All 30 teams receive a future power rating of 0 to 1,000 based on points given in five categories — players, management, money, market and the draft.

ESPN wrote: “The Thunder have ascended to the top of the rankings thanks to the continued development of their young core, and yet another astute trade. This one filched rookie point guard Eric Maynor from Utah, basically for free, to fill a rotation spot where the Thunder had previously been sorely lacking. Up front, the emergence of shot-blocking forward Serge Ibaka adds another piece to their rapidly expanding talent base.

“The Thunder still has only two true stars — emerging MVP candidate and possible scoring champ Kevin Durant and his steadily improving sidekick Russell Westbrook. Fortunately, everything is in place for the Thunder to surround them with even more talent. General manager Sam Presti has preserved cap space and hoarded draft picks, allowing him to trade from a position of strength to build the roster going forward. The team draws so well that its small market status shouldn’t be an overwhelming concern.”

Oklahoma City finished with 692 points. The Thunder finished third in management, fourth in players, eighth in money, 12th in the draft and 21st in market.

The rest of the top 10 included: LA Lakers (686), Orlando (684), Miami (653), Portland (620), Utah (585), Denver (577), Cleveland (574), Chicago (573) and Houston (567).

It was simply a matter of time.

Streaks of any kind — winning streaks, hitting streaks, consecutive games played streaks, or in this case scoring 25 or more points in 29 consecutive games — are remarkable simply because one injury or one off night can end the streak.

Bottom line is Kevin Durant was red hot for two months. During the streak, Durant shot 50.8 percent from the field, 50 percent on 102 3-point attempts, 88.7 from the line.

That last stat is the primary reason only Michael Jordan has compiled a longer 25-point streak the past 35 years. Durant has learned getting to the line are easy points, especially for someone who shoots nearly 90 percent at the charity stripe.

During the streak, Durant averaged almost 11 free throw attempts a game. Averaging double digit free throw attempts is evidence how Durant has taken his game to another level, especially compared to his rookie season when he often settled for jump shots.

Oklahoma City was 20-9 during the streak. Besides providing consistent offense for the Thunder, Durant also averaged 7.9 rebounds and continues to play much improved defense.

Because it was so rare, Durant’s scoring streak will be one of the highlights from the 2009-10 NBA season.

Athletes are praised for amazing feats. But the great ones are consistent night in, night out, game in, game out. At age 21, Durant put together a streak that has many throwing the Washington, D.C. product into the discussion of top players in the league.

Durant streak highlights:

* Averaged 32.4 points

* Scored 30 or more points in 23 of 29 games

* Averaged 20.5 FG attempts a game

* Scored exactly 25 points twice

* Averaged 11.0 FT attempts a game

* Shot 50.8 percent, 50.0 percent on 3-pointers

The Thunder wins nine a row and a few fans start dreaming of a No. 2 or 3 seed.

Now that they’ve lost two in a row, it’s no time to panic following losses to Phoenix and San Antonio, although the loss to the Suns was the first time all season the Thunder gave a game away, blowing a 10-point lead the final three minutes.

In its daily playoff projections, ESPN lists the Thunder’s odds off reaching the playoffs at 96 percent. That’s a shade high. But not much. OKC’s chances have to be 90 percent or higher because of the way its played the past two months and the Hornets, Grizzlies and Rockets inability to sustain momentum.

The Thunder could climb as high as No. 4. But that’s unlikely. For that to happen the Jazz would have to play close to .500 ball the rest of the season. The Thunder could still reach 50 wins, but that probably wouldn’t be enough for home-court advantage in the opening around of the playoffs.

The best drama the next seven weeks for Thunder fans will be the battle for the 5, 6, 7 and 8 seeds with Phoenix, San Antonio and Portland.

The next three weeks, starting with a three-game homestand that opens Friday night against Minnesota, is an opportunity for the Thunder to move closer to nailing down a playoff berth and solidfy its chances of possibly finishing No. 5 or 6.

OKC has a better record than 10 of its next 12 opponents. The toughest games are at Denver, a home game with Utah and road games at Toronto and Charlotte. It’s not a given the Thunder will win the remaining eight games. Upsets happen.

But if the Thuder can go 9-3 the next three weeks, they would be sitting at 42-26 with only 14 games to play, essentially clinching a playoff berth and making them a viable contender for a higher seed.

