NBA Power Rankings: Warriors hitting their stride, rest of league weeps

During the regular season, theScore's NBA Power Rankings will be published every two weeks. This edition was compiled by editors John Chick, Chicco Nacion, and Andrew Joe Potter.

1. Golden State Warriors (32-14)

The Warriors have outscored their opponents by 15.5 points per 100 possessions over their past 10 games, with their sole loss in that span coming by just one point against the then-scorching Rockets in overtime. With DeMarcus Cousins finally healthy, no team is currently built to stand toe to toe with the Dubs in a playoff series. - Potter

2. Milwaukee Bucks (33-12)

The Bucks still sported the NBA's top defense as of Sunday, and are doing it with supposed pylon Brook Lopez as a rim protector. Milwaukee surrenders the league's fewest second-chance points, and their opponents have the NBA's lowest field-goal percentage in the restricted area. - Chick

3. Toronto Raptors (35-13)

The Raptors have won seven of their last eight, including an impressive sweep of the Bucks and Indiana Pacers on a back-to-back. The club could certainly use another shooter but has to be encouraged by C.J. Miles, who has netted 13 points in each of the last two games while shooting a combined 5-of-11 from downtown. - Nacion

4. Denver Nuggets (31-14)

The Nuggets were humbled on their home floor by the Warriors last Wednesday, losing 142-111 and surrendering an NBA-record 51 points in the first quarter. Head coach Michael Malone described the game as a "failure" and hopes his team can learn from it. - Nacion

5. Indiana Pacers (31-15)

The Pacers have dropped just six games since the start of December, owing to their airtight, second-ranked defense. They've suffered a trio of double-digit losses in January - falling to the Raptors, Celtics, and Sixers - but these are the doldrums of the season and forgettable outings have to be expected. - Potter

6. Philadelphia 76ers (30-17)

There were some bad losses in the last fortnight to the Wizards and Hawks, although the latter came without Joel Embiid. Philly's defense needs tightening, but only the Warriors had a better true shooting percentage in that span. - Chick

7. Portland Trail Blazers (28-19)

The Blazers didn't have many statement wins in their recent 6-2 swing, beating up on cellar-dwellers like the Knicks, Bulls, and Cavaliers. Still, Damian Lillard and Co. find themselves smack-dab in the middle of the Western Conference playoff race. - Potter

8. Houston Rockets (26-19)

James Harden continued his torrid stretch with a 48-point performance Saturday against the Lakers - his 19th straight with at least 30 points. With Clint Capela out four-to-six weeks with a thumb injury and Chris Paul still sidelined, the Rockets may have to continue leaning on the reigning MVP. - Nacion

9. Utah Jazz (26-21)

The Jazz have been one of the NBA's best teams since the calendar flipped, logging an 8-2 record and the league's top defensive rating. Donovan Mitchell is coming around, too: He's averaging 30 points on 50/40 shooting during Utah's current six-game winning streak. - Chick

10. Oklahoma City Thunder (27-18)

The Thunder's usually stout defense has taken a hit in 2019. Since Jan. 1, OKC is 4-5 and 20th in defensive rating - thanks in large part to surrendering 154 points in a double-OT loss to the Spurs, and 142 in another defeat at the hands of the Hawks. - Chick

11. San Antonio Spurs (27-21)

Give Gregg Popovich credit. The Spurs coach navigated the early-season injury woes and found a way to balance the similar skill sets of DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. While a conference finals appearance may seem far-fetched, stranger things have happened under Pop's watch. - Potter

12. Boston Celtics (28-18)

Kyrie Irving is averaging 32.3 points and 11.3 assists during the club's three-game winning streak, including his share of clutch moments in last Wednesday's win over the Raptors. Irving had 10 points and six of his career-high 18 assists in the fourth quarter to put Toronto away. - Nacion

13. Sacramento Kings (24-22)

The Kings have bounced back from a bit of a swoon around the holidays, winning five of their last seven. Buddy Hield is shooting an unconscious 56 percent from deep since Jan. 1. - Chick

14. Brooklyn Nets (24-23)

The Nets have firmly established themselves as a middle-of-the-pack squad. Averaging 24.2 points and 6.9 assists over his last 10 games, D'Angelo Russell is even starting to garner All-Star buzz. Considering how awful they've been in recent years, being merely adequate registers as a major win. ​​- Potter

