NBA Power Rankings: Atlanta hangs on to top spot

1. Atlanta Hawks (29-8, Previous: 1) – After starting the year 7-6, the Hawks have gone 22-2 and will improve to 24-2 after games against the Celtics and Sixers. Jeff Teague has improved every season in the league (five) and is playing at an All-Star level.

2. Golden State Warriors (29-5, Previous: 2) –You may not know much about Draymond Green, but just know that drafted with the 35th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, lots of NBA GMs really messed up. He’s gonna cash in really soon, but for now is a huge plus for this dangerous team.

3. Portland Trailblazers (30-8, Previous: 3) – Damian Lillard took off for a huge slam over helpless Lakers defenders on Sunday. It kind of sums up this in-your-face team that ranks 6th in offense and 1st in defense. Don’t mess with ’em.

4. Memphis Grizzlies (26-11, Previous: 4) – Adding Jeff Green to the team will boost them from a depth perspective, but I don’t expect him to be leading the “grit and grind” group. At least it didn’t happen that way in Boston.

5. Houston Rockets (27-11, Previous: 7) – Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett got into it a bit, and credit Howard for at least giving it right back to Garnett. Both were ejected, but the Rockets won.

6. Dallas Mavericks (26-12, Previous: 5) – Mark Cuban was not happy with the call that took away Dez Bryant’s touchdown against the Packers. He also can’t be happy about the Mavs last two games, both double-digit losses.

7. Washington Wizards (25-12, Previous: 9) – A 31-point loss to the Hawks is no way to prove you belong at the top of the East. Then again, they beat the Bulls by 16 a game before that.

8. Chicago Bulls (26-13, Previous: 6) – Pau Gasol was thought to be a really good signing for the Bulls, but to have the words “career night” attached to a recent game (46 points, 18 rebounds vs. Bucks) is something else. He’s playing above all expectations this season.

9. Toronto Raptors (25-12, Previous: 8) – Trouble north of the border? The Raptors are just 4-6 in their last ten games, including a loss at home on Monday to the streaking Pistons.

10. Los Angeles Clippers (25-13, Previous: 10) – Doc Rivers said he would coach his son, Austin, if a trade sent him there. That’s fine, but Austin isn’t going to factor into much. He’ll barely play.

11. San Antonio Spurs (23-15, Previous: 11) – The Spurs took a visit to the White House on Monday, but with the way things are looking so far this season, they won’t be back next year.

12. Phoenix Suns (22-18, Previous: 12) – The Suns open up a whopping eight-game homestand starting Tuesday night against the Cavs. It gets easier with games against the T-Wolves and Lakers . . . but then it takes a turn. Porland, Houston, L.A. Clippers, Washington, and Chicago round it out. Gotta protect home.

13. Oklahoma City Thunder (18-19, Previous: 13) – The Thunder a 2.5 games out of a playoff spot, and unlike in the East, there doesn’t appear to be a team out west currently in a playoff spot that doesn’t belong.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers (19-19, Previous: 14) – Eight losses in their last nine games. LeBron James may be back as early as Tuesday, which is a good thing because Kevin Love was just told by his coach that he’s not a max player. Cleveland!

15. Milwaukee Bucks (20-19, Previous: 15) – Still keeping their heads above water, but last four wins have been against the Timberwolves, Sixers, Knicks, and Cavs. Hardly the cream of the crop. They’ve separated themselves from the scrubs though.

16. Miami Heat (16-21, Previous: 16) – Much-needed win over the Clippers in L.A. for a Heat team that had lost three straight on the road. But it’s their 7-12 home record that really is a cause for concern.

17. New Orleans Pelicans (18-19, Previous: 17) – The Pelicans recently got Eric Gordon back from injury, but lost Jrue Holiday Monday night to an ankle injury. Now under .500, it’s safe to say this team is underachieving.

18. Denver Nuggets (17-20, Previous: 18) – The Nuggets traded away Timofey Mozgov and it doesn’t look like they’re done, as reports are teams are calling about Arron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler.

19. Indiana Pacers (15-24, Previous: 20) – Shame on the Pacers for losing to the 76ers over the weekend. The Nets are falling fast in the 8th spot and Indy is on the outside looking in. Those are must-win games. Inconsistent basketball.

20. Detroit Pistons (14-24, Previous: 27) – Other than a loss to the Hawks (because, obviously), the Pistons haven’t lost since Dec. 21. That’s 9-1 in their last ten games, including a big win over the Raptors Monday night. Crazy to say it, but marching towards the playoffs.

21. Charlotte Hornets (15-24, Previous: 22) – There’s a little buzz around the Hornets these days, and rightfully so. The team has won five games in a row, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t make a run at the playoffs.

22. Brooklyn Nets (16-22, Previous: 19) – Six straight losses for the Nets after what looked to be a little turnaround. Now, they’re teetering on the edge of the playoffs – and it doesn’t look good for this aging group.

23. Sacramento Kings (16-21, Previous: 21) – Sacramento’s hot start seems like a longgggg time ago. They even let the Cavs blow them out over the weekend.

24. Orlando Magic (14-27, Previous: 23) – Nikola Vucevic put together his first two 30-plus point games of the season over the last two games, one of which snapped a six-game losing streak.

25. Boston Celtics (13-23, Previous: 24) – Rajon Rondo, gone. Jeff Green, gone. And get this: The Celtics played one of their most inspired basketball games of the season Monday night against the Pelicans. They won’t win with talent, but effort.

26. Los Angeles Lakers (12-26, Previous: 25) – The Lakers are reportedly working the phones, at least pretending to be interested in trades. But look for this team to make a splash in free agency instead.

27. Utah Jazz (13-25, Previous: 26) – The highlight of the Jazz season came last week when Trevor Booker took an inbounds pass with .2 seconds left on the shot clock and tapped the basketball up and over his head right into the basket.

28. Philadelphia 76ers (7-29, Previous: 29) – Believe it: The Sixers have won three of their last four games. That’s more games than the Knicks will win the rest of the way.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-31, Previous: 30) – Fifteen straight losses for the Timberwolves, who’s only competition is the . . . (see below)

30. New York Knicks (5-35, Previous: 28) – Fifteen straight losses for the Knicks, and we’re supposed to believe Carmelo Anthony isn’t going to shut it down for the season any minute now.