NBA Power Rankings, Dec. 12 Edition: Some Shuffling In The Top 5

Dec 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Blake (5) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Suns defeated the Lakers 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

15. Los Angeles Lakers (10-11)

Last Week: 1-2
Previous Ranking: 18 (biggest move up of the week)

Lakers On The Balance Beam: With Kobe Bryant returning, there will be a delicate balancing act having to take place with the Lakers. In short, L.A. needs to keep doing what it was doing before Kobe returned while also integrating him into the rotation without just turning into a four-man group of spectators watching Bryant do his thing … particularly early in Kobe’s return.

The Week That Was: The Lakers won at Sacramento 106-100 on Friday, lost to the Raptors 106-94 on Sunday and lost to the Suns 114-108 on Tuesday.

The Numbers: 46.5% FG, 32.9% 3FG, 77.1% FT, 36.3 RPG (28th), 14 TOPG, 102.7 PPG
The Opponents: 47.8% FG (27th), 29.6% 3FG, 83.8% FT, 44 RPG, 14.3 TOPG, 106.7 PPG (27th)

The Leaders: Jodie Meeks/Nick Young 15.3 PPG, Jordan Hill 8 RPG, Steve Blake 8 APG, Wesley Johnson 2.3 SPG, Hill/Johnson 1 BPG, Hill 11-for-16 (68.8%) FG, Meeks 8-for-16 (50%) 3FG
Don’t! Shooters: Blake 9-for-26 (34.6%) FG, Kobe Bryant 0-for-5 3FG (2 games)