Looking at the top of this week's poll would probably bring a smile to any of the Eastern Conference GMs who have been touting their half of the league as superior to that other half. And there's something to be said for that -- with the way Orlando has been playing, winners of 13 out of their last 15, including wins over San Antonio and the Lakers, the East now claims the first three spots in the poll.

Of course, the argument for Eastern dominance gets a little thin after that. The Hawks have built up a 17-10 record, and though they're still prone to some baffling losses, they're healthy and getting much more consistent. But with the slide of the Detroit Pistons, once you get past those first three teams, the Hawks are the only East team in the poll's next 10. In other words, the East has some truly strong teams at the top, but is still missing the depth of the West.

1. Boston Celtics (last week: 1). They might never lose again.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (3). Someone's got to nit-pick: That 33.8 percentage on 3-pointers needs to improve.

3. Orlando Magic (4). Jameer Nelson's last five games: 24.4 points, 5.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds.

4. Los Angeles Lakers (2). What happened to the defense they were playing in early November?

5. New Orleans Hornets (7). So maybe James Posey was worth it -- he's shooting 51.3 percent, 47.4 percent from the 3-point line.

6. Houston Rockets (9). Six players averaging double-figure points.

7. San Antonio Spurs (5). Now 8-2 in Matt Bonner's last 10 games as a starter.

8. Denver Nuggets (6). No Melo? No problem.

9. Atlanta Hawks (8). Three different leading scorers in the last three games.

10. Portland Trail Blazers (10). They're 9-2 at home, and their next five games are in Portland.

11. Utah Jazz (14). Paul Millsap: 15 straight double-doubles.

12. Phoenix Suns (11). Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Shaquille O'Neal -- how many teammates has Amare Stoudemire actually liked?

13. Dallas Mavericks (12). Upcoming Portland-Utah-Clippers trip will be telling.

14. Detroit Pistons (13). Is it still too early to say this isn't working?

15. Chicago Bulls (15). Oooh, a Tyrus Thomas sighting!

16. Miami Heat (17). Why would anyone trade for Shawn Marion when they can sign him next summer?

17. Milwaukee Bucks (19). Played 18 road games vs. 11 home games, and aren't in bad shape.

18. New Jersey Nets (16). Does it really matter whether Yi Jianlian is 16 or 26?

19. New York Knicks (18). Four-day break is much-needed. They're just 4-10 since a 7-6 start.

20. Philadelphia 76ers (22). Three wins in four games. Maybe it was all Mo Cheeks' fault, after all.

21. Los Angeles Clippers (21). Zach Randolph brings some playoff hope.

22. Memphis Grizzlies (20). Three straight home losses put the brakes on all that progress they'd made.

23. Indiana Pacers (23). If they could get healthy, look out.

24. Toronto Raptors (24). Already shopping Jermaine O'Neal? Yikes.

25. Golden State Warriors (25). Marco Belinelli is the new Anthony Morrow, who was the new Marco Belinelli.

26. Charlotte Bobcats (26). In five games, Boris Diaw has doubled his point, rebound and assist averages against what he had in Phoenix.

27. Sacramento Kings (27). Last road trip: 0-4. Average margin: minus-17.

28. Washington Wizards (28). So much for the DeShawn Stevenson Iron man streak.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (29). Kevin McHale is 0-7, with no end in sight.

30. Oklahoma City Thunder (30). Nenad Krstic is trading his ushanka for a Stetson.