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Team/Record
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Prev rank/
Last week
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ESPN.com skinny
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CLOSE AT THE TOP |
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1. Kings 31-9
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1/4-0 |
It was a tough call last week, but not this week. Kings took advantage of simple schedule (Cavs, Nugs, Warriors and Grizz? Wow!) to sweep, while Wolves fell. How about a little love for Peja Stojakovic. It may be CWebb's team, but Peja's an easy all-star. |
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2. Wolves 30-10
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2/3-1
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Not a bad week, just a small stumble in OT at Phoenix. They're forgiven. Nice to see Terrell Brandon back and healthy. He doesn't appear to want to start, but he still played more than Billups on Monday.
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3. Lakers 28-9
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3/1-1
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It's not all about Shaq, though it helps to have him. Just let Kobe light things up in a win over the Spurs. As for the loss, hey, Pat Riley's crew is rejuvenated. |
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4. Mavs 29-12
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6/4-0
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Back to their rightful spot? Mavs played two playoff teams -- still without a 20-ppg scorer -- and won against Jazz and Jersey. Man, if Cuban only had a legit center... |
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5. Spurs 27-11
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5/2-1 |
Can't understand the loss to Shaq-less Lakers. Oh wait, Spurs seem to be losing all their big games, so now it makes sense. Maybe if Admiral had anything left Spurs would win those. |
| AN EAST TEAM MUST MAKE THE FINALS
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6. Nets 27-13
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4/2-2
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We're not raining on Jason Kidd's parade, but Nets lost to Mavs, so Mavs must pass them. Nets also scored 77 in lame loss at Toronto. Who do they think they are, the Knicks? |
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7. Bucks 26-13
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7/4-0
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Frankly, we flipped a coin on Bucks vs. Nets. Which team would you pick in East finals? Not so clear cut. By the way, Big Dog has only missed the last 12 games. He should be healthy for the playoffs. |
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8. Celtics 24-16
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8/2-2
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When Pierce left Monday's game twice you could hear Boston crowd groan. Now how would Celtics win if he was really hurt? |
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9. Raptors 24-18
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9/3-1
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They seem to have hit a hot streak with Jerome Williams at small forward. Now the tough part: Keeping Hakeem healthy. |
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10. Jazz 22-19
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12/2-2
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Um, who said they were done in November? Current West No. 7 seed -- that can't go up, by the way -- will be out in four in first round.
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11. Magic 21-21
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13/1-1
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Move up two only because Wiz and Pacers went combined 2-7. Look for Magic to drop a few next week. Too inconsistent, too reliant on Tracy. Too average. |
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12. Pacers 22-21
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10/1-4
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Guess Jermaine O'Neal means a bit to this team? Pacers go in the tank while Jeff Foster becomes a key man. |
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JORDAN SECTION
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13. Wizards 19-19
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11/1-3
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OK, this team is just not that good. Don't wanna burst those MJ bubbles, but scored 67 points against the Nets and that Chicago win set hoops back decades. When else can 77 points get you a win? |
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WELL, THEY CAN HOPE |
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14. Clippers 21-21
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14/2-2
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Home-road update: 18-7 at Lakers, um, Staples Center, and 3-14 on road. Yeah, that should mean a successful season. |
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15. Sonics 21-19
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15/2-2
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This team will end up better than Clips, book it. But Sonics can win in Philly and lose to Denver in same week, which hurts. |
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16. 76ers 19-21
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16/3-1
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Can't imagine Larry Brown will want to stick with this team next season, or even the rest of this one. Not when the touted defense lets Seattle shoot 66 percent. |
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17. Blazers 20-20
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20/2-1
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In last two weeks they have had six different leading scorers. Of course, do you ever think of this team as balanced? |
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18. Suns 20-20
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18/1-1
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Not a team for the long run, but on any given night, when Marion and Marbury are on, they can win. Wolves found that out. |
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19. Hornets 19-21
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19/2-2
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Maybe all this New Orleans talk is catching up with them. Because talent-wise, even without Mashburn, this team should be a playoff lock, but isn't. |
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20. Heat 13-26
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27/4-0
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C'mon, how does a team win six games the first two months, then win seven in the past two weeks? Guess Riley finally figured it out. |
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21. Pistons 19-20
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20/2-2
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If not for that good start, would anyone still notice this team? Clifford's play has been brutal, Stack's turnovers are back, and the bench is not helping. |
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ONE WORD: LOTTERY
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22. Hawks 14-26
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24/1-3
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OK, now explain Nazr Mohammed to us: He averages less than 7 points and 5 boards before last week, then averages 19 and 16. Go figure. |
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23. Nuggets 12-28
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25/1-3
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You know, if Avery plays the point, and they could get anything tall for Van Exel, they could win ... well, maybe 30 games. That's more than they figure to win with him. |
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24. Rockets 13-28
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21/1-4
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Part of the problem here is Steve Francis; he averaged nearly a triple-double when he did play, but he also missed a few games with migraines. Is there something to Stevie's headache we don't know about? |
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25. Grizzlies 12-28
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22/0-3
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Just like Denver, would the Grizz be any worse if Brevin manned the point and JDub brought them a big man? Right, like any other team would take Williams. |
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MAKE US CRINGE |
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26. Knicks 14-25
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23/0-3
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Fourteen straight years in the playoffs will end now. This team is so in the tank. Jeff Van Gundy gets our vote for smartest coach of the year. |
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27. Cavaliers 13-28
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26/0-4
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OK, so maybe getting Ilgauskas back this season wasn't that big a deal. |
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28. Bulls 8-32
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28/1-3
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Hey guys, thanks for showing up and shooting 20 percent against the Wizards. You think you'll ever be on national TV again? |
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29. Warriors 13-27
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29/1-3
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Still bad. If you're wondering why we left them at last, it's because the Bulls did manage to beat a team which is trying (Atlanta), while the Warriors beat the Cavs.
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