They were third in the league in offensive efficiency in 2010 and sixth in 2011.

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The Knicks broke a league record for triples in a season and finished third in the NBA in offensive efficiency without Stoudemire taking a single three this past year.

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Better ball movement and improved personnel are among the reasons the Heat logged a league-best offensive efficiency rating of 110.3 points for every 100 times they had the ball this season.

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All five clubs rank in the league's top half in either offensive or defensive efficiency, but neither rates in the top half of both categories.

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"If you look at it, the drop in the offensive numbers in 1999 was significant, the efficiency of players was poor, " Mr. Van Gundy said.

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