The Los Angeles Lakers are starting to feel a bit of heat as their lead in the conference is down to just 3 ½ games over Denver and five games over Dallas. They still have firm control of the Pacific division with a nine game lead over 27-21 Phoenix. The Nuggets have a four game lead over 27-18 Utah and a five game lead over 27-20 Portland in the Northwest division. In the Southwest division, the Mavericks have a three game lead over 26-18 San Antonio. The entire division is a tight race as Houston is currently in last place with a 24-21 record and only 5 ½ games out of first. Eleven teams have a winning record in the conference with the Suns currently holding on to the eighth spot. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the West.
Los Angeles Lakers (35-11) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference: 2/3
The Lakers kicked off a busy week with a 115-105 victory over the Knicks. Kobe Bryant did not score 61 this time but his 27 led the way in the win. In a bit of a shocker, they lost to the Raptors 105-106. Bryant’s shot at the end to win it slipped off the rim. Against the Wizards, they outscored them 30-15 in the second quarter and never looked back winning 115-103. In a 118-96 win over the Pacers, Bryant scored 29 and Andrew Bynum added 27 points and 12 rebounds. Through 46 games Bryant leads in points per game with 28.3 and assists with 4.8. Pau Gasol is the leading rebounder with 11. Next up for the Lakers is a three game road trip starting with the 76ers tonight, the Celtics on Sunday, and the Grizzlies on Monday. They return home to play the Heat on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Denver Nuggets (31-14) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference: 5/1
In a 116-110 win over the Hornets, Carmelo Anthony recorded a double- double with 30 points and 11 rebounds. Against the Bobcats it was Chauncey Billups turn as he scored 27 points and added 11 assists in the 104-93 victory. Without Anthony in the lineup, the Nuggets won their seventh straight game by beating the Rockets 97-92. Through 45 games Anthony is the leading scorer, averaging 29.7 points per game. Kenyon Martin is averaging 9.2 rebounds and Billups is averaging 5.9 assists. Next up for the Nuggets are the Thunder tonight and the Spurs on Sunday on the road, and then at home against the Kings on Monday and the Suns on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Dallas Mavericks (30-16) Current Odds to Win the Western Conference: 8/1
Last Friday night the Mav’s were stunned by the 76ers 81-92 as Philly got 56 points from their bench. They bounced back with a vengeance in a 128-78 rout of the Knicks. The 50 point margin of victory was the largest in franchise history. In a one point 108-107 victory over the Bucks, Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points and Jason Kidd added 11 points and 12 assists. Last night against the Suns, they were outscored 28-16 in the fourth quarter and went on to lose 106-112.Through 46 games Nowitzki leads in scoring; averaging 25.2 points per game, Erick Dampier leads in rebounds with 8.8, and Kidd leads in assists with 9.3. Next up for the Mavericks are the Trail Blazers on Saturday in Dallas, on the road against the Jazz on Monday, and then back home to face the Warriors on Wednesday, February 3rd.
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