The Chicago Blackhawks will look to put a stop to the Colorado Avalanche’s home win streak, sitting at 15 straight coming into Monday night’s contest. The last time these two teams met, Cale Makar put Kirby Dach on a highlight reel in overtime to give the visiting Avs the win.

The Blackhawks have lost their last three games and are 0-1-1 against Colorado this season, also suffering a 4-2 loss on opening night.

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War Eagle is flying high over men’s college basketball for the first time in history.

A barely ranked afterthought to begin the season, Auburn climbed past Gonzaga to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll released Monday. The Tigers beat Kentucky over the weekend for their 15th consecutive win, then scooped up 45 of 61 first-place votes to become the nation’s top-ranked team for the first time since the poll began with the 1948-49 season.

The Bulldogs dropped to No. 2 with 15 first-place votes. Arizona remained third and earned the other No. 1 vote.

“I think for us, it’s the sum of our parts,” said Bruce Pearl, who led the Tigers to the Final Four in 2019. “If we’re playing nine guys on a regular basis, or sometimes 10, you’ve got to account for all of them. And I thought (against Kentucky) we got really great contributions, you know, from everybody.”

Including the teeming crowd inside Auburn Arena, and the boisterous student section known simply as The Jungle, who are no doubt celebrating the return to prominence of a school known more for its football than its basketball.

The Tigers (18-1, 15-0 SEC) spent most of the 1999-2000 season ranked in the top 10, including one week at No. 2. They also spent a week at No. 2 late in the 1988-99 season and another week at No. 2 back in February 1959.

But being No. 1? That’s a whole new experience. The Tigers are the fifth team to reach that spot this season, following two stints by the Bulldogs and runs by Duke, Purdue and defending national champion Baylor.

The Bears rebounded from consecutive losses while ranked No. 1 to beat West Virginia and Oklahoma, and climbed one position to fourth. Big 12 rival Kansas was right behind in fifth after a pair of heart-stopping wins.

The Boilermakers fell two spots to sixth after losing to Indiana early last week. They were followed by Houston and UCLA, deadlocked at No. 7, with Duke and Michigan State rounding out the top 10.

The Spartans, unranked to start the season, blew out then-No. 8 Wisconsin last week and have lost once since November.

“We got after it, and that’s the way it had to be, and a lot of it falls on me, too,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. “I think we got some things accomplished last week.”

The Badgers fell to No. 11 and were followed by Kentucky, Texas Tech, Villanova and Southern California, which bounced back from a loss to Oregon with wins over Colorado and Utah on the road.

Ohio State climbed three spots to give the Big Ten a fourth team within the top 16. Providence, Tennessee, LSU and UConn rounded out the top 20, while Xavier, Marquette, Iowa State, Illinois and Davidson completed the poll.

Stephen Curry’s alma mater is ranked for the first time since spending a Week at No. 24 in March 2015.

“We’ve got to learn lessons, and it seems every game has given us lessons to learn,” Davidson coach Bob McKillop said, “and one of the joys of learning those lessons is we’re learning them with victories and not losses.”

IN AND OUT

Marquette returned to the Top 25 for the first time under Shaka Smart, landing at No. 23 after the Golden Eagles didn’t have a single vote last week. That’s what happens when you beat three straight ranked teams — Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier — to run your winning streak to six heading into another showdown with the Pirates on Tuesday night.

Dropping out were Texas, which has lost three of its last five, and Loyola, which lost to Missouri State on Saturday.

UP AND DOWN

Tennessee made the biggest leap this week, climbing six spots to No. 18 following wins over Vanderbilt and LSU. Texas Tech and UConn each jumped five spots with the Red Raiders reaching a season-best No. 13 in the poll.

Iowa State tumbled the farthest, eight spots to No. 23, after losses to Texas Tech and TCU gave the Cyclones five in their last seven games. Illinois fell seven spots to No. 24 after losing a heartbreaker to Purdue and getting drilled by Maryland.

