1. Memphis Grizzlies (10-2): Despite getting hit with a stomach virus, the Grizzlies still played the Raptors tough on the road. Hopefully these guys can get healthy soon, but in the meantime, expect them to still fight, grind, and play hard.
2. Golden State Warriors (8-2): The Warriors so far have been taking advantage of this easy portion of their schedule, defeating the Nets, Hornets, and Lakers. Up next are the Jazz at home and the Thunder on the road.
3. Toronto Raptors (9-2): I'm still worried about their absence of a legitimate third option, but if Terrance Ross keeps playing like he did against the Grizzlies, the Raptors may have their guy.
4. Dallas Mavericks (9-3): Monta Ellis is looking like a really good fit on this team, dropping 34 points on the Wizards in Wednesday's win. So long as Dirk can keep it up, this team is going to remain a legit title threat.
5. Washington Wizards (7-3): With Bradley Beal back, they should start to do some serious damage.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (8-3): They are on a very nice five game winning streak, and have good odds to keep winning for a while. They face a banged up Bulls team tonight, and then they go on a road trip @Boston, @Philadelphia, and @Charlotte before coming home to face the Grizzlies on the 28th.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (7-4): Chris Paul is still getting it done with 18.0 points and 9.9 assists per game. This team is staying relatively quiet, but all the same they are playing good basketball.
8. Houston Rockets (9-3): They've lost two straight, getting waxed by the Grizzlies and upset by the Lakers. Their next game is Saturday against the Mavericks at home. They have to win that game.
9. Chicago Bulls (8-4): Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose are both injured. At some point you just have to wonder how many injuries can this team withstand?
10. San Antonio Spurs (7-4): No shock, the Spurs are hanging around and looking prime to make another late-season surge.
11. Milwaukee Bucks (7-5): The early success of the Milwaukee Bucks is definitely the feel good story of the league so far. Can they keep it up? I don't see why not.
12. New Orleans Pelicans (6-4): I didn't have them as a playoff team before the season started, but so far they are proving me wrong. In addition to the dominant force that is Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson has been key to this team's success: 16.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game on 41.1% shooting from three-point range.
13. Sacramento Kings (7-5): I really like the Rudy Gay contract extension for 3 years and $40M. It gives them some stability for the foreseeable future but they aren't totally "committed" in case things don't work out. So far, things are working out just fine.
14. Phoenix Suns (7-5): The three point guard system is causing friction on the team. Goran Dragic recently told AZCentral.com why he thinks they are struggling: "Because there's only one ball and we're all point guards." Odds are good one of their point guards is gone before the trade deadline. Possibly Goran Dragic since there are reports that he will test the waters of free agency next summer.
15. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-5): It's still early in the season and they have plenty of time to get it together, but with that being said, they don't want to slip too far in the standings and have to win a couple of series' in the playoffs without home court advantage.
16. Miami Heat (6-6): Dwyane Wade is in and out of the lineup and Chris Bosh is cooling off. Bosh did have 28 points against the Clippers, but before that, he registered 15 points, 10 points, 20 points, and 9 points. In essence, as Bosh cools, so do the Heat.
17. Atlanta Hawks (5-5): I still think this team needs more time to gel with Paul Millsap and Al Horford both healthy together. DeMarre Carroll is returning tonight, so that helps as well.
18. Utah Jazz (5-7): I doubt they make the playoffs, but so far they are fighting hard and making things tough for all of their opponents. I like how Quin Snyder is making these guys play hard.
19. Indiana Pacers (5-7): This team is totally dependent on the play of Roy Hibbert. If he plays well, they play well. If he is cold, they're cold. So long as he continues to ebb and flow, they will follow suite.
20. Orlando Magic (5-8): They are starting to wake up and make me look good after I sang their praises at the start of the season.
21. Boston Celtics (4-6): Danny Ainge keeps denying any interest in trading Rajon Rondo and yet the rumors keep on coming. This is fun.
22. Brooklyn Nets (4-7): They have lost five games in a row. They better get it done tonight in OKC.
23. Denver Nuggets (4-7): They have won two straight games over the Cavaliers and Thunder. I doubt they get it done for a third straight time against the Pelicans, but if they do, they could be building something.
24. Charlotte Hornets (4-8): So far, this team has been a major disappointment. Good thing Gary Neal is back.
25. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-7): With Kevin Martin out indefinitely with a wrist injury, these guys are really gonna struggle.
26. Los Angeles Lakers (3-9): Nick Young has injected some life into this team. Not enough to make them a playoff team, but enough to make them a team you cannot ignore on any given night.
27. Detroit Pistons (3-9): These guys really do stink and Stan Van Gundy needs to not worry about what opponents say about his team.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (3-10): I'm starting to think this team is actually going to miss the playoffs, which would really make the Western Conference wide open.
29. New York Knicks (3-10): I cannot think of one positive thing to say about this team.
30. Philadelphia 76ers (0-11): I am not shaving until they get a win, but perhaps they get it done against the Suns tonight or the Knicks on Saturday.
---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord
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