NBA Power Rankings: Warriors look unstoppable as ever

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, Andrew Joe Potter, and Wael Saghir.

1. Golden State Warriors (37-15)

DeMarcus Cousins has integrated beautifully into the Warriors' rotation. He's setting devastating screens and, in an albeit small seven-game sample size, has a player efficiency rating of nearly 21. The Dubs have a net rating of 11.8 with him on the floor. - Chick

2. Milwaukee Bucks (38-13)

The Bucks delivered a statement by topping the Toronto Raptors in prime time last Thursday. It was another signature road victory to go along with wins at Golden State, Denver, Houston, and Boston. Milwaukee is the real deal. - Nacion

3. Denver Nuggets (37-15)

The Nuggets have been truly remarkable. They possess the league's third-best offense and a borderline top-10 defense despite a litany of injuries to key rotation players. If Isaiah Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. make their season debuts and provide anything, this team will only get deadlier. - Potter

4. Toronto Raptors (38-16)

The Raptors remain arguably the biggest threat to the Warriors' throne from the Eastern Conference, yet somehow they've left much to be desired. They'll need Kyle Lowry to improve his disappointing 31.9 percent mark from the 3-point line. - Saghir

5. Boston Celtics (34-19)

It feels like the Celtics have turned the corner after winning eight of nine. Despite rumblings of a potential offseason departure, Kyrie Irving has been the consistent offensive force Boston missed during last year's playoff run. - Saghir

6. Philadelphia 76ers (34-19)

The Sixers became the first team since the Lakers on Christmas Day to beat the Warriors by more than one point, snapping Golden State's 11-game winning streak with a nine-point win. Joel Embiid has evolved from being the proverbial boy in the plastic bubble into a legitimate MVP candidate. - Potter

7. Utah Jazz (30-24)

The Jazz have won seven of their last 10 games as Donovan Mitchell has started to turn things around. The second-year guard is averaging 26.7 points per contest on 42.3 percent shooting during that stretch. - Nacion

8. Oklahoma City Thunder (33-19)

Paul George is the Thunder's clear MVP, dominating games from start to finish. OKC's defense has taken a major hit in January, but an uptick in offensive production has helped the team stay steady in the standings. - Saghir

9. Houston Rockets (30-22)

The Rockets' fortunes rise and fall on the wings of James Harden, who's averaged 40.4 points per game over the last two weeks. Houston has been middling overall, but The Beard's prodigious scoring abilities give the team a chance to steal a win in any arena. - Potter

10. Portland Trail Blazers (32-20)

The Blazers remain fourth in the West thanks to a relatively easy schedule of late. CJ McCollum, who's had an up-and-down season, is hot again, averaging 27.3 points in his last four games. - Chick

11. San Antonio Spurs (32-22)

DeMar DeRozan's brief three-game absence shed light on the Spurs' depth. Davis Bertans scored 18 points in a spot start while Marco Belinelli shot 53.3 percent from downtown with DeRozan out of the lineup. - Nacion

12. Indiana Pacers (33-19)

The Pacers are 2-4 since losing Victor Oladipo for the season, but their schedule this month is favorable. Eight of their next 11 games come against teams currently .500 or worse. - Chick

13. Brooklyn Nets (28-26)

The injury bug has again bitten the Nets, this time claiming Spencer Dinwiddie. Brooklyn, however, remains sixth in the East with 28 games to go. A slightly below .500 record the rest of the way should qualify them for the playoffs. - Chick

14. Charlotte Hornets (26-26)

For the love of God, get Kemba Walker some help before the trade deadline! The Hornets have been linked to names like Marc Gasol, but in reality any secondary scoring option will do. Walker is logging a career-high usage rate, while Jeremy Lamb is the team's second-leading scorer. - Chick

15. Sacramento Kings (27-25)

The Kings have taken care of business against teams like the Hawks and Grizzlies, but they need to string together better showings against fellow playoff contenders. Getting handled by the Clippers, Nets, and Hornets in recent weeks speaks to Sacramento's relative inexperience. - Potter

