NBA Basketball Power Ratings

1. Boston Celtics (8-2) - The Boston Celtics have started the season like a team on a mission. Boston won their first seven of eight games to start the season. Boston’s first loss came on November 6th, in a seven point loss to Phoenix. The Celtics were recently upended by the Atlanta Hawks. Paul Pierce has led the Celtics in scoring in six of their eight games, with Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo chipping in nicely. The Celtics are winning games, for the most part, on the defensive end. Boston is allowing just 84.4 points per game. The Celtics will play in Indianapolis on Saturday(Nov.14) and then play two home games the following week; against Golden State (Nov. 18) and Orlando (Nov. 20).

2. Los Angeles Lakers (7-2) - The Lakers, after falling at home to Dallas, went on to win a home game over Atlanta, then took overtime to defeat both Oklahoma City and Houston on the road.  The Lakers then throttled both Memphis and New Orleans at home. Like always, Kobe Bryant is leading the team in scoring 33.6 points per game. The Lakers will start a three game home stand on Sunday November 15th when they host the Denver Nuggets. Following that, the Pistons and Bulls will come to the Staples Center.

3. Phoenix Suns (8-2) - The Suns, in the early going have went neck and neck with the defending champion Lakers as the top team in the West. The Suns are averaging 110 points per game led by top scorer Jason Richardson. Richardson is scoring just over 20 points per game. The Suns lone loss came on November 4th when the Orlando Magic topped them 122-100 in Central Florida. Phoenix boasts a win over the Boston Celtics on the season. The Suns will play three games in the next week, starting on Sunday November 15th with Toronto, followed by trips to Houston (Nov. 17) and New Orleans (Nov. 19).

4. Denver Nuggets (7-3) - After their 5-0 start, the Nuggets dropped back-to-back games at Miami and Atlanta, only to pick up a thrilling one point win in Chicago. The win for the Nuggets was disputed, and brought to replay, only to see a Bulls basket called no good. Carmelo Anthony is once again proving his ability to put the basketball in the hoop. Anthony leads the team in scoring, putting up 30 points per game for Denver. Nene Hilario has had a solid start to the season as a post player for the Nuggets. Hilario is averaging just under 10 rebounds per game. The Nuggets will host the Toronto Raptors on November 17th, followed by back-to-back games at Los Angeles (Clippers) and hosting the Chicago Bulls (Nov. 20 + 21).

5. Miami Heat (6-2) - The Miami Heat got off to their best start in franchise history with a 6-1 start. Dwyane Wade is once again putting up MVP type numbers, scoring just under 30 points per game, and dishing out 5 assists per game. The Heat will need Wade’s production and plenty more to compete at the top of the ultra competitive Eastern Conference - South Division. Miami plays with defending Eastern Conference Champion Orlando Magic, and a very upstart Atlanta Hawks. The Heat will play back to back nights at home with Oklahoma City, followed by a trip to Atlanta (Nov.17 + 18). The Heat will then head to Toronto on November 20th and take on the Raptors.

6. Orlando Magic (7-3) - Despite big man Dwight Howard’s frustration over NBA officials, the defending Eastern Conference Champions have once again shown their ability to excel both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The Magic have lost both their games this season on the road; at Detroit and at Oklahoma City. Dwight Howard is leading in scoring, rebounds and blocks. Howard is scoring just under 20 points per  game, ripping down 11 rebounds per game, and blocking 1.5 shots per game. The Magic have also been pleased with the play of Vince Carter, who is averaging 15.5 points per game. Carter has been nursing an ankle injury, but does not expect to miss time. Orlando will host Charlotte (Nov. 16), Oklahoma City (Nov. 18) and then play at Boston on November 20th.

7. Dallas Mavericks (6-3) - The Mavericks have garnered an early lead in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. Dallas, led by Dirk Nowitzki and his 26 points per game has won three of their last four since their November 4th loss at New Orleans. The Mavericks are without small forward Josh Howard after hurting his ankle. Howard is expected to miss action until late December. Dallas will play four games this next week, starting with back-to-back trips to Detroit and Milwaukee, followed by home games on November 18th (San Antonio) and November 20th (Sacramento).

