(SportsNetwork. Ryan McDonagh Jersey .com) - As we look ahead to the New Year, I have a feeling well have only two divisions that will be hotly contested. The Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers have very comfortable cushions with Toronto leading the Brooklyn Nets in the Atlantic by 8 1/2 games, while the Blazers are 10 1/2 games up on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Northwest. The Chicago Bulls lead the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers by 3 1/2 games in the Central, but with the loss of Anderson Varejao for the season and Kevin Love continuing to struggle, it doesnt look like the Cavs will be able to keep up with such a deep Chicago team. In the Pacific, the Golden State Warriors are five games up on the Los Angeles Clippers, who look like theyve taken a step back from last season. With Stephen Curry clearly better than Chris Paul, and the Warriors talent level clearly being better than the Clippers, I dont see Doc Rivers team being capable of staying with Golden State. So that leaves us with the Southeast and Southwest Divisions, which may not be decided until April. Lets take a close look at each race: SOUTHEAST DIVISION The Washington Wizards were the preseason favorites to win the division, but have been unable to shake the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks are one game up on the Wizards, but Atlanta has been the more impressive team. They have clearly been better against the upper level teams of the league. Atlanta is 7-3 versus teams that would currently qualify for the playoffs, while the Wizards are just 3-7. The Hawks lost their first three games of the season against such teams, but since are 7-1. Former Hawks great Dominique Wilkins, who is currently the teams television color analyst, is really excited about what hes seeing on both ends of the floor. Theres two things that excite me about the team: team defense and playing defense on the ball is the most impressive thing, said Wilkins. You see a lot of teams rely too much on help; the Hawks defend out front. Secondly, ball movement from side to side. They share the ball. They give up a good shot for a great shot. As for the Wizards, I have to wonder after hearing some comments from Paul Pierce following a win over the struggling Miami Heat on Dec. 19, if theyre as committed to being a top team as the Hawk are. We got to build ourselves on great habits, Pierce said, according to the Washington Post. Tonight I wasnt happy with the defense, especially against a team struggling to score 100 points. We allowed them to shoot too high of a percentage. So them arent the habits we want to have throughout the course [of the season]. I think the division will be up for grabs into the final month, but my gut tells me the Hawks will be the one to prevail. SOUTHWEST DIVISION The Grizzlies sit atop the division with a one-game lead over the Mavericks, 1 1/2 games over the Rockets, while the Spurs are five back. Heres a breakdown of each team: MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES The Grizzlies big three of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Mike Conley have all played at a high level, and are mainly responsible for their 23-8 mark. Gasol is easily having his best season. In just his eighth year in the league, hes averaging a career-high 20.1 points, which is more than five points above his previous high. One problem with the Grizzlies is the secondary players who arent on the same level as those on the Spurs and Rockets. Up until Randolph missing the last five games with a sore knee, the Grizzlies have not had to deal with any injury issues, unlike two of their division rivals. Memphis lost the first three game without its starting power forward, but then beat the struggling Heat, who were without Chris Bosh and followed it up with a win over the Spurs, who were missing Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard. The bottom line is the Grizzlies can ill afford to lose any of their top three players for any period of time if they hope to win the division. HOUSTON ROCKETS Aside from James Hardens MVP-worthy performance so far, the big story has been the Rockets ability to overcome a ton of injuries. Dwight Howard and Patrick Beverley have each sat out 12 games, while Terrence Jones has missed the last 26. During Howards absence, which included seven games without Beverley and Jones, the Rockets managed to go 8-4. The injury to Jones gave Donatas Motiejunas the opportunity for some big minutes and hes really blossomed, averaging 10.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in just over 27 minutes per game. The third-year power forward is now coming off the bench again after the Rockets signed Josh Smith following his release by the Detroit Pistons. Smith scored 21 points in his Rockets debut in a win in Memphis, but he combined to score just eight points on 3-of-13 from the field and committed eight turnovers over the next two games, which Houston lost. Does Will Smiths presence hurt the Rockets chemistry? Its certainly a question worth asking, as the Pistons have run off three straight wins after dumping the 10-year veteran. But the Rockets have another recent addition that has already paid immediate dividends and should only bolster a very solid bench. Corey Brewer, who was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 19, is averaging 16.3 points in just over 24 minutes in four games with the Rockets, and is shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 59.1 percent from 3-point range. If Smith can fit in, I like Houstons chances to come out on top, especially with Harden playing at such a high level and the Rockets having so much depth SAN ANTONIO SPURS The Spurs have given the Rockets plenty of competition in the injury department. Tony Parker is dealing with a lingering hamstring injury which has caused him to miss 12 games, while Kawhi Leonard has missed 11 games with a bruised hand and is out indefinitely at this point. In addition to the injuries to two of their top players, the Spurs have had to deal with Tiago Splitter missing 22 games, while backup point guard Patty Mills has played just two games after finally coming back from offseason shoulder surgery. With Parker and Leonard having ongoing issues, and the need to also keep Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili fresh