CNNSI.com's Marty Burns ranks the NBA teams for the week of Jan. 2-Jan. 9. Check back every Tuesday to read Marty's latest Power Rankings.
CNNSI.com Power Rankings |
Rank | LW | Team |
1 | 1 |  | Los Angeles Lakers |
Shaq expected back Fri., but will foot injury linger? |
2 | 2 |  | San Antonio Spurs |
Looking ahead to Sat. rematch with Mavs in Big D. |
3 | 4 |  | Dallas Mavericks |
Nine-game win streak, through Tues., has confidence soaring. |
4 | 3 |  | Sacramento Kings |
Chris Webber season-high 30 points in big win over Celtics. |
5 | 5 |  | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Rasho Nesterovic has been pleasant surprise in middle. |
6 | 6 |  | Milwaukee Bucks |
Injuries to Allen (knee) and Robinson (thigh) have slowed them. |
7 | 8 |  | New Jersey Nets |
Had been outrebounded in eight of last 11 games, through Tues. |
8 | 7 |  | Boston Celtics |
Pierce (foot) and Walker (groin) trying to play through ailments.
|
9 | 11 |  | Phoenix Suns |
Sixers, Lakers, Kings will make for challenging week. |
10 | 13 |  | Toronto Raptors |
With 11 games in next 18 days, no rest for Vince Carter. |
11 | 12 |  | Indiana Pacers |
Frustrated Travis Best admits he’d welcome trade. |
12 | 18 |  | Utah Jazz |
Karl Malone can still carry a team, if not the Olympic torch. |
13 | 10 |  | Los Angeles Clippers |
With eight of next nine on road, their maturity will be tested. |
14 | 9 |  | Detroit Pistons |
Rick Carlisle hopes lineup shuffle gets them out of funk. |
15 | 14 |  | Washington Wizards |
Michael Jordan rings out 2001 by turning back the clock.
|
16 | 21 |  | Seattle SuperSonics |
Vin Baker helps ignite season-best six-game win streak. |
17 | 20 |  | Orlando Magic |
Hoping to build on emotional comeback win Sun. at New York. |
18 | 15 |  | Charlotte Hornets |
Players admit relocation talk has been distraction.
|
19 | 17 |  | New York Knicks |
Allen Houston says he’s ticked off by hometown boos. |
20 | 19 |  | Philadelphia 76ers |
Games at Suns, Sonics, Blazers could keep them searching. |
21 | 16 |  | Portland Trail Blazers |
GM Bob Whitsitt’s trigger finger must be getting itchy. |
22 | 22 |  | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Andre Miller has dished out 10 or more assists in 18 games. |
23 |
24 |
 |
Golden State Warriors |
Four-game Eastern swing could set tone for rest of
season. |
24 | 25 |  | Denver Nuggets |
Watch out, Mike Evans. Clyde the Glide has moved in on bench. |
25 | 24 |  | Atlanta Hawks |
Jason Terry back at point as Lon Kruger tries to shake it up.
|
26 | 26 |  | Memphis Grizzlies |
Winners of four of six heading into Wed. showdown at Nets.
|
27 | 28 |  | Houston Rockets |
Return of Steve Francis should help them move up the charts. |
28 | 29 |  | Chicago Bulls |
Won first two games under Bill Cartwright, but can it last?
|
29 | 27 |  | Miami Heat |
Only team in the NBA yet to score 100 points in a game. |
