Hawks top NBA power rankings
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The Atlanta Hawks retained top place on Monday at the weekly power rankings after their winning streak reached seven over impressive wins over the Blazers, Heat and Rockets.
The Hawks, 11-3, got four days off before Thursday's showdown with the second placed Orlando Magic as Mike Bibby was ruled out for a sprained ankle.
Magic, also 11-3, rocketed to second from last week's eighth attributing to their pretty good defense in last five games, who were at the best in Friday's win in Boston.
Phoenix Suns, 11-3 either, slided one place to third, whose streak of scoring 100 plus continues, but the defense is weakening. They had a defensive rating of 110.3 in last seven games against 103.8 from the first seven. They won't stay atop the West unless tighten it up again.
The Dallas Mavericks made stride to fourth from last week's tenth thanks a five-game win in a row. The defending champions Los Angeles Lakers were upgraded to fifth from previous ninth with there turn of Pau Gasol, who look like the champions again, trouncing the Bulls and Thunder.
From sixth to tenth, they're the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Portland Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks.
The star-depleted Houston Rockets climbed one place to reach 11th for their chemistry and toughness, which enable the average squad to alternate wins and losses for the last 11 games.
