There is no doubt about it: the Oklahoma City Thunder are the it team of the Northwest Division, and the popular pick to hoist a Larry OBrien trophy. Cheap Jerseys Paypal . Not popular as in the overwhelming favourites, just that theyre a squad that makes them tough to hate. Kevin Durant is about the nicest superstar you will ever meet, coupled with a deadly skill set that allows him to score easy and often. They look the part of a complete team, thanks to wise drafting and issue-specific trades that have vaulted them to contender status, despite the fact they remain one of the youngest teams in all of basketball. Now, if they could just sort out the crunch-time pecking order between Durant and explosive point guard Russell Westbrook. In Denver, the Nuggets are trying to build on an especially special transition-type season, where they became one of the fun teams to watch after dealing disgruntled star Carmelo Anthony. The Mile High momentum might be a little hard pressed to continue, considering some of their free agents are on the other side of the world playing in China, with no quick return in sight. Three teams made the playoffs out of the Northwest, but it will be interesting to see if Nate McMillan can guide the Portland Trail Blazers to another berth again. This is a team that has some good, if not great pieces, and will say goodbye to their one-time franchise guy in Brandon Roy, while giving Greg Oden – another player expected to be the man in the Pacific Northwest – one more chance to be the dominant big man. The Utah Jazz used to live in the penthouse of this division, but they start their first full season without their long-time coach and their best player. But they have assembled a squad that mixes in promising draft picks with up and coming stars that might just force people to see whats going on in Salt Lake. And Kevin Love was about the only reason to watch the Minnesota Timberwolves last year, as he put together a throwback campaign – think of it as an homage to the 80s big men that stacked points and rebounds in bunches – that forced you to seek out his stat line. While that should still be the case, the focus turns to shaggy-haired Spaniard Ricky Rubio, who will try to live up to the hype that made him one of the teams top draft picks in 2009. So we ask you: How do you see the Northwest Division playing out this season? Its Your! Call. And dont forget to check our team-by-team look at the Northwest Divison, as we count down to the start of the NBA regular season. . PETERSBURG, Fla. [url=http://www.shopnflonline.net/Black-Friday-Hats-Washington-Redskins-Cyber-Mo... Redskins Hats Cyber Monday .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to complete a four-game road trip with a third straight victory when they visit the Winnipeg Jets for Tuesdays clash at MTS Centre. . The Senators defeated the Washington Capitals 2-1 in overtime, which mathematically eliminates the Winnipeg Jets who are still playing the Montreal Canadiens. [url=http://www.shopnflonline.net/Black-Friday-Buffalo-Bills-Andre-Reed-Jersey-C... Reed Cyber Monday Jersey . Raffael and Peter Niemeyer scored in the 49th and 81st minutes for promoted Herthas first win at Dortmund since 2006, and only its second ever.INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pacers responded to Friday nights challenge like a champion. After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Paul George finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, Lance Stephenson added 16 points and six assists, and the defence completely shut down Houston in a 114-81 rout. "This team doesnt like losing," coach Frank Vogel said. "We talked about playing mad for four quarters." By following Vogels plan, the Pacers continued to add to an already strong resume. While some try to discount Indianas quick start because theyre playing in the struggling Eastern Conference, the Pacers still have a firm grip on the conferences best record (21-5) and have already beaten three of the Western Conferences top teams -- the Clippers, Spurs and now the Rockets. The way Indiana has been winning is just as impressive. Despite taking Dwight Howards best shot Friday -- Houstons centre had 19 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks -- Indiana still managed to manhandle the usually potent Rockets offence. Houston (17-10) entered the game second in scoring average and third in field goal percentage. It left Indianapolis having shot 38.1 per cent in the game, compiling a season-low in points and losing to Indiana for the fourth straight time. Even James Harden, the leagues No. 6 scorer, couldnt get started. He was just 3 of 14 from the field and scored only 12 points, primarily against George. It was a disturbing twist for Houston, which had won three of its previous five, had beaten Chicago by 25 points on Wednesday and was trying to keep pace with division-leading San Antonio. Heck, it couldnt even figure out how to beat the Pacers stout defence. "We had no answers for them. They played way better than we did," coach Kevin McHale said. "We werent moving, we werent attacking, they had us on our heels all night." But Indiana also had something else -- motivation. The Pacers were determined to make someone pay for this weeks earlier stumbles, and they didnt care much about who showed up Friday. Not only did the Pacers finish with a season high 12 3-pointers, but they also had a season high point total, their laargest victory margin (33) of the season and their second best field goal percentage of the season (53. [url=http://www.shopnflonline.net/Black-Friday-Chicago-Bears-Jon-Bostic-Jersey-C... Bostic Black Friday Jersey[/url]. .1). Six players scored in double figures and they did all that on a night Roy Hibbert finished with nine points, six rebounds and one block. How did they do it? The same way the Pacers usually win -- with a balanced and a relentless defence. "Its a good feeling because when were at our best, we feel like were unstoppable," George said. "It was good to come out and play with high energy against a high-energy team." The Rockets never had a chance on a celebratory night for the Pacers. Indiana fans gave former All-Star Danny Granger a standing ovation when he made his season debut in the first quarter and chanted his name when he finally made his first basket, a 3-pointer, early in the fourth. Granger missed all but five games last season because of a left knee injury and he was sidelined all of this season by a strained left calf. If he is healthy, and he looked rusty on offence in his first game back, he would give the Pacers even more scoring punch as they try to dethrone two-time defending champion Miami. But by the time Granger made his entrance, Indiana was already taking control. Indiana went ahead 12-11 early in the first and spent the rest of the night pulling away. It led 25-20 after one, made it 41-29 early in the second and then fended off Houstons only real challenge, a 10-0 run that made it 41-39, by closing the half on a 17-6 burst to make it 56-45. Indiana quickly made it 64-49 in the third, sealed the game with a 17-4 spurt. "They played harder than we did," Howard said. "They brought a lot of extra energy at the beginning of the third quarter and thats what set us apart." And before it ended, the Pacers led by as many as 36. "We always say that good teams will bounce back," said George Hill, who had 12 points. "That showed were a good team." NOTES: Reserve Luis Scola finished with 13 points and made his first 3-pointer since joining the Pacers during the off-season. ... Houston played without guard Jeremy Lin (back) and Omar Asik (thigh). Asik, who has been the subject of trade rumours, did not make the trip. ... The Rockets were just 13 of 24 from the free throw line. ' ' '