The Lakers are 8-2 in their last ten games and still are on top of the Western Conference with a 23-5 record. They lead 19-11 Phoenix by five games in the Pacific division. The Denver Nuggets are 20-10 and have a one game lead in the Northwest division over the 20-12 Portland Trail Blazers who have won four straight games. The Utah Jazz are 3 ½ games back at 16-13. The Dallas Mavericks are 20-9 and have a three game lead over the 17-12 Houston Rockets and a 3 ½ game lead over the 15-11 San Antonio Spurs in the Southwest division. Through 30 games, give or take a few the top eight teams in the West all have winning records with the Jazz currently holding the final spot. The Oklahoma City Thunder is right at .500 with a 14-14 record. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Lakers (25-5) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference -145
Last Saturday the Lakers beat the lowly Nets 103-84 paced by Kobe Bryant’s 29 points. The next night they beat the Pistons 93-81. Bryant scored 28 points and Pau Gasol added 13 points and 11 rebounds. In a 111-108 win over the Thunder six players scored in double figures led by Bryant’s 40 points. On Christmas Day, the Lakers lost to the Cavaliers 102-87 in a showdown of two of the best teams in the league. They trailed by nine points at the half and 17 at the end of the third, never really keeping this one close. Through 30 games Bryant leads in points per game with 29.5 and assists with 4.4 .Gasol is the leading rebounder with 12.2. Next up for the Lakers are the Kings tonight and the Suns on Monday on the road and the Warriors at home on Tuesday, December 29th.
Portland Trail Blazers (20-12) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference + 1100
After a 92-83 loss to the Magic back on December 18th, they beat the Heat 102-95 led by Brandon Roy’s 28 points. Next up, they took care of the Mavericks 85-81 with Roy scoring 23 points along with Juan Howard’s 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Against the Spurs, Jerryd Bayless scored 31 points and Howard added another double- double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. They won their fourth straight game with a 107-96 win over the division leading Denver Nuggets on Christmas day. Roy led the way with 41 points along with four other players scoring in double figures in the big win. Through 32 games Roy leads with 21.2 points and 5 assists. LaMarcus Aldridge leads in rebounds with 7.8. Next up for the Trail Blazers are the 76ers on Monday and the LA. Clippers on Wednesday, December 30th both at home.
Dallas Mavericks (20-9) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference + 950
The Mavericks dropped a 116-108 decision to the Rockets Friday a week ago in a game that they trailed by 18 points at the half but were able to force overtime with a 4th quarter run. They followed up the tough loss with an impressive 102-95 win over the Cavaliers with six players scoring in double figures. In an 85-81 loss to the Trail Blazers, Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points and Jose Barea scored 22 but it wasn’t enough to pull out the win. Through 29 games Nowitzki leads in scoring averaging 26.1 points per game, Erick Dampier leads in rebounds with 9.9, and Jason Kidd leads in assists with 9.1. Next up for the Mavericks are the Grizzlies today at home, and then on the road against the Nuggets on Sunday and the Rockets on Thursday, December 31st to close out the month.
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