NBA: The MVP Battle

The latest standings in the race for the MVP:

1) Carmelo Anthony: His record of scoring 20+ points in every game rolls on and with him go the Denver Nuggets. His 50 against the Knicks was a career high and he is doing a little bit of everything. Melo's jumper looks solid and he is getting to the rim at will as his development into an all-round star continues. He is leading by example more than ever and there is no small forward out there who can contain him.

2) Kobe Bryant: The Lakers are on a tear and Bryant's team-mates are all playing their part. But Kobe is Kobe and when he takes over there is nothing any defense can do. He is still scoring 28 a game yet his assists are on the rise as he feeds Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. He had 18 points against the Hornets as LA continue to profit from a favorable early schedule. Expect him to step things up further when the tough road trips come thick and fast.

3) LeBron James: He did not need to dominant the scoring against the Suns but he continues to shoot a good percentage from the field and is bringing out the best in his team-mates. Cleveland have moved to within 1.5 games of the leaders in the East and James deserves a lot of credit for masterminding the team's solid form. Putting up 25 against Dallas was a reminder of his big game pedigree.

4) Dirk Nowitzki: Dallas are 14-5 and they are leaning on the big German as usual. Dirk is not letting them down either, averaging 27 points and shouldering the offensive burden. Rick Carlisle calls Jason Kidd "the rock" but Nowitzki is the assassin who the Mavs look to time and time again. The fact that he is adding three assists a night is an added bonus.

5) Steve Nash: The Suns have dropped their last two but Nash still had 20 points and eight assists in New York and is rolling back the years with his performances. A tough trip to LA on Sunday will further test Phoenix but expect the point guard to get his team firing again against the Kings first. As one of the most experienced Suns, Nash must take the lead in pulling the team back on track.

6) Dwight Howard: Superman had not set the league alight coming into last week but that soon changed. The Magic sit top of the Eastern Conference and things may well get even better now that Howard is increasingly comfortable with new starter Vince Carter. The big man had 25 points and 20 boards against Milwaukee and his defensive pressure has helped Orlando win nine of their last 10.

7) Dwyane Wade: Wade struggled at Denver this week, where he is yet to win in his career, but he continues to play at a high level. The Heat earned an impressive win in Portland with Wade both scoring and facilitating and he is starting to trust the likes of Michael Beasley and Jermaine O'Neal to make the key plays. A trip to LA to face the Lakers give Wade another big stage to dominate.

8) Kevin Durant: Almost 28 points a night plus three assists and seven rebounds tells its own story. The Thunder were expected to improve this year but Durant has Oklahoma City (10-8) surpassing all pre-season predictions. He has struggled from 3-point range but is attacking the hoop and getting to the line. Surrounded by other fearless youngsters, Durant is leading by example and if he keeps this up a playoff spot is there for the taking.

9) Kevin Garnett: He is getting better and better. The Celtics look so much stronger now he is back and his performances in the big games have been inspirational. The effect he has on his team-mates is a reminder of how sorely he was missed in the playoffs last season. The win in San Antonio on Thursday was yet another example as he poured in a game high 20 points. He seems to have a spring back in his step and his intensity is there for all to see.

10) Tim Duncan: The Spurs had won five straight before Thursday's loss to Boston and Duncan is heating up. Even in the defeat to the Celtics he managed 16 points and 15 boards. He is shooting a career high 54.9% from the field with an average of 18 points and 11 rebounds a night, enabling the Spurs to stay in the playoff spots despite injuries to Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli.