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NBA Power Rankings, Jan. 9 Edition: A New Face At The Top

By Phil Watson

Jan 8, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Marco Belinelli (3) shoots during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at AT
Jan 8, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Marco Belinelli (3) shoots during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at AT /
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Jan 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Mike Dunleavy (34) shoots over Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague (0) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 91-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Mike Dunleavy (34) shoots over Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague (0) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 91-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Chicago Bulls (15-18)

Last Week: 3-0
Previous Ranking: 21

More Moves Needed For Cap Flexibility This Summer: The financial benefits of trading Luol Deng to the Cavaliers have been discussed ad nauseum. But according to ESPNChicago.com, the Bulls still need to make some moves to gain flexibility in free agency this summer. Chicago has $64.1 million on the books for next season, slightly over the projected $62.9 million salary cap. Of course, the most-often rumored move is using the amnesty clause to clear Carlos Boozer’s $16.8 million off next season’s cap. Chicago could have two picks in the draft in June, but that’s not likely—the pick received from Cleveland in the Deng deal is Sacramento’s and it’s top-12 protected. Given that the Kings have the fourth-worst record in the league, the lowest they could pick would be seventh.

The Week That Was: The Bulls beat the Celtics 94-82 on Thursday, beat the Hawks 91-84 on Saturday and beat the Suns 92-87 on Tuesday.

The Numbers: 42.1% FG, 30.4% 3PT (26th), 73.3% FT, 47.7 RPG, 14.3 TOPG, 92.3 PPG
The Opponents: 39% FG (1st), 25.4% 3PT (4th), 76.8% FT, 44 RPG, 16 TOPG, 84.3 PPG (2nd)

The Leaders: Luol Deng 15.5 PPG (2 games), Joakim Noah 13 RPG, D.J. Augustin 6.7 APG, Jimmy Butler 3.7 SPG, Noah 2.3 BPG, Mike Dunleavy 17-for-30 (56.7%) FG, Dunleavy 4-for-6 (66.7%) 3PT
Don’t! Shooters: Butler 10-for-36 (27.8%) FG, Butler 1-for-11 (9.1%) 3PT