How hot are the Suns? At week's end they were riding a 17-game win streak -- fifth-longest in NBA history. It follows an earlier 15-game run this season. In fact, were it not for an OT loss to the Wizards (Dec. 22) and a two-point loss at Dallas (Dec. 28), Phoenix could be looking at a 35-game win streak at this point.
All that's left for the Suns now is to prove they can beat the West's elite. So far Phoenix is 0-6 combined against the Mavs (0-2), Spurs (0-2), Lakers (0-1) and Jazz (0-1). Needless to say, Dallas -- and the rest of the NBA -- will be watching closely this week when the Suns play host to San Antonio (Thursday) and Utah (Saturday).
This week's high riser: Pacers (No. 10 from No. 17)
This week's big drop: Nets (No. 19 from No. 13)
| NBA Power Rankings |
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Mike D'Antoni will coach the Western Conference squad at next month's All-Star Game. He might have a better chance to win with Steve Nash, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire suiting up with their Phoenix teammates. |
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It's not often a team that has won 22 of 24 games falls from No. 1 in the Power Rankings, but that's their odd fate this week. At least they own those two head-to-head victories over the Suns to keep up their confidence. |
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No Yao, no problem so far. At week's end they had won 11 of 15, including triumphs over the Spurs, Jazz, Bulls, Lakers and Nuggets. Meanwhile, Bonzi Wells is back in the lineup and producing off the bench. |
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They showed some mettle by coming back from 10 down in the fourth to win at the Lakers on Sunday. It was a good way to kick off their annual rodeo trip, which this year features eight games over 18 days through the All-Star break. |
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Gilbert Arenas says he'd score "84 or 85" vs. Duke? Well, Grant Hill doesn't play for the Pistons anymore, but Agent Zero had 25 points and 10 assists in a win at Detroit last Friday to move atop the East standings. |
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Flip Saunders picked up his 500th career coaching victory Sunday when they downed the Pacers. More important, they improved to 4-1 with Chris Webber in the starting lineup as the 6-10 veteran continues to fit in just fine so far. |
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They just can't seem to get their full roster healthy at the same time. Lamar Odom is back after missing 21 games, and Kwame Brown should be soon as well. But Luke Walton (ankle) now will be out as long as two weeks. |
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They're making a big push to get Marcus Camby on the All-Star team, even calling coaches around the league to lobby for his candidacy. But isn't three All-Stars a lot for a team that has yet to show it can hang with the West's elite? |
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Maybe Jerry Sloan's new midnight curfew for road games (no need in Salt Lake City) isn't such a bad idea after all. With Andrei Kirilenko (ankle) and Carlos Boozer (knee) hobbling, they are going to need all their rest in the days ahead. |
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Sunday's loss at Detroit snapped their three-game win streak, but who cares? They have been playing with more energy since the big trade for Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy. Besides, the Colts are in the Super Bowl. |
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