NBA Power Rankings: 12/9/09
December 9, 2009
Taylor Smith has put together another set of NBA power rankings over at Bleacher Report, so we thought we would take a look. Remember that power rankings are a valuable tool for anyone making NBA picks out there as they can tell you who can be favored and by approximately how much with the NBA point spreads. So let’s take a look at how his list shakes out:
1. Los Angeles Lakers (16-3, Last Week: 1)
Center Andrew Bynum, now playing in his fifth NBA season, appears primed to make his first All-Star appearance by averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game for the streaking Lakers who have now won nine straight.
2. Orlando Magic (17-4, Last Week: 2)
The swap of Hedo Turkoglu for Vince Carter appears to be working in Orlando’s favor so far. Carter is averaging close to 20 points per game for the season and is a true perimeter scorer that can create his own shot and is explosive enough to take over a game by himself.
3. Boston Celtics (17-4, Last Week: 4)
Currently riding an eight-game winning streak with impressive wins on the road over Miami and San Antonio, plus there is no end in site with a soft schedule over the next couple of weeks.
4. Denver Nuggets (16-6, Last Week: 
Carmelo Anthony is looking like a legitimate MVP contender with his 30 points and six rebounds per game, while shooting 48 percent from the floor, and 87 percent from the line.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-6, Last Week: 5)
The Cavs have already built a five-and-a-half-game lead in the Central Division after just 20 games. 24-year-old LeBron James is averaging 27 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists per game.
6. Atlanta Hawks (14-6, Last Week: 6)
7. Dallas Mavericks (14-7, Last Week: 7)
8. Phoenix Suns (15-7, Last Week: 3)
9. Utah Jazz (12-8, Last Week: 11)
10. Portland Trail Blazers (13-9, Last Week: 9)
11. Houston Rockets (11-9, Last Week: 13)
12. Miami Heat (11-9, Last Week: 12)
13. Oklahoma City Thunder (11-9, Last Week: 15)
14. San Antonio Spurs (9-9, Last Week: 10)
15. Milwaukee Bucks (9-11, Last Week: 14)
16. Sacramento Kings (9-11, Last Week: 16)
17. Charlotte Bobcats (8-11, Last Week: 17)
18. New Orleans Hornets (9-11, Last Week: 21)
19. Los Angeles Clippers (9-12, Last Week: 19)
20. Toronto Raptors (10-13, Last Week: 22)
21. Memphis Grizzlies (9-12, Last Week: 24)
22. Detroit Pistons (8-12, Last Week: 23)
23. Washington Wizards (7-12, Last Week: 26)
24. Chicago Bulls (7-12, Last Week: 20)
25. Indiana Pacers (6-12, Last Week: 18)
26. Golden State Warriors (6-12, Last Week: 25)
27. New York Knicks (7-14, Last Week: 28)
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-18, Last Week: 29)
29. Philadelphia 76ers (5-16, Last Week: 27)
30. New Jersey Nets (2-19, Last Week: 30)
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