NBA Power Rankings: December 24th

Note: These rankings consider both momentum and record. A hot team may get the nod over a squad with a better winning percentage.

Utah's terrible play of late caused them to fall completely out the top 10 this week. 

Last Week's Hottest: Portland, Detroit, Dallas, and Atlanta

Last Week's Stinkers: San Antonio, Washington, Toronto, Orlando, and Memphis

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

1. Detroit Pistons (20-7)

Five straight wins (eight of their last 10) and a win over one of the league's hottest teams in Boston give Detroit the top spot.

For now.

The Pistons proved they're still the Beasts of the East with a win over the Celtics on Wednesday.

During the win streak, Chauncey Billups has led the way with 18.4 PPG.

Last Game

The Pistons got their fifth straight win with a 94-82 victory over the Houston Rockets Sunday night.

Four of the five Piston starters scored in double figures. Jason Maxiell was the only bench player to score in double figures, with 14 points. 

Houston's Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming both left the game with injuries.

2. Boston Celtics (22-3)

Boston got their first true test against Detroit—but couldn't come out with a win. The C's gave Detroit a run, but it wasn't enough to seal the victory.

Despite that loss, the Celtics have been cruising, especially at the Garden. They've won nine of their last 10.

Kevin Garnett has my early-season vote for MVP. 

Last Game

Boston got revenge Sunday night against an Orlando team that gave them their first loss of the season. 

Paul Pierce led the way with 24 as the Celtics defeated the Magic 103-91. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo also scored over 20 points apiece.

3. Dallas Mavericks (19-9)

The Mavs appear to be back to form after an inconsistent start.

They've now won five consecutive games, with victories over Phoenix, New Orleans, and Orlando.

Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 24.8 PPG during their five game win streak.

Devin Harris has looked pretty damn good too. I love they way he uses his quickness to penetrate.

Harris can get to the rim almost at will—but doesn't do it enough.

As I see it, this team is full of guys who lack mental toughness. My analysis will remain the same for this club every week: Don't get too high on the them until they can prove themselves come playoff time.

Last Game

The Mavs got their last victory Friday night against the L.A. Clippers 102-89.

Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 30 points.

4. Phoenix Suns (19-8)

Phoenix only had three games on the slate last week, and won two.

The Suns offense is invariably fun to watch, as they put up over 109 PPG against their opponents. That's exactly how much they averaged last week.

The Suns fell to the Mavs, but did manage to beat the Spurs without Tony Parker in a meaningless game.  It was a potential statement game until Parker was ruled out.

Last Game

The Suns pulled out a 122-103 win over Toronto, despite a career-high 42 points from Chris Bosh.

Amare Stoudemire was a beast with 28 points and 11 boards.  Leandro Barbosa scored 31 in place of Raja Bell in the starting lineup. 

5. San Antonio Spurs (19-7)

Plagued by injuries, the Spurs have lost four of their last six games.

First no Tim Duncan. Then no Tony Parker. Now it's Manu Ginonbli who's been hit with the injury bug. 

The Spurs lost two of their three games last week without Parker.

Last Game

Parker made his return as the Spurs beat the Clippers 99-90 Saturday.

Tim Duncan had 34 points 18 rebounds.

Can't hate the Lakers for what they've been doing lately.

Kobe Bryant's supporting cast is finally looking respectable.

Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and Sasha Vujacic have raised their level of play. 

Bynum is playing like a man this year.  He averaged 16 PPG last week, and is improving on the boards. 

If they don't run into Phoenix, this team could make it out the first round of the playoffs.  If the season ended today, they would play Dallas.

The Lakers started off hot last year, but ended up not so hot at the end.  Let's wait and see what happens this time. 

Last Game 

Kobe became the youngest player to score 20,000 points Sunday, as the Lakers avoided a late rally by the New York Knicks.  The Lakers won their second straight with a 95-90 win.

Bryant finished with a game-high 39 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. 

7. New Orleans Hornets (17-10)

I love what Chris Paul is doing right now in the Big Easy.

He's scoring and dishing out the assists at the same time, averaging 21 points and 10 assists per game. He's clearly showing himself to be one of the most valuable players in the game.

Health is my only concern with this team. Paul, Peja Stojakovic, and David West need to stay healthy for the Hornets to reach the playoffs

Last Game

The Hornet cruised past the league's worst team in Minnesota 110-76 Saturday night.

Paul had 19 points and 15 assists, while West put up 22.  

8. Portland Trail Blazers (15-12)

10 straight wins will get any team in any sport a spot in the power rankings 

Remember when coach Nate McMillan left Seattle for Portland, even after he led Seattle to the Conference Semi's?

Well, I no longer question that move.

McMillan's Blazers are more than hot right now. They've run through Golden State, Utah, Denver, and New Orleans during the streak.

They downside has probably been the defense, which has given up over 90 points in eight of the 10 games.  But at the end of the day, all that matters is the win.  

The play of Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster has been a perfect complement behind Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. 

Last Game

The Blazers barely got their 10th straight win in a close 99-96 win over Denver.

Despite 34 apiece from Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson, Portland was able to triumph behind Webster's 19 points. Roy and Aldridge both had 18. 

9. Orlando Magic (18-11)

Orlando is headed in the wrong direction. 

After a hot start, Orlando only managed to win one game last week—and that was against a questionable Houston team.

Rashard Lewis's offense has taken a vacation for the last week or so.  A toe injury may to blame.

For some reason, the Magic play better on the road then at home.  That can be both good and bad down the line. 

I had high hopes for this team after the hot start—but now they look like the same old Magic

Dwight Howard seems to be the only consistent player on the roster.

Last Game

The Magic lost to the Celtics, whom they'd beaten earlier in the year.

Howard and Hedo Turkoglu were the only two Orlando players worth watching on offense.  Howard was his usual self with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Turk scored 19.

10. Golden State Warriors (16-12)

The Warriors are still a potential sleeper in the first round if Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson can stay in the lineup.

The Warriors are right up there with Phoenix in terms of scoring, and have a chance to catch the Lakers for second place in the Pacific division.

Their main problem is their inability to guard men down low.  Big guys will dominate their small guys every time if they don't make some kind of change.

Last Game

The Warriors defeated the Cavs in Cleveland Sunday, and had the Cavs fans booing their own team.

Stephen Jackson led the way with 29, while Davis had 27.