NBA Hot Stove: Who Are The Top 10 Teams in The NBA
There have been a few win streaks (Boston, Miami, Dallas and New York to name a few) on the line these past couple of weeks in the NBA. Just last night Dirk Nowitzki and his Dallas Mavericks ended LeBron James and the Miami Heat's 12-game winning streak. A couple games before that, James and the Heat went into Madison Square Garden and put on a clinic in the 2nd half to end the New York Knicks 8-game winning streak.
Right now the Boston Celtics have a 13-game winning streak, where do they fall in the NBA's Top 10 Power Rankings heading into the New Year?
Joe Johnson And The Atlanta Hawks Will Push Their Way Through The East
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#10 - Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are trying to stay a float in the East. With a win over the new Orlando Magic last night they proved they belong in the Top 10 over the Denver Nuggets (who are 2 second away from trading away Melo to the Knicks or Nets) and the New York Knicks. Joe Johnson's has been out due to elbow surgery and is just making his return to the starting lineup. His scoring numbers might be down this year but look for the Hawks to make a push.
Big Trades Equals Big Things For Dwight Howard and The Orlando Magic
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#9 - Orlando Magic
By trading away Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter to get Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson the Magic are in win or die mode now. Hedo's best seasons in the NBA were in Orlando and the front offices seem to think he will shine again after leaving for Toronto a couple years back. Washington wanted nothing to do with Arenas after his gun incident and the Suns are in reconstruction mode. The Magic took a shot and made the right deals to push them atop the East. Let's hope it works out.
Derrick Rose Is Leading The Chicago Bulls Into Contention Within The East
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#8 - Chicago Bulls
Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer just had a 7-game winning streak snapped by Blake Griffin and the LA Clippers. They site comfortably atop the Central division and 3rd in the East. With Joakim Noah out 8-10 weeks due to a thumb injury Boozer and Taj Gibson will need to keep the boards clean in order to stay in the top 3 in the East.
Once Again Youngster Kevin Durant Is Leading The NBA in Scoring
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#7 - Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant is again leading the league in scorer but the Thunder lack a center to make a run in the West. Durant has solid backup with Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green. Perhaps traded for a big man might be the smart thing to do in order to have a chance against the Mavs, Spurs or Lakers.
The Utah Jazz Are Working Hard To Stay Among The Best in The West
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#6 - Utah Jazz
With the best record in the Northwest division (just ahead of OKC), Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz have a tough road ahead of them if they want to be in talks about making the West Finals this year. Right now the Jazz own a half game lead on Kevin Durant's Oklahoma City Thunder. Williams is leading the Jazz in points (22.3) and assists (9.7). Their going to need help from newcomer Al Jefferson if they want stay among the elite in the West (I don't see it happening).
Kobe Bryant Looking To 3-Peat This Year
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#5 - Los Angeles Lakers
We can't talk about any type of power rankings in the NBA without mentioning Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. They are a silent 21-7 and 3rd in the West. But believe me Coach Phil Jackson is patiently waiting to make the move atop the West. Christmas Day will be a nice test and perhaps a preview of the NBA Finals when the Lakers host the Miami Heat.
The Big 3 Are Now Clicking in South Beach Miami
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#4 - Miami Heat
Jeff Van Gundy might have been way off on the Heat breaking the Chicago Bulls wins mark (72) but LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh seems on the right track now after a slow start. Before entering last nights game against the Mavericks the Heat were carrying a 12-game winning streak on their backs. They sit atop the Southeast division just ahead of the Atlanta Hawks and 3-games back of East leaders Celtics. Christmas they have a showdown with Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers which is going to be a Christmas treat for all of us lazy husbands out there.
The Team Know As The Streak Killers: Dallas Mavericks
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#3 - Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs have done nothing but end winning streaks this year (Miami Heat and San Antonino Spurs). Mark Cuban shouldn't have anything to complain about heading into the New Year. The Mavs are 2-games back of their rivals the Spurs and the 2-seed in the West. Dirk is yet again in the Top 5 in scoring and shows no signs of letting up.
Tim Duncan and The San Antonino Spurs Are The Best in The West
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#2 - San Antonio Spurs
TIMMMMMMY! Tim Duncan might not be the best player on the Spurs anymore (Manuuuuu!), but he is the glue and the leader of this team. The Spurs are 9-1 in their past 10 games and were once on a 12-game winning streak before losing to Dallas. They have only lost one game in the month of December and Coach Gregg "Pop" Popovich once again have the Spurs poised to win the West.
Paul Pierce And The Boston Celtics Round Out The Top 10 in The NBA
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#1 - Boston Celtics
The Celts might be without Rajon Rondo for the time being due to injury, but Boston has a 13-game winning streak and own the best record in East. While Nate Robinson is filling in for Rondo, he brings more energy and scoring to the starting lineup. Plus, a healthy Shaq is back from a calf injury. The Celtics and their fans have nothing but to be thankful around the holidays.
