They've won with blowouts, they've won with buzzer-beaters, and they've won every way in between. No matter what adversity comes their way, they just keep winning.
A pack of Western Conference powers are still nipping at the Celtics' heels, and the resurgent Miami Heat have also forced their way into the conversation after a much-scrutinized opening month. But for the moment, the Celtics are the best of the best. If they keep winning games, they just might hold on to that No. 1 spot for weeks to come.
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Boston Celtics The Celtics continue to fight through injuries, and yet they continue to lap the field in the Eastern Conference. They now own the league's longest winning streak at 10 going into Wednesday night's Knicks showdown at Madison Square Garden. |
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Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki had 30 points in the Mavs' loss to the Bucks on Monday night; the other four starters combined for 33. Thus ends Dallas' winning streak. The Mavs are great, but they still have nights where the supporting cast around Dirk forgets to show up. |
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Miami Heat Dwyane Wade in his last three games: 34 points per, shooting 35-of-56 (62.5 percent). Where was this guy for the first month of the season? He's a big reason the Heat have climbed back up to second in the East. |
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San Antonio Spurs Last month, Tim Duncan overtook David Robinson to claim the Spurs' franchise scoring record. This week, he moved past Bob Pettit and Walt Bellamy into the NBA's top 30 of all time. He just might be the game's best power forward ever, and he keeps on padding his resume. |
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Los Angeles Lakers Andrew Bynum is finally back, but only for limited minutes so far. His stat line in Tuesday's debut against the Wizards: 17 minutes off the bench, seven points, four rebounds and two blocks. He's not a world-beater — not yet, anyway. |
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Orlando Magic Dwight Howard this week announced his retirement from the slam dunk contest. It's a shame — the event just won't be the same anymore without the one and only Superman. |
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Utah Jazz Rookie Gordon Hayward has moved into the Jazz's starting five this week with a minor injury to Raja Bell. Not bad for a scrawny 20-year-old kid from Brownsburg, Ind. — he's starting for a real contender. |
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Chicago Bulls
Which one is Derrick Rose — a Most Improved Player candidate, or an MVP candidate? Is it even possible to be both? There's a first time for everything, you could say. |
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Denver Nuggets Chauncey Billups has missed some time this week with a wrist injury, joining Carmelo Anthony and Chris Andersen as key Nuggets who have fought through minor ailments recently. The Nuggets would be a scary team if they stayed healthy. |
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New Orleans Hornets The Hornets have lost three straight games, five of their last six, and nine of their last 12. They say that the ongoing league buyout story isn't a distraction, but their results beg to differ. |
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