NBA Power Rankings: Cavs Still Team to Beat

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (36-11) – The Cavs remain at the top of my power rankings this week as they are currently riding a six-game winning streak. LeBron James has also started to pull away from the rest of the pack in terms of the MVP race. Cleveland is in action tonight, and NBA odds makers have listed the Cavs as a 6-point favorite in Indiana.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (35-11) – Despite being in the middle of a treacherous eight-game road trip, and with Kobe Bryant battling a broken finger, the Lakers still look like a team capable of repeating, entering tonight’s matchup with the 76ers having won six of their last eight games.  The Lakers are listed as a 6.5-point favorite in Philadelphia tonight.

3. Denver Nuggets (31-14) – With Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony getting healthy, the Nuggets are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. They enter tonight’s contest with Oklahoma City riding an eight-game winning streak.

4. Orlando Magic (30-16) – The Magic have bounced back strong since losing three straight in the middle of the month, having won four of five since, including a crucial come from behind win against Boston last night.

5. Dallas Mavericks (30-16) – The Mavs fell in Phoenix last night, but I am still big on the Southwest Division leaders. Despite last night’s loss, they remain the best road team in the West by a good margin. With that in mind, the Mavs could be a force come playoff time.

6. Atlanta Hawks (29-15) – The Hawks were crushed by Orlando this month, so I still have them behind the Magic in my rankings, but they have certainly passed the Celtics by at this stage of the season. A win tonight would give the Hawks their fourth straight over Boston this season.

7. Boston Celtics (29-14) – The Celtics lost some rhythm when Kevin Garnett went down with an injury, and they are coming off a tough loss in Orlando last night in a game they led by double digits.  But they were one of the best teams in the league prior to Garnett’s injury, and I have little doubt they will be off a running again soon.

8. Utah Jazz (27-18) – The Jazz are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, having won four straight and eight of their last nine. Deron Williams is having another terrific season and he was finally rewarded with an All-Star nod.

9. Memphis Grizzlies (25-19) – Memphis is one of the big surprise teams in the season’s first half as its young talent has clicked sooner than expected. The Grizzlies enter tonight’s matchup with San Antonio, who they just beat back on January 16th, having won 19 of their last 26 games.

10. New Orleans Hornets (25-20) – It’s taken a while for the Hornets to get going with an early season injury to Chris Paul getting them off track. But the Hornets are an outstanding 16-4 at home this season, and they have quietly won 12 of their last 16 games.

The Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls are playing their best ball of the season and could make my top ten by next week. The San Antonio Spurs are usually a top ten team, but they have dropped five of seven to find themselves on the outside looking in.

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