http://www.nba.com/features/rankings_index.html TEAM (LAST WK) REC. BREAKDOWN 1 Dallas (1) 37-9 Mavs averaged 112.7 ppg during undefeated week, and they could build even more momentum going into All-Star break with victories over Utah and Sacramento. 2 San Antonio (4) 31-16 Quietly one of the NBA's hottest teams, Spurs are 12-3 in January and 3-1 so far on their nine-game road trip, including an impressive win at Indiana and a 67-65 clunker at Miami. 3 Indiana (3) 34-14 Pacers continue to maintain lead in the East despite losses to Spurs and Raptors last week; with suspension served, Artest returns just in time to face Kobe Bryant and streaking Lakers. 4 Sacramento (2) 33-16 Despite Peja averaging 29.0 ppg over his last four, Kings have dropped five of six and are reeling from the loss of C-Webb; with Dallas up next, their schedule is not kind. 5 Detroit (6) 31-15 Pistons were the story of the week with a 52-point annihilation of Celtics on Friday, Detroit's most lopsided win -- and Boston's biggest loss -- in history. 6 New Jersey (5) 32-15 Respectable 3-1 last week, but team certainly missed Kidd in 22-point loss to Pistons on Saturday; K-Mart averaging 23.7 ppg and 16.3 rpg over last three. 7 Portland (7) 30-16 Got schooled at Utah in a contest where Zach Randolph led all Blazer scorers with 15 points, then Rasheed returned and poured in 57 in two games. 8 Minnesota (9) 28-20 Came out of a tough week 2-2 with wins over Spurs and 76ers, and gave Mavs all they could handle in three-point loss at Dallas; rematch vs. Houston tomorrow before week of rest. 9 Utah (11) 28-19 Mailman averaged 25.3 ppg and 10.5 rpg as Utah nearly pulled off huge week, defeating Kings, Blazers and Warriors before falling to Lakers on Saturday. 10 Phoenix (10) 28-21 Marbury continues to scorch the nets, posting 28.8 ppg over his last five games as Suns bounced back from loss to Lakers and 1-4 road trip through East. 11 Houston (12) 26-20 Rockets have recovered their mojo, defeating Wolves and Kings back-to-back; Yao averaging 20.7 ppg on .697 shooting over last three games. 12 Boston (8) 26-21 Forgettable week for Celts as they went 0-3 vs. conference rivals, losing to Indiana and Detroit (twice, including aforementioned blowout for the ages). 13 Philadelphia (13) 25-23 Sixers need more consistent offense from Van Horn, who averaged 28.5 ppg in two wins last week, but only 13.5 in two losses. 14 Milwaukee (15) 24-22 No team in the East is playing as well as the Bucks right now, who have won 10 of 12 behind superb guard play from Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Michael Redd. 15 L.A. Lakers (UR) 22-23 They're in, they're out, they're in, they're out. Perhaps motivated by desire to finish .500 at All-Star break, Lakers have won three straight over quality opponents. 16 New Orleans (14) 24-24 Despite big play from Mashburn, Hornets are just 1-3 since the Baron went down; face reeling Celtics tonight then go into break with tough one vs. Kings. We all know the Rockets could have been way better.
I don't care about Power Ranking, which is just like the stock market. The thing that really matters is the Rox rankings in the western conference.
the ranking is a joke. don't waste your time looking at it. sometimes numbers don't tell the whole picture.
The Rankings are a joke, what do you think the Rockets should be #1? The Mavs proved the Rockets don't belong in the top ten. Until they learn to play team ball then maybe they will crack the top 20 in my rankings. Rockets Suck!!!
Please. Those ranking are about right. Rockets would easily be fourth in the LEast. I think #9 is where the Rockets should be by the end of the season. Anything less than that will be an underachievement in my opinion. There's no excuse for the Rockets to not be better than Utah, Minnesota, or Phoenix.