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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 3, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Brandan Wright (34) dunks the ball as Los Angeles Clippers point guard Maalik Wayns (5) and center DeAndre Jordan (6) defend during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Brandan Wright (34) dunks the ball as Los Angeles Clippers point guard Maalik Wayns (5) and center DeAndre Jordan (6) defend during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Dallas Mavericks (20-16)

Last Week: 1-3
Previous Ranking: 10

Missing Marion: Shawn Marion will miss at least the next two games for the Mavericks, as he remained in Dallas and is not traveling with the team on its trip to San Antonio and New Orleans. Marion has a right shoulder contusion and bruised ribs after he hit the floor when he got his feet tangled up with Pau Gasol in the Mavericks win over the Lakers on Tuesday. “He’s banged up,” coach Rick Carlisle told ESPNDallas.com. “He’s in an uncomfortable state right now. He’s hurting, but to my knowledge, there was no serious things from the diagnostic tests. He’s just got some bad bruises from hitting the floor hard.” There was no timetable for Marion’s return.

The Week That Was: The Mavericks lost to the Clippers 119-112 on Friday, lost to the Knicks 92-80 on Sunday, beat the Lakers 110-97 on Tuesday and lost at San Antonio 112-90 on Wednesday.

The Numbers: 47% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 61.8% FT (29th), 36.3 RPG (28th), 10.8 TOPG (1st), 98 PPG
The Opponents: 47.9% FG (t-25th), 39.1% 3PT, 79.2% FT, 48.5 RPG, 16 ROPG, 105 PPG

The Leaders: Dirk Nowitzki 19.3 PPG, Nowitzki 6.3 RPG, Monta Ellis 6.3 APG, Ellis 2.5 SPG, Samuel Dalembert 1 BPG (3 games), Brandan Wright 17-for-26 (65.4%) FG, Nowitzki 5-for-12 (41.7%) 3PT
Don’t! Shooters: Jose Calderon 16-for-42 (38.1%) FG, Jae Crowder 1-for-9 (11.1%) 3PT

Jan 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) is fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) during the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) is fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) during the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Phoenix Suns (21-13)

Last Week: 2-2
Previous Ranking: 8

Barbosa Rises Again: The Suns have signed Leandro Barbosa to a 10-day contract, returning him to the place where he spent the first seven seasons of his career from 2003-10. Barbosa played 41 games for the Celtics last year before tearing his ACL and finished last season in Washington, although he did not play due to the injury.

The Week That Was: The Suns lost to the Grizzlies 99-91 on Thursday, beat the Bucks 116-100 on Saturday, lost at Chicago 92-87 on Tuesday and won at Minnesota 104-103 on Wednesday.

The Numbers: 42.7% FG, 33.9% 3PT, 75.9% FT, 41.8 RPG, 12 TOPG (3rd), 99.5 PPG
The Opponents: 46% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 72.8% FT, 49 RPG (26th), 17 TOPG (t-5th), 98.5 PPG

The Leaders: Goran Dragic 23.8 PPG, Miles Plumlee 9.3 RPG, Dragic 6 APG, Gerald Green 2.5 SPG, Markieff Morris/Plumlee 1.3 BPG, Dragic 35-for-72 (48.6%) FG, Channing Frye 16-for-32 (50%) 3PT
Don’t! Shooters: Ish Smith 11-for-29 (37.9%) FG, Smith 0-for-7 3PT