The new week brings an updated version of our NBA power
rankings.
Our revised list of the top five in each conference has been
released, with a couple changes here and there shaking things up a little bit.
There's a new kid in town in the East, so without further
ado: SBR's breakdown of the best teams the NBA has to offer.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls (18-5 SU, 14-9 ATS)
Even though they lost, you had to admire the never-say-die
attitude the Chicago Bulls showed against the Heat. Derrick Rose was practically
unstoppable throughout.
Miami Heat (16-5 SU, 9-12 ATS)
A big win over the Bulls and after topping the Hornets on
Tuesday, the Heat have now won five in a row and eight of their last nine.
Miami's defense has kept opposing teams under 100 points in nine consecutive
matchups.
Atlanta Hawks (15-6 SU, 11-9-1 ATS)
Atlanta wraps up a relatively successful road trip tonight
before playing four straight on their own floor. The Hawks are an impressive
8-2 SU over their last 10.
Philadelphia 76ers (15-6 SU, 14-6-1 ATS)
Who could have seen the 76ers up by five games in the
Atlantic at this point? Check out their next six opponents though: Bulls, Heat,
Hawks, Lakers, Spurs and Clippers. Yikes!
Indiana Pacers (13-6 SU, 11-8 ATS)
Acquiring David West during the offseason has turned out to
be a terrific move for the Pacers, at least so far. His experience has helped
Indiana score some excellent wins over the NBA's elite already.
Thoughts: The Magic are sinking fast and
Dwight Howard is not happy in the slightest with the team's effort as of late.
He wants out as soon as possible. Keep a look out for the Celtics, who have won
four of their last five both straight up and against the spread.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Oklahoma City Thunder (16-4 SU, 11-9 ATS)
The Thunder were smacked around by the Clippers and will
have to stand firm with a tough four-game stretch (at DAL, vs. MEM, at SA, at POR)
coming up over the next week.
Denver Nuggets (14-6 SU, 14-6 ATS)
The league's most productive offensive team, the Nuggets
also hold the second-best record in the West. The Clippers ended their sizable winning streak this week but Denver can
exact revenge in a couple days.
L.A. Clippers (12-6 SU, 11-7 ATS)
These guys are officially for real. Some thought it may take
some time for them to gel together but CP3 has his boys playing lights out. The
Clippers have already beaten the Heat, Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets and Thunder
this season.
San Antonio Spurs (13-9 SU, 11-11 ATS)
San Antonio's form on the road is worrying, but as their
recent overtime loss to Dallas proved, this is one of the deepest teams in the
league. And that's without Manu Ginobili in the lineup.
Dallas Mavericks (14-8 SU, 14-8 ATS)
Tough call for the last spot, but I'm going with the
Mavericks now that Dirk Nowitzki's back. He's looked rusty since returning but
it's only a matter of time before he finds his touch again.
Thoughts: Alert the presses: the Lakers have
finally won another road game. We'll find out shortly – they visit the Nuggets,
Jazz, 76ers and Celtics over the next 10 days – if it was just a one-off. As I
expected, the Jazz have fallen off the pace a little bit, going an even 3-3 SU
over their last six.