Seven straight wins, including a sweep of their first back-to-back-to-back (Houston, Houston, San Antonio) and the Thunder have given plenty of reason to believe they are poised to hang with the league’s elite.  The schedule will lighten in the coming weeks, making “health” and “focus” OKC’s greatest enemies.

Derrick Rose’s toe injury should absolutely be a concern for Bulls’ fans, particularly with how injuries like that can nag over a busy season.  But as long as Boozer can continue to raise his production when needed, the Bulls can keep their position at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Miami’s stumble without Dwayne Wade nearly hit four games before LeBron exploded in the second half against the Spurs, helping the heat outscore San Antonio 71-35 after halftime.  Dropping three games in four nights on the road (particularly twice in overtime) is not a huge red flag, but will lead to a slight drop in the power rankings

While everyone tries to tie Dwight to another franchise, the Magic are surging forward with one of the best starts in the Eastern Conference.  Orlando has rolled off five wins in a row, including four straight in a Western Conference road swing.  Ryan Anderson continues to shine as an offensive threat, (NBA-best 45 3PM) and Dwight Howard is strong as ever on the glass (NBA-best 194 rebounds).

Four straight 40+ point games from Kobe, and then he dishes to Derek Fisher for the game-winner against Dallas.  The Lakers have answered their critics with solid play inside from Bynum, and continued offensive explosion from the league’s leading scorer.  I wouldn’t look too far into the eight point loss to the Clippers.  That was their biggest game of the early season, and the Lakers have a much different goal in mind.

After a rough start, Ty Corbin has the Jazz rolling.  Utah has bought in to a team basketball concept, and won eight of their last nine contests to ascend to second place in the Western Conference standings.  Corbin claims his team is still learning, suggesting the Jazz have even better basketball in their future.  As long as the defense stays sound and the bench continues to give quality minutes Utah can get even better.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers were expected to stumble as the schedule grew more difficult, but instead Indiana has risen to the challenge by winning five of their last six.  This current streak includes two impressive wins over Boston and a Danny Granger-fueled win over Atlanta.  The Pacers are allowing just 88.9 points per game, good for fourth in the league.

At 10-4 with a three-game winning streak, people are beginning to wonder if this is the season the Hawks get over the hump and compete for an Eastern Conference title.  Unfortunately, early judgments suggest Atlanta has some work to do.  Despite one of the best records in the East, the team is just 2-4 against teams above .500.  Undefeated against weaker teams is great, but to be elite you need to win those big games.

The wide-open attack is perfect for Denver’s personnel, bench included.  With Corey Brewer and Andre Miller coming off the bench, George Karl loses very little when he rests his starters.  The Nuggets ability to maintain momentum and tempo wears teams down, particularly this season when fatigue has been an issue for many.

By getting good shots in the paint and open looks on the perimeter, the Spurs have been able to jump out to a strong start with one of the most efficient offenses in the league (108.9 points per 100 possessions, T-1st in NBA).  Unfortunately the defense is clearly not LeBron proof after getting lit up for 71 second half points against the Heat on Tuesday.

Momentum around the Blazers has slowed significantly after three straight losses in the last week.  But even with the slide in the standings, the Blazers are still a Top 10 team on offense and defense, and has the athleticism to run with the best in the Western Conference.

The hard-fought effort at Los Angeles was a good sign for the defending champs.  With a shaky rotation that continues to change, the Mavericks will need to find gritty ways to win games and stay competitive until they get everything moving in the right direction.  The pieces are there, but they haven’t quite gotten them assembled yet.

As the Clippers have begun to get bitten by the injury bug (Chris Paul, Mo Williams) their weaknesses are beginning to show.  There is not much depth on this team, and without Paul to spread the floor teams can pack in the defense on Jordan and Griffin.  Just another hump LA would encounter eventually, now the challenge is overcoming

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The Grizzlies have climbed out of their hole [INSERT BEAR/HIBERNATION JOKE HERE] with some help from the schedule.  Now with an improved energy and focus, Memphis appears to be back in peak form even without Zach Randolph (knee) in the lineup.

