HoopsHype.com Power Rankings by Marc Narducci / Updated: January 27, 2006 30. Charlotte Bobcats (11-32) The Bobcats have lost nine in a row, all without injured Emeka Okafor and are 2-15 in games he hasn't played. 29. Atlanta Hawks (11-29) With a 3-16 road record, the Hawks have the fewest wins of any team away from home. 28. New York Knicks (13-27) The Knicks followed a six-game winning streak, by losing their last six games. 27. Toronto Raptors (14-29) Recently fired GM Rob Babcock has set this franchise back many years with costly moves. 26. Portland Trail Blazers (14-26) The Blazers have the NBA's worst home attendance average (14, 340) for obvious reasons. 25. Houston Rockets (15-26) The Rockets are 15-12 with Tracy McGrady and 0-14 without him. 24. Seattle SuperSonics (17-25) The highlight of a disappointing season was last week's 152-149 triple OT win at Phoenix, with Ray Allen scoring 42 points. 23. Sacramento Kings (18-24) It will take more than Ron Artest to get this team out of its doldrums. 22. Golden State Warriors (19-22) The Warriors began the season 12-6, but a lack of inside game has made this an inconsistent jump-shooting team. 21. Boston Celtics (17-25) Could Wally Szczerbiak breath some life into what has been a lifeless Celtics team? 20. Minnesota Timberwolves (19-21) The Wolves crumbled in blowing 19-point lead late in third quarter of 86-84 loss to Philadelphia. 19. Orlando Magic (18-22) The Magic have suddenly won five in a row to get back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. 18. New Orleans Hornets (20-22) Chris Paul (16.4 ppg, 7.4 apg) is running away in the Rookie of the Year race. 17. Chicago Bulls (18-23) Mystifying Bulls are 10-10 on the road and just 8-13 at the United Center. 16. Washington Wizards (19-21) Wizards are still looking for much more from Antonio Daniels (6.6 ppg, 36.2 field goal percentage). 15. Utah Jazz (21-22) Losing at home by 19 to defenseless Seattle is no way to make a playoff push. 14. Indiana Pacers (21-20) With Jermaine O'Neal expected out at least two months with a groin injury, the Pacers are no longer a playoff lock. 13. Milwaukee Bucks (21-20) Michael Redd has led the suddenly unbalanced Bucks in scoring in 13 of the past 14 games. 12. Philadelphia 76ers (21-21) The Sixers have allowed 110 or more points 11 times and are 3-8 in those games. 11. New Jersey Nets (22-18) Vince Carter had more turnovers (5) than points (3) while shooting 1-9 in a 90-77 loss to the LA Clippers. 10. Los Angeles Lakers (22-19) The Lakers can't rely on Kobe getting 81 every night. Kwame Brown remains a major disappointment. 9. Los Angeles Clippers (23-16) In winning six of their last eight, balanced Clippers have had four different players lead them in scoring. 8. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-17) Cleveland needed 51 from LeBron James to snap a six-game losing streak in a 108-90 win at Utah. 7. Memphis Grizzlies (25-16) A recent 107-96 win over Minnesota snapped a string of 10 consecutive games of scoring 100 or fewer points. 6. Denver Nuggets (25-19) Red-hot Nuggets have won seven in a row and 11 of 13, all without injured center Marcus Camby. 5. Miami Heat (25-18) Despite having another All-Star year, Dwyane Wade has made just 5 of 46 three-pointers (.108) 4. Phoenix Suns (27-15) James Jones had 20 points in just under 19 minutes during the Suns' recent 107-98 win at Miami. 3. San Antonio Spurs (33-10) It's time for newcomers Michael Finley (9.9 ppg) and Nick Van Exel (5.6 ppg) to pick up their play. 2. Dallas Mavericks (33-10) The Mavs have won seven in a row and 10 of 11 to move to No. 2 for the first time this season. 1. Detroit Pistons (35-5) The Pistons have won nine in a row, the third time this season they have a winning streak of eight or more games.
