NBA Power Rankings Week 19: LA Clippers get aggressive on buyout market

Last week: Lost at Atlanta 129-124, beat Cleveland 124-105

This week: Monday at Cleveland, Wednesday vs. Minnesota, Friday vs. Dallas, Saturday vs. Brooklyn

On the night they sent Dwyane Wade’s No. 3 to the rafters at AmericanAirlines Arena, the Miami Heat hung up 82 points in the first half en route to a blowout of the Cleveland Cavaliers, getting just their second win in their last seven games.

It was the most points the Heat have scored in a half this season, topping the 81 Miami laid on the 76ers in the second half of their 137-106 win on Feb. 3. It also marked a franchise record for a first half. Their previous high in the first 24 minutes had been 75 points, set on Nov. 19, 1997, against the Clippers and matched earlier this season in a Nov. 20 win over the Cavs.

Bam Adebayo put up 28 points with 19 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in the loss to Atlanta on Thursday, but was 9-for-20 from the floor. For the week, the first-time All-Star scored 43 points with 22 boards, 16 dimes, four steals and two blocks in 62 minutes, shooting 16-of-29 from the floor.

Last week: Won at Orlando 122-106, lost at Atlanta 111-107

This week: Monday vs. Minnesota, Wednesday at San Antonio, Friday at Miami

The Dallas Mavericks split a road back-to-back on Friday and Saturday, hammering Orlando before losing at Atlanta while Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis sat out. That leaves Dallas in seventh in the West as they trail Oklahoma City by a half-game.

The loss at Atlanta was both controversial and potentially costly on two fronts. Owner Mark Cuban was very critical of the officiating at the end of the game, telling reporters per Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News:

"“This is a training issue. This is a management issue. Is it as bad as back in Dairy Queen? It literally could be worse.”"

The Dairy Queen reference referred to a 2002 incident for which Cuban was fined $500,000 for saying then-director of officials Ed Rush wasn’t fit to manage one of the fast-food restaurants.

The Mavericks also lost backup point guard Jalen Brunson to a sprained right shoulder just 12 seconds into the game.

Tim Hardaway Jr. tried to keep Dallas in the game against the Hawks, matching a season-high with 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including 6-of-14 from behind the arc, to go with five assists and four rebounds. In the two games, Hardaway scored 49 points with 10 rebounds and five dimes on 16-of-31 shooting overall, hitting 9-of-19 from deep.