NBA Power Rankings - February 5, 2015

Followed up rare back-to-back losses with three straight wins, all by double-digit margins. Guards Seth Curry and Klay Thompson have each gone for 50-plus in a game in the past two weeks and, the way the Warriors are shooting, their could be more to come.

Key Injuries: None.

One loss in the past 21 games for the most surprising team in the league. It's not that the Hawks weren't expected to be at least decent (I had them ranked 11th coming into the season), but they have run away from the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Key Injuries: SG Thabo Sefolosha (calf).

7-2 in the past nine games, the Clippers are tightening up defensively, and C DeAndre Jordan continues to be a beast on the boards, grabbing 39 in the past two and averaging 13.6 per game for the season.

Key Injuries: None.

3-8 in the past 11 games, but starting C Robin Lopez returned from injury last game and that's important for a Blazers front line that has been struggling. 

Key Injuries: None.

Rockets have won five of six, but losing Dwight Howard for a month puts pressure on the other bigs. Donatas Motiejunas has raised his play, averaging 19.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in the past four, though the 7-footer isn't nearly the same presence on the defensive end. 

Key Injuries: D Dwight Howard (ankle).

Remember when the Cavs were a disaster of a chemistry experiment gone awry? Well, now they have won 11 in a row and don't look so bad after all.

Key Injuries: C Anderson Varejao (Achilles).

8-2 in the past 10, the Spurs are increasing SF Kawhi Leonard's role in the offence, for better or worse. His field goal percentage has dropped from .522 last season to .458 this year.

Key Injuries: None.

12 wins in 13 games for a Grizzlies team that is a handful for any team, though that's heavily-predicated on their big tandem of C Marc Gasol and PF Zach Randolph.

Key Injuries: SG Vince Carter (foot).

Had won three straight before surrendering a 22-point lead to Golden State. At the very least, the Mavs are getting a look at their lineup without Rajon Rondo and they may not mind what they're seeing.

Key Injuries: PG Rajon Rondo (face).

No regulation wins in the past five games and word is leaking that head coach Tom Thibodeau is on his way to losing a battle with the front office.

Key Injuries: SF Mike Dunleavy (ankle).

Losers of four straight, the Wizards could use more out of C Marcin Gortat, who has averaged 8.5 points (on 46.2% from the field) and 6.5 rebounds per game in those four losses.

Key Injuries: None.

Had won six straight before back-to-back home losses to Milwaukee and Brooklyn. PG Kyle Lowry was a beast early in the year, but has gone from averaging 22.3 points on 46.3% from the field, with 8.9 assists per game in December, to 15.5 points, on 36.5% from the field, and 6.9 assists since the beginning of January.

Key Injuries: None.

6-2 in the past eight, the Pelicans have moved with a game-and-a-half of a playoff spot and they're doing it with playmaking (?!?!?!) SG Tyreke Evans, averaging 9.3 assists per game in the past seven.

Key Injuries: PG Jrue Holiday (leg).

The longer the Thunder scuffle, and the more time they are forced to play without either Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook, and the less likely it is for them to get into the postseason mix. They're still close enough, but remain on the outside looking in.

Key Injuries: SF Kevin Durant (toe).

The guards score enough to keep the Suns competitive, but they likely have to get more from the frontcourt if they are going to hold their playoff spot.

Key Injuries: None.

Even in a bad run of injuries, the Bucks have locked down defensively on the way to winning five straight. 

Key Injuries: PF Ersan Ilyasova (concussion), SF Jabari Parker (knee), PG Kendall Marshall (knee), C Zaza Pachulia (calf).

Back-to-back wins since PG Deron Williams returned from injury keeps the Nets within a half-game of a playoff spot. They're not good but, in the East, might be good enough if they stay healthy (and don't gut the roster with trades).

Key Injuries: None.

PG George Hill has returned to the lineup and, in six games, the Pacers are 3-3, a modest dose of respectability.

Key Injuries: SF Paul George (leg), PF Lavoy Allen (knee).

11-3 in the past 14 games, but missing their leading scorer prevents a bigger move up the standings.

Key Injuries: PG Kemba Walker (knee), C Bismack Biyombo (knee).

After an 11-10 start, the Kings are 6-20. That coaching change might not have been the best tactic.

Key Injuries: None.

One win in the past 11 games is a bad run for a team that doesn't score nearly as easily as they once did.

Key Injuries: C JaVale McGee (leg), PG Jameer Nelson (Achilles).

It was going so well for the Pistons in the post-Josh Smith era, then Brandon Jennings got hurt and now they've lost four of six. Consider it an opportunity for PG D.J. Augustin, who has averaged 19.7 points and 8.7 assists per game in those six games.

Key Injuries: PG Brandon Jennings (Achilles).

Lofty ranking for a nine-win team, but the Timberwolves are finally getting healthy, with C Nikola Pekovic, SG Kevin Martin and, most importantly, PG Ricky Rubio returning to action.

Key Injuries: SG Shabazz Muhammad (abdominal).

Four losses in the past five games and missing Dwyane Wade is threatening the Heat's playoff position. They're a half-game up on Brooklyn.and the momentum is going the wrong way.

Key Injuries: PF Josh McRoberts (knee), SG Dwyane Wade (hamstring).

Rookie SG Dante Exum has started the past two games for the Jazz; no points in 45 minutes might indicate he's not yet up to the task.

Key Injuries: SG Alec Burks (shoulder).

5-4 in the past nine games, the Celtics have given SG Avery Bradley a bigger role and he's responded with 17.3 points per game in those nine games.

Key Injuries: C Kelly Olynyk (ankle).

In the preseason, there were sportsbooks taking over-under on 16 wins for the Sixers and it looked like a slam-dunk under when they won two of their first 25 games. Now they're still far from good, but sometimes teams aren't as awful as we expect and the Sixers have won three of their past five games.

Key Injuries:  C Joel Embiid (foot), SG Jason Richardson (knee, foot), SG Tony Wroten (knee).

A 10-game losing streak means the end for head coach Jacques Vaughn. The Magic aren't great, but a new coach could get more out of a young and promising group.

Key Injuries: None.

The Knicks are 5-3 in the past eight games, so maybe they are turning the corner.

Key Injuries: PF Amar'e Stoudemire (ankle).

In the past 12 games, the Lakers' only win was an overtime upset of Chicago.

Key Injuries: PG Steve Nash (back), PF Julius Randle (leg), SG Kobe Bryant (shoulder), PF Jordan Hill (hip).