NBA.com ranks Rockets #6

The NBA.com Power Rankings

Japan Games veterans Sonics and Clippers continue to win following their return to the states, as do the surprising Bucks and Jazz. The preseason-favorite L.A. Lakers, however, are tied for the NBA's top record, retaining the top spot in this week's rankings.
High jump of the week: Seattle, L.A. Clippers (+10)
Free fall of the week: Phoenix (-14)

TEAM (LAST WK) REC. BREAKDOWN
1 L.A. Lakers (1)
8-2 In a six-game stretch against East teams' token resistance, Lakers are clicking on the strength of their thin, albeit formidable, rotation; only six players average more 15 minutes.
2 Indiana (3)
8-2 East's top squad is the only one in the NBA still unbeaten on the road (5-0), while Ron Artest continues to post career numbers. Big game at division-rival New Orleans on Friday.
3 Dallas (5)
7-4 Rebounded from overtime loss at Memphis with impressive win over Portland as Steve Nash posted first career triple-double (14 points, 12 assists, 10 boards).
4 San Antonio (2)
6-5 Tripped up by 76ers in Philly last week, but Spurs are pleased to have Duncan back; MVP totaled 66 points over two games before playing shortened minutes in blowout of Wizards.
5 New Orleans (6)
7-3 Unlike conference compatriots, New Orleans is finding success against the West (3-1), including wins over Lakers and Blazers; scrappy Hornets lead NBA with 11.0 steals per game.
6 Houston (8)
7-3 How the Rockets allowed 101 points to Toronto is a mystery, but Houston continues to hold opponents to just 81.0 ppg, with an average point differential of +8.0 ppg - both tops the league.
7 Sacramento (9)
6-4 Kings are back to their pass-happy ways, averaging a league-best-by-far 28.1 assists, with big men Vlade Divac (5.5 apg) and Brad Miller (4.9 apg) ranking second and third on the team.
8 Detroit (4)
6-4 Four-game road trip to the West coast (1-3) humbled the Pistons, and now they return home to face the Lakers. New York rolling into town on Friday will be a welcome sight.
9 Seattle (19)
6-2 With Rashard Lewis and sudden-household-name Ronald Murray playing like All-Stars, Sonics return to Seattle from 3-1 East trip to face four teams that are a combined 16-23.
10 New Jersey (11)
5-5 New Jersey welcomes back Kenyon Martin, who's averaged 19.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in the three games since his return from injury; more importantly, Nets have gone 2-1.
11 Portland (13)
5-5 Blazers using the seldom-seen inside-outside tandem of 6-9 power forward and 6-11 small forward; Randolph shooting .510 in the paint and Rasheed hitting .462 from long-range.
12 Boston (15)
5-5 Salvaged 2-3 record over brutal five-game stretch that included Hornets, Pistons, Nets, Kings and Pacers, with "Skinny Vinny" knocking down game-winning jumper in Indy.
13 Milwaukee (16)
6-5 Won matchup of teams-who-were-never-supposed-to-be-here with five-point victory over Utah on Saturday, with Tim Thomas (16.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg) beginning to meet long-held expectations.
14 Utah (18)
6-5 Chalked up first road win on Friday in Minnesota - their second defeat of the Timberwolves this season - behind 30 from Carlos Arroyo (22.7 ppg over last three games).
15 Minnesota (7)
5-5 Wolves continue to slide down rankings with uninspiring play -- they've won three of five, but victories were over Magic, Heat and Bulls, a combined 7-25.
16 Memphis (22)
5-4 Streaky Grizz have won three straight - including gutsy OT victory over Mavs - after losing three in a row. Big road trip versus Sonics, Lakers, Kings begins Friday.
17 Philadelphia (12)
5-6 After big win over Spurs, Philly fell to Cavaliers in OT, then ran into Rockets defensive juggernaut that held Ivy to a season-low 15 points. Next 11 games, though, are versus East.
18 L.A. Clippers (28)
4-2 Clips lead NBA in both points scored (103.8) and allowed (104.7), and haven't lost since returning stateside from Japan. Quentin Richardson, a shooting guard, is averaging 8.3 boards.
19 Denver (20)
5-4 Denver cruised past Bulls and Magic, but now the schedule toughens up. Nugs lead NBA in rebounding (48.3 rpg) and sixth man Earl Boykins (15.6 ppg) is second on the team in scoring.
20 Golden State (14)
4-5 With return of Nick Van Exel, Warriors now have seven players averaging double-digit scoring, but they have dropped three of four, with the Spurs and Rockets on the road up next.
21 Toronto (17)
5-5 Raptors won't be a .500 team much longer with their -6.2 point differential and 0-5 road record, but they have found ways to win, including a 101-point outburst against Houston.
22 Washington (21)
4-6 Outscoring their opponents on average, but Wiz had to snap four-game skid with victory over Hawks; will get chance to avenge earlier loss to LeBron and the Cavaliers Wednesday.
23 Phoenix (9)
3-6 Reeling Suns have lost three in a row and are getting solid - not spectacular - performances from Marion and Marbury. Good news is Bulls, Magic and Heat are next.
24 Cleveland (23)
3-7 Cavaliers are learning that despite their perimeter talent, key to victory is the low-post game of Ilgauskas and Boozer, who are shooting a combined .527 from the field.
25 Chicago (25)
4-7 Still experimenting with their rotation, Bulls have lost three of four and now embark on a deadly five-game road trip against Suns, Lakers, Kings, Mavs and Spurs.
26 New York (24)
3-7 Allan Houston's career-best 23.3 ppg can't overcome the Knicks' lack of interior offense, but surprisingly, New York ranks third in the East in rebounding (44.5 rpg).
27 Atlanta (26)
3-8 Jason Terry continues to excel, leading the Hawks in scoring and assists, but the defense is simply allowing too many points (96.0 ppg, second-worst in the East).
28 Miami (29)
2-8 Heat began five-game West-coast trip with 22-point loss to the Lakers and are desperate for more scoring; they currently average a league-low 81.5 ppg.
29 Orlando (27)
1-10 With their 10th straight loss, Magic dismissed coach Doc Rivers, replacing him with assistant Johnny Davis. Orlando was second in the East only to Atlanta in points allowed (95.8 ppg).


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I swear even I can write better comments in those power ranking. Toronto game is 2OT. The score at end of regulation is tied at 83.