NBA Power Rankings: December 10th

A look at the best of the best in the NBA...

1. San Antonio Spurs (17-3)

No Duncan, no problem. 

Coach Gregg Popovich has this team focused and prepared for any situation.  

The Spurs are riding a two-game winning streak without Timmy D. They defeated the 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 remain unbeaten at home.

2. Boston Celtics (17-2)

Boston may have had an easy schedule so far, but their defense has caught my eye.  The Celts are holding opponents to an average of 87.7 PPG.

The C's defeated the Chicago Bulls 92-81 Saturday night.

Despite the win, Boston's Big Three didn't look all that impressive. Paul Pierce was 1-8 from the floor, and Kevin Garnett only managed a quiet 16 points.

Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo led the way with 21 and 18 points, respectively.

Rondo was ultimately the difference-maker, as the Bulls focused on shutting down the Big Three.

3. Phoenix Suns (16-5)

The Suns lost Saturday night to the 3-15 Minnesota Timberwolves. The team looked sluggish in the second half en route to a 100-93 defeat.

Maybe fatigue set in after Phoenix scored 136 points Wednesday and 122 on Friday. 

Timberwolves F/C Al Jefferson had a career night, scoring 32 points while grabbing 20 rebounds. For the Suns, Steve Nash had at least 15 assists for the third straight game—the first NBA player to do since Mark Jackson.

Despite the disappointing loss, Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Co. have looked solid, and Grant Hill has been a nice addition.

4. 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.

5. Detroit Pistons (14-6)

While the Celtics and Magic have got all the attention in the east, the Pistons have quietly become made their way into the top five.

Detroit is also scoring, averaging 100 ppg. 

That said, the team has won eight of its last 10 games.

Detroit defeated the Charlotte Bobcats 104-85 on Sunday night. Chauncey Billups led the way with 20 points, while Antonio McDyess chipped in 19.

6. New Orleans Hornets (14-7)

New Orleans has been inconsistent, especially at home. The Hornets are 6-5 at home and 8-2 on the road.

The team is coming off a 91-88 victory against Seattle Sunday. Chris Paul scored 29 points and dished out 10 assists. 

 
7. Utah Jazz (13-8)

The Jazz are riding their first three-game losing streak of the season.

Utah lost their third consecutive game Saturday night, falling to the Dallas Mavericks 125-117.

The Jazz lost despite shooting 60 percent from the floor. Deron Williams scored a career-high 41 points.

8. Dallas Mavericks (13-8)

My analysis will remain the same for this team all season: Don't get too high on the Mavs until they prove themselves come playoff time.

The Mavs snapped a two-game losing streak against Utah.

Josh Howard scored a career-best 47 points as Dallas shot 60 percent from the floor.

Howard finished six points shy of the Mavs' all-time single-game scoring record.

9. Los Angeles Lakers (12-8)

Los Angeles has quietly won three straight games. 

The Lakers are coming off an impressive 123-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Kobe Bryant led the way with 28 points, while Andruw Bynum notched a season-high with 20.

L.A. is third in the league in scoring, averaging 107 ppg. 

The Lakers won 42 games last season—but that may not be enough this year.

10. Denver Nuggets (13-8)

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

Denver defeated the Sacramento Kings Saturday 101-97.

Kenyon Martin showed flashes of his old self, scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Allen Iverson chipped in 23 points and 10 assists. 

Carmelo Anthony has struggled during the winning streak, but Iverson has picked up the scoring slack.