1. Cleveland Cavaliers (47-14)- Yup, Cleveland’s back at numero uno after winning four straight. It’s becoming more and more obvious that the Cavs are a better team without Shaq.
2. Dallas Mavericks (39-21)- Beating L.A. really sparked Jason Kidd and the Mavs as they’ve now won 8 straight. This moves them into the 2 spot for the first time all season. Their comeback win in Atlanta was incredible, with Kidd reverting to his early 2000′s form.
3. Los Angeles Lakers (45-15)- Losing to Dallas bumps them down a couple of spots, but beating the Nuggets was huge for them, avoiding an 0-3 hole.
4. Orlando Magic (41-20)- Orlando has continued to play well, keeping a 2 game lead on the Hawks for the coveted #2 seed. Their matchup against the Lakers on ABC Sunday should be a great game. I know who I’m rooting for.
5. Atlanta Hawks (38-21)- Another fourth quater collapse costs them a big home win, but the Hawks responded well winning back to back games against potential first round playoff opponents. They look to make a run at the Magic with a rather easy upcoming schedule (76ers, Warriors, Heat, Knicks).
6. Denver Nuggets (39-21)- Two tough losses drops them a couple of spots, but a win vs. the Thunder tomorrow night could get them back on track.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder (35-23)- Speaking of the Thunder, Durant and Co. lost both of their streaks during the week, but still only move down a spot after winning 2 in a row to close out the week. They should continue that trend with a home matchup tonight against the Kings.
8. Utah Jazz (38-22)- A .500 week including a loss to the Clippers drops them a spot, but they can redeem themselves with a win in Phoenix thursday night.
9. Phoenix Suns (38-24)- The Suns have begun to play much better, as Amare seems poised to make a serious playoff run (and for a bigger offseason contract). The final month or so should be real interesting in the West with so many teams still alive for that #2 seed.
10. San Antonio Spurs (34-24)- This may be the most unpredictable team in the NBA this season, as they just go back and forth, week after week. They just finished a solid week, topping both the Hornets and Suns. Things don’t get much easier though, as they take on the Hornets again on ESPN, Memphis, and the Cavs on Saturday.
11. Portland Trailblazers (36-27)- They’ve played pretty well lately, winning 4 of their last 5. Although many of the wins did come against lowly Eastern teams. Their ESPN matchup in Denver will be a real test Sunday night.
12. Boston Celtics (36-21)- They lost to the Nets. At home. 
13. Milwaukee Bucks (30-29)- Aside from their OT loss in Atlanta, the Bucks have played some great ball lately. They have a good shot at two straight wins vs. the lowly Wizards before their matchup with the Cavs this week.
14. Toronto Raptors (31-28)- They’ve lost four straight wihout Bosh and dropped three spots because of it. They need him back to be the #5 or even #6 seed.
15. Chicago Bulls (31-29)- The Bulls get to move up a spot by default. They did go a modest 2-2 last week, but were blown out twice.
16. New Orleans Hornets (31-30)- The only reason for the Bulls move up was due to the awful play of the Hornets. They finished the week 1-4, although all of their losses did come to playoff teams. They’ll have a chance to make up for the bad week with match ups with Memphis, San Antonio, and Golden State.
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