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NBA Power Rankings: Hot or Cold Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) shows emotion against the Washington Wizards in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) shows emotion against the Washington Wizards in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight (11) drives past Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Bucks defeated the 76ers 97-87. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight (11) drives past Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Bucks defeated the 76ers 97-87. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Milwaukee Bucks

Previous: No. 16

Record: 20-19

Last Week: 2-1

Verdict: Lukewarm

For the most part of the 2014-15 NBA regular season, the general consensus was that the Milwaukee Bucks would eventually hit a wall. That may end up happening, but Milwaukee is still above .500 with the halfway mark approaching.

Regardless of how you may feel about them, the Bucks continue to defy the odds.

Milwaukee is currently 20-19, which has them at No. 5 in the Eastern Conference. It’s No. 7 in scoring defense and No. 8 in assists per game, which is the very definition of how this team functions.

It plays smothering defense and moves the ball on offense.

Led by under-the-radar budding star Brandon Knight, Milwaukee’s offense is getting just enough punch to continue winning games. It hasn’t been pretty in the East, but Jason Kidd has his team doing what it takes to be a postseason team.

Milwaukee’s already won more games than a season ago and is becoming an elite defensive team.

Next: Unorthodox Success