NBA Power Rankings: Lakers and Cavs Will Settle It on the Court

The Cavaliers' loss to the Jazz at the buzzer wasn't necessarily enough to drop them from the top spot, but the Lakers have gotten back to their winning ways -- and do have the best record in the league -- so L.A. and Cleveland sit at 1. and 1A. atop this week's rankings.

You may want to keep any animosity you're feeling over this development in check, though, at least for a day or so. The Lakers and Cavs will settle it on the court in Cleveland on Thursday, with bragging rights for the remainder of the season undoubtedly of monumental importance to both teams.

As for everyone else? Read on to find out where your favorites landed this week.

1. Lakers (32-9) | Prev.: 5
The Lakers have played less road games (9-6) than Cleveland has won road games (17-8). And now the Lakers head to Cleveland on Thursday for their biggest test of the season. The Lakers have won three straight, including nice wins at Dallas and at home against Orlando. They now have a score to settle with the Cavaliers, who beat them 102-87 on Christmas. This game could set the tone for the Lakers' much-tougher second-half schedule. -- Chris Tomasson
1A. Cavaliers (32-11) | Prev.: 1
Besides letting a guy on a 10-day contract beat them at the buzzer in Utah, there's been nothing to see here with this Cleveland team. The Cavs have performed as expected, and will get a chance to once again beat the Lakers at home on Thursday. -- BP
3. Nuggets (26-14) | Prev.: 8
There are more All-Stars in the Western Conference than there will be available roster spots, and I don't think anyone (besides the faceless masses jamming the button for Tracy McGrady over and over again) would disagree with Chauncey Billups' assertion that the whole fan voting thing might cost him a spot this year. -- BP

4. Mavericks (27-14) | Prev.: 4
No one's talking about them, and they have a nasty habit of inconsistent halves. But take a look at where they're at in the rankings, how easy their second half schedule is, their resume (signature wins over LAL, SAS, and BOS), and throw in the fact that there are times this season where Dirk Nowitzki literally will not allow them to lose, and it may be time to start taking a long look at Dallas in the Western Conference runner-up picture. -- Matt Moore

5. Celtics (27-12) | Prev.: 2
Is "KG will fix everything" an excuse, a mantra, or a false hope. The Celtics face not only the lingering health concerns over KG's knee, Pierce's entire body, 'Sheed's durability, along with other little knicks (not Knicks) along the way, like Marquis Daniels. But even at full strength, there are holes in this squad, big ones that present issues. Their second in the league in turnover ratio, and have difficulty in a lot of proven areas. Still, until KG gets back and they continue to have trouble, you have to give them some benefit of the doubt, unless they're playing Atlanta, apparently. -- MM

6. Spurs (25-15) | Prev.: 3
Beat LA (even sans Gasol), lose a back-to-back to Charlotte and Memphis. Go figure. Parker's plantar fascitiis isn't being paraded around like a fractured finger, but will have more impact on his team than most injuries going forward. Parker's well enough to play, but in enough pain to disrupt his jump shot, bringing him back to "make him the shooter" levels. Spurs need to gel in a hurry. -- MM

7. Thunder (23-18) | Prev.: 9
Statement win in the ATL on Monday, highlighted by the monster dunk from Jeff Green over Josh Smith that sealed the victory. Most impressive about this one was the fact that Kevin Durant was largely shut down in the fourth quarter, yet the team still managed to close out one of the top teams in the league on their home floor. The more you watch this team grow, the more you have to feel sorry for the people of Seattle. -- BP

8. Hawks (26-14) | Prev.: 11
They got put in their place this week when the NBA denied their protest of that Dec. 30 loss to Cleveland. In actuality, the shot clock error cost them the game, and the final two minutes should be replayed, but the league deemed that the Hawks just aren't important enough. Everything else, though, looks like it's starting to fall into place for a franchise on the rise. -- Tim Povtak

