Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks defeated the Jazz on Saturday for their 12th consecutive win and a slight edge over the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics in this week’s NBA Power Rankings here at TSJ.

Look out though, as the New York Knicks and Miami Heat are on fire and showing no signs of a letdown while the Bulls are surging with Boozer back from injury.

Oh, and even though the Lakers have looked mediocre recently they still managed to win 3-4 last week.

For the first time in NBA history we have four teams sporting eight-game winning streaks simultaneously and have been treated to some excellent hardwood battles lately.

I’m glad we still have three-quarters of the season remaining.

Now onto the rankings:

1. (2) Dallas Mavericks: 19-4 (Last week: 3-0)

The Mavs have been red-hot for several weeks now and cemented their spot at the top with a decisive victory over the Jazz on Saturday. Dirk Nowitzki might be playing the best ball of his career (25.0 PPG on .568 shooting) and was on fire last week, shooting a blistering .700 from the floor. He even snared a season-high fifteen boards against Utah! This Dallas team is stacked, folks.

Upcoming games: Bucks, Blazers, Suns

2. (2) San Antonio Spurs: 20-3 (Last week: 3-0)

Can you believe a squad sporting a 20-3 record might be the THIRD-BEST team in the NBA? The Spurs routed all three of their opponents last week and, while the Celtics are right on their heels, until these guys falter I can’t drop them lower.

Upcoming games: Bucks, Nuggets, Grizzlies

3. (4) Boston Celtics: 19-4 (Last week: 3-0)

The Celtics have won ten straight, including their 93-62 destruction of the Bobcats on Saturday. Even with Shaq out for the past two games this team is deep and Kevin Garnett has looked spectacular all season. The Celtics rank #1 in defense so far this season, holding opponents to just 98.7 points per 100 possessions.

Upcoming games: Knicks, Hawks, Pacers

4. (7) Miami Heat: 17-8 (Last week: 4-0)

Miami is beginning to look like the juggernaut we all envisioned they might become, reeling off eight-straight wins in convincing fashion that included a 111-98 spanking of the Jazz. The Heat currently rank #2 in defense and #5 in offense right now and the LeBron-Wade combo has looked frighteningly good lately.

Upcoming games: Hornets, Cavaliers, Knicks

5. (6) Los Angeles Lakers: 17-7 (Last week: 3-1)

The Lakers look lethargic right now yet still have enough talent to win three of four last week with their only loss being to the Bulls behind a masterful performance from Derrick Rose. Kobe has shot better lately but the rest of their team is having problems scoring right now. Bryant passed John Havlicek for 11th place on the all-time scoring list against Chicago.

Upcoming games: Wizards, Pacers, 76ers, Raptors

6. (9) New York Knicks: 16-9 (Last week: 4-0)

I can no longer deny how fantastic Amare Stoudemire is - in the past eight games, all wins for New York, Stoudemire has pumped in over 33.9 points on ridiculous .584 shooting. The Knicks have taken advantage of a relatively easy schedule but eight of their wins on their current 13-14 run have been on the road and the Nuggets are a quality team right now.

Upcoming games: Celtics, Heat, Cavaliers

7. (N/A) Chicago Bulls: 14-8 (Last week: 4-0)

With Boozer back these Bulls are looking very dangerous - they have won five straight, including victories over the Thunder and Lakers last week, and Derrick Rose continued enhancing his MVP-caliber credentials in their win over L.A. by posting 29 points and 9 assists.

Upcoming games: Pacers, Raptors, Clippers

8. (5) Utah Jazz: 17-8 (Last week: 2-2)

The Jazz ran into the surging Mavericks and Heat last week and were defeated by both. They somewhat salvaged their week by beating the slumping Magic 117-105 on Friday so they remain in the top ten for now. Deron Williams is simply amazing, by the way - if you don’t watch many Jazz games please try to. He’s worth it.

Upcoming games: Warriors, Hornets, Bucks

9. (8) Oklahoma City Thunder: 17-8 (Last week: 3-1)

The Thunder have started to right the ship a bit and Durant continues to shoot the ball better with each game, ending his week by scoring 25 points on an efficient 10-17 shooting in their rout of the Cavs. Jeff Green has come on strong lately too and combined with Westbrook’s brilliance these guys should only climb higher.

Upcoming games: Rockets, Kings, Suns

10. (4) Orlando Magic: 16-8 (Last week: 1-3)

The time might be right for Orlando to make a deal for some offensive firepower as they have only eclipsed the century mark in four of their last five - all losses - and the Vince Carter/Rashard Lewis combo is looking more disastrous by the minute. Not even Dwight Howard’s brilliance (21.5 points, 12.4 boards) has been able to keep these guys afloat.

Upcoming games: Nuggets, 76ers

11. (11) Atlanta Hawks: 16-9 (Last week: 3-1)

The Hawks are surviving, and at times thriving, as Joe Johnson recovers from surgery with their only loss last week coming at the hands of the vaunted Spurs. Josh Smith has really taken off, averaging 22.3 points, 6.8 boards, 4.8 assists, and 4.3 blocks/steals last week.

Upcoming games: Pistons, Celtics, Bobcats

12. (11) New Orleans Hornets: 14-9 (Last week: 1-2)

These guys are falling off the radar quick, especially since they compete in what might be the league’s toughest division. Sunday’s 88-70 loss to the 76ers was disheartening as the team recorded just FOUR assists in the entire game and simply struggled to score points consistently. Their offensive ranking is now 24th in the league and falling fast.

Upcoming games: Heat, Kings, Jazz, Pistons

NEARLY THERE

Denver Nuggets - This Carmelo-to-New York drama is becoming quite nauseating**.**

Indiana Pacers - Better than their .500 record indicates.

Portland Trailblazers - How these guys are surviving with all those injuries is beyond me.