If it rims out Miami goes 31 on a tough trip

If it rims out, Miami goes 3-1 on a tough trip.12 (13)Thunder10-9As if Blazermaniacs weren't suffering enough after Oden's latest setback, this haunting tidbit circulated late Friday: Durant just became the second-youngest player in history to get to 4,000 points, behind LeBron.13 (11)Trail Blazers13-8They say Portland weather can be gloomy, but it's nothing compared to what's suddenly hanging over the Blazers, given the afflictions that have stricken Batum, Outlaw and now Oden, along with their coach and owner.14 (12)Spurs9-8This is the only team widely pegged for contention back in October that can't get near the top five. We frankly expected none of that … especially those home wins over Phoenix and Atlanta.16 (16)Kings9-10Can't quibble with the 14-3 record posted by Alvin Gentry in November, but you could easily say Paul Westphal's 8-8 mark was also worthy of the season's first Western Conference coach of the month award.17 (21)Raptors9-13Who says team meetings are a waste of time The previously defenseless Raps just swept a back-to-back on the road in Washington and Chicago after a behind-closed-doors airing of (mostly defense-related) grievances.18 (18)Clippers9-11The Clips have won five of their past seven ... and no longer have a share of the NBA's worst start ever thanks to the Nets' plummet to 0-18. Check out this crack from our pal BergerSphere late in the loss that ended the Nets' 0-18 start: "Larry Brown is going to quit with 30 seconds left and take the Fordham job."20 (22)Pistons8-12Bigger surprise: Jonas Jerebko starts 17 of his first 18 NBA games ... As Phoenix or Atlanta could tell you.24 (17)Bulls7-11How high is Vinny Del Negro on your Coaches Under Pressure list The Bulls' no-show at home Saturday against the teetering Raptors had to move him up some, no matter how shorthanded the Bulls might be.25 (26)Wizards7-12That's twice that the Wiz blew one at home just when they looked like they might start something The first was a shaky L to Charlotte after two wins.

This time Two wins in a row again, then an OT loss to the Raps.26 (23)Warriors6-13The Warriors have allowed 120 points or more an NBA-worst six times. So you could do a lot worse than seeing your team hook up with Golden State if that's the only shot you get all season to see a game in person.27 (24)Pacers6-12The banged-up Pacers are in a 1-9 funk and just went 0-4 on a trip that included three of the West's more inviting stops, which sounds bad until you get to the worst part: Granger is going in for more tests on his heel.28 (27)Timberwolves3-17Kevin Love returned from a broken hand with a flourish, but that was just the second-best thing to happen to the Wolves last week No. 1: They're suddenly on pace for a record-avoiding 12 wins after a win over Utah.29 (28)76ers5-15The Sixers have lost nine in a row, 13 of 15 overall, and feared losing both Andre Iguodala (ankle) and prized rookie Jrue Holiday (shoulder) to injuries. So we ask again: What momentum is Iverson going to derail30 (30)Nets1-19Kiki Vandeweghe on the congratulatory messages he received after winning his first game to become the first coach in NBA history to halt an 18-game losing streak: "Most of them said you should retire right now."2009-10 Power Rankings: Week 7RANK (LAST WK)TEAMREC.COMMENT1 (1)Lakers16-3Are these guys Artest-proof They sure have been since Gasol came back, playing through Ron-Ron's "Jimmy Kimmel" appearance in his boxers and then his Hennessy stories like almost no one saw or heard a thing.2 (3)Magic16-4They've won seven in a row on the road They've gone 8-1 since losing Jameer. They've won biggies at Boston and Atlanta and sit one disputed Miami basket away from an 11-game win streak They've got to be No. The bad news: Atlanta is just 6-4 against teams with losing records … and 3-4 overall since its 11-2 start.6 (8)Nuggets15-5Does a win in San Antonio sufficiently atone for a streak-ending loss at home to the 1-15 Wolves And when Melo cracks 30 points for the 12th time in his 20 games this season We're actually inclined to say not quite.7 (2)Suns15-6First real crisis for the Suns or an inevitable gas shortage after 15 of the first 21 games were roadies Miffed as we are about that MSG showing right after we shot them up to No.

2, we're going with the latter.8 (7)Mavericks14-7Just 82 points Friday night in a road L to Memphis Just 75 points Saturday night in a home L to Atlanta. The Mavs can only hope losing two games in a row for the first time this season was just a really bad weekend.9 (9)Rockets11-9Lil' Aaron Brooks is generally seen as the offensive face of this scrappy incarnation of the Rockets. Just don't forget Carl Landry and his nine 20-point games … after just four in his previous two seasons.10 (10)Jazz11-8Boozer just had his first 30-point game since March '08. Sloan just agreed to extend his contract for a 23rd season as Jazz coach. So why can't we stop fixating on Utah's latest eyebrow-raising L on Saturday in Sota11 (14)Heat11-9The Heat were due to lose a heartbreaker after winning this season's first three one-point games, but that still doesn't explain that prayer Kobe banked in Friday.