9. Trail Blazers (25-17) | Prev.: 10
As if Portland didn't have enough injury issues, now Brandon Roy is nursing a strained hamstring. The team has been rightfully cautious in resting him as it deems appropriate, but most recently it cost them a chance for a road victory over the hapless Wizards. -- BP

10. Grizzlies (22-18) | Prev.: 12
Holy crap, did Memphis get good in a hurry. Memphis' defensive numbers are horrific, and they'll give up points. But down the stretch in their last four games when they've needed stops, they've gotten stops (except for a Gerald Wallace miracle putback). Memphis runs off three point shooters religiously, and rebound like mad men. A tough upcoming schedule (NOLA, SAS, LA, CLE, ORL all before Feb.2nd) suggests an upcoming fall off, but then, we said the same thing before their recent Utah-San-Antonio-Phoenix jaunt, which they weathered just fine. Hang on for the ride, kiddos. -- MM

11. Magic (26-15) | Prev.: 6
A return home, and two easy opponents this week from Indiana and Sacramento, should ease the pain, but the alarms are sounding now because the Magic are so badly out of sync. The fingers are being pointed, at Vince Carter for changing the chemistry, at coach Stan Van Gundy for not getting Dwight Howard his shots, and at Howard, too, for not taking a leadership role. The Big Three better find an answer quickly. -- TP

12. Jazz (23-18) | Prev.: 13
Utah's been sharp lately, the team's only loss in its last five coming on the second night of a back-to-back in Denver, and they kept it close late into the fourth quarter. Big game looms on Wednesday, when the Jazz will face the Spurs after a couple of days off. -- BP

13. Bobcats (20-19) | Prev.: 16
The 'Cats are starting to generate some excitement again in Charlotte with a hustling, overachieving team. This is where Coach Larry Brown is at his best, poking and prodding at every turn. Much like he has done with other eccentric players, he is the getting the best from Stephen Jackson. -- TP

14. Suns (24-18) | Prev.: 7
Road sour road. The Suns can't beat anyone away from home these days, which is why they're sinking in the standings. Phoenix has dropped 11 of 12 games after opening 8-3. Some of the recent road losses have been quite ugly, with defeats at Golden State and Indiana and a hideous 26-point setback last Saturday at Charlotte. The climate won't get a boost if guard Steve Nash can't overtake Houston's Tracy McGrady, who has been as active lately as Walt Disney, for a starting All-Star berth. -- CT

15. Rockets (21-17) | Prev.: 13
There's no quit in this team, but there are gigantic talent holes. And keeping them above .500 is going to be exhausting for this club over the remaining half of the season. Morey's always talked about in trade discussions, but that cap space is vital to their next step efforts. The key with this squad is to remember that this is all gravy. They're accomplishing more without their All-Stars than most teams do with. -- MM

16. Hornets (21-19) | Prev.: 14
Do you trust them? I guess that's the question. After a horrific start, the Hornets have rebounded, and are 7-3 in their last ten, yet find themselves at the bottom of their division. Trying to establish what this team's goals are is very difficult. Shouldn't it be a championship every year they have Chris Paul? So far it seems like Jeff Bower is content to settle for "good, not great" which won't cut it in the West. -- MM

17. Heat (21-19) | Prev.: 17
Dwyane Wade, who has been dreadful from long-range this season, hit a trio of 3-point shots Tuesday, including one that counted when Troy Murphy was called for goal tending. That's good living. The Heat are going back and forth between good and bad, knowing they can finish anywhere from fifth in the East to completely out of the playoffs. -- TP

18. Raptors (21-21) | Prev.: 18
.500, good enough for 7th in the East. A tough loss to Cleveland that was theirs until Chris Bosh started chucking up airballs and losing the ball out of bounds. This for the guy who won't verbally or contractually commit to them long term. The Raptors are at a precipice with less than a month before the deadline. If they surge, this team could push for the fifth seed. If they waver? Colangelo better be taking offers for Bosh so they get something out of the situation. -- MM

