| | Rankings as of Tuesday, Dec. 14
|  | | Alonzo Mourning and the Heat move to the top. |
If it's the updated Power Rankings, then it must mean a new team at the top. Can't really blame the Lakers too much, Sacramento really got up for the game, and in a normal week we'd just leave them there ... but, alas, it never seems to be a normal week, does it?
The Miami Heat are, sorry, on fire, and we can't keep them out of the top spot. Without their point guard, they managed to win in Portland and Sacramento, and that's pretty sweet.
A few old teams that we had apparently buried resurfaced in Indiana and Utah, while young teams in Sacramento, Toronto and Minnesota fall. The Canucks, um, the Grizzlies managed to win a game but the so-called rejuvenated Rockets -- without Sir Charles -- could not.
Last week we noted that at the bottom of the standings, the four worst teams in the NBA had lost 35 straight games combined. Two of those teams are now on winning streaks! Some normal week.
Anyway, here are the ESPN.com Power Rankings as of Dec. 14. Check out Jason Jackson, Fred Carter and the other nice people on NBA 2Night every Tuesday as they discuss these rankings more in-depth.
When you don't agree with our rankings, which we expect, let us know your thoughts by clicking here and giving us a few Rank Comments of your own. But please remember that these rankings were compiled Tuesday morning and anything that happens beginning Tuesday night will not be reflected.
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Team (Record)
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Last week
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Pvs.
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ESPN.com skinny
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1. Heat (15-5)
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2-1
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4
|
May not be No. 1 for long, but this is East's top seed, like that matters
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|
2. Lakers (17-5)
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3-1
|
1
|
By next week they may have Juwan Howard, but he's not a real banger
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3. Blazers (17-5)
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2-1
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2
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Still no real worries here; beat Kings, lose to Heat, this is 60-plus win team
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4. Pacers (13-7)
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3-0
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7
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Have won six straight, and regained look of team on a real Bird mission
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5. Spurs (15-7)
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1-2
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3
|
Good thing Vancouver's in their division; David Robinson's hurting...
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6. Jazz (13-7)
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3-0
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11
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Doesn't matter if they're old, they're winning; beat Seattle impressively
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7. Sonics (15-6)
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2-1
|
9
|
Team still holding on even with Patterson, Maxwell fading big
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8. Kings (12-6)
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1-2
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6
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Both losses tough, so they only drop two, but big picture is no guarantee
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9. Hornets (13-7)
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3-0
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15
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Keep Mase and DC happy, you win games; Impressive win in Philly
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10. Suns (13-7)
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2-1
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8
|
If we lost to Dallas, we'd quit, too; No, really, it's a blip in big picture
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|
11. Knicks (13-9)
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3-0
|
13
|
Streak is nice, but team with best record they've beaten is Bucks
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|
12. Raptors (12-8)
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1-2
|
5
|
Yeah, it was early to be No. 5; Alvin replaces Dee at the point this week
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|
13. Nuggets (10-10)
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1-2
|
10
|
This is the week that tells it all: Nugs get Sonics, Kings, Spurs, Blazers
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14. 76ers (11-12)
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1-2
|
12
|
With Theo back, Brown gets to see entire starting lineup for first time
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|
15. Cavaliers (10-9)
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2-2
|
16
|
This bunch had 48-point loss to Pacers, but has beaten good teams
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16. Bucks (11-10)
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1-3
|
14
|
Lost to Nets and at home to Denver, not exactly sign of improving team
|
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17. Celtics (10-9)
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2-1
|
20
|
Bad time to lose Pierce, with Utah, Spurs and Lakers up this week
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18. Magic (10-10)
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1-1
|
19
|
Team tries, so most losses here are close; Look for Gatling to be moved
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19. Mavericks (8-14)
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1-2
|
23
|
Finley to Philly for Hughes? There's talk, and Nellie's gullible enough...
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|
20. Hawks (9-11)
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1-2
|
18
|
Mookie gets revenge: 19 assists, win; Forget about Rider trade talk
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|
21. Nets (5-16)
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2-1
|
24
|
Could've been No. 18; How do you beat Kings, but lose to Bulls?
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|
22. Pistons (10-11)
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2-1
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22
|
Have pair with Philly this week; Will Stackhouse go off or go under?
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|
23. Wolves (7-10)
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0-3
|
17
|
Have lost five straight, including at home to Orlando, Dallas and G.S.
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|
24. Wizards (6-16)
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1-2
|
25
|
What can you say? Write 'em off and they go and win in San Antone
|
|
25. Rockets (7-15)
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0-3
|
21
|
Nice week, including Nets disaster; Time for Cato, Rogers to step up
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26. Clippers (5-16)
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1-3
|
26
|
Ah, if only Grizz would visit every night; Odom at point deal didn't last
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27. Warriors (4-16)
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2-2
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28
|
Pair of nice road wins mean P.J. gets to stay; Is this a good thing?
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28. Grizzlies (4-17)
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1-3
|
27
|
How do you feel if you're Dallas? When will Grizz win on road again?
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29. Blackhawks
(7-19-4-2)
|
--
|
--
|
Seriously, Zhamnov for Kukoc at the three, Daze or Amonte at the two...
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ALSO SEE
NBA Power Rankings, Dec. 7
NBA Power Rankings, Nov. 30
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