Carter's NBA Power Rankings: December 3

The Celtics have beaten opponents by a combined-league-best 9.1 points per game this season, which is one of many reasons why I rank them number one this week in my Power Rankings. Here's how I see the top teams in the NBA.

1. Boston Celtics (14-4)
The Celtics own the NBA’s top road record at 7-1. They also have the league’s second best defense, only giving up 91.2 PPG. Rajon Rondo has recorded 162 assists this season. Only Steve Nash and Jason Kidd have more.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (14-3)
Kobe Bryant has scored 490 total points this season (fifth-most in the NBA).

3. Denver Nuggets (13-5)
The Nuggets have the NBA’s lead in points per game with 110.6. A huge part of that is obviously Carmelo Anthony, who has scored a league-high 552 total points this season. He’s my current pick for the MVP award.

4. Orlando Magic (15-4)
The Magic own the NBA’s second-best road record at 8-2. Dwight Howard has recorded 234 rebounds this season. Only Chris Bosh has more.

5. Dallas Mavericks (14-5)
Dirk Nowitzki has already scored a total of 513 points this season. Only Carmelo Anthony has more. Jason Kidd is a part of the reason for this. Kidd is second in the league in total assists, with 172.

6. Atlanta Hawks (13-5)
The Hawks, along with the Nuggets, own the NBA’s second-best home record (8-1)

7. Portland Trailblazers (12-8)

The Blazers have only given up 91.3 points per game (third-best in the league).

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-5)
LeBron James continues to play like LeBron James. He’s already scored 508 total points this season (third-most in the league). He’s fourth-best in the league with 146 total assists.

9. San Antonio Spurs (9-6)

10. Phoenix Suns (14-5)
The Suns are the only team that still hasn’t lost a home game (6-0). They also have the NBA’s second-best offense, scoring 110.2 points per game. Steve Nash leads the league in total assists with 218.

11. Utah Jazz (10-7)
Deron Williams is fifth in the NBA with 145 assists.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (10-8)
Kevin Durant has scored 498 total points this season (fourth-most in the NBA). 
13. Houston Rockets (10-8)

14. Milwaukee Bucks (9-8)
Brandon Jennings leads all NBA rookies with 366 total points this season.

15. Sacramento Kings (9-8)
Tyreke Evans has recorded 308 total points this season, which is the best among Western Conference rookies.

16. Miami Heat (10-7)

17. Charlotte Bobcats (7-10)
The Bobcats have the league’s best defense, giving up only an average of 89.1 PPG. Part of that is because of Gerald Wallace. He’s grabbed a league-fourth-best 197 total rebounds this season. But the Bobcats have also averaged only 88.3 points per game (second-worst in the league).

18. Detroit Pistons (6-12)

19. Los Angeles Clippers (8-11)

Marcus Camby has 202 rebounds this season. (only Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard have more).

20. Indiana Pacers (6-10)

21. Washington Wizards (7-10)

22. Golden State Warriors (7-12)
The Warriors have scored 109.4 points per game (third-most in the NBA). Part of that is Stephen Curry. He’s scored 173 total points this season, which ranks fifth in the NBA among rookies. But the Warriors  have also given up a league-worst 113.7 points per game.

23. New Orleans Hornets (7-11)
Aside from the Nets, The Hornets own the NBA’s worst road record (1-9)

24. Philadelphia 76ers (5-14)

25. Chicago Bulls (7-9)
The Bulls only average 91.4 points per game (third-worst in the NBA). Some if that is because Joakim Noah and his 195 rebounds, which is the 5th-most in the NBA so far.

26. Memphis Grizzlies (7-12)

27. Toronto Raptors (7-13)
The Raptors have given a league-second-worst 111.0 points per game this season. Don’t blame that on Chris Bosh. He’s grabbed a league-best 239 rebounds this season already.

28. New York Knicks (4-15)
The Knicks own the NBA’s third-worst home record (2-8), and also have the NBA’s third-worst defense. They have given up 109.1 points per game.

29. New Jersey Nets (0-18)
What makes matters worse is that the Nets haven’t even won a home game (0-7). They also have scored a league-low 86.6 points per game.

30. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-16)
The Wolves own the league’s second-worse home record (1-9), and third worst road record (1-7). On a lighter note, Johnny Flynn has scored 257 total points this season, which is third best among rookies.