Heading into the NBA All-Star weekend, the Los Angeles Lakers have the best record in the conference at 41-13 and a 9 ½ game lead over Phoenix (31-22) in the Pacific division. Denver (35-18) has a two game lead in the Northwest division over Utah (32-19). Oklahoma City (30-21) is four games back and Portland (31-24) is five back. In the Southwest division, Dallas(32-20) leads San Antonio (30-21) by just a game and a half and leads Houston ( 27-24)and New Orleans (28-25) by 4 ½. There are 11 teams in the West with winning records with the Trail Blazers currently sitting in the eighth spot. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the West.
Los Angeles Lakers (41-13) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference: 2/3
Even with Carmelo Anthony out of the lineup, the Lakers had no answer for the Nuggets offense in a 113-126 loss last Friday night. Against the Trail Blazers they found their defense in a 99-82 win. They followed this up with a solid 101-89 win over the Spurs with their top player, Kobe Bryant on the sidelines. They made it three in a row before the All-Star break with a 96-81 win over the Jazz. Through 53 games Bryant leads in points per game with 28 and assists with 4.6. Pau Gasol is the leading rebounder with 11.2. Next up for the Lakers are two home games, first against the Warriors on Tuesday and then the Celtics on Thursday, February 18th.
Denver Nuggets (35-18) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference: 5/1
The Nuggets began an up and down four game stretch with a huge 126-113 win over the Lakers. In the absence of Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups scored a career high 39 points in the win. In their next game they lost to the Jazz 106-116 after falling behind by 11 at the half. They bounced back with a 127-91 over the Mavericks with seven players scoring in double figures including 19 from Anthony, who was back after missing the previous three games. Last night against the Spurs, they trailed by 11 at the end of the third quarter and were unable to close the gap, losing 92-111. Through 53 games Anthony is the leading scorer, averaging 29.5 points per game. Kenyon Martin is averaging 9.4 rebounds and Billups is averaging 6.1 assists. Next up for the Nuggets are the Cavaliers on Thursday, February 18th in Cleveland.
Phoenix Suns (31-22) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference: 14/1
In their game against the Kings last Friday night, the Suns opened up a 15 point lead in the first quarter and held onto win 114-102. Six players scored in double figures led by Amar’e Stoudemire’s 30 points. Steve Nash had a double-double with 23 points and 10 assists. On Wednesday they dropped a 101-108 decision to the Trail Blazers after falling behind by 16 points at the half. Through 53 games Stoudemire leads the team in scoring, averaging 21.2 points per game and in rebounds, averaging 8.6. Nash leads in assists with 11.1. Next up for the Suns are the Grizzlies on Tuesday and the Mavericks on Thursday, February 17th both on the road.
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