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NBA Power Rankings: Cavs the Team to Beat


Written January 15, 2009 by Jay Horne

nba-power-rankings-0115091. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-6)
Cleveland owns the best record in the NBA ahead of the Lakers. The Cavaliers are on a 20-3 run and have yet to lose at home this season. Lebron James is 2nd in the league in scoring with 27.7 points per game. The Cavaliers are also shooting a 2nd best 48% from the floor and appear to be the best overall team in the league holding opponents to a NBA leading 89 points per game. The Cavs are 8.5 point favorites at Chicago tonight against the Bulls.

2. Orlando Magic (31-8)
Dwight Howard is a big reason the Magic are having success as he leads the league in rebounds, blocked shots, and also contributes with 20 points per game. Also, the rest of the team is playing extremely well and the Magic have won 14 of their last 16 games including their last 5. The Magic also took down the Lakers head to head and will get a chance to do it again on Friday night.

3. L.A Lakers (31-7)
The Lakers suffered a tough loss to San Antonio in the final seconds of the game. However, the Lakers lead the NBA in scoring with 108 points per game. Los Angeles has been on impressive streak winning 9 of their last 11 games and they looked primed for another deep playoff run by season’s end.

4. Boston Celtics (32-9)
Boston had the best start in NBA history with a record of 27-2, but since the Celtics have fallen apart. The Celtics have only won 4 of their last 7 games and everyone has to be wondering when they will get it back together.

5. San Antonio Spurs (25-12)
Do not count out the Spurs. After a dismal start losing 4 of their first 5 games, San Antonio has righted the ship and back a top the Southwest standings. The Spurs have won 9 of their last 11 games including a big victory over the Lakers and they appear to be back to top form as they played all last season.

6. Denver Nuggets (26-13)
The Nuggets sport one of the most solid all around offensive teams in the league. Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups are both averaging nearly 20 points per game.  Melo will sit for about a month with a fractured hand, but they’ve had some solid bench play in his absence. The Nuggets are also winners of 6 of their last 7 games and have a 1 ½ game lead over Portland in the Northwest.

7. New Orleans Hornets (23-12)
The Hornets sport one of the best scoring defenses in the NBA behind only Cleveland and Boston allowing a low 92 points per game. New Orleans is a streaky team and with 3 losses in the last 10 days its bout time they go on another winning streak.

8. Phoenix Suns (22-13)
The team of veterans have been playing well lately winning 8 of their last 11 games. The Suns are shooting an NBA best 50% from the floor this season. If the Suns can knock off a few more wins, they will be sitting pretty in terms of the early playoff picture.  Phoenix plays at Denver as a 1.5 point underdog tonight.

9. Portland Trailblazers (23-15)
The Trailblazers knocked off 3 straight wins before getting trampled by the 76ers 100-79. Currently Denver trails by a game and a half in the Northwest. The Trailblazers are shooting a 2nd best 39% behind the arc this year and also 46% as a team from the floor.

10. Houston Rockets (24-16)
The Rockets keep treading water staying in the playoff picture. Considering the recent downfall of Atlanta and Detroit, Houston seems to be the only team worthy to fill the number 10 ranking.

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Comments

3 Responses to “NBA Power Rankings: Cavs the Team to Beat”

  1. Jersygrl on January 15th, 2009 11:08 am

    Did you really mention Allen Iverson as being part of the Nuggets offense? Come on, that trade didn’t just happen this week.

    Reply

  2. Jay on January 15th, 2009 11:40 am

    Thanks Jersygrl, I caught that after I sent the article in and we working on getting it fixed. Thanks for pointing that out, keep us on our toes.

    Reply

  3. james on January 16th, 2009 8:11 am

    perfect rankings! GO MAGIC (don’t underestimate)

    Reply

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