An 8-4 record the next three weeks would still build some momentum.

Expectations have risen compared to pre-season predictions OKC would win around 35 games, possibly have a shot at .500.

But because the Thunder arrived a year early, 7-5 or anything worse the next three weeks would have to be viewed as a disappointment considering they’re entering the easiest portion of the schedule all season.

But it sure doesn’t hurt to catch a break now and then, whether it’s a friendly call from a referee or opponents losing games to improve your place in the standings.

The Thunder has caught countless breaks. Opposing teams have had star players miss games due to injuries. Oklahoma City’s five starters have missed a combined two games.

OKC also is catching breaks from Western Conference playoff contenders, who have been losing at such an alarming rate it’s made the Thunder’s nine-game winning streak resemble a spree of fourth-quarter, 3-point daggers.

Houston has been unable to sustain momentum. The trade for Kevin Martin hasn’t helped so far. Martin has shot 28.6 percent (8-of-28) in his two games, both losses, since last week’s trade. Losing to Indiana and Philadelphia at home, the Rockets, 4-9 the past month, are playing themselves out of the race.

New Orleans’ playoff chances all but evaporated when Chris Paul suffered a knee injury. Darren Collison, averaging 20.3 points and 9.3 assists in the 10 games since Paul underwent surgery, has filled in nicely. But 15 of the Hornets’ next 18 games are against Cleveland (twice), Denver (twice), Dallas (twice), San Antonio (twice), the Lakers, Orlando, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland and Memphis.

Memphis showed signs their starting five might be enough to stay in the race. They won 11 consecutive home games at one point. But Memphis is 3-8 since Feb. 2. Since West playoff contenders probably will need 45 to 46 wins, it’s doubtful the Grizzlies can get on that type of roll.

OKC is even catching breaks among teams they’re battling for playoff seeding.

Injury ravaged Portland, 5-8 the past month, has struggled since All-Star Brandon Roy suffered a hamstring injury. The Trail Blazers face one of the easier schedules. But if OKC continues its current pace, finishing 50-32, since the Thunder probably will own the tiebreaker, Portland would have to go 19-5 the rest of the season to finish in front of the Thunder.

San Antonio posted a huge win at Denver on its annual rodeo road trip but finished with losses at Philadelphia and Detroit to finish the trip 4-4. The veteran Spurs are capable of making a late-season charge. But their schedule is brutal with 20 of the final 28 games against Cleveland (twice), Lakers (twice), Orlando (twice), Boston, Dallas, Denver, Oklahoma City (twice), Phoenix (twice), New Orleans (twice), Miami, Houston (twice) and Memphis (twice).

Phoenix has a manageable schedule. But after getting off to a 14-3 start, the Suns have gone 20-20 the past three months, failing to build on early-season momentum. Now Steve Nash, 36, is banged up. Battling back and abdomen injuries, Nash isn’t expected to play Tuesday night.

Utah has been as hot as any team in the league, going 16-3 the past six weeks. But Deron Williams missed Monday’s game due to an ankle injury. Atlanta gave OKC another assist by defeating the Williams-less Jazz Monday night.

Give the Thunder credit. They’ve made their own breaks by playing standout basketball for two months, going 20-7 dating back to a pre-Christmas win at Phoenix.

In the midst of the easiest portion of their schedule, the Thunder can put some distance between them and the Hornets, Rockets and Grizzlies to nail down a playoff berth and be a viable contender for the No. 4, 5 and 6 seeds.

Especially if they keep winning and catch more breaks.

The two knocks on Martin, a high-scoring shooting guard, is he’s a below average defender and has been injury prone. Martin has missed at least 20 games the last three seasons, including 32 this season after suffering a broken wrist early in November.

It will be interesting to see how Martin fits in with the Rockets and how much the loss of forward Carl Landry will affect Houston. The Pacers aren’t a big test. But upcoming games this next week will provide insight on the possible impact the trade might have and whether the Rockets can turn the West race into nine teams fighting for eight berths.

In other Western Conference news, Brandon Roy feared a hamstring injury that has sidelined him 14 of the past 16 games might hamper him the remainder of the season after scoring just four points Wednesday night in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Roy, though, said the injury improved on Thursday. Roy played Friday night in a lopsided home loss to the Celtics. Roy still didn’t look like the All-Star caliber star the Trail Blazers need if they’re to challenge for a higher seed.

