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HOOPSREPORT'S NBA POWER RANKINGS

By: Jeff Meadows

In what appears to be a week-to-week, flip-flop between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls, this week, it’s the Chicago Bulls led by Derrick Rose, Loul Deng and Jakim Noah get our nod as this weeks top team in the NBA. Take a look at the rest of the Top 15 teams in HOOPSREPORT’S NBA POWER RANKINGS.

1. Chicago Bulls (24-7) NEXT 2 GAMES: BO (Fri)/NJ (Sat)

2. Miami Heat (23-7) NEXT 2 GAMES: @CLE (Fri)/ORL (Sun)

3. OKC Thunder (22-7) NEXT 2 GAMES: GS (Fri)/DEN (Sun)

4. San Antonio Spurs (21-9) NEXT 2 GAMES: @LAC (Sat)/@ UTAH (Mon)

5. Philadelphia 76ers (22-10) NEXT 2 GAMES: DAL (Fri)/@ MINN (Sun)

6. L.A. Clippers (18-9) NEXT GAMES 2 GAMES: @ POR (Thu)/SA (Sun)

7. Dallas Mavericks (19-11) NEXT 2 GAMES: @PHI (Fri)/ @ NY (Sun)  

8. Orlando Magic (19-11) NEXT 2 GAMES: @ MIL (Sun)/@ MIA (Sun)

9. Atlanta Hawks (19-11) NEXT 2 GAMES: @ POR (Sat)/CHI (Sun)

10. L.A. Lakers (17-12) NEXT 2 GAMES: PHX (Fri)/@ PHX (Sun)

11. Denver Nuggets (17-13) NEXT 2 GAMES: @ MEM (Fri)/@OKC (Sun)

12. Houston Rockets (17-13) NEXT 2 GAMES: MINN (Fri)/UTAH (Sun)

13. Portland Trailblazers (16-14) NEXT 2 GAMES: LAL (Thu)/ATL (Sat)

14. Memphis Grizzlies (16-14) NEXT 2 GAMES: DEN (Fri)/GS (Sun)

15. N.Y. Knicks (15-15) NEXT 2 GAMES: NO (Fri)/DAL (Sun)

TEAMS ON THE RISE

As Kevin Love continues to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to improve and after moving up several spots in HOOPSREPORT’S POWER RANKINGS by the looks of things, the Timberwolves still has some unfinished business as they steadily stake their claim as an ELITE TEAM IN THE NBA. With Manu Ginobili back from a hand injury which sidelined him for several weeks/games, the San Antonio Spurs seems to have hit their stride, running off 9 straight wins putting them back in the Top 5 of HOOPSREPORT’S NBA POWER RANKINGS. When a team’s Top 2 players out, one, due to injury, the other, due to a death in the family, the NY Knick’s season appeared to be all but over, ENTER: Jeremy Lin and the rest is reality as the Knicks season is now alive and well. Lin has put the Knicks on his back and is carrying them as far as he can and now the question becomes CAN CARMELO AND AMARIE "GET-IN WHERE THEY FIT-IN" AND HELP MAKE THIS GROUP AN ELITE LEVEL TEAM IN THE NBA?  

TEAMS ON THE SLIDE

New Jersey Nets: Riding a 7 game losing streak, the New Jersey Nets look to end their streak as they take on the Indiana Pacers, another team that’s on the slide.

Indiana Pacers: Sliding on the slick and slippery slope of a 5 game losing streak, the Indiana Pacers are looking to put a halt to their losing ways as of late with win over the New Jersey Nets tonight.

Sacramento Kings:

After starting the season off as a middle of the pack team, the Sacramento Kings have not played well as of late, losing 3 straight, a trip to Detroit just might be what the Hoop Dr. recomends as the Kings travel to Detroit to face the Pistons on Friday.