NBA Power Rankings: Which Top 10 Teams Have Legit NBA Title Hopes

Six weeks remain in the 2012 NBA season, and the contenders are starting to separate themselves from everyone else.

Here are this week's power rankings, highlighting the top 10 teams with the best chance to win a championship.

No. 1: Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade has his legs back under him and he has answered all questions about who will take the last shot for the Miami Heat. He had the ball in his hands during crunch time twice this past week, and the Heat pulled out two close victories.

While the fourth quarter is Wade's time, the first three periods belong to LeBron James. James is the leading MVP candidate, and the two players give the Heat more athleticism than any team in the league. With a renewed commitment to the transition game, Miami is the best bet to win the title.

No. 2: Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls' team defense is well known across the NBA, but their offense is equally well-orchestrated. The team ranks second in points allowed and first in assists per game. 

Derrick Rose leads the Bulls on both ends of the floor, and the rest of the roster has followed him to the best record in the league. This team's cohesiveness makes them capable of beating anyone in a seven-game series.

No. 3: Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant is the league's second-leading scorer, and Russell Westbrook is fifth on the list. Since trading for Kendrick Perkins last season, this young team has started to come of age.

General manager Sam Presti has put a solid group of role players around his two stars, but Durant and Westbrook will need to steal the show if this team hopes to win the NBA championship. When either one is having a hot shooting night, the Thunder are tough to stop.

No. 4: Los Angeles Lakers

Andrew Bynum's late basket to seal a victory against the Boston Celtics may be the start of something special in Tinseltown. If Bynum performs like that in the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers are still a threat to win it all. 

The young center's ascension may make Pau Gasol expendable, and a deadline-day deal to add more pieces could make this team OKC's top challenger to reach the finals.

No. 5: San Antonio Spurs

As much credit as Greg Popovich has been given during his career, he still deserves more. Analysts predict the San Antonio Spurs' decline every offseason, but the team still comes out and competes for a top seed in the West.

Tony Parker is a dark-horse MVP candidate and Manu Ginobili is healthy again. The poise and experience on this team is second-to-none. Come playoff time, the Spurs can do plenty of damage.

No. 6: Los Angeles Clippers

Chis Paul has resurrected the Los Angeles Clippers, and will take the franchise to the playoffs for just the fifth time since it came to California in 1978.

The Clippers' title hopes took a blow when Chauncey Billups was lost for the year. The team had the most clutch backcourt in the NBA, but is now searching for answers at shooting guard. A superhuman effort by Paul will be needed to put this team over the top.

No. 7: Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies have climbed up the Western Conference standings by winning 10 of their last 12 games. 

The team will likely keep rolling as Zach Randolph's return is not far away. Memphis proved to be a tough out last year in the postseason, and played without Rudy Gay. With Randolph and Gay both healthy, the Grizzlies are a legitimate title contender this year.

No. 8: Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are one of the most balanced team in the league, and all five starters are averaging more than 10 PPG. 

Roy Hibbert and David West form one of the best frontcourts in the league, while Darren Collison and Paul George give the team youth and athleticism. Danny Granger continues to be an elite scorer, and if this team puts it all together, it could take down one of the giants in the East.

No. 9: Philadelphia 76ers

If defense wins championships, then the Philadelphia 76ers have a great shot to win a title. The Sixers rank first in points allowed.

Andre Iguodala is one of the top candidates for Defensive Player of the Year, and leads a deep, young squad. Philadelphia is capable of shutting down any team in the league. They may be a long-shot to win a championship, but their destructive defensive capabilities keep them in every game.

No. 10: Dallas Mavericks

It is still too early to count out the defending champs. The Dallas Mavericks may be on a 2-8 skid in their last 10 games, but the season really starts in late April.

Dirk Nowitzki is still unstoppable on the offensive end, and the Western Conference is wide open. Even if the Mavs end up as one of the bottom seeds in playoffs, a run to the finals is very possible.

No. 11: Orlando Magic	Dwight Howard's trade demands will keep this team from contending.
No. 12: Denver Nuggets	Lack of a star will hurt them in the postseason.
No. 13: Atlanta Hawks	A fourth straight second-round exit seems imminent.
No. 14: New York Knicks	Linsanity aside, this team needs a lot more out of Carmelo Anthony.
No. 15: Boston Celtics	Celts are too old to have a chance against the East's top teams.
No. 16: Portland Trailblazers	LaMarcus Aldridge is a franchise cornerstone. The rest of the team needs to step up.
No. 17: Houston Rockets	Kyle Lowry has been a nice surprise, but Rockets will be out in Round 1 or sooner.
No. 18: Phoenix Suns	Steve Nash is nearing a fifth 50-40-90 season, but this team doesn't have much else.
No. 19: Utah Jazz	Plenty of good players, but no outstanding ones in Utah.
No 20: MinnesotaTimberwolves	Things looked very promising until Ricky Rubio was lost for the season.
No. 21: Milwaukee Bucks	The Bucks could be good if Andrew Bogut could stay healthy.
No. 22: Golden State Warriors	Same old Warriors—a lot of points, not a lot of wins.
No. 23: Cleveland Cavaliers	Kyrie Irving has lived up to expectations, but this team has a long way to go.
No. 24: Detroit Pistons	Greg Monroe is quickly becoming a premier big man, but Joe Dumars needs to stop overpaying role players.
No 25: New Jersey Nets	Sad to see Deron Williams stuck in purgatory.
No. 26 Sacramento Kings	Nobody on this team has any interest in passing the ball.
No. 27: Toronto Raptors	Jose Calderon has been a bright spot, but the rest of the team makes the Raptors an afterthought.
No. 28: New Orleans Hornets	The league's "basketball reasons" for trading Chris Paul turned out to be poorly thought-out.
No. 29: Washington Wizards	At least they are still better than the Bobcats.
No. 30: Charlotte Bobcats	Michael Jordan is having to get used to losing on a nightly basis.