[Real Deal]

After ten days of the NBA regular season, there are multiple questions, injuries, surprise performances, and disappointments. For those first ten days, here are the top ten teams in the league.

1) Boston Celtics (6-0), wins versus CLE, CHA, CHI, NOH, PHI and MIN

The Celtics have started off hot, injury-free, and ready to win the East. Despite a mediocre performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night, Boston has to be on top of everyone's power rankings to start the season off.

Next five: vs. PHX, @ NJN, vs. UTA, vs. ATL, @ IND

2) Denver Nuggets (5-0), wins versus UTA, POR, MEM, IND and NJN

Carmelo Anthony is playing like an MVP candidate, and the Nuggets remain undefeated through five games. Something to note: rookie Ty Lawson is very good, and JR Smith has yet to return from his suspension.

Next five: @ MIA, @ ATL, @ CHI, @ MIL, vs. LAL

3) Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) wins versus LAC, ATL, OKC and HOU

The Lakers have arguably the easiest schedule among West teams for the first half of the season, and the toughest in the second half. Without Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant has been in attack mode, and the Lakers have won two consecutive road overtime games, on a back-to-back, nonetheless.

Next five: vs. MEM, vs. NOH, vs. PHX, @ DEN, vs. HOU

4) Orlando Magic (4-1) wins versus PHI, NJN, TOR and PHX

After a beating of the Phoenix Suns, who also hold a 4-1 record, the Magic are just too deep, even with an injured Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis' suspension. When healthy, they are easily a top three team in the NBA.

Next five: vs. DET, @ OKC, @ CHA, vs. CLE, vs. NJN

5) Phoenix Suns (4-1) wins versus LAC, GSW, MIN and MIA

The top four scorers for Phoenix are all shooting over 50% from the floor, Channing Frye seems to be a legit candidate for the most improved player award, and Steve Nash is playing like an MVP once again. Even more exciting for Suns fans? Amare Stoudemire is back.

Next five: @ BOS, @ WAS, @ PHI, vs. NOH, @ LAL

6) Miami Heat (4-1) wins versus NYK, IND, CHI and WAS

While Jermaine O'Neal isn't the 20 points per game scorer he was in Indiana, he's still giving Miami a 14-point, 58% shooting average for the season. Combined with Dwyane Wade's production and Udonis Haslem's selflessness off the bench, Miami looks solid after their first five games.

Next five: vs. DEN, vs. WAS, vs. CLE, vs. NJN, vs. OKC

7) Atlanta Hawks (4-1) wins versus IND, WAS, POR and SAC

With six players averaging double-digits in points, the Hawks offer a balanced offensive attack from both the starting five, as well as the bench (also known as Jamal Crawford). The bad? Atlanta is allowing teams to shoot almost 47%, which could catch up to them in due time.

Next five: @ CHA, vs. DEN, @ NYK, @ BOS, vs. NOH

8) Dallas Mavericks (3-2) wins versus LAL, LAC and UTA

The Mavericks are a big question mark at eight, but with wins over the Lakers on the road and a Jazz team that surprised the Spurs Thursday night, a Dallas squad containing Josh Howard should be a force in the Western Conference this season.

Next five: vs. TOR, vs. HOU, @ SAS, @ MIN, @ DET

9) Houston Rockets (3-2) wins versus GSW, POR and UTA

Houston gets the nod over the 41% shooting Chicago Bulls, and Trevor Ariza is fitting in nicely with his pick and roll teammates, Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola. Teams should be aware that Chuck Hayes is no Shane Battier on defense, but both are on this Houston roster.

Next five: vs. OKC, @ DAL, vs. MEM, @ SAC, @ LAL

10) Chicago Bulls (3-2) wins versus SAS, MIL and CLE

Beating Cleveland on the road would be an amazing task last season, but we know the story this year. Nevertheless, Chicago is playing decent without Ben Gordon, and Luol Deng's 17 points and almost ten rebounds per game is the biggest reason for their winning record at this time.

Next five: vs. CHA, vs. DEN, @ TOR, vs. PHI, @ SAC

http://www.alldaynba...p-ten-after-ten

[ChosenOne]

9. Rockets baby!!! I will take it.

We are giving everyone a run every night I love that.

[Riot]

Solid list, though I would put Orlando above LA since the Magic have missed more key players than the Lakers, and because we've been winning by an average of 10 ppg while the Lakers are only winning by an average of 1 ppg.

[Real Deal]

Riot, on 06 November 2009 - 04:21 PM, said:

Solid list, though I would put Orlando above LA since the Magic have missed more key players than the Lakers, and because we've been winning by an average of 10 ppg while the Lakers are only winning by an average of 1 ppg.

Harder to win games by one than by 10, especially games on a back-to-back, road games, both overtimes.

[Riot]

More impressive to win convincingly than to barely win, imo.

[Real Deal]

Riot, on 06 November 2009 - 04:27 PM, said:

More impressive to win convincingly than to barely win, imo.

Orlando had a lot of trouble beating the Lakers in the NBA Finals last season when those games were close.

In fact, the Magic were 2-4 in playoff games decided by two points or less, two losses against the Sixers, one against the Celtics, one against the Cavs.

I'd say it's much more difficult to win close games. In blowouts, it's usually because a superstar is failing to produce, or a bench (for the opposition), and it lasts all night. In close games, you have to stop him.

[Sun Tzu]

Suns at #5! I hope we can stay around there and not drop down to about 15.

[headliner1]

I think this is a great list 1 through 10 have done a great job thus far in the season.

[CobbFC09]

Hawks at #6. Good, good.

[Poe]

The Heat had a great start in their first 5, and even managed to pull a convincing victory against the red hot Nuggets who were 5-0 before facing the Heat.

Next week, the Heat should easily win against the Wizards and Nets, although they may have trouble against OKC cause they've shown that they can hang with the best, especially after that huge victory against the Magic. I can see the Heat managing a win against the Cavs, too, simply because they are still trying to find a way to click together. The Cavs are always a dangerous team being led by LeBron, though, so that game could go either way.

[MoeRoadKill]

Where's the thunder my homies??