CC Power Rankings: January 11

Christmas has come and gone. The New Year parties are over.

We have reached the point of the NBA season where teams are simultaneously gearing up for the stretch run while also counting down the days until the All-Star break. This edition of our power rankings series takes a look at the top 15 teams throughout the Association as we reach the middle third of January.

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1. Golden State Warriors (35-2)

Last 10: 9-1

Save for a minor blip against Dallas when Golden State was without the services of Stephen Curry, the Warriors have continued to plow through everything in their path. A recent three-game road swing saw them cruise to a trio of victories by an average of 18 points. As if they need it, the schedule will ease up a bit in the coming weeks. The backcourt consisting of Curry and Klay Thompson continues to average 29.5 and 21.1 points per game, respectively, with Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes also averaging in double figures. Golden State’s first meeting of the season with the Miami Heat (who check in at No. 9 in our power rankings) comes Monday night. The biggest question surrounding the team right now is when head coach Steve Kerr will return. No date has been set, but Kerr has been traveling with the team to some road games.

2. San Antonio Spurs (32-6)

Last 10: 9-1

San Antonio’s great play continues to be overshadowed by the record-shattering performances of the Warriors, but the team will have a chance to move up in our power rankings when it meets Golden State on January 25 in Oakland. Until then, expect the Spurs to do what they do best: win with ease. Kawhi Leonard is leading the Spurs with 20.7 points per game, while newcomer LaMarcus Aldridge follows with 15.8. They will put their seven-game winning streak on the line in an upcoming two-game road trip to Brooklyn and Detroit.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (26-9)

Last 10: 8-2

While not quite on the level of the Warriors and San Antonio, Cleveland is beginning to distance itself from other contenders in the East. The Cavaliers have a four-game cushion on Chicago and have now won 13 of their last 15. With a little more than a month until the trade deadline, adding a little depth to their bench would not be a bad idea.

4. Los Angeles Clippers (25-13)

Last 10: 9-1

Just as they have in the past couple of seasons, the Clippers seem to be playing at a high level without giving off any real inclination of being a title contender. They are 5-8 against teams above .500 at the moment and were not competitive in half of those losses. Still, there is a lot to like on this roster. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are the main forces behind one of the top offenses in the league, and J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford are much better than your average third- and fourth-best players. They will try to better that 5-8 mark on Wednesday when Miami pays a visit to the Staples Center.

5. Chicago Bulls (22-13)

Last 10: 7-3

The East’s hottest team might just be Chicago. Led by shooting guard/small forward/do-everything man Jimmy Butler, the Bulls had won six straight before a misstep on Saturday in Atlanta. Their offense is operating at a tremendous level of efficiency, having scored at least 100 points in each of its last 10 games. Next up for Fred Hoiberg’s team is a single game against Washington before embarking on another small road trip.

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6. Oklahoma City Thunder (26-12)

Last 10: 7-3

7. Toronto Raptors (24-15)

Last 10: 7-3

8. Indiana Pacers (21-16)

Last 10: 5-5

9. Miami Heat (22-15)

Last 10: 6-4

10. Atlanta Hawks (23-15)

Last 10: 7-3

11. Detroit Pistons (21-16)

Last 10: 6-4

12. Orlando Magic (20-18)

Last 10: 4-6

13. Dallas Mavericks (22-16)

Last 10: 7-3

14. Boston Celtics (19-18)

Last 10: 5-5

15. Memphis Grizzlies (21-18)

Last 10: 6-4

Just Missed The Cut: Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets