The Celtics snapped the Rockets' improbable 22-game winning streak tonight with a dominant performance in Houston. The game was tied at 40 at the half, but in the second half, the better team took command behind their superstars -- Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce -- and a hungry, young bench player in Leon Powe.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Celtics are a better team than the Rockets. The Celtics were without one of the Big Three (Ray Allen) and they still managed to blow Houston out on its home court, in what was a playoff-like atmosphere. The Rockets are still atop the Western Conference standings with the loss, but they won't maintain a stranglehold on the No. 1 spot. They play cohesively, and with passion and intensity, but they can only ride guys like Mike Harris, Bobby Jackson and Chuck Hayes for so long. Sooner or later the lack of exceptional talent will burn them in the firepit that is the Wild West.
It's difficult to say for sure, but the Celtics may very well be the premier team in the NBA. They have an impressive record against tough Western Conference competition and they won the season series against the Eastern powerhouse Pistons.
Garnett is a pleasure to watch, as he controls the tempo of the game at both ends of the floor. He's active and aggressive on the defensive end and he plays with poise and intellect offensively. He probably has a slight edge over Tim Duncan as the top power forward in the league right now.
I still believe, if healthy, that the Lakers are the team to beat. However, with both Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol out now, the "if" in "if healthy" is a massive "if." A big enough "if" for me to place them slightly behind the Celtics in the overall power rankings. The Lakers have no paint presence without Bynum and Gasol (Chris Mihm is also out) and the Rockets were clearly the better team when they beat L.A. on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Hornets are trying to make a believer out of me, but I just can't see them as a legitimate title contender. They are totally reliant on Chris Paul at the end of games and when it comes down to it, I prefer other team's closers like Kobe Bryant and Baron Davis. Paul has certainly proven himself this regular season, but I'm not sold on his dominance continuing in the playoffs. He's small and has a low release, and I could see bigger defenders hounding him down the stretch of playoff games. Paul's just not a natural one-on-one, go-to type player like Kobe, LeBron, Baron or even Tracy McGrady.
I like Utah's team but they still lack an identity in close fourth quarter situations. Some nights its Mehmet Okur taking long, contested twos or Kyle Korver jacking up threes. What it should be is Deron Williams clearing out at the top of the key and Carlos Boozer coming up for the pick-and-roll. Every time. Let your best two players determine the outcome of a close one. C'mon Jerry Sloan, Stockton and Malone should be your blueprint.
Power Rankings, if healthy (Yao exempted because he's officially out for the season):
1-Lakers, 2-Celtics, 3-Spurs, 4-Pistons, 5-Jazz, 6-Suns, 7-Hornets, 8-Rockets, 9-Warriors, 10-Mavericks
Power Rankings, right now:
1-Celtics, 2-Pistons, 3-Jazz, 4-Rockets, 5-Hornets, 6-Spurs, 7-Lakers, 8-Suns, 9-Warriors, 10-Mavericks
The Celtics-Lakers rivalry could make a triumphant return in this year's NBA Finals. Injuries will make all the difference in the world.
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