CONFERENCE WATCH

The Big Ten and Big East have five ranked teams apiece, followed by the SEC and Big 12 with four each. The Pac-12 has three and the ACC, American Athletic, West Coast and Atlantic 10 each had one.

The Top 25

1. Auburn 18-1

2. Gonzaga 15-2

3. Arizona 16-1

4. Baylor 17-2

5. Kansas 16-2

6. Purdue 16-3

7. Houston 17-2

7. UCLA 13-2

9. Duke 15-3

10. Michigan St. 15-3

11. Wisconsin 15-3

12. Kentucky 15-4

13. Texas Tech 15-4

14. Villanova 14-5

15. Southern Cal 16-2

16. Ohio St. 12-4

17. Providence 16-2

18. Tennessee 13-5

19. LSU 15-4

20. UConn 13-4

21. Xavier 14-4

22. Marquette 14-6

23. Iowa St. 14-5

24. Illinois 13-5

25. Davidson 16-2

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Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier had a chance to solidify his candidacy for the Chicago Bears‘ head coaching position Sunday in the AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, but in the end, it was further confirmation that the former Bear should not be a candidate for the position.

Over the course of the past week, Frazier has emerged as a legitimate candidate to be the next head coach of the Bears. Frazier interviewed for the Bears’ head coaching vacancy last Friday and a report earlier today from Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated confirmed that he is among the most popular names being discussed for the vacancy.

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Chill out with the latest West Loop attraction “PB&J on Ice,” an extravagant winter pop-up that will run until February 20. No, it’s not what you think––there won’t be people in PB&J costumes skating on ice. Instead, PB&J: Pizza Beer and Jukebox is bringing back its massive ice bar and sculptures after being a huge hit in 2021. This unique winter pop-up is a one of a kind experience you don’t want to miss!

Go big or go home: 40,000 pounds of ice!

Located in the heart of West Loop, PB&J: Pizza, Beer, & Jukebox is one of Chicago’s most popular hangouts specializing in Neapolitan pizzas and draft beer, powered by a state-of-the-art jukebox sound system. In 2021, PB&J’s owners,The McCahill brothers, turned the West Loop into an icy paradise, complete with a life-size igloo, and an ice bar created from over 30,000 lbs of fresh ice to create PB&J Frozen. After huge success last year, the brothers only wanted to go bigger with “PB&J on Ice” featuring over 40,000 pounds of ice and spectacular ice sculptures such as two ice thrones, one adult size and one perfect for children or your furry friends, a polar bear, an ice drink luge and an ice beer stein. 

Enjoy live music with drink and food specials

Guests can enjoy the ice bar’s open-air experience, however, guests will be required to present vaccine cards to enter the restaurant. PB&J’s On Ice will begin on January 20 and be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night until the bar melts. On opening night, a live DJ will kick off the ice party with $13 drink specials such as the Hottie Toddy and Skrewball Hot Cocoa. Food will be served inside and guests can enjoy specials of PB&J favorites such as a Burger Slider Special with blue cheese, bacon jam, and served with fries for only $16 and the popular Lobster Mac & Cheese made with vanilla salt and butterkase cheese for $18. 

“We loved the feedback we received from our Ice Bar last year, so this year we just wanted to go bigger,” says Co-owner Matthew McCahill, “This year we wanted the Ice Bar to be an open-air experience that everyone can attend and have a great time, with indoor restaurant seating available as well.” 

A history of unique and delicious experiences

PB&J: Pizza, Beer, & Jukebox seeks to create enticing experiences since opening in 2020. Since the team introduced the Golden Goose sandwich to the menu, also known as the ‘World’s Most Expensive PB&J,’ the restaurant has hit the map nationally as one of the most unique restaurant offerings in the country. The sandwich uses the most expensive jam in the world, imported directly from the French company, Maison Dutriez, all-natural peanut butter, and is topped with edible gold leaves, created with bread that has gold dust baked into the flour that is available for $350 with a portion of proceeds donated to charity.

