Search: NBCSports.com
NBA Power Rankings Banner
Week: Nov. 6 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 19 | Dec. 26 | Jan. 8 | Jan. 16 | Jan. 22 | Jan. 29 | Feb. 5

  • NBA Power Rankings

    By Sam Blake Hofstetter
    NBCSports.com    Posted: Feb.5, 2007, 1:49 pm EST
    Sorry, maybe it's our bad. After highlighting the Suns magnificent streak with a ranking all about streaks, Phoenix promptly went out Monday night and lost to the Timberwolves. At least the Celtics held true to their end of the bargain -- losing three more and in the process extending their current streak of ineptitude to 14 games, a low-point for a storied franchise.

    The Wizards topped the Pistons, but lost two of three last week to drop a game behind in the East.

    This week we highlight teams' road records and divisional records. As it happens, our top five order is the same as the top road records in the league. The Pistons are absurdly the only Eastern Conference team with a winning road mark.

    As always, for a roundup of how many games team play this week, interesting matchups and more check out The Week Ahead by our buddies over at Rotoworld who contribute fantasy basketball features several times a week in addition to the Daily Dose which is posted, well...everyday.

    For the purpose of these rankings a week starts Monday and ends Sunday.

    Biggest climb: Hornets +4 spots (up to 17 from 21)
    Steepest fall: Trail Blazers -4 spots (down to 24 from 20)

    Rank
    (Last week)    		 Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/Low ranking
    1
    (2)
    Dallas Mavericks    		 39-9 17-6 / 9-2 3-0 1/10
    Back on top with the league's best overall record. Frank Isola believes that Dirk being the lone All-Star on the league's best team should all but secure him the MVP award. Four game streak is current top as well.

    Mavericks: Player news | Schedule
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    2
    (1)
    Phoenix Suns    		 37-10 17-6 / 6-2 1-2 1/17
    Order was somewhat restored to the universe when Steve Nash headlined three Suns named to the All-Star reserve squad. Though Nash as a reserve doesn't really make sense.
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    3
    (3)
    San Antontio Spurs    		 32-16 16-8 / 8-4 0-2 1/5
    Lost in Utah and then blown out in Phoenix. Five games left on the current rodeo trip that now takes them to the tougher competition out East (Wiz, Magic, Heat, Nets, Pistons). That road record will be put to the test as the East teams try to use the Spurs to create separation from each other.
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    4
    (6)
    Utah Jazz    		 31-17 14-11 / 6-2 2-1 1/9
    Two wins were by a total of just seven points, but vs. Spurs and at Suns could quietly be biggest back-to-back wins of year. Four game homestand all vs. teams from the East starts tonight vs. Bulls.
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    5
    (7)
    Detroit Pistons    		 28-18 15-9 / 4-4 3-1 4/12
    If there ever was a time for the Pistons to take control of the East, this week could be it: Detroit has won three straight heading into a five-game homestand that starts with the laughingstock Celts on Tuesday.
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    6
    (8)
    Houston Rockets    		 29-17 13-11 / 6-4 2-1 5/14
    Still maintaining without Yao. Third in their division but would be in a fight for top in most of the others. Currently in the West's fifth spot, this is the team no one wants to face in the playoffs (with a healthy Yao and T-Mac).
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    7
    (4)
    Los Angeles Lakers    		 29-19 10-13 / 6-0 2-2 3/15
    Were going to drop to No. 8, but beating Wiz held them at No. 7 -- and loss at Knicks was somewhat out of their hands thanks to Stu Jackson grounding Kobe.
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    8
    (5)
    Washington Wizards    		 27-19 9-14 / 6-1 1-2 5/19
    Gilbert may have psyched himself out for Round 2 vs. Kobe as the Wiz fell. Arenas' 97 points in two games vs. the Lakers this year give him 48.5 points per game vs. L.A. this season -- the highest average by one player against one team in a season in 15 years. They may of lost East lead, but they had it at the right time to get coach Eddie Jordan the All-Star nod.

