NBA Power Rankings: Cavs Leap Lakers
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-11) – With last night’s win over the Lakers to sweep the season series, the Cavs have asserted themselves as the team to beat. The Cavs have now won five of their last six and 18 of their last 22.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (32-10) – I have the defending NBA Finals champs still ranked as the No. 2 team in the NBA right now, but that might not be the case for long. The Lakers have struggled on the road this season and they still have seven games left on their current road trip. NBA odds makers have listed the Lakers as a 6-point favorite against the Knicks tonight.
3. Dallas Mavericks (28-14) – The Southwest Division leaders make a big leap up the power rankings this week (from the No. 8 spot) with back-to-back road wins over Boston and Washington. The thing that is the most impressive about Dallas is how good it’s been on the road. Its 15-7 road mark is the best in the West. And, Dirk Nowitzki is the best MVP candidate that few are talking about.
4. Denver Nuggets (28-14) – With last night’s blowout win over the Los Angeles Clippers, the Nuggets have won five in a row and I expect them to keep rolling now that Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony are healthy.
5. Atlanta Hawks (27-14) – The Hawks have won six of their last eight to take over first place in the NBA Southeast. Atlanta has been extremely dangerous on its home floor, at 17-5 this season, and it is in action at home against division rival Charlotte tonight.
6. Boston Celtics (27-13) - The Celtics have dropped three in a row, but I’m encouraged by the return of Kevin Garnett to the lineup tonight. His presence is going to make a big difference on both ends of the floor. You also have to like the fact that Boston is a league-best 16-6 on the road this season.
7. San Antonio Spurs (25-16) – The Spurs were red hot last week and they jumped all the way to No. 3 in our rankings because of it. But a lot can happen in a week’s time as the Spurs have lost three of their last four games. Plus, Tony Parker is battling plantar fasciitis.
8. Orlando Magic (27-15) – The Magic have dropped seven of their last 10, but the defending Eastern Conference champs are still clearly one of the top 10 best teams in the NBA right now. The Magic are still 15-4 at home, and that’s where they’re at tonight when they take on the Sacramento Kings.
9. Charlotte Bobcats (21-19) – The Bobcats crack the top 10 this week, and rightfully so. They have now rattled off six straight victories and have nine wins in their last 10 games. We’ll see if the Bobcats can stay hot as they have Atlanta, Orlando, and Denver up next.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-18) – The Thunder are one of the most improved teams in the NBA this season. They have rattled off three straight wins and 11 of their last 15. They’ll likely have to beat Memphis Friday night to stay in the top 10, though, as I currently have the Grizzlies at No. 11 in my rankings this week.
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