8. Portland Trailblazers (7-3) - The Portland Trailblazers have won five straight since their November 3rd loss to the Hawks. The Trailblazers have used youngsters Brandon Roy and Greg Oden to pace the way. Roy leads the team in scoring, and assists, while Oden is ripping down just under 10 rebounds per game. Portland is looking for their third straight season of .500 play or above, after finishing 41-41 in 07-08 and then going 54-28 last season. Portland is tied with Denver at the top of the Northwest Division within the Western Conference. The Trailblazers will play four games this upcoming week, starting Monday in a rematch with Atlanta, followed by a home game (November 18th) with Detroit, a trip to Golden State (November 20th) and a home game with Minnesota (November 21st).

9. Cleveland Cavaliers (6-3) - After a slow start, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers have won three straight; and taken over the top of the Central Division. Cleveland picked up road wins at New York, Orlando and Miami. King LeBron James is leading the team in scoring (28.2), assists (7.4), and steals (1.7). Big man Shaquille O’Neal is helping the Cavaliers with 1.6 blocks per game. Cleveland will play four games during the next week. On Tuesday the Cavaliers will host the Golden State Warriors. The next day Cleveland will head to Washington to take on Agent Zero and the Washington Wizards. On Friday, the Cavs will play in Indiana, followed by a Saturday home game with Philadelphia.

10. Atlanta Hawks (7-2) - The Atlanta Hawks lead the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference, which is quickly become one of, if not THE, most competitive divisions in the NBA. The Hawks lead both Miami and Orlando, who have also gotten off to quick starts. Atlanta’s youth led by Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Mike Bibby have managed to put up just over 106 points per game. The latest win for Atlanta was an 11 point win at Boston. It was the first time the Hawks had beat the Celtics in Boston, in 8 tries. Atlanta will play three straight home games this week, starting with a Monday affair with Portland. The Heat will visit Atlanta on Wednesday, and the Rockets will pay a visit on Friday. Atlanta will travel to New Orleans on November 21st to battle the Hornets.

11. Houston Rockets (5-4) - The Rockets, without big man Yao Ming have managed a steady start in the first 10% of the season. Houston trails divisional leading Dallas by just a game. The Rockets are coming off arguably their worst played game of the season; dropping a 109-100 decision to the Sacramento Kings. Trevor Ariza coming over from Los Angeles is leading Houston in scoring, with 19.4 points per game, and steals, with just under 2.0 per game. The Rockets will play five games in the upcoming week, starting Sunday at Los Angeles (Lakers) and continuing Tuesday (with Phoenix), Wednesday (at Minnesota), and then a weekend set at Atlanta and with Sacramento.

12. San Antonio Spurs (4-3) - The Spurs leading scorer Richard Jefferson is once again putting serious points on the board. Always known as a scorer, Jefferson was brought to San Antonio for just that reason. The Spurs are 4-3 overall, coming off their back to back wins over Toronto and Dallas. San Antonio is in second place; tied with Houston, one game behind the front running Dallas Mavericks. The Spurs, as a team are scoring 102.4 points per game, which is not typical of a Greg Popovich coached team. San Antonio has won all four of their home games, and have yet to win on the road this season. The Spurs will play at Dallas on Wednesday, then host the Utah Jazz on Thursday. San Antonio and Washington will then hook up Saturday.

13. Milwaukee Bucks (4-2) - The Bucks come into Saturday’s action, winners of three straight games; over Minnesota, New York and Denver. The Bucks are getting surprising results from rookie Brandon Jennings. Jennings is coming of age quickly; scoring 20.7 points per game, and dishing out 5.7 assists per game. Andrew Bogut is helping Milwaukee out in the paint, ripping down just under 10 rebounds per game. Milwaukee currently sits in second place in the Central Division - Eastern Conference. The Bucks are 3-0 when playing at home this season. Milwaukee will host Dallas, New Jersey and Charlotte this week, and finish the week on November 21st in Memphis.

