Class Of NBA?

Class Of NBA?

By Marty Gitlin
Contributing Writer

Has the best of the best of the West separated itself from the best of the West?

Let’s break down that rather complicated question. The premier teams in the Western Conference remain clearly the class of the NBA.

San Antonio and Utah have no peer in the East. Even the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets arguably fall into that group.

But have the Mavericks, winners of 12 in a row, risen above all of them? An answer will be provided Friday night when they play at San Antonio in a game nationally televised by ESPN. WagerWeb.com lists the Spurs as a 5-point favorite.

The Mavericks have certainly proven superior to one and all since the first week of the season. They are a downright absurd 26-3 since opening the year with four consecutive defeats and have held 11 consecutive opponents under 100 points.

The continued development of forward Josh Howard and guard Devin Harris to complement Most Valuable Player candidate Dirk Nowitzki and speedy backcourt standout Jason Terry could elevate Dallas from NBA finalist to NBA champion.

The Mavericks don’t sit atop the league in any major statistical category, but are strong in all areas. They are third defensively behind Houston and San Antonio at 91.9 points surrendered a game and among the leaders in rebounding differential, 3-point shooting differential, free-throw percentage, and blocked shots per game.

Dallas showed its strength in a 100-91 victory Thursday night over visiting Indiana. The Mavericks won despite receiving no points from their three centers. Harris scored a career-high 24.

TIME TO CATCH THEIR BREATH? The depleted Lakers won’t exactly be well-rested for visiting Denver Friday night.

But they’ll come in smiling, courtesy of a 132-128 overtime victory at Sacramento Thursday night. The Lakers have continued to play well despite injuries to frontcourt starters Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown and a recent scheduled dominated by road games.

In fact, their replacements proved critical in defeating the Kings. Power forward Brian Cook scored 26 points while 19-year-old center Andrew Bynum added 15 points and 11 rebounds. Of course, Kobe Bryant remained the dominant contributor with 42 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

According to Wager.Web.com, the Lakers are a 5-point favorite against a Nuggets team still missing suspended Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith.

DRIBBLES: At least one of the four key injured players has returned to the New Orleans Hornets. Bobby Jackson scored seven points off the bench Thursday night, but his team still fell at home to Detroit, 92-68. … Orlando and sizzling Washington, who are tied atop the Southeast Division, both play home games against under-.500 teams Friday night. WagerWeb.com lists the Magic as a 9-point favorite against Charlotte and the Wizards as a 5 ½-point favorite against the Los Angeles Clippers. ... Dwyane Wade (right wrist) has accompanied his Miami teammates to Phoenix, but won't play Friday night against the Suns.

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