SPURS CLAIM TOP SPOT IN WEST, PISTONS LOSE

 

(Images taken from NBA.com)

 

Anyone looking to claim the NBA title will have to deal with the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs being the defending champions, that should be fairly obvious but given that it's been the LA Clippers of all teams that were the early Western Conference leaders, there was probably some doubt, not any more though as a three game homestand has seen the Spurs run the still-winless Hawks(103-79), Rockets(86-80) and Suns(97-91) and take the lead in the Western Conference at least.

The Spurs still have to deal with the League-leading Pistons though, but they're now having to settle for an 8-1 record after Dirk Nowitski and Eric Dampier combined to blow them out of Dallas. Another loss by the Pistons could result in them losing the lead of the Central Division to the white-hot Cavs, on an 8-2 record and seven game winning streak, LeBron James and crew looking unstoppable in two games against the Magic(108-100 in overtime on the road and 102-84 at home), Wizards(114-99) and Sixers(123-120). At the bottom of that division, the Bulls have dropped out of the playoff race.

In the Southeast division, the Miami Heat, the side who in theory have the potential to destroy all opposition and pick up championship rings this season, are just now starting to catch light. A midweek overtime 109-102 win over the Hornets may have looked good but it was just the starter before the Sixers came to visit. With Shaq still out Dwayne Wade ran the show, trashing Philadelphia with 32 points and 10 assists in a 106-96 win. That result puts the Heat on a four game winning streak and a 6-3 record overall, topping the division as the Wizards decline on a three game losing streak.

Another team on the slide are the Sixers, the defeat to Miami being followed by a tight 123-120 defeat against the Cavs. They may still have a 6-5 record but the Atlantic Division is now lead by the Nets, though only just at 5-4. In the meantime the Knicks are finally off the mark, picking up wins in Sacramento(105-95) and Utah(73-62) during a West coast road trip. The Raptors remain winless though.

Back out West, the Clippers are still leading the Pacific division, now with a 7-2 record with the Lakers sunk at the bottom. Kobe and crew are now on a 4-5 record and were beaten by their arena-mates 97-91 this week, Bryant having to carry his team and not managing to do the business.

The T-Wolves still lead the Northwest Division despite a 102-91 defeat to the rising Nuggetts in Denver, their 5-4 record the only winning record in the division right now. At the other end of the spectrum, the Jazz have nosedived - a five game losing streak sending them to rock bottom.

Oh, for the record, you can now vote for the players you want to make up the starting fives at the Allstar Game in February in Houston. Don't know why they start the voting this early, I'm never able to make a solid judgement on the players at this point but if anyone reading this hasn't swung by NBA.com yet and does want to vote early, you can do so here

That's it from me.

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