NBA Power Poll #12

1. San Antonio Spurs (34-6): After at two game stumble, the best team in the NBA has won five straight.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (30-12): After a slow stretch, the Champs respond to the doubters with a seven game win streak.  Sure they lost Sunday to the Clippers, but that's not nearly as bad a loss as it used to be.  Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon makes the Clips a team nobody wants to play.  Still, if you're looking for a real marquee win on the Lakers schedule, you won't find it.  They've beaten a lot of mediocre teams, but as long as they arrive in the playoffs as a top 2-3 seed, they'll be fine.

3. Boston Celtics (30-9): The Celts drop below LA after a truly underwhelming week with a big loss at Chicago, then a home loss to the Rockets.  Their two straight wins over the Kings and Bobcats just don't do it for me.

4. Miami Heat (30-12): After it looked like the Heat might never lose again, they've dropped three straight.  And LeBron James has been out for all three games.  That means that you can't blame them much for the losses, but what happens if James, Dwyane Wade, or Chris Bosh has to miss some games come playoff time?  I'm not sure they can survive even a small injury to any of the big three.

5. Chicago Bulls (27-13): Is it possible to have a man crush on an entire team?  I really like what the Bulls do: plenty of offense complimented by the coaching of Tom Thibodeau, the architect of the Celtics' stifling defense.  Luol Deng is quietly having a great season with 18 points and 6 rebounds a game.  Once Joakim Noah gets back, this team has a chance to beat anyone in the East.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder (27-13): Four straight wins including victories over the Magic and Mavericks have this team percolating.  A big matchup with the Lakers looms this week.

7. Utah Jazz (27-13): The Jazz and Thunder are neck in neck in the standings and these rankings each week.  I'm not sure who's better, Russell Westbrook or Deron Williams.  However, I will take Kevin Durant and Jeff Green over Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson.

8. Orlando Magic (26-14): Tough losses at New Orleans and Oklahoma City drop this talented and newly constructed squad just a little in the rankings.

9. New Orleans Hornets (25-16): This is the first time in a while the Hornets have graced the rankings with their presence.  After a hot start they really looked bad for a while, but four straight wins has them back in the West's upper echelon.

10. Atlanta Hawks (26-15): Jamal Crawford is a beast off the bench; he should get more minutes.  He is the spark that ignites this team and I'd like to see him play alongside Joe Johnson more often.

--from Adam