New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul grimaces in pain during a 104-93 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. The Hornets took a tumble in CBCSports.ca's weekly power rankings after dropping three of their last four games as of Feb. 2. New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul grimaces in pain during a 104-93 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. The Hornets took a tumble in CBCSports.ca's weekly power rankings after dropping three of their last four games as of Feb. 2. (Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Each week, CBCSports.ca's Lance Winn breaks down the balance of power in the National Basketball Association.

1. SAN ANTONIO SPURS [unchanged]
Record : 41-8
Last 10 : 8-2

To understand the true meaning of team chemistry look no further than the Lone Star State. The Spurs sport the best record in the league yet have no starters on the Western Conference all-star team. Coincidence? I think not. This is a well- oiled machine. A dramatic win over the Lakers and a road schedule that includes stops in Sacramento, Detroit, Toronto, Philadelphia, and Washington, this could be the beginning of another Spurs run.
2. BOSTON CELTICS [unchanged]
Record : 37-11
Last 10 : 8-2

Like San Antonio, Boston has the best record in the East but no starters on the all-star team. Not really a surprise considering they play the toughest defence in the Association, leading the league in least points allowed, rebounds, and defensive assists. Not bad. Also tops in sharing the basketball. This is clearly a team that keeps egos in check.
3. MIAMI HEAT [up from 8]
Record : 35-14
Last 10 : 5-5

A league season-high 51 points against the Magic, a four-game winning streak, and a healthy "Big 3," that’s good enough for the King. LeBron James has the Heat looking like a cohesive unit instead of three stars looking for airtime. That’s a good sign as the break approaches, with the Bobcats, Clippers, and Pacers all on the menu.
4. DALLAS MAVERICKS [up from 6]
Record : 33-15
Last 10 : 7-3

The German Bomber continues to shell the opposition from beyond the arc leading the Mavs on a six-game tear. Sure their opponents have all been under .500 (except Atlanta) but you still have to win those games. They aren’t putting up a bunch of points (97.5 ppg, 20th) but their defence is better than ever. Contender or pretender? A trip to Boston should set the record straight ...
5. CHICAGO BULLS [unchanged]
Record : 34-14
Last 10 : 9-1

It’s smelling like Roses in the Windy City, six straight and counting. Derrick Rose has been outstanding averaging 25 ppg but it’s the D that has the Bulls running. Second in points allowed, sixth in defensive rebounds and second in assists, not to mention they hold their opponents to 42 per cent shooting, tops in the NBA.
6. LA LAKERS [up from 4]
Record : 34-16
Last 10 : 5-5

Falling to the Celtics and dropping a heartbreaker to the Spurs may not be reason for concern, but the Clippers? Their stiff test lies ahead with the Hornets, Grizzlies, Celtics, and Knicks waiting for the Lake Show to arrive.

7. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER [up from 9]
Record : 31-17
Last 10 : 6-4

Catch the Kevin Durant Show lately? The reigning scoring champ is averaging 29.3 ppg (first in NBA) after dropping 40-plus in three of his last four games. Consistency from the supporting cast is still missing, but they are moving in the right direction.

8. ATLANTA HAWKS [up from 11]
Record : 31-18
Last 10 : 6-4

Hotlanta? Not quite, but despite their inconsistencies they still sit second in the Southeast division. They would be even better if Josh Smith played more and complained less.

9. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS [down from 3]
Record : 32-19
Last 10 : 7-3

With a record like the Hornets have you would think third in the division was a stretch, but that’s the case in the Southwest. David West has stepped front and centre putting up 20 points, 15 boards against OKC. Here’s something to ponder, if the Hornets were in the East, they would sit fourth in the Conference
10. ORLANDO MAGIC [down from 7]
Record : 31-19
Last 10 : 5-5

Sure LBJ went off for 51, but the Magic fought back from a 23-point deficit and had a chance to tie in regulation, definitely something to build on heading to Washington and Boston.
11. DENVER NUGGETS [down from 10]
Record : 29-20
Last 10 : 6-4

Sporting the league’s top rated offence (107.6 ppg) things appear somewhat settled in Denver. Carmelo still resides a mile above sea level but the roller-coaster ride continues. Lose to Philly and Jersey, and then beat Portland?!

12. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES [up from 16]
Record : 26-24
Last 10 : 7-3

Even without O.J. Mayo the Grizzlies have taken more than a bite out of the last four opponents they’ve faced, including the Orlando Magic. Good news, they entertain Cleveland before heading to Houston.

13. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS [up from 14]
Record : 26-23
Last 10 : 6-4

Even though injuries have decimated this team, forward LaMarcus Aldridge is a legitimate all-star. Forty points, 11 rebounds in a 99-86 win over the Spurs is enough to silence even the toughest critics.
14. UTAH JAZZ [down from 13]
Record : 29-21
Last 10 : 2-8

PG Deron Williams is still day-to-day with a wrist injury and his return should help stabilize a team that struggled through January.
15. NY KNICKS [down from 12]
Record : 25-23
Last 10 : 3-7

It appears reality has set in having dropped five straight on the road. A crucial home-and-home with the 76ers will set the tone for the upcoming all-star break.
16. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS [down from 15]
Record : 22-26
Last 10 : 7-3

These guys are hot! Winners of eight of their last 11 and the Sixers are in the Eastern conference mix. Home-and-home with NYK would do a lot for a team on the edge.
17. PHOENIX SUNS [up from 19]
Record : 23-24
Last 10 : 7-3

Like the Suns of old they can score but can’t stop teams at the defensive end. But they’ve done enough to beat Boston, New Orleans, and Milwaukee. Not too shabby.
18. HOUSTON ROCKETS [down from 17]
Record : 23-28
Last 10 : 5-5

Can they get something for Yao? Kevin Martin was clutch against the Jazz but how long can this team hang on?

19. GOLDEN STATE WARRRIORS [up from 20]
Record : 21-27
Last 10 : 6-4

They play hard for the entire 48 if that translates to anything. The Warriors had victories over Utah and Milwaukee before playing host to the Bulls, Suns, and Nuggets.

20. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS [down from 18]
Record : 21-27
Last 10 : 6-4

Check the schedule: Miami, Dallas, and Boston loom just over the horizon. Talk about a measuring stick.
21. INDIANA PACERS [up from 24]
Record : 19-27
Last 10 : 3-7

Interim head coach Frank Vogel is 2-0 with wins over Toronto and Cleveland. Not impressed? Good, you shouldn’t be.
22. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS [up from 23]
Record : 19-29
Last 10 : 6-4

LA is now the home of the league’s most notorious dunker. Blake Griffin was a behemoth (32 points, 13 rebounds) in a loss to the Bulls. Make no mistake, this guy can get up and throw down.
23. MILWAUKEE BUCKS [down from 21]
Record : 19-29
Last 10 : 5-5

Still in contention in the East ... like that’s hard to do.
24. NEW JERSEY NETS [down from 25]
Record : 15-35
Last 10 : 5-5

Eleven road losses in a row, too bad they can’t play all their games in the friendly confines.
25. DETROIT PISTONS [down from 22]
Record : 17-32
Last 10 : 4-6

Talk about falling on hard times.

26. WASHINGTON WIZARDS [unchanged]
Record : 13-35
Last 10 : 2-8

Heading south ... in the standings, not to Florida for a vacation.

27. SACRAMENTO KINGS [up from 28]
Record : 12-34
Last 10 : 4-6

Beat the Lakers and Hornets, fought hard but lost to the Celtics. The next five at home would be a welcome sight if it didn’t include the Spurs, Jazz, Mavs, and Thunder.

28. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES [up from 29]
Record : 11-37
Last 10 : 2-8

Better than Toronto, better than Cleveland ... but that’s it.
29. TORONTO RAPTORS [down from 27]
Record : 13-37
Last 10 : 0-10

Forward Linas Kleiza is done for the remainder of the season and so are the Dinos. Rebuilding? You think?

30. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS [unchanged]
Record : 8-41
Last 10 : 0-10

They’ve lost 22. The record is 24. Getting closer.