SB Nation NBA power rankings: Heat drop 2 spots after losses to Wizards and Knicks

The Miami Heat took a hit in the SB Nation power rankings, compiled by Seth Rosenthal. The Heat, having lost two games last week to the Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks, dropped two spots to No. 6. The Heat were able to rebound and win one game last week, a 106-90 victory over the New Orleans Hornets. Rosenthal wonders if the losses were able to make the Heat realize that they have to have a more balanced attack:

More than any tinkering, though, the Heat may have just needed some actual humiliating defeats -- instead of just narrow victories over weak opponents -- to jolt them into a more personnel-appropriate defensive effort. All that said, Miami amassed a 13-5 record with the switch clearly flipped off. "Score and leave the defense for later" only hurt them so much up to this point.

The Heat have a Monday night showdown against division foe Atlanta Hawks at AmericanAirlines Arena with tip off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

As for the Orlando Magic, they find themselves crawling up two spots in the power rankings to No. 21. The Magic won a pair of games against the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns, but dropped a pair of games against the Utah Jazz and the San Antonio Spurs.

Part of what keeps the Magic competitive this season is guard Jameer Nelson, according to Rosenthal:

The Magic are 7-6 with Jameer Nelson in the lineup. Other teams are a combined 0-0 with Jameer Nelson in the lineup.

The Magic's next game is against the Hawks as well on Wednesday night at the Amway Center. Tip off for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.