LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
The National Basketball Association 2016-2017 season is beginning to enter its second half and teams are still changing in hierarchy. Since the start of the year, there are teams who have stayed true to their New Year's Resolution to win but some squads seem to be stuck in the rut. Here are the top five NBA teams at the middle of the season:
1. Golden State Warriors, 35-6 (#1, West)
Following a 24-point meltdown to the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 6 and a Christmas Day loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers last year, the Warriors have regained their bearings by going 6-for-7 in January and punishing the Cavs a 35-point beating on Martin Luther King Day. In ESPN's Basketball Power Index, Golden State have maintained their place at the top spot and they are still the favorites to win it all.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers, 29-11 (#1, East)
The defending champs have lost three of their last five games but LeBron James at the helm, there is nothing to worry for Cleveland. The Cavaliers are still touted to represent the East and they may get their composure back as they faces the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs on their home court.
3. Boston Celtics, 26-15 (#3, East)
Dark horse contenders Celtics pulled off impressive wins against Eastern Conference rivals Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets and have lost only once since January. As long as the Boston core keeps being healthy and Isaiah Thomas dominating every fourth quarter, the C's are threats to the Cavs finals mission.
4. San Antonio Spurs, 32-9 (#2, West)
The Spurs, although they are still one of the Western Conference juggernauts, are at fourth place because of their latest loss to the Phoenix Suns in Mexico City when they allowed sophomore guard Devin Booker to score 39 points, uncharacteristic for a team known for its stifling defense. Head coach Gregg Popovic is aware that they are "not where we want to be," ESPN reported, but as a class organization, the Spurs are expected to bounce back.
5. Houston Rockets, 32-12 (#3, West)
Clutch City has had a bad week after it lost three of its last five games. Despite of James Harden's MVP-calibre season, the Rockets fell hard following a 103-109 loss to the Miami Heat who are cellar dwellers in the East.
Watch the video below for the higlights of the Warriors' 35-point rout of the Cavaliers on MLK Day:
