SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick tells us what he's hearing about whether the reeling Thunder want to move Paul George before the trade deadline. USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA since Nov. 11 (18-1), LeBron James has recorded a triple-double in four of his last five games and All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas could make his season debut by the turn of the new year.
Oh, and the Cavs are now only 1 ½ games behind the Boston Celtics for first place in the East.
With Christmas Day nearing and the early-season oddities a thing of the past, here's how we view the league's current power structure. Voters, listed at the bottom of this page, include NBA reporters from across the USA TODAY Network.
1. Houston Rockets (24-4) | Last week: 1
The Rockets, who have won 13 consecutive games and still haven't lost with Chris Paul in the lineup, are on pace to become the third team in NBA history to win 70 games.
2. Golden State Warriors (23-6) | Last week: 2
Speaking of pace, the Warriors, winners of eight in a row, are on track to win 65 games for the fourth consecutive season.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-8) | Last week: 4
Kyle Korver leads all bench players in overall plus-minus (plus-222), three-pointers made (78) and is one of just 11 players averaging 10.5 points in less than 23 minutes per game.
4. Boston Celtics (25-7) | Last week: 3
The Celtics, who owned an NBA-best 95.8 defensive rating during their 16-game winning streak, rank 18th on that end of the floor since, allowing 107.1 points per 100 possessions.
5. Toronto Raptors (20-8) | Last week: 6
The Raptors, who have quietly won nine of their last 10 games, rank third in the NBA with a net rating of plus-8.4.
6. San Antonio Spurs (20-10) | Last week: 5
The Spurs have, not surprisingly, erred on the side of caution with Kawhi Leonard, who made his season debut Tuesday, limiting him to 16 and 17 minutes in his first two games back.
"I'm just happy to be out there, just to play the game and enjoy the things I missed — missing shots, losing games, making mistakes, just everything," Leonard said. "I missed everything on the court."
![Dec. 17: Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) drives]()
1 of 61![Dec. 16: the Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns]()
2 of 61![Dec. 15: Grizzlies center Marc Gasol dives for a loose]()
3 of 61![Dec. 14: Lakers guard Lonzo Ball, left, defends Cavaliers]()
4 of 61![Dec. 13: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George]()
5 of 61![Dec. 12: Dallas Mavericks fans reacts to a basket by]()
6 of 61![Dec. 11: The Golden State Warriors' David West dunks]()
7 of 61![Dec. 10: Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris makes a pass]()
8 of 61![Dec 9: Rockets guard James Harden celebrates after]()
9 of 61![Dec. 8: Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried falls]()
10 of 61![Dec. 7 -]()
11 of 61![Dec. 6: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23)]()
12 of 61![Dec. 5: Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts]()
13 of 61![Dec. 4: Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (2) and Charlotte]()
14 of 61![Dec. 3: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo is fouled by the]()
15 of 61![Dec. 2: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41)]()
16 of 61![Dec. 1: Pacers guard Victor Oladipo throws down a one-handed]()
17 of 61![Nov. 30: Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) moves]()
18 of 61![Nov. 29: Houston Rockets guard James Harden celebrates]()
19 of 61![Nov. 28: NBA referee Kane Fitzgerald ejects LeBron]()
20 of 61![Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) fouls and]()
21 of 61![Nov. 26: Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8)]()
22 of 61![Nov. 25: Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1)]()
23 of 61![Nov. 24: Workers assemble the basketball court at TD]()
24 of 61![Nov. 22: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23)]()
25 of 61![Nov. 21: The Los Angeles Lakers' Josh Hart moves to]()
26 of 61![Nov. 20: Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21)]()
27 of 61![Nov. 19: Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dunks]()
28 of 61![Nov. 18: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) blocks]()
29 of 61![Nov. 17: Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) attempts]()
30 of 61![Nov. 16: Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving reacts after]()
31 of 61![Nov. 15: New York Knicks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (3)]()
32 of 61![Nov. 14: Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (42) fouls]()
33 of 61![Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23)]()
34 of 61![Nov. 12: Rockets guard Chris Paul wasn't in uniform,]()
35 of 61![Nov. 11: Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35)]()