The streaky Knicks have taken a three-game slide heading into a busy portion of the schedule, and things aren’t looking great.  Anthony was only held back one game with a sprained ankle, but even a healthy Melo can help the whole team shoot better from the field.

Houston Rockets

Samuel Dalembert has been huge for the Rockets inside, helping lead the way in the current four game winning streak.  The veteran’s leadership has been essential for Houston, as first-year head coach Kevin McHale continues to work with this young team.  Now back at .500, the Rockets can begin focusing on climbing into the top half of the conference.

The Celtics welcome Toronto to Boston in the Battle of Teams on Five-Game Losing Streaks.  Boston’s slide has included a pair of losses to the Pacers, Oklahoma City, Chicago, and Dallas.  It’s far from panic time for the C’s, but they’ll need a strong showing on the back half of January to avoid slipping too far in the standings.

Golden State’s first East Coast swing has gotten back on track, with back-to-back wins over Detroit and Cleveland after a disappointing loss to Charlotte.  A win over New Jersey will feel great for the Curry-less (ankle) Warriors as they prepare for a six-game home stand to close out the month.

Kyrie Irving’s play early in the season has led to Chris Paul comparison’s, for the way he patiently navigates through the offense and gets to the rim.  The early favorite for ROY has gotten some help on the boards from Varejao (11.4 rpg), and the Cavs are far from the Eastern Conference basement at 6-7.

When this Minnesota team is entirely healthy they can be competitive against almost anyone in the NBA.  But with so many new pieces to the puzzle, there have been enough lapses to cost the Timberwolves several winnable games.  Kevin Love recently became the first player since Hakeem Olajuwon to start the season with 13 double-doubles. So, um, I think it’s time to pay the man.

The current five-game losing streak has the Suns scratching their heads, with losses to the Cavaliers and Nets in the slide.  Phoenix has been inconsistent throughout the early season, and need a big win to get back on track before it is too late.

The Bucks are winless on the road, something that has become an issue with their schedule.  Milwaukee plays 12 of their first 18 games away from home, and those road struggles are a big reason for their 4-9 start.  Brandon Jennings looks visibly frustrated with the Bucks’ play, but it will take a full team effort to stop the current slide.

Toronto Raptors

Head coach Dwayne Casey is trying to get his team committed on the defensive end of the floor, but the Raptors need to find a way to get more people involved in the scoring than just Andrea Bargnani.  He is having an All-Star caliber season, but Toronto needs one more man to share all that pasta.

The young Kings are still a work in progress, a fact that is no secret to head coach Keith Smart.  But as this team learns to play team basketball they will slowly improve.  Sacramento has the league’s worst field goal percentage (39.7%) and ranks last in points allowed (101.8 ppg).  Not great ingredients for success.

The Hornets can’t catch a break.  With Eric Gordon and Trevor Ariza out of the lineup, Jarrett Jack is forced to both create and produce from the point guard position.  Jack has been serviceable thus far this season, but the team can’t succeed without that go-to scorer.

Can’t win any games unless you score more than the opponent, and Detroit ranks dead last in scoring at 85.0 points per game.  The Pistons are suffering from a combination of of inexperience and lack of depth, but the promising young core of Brandon Knight, Jonas Jerebko, and Greg Monroe could be dangerous if they start playing together.

With few “go-to” options offensively, the Bobcats are struggling to execute late in games, resulting in single digit deficits for their last three losses.  Games that could – and arguably should – have been won are lost during inefficient fourth quarter offensive possessions.

The breakout of rookie Marshon Brooks has been one positive in the struggling start for New Jersey.  The hope for Nets fans is that Brooks will take some of the load off Williams’ shoulders.  In the Nets’ three wins Williams is averaging 27.3 ppg compared to 15.2 ppg in losses.

The Washington Wizards are trying to throw back to the Bullets with their uniform scheme, but their 1-12 start has them looking more like the Washington Generals.