More Rankings: 21-30
| NBA Power Rankings |
| 21 |
22 |
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Emeka Okafor had 25 points and 23 boards in Friday's win over the Pacers, causing rookie coach Sam Vincent to wax poetic about his young 6-10 power forward. "Emeka really is our heart and soul," Vincent said. "When he's got a thunderous heartbeat like he did tonight, our team plays with thunder." |
| 22 |
17 |
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They followed up their first victory of the season (over the Pistons) with a 30-point home loss to the Raptors. Their 1-5 start has them in a precarious state heading into a six-game trip that begins Thursday at Phoenix. |
| 23 |
21 |
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They're hoping the return of Stephen Jackson from a seven-game suspension this week can help them turn it around -- and maybe regain a little of their 2006-07 mojo. But they're going to need more than Jackson to shore up a D that ranks last in points allowed (119.6) and opponents' field goal percentage (50.6) through their 0-5 start. |
| 24 |
20 |
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First they can't stop anybody, giving up 106.8 points over the first four games. Then they hold the Heat to 75 points Sunday, but manage to score only 72 themselves. Does Zach Randolph (who missed the game after the death of his grandmother) really make that much of a difference? |
| 25 |
27 |
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On the night he received his Rookie of the Year trophy, Brandon Roy scored a career-high 32 points to go with seven assists as they beat the Mavs for their third straight win. Meanwhile, Steve Blake has racked up 26 assists with just two turnovers over the past three games. |
| 26 |
29 |
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The big story in Sacramento last week wasn't that Reggie Theus finally got his first victory (over the Sonics), but that the Kings failed to sell out Arco Arena for the first time since '99. At least Kevin Martin (28 ppg) has picked up where he left off last season, and Ron Artest is eligible to return from his seven-game suspension this week. |
| 27 |
25 |
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They beat the Sonics to give coach Marc Iavaroni his first victory, but it's been a disappointing start otherwise. Turnovers and poor shooting have been a recurring problem. Even Pau Gasol has been up and down, prompting those old trade rumors to resurface. |
| 28 |
26 |
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They won at New York on Sunday to snap an 18-game losing streak (counting last season's final two regular-season games, the playoff sweep to the Bulls, an 0-7 preseason and this year's 0-5 start). Best of all, Dwyane Wade (shoulder, knee) should be back any day now. |
| 29 |
28 |
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They lost to the Pistons at home Sunday to set a franchise record for worst start and keep P.J. Carlesimo winless. At least Kurt Thomas (hamstring) is back in the lineup to provide some defense and leadership. Maybe it's time to get Wally Szczerbiak more into the mix as well. |
| 30 |
30 |
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Al Jefferson (19.6 points and 12.4 boards) put up double-doubles in each of his first five games -- all losses for the Timberwolves, who play their next four games at home. |
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