Chicago Bulls ride defense to top of NBA: Tom Reed's power rankings

Chicago Bulls ride defense to top of NBA: Tom Reeds power rankings Image

CLEVELAND, Ohio — This week's rankings are based on games through Friday. Last week's ranking in parenthesis.

1. (2) Chicago Bulls — It's all about D. Rose and Defense in the Windy City.

2. (4) Oklahoma City Thunder — Five-game win streak has taken focus off Durant-Westbrook relations.

3. (3) Denver Nuggets — Would move them up for beating the Heat, but everybody did that last week.

4. (11) Philadelphia 76ers — Doug Collins emerging as an early coach of the year candidate.

5. (1) Miami Heat — If LeBron James relates to Tim Tebow, does Dwyane Wade relate to Ben Rothlisberger? D.Wade always playing through injuries.

6. (6) Orlando Magic — Dwight Howard went to the line 39 times against Golden State. When did the Warriors acquire Semih Erden?

7. (7) San Antonio Spurs — Pop's team is fourth in scoring (100.2) and second in assists (23.4).

8. (8) Indiana Pacers — Not the most glamorous team, but they are doing it with defense and rebounding.

9. (10) Los Angeles Lakers — Someone needs to remind Mike Brown that Kobe is 33. He can't be playing big minutes every night.

10. (9) Atlanta Hawks — The loss of Al Horford to a torn pec muscle is a killer.

11. (5) Portland Trail Blazers — They sink in the standings for a second straight week.

12. (12) Los Angeles Clippers — Wish I could have watched Saturday's battle for L.A. before making this pick.

13. (15) Dallas Mavericks — Champs are on the come. Dirk's driving layup against Garnett was shades of June.

14. (20) Utah Jazz — Al Jefferson was so worn out from scoring against Cavs he managed just 11 the next night in loss to Lakers.

15. (20) New York Knicks — Despite changes, Knicks aren't good enough to contend for title and their fans know it.

16. (17) Memphis Grizzlies — Griz treading water with Randolph out.

17. (16) Cleveland Cavaliers — They can hold leads, but they don't have any come-from-behind wins.

18. (13) Boston Celtics — They follow 4-game win streak with 3-game slide.

19. (18) Minnesota Timberwolves — Do ESPN anchors get a bonus for every Ricky Rubio highlight?

20. (19) Milwaukee Bucks — Is there a more bland team in the league?

21. (18) Sacramento Kings — Good to see things are picking up after that coaching change.

22. (14) Toronto Raptors — Half their wins have come against the Cavaliers.

23. (27) Houston Rockets — Perhaps Houston-based televangelist Joel Osteen can say a prayer for Rockets when they play on road (1-6).

24. (22) Phoenix Suns — They are like a balding man with a ponytail. Time to rebuild instead of hanging on to the remnants.

25. (24) Golden State — Win over Miami was first bit of good news in weeks.

26. (25) New Orleans Hornets — Hope Hornets fans enjoy Eric Gordon, because that's about all they have right now.

27. (26) Detroit Pistons — Motown auto makers showing signs of life, not so for the Pistons.

28. (29) New Jersey Nets — Jay-Z probably could play for the team he partially owns.

29. (28) Charlotte Bobcats — Our old friend Paul Silas is in trouble here.

30. (30) Washington Wizards — They got their win for January.