Dwight Howard field goal attempts issue has been a bit exaggerated. Howard is actually leading the league in free throw attempts and with him making only 58.6% of his free throws, oppossing teams would rather have him make one then get an easy two.

(1)1. LA Lakers (29-8)
The Lakers remain a top the rankings but they haven't played well in Pau Gasol absence. The Lakers are 2-2 without their big man.

(3)2. Boston (26-9)
Rajon Rondo needs to be in the All-Star game, I know he won't get voted in but the coaches have to recognize his greatness. Rondo had 22 points 13 assists 10 rebounds and 4 steals versus the Raptors Sunday.

(2)3. Cleveland (29-10)
The Cavs play three more road games before returning home. The Cavs are currently one and one on their five game road trip.

(4)4. Orlando (25-12)
The Magic had lost four games in a row to teams with records less then .500 but they ended that streak with a huge 113 to 81 victory against the Atlanta Hawks. Magic play their next four on the road.

(6)5. San Antonio (22-13)
Friday night the Mavericks snapped the Spurs streak of holding 11 straight opponents to 100 or less points.

(5)6. Atlanta (23-13)
The Hawks had a golden opportunity to get first place in the Southeast but they let the Magic shoot 64% from the field and just couldn't stop them.

(7)7. Dallas (25-12)
The Mavs most likely will trade Shawne Williams and Kris Humpries for Eduardo Najera, Mavs save some money in the deal.

(9)8. Phoenix (23-14)
After starting the season 14-3 the Suns have gone 9-11 and to be perfectly honest I anticipate these guys falling even further the rest of the season.

(10)9. Denver (23-14)
Chauncey Billups is back and Carmelo Anthony should return to Tuesday when the Nuggets play the Wolves. This is a good game for Melo to return to, as the Nuggets will mostly likely be able to get the win.

(8)10. Portland (23-16)
Brandon Roy's 32 points put away the Lakers on Friday night as the guard continues to tear it up in recent games.

(12)11. Oklahoma City (20-16)
Russell Westbrook has led the Thunder in assists in 11 straight games and is slowly becoming one of the NBA's top point guards.

(11)12. Houston (21-16)
The Rockets play 9 of the next 11 games at home and have a tremendous opportunity to improve their record and put themselves in great position to make the playoffs without their two superstars.

(17)13. New Orleans (19-16)
Five wins in a row for the Hornets who have been playing much better as of late but Peja Stojakovic is shooting .385 from the field this season which has to be a disappointment.

(13)14. Utah (20-17)
Deron Williams is banged up a bit with a bruised right wrist which would explain why the Jazz have lost four of their last six games.

(16)15. Toronto (19-19)
Despite the loss to the Celtics the Raptors are playing a much better brand of basketball. They are winners of eight of their last ten games.

(14)16. Memphis (18-18)
The Grizzlies were over .500 for less then 24 hours after they lost to Bobcats 91 to 89 despite their good record they are in 11th place in a very tough western conference.

(15)17. Miami (18-17)
Rafer Alston has been reunited with the Miami Heat and he is already back in the starting line-up. I really like this move by the Heat as Mario Chalmers has not been playing well as of late.

(18)18. LA Clippers (17-18)
The Clippers have won four games in row but will they be able to keep up the winning streak when they play there next three games on the road.

(19)19. New York (15-21)
Nate has been playing okay since returning to the line-up on Thursday. He had 7 turnovers in the Bobcats win over the Knicks but followed that up with 20 points in a Knicks loss to the Rockets.

(20)20. Chicago (15-20)
The Bulls lost three in a row before getting a win Saturday over the Wolves. Derrick Rose is playing better but hasn't really improved since his rookie of the year campaign.

(21)21. Charlotte (16-19)
Tyson Chandler has missed eight straight games and there is no apparent timetable for his return.

(22)22. Milwaukee (15-19)
The Bucks play their next five games on the road. I have a bad feeling the Bucks season will go down the drain after this road trip.

(23)23. Sacramento (15-21)
Although the Kings lost two games this past week they were able to get win over the Nuggets 102 to 100. Tyreke Evans had a good week averaging 26.3 ppg.

(26)24. Washington (12-23)
Randy Foye has stepped into the starting line-up nicely for the suspended Gilbert Arenas. Foye is averaging 20.3ppg and 5.3apg in three games without Gilbert Arenas.

(25)25. Philadelphia (11-25)
Allen Iverson didn't play in the Sixers 104 to 94 victory, Iverson was out with a injured knee. AI's body appears to be breaking down.

(27)26. Golden State (11-24)
With 39 points in the Warriors comeback win over the Kings Monta Ellis has scored 30 or more points 14 times this season.

(28)27. Indiana (11-25)
Danny Granger is back that is the good news the bad news is they have lost the last two games despite Granger playing.

(29)28. Minnesota (8-30)
Johnny Flynn is one of the few bright spots of the Timberwolves dismal season the guard is averaging 14.3ppg.

(24)29. Detroit (11-24)
The Pistons losing streak is up to 12 as the return of Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince has disrupted the chemistry of this team.

(30)30. New Jersey (3-34)
The Nets bought out Rafer Alston's contract it didn't make sense for the Nets to continue playing a veteran when they have so much youth.

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