| NBA Power Rankings |
| Rank |
LW |
 |
Team |
| 1 |
1 |
 |
Sacramento Kings (46-16)
So much for those concerns about Chris Webber fitting in. But can C-Webb help lift his team past Dallas (2-0 vs. the Kings this year) and San Antonio (1-1), when those clubs visit Arco this week?
|
| 2 |
3 |
 |
Indiana Pacers (47-16)
Keep it a secret: They've got the NBA's best record. They're also the first team to clinch a playoff berth. Meanwhile, everybody's talking about the Pistons and the Nets in the East.
|
| 3 |
6 |
 |
San Antonio Spurs (42-21)
Who needs Tim Duncan? With Rasho Nesterovic picking up the slack, the Spurs went 4-1 without their two-time MVP -- including a win over the Mavs. Meanwhile, Duncan (thigh) is set to return this week.
|
| 4 |
2 |
 |
Minnesota Timberwolves (44-19)
Mavs owner Mark Cuban wasn't amused by Ervin Johnson's late 3-pointer and Kevin Garnett's mock phone call to President Bush during the T'wolves rout against Dallas last Wednesday. But, hey, Minnesota's been waiting a long time for this.
|
| 5 |
8 |
 |
Detroit Pistons (41-25)
Even without Rip Hamilton (broken nose), the Pistons held Portland, Denver and Seattle each under 70 points last week to finish 4-1 on their West Coast trip. Overall, they're 7-3 since the Rasheed Wallace deal.
|
| 6 |
5 |
 |
Los Angeles Lakers (26-36)
Despite Kobe's injury, the Lakers beat the Sonics and Nets over the weekend to make it three straight wins and 12 of their last 15. Meanwhile, the Mailman will return this week to help Shaq hold down the middle.
|
| 7 |
4 |
 |
Dallas Mavericks (39-23)
Only Martha Stewart had a worse week. After having won six straight, the Mavs lost consecutively at Minnesota, San Antonio and Houston. They hope to regain their road swagger Thursday at Sacramento.
|
| 8 |
7 |
 |
New Jersey Nets (38-24)
They're anxious to get Jason Kidd (sore knee) back after finishing 2-2 on their West Coast road trip. With the struggling Nuggets and Bulls up next at the Swamp, New Jersey should be back on track soon.
|
| 9 |
9 |
 |
Memphis Grizzlies (39-24)
They won at Golden State on Sunday to sweep their four-game Western road trip, and make it five straight wins overall. They also pulled within a half game of the Mavs for third place in the Midwest.
|
| 10 |
10 |
 |
Houston Rockets (36-26)
Jeff Van Gundy can't stand the way his team throws the ball around, but at least he has Yao in the middle. The Rockets overcame 28 turnovers to beat the Mavs at home Sunday, which followed Friday's big win at Minnesota.
|
| 11 |
11 |
 |
Denver Nuggets (33-31)
Holy Moe-ses! They failed to have a double-digit scorer in Saturday's loss to the Pistons. Doug Moe's old Denver teams used to be mad if all 12 guys didn't score in double figures.
|
| 12 |
13 |
 |
Milwaukee Bucks (33-29)
Another night, another hero for these guys. Starting in place of the injured point guard T.J. Ford, Damon Jones dished out a career-high 17 assists (without a turnover) in last Wednesday's win at Orlando.
|
| 13 |
14 |
 |
Cleveland Cavaliers (27-36)
Lost in all the hoopla over LeBron James, Carlos Boozer and Zydrunas Ilgauskas is how Jeff McInnis has solidified the point guard spot. Meanwhile, the Cavs had won three straight at week's end to move into eighth place in the East.
|
| 14 |
24 |
 |
Boston Celtics (28-36)
They won at Minnesota on Sunday to make it five straight victories and give their fading playoff hopes a boost. But can they keep it going this week against the Knicks, Lakers and Pacers?
|
| 15 |
18 |
 |
New York Knicks (29-35)
Apparently all they needed was Allan Houston -- and a weaker schedule. The Knicks beat the Wizards on Sunday to make it three straight wins (vs. Raptors, Sixers) following a six-game skid.
|
| 16 |
12 |
 |
New Orleans Hornets (33-30)
Plenty of talent, but where is the heart? They lost to the Wizards, Cavs and Raptors last week, and needed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Jamal Mashburn to beat the Bulls in OT.
|
| 17 |
17 |
 |
Miami Heat (27-36)
Lamar Odom became their first player in nine years to register a triple-double when he put up 30-19-11 in Saturday's win over the Kings. We can only wonder how he celebrated that one.
|
| 18 |
15 |
 |
Portland Trailblazers (30-33)
They lost to the Clippers on Sunday without Zach Randolph, who got a game suspension for swinging at Utah's Raja Bell. But at least they're fighting with opponents these days instead of with each other.
|
| 19 |
16 |
 |
Utah Jazz (31-32)
They're anxiously awaiting Monday's visit from Karl Malone and the Lakers. We're guessing Jimmy Kimmel's Mailman impersonation won't be part of the timeout entertainment at the Delta Center.
|
| 20 |
20 |
 |
Los Angeles Clippers (26-36)
Could Brooklyn high school point guard -- and last week's SI coverboy - Sebastian Telfair be in their future? With Marko Jaric and Keyon Dooling set to become free agents, the Clippers might need a point guard.
|
| 21 |
29 |
 |
Toronto Raptors (27-36)
OK, maybe last week's ranking was a bit harsh. With Vince Carter back in the lineup, and Rod Strickland signed off waivers, the Raptors have an NBA offense again. Welcome back, fellas.
|
| 22 |
19 |
 |
Seattle SuperSonics (27-36)
With a 5-16 record since Jan. 25, and an upcoming five-game road trip following Tuesday's visit from the T'wolves, it's looking bleak for Seattle. At least Brent Barry (broken finger) will return this week.
|
| 23 |
21 |
 |
Philadelphia 76ers (25-38)
Kenny Thomas has been one of their few bright spots this season. Despite a sprained right thumb, he had 27 points and 11 boards (his seventh straight double-double) to key Saturday's win over the Bulls.
|
| 24 |
23 |
 |
Phoenix Suns (21-42)
Amare Stoudemire isn't their only guy who's been on fire of late. Casey Jacobsen has moved up to fifth in the NBA in 3-point shooting (43.5 percent), including 48.5 percent since the Stephon Marbury trade.
|
| 25 |
22 |
 |
Golden State Warriors (25-36)
Eric Musselman can't be feeling too good right now. Amid reports of a practice confrontation with Mike Dunleavy Jr. last week, his team had lost five straight through Sunday. Plus, Golden State's upcoming schedule is brutal.
|
| 26 |
25 |
 |
Orlando Magic (18-47)
After a 14-month layoff, Grant Hill was supposed to resume practicing this week, but the plans are on hold while doctors determine if his left ankle is fully healed. Gee, what a surprise.
|
| 27 |
27 |
 |
Washington Wizards (20-41)
Weekend losses to the Celtics and Knicks have quieted that playoff talk. But Gilbert Arenas (four straight games over 30 points) apparently intends to go down firing all his bullets.
|
| 28 |
26 |
 |
Chicago Bulls (18-44)
Marcus Fizer and Eddie Robinson are the latest to find themselves in Scott Skiles' doghouse. Fizer, a free agent after the season, says he fully expects to be playing elsewhere next year.
|
| 29 |
28 |
 |
Atlanta Hawks (20-42)
We're still trying to figure out how they beat the Lakers last Tuesday. Whoever put the lid on the basket before Shaq's final flurry definitely deserves a game ball.
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