36 of 61![Nov. 10: L.A. Clippers forward Blake Griffin shoots]()
37 of 61![Nov. 9: Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30)]()
38 of 61![Nov. 8: Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dunks]()
39 of 61![Nov. 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons goes for]()
40 of 61![Nov. 6: Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) hangs]()
41 of 61![Nov. 5: Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) jumps]()
42 of 61![Nov. 4: Kings guard Frank Mason III (10)tries to pass]()
43 of 61![Nov. 3: Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) blocks]()
44 of 61![Nov. 2: Spurs guard Danny Green (14) throws down a]()
45 of 61![Nov. 1: LeBron James reacts in the fourth quarter of]()
46 of 61![Oct. 31: The Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo]()
47 of 61![Oct. 30: Spurs guard Brandon Paul blocks a shot attempt]()
48 of 61![Oct. 29: Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) reacts]()
49 of 61![Oct. 28: New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis]()
50 of 61![Oct. 27: Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green]()
51 of 61![Oct. 26: The Bucks returned to the building formerly]()
52 of 61![Oct. 25L Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James]()
53 of 61![Oct. 24: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is]()
54 of 61![Oct. 23: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts]()
55 of 61![Oct. 22: Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball (2) watches]()
56 of 61![Oct. 21: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry]()
57 of 61![Oct. 20: Sacramento Kings guard Vince Carter (15) and]()
58 of 61![Oct. 19: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony]()
59 of 61![Oct. 18: Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates]()
60 of 61![Oct. 17: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23)]()
61 of 61
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-13) | Last week: 9
Twenty NBA players have reached the 1,000-minute mark so far this season. Four of those players — Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins — are on the Timberwolves.
8. Indiana Pacers (17-13) | Last week: 8
Paul George said it best when talking about Most Improved Player frontrunner Victor Oladipo following his return to Indiana on Wednesday, dubbing the 25-year-old both the "face" and the "future" of the franchise.
9. Detroit Pistons (17-13) | Last week: 13
Andre Drummond set a career-high for assists in a season with 90 during the 2016-17 campaign. Thirty games in to 2017-18, he has already tallied 114 — the fourth-highest mark among centers.
10. Portland Trail Blazers (16-13) | Last week: 11
The Blazers, who have won three consecutive games after losing five in a row, rank fourth in the NBA with a defensive rating of 101.5.
11. Washington Wizards (16-14) | Last week: 10
Mike Scott, who the Wizards signed to a veteran's minimum deal over the summer to help bolster their bench, has played some of the best basketball of his career as of late, averaging 16.2 points (on 69.4% shooting) and 5.2 rebounds in his last five games.
12. Denver Nuggets (16-13) | Last week: 12
All eyes were on Denver's frontcourt of Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap heading into the season, but it's been the backcourt that has turned heads while the two big men have missed time due to injury. Gary Harris and Jamal Murray are the team's two leading scorers this month, combining for 38.4 points per game.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (15-13) | Last week: 7
Giannis Antetokounmpo garners the headlines, but the impact Khris Middleton has on this team is clear. The sixth-year forward is averaging career-highs in points (20.3 per game), assists (4.5) and rebounds (5.4) and ranks second on the team in a handful of advanced stat categories, including box score plus minus, win shares per 48 minutes and player efficiency rating.
14. New York Knicks (16-13) | Last week: 17
If the playoffs started today, the Knicks — who have won four consecutive games — would be the sixth seed in the East.
15. New Orleans Pelicans (15-15) | Last week: 14
Jrue Holiday, who signed a five-year, $126-million contract over the summer, is posting career-highs in points (18.1 per game), shooting percentage (48.4) and rebounds (4.4).
"He’s one of the best two-way players in this league when he’s aggressive," teammate DeMarcus Cousins told The Advocate recently. "That’s the guy we need in order for us to move up to the next level. He’s been playing great and he’s taken our team to the next level. We are a tough team to beat when he’s playing that way.”
16. Philadelphia 76ers (14-14) | Last week: 15
The 76ers have lost five of their last six games and play six of their eight remaining December games on the road, including Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden.
