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Last week we examined the impressive runs of both Phoenix and Dallas. The Suns are still hot but Dallas is on a whole different level. The Mavs currently have won eleven games in a row and have created several games of separation between them and the Spurs. As of Thursday, Dallas sits atop the Southwest Division and holds the best record in the Association. They also are among the top 10 teams against the spread. The Mavericks are 18-13-1 ATS this season, as only the Lakers, Pacers, Warriors, Suns and T-Wolves have better marks against the number. During their recent run Dallas has only failed to cover three of its last 10 games.

Just as the Mavs have risen to the top of the West, San Antonio has shown some glaring weaknesses. The Spurs have lost four of their last seven games and they have been horrible covering spreads the past couple of weeks. In their last ten games they are just 3-7 ATS. Overall they are just two games over .500 against the number this year at 17-15-1. A big reason for their recent struggles is their lack of scoring outside the big three. Everyone knows Duncan, Ginobili and Parker but the rest of the lineup leaves a lot to be desired. San Antonio lacks consistent bench production while the role players such as Michael Finley and Brent Barry are beyond their years.

Surprise Teams

Utah Jazz - It's not the hot start of the season more so than their consistency over the first two months of the season. As long as they continue to play strong, Carlos Boozer (21 ppg, 12 rpg) should be a top MVP candidate. (23-9 SU / 16-15-1 ATS)

New Jersey Nets - No doubt they are in the league's worst division. All five teams are below .500 but these Nets have no excuse to be. Carter, Kidd and Jefferson are the best trio in the Eastern Conference and a reason for a 'should be' top four playoff seed. (13-18 SU / 13-17-1 ATS)

Los Angeles Lakers - So far they've actually been overachievers in my mind. Kobe is an offensive giant, but with Odom injured and the rest of the bunch playing suspect basketball, not quite sure how they've accomplished 20 wins so far. (20-11 SU / 19-11-1 ATS)

Houston Rockets - When Yao and T-Mac are healthy they are a very strong team. But when they each went down (McGrady only recently came back) it was a shock to see them still win, especially on the road. (20-12 SU / 14-18 ATS)

Washington Wizards - Coming into this year they were known as one of the worst fundamentally defensive teams. However, nothing like overcoming that by dropping 108 points a night, led by a scoring juggernaut with a killer instinct. Gilbert Arenas exemphlfies all that his lion tattoo on his chest suggests. (18-13 SU / 15-15-1 ATS)

Our 2007 NBA All Star Starters

No longer should we allow fans to vote for the starters. It's pathetic to see 'fans' allow the same players every year to highlight this game, leaving the real players to warm the bench if at all. Here are the true deserving candidates.

Eastern Conference

G- Gilbert Arenas
G- Michael Redd
F- Joe Johnson
F- Caron Butler
C- Dwight Howard

Western Conference

G- Steve Nash
G- Deron Williams
F- Carmelo Anthony
F- Carlos Boozer
C- Yao Ming