It's a debate that has been held most Mondays since the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets started separating themselves from the rest of the Power Rankings pack.

Best team or best season?

It's no doubt oddsmakers would favor the defending champion Warriors in a seven-game series, but this iteration of the Rockets has, arguably, had the better 2017-18 so far; a campaign filled with two double-digit win streaks, an ever-strengthening MVP case for James Harden and an offense that's on pace to shoot more 3-pointers than any team in history.

Let's just hope these two juggernauts can settle this debate on the court.

Every week throughout the regular season, our panel (ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz, Amin Elhassan and Ramona Shelburne, The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears and FiveThirtyEight's Chris Herring) will rank the league's 30 teams from top to bottom, with research notes on each team provided by ESPN Stats & Information.

Prev.: Wk 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1

1. Houston Rockets

2017-18 record: 46-13

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 1 2-0 @UTAH, @LAC, BOS

The Rockets enter the week having won 12 straight games, the longest active win streak in the NBA. They've had two of the four 12-plus-game win streaks in the league this season -- having also won 14 consecutive games from Nov. 16 to Dec. 18. On Sunday, James Harden posted his ninth 40-point game this season, which is the most in the NBA. In fact, he has three more such games than any other player (Anthony Davis has six). -- Sarah Langs

2. Golden State Warriors

2017-18 record: 46-14

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 2 2-0 @NY, @WAS, @ATL

On Saturday, the Warriors posted their 23rd 30-point win under Steve Kerr, 10 more than any other team since the start of the 2014-15 season. Golden State held the Thunder to 80 points, tied for its fewest allowed in a game this season. The biggest improvement was interior defense as the Warriors allowed 28 points in the paint to Oklahoma City. Entering that game, the Warriors had allowed 47.4 paint points per game, ranking 28th in the NBA. -- Matt Williams

3. Toronto Raptors

2017-18 record: 41-17

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 3 0-1 DET, @ORL, @WAS, CHA

The Raptors had their seven-game winning streak snapped Friday in an overtime thriller against the Bucks. Despite the loss, that streak helped push the Raptors atop the Eastern Conference. Toronto has never finished atop the conference since joining the NBA in 1995-96. -- C.J. Hangen

4. Boston Celtics

2017-18 record: 42-19

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 5 2-0 MEM, CHA, @HOU

The Celtics had dropped three in a row heading into the All-Star break but have now posted consecutive wins, both on the road. Their .724 winning percentage on the road is third best in the NBA, behind only the Rockets and Warriors. -- Amanda Hajjar

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

2017-18 record: 35-24

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 4 1-2 BKN, PHI, DEN

Despite all of the Cavaliers' new weapons, LeBron is still doing much of the heavy lifting. In Sunday's loss to the Spurs, James put up 33 points and nine assists, while all other Cavaliers starters had just 14 points and one assist combined. It was the fewest points by James' fellow starters in any game of his career. -- Amanda Hajjar

6. San Antonio Spurs

2017-18 record: 36-25

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 6 1-1 NO, LAL

The Spurs finished Sunday's win over the Cavs on a 39-20 run to snap a four-game losing streak. The Spurs improved to 14-13 against LeBron-led teams in his career, making them one of three teams -- joining the Rockets and Nuggets -- with a winning regular-season record against King James. -- Michael Schwartz

7. Portland Trail Blazers

2017-18 record: 34-26

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 11 2-0 SAC, MIN, OKC

Damian Lillard has scored 197 points over his past five games, the most by a Trail Blazers player over any five-game span in franchise history, according to Elias Sports Bureau research. The previous high was 182 points over five games by Brandon Roy in December 2008. -- Matt Williams

8. Washington Wizards

2017-18 record: 35-25

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 9 2-1 @MIL, GS, TOR, IND

Heading into Sunday, the Wizards had averaged 313.3 passes per game and a league-leading 4.9 "hockey assists" over their previous 11 games, according to Second Spectrum, all without the injured John Wall. Prior to this stretch, the Wizards averaged 281.7 passes per game, 27th in the NBA, and 2.8 hockey assists per game. -- Jose De Leon

9. Indiana Pacers

2017-18 record: 34-25

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 12 1-0 @DAL, @ATL, @MIL, @WAS