![Dec. 17: Washington Wizards]()
1 of 77![Dec. 16: San Antonio Spurs]()
2 of 77![Dec. 16: Cleveland Cavaliers]()
3 of 77![Dec. 15: Washington Wizards]()
4 of 77![Dec. 15: Boston Celtics]()
5 of 77![Dec. 15: Orlando Magic]()
6 of 77![Dec. 13: Miami Heat]()
7 of 77![Dec. 13: Washington Wizards]()
8 of 77![Dec. 12: Dallas Mavericks]()
9 of 77![Dec. 11: Memphis Grizzlies]()
10 of 77![Dec. 10: New Orleans Pelicans]()
11 of 77![Dec. 10: Indiana Pacers]()
12 of 77![Dec. 8: Detroit Pistons]()
13 of 77![Dec. 6: Bucks]()
14 of 77![Dec. 6: Pelicans]()
15 of 77![Dec. 4: Boston Celtics]()
16 of 77![Dec. 4: Indiana Pacers]()
17 of 77![Dec. 4: Memphis Grizzlies]()
18 of 77![Dec. 2: Dallas Mavericks]()
19 of 77![Nov. 30: Boston Celtics]()
20 of 77![Nov. 30: Denver Nuggets]()
21 of 77![Nov. 29: New Orleans Pelicans]()
22 of 77![Nov. 29: Dallas Mavericks]()
23 of 77![Nov. 29: Detroit Pistons]()
24 of 77![Nov. 28: Sacramento Kings]()
25 of 77![Nov. 27: Golden State Warriors]()
26 of 77![Nov. 25: Washington Wizards]()
27 of 77![Nov. 24: Boston Celtics]()
28 of 77![Nov. 22: New Orleans Pelicans]()
29 of 77![Nov. 20: Orlando Magic]()
30 of 77![Nov. 20: Sacramento Kings]()
31 of 77![Nov. 20: Detroit Pistons]()
32 of 77![Nov. 19: Miami Heat]()
33 of 77![Nov. 19: Phoenix Suns]()
34 of 77![Nov. 18: Orlando Magic]()
35 of 77![Nov. 18: Orlando Magic]()
36 of 77![Nov. 17: Sacramento Kings]()
37 of 77![Nov. 17: Washington Wizards]()
38 of 77![Nov. 14: Dallas Mavericks]()
39 of 77![Nov. 12: Oklahoma City Thunder]()
40 of 77![Nov. 11: Dallas Mavericks]()
41 of 77![Nov. 11: Washington Wizards]()
42 of 77![Nov. 11: San Antonio Spurs]()
43 of 77![Nov. 11: New Orleans Pelicans]()
44 of 77![Nov. 10: Boston Celtics]()
45 of 77![Nov. 9: Washington Wizards]()
46 of 77![Nov. 8: Detroit Pistons]()
47 of 77![Nov. 7: Denver Nuggets]()
48 of 77![Nov. 3: Oklahoma City Thunder]()
49 of 77![Nov. 3: Atlanta Hawks]()
50 of 77![Nov. 3: Denver Nuggets]()
51 of 77![Nov. 3: Dallas Mavericks]()
52 of 77![Nov. 1: Miami Heat]()
53 of 77![Nov. 1: Washington Wizards]()
54 of 77![Nov. 1: Miami Heat]()
55 of 77![Oct. 31: Indiana Pacers]()
56 of 77![Oct. 30: New Orleans Pelicans.]()
57 of 77![Oct. 30: Miami Heat]()
58 of 77![Oct. 29: Atlanta Hawks]()
59 of 77![Oct. 28: New Orleans Pelicans]()
60 of 77![Oct. 26: Milwaukee Bucks]()
61 of 77![Oct. 26: Memphis Grizzlies]()
62 of 77![Oct. 25: Dallas Mavericks]()
63 of 77![Oct. 25: Philadelphia 76ers]()
64 of 77![Oct. 23: Miami Heat]()
65 of 77![Oct. 22: Oklahoma City Thunder]()
66 of 77![Oct. 21: Cleveland Cavaliers]()
67 of 77![Oct. 21: Toronto Raptors]()
68 of 77![Oct. 21: Utah Jazz]()
69 of 77![Oct. 20: Washington Wizards]()
70 of 77![Oct. 20: Minnesota Timberwolves]()
71 of 77![Oct. 18: Washington Wizards]()
72 of 77![Oct. 18: Washington Wizards]()
73 of 77![Oct. 18: Dallas Mavericks]()
74 of 77![Oct. 18: Boston Celtics]()
75 of 77![Oct. 18: Detroit Pistons]()
76 of 77![Nov. 17: Dallas Mavericks]()
77 of 77
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (14-15) | Last week: 18
What better way to describe Oklahoma City's season than the past two games — a triple-overtime win over Philadelphia on Friday followed by Saturday's loss to the Knicks, who were without Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr.
