The 140: NBA Power Rankings, Week 12 - Warriors No. 1 at midpoint, Raptors drop to 11
We're halfway through the season and the Golden State Warriors have been atop theScore's NBA power rankings for - including this edition - six straight weeks. They're the best team in basketball. But the Atlanta Hawks are making a run.
This we know: It's going to be a great second half.
1. Golden State Warriors (33-6)
(Last Week: 1)
It's really not fair, and that's what makes Steph Curry so amazing to watch:
2. Atlanta Hawks (34-8)
(Last Week: 3)
27-2 since Nov. 27 and winners of 13 in a row. The Hawks, man.
3. Houston Rockets (29-13)
(Last Week: 4)
James Harden is the first-half MVP. Fine, co-first-half MVP, along with Steph. I'm all about compromise.
4. Portland Trail Blazers (31-11)
(Last Week: 2)
Do yourself a favor and read about Damian Lillard's "yellow-tape mentality. Finish hard. Kill 'em off." Dame!
5. Memphis Grizzlies (29-12)
(Last Week: 8)
Mike Conley is one of the most underrated players in the game.
6. Washington Wizards (29-13)
(Last Week: 10)
Great read on John Wall, "Optimus Dime" and what he's done for his teammates.
(Courtesy: @Joe_Bohnerman)
7. Dallas Mavericks (29-13)
(Last Week: 6)
"In Rondo's 28 clutch minutes with the Mavs ... Dallas has outscored opponents by 29 points."
8. Los Angeles Clippers (28-14)
(Last Week: 5)
"Something is missing from the Clippers this season ..."
9. Chicago Bulls (27-16)
(Last Week: 7)
Tom Thibodeau's Bulls are 28th defensively since Jan. 7. Remember Thibs used to laugh? It was a simpler time.
10. San Antonio Spurs (26-16)
(Last Week: 11)
When was the last time the Spurs were seventh in the West halfway through the season? It's a new day.
11. Toronto Raptors (27-14)
(Last Week: 9)
Twenty teams play better defense than the Raptors. Too many. Toronto's out of the top 10 for the first time this year. Freak out.
12. Phoenix Suns (25-18)
(Last Week: 14)
The Suns have won 13 of 17 and are looking more and more like a true playoff team. I'm rooting for 'em.
13. Cleveland Cavaliers (22-20)
(Last Week: 16)
Life is all about perspective:
I've happily read books and watched movies that devastated me the way the Cavs devastate me. So maybe this season has actually been great?
— Colin McGowan (@cs_mcgowan) January 14, 2015
14. Milwaukee Bucks (21-20)
(Last Week: 12)
I have to keep reminding myself the Bucks are a good basketball team. It's weird.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder
(21-20)
(Last Week: 13)
Exceptional read at Grandland on the Thunder and Cavaliers: "How do you win an NBA title?"
16. New Orleans Pelicans
(20-21)
(Last Week: 15)
The Pelicans have a 30.3 percent shot at the playoffs, according to Hollinger's odds. That'll do.
17. Charlotte Hornets (17-25)
(Last Week: 21)
Speaking of those odds, the Hornets have a 0.2 percent chance to win the 2015 title - same as the Cavaliers and Pistons.
18. Detroit Pistons (16-26)
(Last Week: 20)
The Pistons were at the bottom of The 140 six weeks ago. Now they're a game-and-a-half out of a playoff spot. Remarkable.
19. Denver Nuggets (18-23)
(Last Week: 19)
One loss to the Timberwolves at home should count as two.
20. Indiana Pacers (15-28)
(Last Week: 18)
I thought they may sneak into the playoffs, but it isn't happening. Charlotte and Detroit are better - and healthier.
21. Miami Heat (18-22)
(Last Week: 22)
22. Brooklyn Nets (17-24)
(Last Week: 23)
Deron Williams' injury history with the Nets is one of the saddest things you will ever read.
23. Sacramento Kings (16-25)
(Last Week: 17)
The good news is that the Kings are finally playing hard under Ty Corbin. The problem is that the Kings are playing under Ty Corbin.
— Tom Ziller (@teamziller) January 14, 2015
24. Utah Jazz (14-27)
(Last Week: 24)
It could be worse, I suppose.
25. Orlando Magic (15-29)
(Last Week: 26)
"The Magic are an NBA team that plays in Orlando. They used to have Shaq ... They still exist today!"
26. Boston Celtics (13-26)
(Last Week: 25)
The Celtics haven't won on the road against a Western opponent since Feb. 25, 2013, when Doc Rivers was their coach.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (12-30)
(Last Week: 28)
Thank God for Swaggy P.
28. Philadelphia 76ers (8-33)
(Last Week: 27)
Better than the Knicks.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-33)
(Last Week: 29)
Better than the Knicks, and they have Andrew Wiggins.
30. New York Knicks (6-36)
(Last Week: 30)
Phenomenal journalism: "On Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks won a basketball game."