Center Marcus Camby, who the Trail Blazers acquired in a trade earlier in the week, also made his debut with so-so results.

Portland has gone 6-8 while Roy has been sidelined 12 of the past 14 games and was ineffecitve in the other two. If Roy’s hamstring doesn’t improve soon the Trail Blazers could be in danger of staying in the No. 8 spot, possibly having to battle Houston for the final playoff spot.

Having played more games than any team in the West, the Trail Blazers already have 25 losses.

To put that in perspective as many as six teams, including the Thunder, have a shot at 50 wins. Portland will have to go 18-7 the final two months to reach half a hundred.

1) The record crowd of 108,713
2) LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, both free agents this summer, possibly signing with the same team.

ON THE RECORD CROWD:
West coach GEORGE KARL: “As I told the team before the game there have been four or five experiences in my life that I’ve been shut up or humbled or quieted. The presence of Arnold Palmer the first time I met him. When I met Bill Clinton in the White House… From the scoreboard to the 100,000 people, to just the brand of basketball that was played, there was just a lot of classy stuff.”

LeBRON JAMES: “This was unbelievable to be in front of 108,000. That was actually what it was. That was not a false number. You could look up in the stands and there was not a seat open. To be part of history is something that you always wish and dream for. I’ve been part of some historical events, being a part of the 2008 Olympics. When we played in China it was the largest international game in Olympic history. To be part of another historical event tonight it’s humbling.”

DIRK NOWITZKI: “It was an unreal experience and I’ll always remember this for the rest of my life and so will probably all the other guys. Just to compete and be in it at the end of the game, and have a chance to win, was great.”

CARMELO ANTHONY: “The whole game, when we were on the bench, we were just looking around, talking about how many people it is and how exicted we were, just to be a part of that situation. We were amazed by everything that was going on.”

MVP DWYANE WADE: “It’s a historical event. It’s going to be in our minds and our hearst and thoughts for a long time. Dallas is the real MVP. Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban really put o a fabulous event. To be able to perform in front of a crowd like that, I know I can do it. I’ve done it before.”

(LeBRON-WADE teammates?)

LeBRON JAMES: “He’s a great player. Tonight he showcased why he’s one of the best players on the planet. You want to play with guys that are great and want to win and want to compete at a high level every night. We’ll see.”

Coach STAN VAN GUNDY: “I don’t think you needed to see tonight to understand that would scare any of us in this league. But, yeah, incredible talents, both of them.”

The largest crowd to ever witness a basketball game, every one of the 80,000 seats appeared to be filled. Standing room only sections weren’t too packed but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was confidenct when the final tally would be announced tickets sold could approach 100,000.

One concern with Jones’ mammoth stadium is basketball games would be swallowed up. No worries.

I can’t speak for fans on the top row, hundreds of feet away from the court. But the world’s largest TV, nearly the length of two basketball courts, is plenty big enough to follow the action, even from the rooftop.

For basketball, or football for that matter, Cowboys Stadium essentially is eight different levels — a gigantic lower section, a club area, two concourse levels halfway up, another three levels of suites and the upper deck.

Cowboys Stadium is one of a kind. There are never enough tickets for big events like All-Star Games, Super Bowls or Final Fours. Jerry’s World at least provides an opportunity for more fans to attend.

Asked if he will pursue NCAA, NBA and NFL officials to become regular members of their big-event rotation, Jones said the venue speaks for itself. In other words, he’s confident his $1.2 billion palace won’t have to politick. Once you’ve been there nothing else compares.

Even if they don’t have tickets to the game — a lot easier this time since 100,000 might attend tonight’s game at Jerry World — fans want to be part of NBA All-Star weekend.

Remember that license plate game you used to play as a kid when making a long trip? The object was to try and spot more state license plates than your sibling. If the trip was long enough, or you were lucky, you might see 20 or 30 different states in one day.

In the Dallas area this weekend you only needed to travel to a few hotel parking lots or go downtown to the Jam Session at the Dallas Convention Center to find that many in one hour. Fans from Big 12 country, states like Missouri, Kansas or Missouri isn’t that big a deal. Nor is Arkansas, Louisiana, Colorado, New Mexico or Mississippi.

