1. Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavaliers have won 11 straight, tying the longest streak in the NBA this season. LeBron had 47 Saturday against the Knicks making, 24 consecutive points during a stretch in the first half.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Can you believe they won in Portland without Kobe? Kobe Bryant did not play for the Lakers in Portland Saturday night. It’s the first game he has missed since March 7, 2007. Kobe has missed 87 regular-season games since he entered the NBA in 1996-97. The Lakers are 54-33 (.621) in those games. The loss to Denver puts the Lakers 0-4 against the best in the East and 2nd best in West.
3. Denver Nuggets: If only they would have beating Utah the night after beating the Lakers they could have been #2, The Nuggets have never swept a season series against the Jazz. They host Dallas and San Antonio prior to All-Star Break
4. Orlando Magic: The lost to the Wizards at home on Friday spelled disaster. Orlando has lost its last seven games at home that were decided by a one-point margin, but a convincing win in Boston showed a side of Orlando we have yet to see this season.
5. Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith had 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in the Hawks’ victory against the Bulls. Smith was only the second player in the last 40 seasons (since 1970-71) to reach each of those statistical thresholds in one game for the Hawks. Jamal Crawford aka Mr. 6th man outscored the Bulls bench 17-8.
6. Utah Jazz: Winners of 8 straight, the Jazz have won 9 of their last 10 and if not for two losses to Denver they would have 15 wins in their last 18 games. Any game Deron Williams goes for 22 and Kirilenko gets 22, your team loses.
7. Boston Celtics: On Sunday they played the worst second-half since Kevin garnett and Ray allen joined the team. Boston is 1-7 combined against Orlando and Atlanta, two of the top four teams in the East, and 15-9 at home. Garnett moved into 20th place all-time in rebounds on Sunday.
8. Dallas Mavericks: Nowitzki spoke to the American Airlines Center crowd just before the Minnesota game to promote this weekend’s All-Star festivities in Dallas, but he did not acknowledge being out of the starting lineup. Maybe thats why they lost to the TIMBERWOLVES!
9. Phoenix Suns: Phoenix has a season-long five-game winning streak after losing seven of its previous nine games. Now if only the franchise can keep Stoudemire past February 18th!
10. San Antonio Spurs: Not what they used to be…George Hill has been playing well latley but the Spurs have lost four straight in Portland and dropped to 5-6 in their last 11 games.
11. Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder have won 5 straight, on the shoulders of Kevin Durant. On Saturday Durant scored 25 or more for the 24th consecutive game, the longest since Allen Iverson reached 27 in 2000-01.
12.Portland Trail Blazers On Saturday the celebrated their 40th anniversary….of injuries.Still if the Blazers make the Playoffs, Nate McMillian is the Coach of the Year.
13. Toronto Raptors: Toronto welcomed Turkoglu and DeMar DeRozan back to the starting lineup after injuries. Thank goodness it was the Kings, the Raptors have won six straight over the Kings in Toronto. DeRozan is our pick for Slam-Dunk Champ on Saturday.
14. Chicago Bulls: Tyrus Thomas was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. He missed Saturdays game against the Heat. Without Noah till after All-Star Break this weeks games against Indiana, and Orlando will be tough.
15. Houston Rockets: Aaron Brooks made six three-point field goals for the Rockets in their loss to the 76ers on Saturday. Brooks has made at least one three-pointer in 23 consecutive games, matching the longest such streak in the NBA this season. Congrats to Joey Dorsey for returning to the team against Memphis on Friday with 12 rebounds.
