When the Blazers lost No. 1 pick Greg Oden to season-ending knee surgery in September, many expected them to crumble. After all, they were already the NBA's youngest team. Inexperienced teams don't win in the NBA, especially ones without a dominant center or point guard.
The Blazers, however, have refused to follow the script. Led by last year's Rookie of the Year, Brandon Roy, they won at Denver on Sunday night for their seventh straight victory -- the franchise's longest win streak since 2002. Even more remarkable, they did it with power forward LaMarcus Aldridge sitting out the past four games with plantar fascitis in his right foot.
Portland's amazing run has stolen the spotlight from the Sixers and Wizards, both of whom have been on hot streaks of late as well. Meanwhile, the Magic, Jazz and Suns all hit rocky patches. These reversals of fortune might prove temporary, but they make for some movement in this week's rankings.
This week's high riser: Blazers (No. 14 from 19)
This week's big drop: Magic (No. 10 from 4)
| NBA Power Rankings |
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1 |
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Chalk up those consecutive losses last week at the Warriors and Lakers to the fact that Tim Duncan (ankle) was out and Tony Parker (ankle) was either hurt or did not play. When the two stars get back together, they should pick up where they left off. |
| 2 |
2 |
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Other than Kendrick Perkins' accidentally dropping his bed on his foot, they can do no wrong. They won big at Toronto on Sunday to make it nine straight as they continue to pulverize the East. Meanwhile, Ray Allen (ankle) should be back for Wednesday's big home showdown with the Pistons. |
| 3 |
7 |
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They picked up 7-footer Primoz Brezec, along with Walter Herrmann, from the Bobcats for seldom-used Nazr Mohammed. Even better, Sunday's blowout over the Warriors made it 11 of 14 as they continue to climb in the East. |
| 4 |
5 |
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Despite a 7-7 record over the last 14 games, they looked more like themselves in back-to-back weekend triumphs over the Hornets and Rockets. With eight of their next 10 at American Airlines Center, they have a good chance to keep it going. |
| 5 |
3 |
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You didn't think a little chipped tooth was going to stop a Canadian (and former youth hockey player) like Steve Nash, eh? But losses to the Heat and Hornets last week was not the way for them to build confidence heading into this week's grudge matches at San Antonio (Monday) and Dallas (Wednesday). |
| 6 |
11 |
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Baron Davis & Co. continue to dazzle while letting 'em fly, but will being away from the comforts of home take them out of their golden state? Sunday's loss in Motown kicked off a five-game road trip and a stretch in which they play eight of 10 away from noisy Oracle Arena. |
| 7 |
9 |
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Andrew Bynum has become the center Kobe Bryant never had. Well, OK, so maybe Bynum isn't Shaq just yet. But the 20-year-old has averaged 14.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks over his last four games to help provide Kobe with a little of that help he craved. |
| 8 |
10 |
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Sunday's loss to the Blazers was their second straight as consistency continues to elude them. At least they know Kenyon Martin is definitely back to being himself, as evidenced by his flagrant foul (and subsequent one-game suspension) for that elbow on New Orleans' Melvin Ely. |
| 9 |
8 |
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Chris Paul had 21 points and 10 assists to help them down the Suns on Saturday night. Paul has scored 20 or more points in eight of their last nine games. Meanwhile, Ely's broken eye socket -- courtesy of K-Mart -- will keep the reserve forward out for at least a month. |
| 10 |
4 |
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Saturday's home loss to the Grizzlies was their fourth defeat in five games as they seem to have climbed aboard last year's Disney World roller coaster. With the Magic's next four at Dallas (Monday), at Houston (Wednesday), vs. Utah (Friday) and at Boston (Sunday), Orlando fans might want to hold on tight. |
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