As we enter the final two months of the NBA’s regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers are 43-15 and still have a firm grip on the Western Conference with a 4 ½ lead over the Denver Nuggets for the number one spot as well as a 7 ½ game lead over Phoenix (36-23) in the Pacific division. The Nuggets at 38-19 still have a battle on their hands in the Northwest division as Utah (37-20) is only one game back and Oklahoma City (33-23) is 4 ½ games back. In the Southwest division Dallas (37-21) has won five straight to create some separation from San Antonio (32-23) who is 3 ½ games back. There are 10 teams in the conference that have a winning record with Portland currently in the eighth spot at 34-26. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the West.
Los Angeles Lakers (43-15) Current Odds to Win the NBA Championship: 7/5
Last Tuesday night Kobe Bryant returned to the lineup after missing the previous five games and with 4.3 seconds left hit a game winning three pointer in the Lakers 99-98 win over the Grizzlies. He ended the night with 32 points. The next night he went a dismal 9-23 from the field as his team fell to the Mavericks 96-101. Six players scored in double figures but it was not enough to overcome Dirk Nowitzki’s game high 31 points for Dallas. Through 58 games Bryant leads in points per game with 27.9 and assists with 4.6. Pau Gasol is the leading rebounder with 11.2. Next up for the Lakers are the 76ers tonight, the Nuggets on Sunday and the Pacers on Tuesday at home. They travel to Miami to play the Heat on Thursday, March 4th.
Denver Nuggets (38-19) Current Odds to Win the NBA Championship: 8/1
Chauncey Billups scored 28 points and Carmelo Anthony added 23 but it was not enough to hold off the Wizards in a 97-107 loss last Friday night. Against the Celtics once again Billups led the way with 26 points and this time they came away with a 114-105 win. Last night he exploded for 37 points as the Nuggets rolled over the Warriors 127-112. Through 57 games Anthony is the leading scorer, averaging 29.1 points per game. Kenyon Martin is averaging 9.5 rebounds and Billups is averaging 6.2 assists. Next up for the Nuggets are the Pistons tonight in Denver, the Lakers on Sunday and the Suns on Monday on the road, and then back home to play the Thunder on Wednesday, March 3rd.
Dallas Mavericks (37-21) Current Odds to Win the NBA Championship: 8/1
In a showdown with one of the better teams from the East, the Mavericks came away with a convincing 95-85 win over the Magic. Against the other Florida team, all five starters scored in double figures in a 97-91 win over the Heat. They stayed on a roll with a 91-82 win over the Pacers with their newest acquisition, Brendan Haywood leading the way with 13 points and 20 rebounds. In a huge 101-96 over the Lakers, Jason Terry came off the bench to score 30 points and Dirk Nowitzki scored a game high 31 points to lead the way. Through 58 games Nowitzki is the leading scorer, averaging 24.8 points per game. In his six games with the Mavs, Haywood has averaged 10.7 rebounds per game and Jason Kidd leads in assists with 9.2.
Great Post. Keep em coming!