Entering the second month of the 2012-2013 NBA Season, we take a look at the five players who have been on a roll, along with their teams, over the last few games. Obvious names: Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony couldn’t be ignored, but James Harden enjoying his new life in Houston and even David West with the improving Indiana Pacers have done enough recently to warrant a mention.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have won their last five games, improving to 14-4 this season after a shaky start. Durant has scored 37 points twice in the last five games and at least 35 points three times in the last 7. This season he’s still not defending at the level some want him to be, but there’s no doubt that his taking a much more active role in the play calling on the floor. He is averaging 27.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1 steal and 2.6 blocks over the last five games.

LeBron James, Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have gotten over their Western road trip and are on a six game winning streak, with their defense, at times, starting to look like the one that helped them win the NBA title. James is a big part of that, while doing his usual thing on offense. He hasn’t scored less than 20 points once this season, averaging 25 points, 8 rebounds and 6.8 assists on the current winning streak.

David West, Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are slowly getting back to the place they thought they’d be earlier in the season, which is at the top of the Central division. A big part of their improvement has been David West, starting to take a much larger role on offense, scoring over 30 points twice in the last six games. He’s averaging 23 points and 8.7 rebounds over the last six games, winning four of them.

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

After losing two consecutive games in Texas, the New York Knicks have won four of their last five. Carmelo Anthony has been getting MVP praise for the first time in his career, but it doesn’t mean that his only about defense and passing now. Scoring is who he is, averaging 26.6 points per game this season. Over the last six games Anthony has scored over 34 three times; he’s averaging 30.7 points and 6.3 rebounds over that stretch.

James Harden, Houston Rockets

Harden just loves being a go-to-guy for the Houston Rockets, forming a very productive back court partnership with Jeremy Lin on one of the most enjoyable teams to watch in the NBA. The Rockets did lose three straight twice in November, but have won four of their last five games, with Harden averaging 24 points and 6.8 assists in them, including a 33 points performance in a 131-103 win over the Knicks.

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