them to trade Garnett or Pierce (or both) to build around Rondo for the future. The Celtics wont be winning in the playoffs without Rondo.

19. Dallas Mavericks | 19-26 | Last Week: 19 | Same
The Mavs blew a 21-point lead vs the Blazers, one of the teams they need to catch to make the playoffs. They wasted a great game by Dirk who finally socred over 20 for the first time in 18 games. Shawn Marion is quietly having an efficient year, similar to last season after playing his 1000th game.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves | 17-24 | Last Week: 18 | -2
The T'wolves have lost 4 straight and now trail the Lakers and Mavs. Ricky Rubio is upset about not playing enough minutes due to his recovery from ACL injury. Coach Adelman is back after missing 3 weeks to be with his wife but sadly, his top players are still out (Pekovic, Love, Shved).

21. Philadelphia 76ers | 18-26 | Last Week: 21 | Same
The Sixers should pounce on their chance to catch the Celtics for the 8th spot after Rondo went down with his injury. There's talk that Bynum could be back after the All-star break so that should provide them with an extra boost. Jrue Holiday is deserving of his all-star selection albeit the team is below .500.

22. Detroit Pistons | 17-28 | Last Week: 22 | Same
Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe are becoming an impressive duo for the Piston's frontcourt. Drummond had 18 and 18 in their loss vs the Bucks. He has a PER close to 23 which ranks him #11 in the NBA and the top rookie. Drummond is more efficient than Harden and Westbrook.

23. Sacramento Kings | 17-29 | Last Week: 24 | +1
The Kings are 1-1 on their current 6-game road trip with games vs the Celtics and Knicks to follow. The Kings are last in points allowed and 26th in assists. Isaiah Thomas leads them in assists at 3.2 per game. Thomas hit a game-winner over the Wizards to cap a 22 and 7 night.

24. Toronto Raptors | 16-29 | Last Week: 23 | -1
The Raptors cant close out games nor can they hold leads in the 4th quarter. They lost to the Heat, Cavs and Warriors with leads in the last period. Bargnani is still injured but the Raptors should seriously trade him for assets. The Lowry-Calderon dynamic hasnt been working and one of them needs to be traded ASAP.

25. New Orleans Hornets | 15-30 | Last Week: 25 | Same
The Hornets trimmed an 18-point deficit to one vs the Lakers in the 4th but eventually lost. They had a nice win over the Grizzlies but the Spurs and Rockets were both losses. Grievis Vasquez continues to pass the ball well at 9.3 assists per game which ranks him 3rd in the NBA.

26. Washington Wizards | 11-32 | Last Week: 26 | Same
How important is John Wall to the Wizards? He has played 10 games and he already leads the team in points and assists. More importantly, they are 6-4 in that span and easily could be 7-3. Okafor has also been great lately with 3 double-doubles in their last 5 games.

27. Cleveland Cavaliers | 13-33 | Last Week: 27 | Same
Kyrie Irving is clutch. He buried the Raptors last Saturday with a game-winning three from 25 feet. He had 3 straight games of at least 32 points. Irving is emerging as the best PG in the East until Derrick Rose gets healthy. Irving is really an all-star regardless of team success.

28. Phoenix Suns | 15-30 | Last Week: 29 | +1
The Suns are 2-2 under new coach Lindsey Hunter. Steve Nash and the Lakers are visiting on Wednesday night and it would be the "win of the season" if they can manage an upset. Mike Beasley is starting to get minutes from the new coach and he has responded with 16 points and 5 rebounds.

29. Orlando Magic | 14-30 | Last Week: 28 | -1
The Magic have lost 6 straight and tough games coming vs the Celtics and Knicks. JJ Reddick has been rumored to be on the trading block while others covet Nik Vucevic who is a cinch to win MIP with 12 and 11 numbers and 7th in double-doubles.

30. Charlotte Bobcats | 11-33 | Last Week: 30 | Same
The Bobcats have snapped their 16-game home losing streak with a 1-point win vs the Timberwolves. They go on the road for 5 straight starting with a loss to the Bulls followed by the Spurs, Rockets and Heat. At least the Bobcats wont be in contention for worst record of all-time.

Biggest Rise: Lakers +3

Biggest Fall: Pacers -3

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