32-6 It's the Celts' right to scoff at criticism of their depth, PG play and ability to (A) guard athletic swingmen and (B) score against zones. But facts is facts: Boston is playing only .500 ball, at 3-3, since winning in Detroit.
2 (6) Hornets
27-12 Don't know that we can make him the favorite, but Byron Scott has a real shot in the race to coach the West All-Stars in New Orleans. Which can only count as more evidence that Chris Paul should be starting in that game.
3 (3) Mavericks
27-12 With the Suns' D'Antoni ineligible and Phil's Lakers banged up, New Orleans native Avery Johnson is suddenly the guy most likely to prevent B-Scott from coaching the West, at 15-4 since Dallas' worrying 12-8 start.
4 (7) Suns
29-12 Big weekend in the desert. First Sarver announces that Amare and Marion ''are just flat-out not getting traded.'' The Suns then stabilize further by routing New Jersey to complete a stretch without Grant Hill at 5-2.
5 (2) Pistons
29-12 It's not just Boston wobbling in the wake of the last Beasts of the East showdown. The Pistons have since lost in New York and Chicago and at home to Sacramento to fall to 5-5 in January after a 15-2 December.
6 (8 ) Warriors
25-17 The Warriors were one hideous quarter in Indiana away from sweeping a four-game trip. Now to see if they can capitalize on a cushy schedule between now and March 4, with all of three road games in that span.
7 (4) Lakers
26-12 You'll recall what injuries did to last season's Lakers after a similar 26-13 start. So maybe all these injuries (Bynum, Mihm and now Ariza) are just another chance for these Lakers to prove how much they've grown.
8 (5) Spurs
25-13 We have to violate our own edict about never dropping these Spurs below No. 5. The defending champs left us with zero choice by losing their last seven games -- yes, seven -- against teams with winning records.
9 (9) Trail Blazers
24-16 With two stops left, Portland is a passable 2-3 on the trip expected to be the Blazers' downfall. So how can you be so sure they're the team -- now 19-4 since Dec. 2, remember -- that will fall out of the West's top eight?
10 (15) Cavaliers
21-18 The committee (of one) certainly can't condone LeBron's way-too-cavalier attitude about speeding. But apart from that and his free-throw shooting, LBJ has been irresistible in 2008, averaging (yikes) 33, 10 and 7.
11. Washington Wizards
12. Denver Nuggets
13. Utah Jazz
14. Orlando Magic
15. Houston Rockets
16. Toronto Raptors
17. Sacramento Kings
18. Charlotte Bobcats
19. Atlanta Hawks
20. New Jersey Nets
21. Chicago Bulls
22. Philadelphia 76'ers
23. Indiana Pacers
24. Milwaukee Bucks
25. Los Angeles Clippers
26. New York Knicks
27. Memphis Grizzlies
28. Seattle Supersonics
29. Minnesota Timberwolves
30. Miami Heat
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