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NBA Power Rankings: The Heat are looking good

By Daniel Lewis

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 26: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat reacts to a play during the game against the Orlando Magic on December 26, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 26: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat reacts to a play during the game against the Orlando Magic on December 26, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Steve Clifford
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team. 170. . . Previous: 20th. Charlotte Hornets. 24

The Hornets welcomed the Mavericks on Wednesday for their first home game in two weeks and their first game since last Friday — needless to say the Hornets were both well rested and ready to be back home. The Mavericks were on the second night of a back-to-back, and despite having flown from Texas to North Carolina, were the team with more energy in the game. Kemba Walker had 41 points, and without that supernal performance, the Hornets would have been embarrassed by a struggling Mavericks squad. They didn’t get their first points in transition until the third quarter, and let the Mavericks get off 36 3-point attempts.

The Hornets picked up a home win, beating the Utah Jazz 99-88 thanks to another nice game from Walker, who is making a strong case to earn a trip to the All-Star game this year. Steve Clifford should return to the team this upcoming week, and the return of their head coach should help stabilize things and allow them to correct their recent struggles.

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