As an avid basketball fan this is my favorite part of the regular season. With around a month left before the playoffs begin, the never ending feel of the regular season is long gone and the fast approaching urgency of the playoffs radiates the arenas and all the players inside. This past week in the NBA was no exception.

We saw winning streaks ended, double overtimes, big upsets, and streaks furthered. And just when you start to form opinions on a certain team, a loss or a win throws you completely off the path. So what did some of the high points and low points of the week show us?

1. DALLAS 100 GOLDEN STATE 117 (3/12/07)
Golden State played with a lot of heart and they made it clear that they are not the type of team that you can let your guard down with and they want to be in the playoffs. Plus you have Nelly trying to prove something against Dallas, and thus far he is winning the battle. They ended a 17 game winning streak for the Mavs. This could be a first round playoff match up, so Dallas better take the next two games they have against them and come up with an answer for them.

2. PHOENIX 103 HOUSTON 82 (3/12/07)
Houston has a great defense we all know that, but they have yet to stop the Suns fast paced never ending offense. They need to figure that out, but it won't be an easy task with Yao. Barbosa also played like an All-Star in this game.

3. MIAMI 88 UTAH 86 (3/13/07)
Miami continued with their winning streak against a rather decent team in Utah. Dwayne Wade, who? So if they are winning games without him, what are they going to be able to do when he comes back??

4. PHOENIX 129 DALLAS 127 (3/14/07)
This had to be a game for the books. Can you say drama? But Phoenix withstood everything Dallas had to offer, is this a sign of what the playoffs might offer us for seven games? Let's sure as hell hope so!

5. MILWAUKEE 101 SAN ANTONIO 90 (3/15/07)
The streak ended at 13 for San Antonio, but all this game really did was prove even champions can have an off day.

6. MIAMI 93 NEW JERSEY 86 (3/15/07)
Miami's winning streak and good play continues.

7. DETROIT 105 PHOENIX 83 (3/16/07)
By Thursday morning everyone and their mother had handed Phoenix the championship trophy after their win against Dallas. Everyone except Detroit and their perfect record on their west coast trip. Detroit used Phoenix to prove their point that they are still a major contender.

8. LA LAKERS 116 PORTLAND 111 (3/16/07)
Kobe once again with 65. Kobe just wanted to show the NBA witch hunt or no, he is the man.

9. DENVER 131 PHOENIX 107 (3/17/07)
Denver made sure they proved to one of the west's elite that they were not to be taken for granted. Man wouldn't this be a sweet first round playoff match up? Nash and Iverson in a seven game series?? Yummy!

10. BOSTON 91 SAN ANTONIO 85 (3/17/07)
This had to be the upset of the week. I mean the Boston Celtics beat San Antonio on the back end of a back to back for them? How does that happen? This just shows the Spurs are all humans.

11. DALLAS 92 DETROIT 88 (3/17/07)
Could this be this years finals match up? If that's the case strap on your seat belts folks because it's going to be a long ride!

12. LA LAKERS 109 MINNESOTA 102 (3/17/07)
Why did this game matter? It was just another chance to watch Kobe drop 50 and put on a one man show.

Ok so after watching all these games and others this week what did I learn? One thing is that I have way too much time on my hands. But other than that any team can win on any given day. No team in this league is perfect. No one team at this point is dominating the league. No player at this point is dominating the league. Never underestimate an underdog. Love or hate Phoenix and Dallas, they can put on one hell of a show. Love or hate Kobe the league would be lacking without a man of his talent. But most importantly no matter what we all predict, no matter what everyones' records, through all the winning and losing streaks, no matter how many points one man can drop, anything can happen. And that folks is one of the main reasons I LOVE THIS GAME! I had to throw in the cliche for effect!

That's all I got.