PB&J also offers a variety of small bites, sandwiches, gourmet burgers, and specialty pizzas such as the “Chicago Heat Wave” which features spicy pepperoni, soppressata, calabrian chili, capicola, mozzarella, and parmesan. The team also offers a brunch menu that includes PB&J stuffed french toast, a Shakshuka pizza, and more. For those not comfortable with dining indoors, all items are available for delivery and take-out as well. 

Featured Image Credit: PB&J West Loop

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The Chicago Bears are entering the third week of their search for a new general manager and head coach and there figures to be movement on at least one of those fronts by the end of the week.

The Bears have several interviews lined up between Monday and Wednesday of this week including a second interview with Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus for their head coaching vacancy, and a second interview with Kansas City Chiefs’ executive director of player personnel Ryan Poles for their general manager opening.

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This season has been an eventful one for the Chicago Bulls. Nothing has come without adversity, as the Bulls have maybe had it the worst on the injury front within the Eastern Conference.

Still, Chicago has managed to stay in first place for a large part of the season. Currently sitting in third place and losers of seven out of their last 10 games, the Bulls are in need of some help along the injury front.

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The Chicago Blackhawks were a bit hot for a while. It is a team with talent at the top of the roster which makes it possible to win a few games. Marc-Andre Fleury is also still one of the best goalies in the National Hockey League which also helped them steal a game from time to time.

Going into the weekend, there were some people talking about how a run of wins would get them right back into the playoff contention. That is true but the fact is that the Blackhawks pulling off something like that would be very hard. A .800 winning percentage or more would be needed for Chicago to jump all of these teams and get in.

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The race atop the Eastern Conference is shaping up to be a wild one in the NBA’s second half.

The Miami Heat are the current leaders after their win over the Los Angeles Lakers combined with the Brooklyn Nets‘ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, but plenty of contenders are right behind.

Six teams — Miami, Brooklyn, the Chicago Bulls, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers — are separated by just 2.5 games. Chicago and Cleveland, two teams decimated by guard injuries, will have their work cut out as they look to stay among the East leaders.

In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns are starting to gain some distance from the Golden State Warriors, thanks to an NBA-leading six-game active win streak. But Phoenix’s run could be in danger, as the Suns face the Utah Jazz in a home-and-home series starting Monday.

Check out where the Suns, the East contenders and every team check in this week.

Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom, taking stock of which teams are playing the best basketball now and which teams are looking most like title contenders.

1. Phoenix Suns
2021-22 record: 36-9
Previous ranking: 1

One of the biggest beneficiaries of the 10-day hardship contracts this season has been veteran big man Bismack Biyombo. In eight games with Phoenix, Biyombo is averaging 10.1 points and 6.9 rebounds on 70.2% shooting. On Saturday night, the 29-year-old Biyombo tied his career high with 21 points and chipped in 13 rebounds in the Suns’ win over the Pacers. — Lopez

2. Golden State Warriors
2021-22 record: 34-13
Previous ranking: 3

Draymond Green is still dealing with a disk issue in his back, while Klay Thompson sat out Sunday’s game with soreness in his surgically repaired knee. But the larger issue in the short term is that Stephen Curry is in the midst of a shooting slump. The former MVP is shooting just 37.1% from the field and 32.7% from beyond the arc in January. Despite that, he still managed to hit the first walk-off game winner of his career in Friday’s win over the Rockets. — Friedell

3. Memphis Grizzlies
2021-22 record: 32-17
Previous ranking: 2

3dNick Friedell

4dKirk Goldsberry

2dKevin Pelton

2 Related

The Grizzlies have lost two out of three since Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones and Kyle Anderson entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, putting an unreasonable burden on Ja Morant to carry the offense. Morant has averaged 35.3 points and 8.7 assists in those three games, but his individual performances weren’t enough to avoid road losses in Milwaukee and Dallas. Memphis had lost only once since Christmas before the 1-2 stretch.— MacMahon

