NBA: The team tracker #4

The latest rankings:

1) Boston Celtics: With 11 straight wins, the Celtics are looking dominant and ready to represent the East come June. Contributions are coming from all over, as shown by the 110-105 victory over Memphis on Monday. Six players scored in double figures yet no one had more than 19 (Paul Pierce). This kind of teamwork makes Boston extremely tough to beat and Rajon Rondo is hitting top form. There is nothing much to worry about now on the road to a Christmas Day clash with the Magic.

2) LA Lakers: Kobe's Lakers finally dropped a game - in Utah - but there is little to fault when they have won nine of their last ten and have a two-game lead in the West. Bryant continues to lead the way, saving the Lakers in Chicago with a 42-point explosion and defying a broken finger in the process. With that kind of play, what is not to like? Trips to New Jersey and Detroit await them this week.

3) Orlando Magic: Dropping two straight for the first time this season has not knocked the Magic too much. After all, trips to Utah and Phoenix are hardly easy. Vince Carter continues to look a tidy bit of business and the bench is as good as anything in the league. Games with Miami and Portland will challenge Orlando this week.

4) Denver Nuggets: Things have not quite clicked but it is hard to grumble about a 18-7 start. Defensively, George Karl wants improvement but a gutsy win at home to Phoenix and a more comfortable one over the Thunder made it a decent week for Denver. The trip to New Orleans on Friday will test the Nuggets' rocky road form.

5) Atlanta Hawks: They have recovered well from a mini slump and have clawed back to level pegging with the Magic. A four-game winning streak and some inspired play from Joe Johnson has the Hawks soaring again. And they believe they can make it a 'big four' in the East. The visit of Utah will test the Hawks' defense before a trip to the struggling Bulls.

6) Dallas Mavericks: The win over the Hornets shows they can still win when Dirk Nowitzki has an off night and that is a great sign for Rick Carlisle. They have won their last four and have the luxury of easing Josh Howard back into the rotation. A December 27 clash with the Nuggets is an eye-catching fixture but first the Mavs must take care of the Thunder, Rockets and Cavs this week, which will be no easy feat.

7) Cleveland Cavaliers: They have won their last three but there are still areas for improvement - not that you would know it from the way LeBron James is playing. An 8-5 road record is the problem, especially when the Celtics have gone 12-1 on their travels this season. They could close in on the East's top three this week with games against the Sixers, Bucks and Mavs.

8) Utah Jazz: Two losses to Minnesota? Really? Deron Williams' 38-point effort was in vain as the Jazz dropped a shocker at home. And it is that inconsistency that must worry Jerry Sloan. At 14-10 they are in the thick of the playoff race but a road record of 3-6 is not good enough. They can make amends this week with trips to New Jersey, Atlanta, Charlotte and Orlando.

9) Phoenix Suns: Big wins over Orlando and San Antonio have got the Suns believing again - and they could have had another in Denver on Friday. The Nash-Stoudemire combination is wreaking havoc and they are hot on the heels of the Nuggets and Mavs. There is no let up, though, with the Blazers, Wizards and Cavs on the schedule this week.

10) Houston Rockets: Their solid progress is one of the great stories so far this season. Written off after injuries to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady and the exit of Ron Artest, the Rockets have a 14-10 record and are in the playoff mix. Aaron Brooks is developing into a classy point guard and Carl Landry is on a roll off the bench but most of all it is teamwork that is carrying Houston. They will be tested in Denver and Dallas this week.