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Tag: NBA basketball

  • Hornets take a 50-point lead for 2nd time this month, roll past 76ers 130-93

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brandon Miller scored 30 points, and the Charlotte Hornets took a 50-point lead for the second time this month on the way to rolling past the Philadelphia 76ers 130-93 on Monday afternoon.

    All five Hornets starters finished in double figures. Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate scored 12, LaMelo Ball added 11 and Miles Bridges finished with 10 for Charlotte, which has won three straight games for the first time this season.

    It was 28-22 after one quarter — and then Charlotte outscored Philadelphia 81-37 over the next two quarters, taking a 109-59 lead into the fourth.

    Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 17 for Philadelphia. Jared McCain added 16 and Quentin Grimes had 14 for the 76ers, while Tyrese Maxey was held to a season-low six points on 3-for-12 shooting in 25 minutes. Maxey’s scoring average dropped a full half-point to 29.4 per game.

    Charlotte became the first team since Phoenix in February 2009 to lead by 50 or more points in two separate games within the same calendar month. The Hornets led Utah by 57 on their way to a 150-95 win on Jan. 10.

    The Hornets had one other lead of 50 or more points in the NBA’s play-by-play era, which goes back to 1996. It’s now happened twice more in a span of just over two weeks.

    The game was moved up to a 3 p.m. start because of extreme weather conditions in the Charlotte area, all related to Winter Storm Fern.

    Ryan Kalkbrenner had 13 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Charlotte. Philadelphia outscored the Hornets 34-21 in the fourth quarter and still took its second-worst loss of the season. The 76ers lost to Orlando by 41 on Nov. 25.

    76ers: Host Milwaukee on Tuesday.

    Hornets: Visit Memphis on Wednesday.

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  • Bridges and the Hornets host conference foe Philadelphia

    Philadelphia 76ers (24-20, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (18-28, 12th in the Eastern Conference)

    Charlotte, North Carolina; Monday, 7 p.m. EST

    BOTTOM LINE: Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers take on Miles Bridges and the Charlotte Hornets in Eastern Conference play.

    The Hornets are 13-19 against Eastern Conference opponents. Charlotte has a 0-6 record in one-possession games.

    The 76ers are 18-16 against Eastern Conference opponents. Philadelphia ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference shooting 35.4% from 3-point range.

    The Hornets score 116.0 points per game, 0.5 more points than the 115.5 the 76ers allow. The 76ers average 12.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 fewer makes per game than the Hornets give up.

    The teams square off for the second time this season. The 76ers won 125-121 in the last matchup on Oct. 25. Maxey led the 76ers with 28 points, and LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 27 points.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Bridges is averaging 18.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Hornets. Ball is averaging 18.3 points and 6.9 assists over the past 10 games.

    Maxey is averaging 29.9 points, 6.8 assists and 2.1 steals for the 76ers. Joel Embiid is averaging 23.0 points over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Hornets: 5-5, averaging 115.8 points, 48.5 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.9 points per game.

    76ers: 5-5, averaging 114.6 points, 41.7 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 11.0 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.3 points.

    INJURIES: Hornets: Mason Plumlee: out (groin), KJ Simpson: day to day (hip).

    76ers: None listed.

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Edwards leads Minnesota against Utah after 55-point showing

    Minnesota Timberwolves (27-16, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (14-29, 13th in the Western Conference)

    Salt Lake City; Tuesday, 9 p.m. EST

    BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -10.5; over/under is 245.5

    BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota visits the Utah Jazz after Anthony Edwards scored 55 points in the Timberwolves’ 126-123 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

    The Jazz are 0-8 in division matchups. Utah has a 6-19 record against teams over .500.

    The Timberwolves are 4-4 against the rest of their division. Minnesota ranks fifth in the Western Conference with 33.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Rudy Gobert averaging 7.5.

    The Jazz score 119.1 points per game, 4.4 more points than the 114.7 the Timberwolves give up. The Jazz average 120.0 points per game, 7.5 fewer points than the 127.5 the Jazz allow.

    The teams play for the third time this season. The Timberwolves won the last meeting 120-113 on Nov. 11, with Edwards scoring 35 points in the victory.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Keyonte George is averaging 24 points and 6.8 assists for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh is averaging 17.5 points over the last 10 games.

    Gobert is scoring 11.0 points per game and averaging 11.4 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Edwards is averaging 25.2 points and 3.7 rebounds over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 2-8, averaging 116.8 points, 42.5 rebounds, 30.7 assists, 8.3 steals and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.8 points per game.

    Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 122.6 points, 46.5 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 8.3 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.3 points.

    INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: day to day (illness), Georges Niang: day to day (foot), Brice Sensabaugh: day to day (illness), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder).

    Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr.: out (foot), Naz Reid: day to day (shoulder).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • NBA announces All-Star Game starters for new U.S. vs. The World format

    The first-ever World team for the NBA All-Star Game is already looking loaded. And the fate of LeBron James’ record streak of All-Star selections will now be decided by coaches, or perhaps even Commissioner Adam Silver.

    Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama were among those announced Monday as starters — an inexact term this year — for next month’s All-Star Game at the Los Angeles Clippers’ home arena in Inglewood, California. They’re likely heading to the World team, which will take on two teams of U.S. players as part of yet another new format for the midseason showcase.

    The NBA announced 10 starters, five from each conference. Golden State’s Stephen Curry, New York’s Jalen Brunson, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey and Boston’s Jaylen Brown all are presumably headed to the U.S. squads that will play in the three-team, round-robin tournament on Feb. 15 — all 12-minute mini-games, with the top two teams advancing to a 12-minute championship game.

    “It’s still as special as the first one was, honestly,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the All-Star nod. “I grew up watching All-Star games as a kid, dreaming about playing in them. To be able to play in them will always have that same feeling. All the players that I looked up to, that I imitated my game after, played in those games, played on that stage. And for me to be able do so, it’s a blessing and an honor.”

    Starters were selected through a weighted formula, with fan voting counting for 50% of a player’s ranking, the votes of a 100-member panel of broadcasters and reporters counting for 25% and voting by NBA players themselves counting for the remaining 25%.

    The U.S. vs. the World concept was talked about for years before finally becoming a reality this season. The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association unveiled the long-awaited plan earlier this season, after trying yet again to figure out the latest way to spark renewed interest in the game.

    It seemed like the right time to try a game with national pride at stake, given that it’ll happen this year around the midway point of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The NBA’s All-Star events, like the Olympics in the U.S., will all be broadcast on NBC’s family of networks.

    There will be three teams of at least eight players. Games will be one standard NBA quarter, or 12 minutes long.

    Team A will play Team B in Game 1. The winner of that game will play Team C in Game 2. The loser of Game 1 will play Team C in Game 3.

    The teams with the best two records will play in the championship game. If all three teams are 1-1, point differential would be the tiebreaker.

    The league typically has 10 starters picked by the weighted formula voting, then 14 reserves by the coaches, and that’s also the case this year.

    It’s just different.

    In a standard All-Star Game — two teams, 12 players per side — the old voting formula works out perfectly. But this is three teams, with eight players per side. That means at least 15 players will “start” a game in the All-Star tournament.

    Therefore, it’s guaranteed that some players who weren’t announced as starters Monday will be starting on Feb. 15.

    And it is possible that some rosters may have more than eight players, if the NBA needs to keep adding in order to get to 16 on the U.S. side or eight on the World side.

    James, for the first time in 22 years, wasn’t among the group selected as a starter.

    His record run of 20 consecutive All-Star Game appearances — not selections, that streak continued — ended last season when he bowed out of another mini-tournament format citing foot and ankle injuries. He could still make it as a reserve, with those 14 spots to be decided by a polling of NBA head coaches.

    And he also could get an invite as an injury replacement if one is needed, with Silver picking those players when necessary.

    James is in his record-setting 23rd season. His record streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with at least 10 points ended in December, and he has already missed 17 games — meaning he’ll probably have to play in every Lakers game for the rest of the season to be eligible for most postseason awards like All-NBA honors. James has been an All-NBA selection in 21 of his first 22 seasons, including a second-teamer last season.

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  • Murray-Boyles scores 17, Raptors beat Hawks 118-100 to complete 2-game sweep of Atlanta

    TORONTO — Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles scored 17 points as the Toronto Raptors beat the Atlanta Hawks 118-100 on Monday night.

    Murray-Boyles added seven rebounds and seven assists for Toronto (22-15) in place of injured starter Jakob Poeltl (back strain). Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic confirmed before that game that Poeltl had been cleared for contact.

    Scottie Barnes finished with 18 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the Raptors beat the Hawks for the second straight game. Toronto defeated Atlanta 134-117 on Saturday.

    Brandon Ingram had 19 points and nine rebounds as seven Toronto players reached double digits in scoring.

    Jalen Johnson had 13 points and 14 rebounds and Onyeka Okongwu finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds for Atlanta (17-21).

    Kristaps Porzingis returned to the Hawks’ lineup, after missing the second game of a back-to-back, scoring nine points in 20 minutes off the bench.

    Hawks guard Trae Young missed another game as he recovers from a right quadriceps contusion.

    Although both teams struggled with their 3-point shooting, Atlanta had a poor shooting night overall. The Hawks went 35 for 89 (39.3%) from the field, including 12 for 34 from 3-point distance.

    The Raptors outscored the Hawks 64-44 in the paint. Toronto shot 47 for 90 (52.2%) from the field.