4. Miami Heat
2021-22 record: 30-17
Previous ranking: 7

Miami has vaulted itself back to the top of the Eastern Conference thanks to solid contributions throughout the roster, but it’s the return of Bam Adebayo that really has the group rolling over the past week. Since returning from thumb surgery last Monday, Adebayo is averaging 18.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists over four games. — Friedell

5. Milwaukee Bucks
2021-22 record: 30-19
Previous ranking: 5

The Bucks will be without guard Grayson Allen against the Cavaliers on Wednesday after the NBA hit Allen with a one-game suspension for his flagrant 2 foul on Alex Caruso. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer defended Allen over the weekend, saying he did not believe Allen’s actions carried any malicious intent, and the team released a statement Sunday saying it disagreed with the suspension. In his first season in Milwaukee, Allen is averaging 11.8 points on 39.1% shooting from 3, while starting 40 of his 41 games. — Collier

6. Chicago Bulls
2021-22 record: 28-17
Previous ranking: 4

The Bulls have been pummeled by injuries recently. Both guards Lonzo Ball (knee) and Alex Caruso (wrist) are scheduled to have surgery this week, and each player has a timeline of six to eight weeks before his projected return. Some good news for Chicago: Zach LaVine and Javonte Green will both meet the team in Oklahoma City on Monday and both could return to the court against the Thunder. — Collier

7. Philadelphia 76ers
2021-22 record: 27-19
Previous ranking: 8

Joel Embiid continues to carry the 76ers, and now has scored 30 points in 12 straight road games after doing so again in San Antonio Sunday night. Philadelphia is now 12-4 since dropping to .500 for the season in mid-December. That surge has made the 76ers one of six teams to enter this week within two games in the loss column of the top spot in the Eastern Conference. — Bontemps

8. Utah Jazz
2021-22 record: 30-17
Previous ranking: 6

The Jazz have lost seven out of nine to fall to fourth place in the Western Conference standings. Co-stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert have played only two games together during that stretch, as Gobert missed time due to COVID-19 and Mitchell is currently in concussion protocols. Gobert also suffered a strained calf in Sunday’s loss to the Warriors that could cause him to miss more time. — MacMahon

9. Dallas Mavericks
2021-22 record: 27-20
Previous ranking: 10

The Mavs’ 10-2 record in January is the second best in the league behind only the Suns, who won in Dallas on Wednesday when the Mavs were on the second game of a back-to-back. Dallas’ 98.8 defensive rating this month ranks first by a margin of 5.7 points. Luka Doncic is starting to look like the first-team All-NBA player he’s been the past two seasons, posting his two highest-scoring games of the season last week, scoring 41 in a win over the Raptors and 37 in a win over the Grizzlies. — MacMahon

10. Brooklyn Nets
2021-22 record: 29-17
Previous ranking: 9

Including Sunday’s loss in Minnesota, Kyrie Irving has played in seven games for the Nets, with Brooklyn going 4-3 and Irving averaging 23.4 points on 50% shooting, along with 4.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists. With Kevin Durant out for several more weeks, and the Nets with a bunch of road games packed together in a row, it gives Irving a chance to both help Brooklyn get wins and get himself into a rhythm after half a season watching from the sidelines. — Bontemps

11. Cleveland Cavaliers
2021-22 record: 28-19
Previous ranking: 11

Eight of the Cavs’ next 11 games heading into the All-Star break are against teams with sub-.500 records, giving Cleveland an excellent opportunity to move up the standings from No. 5 in the East before hosting the February festivities. — McMenamin

12. Denver Nuggets
2021-22 record: 24-21
Previous ranking: 12

Nikola Jokic had his triple-double streak snapped at four, but he continues his MVP play and has the Nuggets heading in the right direction. Denver won for the sixth time in nine games and now hits the road for a six-game trip, while Jokic is in the middle of making his case to repeat as MVP. Jokic might have had his showcase game last week with 49 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, including a sick cross-court pass out of a double-team to hit Aaron Gordon for the game-winning shot in a 130-128 overtime win over the Clippers on Wednesday. Right now, it doesn’t seem to matter what defenses throw at Jokic. — Youngmisuk

13. Charlotte Hornets
2021-22 record: 26-21
Previous ranking: 13

Friday, Jan. 21
Bulls at Bucks, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 26
Knicks at Heat, 7:30 p.m.
Suns at Jazz, 10 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 28
Lakers at Hornets, 7:30 p.m.
Knicks at Bucks, 10 p.m.

