1) Cleveland Cavaliers (52-15) - Various injuries dont' seem to slow thse guys. LeBron James is the obvious Insidehoops.com pick for league MVP. But we still wouldn't pick them to beat the Lakers in a seven-game series.
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2) LA Lakers (48-18) - Stumbling lately as Pau Gasol thinks Kobe shoots too much. Still great, and if they're healthy in the playoffs these guys are our favorits to win another NBA championship.
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3) Dallas Mavericks (45-22) - Great team ever since the Wizards trade that landed Caron Butler and friends and now a legit title contender, even if they happen to get blown out by the Knicks once in a great while.
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4) Orlando Magic (47-21) - We like them when Vince Carter is being aggressive. Dwight Howard is probably the InsideHoops.com pick for Defensive Player of Year.
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5) Utah Jazz (42-23) - Been terrific for months and now a legit championship contender. Andrei Kirilenko has had a nice rebirth after years of not mattering.
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6) Denver Nuggets (45-21) - Carmelo Anthony is unguardable on offense, Chauncey Billups is a trusted leader, JR Smith is a wild card. Kenyon Martin's health is a concern.
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7) Atlanta Hawks (42-23) - Tough to call them a championship contender, but they're that next level. We'd like to see more from Mike Bibby, if that's possible at this point in his career.
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8) Oklahoma City Thunder (40-24) - Kevin Durant remains unguardable, and Russell Westbrook often is, too. Can't call them a title contender but woudln't want to face these guys in the first round.
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9) Phoenix Suns (40-26) - Will health of Steve Nash, Grant Hill hold up? Very solid team, not really a title contender but can make some noise.
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10) Boston Celtics (41-24) - Their decline is exaggerated; still very good, but not great. KG looks older. But right now, the Celtics aren't a lock to get past the second round.
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11) Milwaukee Bucks (36-29) - Smoking hot lately; Andrew Bogut playing great and Brandon Jennings has nice quarterback skills -- but doing it as a team. Good coaching.
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12) San Antonio Spurs (39-25) - No Tony Parker means they aren't a title threat. Nice showings from a few random guys like George Hill. Richard Jefferson still isn't fully fitting in.
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13) Portland Trail Blazers (40-28) - Deserve lots of respect for playing well despite all the injuries.
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14) Memphis Grizzlies (35-32) - Solid team but lots of one-on-one play here.
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15) Charlotte Bobcats (34-31) - Great at home, very bad on road, in shockingly dramatic fashion.
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16) Miami Heat (35-32) - The story remains the same: Dwyane Wade needs more help.
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17) Toronto Raptors (32-32) - Seem hot for stretches, then fall off, back and forth.
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18) Houston Rockets (33-31) - Still working to fit Kevin Martin in.
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19) New Orleans Hornets (32-34) - Darren Collison is a bright spot but the Hornets are limited.
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20) Chicago Bulls (31-34) - Struggling big-time lately. Lack of Joakim Noah hurts.
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21) LA Clippers (25-42) - Dropped 9 of last 10 and look totally lost.
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22) New York Knicks (23-43) - Horrible stretch of losing, though they just shocked the Mavericks
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23) Detroit Pistons (23-43) - Complete mismatch of parts. Entire team is disappointing.
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24) Philadelphia 76ers (23-43) - Is Eddie Jordan's job safe? A positive is that good cheesesteaks are nearby. Tough to say much else.
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25) Sacramento Kings (22-44) - Steadily fallen off after surprising start. Tyreke Evans was a lock to win rookie of year but as great as Bucks are doing, Brandon Jennings might take it.
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26) Indiana Pacers (21-45) - Tough to name positives here. Danny Granger is very good but being contained this year. Mike Dunleavy has barely existed. Nothing much doing.
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27) Golden State Warriors (18-47) - Stephen Curry is probably the future more than Monta Ellis. The team has been hammered by injuries, but the roster is too limited even if they were healthy.
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28) Minnesota Timberwolves (14-52) - Al Jefferson and Kevin Love need more help. Corey Brewer has shown some nice flashes but there isn't enough here.
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29) Washington Wizards (21-43) - Andray Blatche has been a bright spot. Josh Howard is a good supporting player for the future but a leading star.
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30) New Jersey Nets (7-59) - Brook Lopez and future arena location news have been the bright spots here. Devin Harris has been off, and there isn't enough else here.
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