L.A. Lakers (13-3) Last Week: 3

Since Pau Gasol returned to L.A.'s lineup, the Lakers are 5-0 with a victory margin of 18.6 points. With five more home games ahead, don't look for this train to slow down anytime soon.

Orlando Magic (14-4) Last Week: 1

If it weren't for a controversial Michael Beasley put-back dunk, the Magic could be riding a nine-game winning streak with the Knicks, Warriors and Clippers on the horizon.

Phoenix Suns (14-3) Last Week: 6

Still running and gunning, the Suns have not participated in a game this year without scoring 100 points. Steve Nash is averaging a career-best 12.1 assists, too.

Boston Celtics (13-4) Last Week: 7

Riding a four-game winning streak, the C's finally appear to have broken out of their funk. Thursday's test in San Antonio should be the game of the week.

Cleveland Cavaliers (12-5) Last Week: 5

The Cavs have racked up some bad losses this season — Toronto, Washington and Charlotte come to mind — but Saturday's home win over the Mavs got 'em right back on track.

Dallas Mavericks (12-5) Last Week: 2

The Mavs' schedule lightens up before the Hawks and Suns visit next week. They should have Erick Dampier back by then, but Josh Howard isn't likely to return until later in December.

San Antonio Spurs (9-6) Last Week: 16

Manu's return to the lineup vs. Philly put the Spurs' Big Three on the same court for the first time in two weeks. Meanwhile, Timmy's 20.6 points and 9.8 boards have keyed the five-game winning streak.

Atlanta Hawks (12-5) Last Week: 4

After the blazing start, the Hawks have dropped three of four including their first at home to the Magic on Thanksgiving. Going forward, they'll need a better rebounding effort than they got against Detroit.

Denver Nuggets (12-5) Last Week: 9

Denver's homestand was supposed to be a nightly cakewalk until Miami came to town. A loss to the lowly T-Wolves is simply inexcusable for a team that claims it's ready to win now.

Utah Jazz (9-7) Last Week: 13

Winners of five of its last six, Utah is shooting a lights-out 49.3 percent from the field this season. Andrei Kirilenko's back is acting up, however, leaving the Jazz shorthanded again.

Houston Rockets (9-8) Last Week: 11

Whether it's scoring or distributing, Aaron Brooks is playing one heck of a point guard for the Rockets.

Portland Blazers (12-7) Last Week: 10

A couple of ugly losses — at home to Memphis and on the road in Utah — have the Blazers reeling.

Miami Heat (9-7) Last Week: 12

Miami has just three wins in its last eight games — all by one lonely point. Next up is a four-game trip out West to face the Blazers, Nuggets, Lakers and Kings.

Oklahoma City Thunder (9-8) Last Week: 14

OKC is still learning how to win in the NBA, but road wins over the Spurs, Heat and Jazz are promising.

Sacramento Kings (8-8) Last Week: 23

Paul Westphal deserves a lot of credit for turning this team around so quickly. Arco Arena, where the Kings are 7-2, is once again becoming a difficult place to play.

Milwaukee Bucks (8-7) Last Week: 8

Yes, the Bucks have dropped four straight, but Scott Skiles has to be encouraged with the effort he's receiving from his short-handed team.

Charlotte Bobcats (7-9) Last Week: 28

Stephen Jackson has gone from the NBA's worst defensive team in Golden State (112.7 points per game) to its best in Charlotte (87.9 points per game).

New Orleans Hornets (7-10) Last Week: 17

The Hornets are staying afloat in the West with a favorable upcoming schedule. Unfortunately, CP3 is still a couple of weeks away.

L.A. Clippers (8-10) Last Week: 19

Eric Gordon is back, and the Clips have reeled off four wins in five games. Mike Dunleavy can breathe a sigh of relief now.

Memphis Grizzlies (6-11) Last Week: 26

The Griz blew a shot at a rare second straight road win by surrendering a 20-point second-half lead to the Clippers on Sunday.

Golden State Warriors (5-10) Last Week: 24

Monta Ellis averaged 37.7 points per game last week during a three-game scoring binge against the Blazers, Mavs and Spurs, and the Warriors needed every bit of it.

Chicago Bulls (6-8) Last Week: 15

Mercifully, the Bulls' six-game road trip will come to an end tonight in Milwaukee. Chicago has dropped four straight by an average of 19.3 points.

Indiana Pacers (6-8) Last Week: 18

The Pacers have lost five of six, but a healthy Mike Dunleavy finally gives Jim O'Brien all of the tools he needs to succeed.

Washington Wizards (5-10) Last Week: 27

It looked like the Wiz had something going with wins over the Sixers and Heat, but a blowout loss to the Bobcats boggles the mind.

Detroit Pistons (6-11) Last Week: 22

Ben Wallace's 11 offensive rebounds (18 total) helped the Pistons snap a seven-game losing streak against Atlanta on Sunday afternoon.

Toronto Raptors (7-11) Last Week: 20

With 109.3 points allowed, Jay Triano's crew has overtaken the Knicks as the worst defensive team in the Eastern Conference. Ouch.

Philadelphia 76ers (5-12) Last Week: 21

Sentimentality aside, bringing AI back makes sense for a team in desperate need of a spark.

New York Knicks (3-14) Last Week: 25

Despite some encouraging signs here and there — Nate Robinson's 22-point fourth quarter being the latest — losing is getting old in New York.

Minnesota Timberwolves (2-15) Last Week: 30

Beating the Nuggets in Denver must have felt like winning the Finals for a Minnesota team that had lost 15 straight.

New Jersey Nets (0-17) Last Week: 29

It's not entirely his fault, but a season of losing doomed Lawrence Frank in New Jersey.