Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks are attacking the power rankings, and they aren't done yet. They are about to get their stars back and will continue climbing. 

They aren't the only team ready to move up the rankings, either. Here are the three teams we should all be keeping an eye on. 

 

No. 12 Orlando Magic

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The Magic have had a crazy up-and-down year. It's not too surprising. Their best player, Dwight Howard, has been dogged by questions of his future all season. 

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Well, they have it together at the moment, and actually appear to be coming together as a team. After losing six of eight, they have won six of eight. And their two losses came in OT against good teams. 

Four of their next seven games come against teams comfortably below .500. They will be able to handle these games, and knock off a couple of the better teams. 

Dwight Howard has been playing fantastic and Jason Richardson has hit his groove. This inside out is really helping them catch fire, and that fire is going to continue. 

 

No. 16 Denver Nuggets

138550104_crop_650x440 Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

The Nuggets have struggled mightily with injuries. This has led to them losing seven of their last nine. Well, they are about to come to the end of those struggles. Nene and Timofey Mozgov are close to returning. 

It may be a little longer for Dino Gallinari, who CBS Sports list as being out until mid-February, but they will be able to withstand that with the return of their big men. 

Their return will give the Nuggets back the strength of their team, which is their depth. This will help them run their opponents off the court in this compacted and shortened season. Slowly but surely, this team will make their way back to the top 10. 


No. 17 New York Knicks

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The Knicks were a sinking ship. Then Jeremy Lin came to the rescue. They had lost 11 of 13 games before Lin took over point guard duties. 

Now they have won five straight games. And they have done most of this without Amare Stoudemire or Carmelo Anthony. Both of those players should be back in the fold soon, and all of a sudden the Knicks have a starting lineup that has the potential to be as complete as any in the league. 

There will undoubtedly be some growing pains as these guys learn how to function together, but it is clear that they are ready to leave this No. 17 ranking in the dust. 

 

Richard Langford's NBA Power Rankings

Rank Team Record
 1  Chicago Bulls  23-7 
 2  Oklahoma City Thunder  21-6 
 3  Miami Heat  21-7 
 4  San Antonio Spurs  19-9 
 5  Philadelphia 76ers  19-9 
 6  Los Angeles Clippers   17-8 
 7  Atlanta Hawks   18-10 
 8  Indiana Pacers  17-10 
 9  Dallas Mavericks  17-11 
 10  Los Angeles Lakers  16-12 
 11  Portland Trail Blazers  15-13 
 12  Orlando Magic  17-11 
 13  Boston Celtics  15-12 
 14  Houston Rockets   16-12 
 15  Memphis Grizzlies   14-14 
 16  Denver Nuggets   16-12 
 17  New York Knicks  13-15
 18  Utah Jazz  14-12 
 19  Minnesota Timberwolves   13-15 
 20  Phoenix Suns  12-15 
 21  Milwaukee Bucks  12-15 
 22  Golden State Warriors  10-14 
 23  Sacramento Kings  10-17 
 24  Cleveland Cavaliers  10-16 
 25  Toronto Raptors  9-20 
 26  Detroit Pistons   8-21 
 27  New Jersey Nets   8-21 
 28  Washington Wizards  6-22 
 29  New Orleans Hornets  4-23 
 30  Charlotte Bobcats  3-24