The Miami Heat are probably still the best team in the NBA. But they fall back a couple of spots thanks to a loss in Utah and the hot play of Oklahoma City and Chicago.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are playing at a superb level for Oklahoma City. The Bulls continue to win at a solid rate, too.
But one thing Miami's loss at Utah did was give LeBron James' critics more reason (fair or unfair) to question his late-game mettle after he passed up a potential game winning shot.
James will have plenty of chances to prove his doubters wrong. Until he does, the questions will persist.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (29-7 LW, 2) -The Durant/Westbrook combination has led team to seven consecutive wins.
2. Chicago Bulls (30-8 LW 3) - Derrick Rose healthy = five wins in a row.
3. Miami Heat (28-8, LW, 1) - Is any other player scrutinized so much for passing to his teammates than LeBron James?
4. San Antonio Spurs (25-11, LW 4) - Could the Spurs overtake OKC if Manu Ginobili is healthy?
5. Indiana Pacers (22-12, LW 7) - A young team that has depth and won't bow out the playoffs easily.
6. Orlando Magic (23-14, LW 8) - Less than two weeks from knowing if Dwight Howard won't be traded.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (21-13 LW 5) - Dropped two of three after the All-Star break to teams below them in standings.
8. Los Angeles Lakers (22-14, LW 9) - Kobe Bryant has scored at least 30 points wearing the mask to protect his broken nose.
9. Memphis Grizzles (21-15 LW 12) - Starting to play up to expectations of late and should be better when Zach Randolph is healthy.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (22-15, LW 11) - The sooner Spencer Hawes is 100 percent healthy, the better the Sixers will be.
11. Dallas Mavericks (21-16, LW 6) - Amid the Lamar Odom drama the Mavs have lost four in a row.
12. Houston Rockets (21-16, LW 12) - Kevin McHale could receive Coach of the Year votes.
13. Atlanta Hawks (21-15, LW 13) - Larry Drew has also done an impressive job coaching this season.
14. Denver Nuggets (18-17, LW 15) - If Wilson Chandler re-signs, he'll help a team that's very deep when healthy.
15. Boston Celtics (18-17, LW 18) - Could any or all of Boston's Big Four be dealt by the March 15 trade deadline?
16. New York Knicks (17-18, LW 17) - Even with Linsanity, this team will be dictated by how Carmelo Anthony plays.
17. Portland Trail Blazers (18-18, LW 14) - Too much talent to be a .500 team.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (18-19, LW 16) - Are teams starting to figure out how to defend Ricky Rubio?
19. Utah Jazz (17-18, LW 19) - Pulled off a big win with their upset of Miami.
20. Phoenix Suns (16-20, LW 22) - Steve Nash will always give the Suns a chance to win any night.
21. Golden State Warriors (14-19, LW 21) - The annual Monta Ellis trade rumors are out.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (14-22, LW 23) - Beno Udrih is reportedly on the trading block, too.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-21, LW 20) - Kyrie Irving is a star in the making, but he needs help.
24. Detroit Pistons (12-25, LW 24) - It's good for a young team to have veterans like Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace around.
25. Sacramento Kings (12-24, LW 25) - Kings' assists have improved dramatically with Isaiah Thomas starting at point guard.
26. Toronto Raptors (11-25, L 26) - Jose Calderon is another veteran who could be dealt to a contender.
27. New Jersey Nets (11-26, LW 27) - Is Deron Williams' future with the Nets tied to a Dwight Howard trade?
28. New Orleans Hornets (9-27, LW 28) - Chris Kaman played well out of the All-Star break.
29. Washington Wizards (7-28, LW 27) - On a six-game losing streak and Andray Blatche is being booed by home fans.
30. Charlotte Bobcats (4-30, LW 30) - Perhaps the NCAA tournament will take attention away from how bad the Bobcats are.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.