NBA Weekly Review
by Strike Point Sports - 12/13/2006
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One week ago Phoenix had risen from their former fallen ashes and were amidst a seven game winning streak to get out of the 3-6 hole they started the season in. Well, it's another week in the books and the Suns are still on that winning streak, now at eleven coming into tonight's game with the Heat.
The Suns aren't just getting it done in the standings, they are also producing some major coin for backers during this hot run. Phoenix has covered eight of its last nine games and don't appear interested in slowing down. Wednesday they are in South Beach to face a Miami team without the services of Dwayne Wade. Flash is out due to getting his wisdom teeth removed and that has shot the spread up to eleven in favor of the road Suns. The line had opened at seven until the news was released that Wade was not to play.
The Miami Heat are 9-11 coming into the game and have alternated wins and losses the last six games, winning their last against Toronto. They are just 4-6 ATS at home this season.
The biggest headlines over the last seven days has been the trade demands of Allen Iverson and actually the promptness of his Philly club to move its disinterested superstar. As of Wednesday morning it appears the top clubs to be inviting a trade are Boston, Charlotte, Indiana, Denver and the Clippers.
It seems what Philly must have in return is that team's first round draft pick. If that were the case one would think Indiana and Denver would be ruled out if they were in the hunt for the playoffs. If the 76ers want a valuable young player they should dump the Answer to an awful team and reap the benefits of having a lottery pick next summer.
Only one thing is for sure, Philly is a joke of a team without Iverson and will be assured of their own top ten pick in the '07 draft. If they were smart they would just Ron Artest him and keep him and not play him, making the chances of Philly winning 30 games impossible by not getting anything in return and roll the dice at the Greg Oden sweepstakes come June.
Top Five Power Rankings
Every so often we'll look into who is playing the best. It's a long season but why not have some fun and throw around praise to the teams that deserve it.
1. Utah Jazz (16-5, 12-9 ATS): Still holders of the league's best record. Their 11-1 home record is a large reason for that.
2. San Antonio Spurs (16-6, 13-9 ATS): As fun to watch as paint drying, however they will be one of the final four West teams come May.
3. Phoenix Suns (14-6, 12-7-1 ATS): Current winners of eleven straight, Nash and Amare are looking deadly, however Leandro Barbosa is having a career year.
4. Los Angeles Lakers (15-6, 12-8-1 ATS): On top of the Pacific but below of the Suns here because they've played just six road games, winning only three of them.
5. Orlando Magic (15-8, 10-13 ATS): Slipped a little bit but they are still the East's top team. Dwight Howard is showing every intention of being the starting center come All-Star time.