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

Dec 9, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) dribbles toward the basket during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

3. Portland Trail Blazers (18-4)

Last Week: 2-1
Previous Ranking: 4

Road Work Ahead: The Trail Blazers are now 9-2 on the road after picking up just 11 wins away from Portland all of last season. That’s been one of the big factors behind the Blazers’ red-hot start. But not everyone is a believer, not even after recent wins over Golden State, Indiana and Oklahoma City. There are still rumblings that at the end of the day, Portland is a middle-of-the-pack team in the West.

The Week That Was: The Trail Blazers beat the Jazz 130-98 on Friday, lost to the Mavericks 108-106 on Saturday and won at Utah 105-94 on Monday.

The Numbers: 49% FG (3rd), 44.4% 3FG (2nd), 86.8% FT (2nd), 48 RPG (t-5th), 16 TOPG, 113.7 PPG (1st)
The Opponents: 46.2% FG, 38.2% 3FG, 84.9% FT, 39.3 RPG, 13.7 TOPG, 100 PPG

The Leaders: Damian Lillard 23.7 PPG, LaMarcus Aldridge 11.3 RPG, Nicolas Batum 6.7 APG, Mo Williams 1.7 SPG, Robin Lopez 1.3 BPG, Thomas Robinson 11-for-17 (64.7%) FG, Lillard 11-for-20 (55%) 3FG
Don’t! Shooters: Williams 10-for-25 (40%) FG, Williams 2-for-8 (25%) 3FG