The Phoenix Suns came to the top of NBA Power Rankings this week by playing strong on road including handling the Celtics their first loss the season on Friday.
Five of Suns' seven games have been on the road in their remarkable 6-1 season opening, who made Boston look like a bad defensive team.
The Celtics were one place down to second with a 7-1 record. Playing eight games in 12 days. Tired legs affected the defense and the three-point shooting.
The Lakers were one place up to third with Kobe Bryant leading the league in scoring again. Lakers are surviving without Pau Gasol, needing overtimes to win in Oklahoma and Houston this week.
The heat also climbed one place up, joining the Nuggets on the list of teams we didn't think could have a better season than they did last year. But they've got a top-five defense and Dwyane Wade hasn't had to carry as big of a load.
With half the league looking pretty good and half the League looking pretty bad here’s your NBA Power Rankings:
1. Los Angeles Lakers (4) - Kobe is giving me flashbacks of 2005-06 but I snap out of it when the 40 point game ends in a victory.
2. Boston Celtics (1) - If you want to stay in the top spot you can't drop your only home game against your only legitimate opponent in the week.
3. Orlando Magic (3) - Blowout in OKC is a head-scratcher, if "the deepest team in the NBA" can't play better a few people short when the Cavs visit on Wednesday they will be sure to drop--win over the Suns is keeping them afloat.
4. Phoenix Suns (12) - 3-1 with one game left on Eastern Conference road trip, team couldn't have asked for anything more and they couldn't be shooting any better from deep.
5. Miami Heat (9) - Quentin Richardson is in the best shape of his life and he is playing great D in addition to outstanding three point shooting—when will be the first game Wade doesn't lead the team in scoring?
6. Denver Nuggets (2) - Back-to-back road losses hurt, this team is very happy to bring J.R. Smith back but they might be having fears about the Friday the 13th meeting with the Lakers.
7. Dallas Mavericks (7) - The team went 2-1 against three quality opponents, Dirk is in the top five for MVP voting at this point in the season.
8. Atlanta Hawks (8) - Small ball works, the Hawks have done a great job of integrating Crawford in the lineup and Josh Smith realized how difficult he can be to guard in the post.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers (6) - After a four day break, the Cavs will face Orlando and Miami back-to-back, right now splitting would be considered a victory.
10. Houston Rockets (13) - Taking the Lakers to OT is very impressive, Houston is the junkyard dog of the NBA and nobody is excited to face them.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (10) - Win over the Spurs was important for moral, Portland is in a great position to run-off four road wins before entering Atlanta.
12. San Antonio Spurs (5) - Will have to beat Houston this week if they want to get back in the top 10, I understand Pop doesn't want to wear his guys out but he's not giving his stars enough PT to win.
13. Toronto Raptors (15) - The Bosh-Bargnani combo is a difficult guard for almost any team in the League, and that's before you have to worry about the size of Turkoglu.
14. Chicago Bulls (16) - A strong week has the Chi at the top of their division, Tyrus Thomas is out for a while but Luol Deng is playing the best basketball of his life.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (17) - Beating the teams they should is a good start, beating the Magic at home goes a long way, Durant, Westbrook, and Co. can go 3-1 over the next week.
16. Utah Jazz (14) - Sure they beat the Spurs but they lost to Dallas and now Sacramento, have fun on your road trip.
17. Detroit Pistons (21) - Beating Orlando and Philly in the same week earns them some respect, are the injuries to Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince real?
18. Philadelphia 76ers (18) - They haven't beaten a team who's better than them yet, in fact, they almost lost to the Nets.
19. New Orleans Hornets (19) - Beating Dallas was a nice sign of life but their aren't many easy wins on the horizon.
20. Charlotte Bobcats (24) - Raja Bell's return sparked a few needed wins, this team is twice as good at home as they are on the road.
21. Indiana Pacers (22) - After the next two weeks this team should be sitting above .500, they aren't ready for the playoffs but they are better than people think.
22. Los Angeles Clippers (23) - Three-game streak has Chris Kaman looking like an All-Star, but don't be fooled they were playing Minnesota, Golden State, and Memphis.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (20) - Brandon Jennings showed New York the mistake they made when they drafted Jordan Hill over him.
24. Washington Wizards (11) - A four-loss week hurts, Gilbert is scoring but he isn't taking over like he did before the injury.
25. Sacramento Kings (27) - Down goes Kevin Martin (surprise, surprise) and Tyreke Evans is ready to battle Jennings for the ROY, 55 points in two games is a good start.
26. Golden State Warriors (25) - How long till Don Nelson starts going crazy with his roster? If Morrow isn't starting by the end of November I'm starting a petition.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (28) - Saying goodbye to A.I. could be best for the team, now if they could only find a way to chase off Z-RO.
28. New York Knicks (26) - This team is sorry, sad, and ugly. I hope 2010 is worth it because basketball is dying in New York.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (29) - Is everyone aware that Olesksiy Pecherov is starting in Minnesota? You know, the 7-footer born in Donestsk, USSR? No? Anybody?
30. New Jersey Nets (30) - John Wall would be my pick, especially if Harris is going to get hurt once a month. If not maybe Ed Davis or Derrick Favors would be an attractive post to pair with LeBron.
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