Saturday, February 27
LeBron James might be the 2010 MVP.
| 59 | 39.0 | 29.9 | 7.1 | 8.5 | 1.6 | 1.0 | .502 | .352 | .772 |
Last Week's Rank - 1
While 33 points, nine rebounds and six assists couldn't get it done at Orlando Sunday, James' 36 points, seven boards and nine assists did grind down the Celtics in Boston on Thursday. It came two days after his 20 points, 13 assists against New Orleans, with a two-game winning streak making up for the Cavs' little skid.
| 56 | 40.0 | 29.8 | 7.6 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 0.9 | .479 | .381 | .882 |
Last Week's Rank - 2
Into each MVP candidate's life, some rain must fall: Durant's streak of 25-point games ended at 29 when he shot 3-of-12 over the final three quarters at San Antonio on Wednesday, had a potentially pivotal attempt down the stretch blocked by Manu Ginobili and settled for 21 in the Thunder's loss. The Race does not penalize for blips, though, not this deep into the season.
| 58 | 35.3 | 18.7 | 13.5 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 2.8 | .607 | --- | .611 |
Last Week's Rank - 4
In the victory at Houston on Wednesday, Howard (30 points, 16 rebounds, 11-of-11 FG) became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in March 1969 to reach 30 and 15 without missing a field goal. "I don't think this is just a stretch, I think his game has matured," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He's changed the way he plays now. He's not forcing his way to the basket. If you take away his move across the middle, he'll counter." Scary.
| 53 | 38.6 | 27.9 | 5.4 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 0.3 | .463 | .330 | .816 |
Last Week's Rank - 3
The Lakers went 4-1 while their leader nursed a sprained left ankle. Now they're 1-1 with him back. File this for playoff reference: Bryant averaged 16.3 points on 40 percent shooting and went 2-of-13 from 3-point range in four meetings (2-2) with Dallas.
| 44 | 38.0 | 29.1 | 6.3 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | .463 | .359 | .839 |
Last Week's Rank - 5
Anthony scored 27 in Denver's victory at Golden State but he trailed a certain teammate by 10. The committee notes but isn't too worried that the Nuggets' forward has scored 30 points or more "only" three times in his last 12 games, compared to eight such outbursts in his previous 11.
| 57 | 37.7 | 24.8 | 7.6 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.1 | .474 | .345 | .905 |
Last Week's Rank - 8
Sure, Nowitzki had help in the form of Jason Terry's 30 points in the victory Wednesday over the Lakers. But it still was the Mavericks' fifth consecutive triumph and, with Nowitzki scoring 31, it was his 13th such performance of the season and first since Jan. 18.
| 48 | 33.6 | 20.2 | 3.0 | 6.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | .436 | .435 | .902 |
Last Week's Rank - --
Billups led Denver at Oakland with 37 pints, two shy of his career high, and had nine assists, six rebounds and a game-altering four-point play. Not unlike the 37, eight and eight he had against the Warriors back on Jan. 20. Denver is 22-4 when Billups scores at least 20 points, and his floor leadership is more vital than ever with George Karl's health absences.
| 53 | 36.4 | 24.5 | 11.4 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.1 | .525 | .375 | .790 |
Last Week's Rank - 6
Bosh was iffy heading into Toronto's game vs. Cleveland on Friday, which would make it four games missed with an ankle injury. At 2-1 while he's out, the Raptors could strengthen Bosh's MVP standing by losing again -- but that's as counterproductive as the one-superstar theory.
| 51 | 37.2 | 18.4 | 4.2 | 10.0 | 1.1 | 0.2 | .474 | .361 | .788 |
Last Week's Rank - 9
Speaking of teammates who make teammates better, it's less important whether Race member Williams is fueling Carlos Boozer's recent tear or whether it's the other way around. It's happening and Utah keeps winning.
| 58 | 33.6 | 17.6 | 3.3 | 11.2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | .513 | .426 | .936 |
Last Week's Rank - 10
With back and abdomen issues, Nash gets 11 points, 17 assists and then 20 points, 13 assists in victories over Sacramento and Philadelphia. No one's bumping him off this final perch this week after outings like that.
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Haikal #08:. @ 8:38 PM