for the playoffs, dont expect Greg Popovich to push his team to win the division title. DALLAS MAVERICKS Rick Carlisles team will have to prove they can compete with the better teams and have to overcome the loss of valuable backup big man Brandan Wright, who was dealt to the Boston Celtics in the Rajon Rondo trade. The Mavericks are just 5-8 against teams that would currently qualify for the postseason, and one of those wins came against a depleted Spurs team playing without Duncan, Parker, Leonard, Ginobili and Splitter. The Mavs particularly have had problems in beating the other seven teams in the Western Conference that would qualify for the playoffs at this point. That mark is just 1-7. The addition of Rondo should help Dallas defensively in the backcourt, but it doesnt solve the problems in the frontcourt where Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons have problems with their lack of athleticism. Defensive deficiencies and the loss of Wright will make it difficult for Dallas to take the division. Custom Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys .com) - The New York Islanders will try to solve their issues against Central Division opponents when they visit the Minnesota Wild for Tuesdays battle at Xcel Energy Center. Martin St. Louis Jersey . Reimer is winless (0-2-1) since returning from a six-week absence due to concussion-like symptoms. The Maple Leafs dropped a 4-2 decision to the hosting Washington Capitals on Friday. http://www.hockeylightning.com/authentic-steven-stamkos-lightning-jersey/ . Rajne Soderberg, the director of the Stockholm Diamond League event, said in an email Friday that the ban still holds. Euromeetings, the organization representing Europes top track events, "will continue to recommend that members do not invite athletes who we believe cause disrepute to our meetings and our sport.The Minnesota Vikings continued their perfect start to the season as they dismantled the Houston Texans 31-13 at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. Adam Thielen, Matt Asiata, Marcus Sherels and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson all went into the red zone to lay down an early marker for their opponents.In 140 Characters...Minnesota made a blistering start with QB Bradford throwing to Thielen, Asiata and Sherels in the first half. Patterson added a fourth TD with Hopkins reply too late. Jeremiah Sirles #78 lifts Adam Thielen #19 of the Vikings in celebration of his touchdown MVPVikings quarterback Sam Bradford was in immaculate form, throwing for 271 yards with a total of 22 completed passes. Sam Bradford #8 of the Vikings warms up before the game against the Texans The Zimmer effectMinnesota head coach Mike Zimmer enjoys his smelling salts and has instilled a championship style defence but will want to work on his sides offence if they want to be serious Super Bowl contenders. Play of the gameSherels returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter for the rampant Vikings. Marcus Sherels #35 of the Vikings returns a punt 79 yards for a touchdown Stat of the nightVikings have made a perfect start to the season and made it 5-0 for the first time since 2009. It was their eighth straight win in total to take charge of the NFC North and lay down a marker for the rest of the opposition. Scoring Summary 1st Quarter HT 0-7 MV TD: A.Thielen 36 yd. pass from S.Bradford Extra point - B.Walsh Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards in 3:37 HT 0-14 MV TD: M.Asiata 1 yd. run Extra point - B.Walsh Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards in 3:52 2nd Quarter HT 0-15 MV FG: B.Walsh 19 yd HT 0-22 MV TD: M.Sherels 79 yd. punt return Extra point - B.Walsh HT 3-23 MV FG: N. Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys. .Novak 38 yd Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards in 3:04 HT 6-24 MV FG: N.Novak 30 yd Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards in 2:04 4th Quarter HT 6-31 MV TD: C.Patterson 9 yd Extra point - B.Walsh Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards in 4:42 HT 13-31 MV TD: D.Hopkins 1 yd Extra point - N.Novak Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards in 4:29 The ReportSam Bradford and Adam Thielen ran riot as the Vikings continued their impressive start to the campaign with their fifth victory on the trot.Wide receiver Thielen was a top pick for quarterback Sam Bradford and finished with a career-high 127 yards, while the Vikings defence flustered Brock Osweiler and the Texans on their way to a comfortable victory.Houston were looking to take advantage of a banged-up offensive line to apply plenty of pressure on Bradford, but with touchdowns on their first two drives the Vikings were in cruise control as they eagerly unleashed their defence again on another out-of-sync quarterback. With leading receiver Stefon Diggs out of the game with a groin injury, Thielen and Cordarrelle Patterson capably stepped up for the Vikings with the former collecting a 36-yard pass for the opener before Matt Asiata went over from a yard.The visitors were unable to contain Marcus Sherels who returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown and Patterson scored on another sharp throw by Bradford, who produced another turnover-free game and deftly guided the Vikings into their bye week without a defeat.Osweiler was overmatched by Minnesotas relentless rush and coverage, finishing 19 for 42 for 184 yards, one interception and a late touchdown pass while taking four sacks.The Texans (3-2) were denied on 12 of 13 third downs and were unable or unwilling to do much other than dump off short passes. Brian Robison #96 celebrates after sacking quarterback Brock Osweiler #17 Lamar Miller only had eight carries for 20 yards during a performance by the Texans that felt a lot like the 27-0 loss at New England two weeks ago.Will Fuller wasnt targeted until the first play of the second half and had only one catch, a head-scratching fourth-and-16 call in the third quarter at the Vikings 39 that netted 4 yards on a screen play.Minnesota have a bye week coming up before heading to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles while the Texans host the Indianapolis Colts next weekend.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: How it happened... How important is Tom Brady? 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