NBA Power Rankings: December 8th

Here's a look at the best of the best...

1. San Antonio Spurs (17-3)

The Spurs are riding a two-game winning streak without Tim Duncan.  They defeated the Utah Jazz 104-98 on Friday night.

Manu Ginobli scored 37 points for the second game in a row, but this time he did it off the bench.

The Spurs have defeated Dallas and Utah without TD. They remain undefeated at home. 

2. Phoenix Suns (16-4)

Could this finally be the year Phoenix wins it all?

Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Co. have looked solid, and Grant Hill has been a nice addition. 

The Suns followed their 136-point performance on Wednesday with 122 against Washington. Stoudemire led all scorers with 27 points, while Nash dished out 19 assists.

3. Orlando Magic (16-5)

The Magic are for real. Give Stan Van Gundy credit—he'll be the NBA's Coach of the Year if Orlando keeps winning.

The team hit a speed bump on Friday, as Indiana escaped Orlando with a 115-109 win. The Magic surrendered a 15-point lead.

Despite the loss, Dwight Howard had 30 points and pulled down 15 boards.

If the season ended today, Howard would be MVP.  If he keeps producing and the Magic stay hot, the big man will run away with the award.

If I were to compare Howard to anyone right now, it'd be a young Moses Malone.

4.  Boston Celtics (16-2)

The Celtics are undefeated at home, but have faced a pretty easy schedule so far.

Boston improved to 10-0 in the Garden as they defeated the Raptors 112-84 Friday night.

Kevin Garnett led the way with 23 points.

5. Utah Jazz (13-7)

The Jazz lost to the Duncan-less Spurs Friday night.

Deron Williams scored 28 points and dished out 10 assists, while Carlos Boozer chipped in 28 of his own and grabbed 17 rebounds.

The Pistons saw their five-game winning streak snapped Friday against the Chicago Bulls.

Former Piston Ben Wallace had 10 points and 13 rebounds in a return to Auburn Hills.

The Piston have been quiet this year, and their run of Eastern Conference Finals may be coming to an end.

7. New Orleans Hornets (13-7)

The Hornets are coming off an overtime thriller against the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night. 

The Hornets won 118-116 as Chris Paul scored a career-high 43 points.  Paul made the game-winning layup with 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime.

Paul also had a career-high five three-pointers.

David West chipped in 27 points, while Tyson Chandler scored 13 to go with 19 rebounds.

Paul is an early MVP candidate, but guys like West and Peja Stojakovic have been inconsistent.

8. Dallas Mavericks (12-8)

The Mavs lost to San Antonio—minus Duncan—on Wednesday night. 

They followed that performance with a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 32 points for the Mavs. Allen Iverson followed his 51-point performance against the Lakers with a 35-point effort. 

Dallas has been inconsistent of late, and is now riding a two-game losing streak. Don't get too high on this team until they prove themselves come playoff time.

9. Golden State Warriors (11-8)

Golden State has won 11 of their last 13 games. 

The Warriors pulled off an impressive victory Friday against the Miami Heat.  The Warriors rallied from an 18-point deficit to win.

Baron Davis scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to get the Warriors back in the game. 

The Warriors' up-tempo style wore down Miami. Shaq only played 21 minutes due to Golden State's fast-paced game.

10. Houston Rockets (11-9)

The Rockets have made their way back into the top 10 on the strength of a two-game winning streak.

Houston defeated the New Jersey Nets Friday night. Yao Ming had 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Tracy McGrady added 24 en route to a 96-89 victory.

The Rockets are 5-5 over their last 10 games, but have look good even in defeat.