But when you start noticing license tags from Georgia, California, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, Michigan and South Carolina, that’s quite a commitment to drive that far. I even saw a license tag from Montana.

This is my first NBA All-Star Game. I was told it’s like a weekend-long, giant party that brings fans together from across the country.

If hotel, restaurant and downtown parking lots are any indication it might not be that difficult to spot a license plate from most, if not all, of the 48 states from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans.

I wasn’t even trying that hard and spotted 28 different states.

The NBA is no different. Probably even has an advantage over most other sports.

At the All-Star Jam session Saturday, fans can test their vertical leap, shoot baskets at a goal on the back of ESPN’s famous traveling bus or partake in a myriad of exhibits sprinkled throughout the Dallas Convention Center.

For a few lucky fans, Center Court activities provided lifetime memories.

The East All-Stars “practiced” Saturday morning for 45 minutes. Practice is a loose term. It was more like LeBron James, Dwight Howard, the three Celtics stars and their teammates shooting baskets in front of the masses.

But during an hour-long break before the West All-Stars “practiced,” the entertainment was an NBA regular-season game times 10. An acrobatic, jump-roping, break-dancing team from Houston put on a show. A couple of Harlem Globetrotters performed tricks and broke Guinness Book world records for most half-court hook shots and spinning a ball for seven seconds on their head.

Free t-shirts and other giveaways kept the crowd screaming non-stop, in hopes of catching a prize. With music constantly blaring in the background, the DJ selected a few lucky kids out of the stands to soak in the excitement at court level.

By the time the three-hour session ended, after getting a close-up view of the world’s best players, Michael Williams, a 12-year-old from Dallas, was pumped.

“I got Kobe’s autograph and Dwyane Wade’s and Kevin Durant’s,” Williams beamed, holding his basketball with signatures like it was the Hope diamond. “Wait until all my friends see this. They’re not going to believe it.”

Fifty losses? Maybe. But 50 wins? Forget it. No chance.

Oklahoma City closed out its pre-All-Star break schedule with an 89-77 win over Portland Tuesday night at the Rose Garden.

Riding a season-best six-game winning streak, the organization’s longest winning streak in nearly six years, the Thunder improved is 30-21 at the All-Star break.

Remarkably, shockingly, reaching half a hundred isn’t impossible. Not saying it will happen. Probably won’t happen. But since the easiest portion of the Thunder’s schedule is the first five weeks after the break, it’s more doable than you might think.

There’s a lot of basketball to be played. Compiling 45 wins and making the playoffs would be a huge accomplishment.

But the primary reason OKC might have a shot at half a hundred is the Thunder has a better record than 15 of its next 19 opponents.

After facing the slumping Dallas Mavericks in the Ford Center the first game after the break, the Thunder will be favored in their next six home games (Minnesota, Toronto, Sacramento, New Orleans, New Jersey and Phoenix).

The final three home games over the next five weeks certainly aren’t soft (Utah, San Antonio and Houston). But despite some early-season Ford Center struggles, the Thunder is 9-3 at home since Dec. 18.

Road games are never a slam dunk. But five road games at New York, Minnesota, Sacramento, Indiana and the Clippers are opportunities to collect some wins.

The four toughest road games are at Denver, San Antonio, Charlotte and Toronto. But considering the Thunder has road wins at Atlanta, Utah, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio and Miami, no road game is an automatic loss.

Oklahoma City could finish with 42 or 43 wins and miss the playoffs. The league’s second youngest team still has much to prove.

To reach half a hundred, Oklahoma City would have to go 20-11 the final two months after the All-Star break.

That sounds daunting on the surface until you consider the Thunder is 17-7 since a pre-Christmas win at Phoenix. Against a much tougher schedule.

Six of the losses the past seven weeks were last-minute heartbreaks against San Antonio, Dallas, Cleveland, Memphis, New Orleans and Milwaukee (overtime). Get a key basket in half those losses and OKC wasn’t that far away from a 20-4 run.

Having already posted 30 wins, if the Thunder takes advantage of a softer schedule the next five weeks they could climb to around 18 games over .500, with a month to play, needing only to play .500 ball during a 12-game, season-ending gauntlet to reach half a hundred.
I’ll stick with my prediction from a few weeks ago — a 47-35 finish and No. 6 or 7 seed.

But don’t rule out 50 wins. It will be difficult. But not impossible.