16. Los Angeles Lakers (27-26)

LeBron James is back from injury with little time to spare, as the team now sits two games out of the eighth seed in the West. The roster as currently constructed will likely look profoundly different after Thursday's trade deadline, so don't put too much stock in the team's recent LeBron-less results. - Potter

17. Los Angeles Clippers (29-25)

These aren't the same exciting Clippers that were among the league's most entertaining teams earlier this season. Their lack of star power has finally caught up to them and they could find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture without a healthy Danilo Gallinari, who's missed nine straight games. - Saghir

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-27)

The Timberwolves are now 6-6 under Ryan Saunders with the league's 19th-ranked net rating in that span. Being merely average might be an improvement upon the tumultuous end to the Tom Thibodeau era, but it's still a disappointment given the team's pair of recent No. 1 picks, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. - Potter

19. Washington Wizards (22-30)

The Wizards will be fighting for the East's final playoff spot, assuming Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. aren't moved before Thursday's trade deadline. Tomas Satoransky has thrived in John Wall's absence, averaging 11.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per contest in 26 games. - Nacion

20. Dallas Mavericks (24-28)

The Mavericks have come back down to earth after playing the role of giant slayer in the first third of the season. This week's trade for Kristaps Porzingis is an affirmation that the team is building toward the future. For now, enjoy the Luka Doncic show, whether the Mavs are winning games or not. - Potter

21. Miami Heat (24-27)

Dwyane Wade will take his retirement tour to Charlotte for the 2019 All-Star Game, but there's little else to celebrate in Miami. The Heat have lost seven of 10 and are growing desperate for an offensive boost. Their inconsistent rotation will become more even complicated when Goran Dragic returns from his extended absence. - Saghir

22. Detroit Pistons (22-29)

Blake Griffin continues to carry the load for a squad on the fringe of the East's eighth seed. With pressure from ownership to make the playoffs, the front office needs to add another complimentary piece to help the team's push. - Nacion

23. New Orleans Pelicans (23-30)

Whether Anthony Davis gets traded before Thursday's deadline or not, there is little doubt that the Pelicans' season is over. The bigger question at this point is how much - if at all - Davis plays down the stretch if he's not dealt. - Chick

24. Atlanta Hawks (17-35)

Trae Young is averaging 26.8 points and 8.2 assists over his last five games. He may not be Doncic, but he deserves a lot more credit than he's been given for an elite rookie campaign. - Saghir

25. Orlando Magic (22-31)

All-Star center Nikola Vucevic could be on the move despite the Magic sitting three games back of a playoff spot. The 28-year-old is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and Orlando could lose him for nothing if he's not dealt. - Nacion

26. Memphis Grizzlies (21-33)

The Grizzlies are ready to split Mike Conley and Marc Gasol up after 11 seasons together. Trades for either player are becoming increasingly likely, so take a moment to appreciate the last remnants of the Grit and Grind era. - Saghir

27. Cleveland Cavaliers (11-42)

Several blocks north of Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland is a piece of artwork called "the world's largest rubber stamp." - Chick

28. Chicago Bulls (12-41)

While the Bulls are tough to watch on the court, they'll certainly be a team to keep an eye on off of it. Jabari Parker has recently seen some run as Chicago gauges the market for him, while veteran center Robin Lopez could also find a new home. - Nacion

29. Phoenix Suns (11-43)

The most interesting thing about the Suns right now is T.J. Warren's overhauled 3-point shooting. After averaging 28.3 percent on 1.3 attempts per game through four seasons, Warren is up to 42.8 percent on 3-point attempts per game in Year 5. That's neat! The Suns have still lost 10 in a row. - Potter

30. New York Knicks (10-42)

Though the Knicks took some criticism for dealing Kristaps Porzingis, they set themselves up for a bright future by adding Dennis Smith Jr., freeing up an additional max-contract slot, and acquiring a couple of first-round picks. However, it's been years since the Knicks took advantage of a potentially good situation. - Saghir