14. Chicago Bulls (4-4) - Chicago has found troubles scoring this season, after losing Ben Gordon to divisional rival Detroit. The Bulls have found an upstart Luol Deng leading the scoreboard more often, as he is scoring just over 17 points per game. The Bulls are tied with the Pistons at the bottom of the Central Division; but trail Cleveland by just 1.5 games. The Bulls have struggled on the road this season; winning just one of four games. Chicago will look to overcome their road woes this week when they play in Sacramento, Los Angeles (Clippers) and Denver.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (4-4) - Oklahoma City has shown their fans they may not be the walk over they were during the 2008-2009 season. Seeking their first winning season in team history, the franchise has not been above .500 since 2004-2005 when they went 52-30. Kevin Durant leads the team in scoring with 27 points per game, while point guard Russell Westbrook has been solid, leading in assists at just over seven per game. The Thunder will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, and then play back-to-back road games in Miami and Orlando, before hosting the Washington Wizards on November 20th.

16. Utah Jazz (4-5) - Jerry Sloan and his Jazz are scoring just over 100 points per game this season, unfortunately they are also allowing just over 101. The Jazz have seen sensational play once again from point guard DeRon Williams, as he is scoring 20.4 points per game and just under 10 assists per game. The Jazz are in fourth place in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference; trailing Denver, Portland and Oklahoma City. Utah will take until Wednesday off, when they host the Toronto Raptors. The Jazz will head to San Antonio on Thursday, and then host the Detroit Pistons on Saturday November 20th.

17. Detroit Pistons (4-4) - The Pistons are once again doing an excellent job of defending opponents; as they are allowing just under 90 points per game. Detroit is coming off two straight wins; over Philadelphia and Charlotte. Both wins came at home, a place in which the Pistons have won three of four games. Detroit is led in scoring by Richard Hamilton and his 25 points per game. Ben Wallace is ripping down just under 10 rebounds per game for the Pistons as well. The Dallas Mavericks will invade Detroit on Sunday, and then the Pistons will play back to back games on the road against the Lakers and Trailblazers, and then on Saturday November 20th at Utah.

18. Toronto Raptors (4-4) - The Raptors are using a double-double average from Chris Bosh to get off to a 5-4 start. Toronto is in second place, trailing Boston in the Atlantic Division. The Raptors are coming off a 33-49 season, which snapped a two year streak of .500 record, or better. Jose Calderon leads the team with just under 7 assists per game, while Andrea Bargnani is blocking close to two shots per game. The Raptors  will play three straight games this week; on the road. The trip will start Sunday in Phoenix, then move to  Tuesday/Wednesday at Denver and Utah. Toronto will come back home on November 20th against Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.

19. Philadelphia 76ers (4-5) - The 76ers are coming off their 22 point loss on the road at Utah, to fall to under .500. Philadelphia trails both Boston and Toronto at the top of the Atlantic Division. Andre Iguodala is leading the team with just under 18 points per game, along with 5.4 assists and 2 steals per game. The 76ers will host the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday November 18th, the Memphis Grizzles on November 20th, and then travel to Cleveland on November 21st.

20. Sacramento Kings (5-4) - The Sacramento Kings have been a pleasant surprise in the Western Conference, through their first nine games. Sacramento, if the postseason started today, would be the 7th seed. The Kings have finished below .500, three straight seasons, including a franchise worst 17-65 season last year. The Kings are led in scoring by Kevin Martin, with just over 30 points per game. Martin will miss action until at least January with wrist surgery. The Kings will host the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, and then take trips to Dallas and Houston over the weekend. 

21. Indiana Pacers (3-3) - The Pacers, after their 0-3 start, have won three straight games, to climb back to .500. Indiana, to this point has played the least amount of games in all of the NBA. Indiana’s latest win came on November 11th when they downed Golden State 108-94. Danny Granger leads Indiana in scoring, with just over 24 points per game, and also in steals, with just over 2. The Pacers are in third place in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference, trailing Cleveland and Milwaukee, just ahead of Chicago and Detroit. The Pacers will play at winless New Jersey on Tuesday, followed by a home game with New York on Wednesday. Indiana will finish the week with a Friday November 20th home game with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

22. Charlotte Bobcats (3-5) - The Bobcats, at 3-5, are looking for a way to snap their three game skid. The Bobcats were downed at Chicago and Detroit, and also at home to Orlando during the streak. Charlotte is getting just under 14 points and 13 rebounds per game from Gerald Wallace, but have struggled to find a consistent second scorer. Charlotte leads just Washington in the Southeast Division. The Bobcats will play three road games this week, at Orlando, Philadelphia and Milwaukee.

