NBA Power Rankings: Indiana Pacers and More Under-the-Radar Teams Moving Up
It’s almost February, and there has been quite a few surprises near the top of the NBA power rankings.
The Thunder, Bulls, Heat and other elite teams are exactly who we thought they were, but a few different franchises are sneaking towards the front of the pack with their stellar play.
No. 4 – Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have been playing excellent basketball this season and have yet to lose two games in a row.
This team has immense size, which certainly contributes to the reason why they are second in the league in rebounds per game and fifth in points allowed.
They finally beat the Orlando Magic, who knocked them off the last five times they played, and have an easy match against the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday. Come playoff time, this squad cannot be underestimated.
No. 5 – Denver Nuggets
Denver has gotten better since the controversial Carmelo Anthony trade last year. They are benefitting from not having an elite, big-name scorer on their roster and are moving the ball and scoring well.
They rank No. 1 in the league in assists and points per game, despite the fact that Danilo Gallinari is the leading scorer and 35-year-old Andre Miller is the main set-up guy.
These Nuggets are proving that you do not need a superstar to succeed in this league.
No. 12 – Houston Rockets
Houston has won 10 of their last 12 games after a rough start to the season.
This franchise is following the Nuggets' model of not having a name-brand star on their team and instead playing great team basketball.
The Rockets are looking like a fringe playoff team, and it will be interesting to see if they can compete with this roster come May.
Alex Kay’s Power Rankings—January 30, 2012
No. 1: Oklahoma City Thunder
No. 2: Chicago Bulls
No. 3: Miami Heat
No. 4: Indiana Pacers
No. 5: Denver Nuggets
No. 6: Philadelphia 76ers
No. 7: Atlanta Hawks
No. 8: Los Angeles Clippers
No. 9: Dallas Mavericks
No. 10: Los Angeles Lakers
No. 11: Portland Trail Blazers
No. 12: Houston Rockets
No. 13: San Antonio Spurs
No. 14: Minnesota Timberwolves
No. 15: Boston Celtics
No. 16: Orlando Magic
No. 17: Memphis Grizzlies
No. 18: Utah Jazz
No. 19: Cleveland Cavaliers
No. 20: New York Knicks
No. 21: Milwaukee Bucks
No. 22: Golden State Warriors
No. 23: Phoenix Suns
No. 24: Toronto Raptors
No. 25: New Jersey Nets
No. 26: Sacramento Kings
No. 27: New Orleans Hornets
No. 28: Washington Wizards
No. 29: Detroit Pistons
No. 30: Charlotte Bobcats
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
