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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 7, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers small forward Nicolas Batum (88) dunks the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers small forward Nicolas Batum (88) dunks the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Portland Trail Blazers (27-9)

Last Week: 2-2
Previous Ranking: 5

Batum Battles: Nicolas Batum played Tuesday and Wednesday with a protective splint on his broken left middle finger, allowing Portland to continue its streak of playing all 36 games this season with the same starting five. According to ESPN.com, Batum sustained an avulsion fracture in the finger in Saturday’s loss to Philadelphia. Also, rookie C.J. McCollum made his delayed NBA debut in the win over Orlando on Wednesday, playing 14 minutes and scoring four points on 2-of-5 shooting. He had been out since the preseason with a broken foot.

The Week That Was: The Trail Blazers beat the Bobcats 134-104 on Thursday, lost to the 76ers 101-99 on Saturday, lost at Sacramento 123-119 on Tuesday and beat the Magic 110-94 on Wednesday.

The Numbers: 46.2% FG, 38.4% 3PT (5th), 82.6% FT (3rd), 52.3 RPG (2nd), 14.5 TOPG, 115.5 PPG (2nd)
The Opponents: 43.9% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 75.2% FT, 40.8 RPG, 10.5 TOPG (30th), 105.5 PPG

The Leaders: LaMarcus Aldridge 24.8 PPG, Aldridge 11.5 RPG, Nicolas Batum 9 APG, Mo Williams 1.8 SPG, Aldridge 2.3 BPG, Robin Lopez 20-for-34 (58.8%) FG, Will Barton 3-for-5 (60%) 3PT
Don’t! Shooters: Batum 13-for-36 (36.1%) FG, Batum 4-for-15 (26.7%) 3PT