Solar flare
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It took half the season, but the streaking Suns finally made it past the Dallas Mavericks to take over the top spot in the rankings.
Phoenix's current 17-game winning streak comes on the heels of a 15-game streak earlier in the season. All in all, the Suns have won an amazing 33 of their last 35 games, thanks to the return of Amare Stoudemire, the wizardry of Steve Nash and a much-improved defense.
The Suns lead the NBA in point differential at 9.3, and they hold their opponents to 45.1-percent shooting – good for 10th in the league. Not bad for a club that's supposed to be all style and no substance.
If there's one blemish on Phoenix's resume so far, it's that it hasn't beaten the top teams in the West. The Suns are a combined 0-6 against the Mavericks, Lakers, Spurs and Jazz. They'll get their chance to change that this week with games against Utah and San Antonio as Phoenix tries to continue its fantastic stretch.
Here's a look at this week's rankings (records and statistics are through Jan. 28):
1.Phoenix Suns (36-8, Last ranking: 2) – Once the NBA went back to the old ball, James Jones found his stroke. He has made 46 percent of his three-pointers since the switch, and his play has given Phoenix another threat off the bench.
2.Dallas Mavericks (36-9, Last ranking: 1) – The Mavs shot just 31 percent in a loss to Chicago, and as a result, they drop to second in the rankings. But with an easy upcoming schedule, they might not lose again for awhile.
3.San Antonio Spurs (32-14, Last ranking: 3) – The Spurs have lost more games at home (eight) than on the road (six). Maybe the current eight-game "rodeo" road trip isn't such a bad thing for them.
4.Washington Wizards (26-17, Last ranking: 6) – The Wizards couldn't stand up to the Suns in their showdown with the league's hottest team, but they bounced back to knock off their Eastern Conference rival – the Pistons – in Detroit.
5.Houston Rockets (27-16, Last ranking: 8) – The Rockets have been the league's best defensive team this season. They're giving up just 90.5 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot only 42 percent.
6.Utah Jazz (29-16, Last ranking: 4) – Tough stretch ahead for the Jazz. They face New Jersey, San Antonio, Phoenix and Chicago in their next four games.
7.Detroit Pistons (25-17, Last ranking: 9) – Chris Webber helped Flip Saunders get his 500th win on Sunday. His 17 points and 13 boards keyed the Pistons' victory over the Pacers.
8.Los Angeles Lakers (27-17, Last ranking: 5) – The injuries keep coming for L.A. Luke Walton is out for at least a week with a sprained ankle. Fortunately, Lamar Odom has returned to the lineup.
9.Chicago Bulls (26-19, Last ranking: 10) – Ben Gordon should be an all-star this season, but Kirk Hinrich is the Bulls' most important player. His defense on Dwyane Wade keyed a 100-97 win over Miami on Saturday.
10.Cleveland Cavaliers (25-19, Last ranking: 7) – LeBron James missed a game last week with a sore big toe, and he says it's hurting enough to possibly put him on the shelf for a little while. Stay tuned.
11.Denver Nuggets (22-19, Last ranking: 11) – Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony combined to take 49 shots and shoot 28 free throws against Utah. Looks like one ball will be enough in the Mile High City.
12.Los Angeles Clippers (22-22, Last ranking: 16) – Elton Brand is on a tear. He has shot 50 percent or better in 16 of his last 18 games.
13.Indiana Pacers (23-21, Last ranking: 13) – The numbers haven't been great for Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy so far, but the results have. The Pacers won three of four games last week, beating Chicago, Toronto and Miami.
14.Toronto Raptors (22-23, Last ranking: 17) – Chris Bosh was voted to the All-Star game by the fans, and he earned the honor. He's averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds and shooting 49 percent.
15.New Jersey Nets (21-23, Last ranking: 12) – The Nets win the award for "Gutsiest Team of the Week." After three straight one-point road losses – all in the final seconds – New Jersey won in Denver behind Vince Carter's 40 points.
16.Golden State Warriors (21-23, Last ranking: 19) – Don't look now, but the Warriors are only a game out of the final playoff spot in the West. Al Harrington is fitting right into Don Nelson's up-tempo style.
17.Minnesota Timberwolves (21-22, Last ranking: 15) – Randy Wittman takes over the Wolves, and his job is to get them into the playoffs. Wittman's first win – a victory in L.A. over the Clippers – may turn out to be a big one when all is said and done.
18.Orlando Magic (23-21, Last ranking: 14) – Brian Hill was furious after his team gave away a late lead in a loss to Atlanta. Hill will have to get his team back on track; the Magic have lost seven of eight and are quickly fading.
19.Miami Heat (19-25, Last ranking: 13) – Shaquille O'Neal is back. Kind of. The Heat won't play him in back-to-back games until he's in better shape. In the meantime, Miami is 0-3 since he returned.
20.New Orleans Hornets (18-25, Last ranking: 21) – The Hornets are showing signs of life. They beat the Kings and Jazz last week, and Chris Paul is about a week away from returning.
21.Portland Trail Blazers (19-26, Last ranking: 23) – Zach Randolph went for 42 in a win over Memphis, but it took him forty shots to get there. (I'd like to buy a conscience, please.)
22.New York Knicks (19-27, Last ranking: 18) – Four more wins and the Knicks will match last season's victory total. The bar was obviously set low, but hey, progress is progress.
23.Charlotte Bobcats (15-28, Last ranking: 22) – Emeka Okafor's numbers for the last five games: 16 points, 12 boards and three blocks a game. His outstanding season continues.
24.Philadelphia 76ers (14-31, Last ranking: 28) – It looks like Andre Miller is a better fit with the Sixers than Allen Iverson was. The Sixers are a respectable 9-12 since the trade, and Miller is endearing himself to teammates with his passing skills.
25.Atlanta Hawks (15-27, Last ranking: 25) – The Hawks are entirely too dependent on Joe Johnson. They're 7-5 when he scores 30 points or more and 8-22 when he doesn't.
26.Seattle SuperSonics (17-27, Last ranking: 24) – No rest for the weary. The Sonics go on the road to face Dallas and Houston this week, then return home to play the Bulls.
27.Sacramento Kings (17-25, Last ranking: 26) – A game effort in Dallas wasn't enough, as the Kings fell two points shy of the Mavs. Unless Sacramento goes on a big run here soon, it looks like the playoffs are out of the question.
28.Milwaukee Bucks (18-26, Last ranking: 27) – Mo Williams' return was a huge boost to the Bucks. He scored 30 in a win over the Knicks, Milwaukee's second W in 13 games.
29.Memphis Grizzlies (11-34, Last ranking: 30) – Hakim Warrick is getting plenty of playing time for the Grizzlies, and he's showing signs of developing. He's averaging 13 points a game and shooting 53 percent.
30.Boston Celtics (12-31, Last ranking: 29) – Never in the storied history of the Celtics had the team lost nine consecutive home games. Until this season. Sunday's loss to Washington was their ninth straight at the TD Banknorth Garden and 11th loss in a row overall.
