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

Dec 10, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson (13) drives against New York Knicks small forward Metta World Peace (51) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (8-13)

Last Week: 2-1
Previous Ranking: 27

Long Time Coming: It hasn’t been an easy year thus far for Kyrie Irving, but he showed signs of snapping out of his early-season funk in Cleveland’s win over the Knicks Tuesday night. Irving had his third double-double of the season, hitting 14-of-23 from the floor and 4-for-7 from deep in a 37-point, 11-assist effort. The Cavaliers have now won four of five to jump right back into the thick of the Eastern playoff chase.

The Week That Was: The Cavaliers lost at Atlanta 108-89 Friday night, beat the Clippers 88-82 on Saturday and beat the Knicks 109-94 on Tuesday.

The Numbers: 44.2% FG, 34% 3FG, 66.7% FT (28th), 48.3 RPG (t-3rd), 14 TOPG, 95.3 PPG
The Opponents: 43.4% FG, 28.1% 3FG, 69% FT, 42 RPG, 13 TOPG (t-25th), 94.7 PPG

The Leaders: Kyrie Irving 19.0 PPG, Tristan Thompson 11 RPG, Irving 7 APG, Alonzo Gee 1.3 SPG, Andrew Bynum 1 BPG, Bynum 18-for-33 (54.5%) FG, Jarrett Jack 6-for-11 (54.5% 3FG)
Don’t! Shooters: C.J. Miles 6-for-23 (26.1%) FG, Dion Waiters 1-for-7 (14.3%) 3FG