Detroit Pistons:
The Pistons spent the week without Chauncey Billups who was out with a strained calf...A struggling Flip Murray started for Billups as the holiday schedule was kind enough to only include three games, one which turned out to be an easy Pistons' win against the Chris Paul-less New Orleans Hornets... Frontcourt defense has become a weakness with Ben Wallace taking his game to Chicago, so the Pistons must get it done with veteran savvy and offense for a change... Big, fun Jason Maxiell has expanded his role on the team lately bringing some spark and a much needed physical presence off the bench... Despite a big Saturday night game against Big Ben and the Bulls, there was no need to rush Billups back before he is 100% ready to go... After finishing the week 1-2 sans Billups, the Pistons can look ahead to four very winnable games this week as they play @Philly, Charlotte, @Atlanta, and Boston.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
The Cavs started 2007 right with wins over the Spurs, Celts, Bucks, and Nets... Despite conventional wisdom, LeBron James has been getting much more help this year from his supporting cast... Bron's scoring, assists and rebounds are all down from last year, yet the Cavs remain atop the Eastern Conference standings with timely production from Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas... The Cavs kick off a two week West Coast roadie this week with games @Sacramento, @Phoenix, and @ LAC... Time to see where the Cavs really stack up after starting the season with nearly the identical record as last year... This same West Coast swing last year started with five straight losses.
Chicago Bulls:
The Bulls ended the week on a high note beating the Detroit Pistons after losing to the Phoenix Suns and New Jersey Nets earlier in the week... Ben Wallace was pumped to take on his former team and his new teammates responded by helping Big Ben bury his former mates... Little Ben Gordon had a 41 point game in a loss to the Suns last Tuesday. Gordon comes off the bench as the Bulls' sixth man, yet still leads the team in scoring... Luol Deng has picked up his FG% and overall production lately becoming a tough cover for opposing defenses... The Bulls have busy a week ahead with games against Houston, @Washington, New Jersey, Memphis.
Indiana Pacers:
With only two games this week the Pacers have had time to ponder their inconsistent ways... They often play to the level of their competition and the production levels from Jamaal Tinsley, Stephen Jackson, and Al Harrington can vary greatly from game to game... Jermaine O'Neal has been the one constant for the Pacers all year, averaging a double-double and over three blocks per game... After the Pacers played well for forty minutes on Thursday, only to end up losing to the Dallas Mavericks, JO was extremely frustrated and blew off a little steam with reporters saying maybe he should be traded if he can't lead the team to more wins... Complaining to the media isn't the most desired form of leadership but JO had plenty of help as the Pacers closed out the week beating the Hornets in Oklahoma City... Looking ahead the Pacers have a chance for their first three-game winning streak of the year with their next two games against Atlanta and @Boston, then end the week with a rematch against the Mavericks at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Milwaukee Bucks:
The Bucks end the week one game under .500 and in the cellar of the Central Division, but in the mess that is the Eastern Conference they would still be an 8 seed if the playoffs started tomorrow... A pair of tough losses to the Washington Wizards and Cavs made for a sour start to 2007 for the Bucks, highlighted by the Wizards' Gilbert Arenas draining a long, game-winning 3-ball that was never in doubt... Sometime starter and key contributor, Charlie Villanueva missed both games this week with shoulder tendonitis... Michael Redd ends the week 5th in the Association in scoring at 27.7 points per game... The Bucks will put in some miles next week with games @Denver, Toronto, @Philly, and NO/OKC. Looks like another .500 week for a .500 team.
DIVISION REPORTS
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Central Division
Southeast Division
Western Conference