The Pacers are riding a four-game winning streak and have won eight of their past 10 games. Indy has been led by Victor Oladpio's 26.0 points per game during their streak, including a 35-point outburst against the Knicks. The Pacers are 34-19 when Oladipo plays this season -- they're 0-6 without him -- a win percentage that would slot them ahead of the Cavaliers and behind the Celtics into the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. -- C.J. Hangen

10. Milwaukee Bucks

2017-18 record: 33-26

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 7 1-1 WAS, @DET, IND, PHI

Since firing Jason Kidd on Jan. 22, the Bucks are 10-4, which is third best winning percentage (.714) in the Eastern Conference in that span behind the Raptors (10-3, .769) and Pacers (9-3, .750). In that span, they're allowing 102.2 points per game to their opponents, third best in the East. Giannis Antetokounmpo is scoring 25.8 points per game in that span. -- Sarah Langs

11. Minnesota Timberwolves

2017-18 record: 37-26

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 8 1-1 @SAC, @POR, @UTAH

Jimmy Butler underwent meniscus surgery Sunday, and the Timberwolves will definitely miss his presence, especially on the defensive end. With Butler on the court this season, Minnesota had allowed 105.3 points per 100 possessions. However, when Butler is off the court, the Timberwolves have allowed 114.6 points per 100 possessions. -- Matt Williams

12. Philadelphia 76ers

2017-18 record: 32-26

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 14 2-1 @MIA, @CLE, CHA, @MIL

On Thursday against the Bulls, Ben Simmons finished with 32 points and 11 assists, joining Allen Iverson as the only 76ers rookies with a 30-and-10 game in team history, per Elias Sports Bureau research. -- Harrison Marder

13. Oklahoma City Thunder

2017-18 record: 34-27

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 13 1-1 ORL, @DAL, @PHX, @POR

Russell Westbrook and Paul George combined for just 20 points on 17 percent shooting in Saturday's blowout loss at Golden State. That's after they combined for 63 points per game on 47 percent shooting in their two victories over the Warriors earlier this season. -- Michael Schwartz

14. Denver Nuggets

2017-18 record: 33-27

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 15 1-1 LAC, @MEM, @CLE

Nikola Jokic saw his triple-double streak end at three games after Sunday's loss to the Rockets. According to Elias Sports Bureau research, Jokic joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only player 6-foot-10 or taller to accomplish a streak of three or more consecutive triple-doubles. Chamberlain had six such streaks during his career, including a nine-game stretch during the 1967-68 season. -- James Jackson

15. Utah Jazz

2017-18 record: 31-29

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 10 1-1 HOU, MIN, @SAC

The Jazz saw their 11-game win streak snapped, but have still won 12 of their past 13 games. Down the stretch, Utah has really relied on rookie Donovan Mitchell. According to NBA advanced stats, Mitchell has recorded a 41.9 percent clutch time usage percentage this season. The only players with a higher percentage (minimum 50 clutch minutes)? They are all 2018 All-Stars: LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan. -- Matt Williams

16. New Orleans Pelicans

2017-18 record: 33-26

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 18 2-0 PHX, @SA, @DAL

On Friday, Anthony Davis recorded 45 points, 17 rebounds, 5 blocks and 5 steals in a win against the Heat. According to Elias Sports Bureau research, Davis became the first player with a 40-point, 15-rebound, 5-steal and 5-block game since steals and blocks were first tracked in 1973-74. -- Matt Williams

17. LA Clippers

2017-18 record: 31-27

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 17 1-1 @DEN, HOU, NY, BKN

After scoring a game-high 35 points in Friday's win in Phoenix, Lou Williams became just the second player in NBA history with 10 30-point games off the bench in a single season since starts were first tracked in 1970-71, per Elias research. Williams joins Ricky Pierce in this illustrious club. -- Michael Schwartz

18. Charlotte Hornets

2017-18 record: 27-33

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 20 3-0 CHI, @BOS, @PHI, @TOR

Don't look now, but the Hornets are making a playoff push. Charlotte has won four straight games, its longest win streak of the season, and took its largest lead of the season (32 points) in Sunday's win over the Pistons. The Hornets are now four games out of a playoff spot, but they sport a positive point differential unlike the two teams they trail in the race for eighth, Miami and Detroit. -- Michael Schwartz