19. Clippers (18-22) | Prev.: 20
Will Marcus Camby stay or will Camby go? With Blake Griffin out for the season due to his knee injury, the Clippers no longer can wait this season to see how Camby plays alongside Griffin before deciding whether to trade the big man. With the Clippers not much of a threat to make the playoffs, whether they trade Camby is the biggest drama on the horizon. At least the Clippers on Monday did stop a four-game losing streak in bullying the defenseless New Jersey Nets. -- CT

20. Bulls (17-19) | Prev.: 19
The name of Derrick Rose appears at the four spot on the NBA's list of top-selling jerseys, but his play in the first half of the season likely had nothing to do with it. Rose starred in that epic playoff series against the Celtics a season ago, and finally, at this campaign's halfway point, he's once again beginning to look like that player. Bulls are 6-4 in their last 10 by the way, with wins over Orlando and Boston during that stretch. -- BP

21. Knicks (17-24) | Prev.: 21
Their slogan in the locker room should be "Screw Utah." Without their top pick, the Knicks have no incentive to tank, and are playing hard, reasonably smart, and reasonably well. They're only two games out of the 8th seed, and have some good players. But keeping the 1 or 2 pick overall out of Utah's hands to avoid more embarrassment for the franchise is a worthy cause at this point. A lost, but not that bad, season. -- MM

22. Bucks (16-23) | Prev.: 22
After a disastrous six-game trip out West, where the team lost its formerly-franchise player for the season (again) and picked up five losses, the Bucks finally return home. But the schedule has dealt them a home-and-home with the Raptors, a team that's been playing so well of late that the normal and widely-accepted split of the two games will be difficult for Milwaukee to obtain. -- BP

23. Pistons (14-26) | Prev.: 26
Man, that 13-game losing streak sure was depressing. Good thing it's over, and the Pistons put together three straight Ws before losing the second of a home-and-home with the Knicks. Injuries are still a concern, as Rip Hamilton returned (then fell ill and sat out), but Ben Gordon is now injured. Joe Dumars has said he might be active at this season's trade deadline, but with the team having never been at full strength yet, it's tough to know exactly what tweaks need to be made. -- BP

24. Wizards (14-26) | Prev.: 28
They are actually talking about basketball again in Washington, winning back to back games over the weekend. Mike Miller has returned, but it won't be long before the moving trucks start pulling up because changes are coming with the end of the Gilbert Arenas era. -- TP

25. Pacers (14-27) | Prev.: 27
Larry Bird's draft record, via HoopsHype: David Harrison, Rashad Wright, GRANGER, Lorbek, Shawne Williams, James White, Barac, Rush, Hibbert and Hansbrough. Um, yeah. -- BP

26. Sixers (13-27) | Prev.: 25
Philly's .500 in their last ten, so they're no longer going nowhere fast. They're going nowhere at a very reasonable pace. How long before Stefanski comes to grips with the severity of the situation and pulls the trigger on a deal? -- MM

27. Warriors (12-27) | Prev.: 24
Coach Don Nelson might be saying, "My four can beat your four.'' Unfortunately, basketball is a five-man game. Nelson was down to four players last Friday against Milwaukee due to injuries and disqualifications, although Stephen Curry, the last to foul out, was allowed to remain in the game after getting a technical. Despite all their problems, the Warriors, with guard Monta Ellis piling up points, actually have managed to win five of their last 11. -- CT

28. Kings (15-25) | Prev.: 23
Remember when the Kings were everybody's surprise darlings in the West? Well, whizzing by them in the left lane has been Memphis. After beginning 13-14, Sacramento is 2-11. At least guard Tyreke Evans pulls away more each day in the race for Rookie of the Year. And forward Omri Casspi, a draft steal with the No. 23 pick, looks like he could be joining Evans on the All-Rookie first team. -- CT

29. Timberwolves (9-33) | Prev.: 29
Don't think that the blowout losses are simply being accepted by Kurt Rambis. The team's first-year head coach lost it a bit in Memphis after his team was killed the Grizzlies. -- BP