Let's take a look at the NBA Power Ratings as of Feb. 16. Jeremy Lin has taken over the point in New York and the Knicks are moving on up the rankings. Miami is starting to dominate the opposition and Chicago should be right up there as long as Derrick Rose's back stay healthy.
1)Miami Heat
Power Rating 95 Home Court: 4
The Heat are 23-7 overall and 12-2 at home. They've won four in a row and are starting to look like the team that most people to pick to win the NBA title.
2)Oklahoma City Thunder
Power Rating 94. Home Court: 3
The Thunder are the best team in the West right now and are 10-1 at home. But they haven't looked quite some dominant lately, winning 6 of the last 10.
3)Chicago Bulls
Power Rating 93. Home Court: 3
The Bulls are 24-7 but they aren't the same with Derrick Rose's back issues creeping up. Fortunately they are deep and can afford to rest him some.
4)Philadelphia 76ers
Power Rating 92. Home Court: 3
The Sixers are 20-10 overall and 13-5 at home. They are facing a much tougher schedule than the one they faced in January.
5)LA Clippers
Power Rating 92. Home Court: 3
The Clippers are now 18-9 and they are off to their best start in over 25 years. If they had beaten Cleveland the other night, they'd be in the top four.
6)San Antonio Spurs
Power Rating 92. Home Court: 3
Tony Parker is playing like an MVP. Tim Duncan still has his legs and Gregg Popovich can flat out coach. The Spurs are now second in the West, right behind the Thunder at 21-9. And Manu Ginobili is back. They have won 9 straight.
7)Orlando Magic
Power Rating 91. Home Court: 3
Hard to explain the Magic. Dwight Howard still wants to be deal but they are 19-11 and have won three straight. A loss to Atlanta didn't help this puzzling team.
8)Indiana Pacers
Power Rating 91. Home Court: 3
The Pacers are now 17-12 and got spanked by Miami. So the are just not ready for prime time and have now lost five in a row.
9)Dallas Mavericks
Power Rating 91 Home Court: 4
The Mavs are19-11 and have won five straight. Just like the Spurs, you can count these guys out yet. Dirk is also in the groove again.
10)Atlanta Hawks
Power Rating 90. Home Court: 3
The Hawks are 19-11 and just won't seem to go away even without Al Horford. But they are still just 5-5 in their last 10.
11)Denver Nuggets
Power Rating 90. Home Court: 4
The Nuggets are now 17-13 and are just 3-7 in their last 10. The injuries to Danillo Gallinari hurt while Denver is just 8-7 at home this year.
12)LA Lakers
Power Rating 90. Home Court: 3
The Lakers are aging but are 17-12 and have won two straight. They probably will make a big deal in a few weeks but will it be enough to win the West?
13)Boston Celtics
Power Rating 90 Home Court: 4
The Celtics are back at 15-13 and are the best defensive team in basketball. Better watch out for the Knicks.
14)Memphis Grizzlies
Power Rating 89. Home Court: 3
The Grizz are back up to 16-14 and have won two straight. They are 10-5 at home and 6-9 on the road. But they are on the outside looking in for the playoffs.
15)Portland Trailblazers
Power Rating 88. Home Court: 4
The Blazers are 11-4 at home but they lost to Washington at home (LaMarcus Aldridge injured his ankle). They are just 5-10 on the road.l
16)New York Knicks
Power Rating 88 Home Court: 3
The Knicks have won seven straight thanks to a young lineup led by Jeremy Lin and Landry Fields. Amare Stoudemire is back but the key will be whether Lin can co-exist with Melo.
17)Houston Rockets
Power Rating 88. Home Court: 3
The Rockets are flying under the radar at 17-13. PG Kyle Lowry is having a very big year and Kevin Martin continues to play well. But they will be known as one of the team's dumping Jeremy Lin.
18)Utah Jazz
Power Rating 88. Home Court: 3
The Jazz are 14-14 and are just 3-7 in their last 10 games. But they are 11-5 at home. Gordon Haywood is starting to play better offensively. He's showing glimpses of star potential but is not there yet.
18)Minnesota Timberwolves
Power Rating: 87. Home Court: 3
The T-Wolves are 14-16 as they are just 8-10 at home and 6-6 on the road. They could end up trading for Pau Gasol.
20)Milwaukee Bucks
Power Rating: 87. Home Court: 3
The Bucks are 12-17 and are now out of the playoff picture. A 5-10 road record doesn't help as they've lost three straight.
21)Cleveland Cavaliers
Power Rating: 86 Home Court: 3
The Cavs has fallen to 11-16 and lost Anderson Varejao to a fractured wrist. That would limit their ability to trade him near the deadline.
22)Phoenix Suns
Power Rating; 86. Home Court: 3
Phoenix his back down to 12-18 and have lost three straight. Steve Nash is shooting 56% from the floor so at least he's playing his part.
23)Golden State Warriors
Power Rating: 85. Home Court: 3
The Warriors 11-15 but now we know it's not just the coach. They need players. Mark Jackson talked playoffs before the season. And it's just talk.
24)Toronto Raptors
Power Rating: 85. Home Court: 3
The Raptors lost at the buzzer on Monday to "Linsanity". At 9-22 and 2-8 in the last 10, the Raptors are getting ready for another lottery pick.
25)New Jersey Nets
Power Rating: 85. Home Court. 2
The Nets are 8-22 and have lost seven straight. Does Brooklyn still want this team?
26)Sacramento Kings
Power Rating: 84. Home Court: 3
The Kings are 10-19 and fading fast, having lost three in a row. They are also 3-14 on the road.
27)Washington Wizards:
Power Rating: 84. Home Court: 2
The Wizards beat Portland and Detroit on the road, back-to-back. Maybe they'll give interim coach Randy Wittman a lifetime contract.
28)Detroit Pistons
Power Rating: 84 Home Court: 3
The Pistons had won four straight before losing to the Wizards at home. They are 9-22 and need more talent surrounding big man Greg Monroe.
29)New Orleans Hornets
Power Rating: 83. Home Court: 3
The Hornets are on fire! They've won two straight but are still 2-8 in their last 10 games.
30)Charlotte Bobcats
Power Rating: 81. Home Court: 3
The Bobcats have now lost 16 straight and could pass Towson at some point this season for most losses in a row (41)..