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Taking Milwaukee +5 vs San Antonio
Ginobili is out tonight and milwaukee will keep this one close.
Taking Cleveland -8.5 vs Utah. Both Starting Centers will miss the game or most of the game. Utah already hurting in this department are looking for bodies.
Taking Miami-Atl Under 197Riley and the boys are home. Atlanta is away from home and comes back to earth.
Power Standings For NBA for this week. 12-20-05
1 Detroit (1)
15-3 A loss at Utah is disconcerting, but it's hard to get worked up over the loss when it comes after six wins -- five of those on the road.
2 San Antonio (2)
17-4 A sign of how good the Spurs can be: They shot only 4-of-17 from the stripe in regulation -- with Duncan hitting two to force overtime -- in the win vs. the Clippers.
3 Dallas (4)
15-6 It took 40 from Kobe to halt the Mavs' six-game streak, which included wins over Memphis and Indiana.
4 L.A. Clippers (5)
14-7 Elton Brand is scary-good. So good, in fact, they're starting to chant MVP in L.A. again, but for somebody not donning purple and gold.
5 Memphis (3)
13-7 The last time the Grizzlies put up only 66 points in a game, they went out and thumped Orlando two nights later. The Lakers come to town Wednesday.
6 Milwaukee (9)
12-7 It seems the Bucks are here to stay. They're a league-best 10-1 in in-conference games. Four of their six losses against Western Conference opponents came in early season road games.
7 Phoenix (6)
13-7 Two straight losses aren't enough to make the Suns drop this week, but three straight contests being held under 100 points is.
8 Miami (13)
12-10 Not much going on in Miami these days, huh?
9 Indiana (7)
12-7 Let's play a game: See how many possible trade offers you can come up with for Ron Artest. It's still probably not as many as Donnie Walsh has already listened to.
10 Minnesota (11)
12-8 The Wolves have to swallow two tough last-second losses in time to deal with San Antonio and Dallas this week.
11 Golden State (8)
13-8 Aside from early Utah and Chicago losses, the Warriors haven't lost to a team behind them in these rankings. The flipside: Of the teams above them, they've beaten only the Bucks.
12 Denver (12)
12-10 Melo's 40 points vs. the Heat Friday was impressive, despite needing 30 shots to get there. He was more efficient against Charlotte, needing only 18 to hit 42.
13 Cleveland (10)
11-9 If the Cavs can manage to get a few stops on the defensive end, maybe they can stop the mounting Ls in the loss column, where they've added seven in the last nine tries.
14 L.A. Lakers (19)
11-10 You have to give the Lakers credit for racking up the road wins, taking four of five on a trip concluding tonight in Memphis. Only one trip of more than three games remains this year.
15 Chicago (15)
10-10 We've been saying all along the Central Division is the game's toughest. The Bulls are in last at .500, which would still be good for a No. 7 seed in the playoffs.
16 Philadelphia (18)
11-11 A key to the current three-game streak: Kyle Korver's pouring in 21.3 points a night on 75 percent shooting from the field and a lights-out 80 percent from behind the arc.
17 Houston (24)
7-12 T-Mac's back but it could be Yao giving the Rockets the biggest boost. He's topped 20 points in four of the last six and Houston has won four of five.
18 Sacramento (21)
10-12 The last time the Kings strung together three straight Ws, Bibby was tossing in 25 a night. On the current streak, Bonzi Wells has stepped up to the tune of 24.7 a game.
19 Seattle (16)
9-11 Despite being one of only five teams to average 100+ points per game, Seattle will stay below .500 if it can't force teams to shoot worse than the .488 it's giving up -- second worst in the NBA.
20 Washington (14)
9-11 We have no idea if Atkins is going anywhere, but he did express concern over inconsistent minutes. Players acquired last summer can be traded starting tomorrow. Just the facts ...
21 NO/Okla City (17)
9-12 The gypsy life -- eight of 10 on the road since Thanksgiving -- ends as the Hornets return home … to Louisiana. Friday's game at Baton Rouge is the first of six this season.
22 Utah (26)
9-12 The Jazz could use a few healthy bodies back in action. The team plays 11 of 14 on the road after tonight's game vs. Portland.
23 Orlando (20)
8-11 Grant Hill couldn't pick a bigger venue for his return. Only blocks from Broadway, all eyes will be watching to see if Hill has practiced his lines while he was sidelined.
24 New Jersey (23)
9-11 The Nets have dropped three straight at home but have four chances to change that this week.
25 Boston (22)
8-12 Doc says he's not allowing youth to be used as an excuse for a lack of consistency. The Cs have four home games to find a little before embarking on a road trip during the holidays.
26 New York (25)
6-14 Looking for a little stability, Larry's tightening the leash and shortening the bench in the Big Apple. Orlando, Atlanta and Indiana will test that strategy this week.
27 Atlanta (30)
4-16 Wins over San Antonio and Cleveland are more than enough to lift the Hawks from the basement. Philly, New York, Denver and Miami will challenge their win streak this week.
28 Toronto (28)
4-17 Beating New Jersey and Charlotte isn't quite like knocking off the Heat, but, when you're 4-17, you take every win you can get.
29 Portland (29)
6-14 With Darius Miles undergoing surgery on his knee Friday, now's the time for Zach Randolph to step up and display some veteran leadership for the young Blazers.
30 Charlotte (27)
5-17 Are Okafor and the Bobcats suffering through the same sophomore slump? Okafor's numbers are down across the board and the Bobcats' skid has reached eight in a row.
