NBA Power Rankings, Dec. 12 Edition: Some Shuffling In The Top 5
By Phil Watson
Dec 8, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Roger Mason Jr. (21) during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
5. Miami Heat (16-6)
Last Week: 2-2
Previous Ranking: 3
Home, Sweet Home: The Heat return home after a 2-2 road trip and have lost three of five since winning 10 straight. The loss at Indiana on Tuesday was perplexing, as Miami’s offensive flow stopped … flowing … in the second half, as the Heat scored just 37 points and a season-low 84 for the game after leading by seven at halftime. Erik Spoelstra has done some interesting experimentation with the rotation recently, including teaming Chris Bosh and Chris Andersen in the frontcourt with Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers in the backcourt together.
The Week That Was: The Heat lost at Chicago 107-87 on Thursday, won at Minnesota 103-82 on Saturday, won at Detroit 110-95 on Sunday and lost at Indiana 90-84 on Tuesday.
The Numbers: 48.7% FG (4th), 28.1% 3FG, 75% FT, 34.5 RPG (29th), 14.5 TOPG, 96 PPG
The Opponents: 42.5% FG, 35.5% 3FG, 72% FT, 45 RPG, 18.8 TOPG (3rd), 93.5 PPG
The Leaders: LeBron James 20.8 PPG, James 10 RPG, James 6.3 APG, James 2.3 SPG, Andersen 1.7 BPG (3 games), James 32-for-60 (53.3%) FG, Roger Mason Jr. 6-for-12 (50%) 3FG (3 games)
Don’t! Shooters: Chris Bosh 19-for-44 (43.2%) FG, Bosh 0-for-11 3FG