Mavs Lead NBA Power Rankings
Dallas, Phoenix continue winning ways, while Cavaliers lurk closely
Jan 14, 2007
The Dallas Mavericks are making easy work of most NBA opponents, while Phoenix, Cleveland and San Antonio remain steady in Suite101's NBA Power Rankings.
- Dallas Mavericks (30-8) - Dirk Nowitzki's MVP-caliber play continues, and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks are as sharp as ever. Dallas has gone 17-2 in its last 19 games and has a stranglehold on Suite101's NBA Power Rankings.
- Phoenix Suns (28-8) -- If not for the Dallas Mavericks being 30-8, the Suns would easily top our NBA rankings. Behind one uncanny performance after another by NBA MVP candidate Steve Nash, the Suns are a ridiculous 24-2 in their last 26 games. Nash recently handed out 21 assists in a victory over Cleveland, and Phoenix appears on a collision course with Dallas for the Western Conference title.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (23-13) -- Despite getting hammered by Phoenix recently, the Cleveland Cavaliers are 9-2 in their last 11 games and have taken control in the NBA's Eastern Conference. NBA MVP candidate LeBron James continues his spectacular play, but the Cavs are now getting excellent support from Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes. Mike Brown seems to have figured out the rotation, and the Cavaliers are a solid number 3 in our NBA Power Rankings.
- San Antonio Spurs (27-11) -- The only reason the Spurs are behind Cleveland is because the Cavaliers have beaten San Antonio twice. After an off week, the Spurs have won four straight and are the number 3 team out west. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are as good as any three-starter combo in the NBA.
- Los Angeles Lakers (24-13) -- We hate to say it, but Phil Jackson is a legitimate NBA Coach of the Year candidate. He's squeezing every last drop out of some very average NBA players, and making superstar Kobe Bryant fit in nicely. Smush Parker, Luke Walton and Brian Cook are all putting up very respectable numbers, and it seems that it's a different player each night helping the Lakers climb the NBA rankings.
- Houston Rockets (25-13) -- In the absence of injured star Yao Ming, Jeff Van Gundy has rejuvenated the career of Dikembe Mutombo and made the Rockets the top defensive team in the NBA. Since taking over at center, Mutombo has been a monster on the boards, leading Houston in rebounding in 9 straight games, and Houston has gone 9-1 in its last 10, moving up in the NBA rankings.
- Utah Jazz (24-13) - Is Carlos Boozer and company finally coming down to earth, as everyone outside of Utah knew they would? Not too long ago, the Jazz was at the top of the NBA Power Rankings and seemed poised for a title run. Now, Utah has lost 3 straight and 4 of its last 5 games. Utah's solid record and steady play of Boozer and Deron Williams keep the Jazz near the top of the NBA rankings, for now.
- Detroit Pistons (21-14) -- Recent talk of Chris Webber -- released by Philadelphia after a contract buyout -- joining the Pistons, may have fans hoping Detroit will skyrocket to the top of the NBA Power Rankings. Webber, though, is not in the Motor City yet, and Detroit is just 4-6 in its last 10 games.
- Orlando Magic (22-16) -- NBA rebounding leader Dwight Howard recently had 25 rebounds in one game. Howard's brilliance continues and Orlando maintains a two-game lead in the Southeast Division and is back in our NBA Power Rankings, after a one-week absence.
- Minnesota Timberwolves (19-16) -- NBA MVP candidate Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves are making their debut in the top 10 list in our NBA Power Rankings. Since we predicted Minnesota to win the NBA's Western Conference, we're happy to see them playing well. The Timberwolves have won 6 of 7, including impressive victories over San Antonio and Houston. Garnett, meanwhile, is averaging 23 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game. If rookie sensation Randy Foye continues to improve, Minnesota may continue its surge in the NBA rankings.
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