Str8Hoops NBA Blog

 

Rank – Team – (Record) – +/- Pt Differential – Previous Ranking

1 – Boston Celtics (8-1) +13.2 last week rank: 1
Week results: 3-1 (@ Ind, NJ, Mia, @ Orl)
Celtics holding opponents to league best 41%

2 – Phoenix Suns (8-2) +6.6 last week rank: 4
Week results: 3-0 (NY, Chi, @ Hou)
8-0 when scoring 100+, 0-2 when under 100

3 – San Antonio Spurs (8-2) +7.5 last week rank: 2
Week results: 2-1 (LAL, @ Dal, Hou)
Manu Ginobili is an early season MVP candidate… coming off the bench!

4 – Dallas Mavericks (7-2) +7.6 last week rank: 6
Week results: 3-0 (Phi, SA, Mem)
Looking like the 2006-7 regular season Mavs rather the playoff version

5 – Orlando Magic (9-2) +7.2 last week rank: 9
Week results: 4-0 (Sea, @ Cle, @ NJ, Bos)
Win over Boston could be preview of playoff showdown

6 – New Orleans Hornets (9-2) +9.1 last week rank: 8
Week results: 4-0 (@ NJ, Phi, @ Mem, @ Min)
Paul playing at MVP level with Peja, West and Chandler going strong

7 – LA Lakers (6-3) +6.3 last week rank: 10
Week results: 3-1 (@ SA, @ Hou, Det, Chi)
Lakers in great shape after brutal early schedule without Odom

8 – Denver Nuggets (7-3) +9.1 last week rank: 12
Week results: 3-0 (Cle, Por, NY)
The Nuggets returned home this week to win three straight by an average of 116-92

9 – Utah Jazz (7-4) +4.9 last week rank: 5
Week results: 2-2 (Sac, @ Tor, @ Cle, @ Ind)
Tired Jazz let up 58% FG in 20 point loss at Indiana

10 – Detroit Pistons (6-4) +5.2 last week rank: 7
Week results: 1-2 (@ Por, @ GS, @ LAL)
Pistons have only played 2 of their 10 games at home so far

11 – Houston Rockets (6-5) +1.4 last week rank: 3
Week results: 0-4 (@ Mem, LAL, @SA, Pho)
Terrible week for the Rockets included loss to Memphis and injury to McGrady

12 – Toronto Raptors (5-5) +3.8 last week rank: 11
Week results: 1-2 (Uta, Ind, GS)
Sharpshooting: Raptors shooting 43% from three and 83% from the line

13 – Cleveland Cavaliers (5-5) –3.1 last week rank: 13
Week results: 1-2 (@ Den, Orl, Uta)
It’s the one man Lebron show in Cleveland

14 – Washington Wizards (4-5) –1.1 last week rank: 22
Week results: 3-0 (Ind, @ Min, Por)
Wizards respond to 0-5 start with 4 straight double digit wins

15 – Charlotte Bobcats (5-4) –3.2 last week rank: 18
Week results: 2-1 (Mia, @ Atl, Sea)
Bobcats have 5 scorers averaging double figures and not much after that

16 – Milwaukee Bucks (4-4) –2.3 last week rank: 17
Week results: 2-0 (Mem, Atl)
Bucks need recent inspired play of Bogut and Yi to continue

17 – Golden State Warriors (2-6) –7.0 last week rank: 28
Week results: 2-1 (Det, LAC, @ Tor)
Warriors get their first two wins and Stephen Jackson is back

18 – Portland Trailblazers (4-6) –4.6 last week rank: 15
Week results: 1-3 (Det, @ Den, @ Phi, @ Was)
Blazers are 4-0 at home, 0-6 on the road

19 – LA Clippers (5-4) –2.7 last week rank: 16
Week results: 1-2 (NY, @ GS, Chi)
Clippers have come back to earth after 4-0 start but Kaman hasn’t

20 – Atlanta Hawks (3-6) –3.1 last week rank: 19
Week results: 1-2 (Cha, Sea, @ Mil)
The good: wins over Dallas and Phoenix. The bad: losses to Seattle and Milwaukee.

21 – Indiana Pacers (4-6) –2.7 last week rank: 20
Week results: 1-3 (Bos, @ Was, @ Tor, Uta)
Pacers need more than 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds from O’Neal

22 – Sacramento Kings (4-6) –5.4 last week rank: 25
Week results: 2-2 (@ Uta, @ Min, NY, Det)
Kevin Martin is second in league in scoring with 27.3 PPG

23 – Philadelphia 76ers (3-6) –2.8 last week rank: 21
Week results: 1-2 (@ Dal, @ NO, Por)
Philly defense has been great but offense has been brutal

24 – Miami Heat (2-8) – 4.8 last week rank: 24
Week results: 1-3 (@ Cha, Sea, @ Bos, @ NJ)
Finally D-Wade is back, but when will he be 100%

25 – Chicago Bulls (2-7) –8.6 last week rank: 23
Week results: 1-2 (@ Pho, @ LAC, @ LAL)
Bulls are last in the league in FG% (39%) and 3pt% (27%)

26 – New Jersey Nets (4-6) –8.0 last week rank: 14
Week results: 0-4 (NO, @ Bos, Orl, Mia)
Averaging only 77 points in 4 straight losses since Carter’s injury

27 – Memphis Grizzlies (2-7) –4.9 last week rank: 26
Week results: 1-3 (Hou, @ Mil, NO, @ Dal)
Grizzlies giving up 108.9 PPG so far this season

28 – Seattle Supersonics (2-9) –8.0 last week rank: 30
Week results: 2-2 (@ Orl, @ Mia, @ Atl, @ Cha)
Sonics get first two wins of the year behind Durant, Wilkins and Wilcox

29 – New York Knicks (2-6) –6.3 last week rank: 27
Week results: 0-3 (@ LAC, @ Sac, @ Den)
Six straight losses and the Marbury ordeal yet Isiah remains in charge

30 – Minnesota Timberwolves (1-7) –8.8 last week rank: 29
Week results: 1-2 (Sac, Was, NO)
Wittman’s juggling of lineups can’t hide lack of talent in Minnesota