19. Miami Heat

2017-18 record: 31-29

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 19 1-1 PHI, LAL, DET

The Heat beat the Grizzlies by 26 on Saturday to win for just the second time in their past 10 games. This was Miami's largest margin of victory in a game this season, and their only two 20-point wins have come against Memphis. -- Michael Schwartz

20. Detroit Pistons

2017-18 record: 28-31

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 16 0-2 @TOR, MIL, @ORL, @MIA

Since Blake Griffin made his team debut, the Pistons are 5-0 against teams on the second night of a back-to-back. They are 0-4 against teams that aren't playing on the second night of a back-to-back (not including their first game after the All-Star break against the Celtics). -- Jose De Leon

21. Los Angeles Lakers

2017-18 record: 25-34

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 21 2-0 @ATL, @MIA, @SA

After dropping a home game to the Hornets on Jan. 5, the Lakers owned the second-worst record in the league. Since then, the Lakers have gone 14-7, tied for the sixth-best record in that span. -- Michael Schwartz

22. New York Knicks

2017-18 record: 24-37

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 24 1-1 GS, @LAC, @SAC

In the midst of another losing season for the Knicks, perhaps New York has found something in former top-10 pick Trey Burke. Burke has now scored at least 25 points in consecutive games for the first time in his career. -- Michael Schwartz

23. Chicago Bulls

2017-18 record: 20-39

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 22 0-2 @BKN, @CHA, DAL

Bobby Portis exploded for a career-high 38 points on Thursday against the Sixers. That's the most points by a Bulls player off the bench since Ben Gordon in December 2007. -- Michael Schwartz

24. Brooklyn Nets

2017-18 record: 19-41

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 23 0-1 CHI, @CLE, @SAC, @LAC

The Cavaliers own the Nets' 2018 first-round pick following the Isaiah Thomas-Kyrie Irving trade. On Tuesday, Brooklyn could play spoiler as it faces Cleveland. The Nets currently have the seventh-worst record in the NBA, but are only 1½ games ahead of the Suns. -- Matt Williams

25. Sacramento Kings

2017-18 record: 18-41

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 27 0-2 MIN, @POR, BKN, UTAH, NY

Rookie Bogdan Bogdanovic has been one of the few bright spots for the Kings of late. The MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge, Bogdanovic has scored at least 20 points twice in his past three games after hitting that mark just twice previously. -- Michael Schwartz

26. Orlando Magic

2017-18 record: 18-41

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 25 0-2 @OKC, TOR, DET, MEM

Here's how difficult it is to make up ground in the NBA's tank race. The Magic have lost five games in a row, but they have gotten just a half-game closer to the worst record in basketball. -- Michael Schwartz

27. Atlanta Hawks

2017-18 record: 18-42

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 28 0-1 LAL, IND, GS, PHX

The Hawks already have three more losses than they had all of last season and are tied with the Mavericks for the second-worst record in the NBA, ahead of only Phoenix. According to BPI, Atlanta has a 15.1 percent chance at the top pick in the 2018 NBA draft. The only team with a higher percentage is the Suns, whom the Hawks play on March 4. -- Matt Williams

28. Dallas Mavericks

2017-18 record: 18-42

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 26 0-2 IND, OKC, @CHI, NO

The Mavericks are currently in the midst of their fifth losing streak of at least four games this season. That is the team's most such streaks since 1997-98, the season before the franchise acquired Dirk Nowitzki on draft night. -- Michael Schwartz

29. Memphis Grizzlies

2017-18 record: 18-40

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 29 0-2 @BOS, PHX, DEN, @ORL

In losing by 26 on Saturday in Miami, the Grizzlies have now lost 40 games, one more loss than they had all of last season. Memphis has lost at least nine games in a row for the second time this season. Before this season, it had not lost nine straight since January 2009. -- Michael Schwartz

30. Phoenix Suns

2017-18 record: 18-43

PREV. RANK LAST WEEK THIS WEEK 30 0-2 @NO, @MEM, OKC, @ATL

The Suns' 50th season has been stained by franchise lows, and with just games at New Orleans and Memphis remaining in February, Phoenix is approaching another one. If the Suns lose both of those games, February 2018 will mark their first month without a victory in franchise history (minimum five games played). -- Michael Schwartz