Dallas Mavericks:
The Mavericks have reeled off thirteen straight as of this writing, bringing their record to an NBA-best 27-7... Friday saw them beat the Spurs in San Antonio for the second time this season, except this time they pulled it off on the second night of a back-to-back... Gregg Popovich is calling them the best team in the League... Jerry Stackhouse has returned from an ankle injury and should see his minutes increase gradually... The team (Dirk Nowitzki in particular) has been hit with some kind of flu-like illness, but it hasn't been affecting their play... The Mavs visit the Lakers on Sunday (or yesterday by the time you read this) and the Jazz on Tuesday, but have a relatively easy run of games after that.
Houston Rockets:
The Rockets (21-12) entered Sunday's game in Minnesota riding a five-game winning streak, sans Yao Ming... Tracy McGrady has been unstoppable of late, averaging 36 points in Houston's last four games... A rejuvenated Dikembe Mutombo has averaged 13.2 boards per game during the win streak... The schedule has favored them recently, but it gets tougher with a trip to Chicago on Monday and a visit from the Lakers on Wednesday... Yao, who's been busy riding a bicycle as he rehabs from that broken leg, will be out for another month or so... Bonzi Wells will likely miss at least another weak with back problems, while Kirk Snyder and his mended wrist are back on the bench and should see court time soon.
Memphis Grizzlies:
Entering Sunday's game against San Antonio, the Grizzlies are 2-2 under interim head coach Tony Barone Sr., but still own the League's worst record at 8-26... Barone has the Grizz running and gunning (and not playing much defense), as evidenced by their 120.5 ppg average since he took the reins... Mike Miller has thrived in those four games, averaging 29 points and knocking down 25 triples. He also dished out a career-high 14 assists last Thursday vs. Boston... Rookie Rudy Gay has moved into the starting lineup, replacing Eddie Jones... Pau Gasol is still Pau Gasol... Ahead this week are visits by the Lakers and T-Wolves, followed by a trip to Chicago to face the Bulls on Saturday.
New Orleans Hornets:
The most injury-plagued team in the League continue to struggle, dropping their fourth straight game against the visiting Pacers on Saturday... They're now 4-18 since starting the season 8-3... Chris Paul (ankle sprain) and David West (elbow surgery) should return close to the end of the month, while Peja Stojakovic will likely be sidelined even longer as he recovers from back surgery... Bobby Jackson returned from a 16-game absence last week against the Detroit Pistons, but sat out the Indiana Pacers game with the same rib injury... Rasual Butler and Desmond Mason have been picking up the scoring slack, while recent pick-up Devin Brown has impressed Byron Scott enough to replace Jannero Pargo in the starting lineup... Clippers, Hawks, Wizards and Bucks ahead this week.
San Antonio Spurs:
The Spurs (23-11) have been struggling lately, losing three straight games ahead of Sunday's meeting with the Grizz in Memphis... The big three of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have been solid for the most part, but they're sorely lacking support... Robert Horry remains in the starting lineup despite a string of poor performances. Michael Finley, Brent Barry and Bruce Bowen are a combined 18-of-72 from the field in the past five games. No joke... This week's three games against mediocre opponents (Portland, Denver and Washington) should see better results... Spurs fans will tell you that the regular season is just a warm up for the playoffs, but the Spurs are certainly looking a step slower these days.
DIVISION REPORTS
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Central Division
Southeast Division
Western Conference