Despite the drop-off in scoring, the NBA has stated that no instructions have been given to officials to change the calls

The scoring numbers during this season reached a new time high, a phenomenom that was replicated in this years' All-Star game. But after that, when the NBA resumed its scheduled games, it's easy to see that the scoreboards have changed a little bit.

Throughout the lasts NBA seasons, we've been experiencing a rise in the game's scoring. If you compare the best offensive teams, this season is led by the Indiana Pacers, scoring 123.1 points per game, closely followed by Milwaukee Bucks' 120.9, Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder 120.8, and the last in the top five, Atlanta Hawks' 119.6.

Five years ago, the Milwaukee Bucks led the league with 118.0 points per game, and ten years ago, the leaders were the LA Clippers, scoring 107.9 points per game. This means that the game has changed, and it's true, basketball is always evolving, the three-point revolution and the fast paced offenses inflated the scoreboards, but what about the rules? The rules changes favored the offensive side of the game, and the amount of talent is higher than ever.

To compensate this imbalance much has been talked around changing the officiating, giving some tools back to the defenders.

Scoring in the NBA has seen a notable decline since the All-Star break, with teams averaging 111.7 points and 19.9 free throws compared to 115.5 points and 22.7 free throws prior to the break. However, an NBA spokesman, told Marc Stein that "there has been no directive from the league office to referees to call games differently."

Perhaps the teams are now adjusting their defenses much better, with the playoffs getting closer and almost every game counting to improve their records.