    Wizards: Player news | Schedule
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    9
    (9)
    Chicago Bulls    		 28-20 8-14 / 7-2 2-1 6/18
    We like Ben Gordon in the starting lineup. We figure backcourt of Gordon and Hinrich should work successfully for at least the next five years or so.
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    10
    (11)
    Cleveland Cavaliers    		 27-21 10-14 / 4-4 2-2 2/11
    LeBron's toe caused him to miss games, but his clothesline of buddy Dwyane Wade didn't. Loss to Pistons has Detroit firmly in control of Central.

    Cavaliers: Player news | Schedule Stats
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    11
    (12)
    Indiana Pacers    		 26-21 11-14 / 6-4 3-0 11/17
    Have won three in a row, six of their last seven (6-of-9 overall since big trade). Indiana is looking for its season-high fourth straight win Monday night when Stephen Jackson and the Warriors come to town.
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    12
    (10)
    Denver Nuggets    		 23-22 10-10 / 5-4 1-3 8/20
    A lot of people believe Carmelo not being an All-Star is an egregious oversight. Under the radar, Steve Blake has been a great pickup for the Nuggs.
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/Low ranking
    13
    (14)
    Toronto Raptors    		 25-23 9-16 / 7-2 3-0 13/28
    Raptors swept the NBA's monthly awards in the East. Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani and Sam Mitchell won player, rookie and coach of the month, respectively. Have won three in a row and six of their last seven and currently hold a three-game lead in the Atlantic.
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    14
    (13)
    Orlando Magic    		 25-23 9-13 / 6-6 2-2 4/18
    Up and down week? How about losing to the Hawks, beating the Bucks, blowing out the Nets and then being man-handled by the Knicks? Magic have fallen from top of East to clinging to seventh-spot, need to find some consistency.
      Team Record Road Record / Division Record Last week High/low ranking
    15
    (21)
    Los Angeles Clippers    		 24-23 7-15 / 3-5 2-1 3/21
    So far are 1-1 on their seven game Eastern road trip. Clinging to the eighth spot in the West but Elton Brand starting to exert dominance.

    Clippers: Player news | Schedule
  • 2007 NBA All-Star
    The NBA's best have been chosen for the 2007 All-Star game in Las Vegas.
  • Matt Stroup writes a cautionary tale of teams near the bottom of the standings to beware of.
  • Carmelo Anthony
    In not bringing Carmelo Anthony to Vegas, Frank Isola says the coaches made a grave mistake.
  • Nate Robinson
    The Brawl and more as Frank Isola hands out his midseason awards -- good and bad.
  • With Allen Iverson banged up, now could be a time to snatch him up writes Scott Morrow.
  • Matt Lawrence scouts potential Fantasy freaks in the last full week before the All-Star break.

More »Player News

  • Contrary to reports that suggested Calvin Booth would get another shot in the starting lineup, Jarvis Hayes made his third straight start Wednesday night. Coach Jordan now says he'd like to stick with one starting lineup until Antawn Jamison returns from injury. Hayes is capable of scoring, but he's been struggling with his shot since taking over the job, so don't even think about looking at him until he heats up. (Feb. 08, - 8:42 AM EST - Source: Washington Post)

  • Antawn Jamison expressed optimism that he will return to the lineup before March. Well, that's good considering the original prognosis had him back as early as February 22. Washington must be deperately hoping Jamison only has to miss the minimum amount of time considering it's just 1-3 since the power forward went down. (Feb. 08, - 8:35 AM EST - Source: Washington Post)

NBA Poll

  • How would you punish Ron Artest in his dog-starving case?
© 2007 NBC Universal. All rights reserved. Any use reproduction, modification, distribution, display or performance of this material without NBC Universal's prior written consent is prohibited.
WE HAVE UPDATED OUR PRIVACY POLICY FOR THIS SITE AS OF 02/01/2007. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR NEW PRIVACY POLICY. BY USING THIS WEB SITE, YOU ARE AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY OUR Privacy Policy AND OUR "Terms of Use."