Timberwolves climb to No. 10; Mavs maintain top spot

Pat Riley took a leave, Big Ben got revenge and Jermaine O'Neal let off some steam. That about sums up the NBA's first week of 2007. Oh yeah, we almost forgot: The Lakers also ended the Mavs' 13-game win streak Sunday night in L.A.

Despite that setback, Dallas remains on top in this week's Power Rankings by virtue of its NBA-best record and its Dec. 28 victory over the Suns. Meanwhile, the T'wolves showed some bite with four straight wins this past week and the Kings took a tumble by losing twice at home.

This week's high riser: T'wolves (No. 10 from No. 18)
This week's big drop: Kings (No. 20 from No. 15)

NBA Power Rankings Rank LW Team 1 1 Dallas Mavericks Like Tony Romo, they couldn't hold on to their chance to send Dallas into delirium (and extend their win streak to 14). But they are still the first team to have two win streaks of 10 or more this early in the season since the 1971-72 Lakers. 2 2 Phoenix Suns Here's why they can't be dismissed as legit title contenders: Since Nov. 19, they have gone 22-2 with their only losses to the Wizards (in OT) and at Dallas. Meanwhile, Amare Stoudemire admits he's still not yet 100 percent. 3 5 Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas celebrated his 25th birthday Saturday by throwing a party in D.C. that drew an estimated 7,500 revelers. The way Agent Zero and his team have been playing lately, it couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. 4 6 Chicago Bulls Ben Wallace had a season-high six blocks to go with 12 points and 14 rebounds in Saturday's win over his former Pistons mates. It was Chicago's 17th victory in 22 games as it continues its climb up the Central Division standings. 5 9 Los Angeles Lakers So Kobe Bryant won't autograph any more No. 8 jerseys? If he continues to put his signature on masterpieces like Sunday's win over the Mavs -- L.A.'s seventh victory in its last nine games -- Lakers fans won't mind a bit. 6 3 San Antonio Spurs It's no time to panic, but they actually had a three-game losing streak last week (Cavs, T'wolves, Mavs), their first in two years. If nothing else, it might get them thinking again about trying to land Corey Maggette from the Clippers. 7 4 Utah Jazz They're beating the teams they should, but Andrei Kirilenko has yet to find his All-Star form and they lost last week to the Spurs and Rockets. That makes Tuesday's visit from the Mavs an especially big game for them. 8 8 Cleveland Cavaliers Four straight victories, and seven of eight overall, had them feeling better about themselves after a rocky stretch. But can LeBron & Co. keep it going on their upcoming seven-game Western road trip that starts Tuesday at Sacramento? 9 9 Detroit Pistons Without Chauncey Billups (strained calf) to run the show, their already shaky offense has looked even more feeble of late. They hope to have their veteran QB back this week, along with top backup Lindsey Hunter (Achilles). 10 19 Minnesota Timberwolves Here's how you know you're riding a lucky streak: You win three straight OT games, including one against the Spurs. Here's another: Sleepy-eyed Mark Blount wakes up to average 18 points over an eight-game stretch.