Power Rankings: Lakers reclaim top spot
Add up three convincing home wins, one slip by the Atlanta Hawks, Pau Gasol's triumphant comeback and what do you get?
The Los Angeles Lakers back on top of ESPN.com's weekly NBA Power Rankings.
ESPN.com Senior Writer Marc Stein |
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The Hawks drop slightly to a still-lofty No. 2 after last week's first-ever rise to the top spot in our 1-to-30 pulse take of the league every Monday during the regular season. But the Hawks' weekend loss to banged-up New Orleans and L.A.'s return to dominance with Gasol back in the lineup -- as well the overall title potential of the NBA's reigning champs -- sent the Lakers back to the rankings summit.
Other prominent upward movers this week include Orlando (No. 10 to No. 4, thanks largely to a statement win in Boston), Milwaukee's completely unforeseen entry into the top 10 (No. 12 to No. 10 on the strength of the hugely improved defense Scott Skiles has coaxed out of the Bucks and heavy offensive doses of Brandon Jennings) and Utah's climb back to more familiar territory (No. 20 to No. 12).
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