23. New Orleans Hornets (3-7) - First the Hornets lost head coach Byron Scott, and now Chris Paul is expected to miss up to two weeks with an ankle injury. The first ten games for New Orleans have not shown signs of finishing above .500 for the third straight season. Paul leads the team in scoring (23.8), assists (9.2) and steals (1.7). After the firing of Scott, Paul was vocal about questioning the decision of front office executives. New Orleans will look to get things back on track this week, with three straight home games, starting Tuesday with the Clippers. On Thursday the Hornets will look to slow down the Phoenix Suns, and Saturday the Atlanta Hawks will invade the Big Easy.

24. Los Angeles Clippers (3-7) - The Clippers, through the first ten games, did not look like a team that can compete for the eighth position in the postseason. Los Angeles has won just three of their first time, but will be expecting the return of first round draft choice Blake Griffin in upcoming weeks. In the meantime, the Clippers are led in scoring by Chris Kaman, at 22 points per game. Guard Baron Davis has been strong for the Clippers, leading the team in assists and steals (7.5 and 2 per game). The Clippers will play three straight road games (Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday) at Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Memphis, before hosting the Denver Nuggets on November 20th.

25. Golden State Warriors (3-5) - The Warriors are coming off a 14 point win in New York, in which Stephen Jackson scored 23 points. Monta Ellis also added 22 for the Warriors. Golden State is 3-5 on the season, and in fourth place in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Jackson, recently asking for a trade, has been a thorn in the side of Don Nelson’s “difficult” team. Golden State will play back-to-back games at Boston and Cleveland (Nov. 17-18) and then host the Portland Trailblazers on November 20th, in what appears to be a very tough week.

26. Washington Wizards (2-6) - The return of Gilbert Arenas was supposed to help aid the Washington Wizards back into a playoff contender. Through eight games this season, Washington has yet to fool anyone about heading into the postseason. The Wizards have won just two of eight games on the season. Washington, since their October 31st win over New Jersey, have yet to record a November win. Arenas is leading the team in scoring, with 24 points per game, and assists, at 6 per game, but has been hampered by turnovers, including 12 in a single game. The Wizards will host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 18th, followed by back-to-back road games at Oklahoma and San Antonio on November 20th and 21st.

27. New York Knicks (1-9) - The New York Knicks continue to buy time until the free agency period of 2010 begins. The Knicks are once again just dreadful, behind head coach Mark Dantoni. Since the November 2nd win over New Orleans, the Knicks have lost six straight games and are have won just one of ten games overall this season. Their 1-9 record marks them just ahead of New Jersey in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks will play at Indiana on November 18th and at New Jersey on November 21st.

28. Minnesota Timber wolves (1-9) - Minnesota got off to a good start; winning their season opener 95-93 over New Jersey. Since that point, the Timber wolves have been downed nine straight times; including most recent losses at home to Portland and Dallas. The Timber wolves are currently playing without star big man Al Jefferson, who is dealing with family matters. Jefferson has led the team in scoring just one game this season, with Johnny Flynn leading the who, with five. The Timber wolves will host Houston on November 18th and head to Portland on November 21st.

29. Memphis Grizzles (1-8) - After starting the season 1-1, Memphis has dropped seven straight games. The Grizzles lone win came on October 30th when Zach Randolph poured in 30 points in a 115- 107 win over the Toronto Raptors. Since that point, the Grizzles have lost six of seven on the road, with their lone home loss coming November 10th to Portland. O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay are leading the Grizzles backcourt, with Gay the leading scorer, putting up just over 20 points per game. Memphis will host the Los Angeles Clippers on November 18th, before a trip to Philadelphia on November 20th, and a home affair with Milwaukee on November 21st.

30. New Jersey Nets (0-9) - The lone winless team in the National Basketball Association - the New Jersey Nets. New Jersey is averaging just 85 points per game offensively, while their defense is allowing just over 96. The lone bright spot for the Nets has been Brook Lopez and his 17 point, 8 rebound per game effort. New Jersey will take on Indiana at home, and travel to Miami in back-to-back games this week (Tuesday - Wednesday), before coming home on November 21st to host the New York Knicks.