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

24 of 30

Jan 3, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) shoots during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Knicks 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Houston Rockets (23-13)

Last Week: 2-0
Previous Ranking: 7

Motiejunas Moving On? Forward Donatas Motiejunas reportedly wants out of Houston. According to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the second-year big man out of Lithuania wants to play and he’s not doing that for the Rockets:

Houston's been calling teams, trying to assist forward Donatas Motiejunas in finding a new team, sources tell Yahoo. He wants playing time.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 8, 2014

Moteijunas is averaging 8.7 minutes in the 17 games he’s appeared in. There is a possibility that fellow disgruntled big man Omer Asik could be moved in the same deal with Motiejunas; both players have the same agent, Arn Tellem. Terrence Jones is starting ahead of Motiejunas at power forward, with Omri Casspi the primary backup.

The Week That Was: The Rockets beat the Knicks 102-100 on Friday and beat the Lakers 113-99 on Wednesday.

The Numbers: 45.6% FG, 31.5% 3PT, 66.7% FT (28th), 48 RPG, 12.5 TOPG (t-5th), 107.5 PPG
The Opponents: 41.2% FG (4th), 33.3% 3PT, 75.5% FT, 45.5 RPG, 13.5 TOPG, 99.5 PPG

The Leaders: James Harden 37.5 PPG, Terrence Jones 11 RPG, Harden 5 APG, Harden/Dwight Howard 2.5 SPG, Howard 2 BPG, Harden 24-for-42 (57.1%) FG, Francisco Garcia 2-for-4 (50%) 3PT
Don’t! Shooters: Jeremy Lin 9-for-23 (39.1%) FG, Chandler Parsons 1-for-5 (20%) 3PT (1 game)