| SI.com's Marty Burns |
| Rank |
LW |
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Team |
| 1 |
1 |
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Los Angeles Lakers (11-3)
Masters and Commanders? They're still sailing along atop the NBA seas, but can this star-studded Hollywood cast keep the ship afloat against upcoming attacks from the Spurs (Fri.) and Pacers (Sun.)?
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| 2 |
2 |
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San Antonio Spurs (8-6)
They're still not in synch, and last Thursday's loss at Dallas left them just 2-4 on the road. But they're starting to show signs, and they'll be looking to cook Shaq's goose Friday at Staples.
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| 3 |
3 |
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Indiana Pacers (10-2)
Yes, they've benefited from a relatively soft early schedule. But stifling team defense and road wins at New Jersey, Detroit, New Orleans and Philly prove they are the East's top team right now.
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| 4 |
4 |
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Dallas Mavericks (9-4)
A shot of Jamison: Despite a sore hammy, Antawn Jamison (NBA-best 259 consecutive games played) had 26 points and eight rebounds Saturday as they downed the Nuggets for their sixth win in their past seven games.
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| 5 |
7 |
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New Orleans Hornets (10-4)
They won at Detroit on Sunday to make it five wins in their past six games. With the Heat, Cavs, Knicks and Magic (twice) up next, they should be fatter than Rush Limbaugh by the end of this Thanksgiving season.
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| 6 |
8 |
 |
Sacramento Kings (9-4)
Speaking of home cooking, they improved to 7-0 this season at Arco Arena with Sunday's win over the Bulls. Brad Miller even had his first career triple-double (22 points, 14 boards, 10 assists) in a win over the Magic.
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| 7 |
4 |
 |
Detroit Pistons (9-5)
They lost to the Hornets on Sunday to snap a four-game win streak. More important, Rip Hamilton went down with a sore neck. Larry Brown will need him back for Wednesday's return to Philadelphia.
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| 8 |
9 |
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Houston Rockets (8-4)
With twin towers Yao Ming and Kelvin Cato, they lead the NBA in fewest points allowed (81.5) and opponents' field-goal percentage (37.4 percent). Meanwhile, sharpshooter Eric Piatkowski (ankle) is set to return this week.
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| 9 |
10 |
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Minnesota Timberwolves (8-5)
Despite a local snowstorm, they were feeling warmer after three consecutive victories last week. But Michael Olowokandi (6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds) continues to struggle as he battles soreness in his right knee.
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| 10 |
5 |
 |
New Jersey Nets (5-7)
Mourning's retirement was the capper to a difficult week that saw 'Zo and K-Mart nearly trade blows and Jason Kidd (sore left knee) come up lame. With a five-game Western trip ahead, they need to circle the wagons.
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| 11 |
11 |
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Seattle SuperSonics (7-4)
They survived the Wizards on Sunday, but they haven't been playing well of late. With center Jerome James apparently allergic to rebounding, coach Nate McMillan is ready to dust off Vitaly Potapenko.
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| 12 |
12 |
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Philadelphia 76ers (7-7)
"Santa Claus is coming to town ..." OK, maybe not for another month, but in the meantime the City of Brotherly Love can warm up its lungs when Larry Brown and the Pistons make their first visit Wednesday.
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| 13 |
13 |
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Portland Trail Blazers (7-6)
Hmmm ... With Bonzi Wells suspended two games for cursing coach Mo Cheeks, they went out and beat the Heat and Rockets. Then, with him back in uniform, they tanked Sunday at Golden State.
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| 14 |
14 |
 |
Memphis Grizzlies (6-6)
Sunday's blowout loss to the Shaq-less Lakers shows they still have a way to go. But Mike Miller is coming on, and they've already matched last year's total of road wins against Western foes (two).
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| 15 |
20 |
 |
Phoenix Suns (6-6)
Here's how their season has gone thus far: L, W, L, L, W, W, L, L, L, W, W, W. But at least they're consistent. If they now go on a four-game losing skid, Euclid gets the call to replace Frank Johnson as coach.
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| 16 |
15 |
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Boston Celtics (5-7)
They lost at Philly on Friday to make it three consecutive defeats and four of five overall. With a favorable schedule over the next few weeks, Paul Pierce and Co. must take advantage.
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| 17 |
19 |
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Golden State Warriors (6-7)
Erick Dampier (11 points, 17 rebounds) led them past the Blazers, their second straight win. Dampier is averaging 12.8 points and a league-best 13.8 boards with a league-high 12 double-doubles in 13 games.
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| 18 |
16 |
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Utah Jazz (7-6)
Raul Lopez (18 points, five assists) picked up the slack for the injured Carlos Arroyo (ankle sprain) in Friday's win over the Bucks. Meanwhile, they ran their record at the Delta Center to 6-1 on the season.
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| 19 |
18 |
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Milwaukee Bucks (6-7)
They hammered the Raptors in Toronto on Sunday to snap a three-game losing skid. Rookie T.J. Ford continues to play solid, ranking in the top 16 in assists per game (5.8) and free-throw percentage (90 percent).
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| 20 |
17 |
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Toronto Raptors (6-7)
Hurry up and deal! Jalen Rose. Pete Rose. Charlie Rose. Just get somebody who can put the ball in the basket. Their 62-point effort against the Bucks was the fourth time this season they've been held below 70.
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| 21 |
22 |
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Denver Nuggets (7-6)
Who would have thought they'd have more wins than the Broncos at this stage? Last year they didn't win their seventh game until Jan. 7. Of course, unlike the Broncos, they've been beating the teams they're supposed to.
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| 22 |
21 |
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Washington Wizards (5-8)
They lost at Seattle on Sunday to make it two consecutive defeats heading into a stretch in which they had to play eight of nine on the road. Worse, Gilbert Arenas (groin injury) could be out for a while.
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| 23 |
25 |
 |
Atlanta Hawks (5-9)
They defeated the Cavs on Saturday to make it four wins in eight games. Shaking off a slow start, Shareef Abdur-Rahim has averaged 22.3 points and 9.3 rebounds over his past four games through Sunday.
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| 24 |
23 |
 |
Los Angeles Clippers (4-5)
Like Michael Jackson, they returned to L.A. looking worried after a tough week that included three losses. But with their next five at home, they should avoid a losing streak that can't be counted on one glove.
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| 25 |
24 |
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Chicago Bulls (4-10)
Oh, no, Mr. Bill! Like the old SNL claymation character, Bill Cartwright takes the hit. Now Jalen Rose might be next. And here we thought they'd left the circus behind at the United Center.
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| 26 |
26 |
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New York Knicks (4-9)
Shandon Anderson (20 points) helped rescue them Saturday against the Sixers, despite not having Allan Houston and Keith Van Horn. But will Antonio McDyess be back for Wednesday's game at Minnesota?
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| 27 |
27 |
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Cleveland Cavaliers (4-10)
Saturday's loss in Atlanta was their 29th consecutive road defeat, leaving them 0-8 away from Gund this season. Meanwhile, Ira Newble just got suspended for going Bonzi on coach Paul Silas.
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| 28 |
28 |
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Miami Heat (3-11)
They lost at Phoenix on Sunday to finish 1-4 on their West Coast road trip. But at least they didn't have to experience the disappointment of losing Alonzo Mourning in midseason again.
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| 29 |
29 |
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Orlando Magic (1-12)
Saturday's loss in Sacramento was their 12th in a row and left them 0-5 on the West Coast road trip. With their next four games at home, however, Johnny Davis will get that first victory soon. ... We think.
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