The three straight losses following the 13-game winning streak are no reason to hit the panic button. Cleveland is too good of a team, and the Jamison acquisition will pay huge dividends come playoff time.
2
L.A. Lakers(42-14)Last Week: 2
Give the supporting cast credit for holding down the fort and winning four of five games in Kobe's absence. No. 24 should be back in uniform for Tuesday night's affair with Memphis.
3
Utah Jazz(36-19)Last Week: 3
Remember all the way back to when Utah was a mediocre road team? Well, those days are long gone after the Jazz finished up its four-game road trip unblemished.
4
Orlando Magic(38-19)Last Week: 4
Vince Carter has given the Magic the go-to scorer they sometimes lacked during last year's Finals run, and Sunday's win over Cleveland was the confidence-builder Orlando needed.
5
Denver Nuggets(37-19)Last Week: 5
Denver earned a couple of signature wins in Cleveland and back at home against Boston, making the sandwiched-in loss in Washington even more difficult to fathom.
6
Oklahoma City Thunder(33-21)Last Week: 6
Lost in the glory of the nine-game win streak and Durant's scoring streak is the play of Russell Westbrook, who is playing the point as well as anyone in the league.
7
Boston Celtics(35-19)Last Week: 9
The loss in Denver was disappointing, but the Celtics found their groove after the break and finished the road trip at 3-2. Nate Robinson is set to make his Boston debut on Tuesday.
8
Toronto Raptors(31-24)Last Week: 8
The Raptors have won five of their last six with the lone loss coming in overtime to the Grizzlies. Meanwhile, Chris Bosh's status is still up in the air for this week.
9
Dallas Mavericks(35-21)Last Week: 13
The Mavs seem to have turned the corner after three impressive wins in four nights over the Suns, Magic and Heat. Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood have stepped right into the starting five.
10
Phoenix Suns(34-23)Last Week: 10
Alvin Gentry's renewed emphasis on defense and rebounding was apparent in wins over Atlanta and Sacramento. This week starts in Oklahoma City and ends in San Antonio.
11
Atlanta Hawks(34-20)Last Week: 7
The Hawks let an 18-point second-half lead slip away in Oakland to drop to 1-2 on their current four-game road trip. It concludes tonight in Utah.
12
San Antonio Spurs(31-23)Last Week: 12
At what point do you start to wonder if the Spurs are going to get it together this year? Tony Parker is hurt again, and San Antonio continues its unbalanced play.
13
Chicago Bulls(29-26)Last Week: 15
The Bulls have won four straight despite shipping John Salmons and Tyrus Thomas away at the trade deadline.
14
Miami Heat(29-28)Last Week: 21
Dwyane Wade is likely to miss a few more games with his calf strain, but Miami is playing perhaps its best basketball of the year. The Heat's five-game winning streak was snapped Saturday in Dallas.
15
Milwaukee Bucks(26-28)Last Week: 17
Brandon Jennings' monthly shooting percentages have taken a steady dive throughout the season; he's connecting on just 31.3 percent of his attempts in February.
16
Portland Trail Blazers(32-26)Last Week: 11
Losing consecutive home games to the Celtics and Jazz was not the chord Portland wanted to strike before beginning its five-game road trip.
17
Charlotte Bobcats(27-27)Last Week: 19
The Bobcats have owned Cleveland this year, winning the season series, 3-1, but they've also given the Nets two of their five wins.
18
New Orleans Hornets(30-26)Last Week: 14
Including Friday's triple-double against Indiana, Darren Collison is averaging 24.0 points and 9.6 rebounds over his last five games.
19
Memphis Grizzlies(28-27)Last Week: 18
The Grizzlies have dropped three straight since beating the Lakers a week ago. The loss in Cleveland is understandable, but losing in Minnesota is not.
20
Houston Rockets(28-27)Last Week: 16
Houston finds itself in the precarious position of battling for its playoff life while adjusting to a brand-new team dynamic. The Rockets have lost five of six and time is not on their side.
21
Philadelphia 76ers(21-34)Last Week: 20
Allen Iverson will miss at least the next three Sixers games, and there is a chance he might not return to the team at all this year.
22
Detroit Pistons(20-35)Last Week: 26
Finally healthy, Rip Hamilton has come on strong for the Pistons. He's poured in 30.7 points over Detroit's last three games.
23
Washington Wizards(19-34)Last Week: 23
Andray Blatche could reap the benefits of the departures of Jamison, Butler and Haywood. He's averaging 25.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in Washington's last three outings.
24
New York Knicks(19-35)Last Week: 25
By all accounts, Tracy McGrady's debut with the Knicks was a success. Despite the loss to the Thunder, this New York squad could actually win a game or two down the stretch.
25
Indiana Pacers(19-36)Last Week: 24
Danny Granger has come alive in February by averaging 25.3 points and 6.9 rebounds. He'll miss tonight's game against Dallas, however, due to personal reasons.
26
L.A. Clippers(22-33)Last Week: 22
It took him six tries, but Kim Hughes finally picked up his first win as interim head coach Saturday night against the Kings.
27
Golden State Warriors(16-39)Last Week: 29
Stephen Curry, who has put up 23.3 points, 9.2 assists and 8.2 rebounds over Golden State's last five games, is making a serious run in the ROY race.
28
Sacramento Kings(18-38)Last Week: 28
Sacramento was able to shed some significant salary by dealing Kevin Martin, but the Kings are still a couple of years away from competing for a playoff spot.
29
Minnesota Timberwolves(13-44)Last Week: 27
The Wolves have lost six straight despite taking Chicago and OKC down to the wire.
30
New Jersey Nets(5-51)Last Week: 30
The Nets have been horrible this season, but give Brook Lopez credit for making strides in his sophomore campaign. His 19.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks lead the team.
