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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CHARLOTTE, NC -JANUARY 20: Kemba Walker /

Charlotte Hornets. 23. team. 170. . . Previous: 24th

The Hornets gave their interim head coach Stephen Silas a great parting gift, as he steps back into an assistant position with Steve Clifford back, by knocking off the Detroit Pistons on Monday, 118-107. Kemba Walker only had 20 points for the game, but had 17 in the second half as the Hornets were able to pull away for the victory. With Steve Clifford back on the bench, the Hornets exploded against the Wizards on Wednesday, winning 133-109 in dominating fashion. They scored 77 points in the first half, and had a 28-point lead in the second half before Michael Carter-Williams and Tim Frazier were ejected for fighting with about four minutes remaining.

The Hornets lost to the Heat on Saturday, in a game where Hornets fans probably wish the referees had swallowed their whistles on the final play, with Dwight Howard fouling Kelly Olynyk in a 50/50 play. The Hornets outscored the Heat 35-16 in the third, with Nic Batum getting hot to help power that second half run. They just lost their composure at the end, and picked up their 26th loss of the year.

The trade rumors are going to swirl around Walker until the deadline — if he’s moved, the Hornets aren’t going to sniff the playoffs, and it’s going to be a bit of a journey for this franchise.

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