Uncharted waters

Well, Detroit isn't going to go 82-0 after all.

The Pistons were ambushed in Dallas on Saturday night, but not before they rattled off another couple of impressive victories. Their 8-1 record is enough for them to hold onto the top spot in the rankings, with the Mavericks and Spurs just behind. Meanwhile, Detroit's Central Division rival, Cleveland, is riding a seven-game winning streak that has vaulted the Cavaliers to the No. 4 spot.

Speaking of hot starts, the Clippers are 8-2 and enjoying the best start in franchise history. Their victory over the Lakers on Friday night gave them bragging rights in L.A. and a top-five Yahoo! Sports ranking for the first time ever. Of course, the rankings have only been in existence for two seasons, but hey, when you're the Clippers, you take what you can get.

Here's a look at this week's rankings. (Records and statistics are through Nov. 20.)

1.Detroit Pistons (8-1, Last week: 1) – The schedule finally caught up to the Pistons, but they're playing with a swagger.

2.Dallas Mavericks (7-2, Last week: 6) – Blowout wins over the Spurs and the Pistons. Impressive.

3.San Antonio Spurs (8-2, Last week: 3) – Injuries to Brent Barry and Michael Finley haven't slowed them down.

4.Cleveland Cavaliers (8-2, Last week: 7) – Larry Hughes gets 37 in a win over Philly. This team is deep.

5.Los Angeles Clippers (8-2, Last week: 5) – Elton Brand is headed for his first All-Star appearance.

6.Milwaukee Bucks (5-3, Last week: 4) – The Bucks are pounding teams on the offensive glass.

7.Indiana Pacers (6-3, Last week: 8) – A blowout loss to the Bobcats has to concern Carlisle.

8.Memphis Grizzlies (7-4, Last week: 14) – Shane Battier has been a rock for the Grizzlies.

9.Denver Nuggets (6-5, Last week: 20) – After a slow start, the Nuggets are starting to put it together.

10.Washington Wizards (5-4, Last week: 2) – Tough week for the Wizards, but Caron Butler is playing well.

11.Golden State Warriors (6-5, Last week: 12) – Mike Dunleavy is really struggling after signing his contract extension.

12.Miami Heat (6-4, Last week: 9) – Bad news for the Heat: They're shooting 69 percent from the line withoutShaquille O'Neal in the lineup.

13.New Jersey Nets (5-4, Last week: 19) – Through nine games, they've scored 857 points and given up 857. Guess that makes the Nets an average team.

14.Philadelphia 76ers (6-5, Last week: 10) – A team of streaks: Sixers lose three, win six, then lose two.

15.Phoenix Suns (4-5, Last week: 11) – Shawn Marion has eight double-doubles in nine games.

16.Minnesota Timberwolves (5-4, Last week: 15) – Kevin Garnett is shooting the lights out and doing everything else, too.

17.Seattle SuperSonics (5-5, Last week: 25) – Ray Allen is averaging 29 points during team's three-game winning streak.

18.Boston Celtics (4-5, Last week: 17) – Raef LaFrentz is stretching defenses with his deadly shooting.

19.Sacramento Kings (4-6, Last week: 24) – Mike Bibby and Peja Stojakovic are starting to come around.

20.Chicago Bulls (4-5, Last week: 16) – Ben Gordon is shooting just 35 percent from the field.

21.New Orleans Hornets (4-5, Last week: 21) – The Hornets' two leading scorers are 6-foot (Chris Paul) and 5-11 (Speedy Claxton).

22.Houston Rockets (3-7, Last week: 22) – Tracy McGrady is back on the shelf, and the Rockets are getting crushed by a nasty schedule.

23.Utah Jazz (4-7, Last week: 13) – Is Carlos Boozer ever going to play? Injuries are killing the Jazz.

24.Los Angeles Lakers (4-6, Last week: 18) – They're shooting just 43 percent as a team.

25.Portland Trail Blazers (3-5, Last week: 23) – Darius Miles (19.1 points per game) seems to have found a home.

26.Charlotte Bobcats (3-8, Last week: 26) – Not a bad first start for Raymond Felton: 18 and 10 in a rout of the Pacers.

27.Orlando Magic (3-6, Last week: 27) – The Magic are dishing out only 16 assists per game.

28.New York Knicks (3-7, Last week: 28) – Channing Frye is playing with a lot of confidence for a rookie.

29.Toronto Raptors (1-9, Last week: 30) – The Raptors are off the schneid … whatever that means.

30.Atlanta Hawks (0-9, Last week: 29) – Salim Stoudamire has been a bright spot in an otherwise dreary situation.