All times Eastern

Charlotte has been playing well over the last couple weeks, winning seven of their last nine, but has had some questionable slip ups, as evidenced by a loss last week to the lowly Magic and a blowout home loss to the Hawks on Sunday. The good news for the Hornets is that Miles Bridges just keeps on rolling. He’s averaging 21.3 points and 8.2 rebounds a game so far this month — including 38 points in Monday’s win over the Knicks. — Friedell

14. Toronto Raptors
2021-22 record: 22-22
Previous ranking: 14

After an up-and-down road trip that saw Toronto go 2-3, the Raptors returned home and got smacked by the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Still, after all of the injuries they have suffered this season, the Raptors have to feel pretty good about sitting at .500 with a couple of weeks to go before the trade deadline. — Bontemps

15. Minnesota Timberwolves
2021-22 record: 23-23
Previous ranking: 18

Minnesota will be tested this week with three games against teams sitting at the top of the standings in the West. Following their matchup with the Blazers on Tuesday, the Timberwolves will face the Warriors, Suns and Jazz to close out the week. — Collier

16. Los Angeles Lakers
2021-22 record: 23-24
Previous ranking: 15

The good news for Lakers fans is Anthony Davis is expected to make his return from a sprained MCL in his left knee as soon as Tuesday in Brooklyn. The bad news? “Going to be an adjustment for everybody to kind of get back into the rhythm of playing with AD,” Russell Westbrook said. “And AD as well, getting his wind back, getting his conditioning back. That’s going to be a process.” — McMenamin

17. Boston Celtics
2021-22 record: 24-24
Previous ranking: 19

While Jayson Tatum busted out of his shooting slump in a big way with his 51-point, nine 3-pointer explosion Sunday against the Wizards, what has been notable for three of the past four games — even the games his jumper wasn’t falling — is a much more aggressive mindset attacking the rim from the All-Star forward. When Tatum attacks like that, he becomes a different player, and the Celtics are a better offensive team as a result. — Bontemps

18. Washington Wizards
2021-22 record: 23-24
Previous ranking: 17

Washington has lost three straight and four of its past five. The Wizards have been a little unlucky, losing coach Wes Unseld Jr. to health and safety protocols and then assistant coach Pat Delany, who ran things for one game before also entering protocols himself. The Nets won in Washington with a helping hand from assistant coach David Vanterpool, who interfered with a play from the sideline that went unnoticed in the fourth quarter. But the Wizards’ defense was the issue on Sunday, as Jayson Tatum went off for 51 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in a 29-point Celtics win. — Youngmisuk

19. LA Clippers
2021-22 record: 23-25
Previous ranking: 20

Paul George will remain out for at least a few more weeks as the Clippers see how his torn elbow ligament will respond to more rest. Without George and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers continue to grind; for the second time this month, the Clippers overcame a 24-point deficit and won, beating their old coach Doc Rivers and the Sixers on Friday. The Clippers are just the sixth team in the past 25 seasons to come back from 24 down to win twice in a season. — Youngmisuk

20. New York Knicks
2021-22 record: 23-24
Previous ranking: 16

The Cam Reddish era got a belated beginning in New York on Sunday afternoon, and he gave a glimpse into what his future in New York might look like. Reddish played only five minutes — the five minutes former Duke teammate RJ Barrett sat on the bench — including none in the second half of a game where both Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose were out with injuries. Reddish was frustrated over a lack of playing time in Atlanta, and the Knicks — with their own glut of wing players at coach Tom Thibodeau’s disposal — could leave Reddish in a similar position moving forward. — Bontemps

