Oklahoma City Thunder ranked No. 1 in NBA.com power rankings

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 17-4 through the quarter-way point of the 2012-13 NBA season, tied for the best record in the league with the San Antonio Spurs. At NBA.com, John Schuhmann has given the nod to the Thunder as the best team in basketball.

Currently riding an eight-game winning streak, the Thunder completed wins over the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Indiana Pacers last week. The Thunder scored 104 on the Pacers, who were statistically the league's best defense.

Schuhmann points out the proficiency of the Oklahoma City offense, writing that the Thunder score 9.2 more points per 100 possessions than the league average, making them the NBA's best offense since the 2003-04 Mavericks. Kevin Durant ranks second in scoring at 27 points per game, Russell Westbrook adds 21.5 points per contest, and Serge Ibaka is second in the league with a 59.2 percent shooting percentage to lead the offense.

The Thunder play the New Orleans Hornets and Sacramento Kings this week, then get a shot at the Spurs on Mon., Dec. 17.