15. New Orleans Pelicans (21-25)

Here's how the Pelicans' net rating looks by quarter this season:

If they fix their inability to get off to good starts, they stand a great chance of climbing back into the playoff picture. - Potter

16. Miami Heat (22-22)

Around .500 is where most expect the Heat to hover. A tough February awaits, however: Seven of 12 games on the road, including a back-to-back in Golden State and Denver. - Chick

17. Los Angeles Lakers (25-22)

Kyle Kuzma has flourished in LeBron James' absence, averaging 23.0 points per contest - including a career-high 41-point performance against Detroit. Unfortunately, the Lakers have gone 5-8 in the superstar's absence. The club blew a 21-point lead against the Rockets on Saturday and lost guard Lonzo Ball to add insult to injury. - Nacion

18. Washington Wizards (19-26)

The Wizards are 6-4 in John Wall's absence. Bradley Beal has upped his level of play, averaging 29.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 2.4 steals per contest during that span. The Wizards are also averaging 27.4 assists per game - seventh-most in the NBA - since Wall's season-ending injury. - Nacion

19. Orlando Magic (19-27)

Losers of eight of their last 11, early-season playoff dreams are slipping away in central Florida. The Magic figure to be an intriguing team to watch ahead of the Feb. 7 trade deadline, specifically concerning Nikola Vucevic. - Chick

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (22-24)

Under Ryan Saunders, the T-Wolves are 3-3, with their three wins coming by a combined 10 points. Andrew Wiggins continues to be enigmatic, though. After his 40-point deluge in Saunders' coaching debut, the former No.1 pick has scored fewer than 20 in each of his last five games. - Potter

21. Los Angeles Clippers (25-21)

The Clippers finally stopped the bleeding, ending their five-game slide with a road win over the Spurs on Sunday night. With LeBron's return looming and the Lakers just half a game behind them in the standings, the Clippers have to build some momentum quickly. - Potter

22. Dallas Mavericks (20-25)

The Mavs have lost three straight since J.J. Barea went down with a season-ending Achilles injury. Veteran guard Devin Harris and rookie Jalen Brunson have been called upon to help fill the void. Their play could ultimately determine the Mavs' direction at the trade deadline. - Nacion

23. Charlotte Hornets (22-24)

The Hornets remain one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. They beat the Spurs, Kings, and Suns by an average of 18 points before losing to the Pacers by 25 points Sunday evening. One way or another, they'll have to make a move ahead of the trade deadline. - Potter

24. Detroit Pistons (20-25)

Blake Griffin is playing at an All-Star level but it isn't translating into wins. The club remains within striking distance of the final playoff spot, but just lost starting center Andre Drummond, who entered the NBA's concussion protocol on Saturday. - Nacion

25. Atlanta Hawks (14-31)

The Hawks had a good week chucking, averaging 121 points in their last four games. But the young squad also remains one of the worst defensive teams in the league, surrendering 117 points per 100 possessions in that span. - Chick

26. Memphis Grizzlies (19-27)

The Grizzlies are in free fall after a promising start to the season. They've dropped five straight and 16 of their last 19. Owner Robert Pera reportedly met with Marc Gasol and Mike Conley last week to discuss the state of the team. With the Grizzlies nowhere near the playoffs, perhaps one or both franchise cornerstones are dealt before the trade deadline. - Nacion

27. Phoenix Suns (11-36)

In Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, the Suns possess a young duo that might make the team worth watching as early as next season. For the time being, however, they're just too raw when it comes to the little things to make for an entertaining night of basketball. - Potter

28. New York Knicks (10-34)

Twelve blocks from Madison Square Garden, at 44th and 9th, is the legendary bar Rudy's. - Chick

29. Chicago Bulls (10-36)

The Bulls have dropped 10 straight and it appears that all the losing is taking its toll. Veteran Robin Lopez and Kris Dunn exchanged words after things got a bit chippy in practice last week. To make matters worse, the club announced that rookie Wendell Carter Jr. is expected to miss 8-to-12 weeks if he opts for thumb surgery. - Nacion

30. Cleveland Cavaliers (9-38)

A reminder to the Cavs that under the revised lottery rules this year, the worst team in the league shares a 14 percent chance of landing the top pick with the next two worst teams. There's also a 48.9 percent chance that team drops to the fifth pick, although no lower. - Chick