NBA Eastern Conference Power Rankings: November 6, 2009
The first full week of the NBA season is in the books and so far in the Eastern Conference there have been some very predictable results as well as some surprises. With a healthy Kevin Garnett back battling on the boards along with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen leading the team in scoring, the Celtics are off to a 6-0 start. On the other hand, Cleveland has stumbled out of the gate with a 3-3 record including two losses at home which is as many as they lost there all last season. The Southeast division is crowded at the top with Orlando, Miami, and Atlanta all off to great starts winning four out of their first five. The Hawks and the Magic are also leading the conference in scoring, both averaging 108 points per game. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top teams in the East.
Boston Celtics (6-0) Current odds to win the East 3/2
In the Celtics win over the Bulls last Friday Paul Pierce led the way with 22 points in a 28 point blowout. He led the way again in Boston’s 97-87 win over the New Orleans Hornets. They followed up these two wins by crushing the 76ers on the road 105 -74. In this game Rasheed Wallace came off the bench to score 20 points, hitting 6 of 8 three point attempts. In their last game, the Minnesota Timberwolves gave them all they could handle as they trailed most of this game, but hung on for a 92-90 win. Through the first six games Paul Pierce is the leading scorer averaging 19.7 points per game, Kevin Garnett leads in rebounds with 7.5, and Rajon Rondo leads the team in assists averaging 9.7 per game. Next up for the Celtics are the Suns at home tonight, the Nets on the road on Saturday, and back home against the Jazz on Wednesday, November 11th.
Orlando Magic (4-1) Current odds to win the East 3/1
The Magic faced the New Jersey Nets last Friday and came away with a 95-85 win. It was Vince Carter’s first game against his old team, but he went out in the second quarter with a minor ankle injury. In their next game Jameer Nelson led the way with 30 points and J.J. Redick added 27 in a 125-116 win over the Raptors. The Detroit Pistons handed the Magic their first loss of the season 85-80, holding Dwight Howard to eight points and five rebounds. In their last game Orlando took care of the Suns 122-100 handing Phoenix their first loss of the season. In their first five games, Dwight Howard leads the team in scoring with 19.6 points per game and rebounds with 11.8. Jameer Nelson leads in assists averaging 6.4 per game. Next up for the Magic are the Pistons at home tonight, the Thunder this Sunday and the Bobcats on Tuesday on the road, and a big showdown with the Cavaliers in Orlando on Wednesday, November 11th.
Miami Heat (4-1) Current odds to win the East 20/1
Jermaine O’Neal led the Heat to a 96-83 win over the Pacers scoring 22 points and adding 12 rebounds against his old team. In their next game Dwyane Wade’s 25 points not only led the way to a 95-87 win over the Bulls it put him over 10,000 points in his career. The Suns handed the Heat their first loss of the season beating them 104-96 led by Steve Nash’s 30 points for Phoenix. In their last game they rebounded with a 93-89 win over the Wizards with Wade dropping 40 points to lead the scoring. Through five games Wade leads the team in scoring with 29.2 points per game. Udonis Haslem is the leading rebounder averaging 10 per game. Mario Chalmers leads the team in assists per game with 5. Next up for the Magic are the Nuggets on Friday, the Wizards on Tuesday, and the Cavaliers on Thursday November 12th, all at home.
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