What's wrong with the Celtics?

The Celtics walked into their Christmas afternoon showdown with the Lakers on a 19-game winning streak. The Lakers defeated Boston 92-83 in their Finals rematch and it appears that the C's left with their spirits broken. In the past two weeks the Celtics have a record of 2-6 with their only victories coming against the lowly Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards. The reigning NBA champs suffered losses to the Lakers, Knicks, Bobcats, Warriors, Blazers, and Rockets. In their last loss they were defeated by the Tracy McGrady-less...read full article

NBA notebook

Memphis waived forward Darius Miles, who was trying to make a comeback after a two-year absence following knee surgery. Miles was cut by the Boston Celtics in the preseason and signed with Memphis on Dec. 13. The 27-year-old also served a 10-game league suspension after his signing for violating the league's drug policy. Miles holds career averages of 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.15 blocks in 27.6 minutes in 414 career games with Memphis, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers. SPURS - San Antonio Spurs waived reserve forward Anthony Tolliver. Tolliver played in 19 games for the Spurs, averaging 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds. The rookie from Creighton played only nine minutes in the last two games for San Antonio. LAKERS - Tests showed Lamar Odom's right knee injury...read full article

NBA Power Rankings: New Year, New Number One

It's been two weeks since the last edition of my power rankings, where the East's mighty trio of Boston, Cleveland and Orlando took the top three spots. But that was last year, and now that 2008 has come and gone, it's time for a new leader: the Lakers. There was plenty of repositioning elsewhere as well, including the Detroit Pistons re-entering the top-10 for the first time since mid-November.

1. Los Angeles Lakers (27-5) - Technically the Lakers are still a half-game behind the Celtics for the NBA's best record, but after L.A. beat Boston pretty convincingly on Christmas Day, then downed both Utah and Portland by double digits, there's no question who should be #1.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-6) - LeBron couldn't rally the Cavs past the Heat last week on his birthday despite dropping 24 of his 38 in the second half, and I can...read full article