Ginobili is out tonight and milwaukee will keep this one close.
Taking Cleveland -8.5 vs Utah. Both Starting Centers will miss the game or most of the game. Utah already hurting in this department are looking for bodies.
Taking Miami-Atl Under 197Riley and the boys are home. Atlanta is away from home and comes back to earth.
Power Standings For NBA for this week. 12-20-05
1 Detroit (1)
15-3 A loss at Utah is disconcerting, but it's hard to get worked up over the loss when it comes after six wins -- five of those on the road.
2 San Antonio (2)
17-4 A sign of how good the Spurs can be: They shot only 4-of-17 from the stripe in regulation -- with Duncan hitting two to force overtime -- in the win vs. the Clippers.
3 Dallas (4)
15-6 It took 40 from Kobe to halt the Mavs' six-game streak, which included wins over Memphis and Indiana.
4 L.A. Clippers (5)
14-7 Elton Brand is scary-good. So good, in fact, they're starting to chant MVP in L.A. again, but for somebody not donning purple and gold.
5 Memphis (3)
13-7 The last time the Grizzlies put up only 66 points in a game, they went out and thumped Orlando two nights later. The Lakers come to town Wednesday.
6 Milwaukee (9)
12-7 It seems the Bucks are here to stay. They're a league-best 10-1 in in-conference games. Four of their six losses against Western Conference opponents came in early season road games.
7 Phoenix (6)
13-7 Two straight losses aren't enough to make the Suns drop this week, but three straight contests being held under 100 points is.
8 Miami (13)
12-10 Not much going on in Miami these days, huh?
9 Indiana (7)
12-7 Let's play a game: See how many possible trade offers you can come up with for Ron Artest. It's still probably not as many as Donnie Walsh has already listened to.
10 Minnesota (11)
12-8 The Wolves have to swallow two tough last-second losses in time to deal with San Antonio and Dallas this week.
11 Golden State (8)
13-8 Aside from early Utah and Chicago losses, the Warriors haven't lost to a team behind them in these rankings. The flipside: Of the teams above them, they've beaten only the Bucks.
12 Denver (12)
12-10 Melo's 40 points vs. the Heat Friday was impressive, despite needing 30 shots to get there. He was more efficient against Charlotte, needing only 18 to hit 42.
13 Cleveland (10)
11-9 If the Cavs can manage to get a few stops on the defensive end, maybe they can stop the mounting Ls in the loss column, where they've added seven in the last nine tries.
14 L.A. Lakers (19)
11-10 You have to give the Lakers credit for racking up the road wins, taking four of five on a trip concluding tonight in Memphis. Only one trip of more than three games remains this year.
15 Chicago (15)
10-10 We've been saying all along the Central Division is the game's toughest. The Bulls are in last at .500, which would still be good for a No. 7 seed in the playoffs.
16 Philadelphia (18)
11-11 A key to the current three-game streak: Kyle Korver's pouring in 21.3 points a night on 75 percent shooting from the field and a lights-out 80 percent from behind the arc.
17 Houston (24)
7-12 T-Mac's back but it could be Yao giving the Rockets the biggest boost. He's topped 20 points in four of the last six and Houston has won four of five.
18 Sacramento (21)
10-12 The last time the Kings strung together three straight Ws, Bibby was tossing in 25 a night. On the current streak, Bonzi Wells has stepped up to the tune of 24.7 a game.
19 Seattle (16)
9-11 Despite being one of only five teams to average 100+ points per game, Seattle will stay below .500 if it can't force teams to shoot worse than the .488 it's giving up -- second worst in the NBA.
20 Washington (14)
9-11 We have no idea if Atkins is going anywhere, but he did express concern over inconsistent minutes. Players acquired last summer can be traded starting tomorrow. Just the facts ...
21 NO/Okla City (17)
9-12 The gypsy life -- eight of 10 on the road since Thanksgiving -- ends as the Hornets return home … to Louisiana. Friday's game at Baton Rouge is the first of six this season.
22 Utah (26)
9-12 The Jazz could use a few healthy bodies back in action. The team plays 11 of 14 on the road after tonight's game vs. Portland.
23 Orlando (20)
8-11 Grant Hill couldn't pick a bigger venue for his return. Only blocks from Broadway, all eyes will be watching to see if Hill has practiced his lines while he was sidelined.
24 New Jersey (23)
9-11 The Nets have dropped three straight at home but have four chances to change that this week.
25 Boston (22)
8-12 Doc says he's not allowing youth to be used as an excuse for a lack of consistency. The Cs have four home games to find a little before embarking on a road trip during the holidays.
26 New York (25)
6-14 Looking for a little stability, Larry's tightening the leash and shortening the bench in the Big Apple. Orlando, Atlanta and Indiana will test that strategy this week.
27 Atlanta (30)
4-16 Wins over San Antonio and Cleveland are more than enough to lift the Hawks from the basement. Philly, New York, Denver and Miami will challenge their win streak this week.
28 Toronto (28)
4-17 Beating New Jersey and Charlotte isn't quite like knocking off the Heat, but, when you're 4-17, you take every win you can get.
29 Portland (29)
6-14 With Darius Miles undergoing surgery on his knee Friday, now's the time for Zach Randolph to step up and display some veteran leadership for the young Blazers.
30 Charlotte (27)
5-17 Are Okafor and the Bobcats suffering through the same sophomore slump? Okafor's numbers are down across the board and the Bobcats' skid has reached eight in a row.
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