1. Cleveland Cavaliers (46-12, #2 LW) - All four of the league’s elite teams lost this week, but the Cavaliers were the only ones not to lose multiple times. As a result, the Cavs regain the top spot.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (48-12, #1 LW) – Tough week for the Lakers losing to both the Nuggets and a Nash and Amare-less Suns. But back-to-back games against the Grizzlies and Timberwolves will cure any losing streak.
3. Boston Celtics (47-14, #3 LW) – A brutal week for the C’s as well (losing to the Clippers???) They need KG to return bad.
4. Utah Jazz (37-23, #7 LW) – The Jazz have won 9 in a row to join the elite teams for at least a week. Will the streak stay alive Wednesday against the Rockets?
5. Orlando Magic (43-16, #4 LW) – An unimpressive week drops the Magic out of the vaunted top 4 this week. Looks like the loss of Jameer Nelson is really affecting this team.
6. San Antonio Spurs (39-19, #5 LW) – After missing three games where the Spurs went 1-2, Tim Duncan returned Sunday only to get blown out by the Blazers.
7. Houston Rockets (38-22, #8 LW) – A terrible loss to the Bulls stains an otherwise stellar last two weeks for the team from the Big H.
8. Portland Trail Blazers (37-22, #6 LW) – I wonder if Greg Oden will play again this season…
9. Denver Nuggets (39-21, #9 LW) - They follow up a huge win against the Lakers with a loss to the Pacers. I can’t trust this team and I’ll predict another first round exit for the Nuggets.
10. New Orleans Hornets (36-22, #10 LW) - The Hornets have won 4 in a row but only by a combined 14 points.
11. Dallas Mavericks (36-23, #12 LW) - Another quality opponent, another loss for the Mavericks.
12. Phoenix Suns (34-25, #14 LW) - Nice win Sunday against the Lakers but they got a tough road trip ahead of them. I’m guessing 1-3.
13. Atlanta Hawks (33-26, #11 LW) - A bad week was capped by a heartbreaking loss to the Cavs Sunday night. They stay ahead of the Heat because of their win against them.
14. Miami Heat (31-27, #13 LW) - Dwyane Wade, a dark horse for the MVP award this season, has been putting the team on his back all season long. I haven’t heard any of his doubters lately.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (29-29, #15 LW) - The Sixers have a pretty easy next two weeks of the season before they go on a west coast road trip.
16. Detroit Pistons (29-29, #20 LW) - After losing 8 in a row, the Pistons bounced back with 2 road wins against the Magic and the Celtics. Impressive wins yes but it looks like AI is gonna return soon so their streak will end Tuesday against the Nuggets.
17. New Jersey Nets (26-33, #16 LW) - The Nets stay one spot ahead of the Bulls with their head-to-head win Wednesday night.
18. Chicago Bulls (27-33, #17 LW) - Amazing comeback by the Bulls against the Rockets. Totally uncalled for loss by Houston.
19. Milwaukee Bucks (28-31, #19 LW) - The Bucks are holding onto that last playoff spot. I’ll be shocked if they make it though.
20. Charlotte Bobcats (25-35, #24 LW) - After dropping 3 straight, the Bobcats have won 3 in a row, making their push for that last playoff spot.
21. Indiana Pacers (26-36, #22 LW) - The injuries are piling up for the Pacers as now Mike Dunleavy, who has been hobbled all season, is done for the year. But amazingly the already Danny Granger-less Pacers only lost by 5 to the defending champs and beat the Denver Nuggets.
22. Golden State Warriors (20-39, #21 LW) - Two brutal losses this week to the Clippers and Bobcats. Another bad week and the W’s will plummet in these rankings.
23. Toronto Raptors (23-38, #20 LW) - This week will be a good test for the Raptors and we’ll see if they are worthy of making the playoffs.
24. New York Knicks (24-35, #23 LW) - The Knicks angered a battered and bloodied D-Wade and were outscored by 20 in the 4th quarter (24 points by Wade) to give a victory away to the Heat. Shades of the Knicks of old have been showing in recent games.
25. Los Angeles Clippers (15-45, #29 LW) - Any time you beat the Celtics, you’ll move up in the rankings.
26. Memphis Grizzlies (15-43, #26 LW) - Mike Conley has played pretty well since the team traded away Kyle Lowry. Can’t say the same about the team though.
27. Washington Wizards (14-45, #27 LW) - The highlight of the their week? How about having the President attend your game? Fortunately for the Wiz, they were able to win the game.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (18-41, #28 LW) - I’m beginning to wonder if the T-Wolves will win another game this season.
29. Sacramento Kings (13-48, #30 LW) - The Kings’ last three wins have come against the Clippers, Grizzlies, and Thunder. Not exactly the cream of the crop in the NBA.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder (14-45, #25 LW) - Bad news for the Thunder as they lost KD to an ankle injury…the same ankle injury that kept Deron Williams out for a month. A Durant-less Thunder team easily makes it the worst team in the league.
Posted by david im 
