Nba Western Conference

Sporting News, The, Jan 22, 2001 by Dan Graf

WHO'S HOT

Mavericks SG Michael Finley scored at least 30 points once in his team's first 29 games. In the next nine games, he did it five times and averaged 29 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. After a slow start to the season, Finley is making a bid for a second straight Ail-Star appearance. He'll get extra consideration because the West isn't nearly as crowded with guards as it is with forwards.

WHO'S NOT

As Shawn Marion's role grows and Tom Gugliotta gets healthy, the Suns are having trouble finding minutes for Clifford Robinson and Rodney Rogers. Last season, Robinson was arguably the team MVP, and Rogers was the NBA's best sixth man. Now, both are struggling. In the first five games of January, Robinson shot 19 for-59 and averaged 10 points: Rogers was 18-for-48 and averaged 9.7 ppg.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME

The Spurs have been running fewer plays for C David Robinson, but you wouldn't know it. Getting the ball less often in the post and on pick-and rolls, Robinson has been forced to be more aggressive driving to the basket and on the boards. In six games entering the weekend, Robinson averaged 22.3 points on 61 percent shooting and 10.9 rebounds. Before the team's 5-1 run, Robinson averaged 13 points on 43.9 percent shooting and 8.5 rebounds.

MATCHUP OF THE WEEK

KINGS AT BLAZERS

The Kings beat the Blazers, 79-75, back in November, but that was a different Portland team. The Kings held the Blazers to their lowest point total of the season in that game, but Portland rebounded from a 7-5 start to win 20 of 25 games heading into last weekend. Until Kobe and Shaq make up, these two are the best teams in the Western Conference.

NUMBERS GAME

0: Points scored by Sonics C Patrick Ewing in a loss to the Raptors last week. Ewing played 14 minutes in the shutout.

1: Player in the NBA who leads his team in points, rebounds and assists: Rockets PG Steve Francis.

5: Games the Nuggets were above .500 last week, the team's best mark since '1989-90.

THEY SAID IT

"The philosophy on this being a team you should beat is out the window. They're not a shabby team." --Timberwolves PF Kevin Garnett, paying a high compliment to the Clippers.