4. Minnesota Timberwolves
If you just look at the standings, you wouldn’t be impressed with the 11-26 record for the Minnesota Timberwolves. But when you break it down and look at it more closely, you’d realize that they are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. After losing 13 straight games earlier in the season, The T’Wolves began 2009 by winning six consecutive contests. While the playoffs are an extreme longshot, the T’Wolves are finally looking like a team with a bright future.

3. New Jersey Nets
Going into the 2008-09 NBA season, many experts thought the New Jersey Nets would just mail in their campaign. The Nets are obviously opening up salary cap room for the 2010 offseason and have let go of talent in doing so. But with superstar play from point guard Devin Harris and a re-energized Vince Carter, the Nets are shocking the rest of the league. Currently, the Nets would qualify for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference with their 19-19 record.

2. Portland Trail Blazers
Most NBA pundits expected the Portland Trail Blazers to have a solid season this year but few thought the Blazers could battle for supremacy in the Western Conference. Using a core built around stars Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland has a 23-14 record and sit only two games out of the second seed in the West. If rookie center Greg Oden can start living up to his potential, this team could become even better.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James has obviously been one of the best players in the league the last few seasons. However, James and the Cleveland Cavaliers weren’t thought to be legit championship contenders going into this season. But not only are they legit contenders, they might have to be considered the odds-on favorites at this point. With a record of 30-6, the Cavs have the best record in the NBA. More impressively, their point differential on the season is +12.5, which is nearly four points better than any other team in the league.

Tags: basketball, cleveland cavaliers, minnesota timberwolves, nba, new jersey nets, portland trailblazers
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