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NBA Power Rankings Week 8: The Phoenix Suns are rising

By Corey Rausch

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 31: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz drives into Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 31, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 31: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz drives into Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 31, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

18. team. 110. . 11-15. Previous: 25th. Miami Heat

Last Week: Beat New York Knicks 109-103, Beat New York Knicks 98-96, Beat Houston Rockets 101-94, Lost to Utah Jazz 112-94

This Week: 2/15 at LA Clippers, 2/17 at Golden State Warriors, 2/18 at Sacramento Kings, 2/20 at Los Angeles Lakers

The Miami Heat are in the midst of a long Western Conference road trip, spanning seven games in 11 days. Before falling to the Utah Jazz on Saturday night the Heat were winners of four in a row and looked to be back. They can be forgiven for losing to the Jazz on the road given that Utah has won 18 of its last 19 games.

Jimmy Butler is clearly back and has returned the Heat to something resembling their former selves. Tyler Herro still missed a game while Avery Bradley and Goran Dragic have yet to return to the lineup. The production and attitude of Jimmy Butler is essential to what is going on with Miami.

This week, Butler posted a line of 21.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He does everything for this team, much like fellow All-Star Bam Adebayo. Adebayo added 16.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.8 steals a night. They led six scorers in double-figures, a hallmark of the Miami Heat team that ran through the postseason last year. While Butler and Adebayo are the clear leaders of this team it is almost impossible to determine from night to night which player is going to go off and lead the team in scoring. If the Heat are indeed back, the rest of the conference needs to be ready.