In a year filled with uncertainty and more questions than answers, the Los Angeles Clippers are hunting to exceed expectations at the midseason mark. This season, having an opportunity to fight for a playoff spot would have been the main goal.

Teams are entering the NBA trade deadline with the idea of adjusting their cap situations, while rumors and intel about Jimmy Butler form.

Jimmy Butler has been suspended by the Miami Heat for the second time in three weeks after he missed a team flight to Milwaukee. The 35-year-old forward was suspended for seven NBA matches by the Heat earlier this month for "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team".

Jimmy Butler is expected to play for Miami again Friday when it hosts the Denver Nuggets, a game that would be his first since the Heat confirmed that he wants a trade and that they are trying to accommodate that request.

The Los Angeles Clippers are back on the court after having their last game postponed due to the horrific fires ravaging Los Angeles County last week. The Clipp

The defeat to the Lakers also marked the first game back by Heat center Bam Adebayo as he missed the Clippers game because of a lower back contusion. He suffered the injury in the win over the Portland Trail Blazers last Saturday after a bad fall right on the back which made him inactive for the first time this season.

Along with missing Adebayo, the Heat was also without Butler (team suspension), Josh Richardson (right heel inflammation) and Dru Smith (Achilles surgery) against the Clippers. Richardson was on the trip with the Heat, but he returned to Miami to undergo an MRI on his lingering heel injury.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra discussed the team's expectations for Jimmy Butler's performance following his return to the NBA after serving his suspension.

Add in some key injuries that have opened up opportunities for others, and fantasy managers will have a lot to sift through as they craft their rosters for Week 14 in Yahoo leagues. Rankings credit: Basketball Monster Priority Adds 1.

The Suns look like they will be a play-in team when the regular season ends. But one more trade could be on the horizon.

Oklahoma City showed how dominant its defense can be in shutting down Cleveland last Thursday, earning some revenge for the week before (and with that win, the Thunder move back to the top of these rankings).