Spurs are No. 1; East race heats up

There shouldn't be too much debate about who the best team in basketball is right now. The Spurs own the NBA's best record (29-4) and spent the past week beating three of their more formidable Western Conference rivals. They are healthy, energized, experienced and harmonious.

But over in the East, the competition has intensified. The Heat have jelled; the Magic seem effectively retooled; the Bulls are in the thick of the hunt despite injuries to key players for almost the entire season; and the Celtics seem to be on a familiar path -- nearly unbeatable before Christmas, injured or otherwise slowed for a while after that, but looking every bit like a tough out come playoff time. This quartet of Eastern titans is clustered together behind the Spurs in this week's Power Rankings.

(All stats and records are through Jan. 3.)

NBA Power Rankings