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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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THE BIG THREE |
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1. Lakers 16-2
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1/1-1 |
A loss here and there is allowed. And if you're gonna lose, might as well do it in a close game, on the road, against a great team, in a hostile atmosphere. Shaq/Kobe have to be looking over their shoulders now. |
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2. Kings 16-5
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2/3-0
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All the Kings did without CWebb was go 15-5, and split with the Lakers in two close games. Now he's back. Will he upset the team balance, or push them over the top?
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3. Spurs 14-4
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3/3-0 |
Forget Duncan/Robinson: How 'bout Smith and Smith? Steve goes for 29 against his former squad in Atlanta, then Charles hits for 20 against the Sixers. This team could be scary. |
| BEST OF THE REST
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4. Wolves 13-5
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6/3-0
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Rumors of their demise were a little hasty ... Death, taxes, and Brandon at the line: 48-of-49 FT so far. |
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5. Pistons 13-6
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4/2-1
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New rule: A loss to the Cavs results in an automatic drop in the standings, no matter what. |
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6. Bucks 11-6
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7/2-1
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Not just an offensive juggernaut anymore; held opponents to 84.3 PPG this week. Direct result of the Mase factor? |
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7. Nets 12-7
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11/2-1
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These guys look more legit each game. Think Kidd enjoyed beating his former team? |
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8. Mavericks 12-9
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5/0-3
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0-3 weeks weren't supposed to happen here. A loss at the Lakers is forgiveable, but at home to the Wiz? Come on.
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BETTER THAN WE THOUGHT
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9. Celtics 11-7
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10/2-1
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Luckily this isn't the BCS, after their six-game win streak ended in Chicago. We'll allow for an occasional blunder. |
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10. Suns 13-9
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9/1-2
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Bad Penny, Good Penny: Nine turnovers in loss in Boston on Friday, 27 points in win at Toronto on Sunday. |
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WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT, BUT STILL BREATHING
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11. Raptors 12-9
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8/1-2
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Taking a page out of the Pistons' book from last year: V.C. averages 37 PPG for the week, 56 for the rest of the team. |
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12. Knicks 11-9
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17/2-0
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Not sure, but aren't you supposed to quit when your team is doing badly? |
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13. Magic 11-11
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12/2-2
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Steven Hunter? Troy Hudson? Hey, in Hill's absence, whatever complements T-Mac. |
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14. Pacers 12-11
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14/2-1
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Tinsley: 11.7 assists per game for the week, up to 9.1 for the year. |
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15. Blazers 10-9
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15/1-1
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We never promised you a full Rose Garden; six non-sellouts in a row after 104 straight. |
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THE YOUNG AND THE GERIATRIC
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16. Clippers 11-10
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21/3-1
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Welcome to the playoff chase, Clips... Now if they could just win on the road. |
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17. Jazz 10-11
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22/4-0
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Just when you thought it was safe to travel to Salt Lake City... |
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LOTTO FEVER: CATCH IT!
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18. Hornets 9-11
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19/2-2
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Holding their own on West Coast swing; Davis averages 20 and 12 for the week. |
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19. 76ers 8-12
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13/0-4
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Only one Answer, and they need multiple choice, badly. |
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20. Cavaliers 8-12
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24/2-1
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The Z Factor makes this a different team, but for how long? |
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21. Sonics 9-14
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16/0-4
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Forget the other three losses. A loss to the Heat at home is an automatic five-place drop. |
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PLAYOFFS? FUH-GET ABOUT IT |
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22. Wizards 7-12
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26/2-1
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MJ picking it up late: 25 of his 39 points this week came in the fourth quarter of two wins. |
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23. Hawks 7-14
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23/1-2
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Four blocked shots in three games doesn't scare anybody. |
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24. Rockets 7-15
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18/0-4
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Face it, these guys just aren't the same without Kelvin Cato. |
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25. Grizzlies 5-14
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25/1-1
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A season sweep of the 76ers? Can you say highlight of the season? |
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26. Nuggets 7-13
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20/0-4
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Here's a plan: Trade Van Exel and LaFrentz for Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler. |
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27. Warriors 8-13
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27/1-2
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Hughes picking up his game; 19.5 PPG this week. |
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BRUTAL
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28. Bulls 4-15
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28/2-2
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28-point win over Houston the biggest ever under Floyd. 28-point loss to Magic the next day just their fourth-worst this year. |
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29. Heat 3-15
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29/1-2
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Actually were better this week, close at Clippers and Kings and won at Sonics. But hey, three wins is three wins, no matter how you cut it. |
