NBA's Best Battle: East vs. West

In the mind of most NBA fans, the Western Conference has dominated the league consistently, season after season. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns have been known to bully Eastern Conference teams for years.

But through the first half of this season, it is totally obvious that the Eastern Conference has taken complete control over the Western Conference. Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Orlando Magic have set new franchise records, blowing out many Western Conference teams.

But one big question remains: Can the Eastern Conference continue to be the most powerful conference in the NBA, or will the Western Conference fight back and regain command?

First, a breakdown of the division leaders in the East.

Cleveland Cavaliers (39-10)

The Cavs have set a franchise record this season for the best start in team history. They have a league-best (and franchise-best) 23-1 record at home and are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time in Cavaliers history.

They have extremely deadly weapons on their roster with potential MVP LeBron James and starting point guard Mo Williams. Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is back in the line-up the whole group looks stronger this season.

Although it was just one loss, the Cavs' slip-up against the Lakers this weekend broke their streak of 23 wins in a row at home.

A potential problem down the stretch is a tough second-half schedule. They play the San Antonio Spurs twice, the Boston Celtics twice, the Orlando Magic twice, the Houston Rockets once, and the Portland Trail Blazers once.

Boston Celtics (42-11)

The Boston Celtics currently have the most wins in the League with 42. The "Big Three" look better this season than they did a year ago, and that's a pretty scary thing to say, considering they won the 2008 NBA Championship.

Ray Allen looks a lot more comfortable this year in head coach Doc Rivers's system of play and is shooting the ball nearly 50 percent from the field, compared to last season's 44.5 percent. His FT shooting has also increased from 90.7 percent last season to 94.3 percent this year.

Rajon Rondo has been a huge key to the Celtics' success, averaging career highs in minutes (32.7), points (11.2), assists (8.3), rebounds (5.1), steals (2.0), and FG shooting (50.4 percent) this season.

The Celtics are the team to beat this season as long as the trio can stay healthy for the rest of the season and deep into the playoffs.

Orlando Magic (38-12)

The Orlando Magic have surprised many this year with their excellent style of play and are off to the best start in franchise history.

Dwight Howard is putting up absolutely monstrous numbers this year, leading the league with 14.1 RPG and 2.9 BPG and posting 20.6 PPG to boot. Rashard Lewis has stepped up his game as well, leading the league in threes with 144; he's a huge part of the Magic's success.

The injury of All-Star point-guard Jameer Nelson could be trouble for the rest of the season, though. After separating his labrum, Nelson looks like he will be out for the remainder of the season, clearly hurting the chances of the Magic making it all the way this year.

Now an assessment of the best teams in the West.

Los Angeles Lakers (41-9)

The Lakers have now won two straight road games against the Eastern Conference's top two teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics. These two games were the biggest wins for the Lakers thus far this season. Even with an injured Andrew Bynum, the Lakers have clearly stepped up their game.

Lamar Odom is now starting and has excelled tremendously, averaging 16.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.5 BPG in 36 MPG in the four games since Bynum went down.

Pau Gasol has moved to the center position and is putting up big numbers as well. In those same four games since Andrew's injury, he's averaged 26 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 1.5 BPG.

Kobe Bryant is continuing his MVP campaign this season and is looking very strong while doing so (despite playing with the flu against the Cavs).

The Lakers are currently on a league-best six-game win streak, and if they can continue to win games against big named teams like the Cavs, Celtics and Magic (especially without Bynum), they could be in for a championship season this year.

San Antonio Spurs (34-15)

After starting the '08-'09 season with an 0-3 record, Gregg Popovich's squad has returned to their normal form. They currently rank second in the Western Conference with their 34-15 record and have the fourth-best record in the NBA.

Tony Parker is putting up career highs in points per game (20.4) and assists per game (6.6) in this, his seventh season with the Spurs.

The addition of Roger Mason, Jr. has been key for the Spurs this year as he has hit numerous buzzer-beaters and crucial three-pointers in crunch time.

Matt Bonner is another solid player in the Spurs' system, averaging career numbers of 8.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.2 APG and 23.0 MPG.

With Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili performing as well as expected, the San Antonio Spurs seek to win yet again another 'ship for their franchise.

Denver Nuggets (34-17)

Acquiring All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups has been the Nuggets' smartest move all season long.

Billups is in his 11th season in the NBA and is averaging a career best 18.3 PPG. He has taken control of Denver's offense and is playing very impressive basketball this season.

Power-forward Nene is also having a fabulous season, putting up career numbers in points (14.9), rebounds (8.2), blocks (1.4), FG shooting (60.9 percent), and FT shooting (73.0 percent).

The Nuggets have the third-best record in the Western Conference and are leading the way in the Northwest Division. With amazing athletes like Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith, and (of course) Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets have a good chance to make some noise in the Playoffs this season.

You've heard my piece, but I want to know what you think will happen by the end of the 2009 campaign. Will the Eastern Conference continue to dominate despite some possible pitfalls, or will the Western Conference re-emerge as the more powerful conference?