NBA Power Rankings: Teams Ready to Assault Standings

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

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. 

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

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

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