The Celtics nearly blew it against the Spurs, but as long as Rondo can deliver 20+ assist games when called on, this team will be awfully hard to beat in a seven game series.

The frustrating thing for Popovich is that this team doesn’t play the type of defense that he’s used to.  The higher scoring has helped them win more, but will also lead to disappointing losses like they suffered against the Knicks.

They’ve won 19 of their last 20, and it is hard to think of a more dangerous team right now than the Heat.  They aren’t the most complete team, but certainly the most dangerous.

The new additions seem to be working out for now in Orlando as the Magic are on a seven game winning streak since sputtering in December.  Brandon Bass has stepped up with the new opportunities in the rotation, and the Magic are competitors again in the East.

The Mavericks looked like a team ready to return to the Western Conference Finals before losing Caron Butler and Dirk Nowitzki to injury.  Now, the hobbled Mavs will lose some more games, probably drop a seed or two, and will struggle to reach their potential without a healthy roster.

While the Lakers have been struggling as of late, the road gets a little easier ahead.  Hopefully Bynum will get comfortable and LA can use a cushy couple of games to get back on track.

Utah Jazz

Deron Williams voiced some concern over this Jazz team, and with good reason.  They will face a great test ahead playing seven of their next nine games on the road.

No two-player combo is scoring more than Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.  As the team continues to build around their young stars, the Thunder continue to carve out their spot as perennial playoff contenders in the West.

Wrapping up a Western Conference road swing with a 3-1 record and only a loss to the Thunder is not a bad way to return home.  The Hawks continue to chug along at a pretty standard pace, but Joe Johnson elbow has to provide some concern for Hawks fans.

The Felton-Stoudamire connection is open and flowing beautifully on the court.  This Knicks team, however, has had the highest high’s and the lowest lows.  The key will be making sure they are hot in February-March when it is time to jockey for playoff seeding.

As the Melo rumors continue to fly, the Nuggets continue to win games not knowing if their superstar will still be around.  Well, except for that loss to Sacramento – that was just bad.

LaMarcus Aldridge has thrived in Brandon Roy’s absence, but the Blazers need more production from all areas in order to make up for the points sitting on the bench with injuries.

The lack of consistency with the Hornets has become frustrating beyond belief.  You know this team should be good, especially after their start.  But Monty Williams’ squad has fallen right back into their old routines as they find themselves slipping further and further down the Western Conference standings.

Wins over the Lakers and Thunder are giving Memphis fans excitement heading into the weekend.  Hopefully they won’t do typical Grizzlies things like lose to the Bobcats and Pistons next week.

Kevin Martin has been an absolute scoring machine as of late, but he still misses Aaron Brooks on the floor to compliment that production.  Once Brooks returns, the Rockets can start mounting a charge.

Phoenix Suns

Steve Nash trade rumors, unexplainable losses, things are not the way they were a year ago in Phoenix.  As of now, it looks like they got the bad end of the blockbuster trade, and if something doesn’t change in Phoenix Alvin Gentry may find himself out of a job.

The one advantage that the Pacers have is that the 7 and 8 spots in the Eastern Conference are basically wide open to several teams.  Now they must figure out a way to keep everyone healthy to steal one of those spots to return to the playoffs.

The Warriors are still struggling to break over the hump as a team that is ready to compete for the playoffs in the West.  Many thought that new ownership and a new coach would bring change, but it looks like more of the same in the Bay Area.

The Sixers hit a hot streak in December, but quickly cooled off around the winter time.  They have been wildly inconsistent, and Doug Collins is not quite delivering the change many in Philadelphia had hoped for.

With Larry Brown out, many expect D.J. Augustine to play more freely under Paul Silas.  If he can break out, it could mean a revival in Charlotte.  If not, Bobcats fans will continue to be missing Raymod Felton.

The Bucks desperately need Jennings back in the lineup.  If they aren’t able to secure more wins before his return, they may find themselves in too deep a ditch to climb out of before March when playoff seeding competition takes off.

Losing 9 of their last 12 games, things in Toronto look bleak for the Raptors.  Falling further and further down in a bad conference and Bargnani does not look like the hero they need.

Los Angeles Clippers

Hey, at least Blake Griffin will represent them at All Star Weekend in the Staples Center.

Similar to Golden State, new coach and new ownership have not changed the losing culture in New Jersey.  They need a deeper revival, and it might need to come from a trade.

The Pistons win games they are supposed to lose (Boston, Atlanta) and then lose games they are supposed to win.  It’s incredibly befuddling, I could not imagine having to go through it as a Detroit fan.

Will someone please give Super Cool Beas a show?  Like, soon?

JaVale McGee will represent the Wiz on Saturday night in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.  Something tells me there won’t be any Washington players on the court on Sunday night for the actual All Star Game.

Great win over Denver, putting up 69 points in the first half marked a new season high.  Until Tyreke breaks completely out of his sophomore slump the troubles will mount for the Kings.

Props for giving a job to Ted Williams.  That is a truly great story, but unfortunately it won’t necessarily equal any more wins.