November 27, 2007
By Cortez Strickland
PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

Here are PA SportsTicker's weekly NBA power rankings with last week's finish in parentheses.

1. Phoenix Suns (1) 11-3 - We've seen this act before, but it never gets old.

ADVERTISEMENT


2. San Antonio Spurs (5) 12-3 - After four championships, coach Gregg Popovich still has his team playing hard early en route to a franchise-best start.

3. Orlando Magic (2) 13-3 - Their only setbacks are to Detroit, San Antonio and Phoenix. Impressive.

4. Boston Celtics (3) 11-1 - Ray Allen has saved the Celtics twice from falling flat on their face on the road.

5. Utah Jazz (8) 10-5 - Carlos Boozer is a double-double machine as the Jazz look good early. Monday's loss to the New York Knicks was a rare slip-up.

6. New Orleans Hornets (6) 10-6 - Chris Paul and the Hornets had bounced back from an injury-riddled campaign last season, but losses in four of their last five have them reeling just a bit.

7. Denver Nuggets (7) 9-5 - Defense was supposed to be the problem but injuries might keep them from reaching their potential. Kenyon Martin - while expected - just added to the list.

8. Milwaukee Bucks (16) 7-4 - An early-season surprise in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks - winners of five in a row - are tied atop the deep Central Division.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers (12) 8-6 - With LeBron James throwing up triple-doubles every night, the Cavaliers are keeping their collective head above water.

10. Dallas Mavericks (4) 9-5 - Still a talented bunch, Dirk Nowitzki and company may be saving themselves for a deeper postseason run.

11. Toronto Raptors (15) 7-7 - Chris Bosh finally has returned to prominence. But Jorge Garbajosa most likely won't get a chance to do the same.

12. Detroit Pistons (10) 8-5 - Ho-hum. The Pistons are just waiting for the playoffs.

13. New Jersey Nets (20) 7-7 - Vince Carter is back on the court and Richard Jefferson is perhaps the most excited on the team to see him.

14. Houston Rockets (11) 8-7 - A tough schedule and injuries have slowed up the preseason hype.

15. Golden State Warriors (22) 6-7 - After an 0-5 start, the Warriors have returned to form with Stephen Jackson in the lineup.

16. Los Angeles Lakers 7-6 (9) - Three straight losses might get Kobe Bryant's trade demands started up again.

17. Charlotte Bobcats (13) 6-7 - Gerald Wallace didn't take as serious a hit as once thought. But the Bobcats' confidence might have after their last-second loss to the Celtics.

18. Indiana Pacers (19) 6-8 - Danny Granger might have to get used to a lead role with Jermaine O'Neal's status in limbo.

19. Los Angeles Clippers (14) 6-7 - Don't forget to vote Chris Kaman as an All-Star.

20. Altanta Hawks (24) 5-7 - The talented Hawks have yet to play consistently this season. Two wins over the lowly Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves may have gotten the ball rolling.

21. Sacramento Kings (21) 5-9 - A win over the defending champions on Monday night might be the hightlight of their season.

22. Portland Trail Blazers (23) 5-9 - Back to reality: Young Blazers followed a surprising four-game win streak with a five-game skid before edging Sacramento on Friday.

23. Washington Wizards (17) 7-7 - The loss of Gilbert Arenas for three months has their postseason hopes on life support.

24. Miami Heat (18) 3-10 - Dwyane Wade is back, and Shaquille O'Neal has stepped up, but it is not translating into wins.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (28) 4-9 - I wonder if Washington regrets letting go of Juan Carlos Navarro?

26. New York Knicks 4-9 (30) - Two in a row for the embattled Knicks? Maybe, Isiah Thomas does have nine lives.

27. Chicago Bulls (27) 2-10 - The chants of "we want Kobe" are starting to get louder with each defeat.

28. Philadelphia 76ers (25) 3-9 - Louis Williams looks promising but the Sixers' record at the end of the season will not.

29. Seattle SuperSonics (26) 2-12 - A message for coach P.J. Carlesimo: Put rookie Jeff Green in the starting lineup.

30. Minnesota Timberwolves (29) 2-10 - So far, Al Jefferson is the only good thing that has come from the Kevin Garnett blockbuster trade for Minnesota.