NBA Power Rankings: The Clippers keep coming

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Los Angeles Clippers Forward Blake Griffin (32) and Los Angeles Clippers Guard Lou Williams (23) chest bump during an NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 15, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 20: Kelly Olynyk No. 9 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 20, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

9. team. 110. . . Previous: 8th. Miami Heat

The Heat had an ugly game against the Bulls on Monday, ending their seven-game win streak with a 119-111 loss on the road. Kelly Olynyk and Wayne Ellington combined for 41 points off the bench, but the Heat’s defense couldn’t stop the Bulls from the perimeter and they couldn’t keep up. Hassan Whiteside must have gotten frustrated after that loss to the Bulls, because he came out like a man possessed against the Bucks on Wednesday. The Heat’s big man was a monster, finishing with a season-high 27 points. Whiteside also grabbed 13 rebounds to go with six blocks, helping thwart the Bucks offense in a 106-101 victory on the road. Olynyk had 10 points in the final frame, and the Heat haven’t lost back-to-back games since the first week of December.

Olynyk was big late on Saturday, scoring 14 points in the final frame to help stun the Hornets, 106-105, in Charlotte. While the game hinged on a controversial foul that sent Olynyk to the free throw line for the winning point, they were able to get there thanks to Wayne Ellington, who had 26 points, and James Johnson, who had 22 points.

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