18. Miami Heat (15-14) | Last week: 19
Erik Spoelstra passed Pat Riley for the most wins (455) in Heat history on Saturday — a victory he said was "in honor of my mentor and my coach."
19. Utah Jazz (14-16) | Last week: 16
More bad news on the injury front for the Jazz, as shot-blocking extraordinaire Rudy Gobert is expected to be out until January with another knee injury.
"You feel sick for the player when something like this happens, especially since he worked so hard to come back," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "But Rudy is resilient and has a great approach and he's tough. I was trying to find a silver lining — there isn't one — but I guess the fact it wasn't as serious as it could have been is one."
20. Los Angeles Clippers (11-17) | Last week: 22
Lou Williams, who's averaging career highs in points (19.9 per game), assists (4.9) and three-point percentage (39.1), is making a case for his second Sixth Man of the Year award. He leads all bench players in scoring.
21. Brooklyn Nets (11-18) | Last week: 21
Jahlil Okafor, who grew frustrated with his lack of playing time in Philadelphia, has only seen the floor once — a 23-minute, 10-point, four-rebound outing against Toronto on Friday — in six games since being traded to Brooklyn. When asked about the decision to continue to keep Okafor on the bench, coach Kenny Atkinson said the Nets need to help get him in "better condition" and "integrate him more into the system."
22. Los Angeles Lakers (10-17) | Last week: 20
Brandon Ingram recorded two 20-plus point games during his 2016-17 rookie campaign. He already has seven such games this season.
23. Charlotte Hornets (10-19) | Last week: 23
Orlando Dwight Howard? Is that you? The veteran big man has been reminiscent of his old self lately, averaging 19.8 points, 14.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in his past six games.
24. Orlando Magic (11-20) | Last week: 24
Jonathon Simmons, an undrafted swingman who showed flashes of brilliance during his two seasons in San Antonio, has taken a massive step forward during his first season in Orlando. He's averaging 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists this month — one of just 12 players with such numbers.
25. Phoenix Suns (10-21) | Last week: 26
A fun fact for this not-so-fun team: The Suns have made a three-pointer in every game since March 29, 2004 — a 1,089-game streak, good for second in NBA history, per Basketball Reference.
26. Chicago Bulls (8-20) | Last week: 30
This five-game winning streak isn't doing the Bulls any draft lottery favors, as they now have the third-worst record in the NBA and are just ½-game behind sixth-worst Phoenix.
27. Sacramento Kings (9-20) | Last week: 27
Zach Randolph — a 36-year-old, 16-year veteran — leads one of the NBA's youngest teams in scoring (15.2 points per game), rebounds (7.0) and ranks second in minutes (25.9). Makes sense.
28. Dallas Mavericks (8-22) | Last week: 25
The Mavs, who fell to San Antonio by two on Saturday after allowing the Spurs to score the game's final 13 points, rank last in the NBA in the clutch. Defined as the time in which the score is within five points in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime, Dallas has an offensive rating of 82.2 and a defensive rating of 131.8.
29. Memphis Grizzlies (9-21) | Last week: 29
The Grizzlies have the NBA's worst record over the past 15 games (2-13) and have a league-worst offensive rating (99 points per 100 possessions) during that span as well.
30. Atlanta Hawks (6-23) | Last week: 28
While Chicago has reeled off five wins in a row, the Hawks have lost four straight and are en route to the second-worst season (in terms of winning percentage) in franchise history.
This week’s voters: USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick, Jeff Zillgitt, Michael Singer and AJ Neuharth-Keusch; Detroit Free Press' Vince Ellis; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Matt Velazquez; The Record's Steve Popper; HoopsHype’s Jorge Sierra and Raul Barrigon