NBA Western Conference Power Rankings
The Los Angeles Lakers 11 game win streak came to an end last Saturday with a loss to the Jazz, but they are still on top of the Western Conference with record of 20-4. They lead the Pacific division by four games over the 17-9 Phoenix Suns. The 19-7 Dallas Mavericks have won five straight games and now lead the Southwest division by 4 ½ games over 14-11 Houston and 13-10 San Antonio. Denver has won three straight games and is 7-3 in their last ten games. They have opened up a 3 ½ game lead over 15-10 Utah and 16-11 Portland in the Northwest division. The Oklahoma Thunder is currently at .500 with a 12-12 record but the remainder of the teams in the West currently has a losing record. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Lakers (20-4) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference -150
Last Friday in the 1st quarter of their game against the Timberwolves, Kobe Bryant fractured the index finger on his shooting hand. Despite the injury he still led all scorers with 20 points in the 102-94 win. The 11 game winning streak came to an end the next night in a 102-94 loss to the Jazz. No Laker scored more than 16 points as they trailed most of the way. They started their next winning streak with a 96-87 over the Bulls with Bryant knocking down 42. In a 107-106 win over the Bucks, Bryant missed a 15 footer to win the game in regulation, but nailed a similar shot to win it in overtime. Through 24 games Bryant is averaging 28.9 points and 4.1 assists while Pau Gasol is the leading rebounder with 12.7 per game. Next up for the Lakers are the Nets on Saturday and the Pistons on Sunday on the road, and then back home to play the Thunder on Tuesday and the Cavaliers on Christmas Day.
Dallas Mavericks (19-7) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference +950
The Mavericks rolled to a 106-93 win over the Heat last Friday led by Dirk Nowitzski’s 25 points and Erick Dampier’s 20 points and 17 rebounds. In a one point 98-97 win over the Bobcats, Nowitzski’s six points in overtime proved to be the difference. On Monday they beat the Hornets 94-90 with Jose Barea leading the way with 23 points. They extended their winning streak to five with a 100-86 win over the Thunder. Nowitzski scored 35 points in the win. Through 26 games Nowitzski is the leading scorer averaging 26.9 points per game, Dampier leads in rebounds with 9.3, and Jason Kidd leads in assists with 9.1. Next up for the Mavericks are the Rockets tonight and the Cavaliers on Sunday at home and the Trail Blazers on the road on Tuesday, December 22nd.
Denver Nuggets (19-7) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference +550
On Saturday the Nuggets beat the Suns 105-99. Carmelo Anthony was the leading scorer with 32 and Chauncey Billups added 24. In a 102-93 win over the Thunder, five players scored in double figures led by Anthony’s 31. In their third win in a row, they beat the Rockets 111-101 with Anthony putting up 38 points and J.R. Smith adding 21 points off the bench. Through 26 games Anthony is averaging 30.7 points per game, Nene is the leading rebounder with 8.6, and Billups leads in assists with 5.7. Next up for the Nuggets are the Hornets tonight and the Grizzlies on Sunday on the road, at home against the Hawks on Wednesday, and then a Christmas showdown with the Trail Blazers in Portland.
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