21. Atlanta Hawks
2021-22 record: 21-25
Previous ranking: 22

Last week, the Hawks were reeling after losing 10 consecutive home games for the second time in franchise history. Atlanta responded with three straight wins last week, including a pair over two of the top four teams in the East in Milwaukee and Miami. In between, the Hawks toppled Minnesota by scoring a season-high 134 points — featuring a 37-point, 14-assist performance by Trae Young. — Lopez

22. Portland Trail Blazers
2021-22 record: 20-26
Previous ranking: 23

The Blazers have won four of their past five games — all on the road — and have won three of their past four with CJ McCollum back in the lineup. The guard had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in a quality win Sunday in Toronto. Slowly, coach Chauncey Billups’ team is climbing back into the playoff hunt. — Youngmisuk

23. New Orleans Pelicans
2021-22 record: 17-28
Previous ranking: 24

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It was a quiet week for New Orleans, which played only on Monday and Thursday last week. On Thursday against the Knicks, Brooklyn native Jose Alvarado — on a two-way contract — had a career night with 13 points and four steals in his first NBA game at Madison Square Garden. Following the game, Alvarado said, “You can’t make that up. It’s a story that continues writing its own script. I’m just happy I get to do it.” — Lopez

24. Indiana Pacers
2021-22 record: 17-30
Previous ranking: 26

Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon has played just three games since Dec.16 and the Pacers announced over the weekend he will be out for at least another 10 days to rehab a sore Achilles tendon. Indiana has already been without Domantas Sabonis (ankle), Myles Turner (foot), Caris LeVert (calf), T.J. McConnell (health and safety) and T.J. Warren, who has yet to play this season. — Collier

25. Sacramento Kings
2021-22 record: 18-30
Previous ranking: 21

Tough times for Sacramento. The Kings played only two games this week and lost both — by two to the lowly Pistons and by six to the defending champion Bucks. That’s eight losses in the past 10 games for a team that could be active as the trade deadline approaches. — McMenamin

26. San Antonio Spurs
2021-22 record: 17-30
Previous ranking: 25

Dejounte Murray had back-to-back triple-doubles against Oklahoma City and Brooklyn, becoming just the second player in franchise history with consecutive triple-doubles. Murray joined David Robinson, who last did it in January 1991, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Murray is up to 13 career triple-doubles and now trails Robinson by one for the most in Spurs history. — Lopez

27. Houston Rockets
2021-22 record: 14-33
Previous ranking: 28

The Rockets are on a relative hot streak, winning three of their past five games, despite rookie Jalen Green‘s slump. Green has averaged only 10 points on 27.3% shooting during that stretch. Kevin Porter Jr., the other young guard the Rockets consider a long-term piece of their core, has excelled in the five-game run, averaging 17.8 points and 6.6 assists with a true shooting percentage of 62.3. — MacMahon

28. Oklahoma City Thunder
2021-22 record: 14-32
Previous ranking: 27

Oklahoma City is 1-10 in January, sinking to within a half game of the bottom of the Western Conference standings, increasing the odds that the Thunder can add a franchise cornerstone in the draft. The two players OKC sees as long-term engines of its offense — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rookie Josh Giddey — have been productive this month. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 23 points, 5 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game in January, while Giddey is averaging 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists. — MacMahon

29. Detroit Pistons
2021-22 record: 11-35
Previous ranking: 29

Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham put together one of the finest all-around games of his young career over the weekend against the Jazz. Cunningham scored 25 points with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks. He also surpassed the 40-minute mark for the first time in his career. — Collier

30. Orlando Magic
2021-22 record: 9-39
Previous ranking: 30

Orlando snapped a four-game losing streak on Sunday night in a win over the Bulls — thanks in part to former Bull Wendell Carter Jr. dropping 19 points and seven rebounds on his old team. Rookie Franz Wagner continues his nice stretch. Over his past two games, he has a combined 33 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds. — Friedell

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