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Team/Record
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Prev rank/
Last week
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ESPN.com skinny
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THE BIG THREE |
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1. Spurs 17-4
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3/3-0 |
An impressive stint for the Spurs. Not only seven straight wins, but only one by fewer than 10 points (eight at Atlanta). Does Tim Duncan ever not get a double-double? Led the NBA with 66 last year, the third time in four NBA seasons, and has 15 in his first 18 games. |
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2. Lakers 18-3
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1/2-1
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Hardly time to panic, but the home loss to Seattle after losing in Sacramento knocks them out of the top spot. Of some concern: Lakers are a human 8-3 against divisional foes so far.
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3. Kings 18-7
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2/2-2 |
Yeah, fine. They're adjusting to the return of Chris Webber. It's still not pretty, two losses in a row by a combined 46 points. Peja's return from a nagging injury will make a difference. |
| CHALLENGERS TO THE THRONE
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4. Wolves 16-6
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4/3-1
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Boy do they look good, especially at home. 4-0, winning by a combined 74 points so far in December. |
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5. Nets 15-7
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7/3-0
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Say what you want about strength of schedule. Wins at Miami and Chicago this week may not wow you, but the fact is, this team keeps on winning. |
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6. Pistons 14-7
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5/1-1
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A loss in LA to the Clippers is no longer something to be embarrassed about. Neither is this slight drop. Playing great, but the competition is just too stiff for the boys from Motown at this point. |
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7. Mavericks 15-9
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8/3-0
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Big win over the T-Wolves caps a strong week after going 0-3 the week before. A little consistency is the next step. |
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8. Celtics 14-8
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9/3-1
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The Pierce/Walkers may not yet be the Shaq/Kobes, but name the team that went longest without a double-digit loss this year? That's right, Boston. No, we don't get it either.
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NO ONE'S COMPLAINING (BUT GEORGE KARL)
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9. Bucks 13-7
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6/2-1
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Even Bucks fans have to be getting weary of the constant battles between George Karl and his players. You have the most talented team in the conference. Just play, guys. |
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10. Wizards 11-12
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22/4-0
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His Airness must be a magician … how is this team near .500? Rip Hamilton stepping up: averaging 25.5 ppg in December. |
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11. Suns 14-11
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10/1-2
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Loss at Denver. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. And things were going so well… |
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12. Clippers 13-11
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16/2-1
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Only problem: Can't win on the road. Even on the road at the Staples Center. What's up with that? |
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THE DISAPPOINTMENTS
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13. Pacers 13-12
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14/1-1
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Tough week: win by two in OT against the Rockets, then get blown out by Bucks. Luckily the other teams around them were even worse. |
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14. Blazers 11-11
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15/1-1
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Weren't these guys the next big thing, like a year ago? Seems like decades ago. |
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15. Raptors 12-12
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11/0-3
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Home loss to Wizards sums up total dud of a week. MJ shuts down VC in the second half. Totally. |
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16. Magic 12-14
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13/1-3
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Not getting it done in the absence of Grant Hill. |
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THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS, BUT SO FAR THEY AREN'T
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17. Jazz 11-13
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17/1-2
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Up and down, up and down ... will the real Jazz please stand up? |
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18. 76ers 10-14
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19/2-2
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No team stands to move up more than the Sixers. Advice: don't trade Dikembe. Please. |
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19. Hornets 11-12
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18/2-1
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Davis in December: 11 assists per game, but 33.3 FG pct. |
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20. Knicks 11-13
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12/0-4
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Losses to Celtics, Pistons, Wizards, and Nets would have been more embarrassing last year. It still ain't great. |
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21. Sonics 11-15
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21/2-1
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Trip to Staples Center includes win and loss, with the loss to the Clips? Consistency needed here. |
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IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN |
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22. Hawks 9-14
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23/2-0
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Three straight wins is impressive, but Hawks are a long way from playoff bound. |
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23. Cavaliers 9-14
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20/1-2
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Breaking in Ilgauskas slowly -- averaging 13 points in 18 minutes. |
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24. Nuggets 9-14
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26/2-1
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Dan Issel abruptly leaving his news conference remains one of the sorriest sights of the sporting year. You said what you said, Dan. Take it like a man. |
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25. Heat 5-17
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29/2-2
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Two wins in a week is a start, gets them out of the cellar. |
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26. Warriors 9-16
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27/1-3
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It's been a long, long, long time since these guys were a contender. |
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27. Grizzlies 5-18
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25/0-4
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Griz should really be better than this. Battier (14.0 ppg, 4.7 apg) could sneak into ROY race. |
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BRUTAL
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28. Rockets 7-18
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24/0-3
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Words cannot express just how brutal the Francis-less Rockets are. |
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29. Bulls 4-18
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28/0-3
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Not being in last for a few weeks didn't suit the Bulls. Good to be home, guys? |
