Message to the rest of the NBA: The defending NBA champions have the reigning Finals MVP back in action, and they're on a roll.

The San Antonio Spurs have won three games in a row and seven of their last 10 with an 89-69 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night. Kawli Leonard had missed the previous 15 games because of a hand injury. In his return, Leonard was fantastic against the Portland Trail Blazers scoring 20 points in a 110-96 victory.

The Spurs are now 26-16 overall, still fourth place in the Southwest division. Leonard leads the Spurs in scoring this season with 15.3 points per game and is averaging the second most rebounds per game with 7.5, behind only Tim Duncan. What makes Leonard so valuable to the Spurs is his all around game and elite defensive capabilities. At just 23 years old, Leonard is one of the best players on a veteran team.

Leading the division is the Memphis Grizzlies.

Marc Gasol is one of the early season MVP candidates this year. He and Zach Randolph make up one of the most dominant front courts in the league. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, Mike Conley has two sprained ankles. Conley leads the Grizzlies in assists this season, but they'll have to weather this storm without him.

Currently riding a four-game win streak, the Grizzlies will take on the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night at home in a critical division game.

Speaking of the Mavericks, they are currently tied with the their interstate rivals, the Houston Rockets. Both teams are presently 28-13. The addition of point guard Rajon Rondo has proven to be a good one so far as he is averaging team-leading 8.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. James Harden and the Rockets have been consistent all season with a top 10 offense and an improving defense. Dwight Howard continues to dominate the paint on the defensive side of the court, and Trevor Ariza has been making timely outside shots from the perimeter.

The Rockets won the only contest between the two teams this season. The Rockets and Mavericks will play each other three more times.

At 26-16, the Spurs are in seventh place in the Western Conference. Not a promising positioning for the defending champions, but with Leonard back in action, the sky is the limit. Just four games separate the No. 7 seed Spurs from the No. 2 seed Portland Trail Blazers. Head coach Gregg Popovich will be without Italian shooting guard Marco Belinelli for two to three weeks because of a groin injury.

Tim Duncan turns 39 years old this season, and there's no telling whether or not he will return next year. Manu Ginobili struggled a lot earlier in the season, and Tony Parker has been battling a lot of injuries. With Tiago Splitter and Kawli Leonard back in the starting lineup, the Spurs defense is looking to take off from where they began last year. Boris Diaw has also been playing very well this season.

The New Orleans Pelicans have the best young star in the NBA, Anthony Davis. Although the Pelicans have been making improvements, they won't be competing for the NBA championship just yet. You can bet the Pelicans will be busy this offseason with trades and free agent additions.

With powerhouses like the Spurs, Rockets and Grizzlies in the same division, NBA fans are sure to witness a great finish to the season.

Southwest Division Standings (as of Jan. 19)

1. Memphis Grizzlies: 29-11

2. Houston Rockets: 28-13

3. Dallas Mavericks: 28-13

4. San Antonio Spurs: 26-16

5. New Orleans Pelicans: 20-20

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