NBA power rankings: Unbeatable Clippers or elite Thunder?

• Oklahoma City Thunder edge Los Angeles Clippers for top spot in USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings
• Kevin Durant continues his reign in MVP rankings
• Damian Lillard again draws every vote for top rookie

The challenge behind rankings is balancing recent results with overall production.

So, 13-game winning streak or best record in the NBA?

USA TODAY Sports' NBA power rankings committee sided with the 21-5 Oklahoma City Thunder over the 21-6 Los Angeles Clippers and their 13-game winning streak in this case. Of course, the Thunder had a 12-game winning streak snapped Thursday by the Minnesota Timberwolves. They also beat the Clippers in the teams' one meeting, a Nov. 21 overtime game in Oklahoma City.

But the choice was close, splitting the seven-man committee of USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick, Adi Joseph, Kevin Spain and Jeff Zillgitt; Hoopsworld.com's Lang Greene and Steve Kyler; and the Detroit Free Press' Vincent Ellis.

Here are the top five teams (points on a 30-29-28-etc. scale):

1. Oklahoma City Thunder: Four first-place votes, 207 points
2. Los Angeles Clippers: Three first-place votes, 205 points
3. Miami Heat: 195 points
4. New York Knicks: 186 points
5. Memphis Grizzlies: 182 points

The MVP race also went the Thunder's way. Kevin Durant edged LeBron James for a second consecutive week.

Here are the top five vote-getters (points on a 7-5-3-2-1 scale):

1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: Four first-place votes, 38 points
2. LeBron James, Miami Heat: Three first-place votes, 35 points
3. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers: 18 points
4. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks: 17 points
5. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: 10 points

Also receiving votes were the Grizzlies' Zach Randolph (three points), Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (two), Warriors' David Lee (two) and Thunder's Russell Westbrook (one).

The rookie of the year race continues to draw unanimous agreement. Here are the top three vote-getters (points on a 5-3-1 scale):

1. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers: Seven first-place votes, 35 points
2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets: 13 points
3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Bobcats: seven points

Also receiving votes were the Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond (five points), Cleveland Cavaliers' Dion Waiters (two) and Warriors' Harrison Barnes (one).

So how did we do this week?