The Los Angeles Clippers, scuffling more than expected for the first two months of the season, received some troubling news right around Christmas:

Blake Griffin, their leading scorer, would miss significant time with a staph infection in his elbow.

But at least the timing was fortuitous.

The Clippers haven't had Griffin in the lineup since, and won't tonight against the Heat, but they also haven't suffered a loss, winning eight in succession to extend that streak to nine. In the past 10 games, their 9-1 record matches that of the top two teams in the league, the Spurs and Warriors -- and, while they haven't gained on either, they've solidified themselves in the West's fourth spot, within striking range of Oklahoma City for third.

But, for as uninspiring as the Heat has been of late -- 1-3 in the past four, including listless losses to New York and Utah plus a competitive loss to Golden State -- Miami may actually represent the most significant challenge to the Clippers during this stretch.

Including the Christmas win against the Lakers with Griffin, the Clippers' streak has not included a win against a team with a winning record. Lakers. Jazz. Wizards. Hornets. Pelicans. 76ers. Blazers, Hornets, Pelicans.

Six of the nine games have been on the road -- but, still, that's a soft slate.

Credit to the Clippers for making the most of it, in a way the Heat did not exploit its early-season advantageous schedule, when Miami was home more than 2/3 of the time.

In the eight games without Griffin, the Clippers have relied even more on their guards -- Chris Paul (19.5), JJ Redick (18.5) and Jamal Crawford (14.6) have been the three leading scorers, with Redick shooting 55.6 percent from three. And Paul has continued to distribute, averaging 11.5 assists, many to DeAndre Jordan, who is averaging 14.0 points and 14.5 rebounds.

The key for Miami on Wednesday:

Goran Dragic needs to keep Paul out of the paint as much as possible.

And the wing defenders, whether Dwyane Wade, Gerald Green, Justise Winslow or Tyler Johnson, can't leave Redick.

At all.