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NBA Power Rankings: Lakers Keep Winning

Written by Jimmy Boyd on February 26, 2009

nba-power-22609 1. Los Angeles Lakers (47-10)
The Lakers in the top spot might begin to sound like a broken record the rest of the way out. LA has won 5 in a row and we’ll get a good chance to see what it is really made of as it plays the Suns twice and the Nuggets in 3 of the next 4 nights. The Lakers are a 10-point favorite at home tonight against the Suns with the total set at 232.5.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-11)
Cleveland has won 5 in a row and 9 of its last 11. With Kevin Garnett currently out injured for Boston, the Cavs take over the No. 2 spot in our rankings. We’ll see what the Cavs are really made of as they play 8 of their next 10 on the road with games against Houston, San Antonio, and Boston highlighted. The Cavs are a 3.5-point favorite tonight in Houston.

3. Boston Celtics (46-12)
After back-to-back blowout wins at Phoenix and Denver, the Celtics were beaten by the lowly Clippers and that costs them keeping the No. 2 spot. It looks like Boston in going to pick up Stephon Marbury so it will be interesting to see how he fits into the chemistry of this team.

4. San Antonio Spurs (38-17)
Injuries to both Manu Ginobli and Tim Duncan should have set the Spurs back, but this team has proven to be lethal even without two of their biggest stars. The Spurs have won 4 in a row, and there last 3 have been via blowout.

5. Orlando Magic (42-15)
Picking up Rafer Alston to replace the injured Jameer Nelson has given this team a huge lift. This team might regain its elite status if Alston can continue to find Orlando’s shooters like Nelson did.

6. Houston Rockets (36-21)
No Tracy McGrady, no problem. The Rockets are coming on strong with 5 straight wins. Ron Artest has filled in for T-Mac nicely, averaging 21 points per game since taking over the starting roll. We find out just how seriously the Rockets are to be taken when they battle Cleveland tonight.

7. Utah Jazz (35-23)
Don’t look now but the Utah Jazz are moving up fast. Utah is getting healthy and that means trouble for the rest of the Western Conference, especially when they step into Salt Lake City where the Jazz are 25-6. Utah is 9-1 this month and Deron Williams has been playing well enough to give Chris Paul a run for his money as best point guard in the West.

8. Denver Nuggets (38-20)
I know Denver is leading the division, but it falls behind Utah because it has lost 3 of its last 4. The Nuggets have a big test with the Lakers Friday.

9. Portland Trailblazers (35-21)
Portland has lost back-to-back games, but both were on the road at Houston and San Antonio where few teams have won this season. Few teams have been better than Portland on their home floor, but the Blazers need to start finding ways to win on the road. That might mean that Brandon Roy has to get a little bit more selfish.

10. Dallas Mavericks (34-23)
The NBA Southwest is a tight race and I currently have the Mavs edging out New Orleans for the final spot in this week’s rankings. I can make arguments for either team, but right now I like the Mavs in a 7-game series.

Beat the NBA odds from now through the NBA Finals with Jimmy Boyd’s basketball picks. Quit leaving your NBA betting to chance and start investing today with Mr. Boyd.

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