The Lakers are back at the top of the rankings as Boston showed some weakness losing to the 76ers at home after taking a 15 point lead. Kobe Bryant was brilliant last week hitting the game winning shot against the Bucks in overtime after missing the same exact shot at the end of regulation. He has a broken finger on his shooting hand by the way. You can say many things about Kobe but his desire to win basketball games at all costs is not one of them. Let’s get into it:

(2)1. LA Lakers (22-4) Kobe Bryant is showing no ill effects from breaking the index finger on his shooting hand. In the five games Bryant has played with the injury he is averaging 30.8ppg while shooting a very healthy 46.8 from the field.

(1)2. Boston (21-5)
The Celtics lost to the Sixers on Friday night making the them 3-4 at home on Friday Nights. I don't know what it is but Friday Night's at home but they haven't been good for the C's.

(3)3. Atlanta (19-7)
The Hawks six game winning streak came to an end on Saturday after they lost 101 to 98 versus the Chicago Bulls. The Hawks play four out of the next five on the road.

(4)4. Orlando (20-7)
Jameer Nelson will be back for the Magic's game Wednesday versus the Rockets. Nelson missed four weeks after having knee surgery.

(6)5. Dallas (20-8)
Dirk Nowitzki had two of Carl Landry's teeth lodged in his elbow which has got to hurt. Dirk should be out the next few games but Dallas did not miss him on Sunday as they beat the Lebron’s Cavs without him.

(5)6. Cleveland (20-8)
Overall Shaquille O'Neal isn't really working out for the Cavs and it is time for the big fella to come off the bench. He just slows Cleveland down as a starter.

(7)7. Denver (19-9)
Carmelo's five game streak of 30 or more points came to an end when the Nuggets lost to the Hornets 98 – 82 on Friday night. Melo only scored 17 points in the contest. Melo scored 41 against Memphis on Sunday but the Nuggets dropped that game as well 102 to 96.

(8)8. Phoenix (18-9)
The Suns play nine of their next 11 games at the U.S. Airways Center where they are unbeaten this season. Phoenix has played an NBA-low 10 home games this season.

(12)9. Houston (16-11)
The Rockets are bringing in Tracy McGrady very slowly. The Former All-Star McGrady has played no more then eight minutes in the four games since his return.

(9)10. Utah (16-11)
The Jazz are currently 2-1 on their five game road trip. They finish up playing the Magic and Heat before returning home to play the Sixers on Saturday.

(13)11. Portland (17-12)
After going for a career high 29 points against the Suns Jerryd Bayless had very tough games versus the Magic and the Heat. Bayless only scored 10 and 6, respectively in those two games.

(10)12. San Antonio (14-10)
Spurs have won five of their last six games. Tim Duncan as usual has played outstanding basketball; he has averaged 26.7ppg and 15rpg in the Spurs last three games.

(15)13. Miami (13-12)
Quentin Richardson went 7-7 from behind the three point line yesterday in the Heat's 102 to 95 loss to the Blazers. Portland All-Star guard Brandon Roy was a perfect 5-5 from the three in this game as well.

(11)14. Oklahoma City (13-13)
The Thunder are on a bit of a slump losing four of their last five games. They are in very serious danger of being under .500 with road games against the Lakers and Suns coming up this week..

(23)15. LA Clippers (12-14)
The Clippers have won three of their last four games and play their next three on the road. Number 1 pick Blake Griffin should be playing by mid January.

(19)16. New Orleans (12-14)
Chris Paul failed to record a double-double on Sunday in the Hornets 98 to 92 loss to the Raptors.

(17)17. Sacramento (12-14)
Tyreke Evans took the lead in the Rookie of the Year race with a huge win over fellow rookie Brandon Jennings. Evans finished withed 24 points including the game winning lay-up with 0.9 seconds left. Jennings finished with 15 points.

(20)18. Memphis (12-15)
Zach Randolph had a gigantic game against the Nuggets on Sunday as he scored 32 points and grabbed 24 rebounds. He deserves serious All-Star consideration.

(21)19. Toronto (13-17)
The Raptors are 9-0 when they allow fewer then 100 points per game and they achieved that feat twice last week with wins over the lowly Nets and the Hornets.

(14)20. Milwaukee (11-14)
The Bucks have lost seven of their last nine but they have lost their last three by a total of just five points.

(26)21. Chicago (10-15)
The Bulls have won two in a row and are hopefully beginning to turn things around after losing 11 of 13 prior to the modest winning streak.

(16)22. Detroit (11-16)
The Piston take a huge drop this week since they have lost their last four in a row by a combined 42 points, ouch.

(18)23. Charlotte (10-16)
"The four (Boris Diaw) and the five (Tyson Chandler) got eight rebounds. Individually, we're not taking pride in our defensive assignments" - Gerald Wallace after the Bobcats lose to the Jazz.

(22)24. New York (10-17)
Since the Knicks have benched Nate Robinson and they have gone 6-3 since. Nate Robinson's agent has demanded a trade. He believes the former slam dunk contest winner has a future with the Knicks.

(25)25. Indiana (9-16)
Without Danny Granger the Pacers are treading water going 3-4. The Pacers play two back to backs this week starting on Monday and then on Saturday.

(24)26. Washington (8-17)
After losing six games by a total of 14 points the Wizards finally got a win over the Warriors 118 to 109 but against Phoenix the Wizards were blown out 121 to 95.

(28)27. Philadelphia (7-20)
Allen Iverson has missed the last two games and is expected to miss the next two as well. The Sixers play their next six games on the road.

(27)28. Golden State (7-19)
Anthony Randolph and Corey Maggette are both rumored to be on the trading block. I can understand Maggette but I think the Warriors are jumping the gun on Randolph.

(29)29. Minnesota (5-23)
The T-Wolves had an okay week going 2-2. Kevin Love makes them a much better team. Since his return Love has recorded a double-double in 8 of 10 games.

(30)30. New Jersey (2-26)
The real sad thing about the New Jersey Nets season is that the odds are they will not get the chance to pick the incredible John Wall with the #1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.