Mark Heisler's NBA rankings

Cavaliers move into the top spot. They're better than the Lakers . . . right now.

MEET THE NEW BOSS
1. CLEVELAND (29-6) Hardly as talented as Lakers, may not be better at the end -- but they are now. (2)
2. LAKERS (29-6) Future bright as long as they score 111 -- after allowing 110 a game in last three. (1)
3. ORLANDO (29-8) Just beat Hawks home and home, 106-102 and 121-87, separating men from boys in East. (4)
4. BOSTON (29-9) What's everyone so upset about? They're still a lock to...read full article

NBA Power Rankings: New Year, New Number One

It's been two weeks since the last edition of my power rankings, where the East's mighty trio of Boston, Cleveland and Orlando took the top three spots. But that was last year, and now that 2008 has come and gone, it's time for a new leader: the Lakers. There was plenty of repositioning elsewhere as well, including the Detroit Pistons re-entering the top-10 for the first time since mid-November.

1. Los Angeles Lakers (27-5) - Technically the Lakers are still a half-game behind the Celtics for the NBA's best record, but after L.A. beat Boston pretty convincingly on Christmas Day, then downed both Utah and Portland by double digits, there's no question who should be #1.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-6) - LeBron couldn't rally the Cavs past the Heat last week on his birthday despite dropping 24 of his 38 in the second half, and I can...read full article

PER Diem: Dec. 30, 2008

It has become the Year of the Great Divide.

Four teams -- the Celtics, the Cavs, the Lakers and the Magic -- are running roughshod over the league, with a combined record of 103-20. Each of the four projects to win at least 58 games and has had 100 percent Playoff Odds for several days now. Beyond them, there's a yawning gap before we get to the contenders for No. 5. The Hawks moved into the fifth spot in the Power Rankings after Monday's 109-91 win over the Nuggets, but the Hawks' 104.3 rating is well behind the fourth-place Magic's...read full article