L.A. Lakers (22-4) LAST WEEK 2

After a rocky start, the road trip was successful after all as the Lakers finished 4-1. Kobe was the catalyst with 42 in Chicago and the game-winner in Milwaukee. Friday brings a Christmas present for us all when LeBron and the Cavs visit Staples Center.

Boston Celtics (21-5) LAST WEEK 1

Is anyone in the East playing a better point guard than Rajon Rondo? With 12.0 points, 9.7 assists and a league-leading 2.6 steals, he is quietly putting together an All-Star season in Beantown.

Orlando Magic (20-7) LAST WEEK 5

Speaking of All-Star point guards, the Magic could get oft-injured Jameer Nelson back tonight against Utah. His return also comes just in time for a Christmas Day showdown with the Celtics.

Atlanta Hawks (19-7) LAST WEEK 3

Josh Smith is getting a lot of pub for defensive player of the year, and it's well-deserved. At just 6-9, he leads the league with 2.4 blocks per game. To put that into perspective, no other player under 6-10 is in the top 20.

Dallas Mavericks (20-8) LAST WEEK 6

A bizarre week for the Mavs ends with Tim Thomas leading the team with 22 points in a win over the Cavs. Dallas will likely be without Dirk and his 26.1 points for Tuesday night's game against Portland, too, after Friday's gruesome collision with Carl Landry.

Cleveland Cavaliers (20-8) LAST WEEK 4

The loss in Dallas snapped Cleveland's five-game winning streak, and the road ahead doesn't get any easier with road games against the Suns, Kings and Lakers followed by a home date with the Rockets and a home-and-home with the Hawks.

Denver Nuggets (19-9) LAST WEEK 7

Yeah, the last one was without Chauncey, but losses in New Orleans and Memphis confirmed what we already suspected: The Nuggets are a bad road team.

Phoenix Suns (18-9) LAST WEEK 8

A bad trend is also developing with the Suns, who have dropped each of their last six games on the road. The positive news is nine of their next 11 games will be played at US Airways Center where they have yet to lose (10-0).

Houston Rockets (16-11) LAST WEEK 12

Seemingly in a constant state of flux, the scrappy Rockets have found a spark despite suffering another rash of injuries — this time to Carl Landry and Chase Budinger. T-Mac's reduced role hasn't seemed to disrupt the chemistry so far either.

Utah Jazz (16-11) LAST WEEK 9

The Jazz rebounded from an embarrassing loss in Atlanta to win the next night in Charlotte. They'll need to pull out a win in Orlando tonight or Miami on Wednesday, however, to make the five-game road trip a success.

San Antonio Spurs (14-10) LAST WEEK 10

Gregg Popovich's 700th win was a memorable one thanks to Tim Duncan's game-winning putback dunk. The Spurs have now won five of six.

Portland Trail Blazers (17-12) LAST WEEK 14

With all that Portland has endured this season, think there's any way the Blazers are five games over .500 without Brandon Roy?

Miami Heat (13-12) LAST WEEK 15

With D-Wade fighting through wrist and back problems, Michael Beasley — who has averaged 21.0 points over the last three games — has been forced to step his game up.

Oklahoma City Thunder (13-13) LAST WEEK 11

OKC has hit a rough spot in its schedule, and it's shown in the win column. The Thunder has dropped four of five with road games against the Lakers and Suns forthcoming.

New Orleans Hornets (12-14) LAST WEEK 17

The Hornets were oh-so-close to battling back to the .500 mark before losing Sunday in Toronto. Since returning from injury, CP3 has averaged 13.5 assists and led New Orleans to a 5-3 record.

L.A. Clippers (12-14) LAST WEEK 21

The Clippers have reeled off wins in three of their last four games, and a big reason for the success has been the front line play of Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby. Just imagine how this unit will produce once Blake Griffin debuts.

Sacramento Kings (12-14) LAST WEEK 16

Tyreke Evans' game-winner over the Bucks gave him a leg up over Brandon Jennings in the ROY race.

Memphis Grizzlies (12-15) LAST WEEK 22

Z-Bo's line of 32 and 24 in Memphis' win over Denver was the exclamation point on a realistic All-Star campaign. Randolph isn't only putting up numbers, but his effort is also helping the Griz win games.

Milwaukee Bucks (11-14) LAST WEEK 13

Hard-luck losers of three straight, the Bucks can take solace in the fact that they went nose-to-nose with the Lakers and Cavs.

Toronto Raptors (13-17) LAST WEEK 19

Over their last nine games, the Raptors are 5-0 when allowing fewer than 100 points and 0-4 when letting their opponents hit the century mark. Think there's a correlation?

Chicago Bulls (10-15) LAST WEEK 26

A nice win over the Hawks proves the Bulls can still compete. With seven of its next 11 at home, Chicago suddenly has an opportunity to sneak back into the playoff race.

Detroit Pistons (11-16) LAST WEEK 18

Detroit has lost four straight after going through the motions at home against the Lakers.

New York Knicks (10-17) LAST WEEK 20

Despite being forced to deal with the Nate Robinson saga, the Knicks have reeled off six wins in their last eight games. Even Jonathan Bender — yes, that Jonathan Bender— has gotten into the act after a three-year layoff.

Indiana Pacers (9-16) LAST WEEK 24

The insertion of Earl Watson and Dahntay Jones into the starting lineup produced positive results for Jim O'Brien's Pacers who nearly pulled the upset in San Antonio on Saturday.

Washington Wizards (8-17) LAST WEEK 25

Gilbert Arenas helped Washington snap its six-game losing streak by erupting for 45 points Friday night against the Warriors, but the magic didn't last as the Wiz failed to show up in a 26-point loss the next night in Phoenix.

Charlotte Bobcats (10-16) LAST WEEK 23

Raymond Felton kept the Bobcats alive with Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson out down the stretch in New York, but it wasn't enough for the Bobcats who have lost five of six.

Philadelphia 76ers (7-20) LAST WEEK 30

Elton Brand gave the Sixers their biggest win of the season in Boston. With Lou Williams back and AI on the shelf, what happens when Iverson returns?

Golden State Warriors (7-19) LAST WEEK 27

Golden State has lost five straight and nine of its last 10. Given the team's struggles, it's only a matter of time before the front office starts shipping players out of town.

Minnesota Timberwolves (5-23) LAST WEEK 28

Jonny Flynn's point guard play is making Minnesotans forget all about Ricky Rubio, but the T-Wolves are still only playing well in patches.

New Jersey Nets (2-26) LAST WEEK 29

The nightmare season continues: After showing small signs of life, the Nets have dropped seven straight and haven't been competitive in two weeks.