    Hawks: Host New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.

    Raptors: At Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

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  • Indiana faces Cleveland, aims to stop home slide

    Cleveland Cavaliers (20-17, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (6-30, 15th in the Eastern Conference)

    Indianapolis; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST

    BOTTOM LINE: Indiana plays Cleveland looking to stop its six-game home losing streak.

    The Pacers are 2-6 against division opponents. Indiana has a 2-23 record against teams over .500.

    The Cavaliers are 6-3 against Central Division teams. Cleveland is 0-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

    The Pacers average 110.6 points per game, 6.2 fewer points than the 116.8 the Cavaliers allow. The Cavaliers average 119.2 points per game, 0.5 fewer than the 119.7 the Pacers allow to opponents.

    The teams play for the third time this season. The Cavaliers won the last matchup 135-119 on Dec. 2. Donovan Mitchell scored 43 points to help lead the Cavaliers to the win.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Pascal Siakam is averaging 23.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Pacers. Aaron Nesmith is averaging 25 points, eight assists and two blocks over the past 10 games.

    Jaylon Tyson is scoring 13.1 points per game and averaging 5.6 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Mitchell is averaging 30.0 points and 6.0 rebounds over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 0-10, averaging 111.8 points, 39.8 rebounds, 26.4 assists, 7.2 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.4 points per game.

    Cavaliers: 5-5, averaging 120.5 points, 45.2 rebounds, 30.1 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.2 points.

    INJURIES: Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin: out (thumb), Obi Toppin: out (foot), Isaiah Jackson: out (concussion), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

    Cavaliers: Max Strus: out (foot), Dean Wade: out (knee), Jarrett Allen: out (illness), Larry Nance Jr.: out (calf).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Doncic and James lead Lakers’ rally to beat shorthanded Grizzlies 128-121

    LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic scored 34 points — half on free throws — and LeBron James added 31 as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies 128-121 on Friday night to open a two-game set.

    The teams will meet again Sunday in Los Angeles.

    Doncic had eight assists and six rebounds. James had nine rebounds and six assists. The superstars dominated the fourth quarter, highlighted by a 12-2 run that put it out of reach. Doncic scored four points and assisted on two 3-pointers while James closed out the spurt with a basket.

    The Grizzlies were missing six players, including Zach Edey. They had six players in double figures.

    Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 points to lead the Grizzlies, who have dropped four of six and fell two games under .500 on the road. Former Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 20 points. Ja Morant had 16 points and 11 assists coming off his 40-point game in an overtime loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday.

    Jake Laravia had 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds for the Lakers.

    The Lakers blew a 15-point lead in the second quarter after the Grizzlies ran off 18 straight points to take a three-point lead, their first of the game. Caldwell-Pope hit two of the Grizzlies’ four 3-pointers in the spurt with Jock Landale adding seven points.

    Caldwell-Pope’s back-to-back 3-pointers forced a 96-all tie going into the fourth.

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  • Johnson scores 34 points as Hawks roll past Timberwolves 126-102 to end 7-game losing streak

    ATLANTA — Jalen Johnson scored 34 points and the Atlanta Hawks overcame Anthony Edwards’ 30 points for Minnesota to beat the Timberwolves 126-102 on Wednesday and end a seven-game losing streak.

    Atlanta took control by outscoring Minnesota 37-23 in the second quarter to lead 70-49 at halftime.

    Johnson added 10 rebounds and six assists. Onyeka Okongwu had 17 points and Dyson Daniels added 11 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Daniels also had two steals and two blocks.

    The Hawks claimed their first win since beating Philadelphia 120-117 on Dec. 14 and improved to 6-11 at home.

    The Hawks were bolstered by the return of Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 16 points in 17 minutes off the bench after missing 10 games with an illness.

    “It’s really good to have him back because he’s a really good player,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said of Porzingis before the game.

    Luke Kennard added 15 points off Atlanta’s bench.

    Edwards, the Atlanta native, had 24 first-half points. The Timberwolves had too little scoring depth to keep pace with the Hawks.

    Julius Randle scored 19 points and Johnny Juzang had 10. Minnesota had no other player score in double figures. Jaden McDaniels had eight points while Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo each had six. Gobert had 11 rebounds.

    Minnesota coach Chris Finch pulled all his starters for the final several minutes.

    Trae Young missed his second consecutive game for Atlanta with a right quad contusion and was in street clothes on the bench for the second half. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who played the last three seasons for Minnesota, scored 11 points as the fill-in starting point guard.

    Johnson (illness) started after missing one game.

    Timberwolves: Visit Miami on Saturday.

    Hawks: Visit New York Knicks on Friday night.

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  • NBA Christmas viewership hits 15-year high with 47M viewers. And social media numbers set records

    NEW YORK — The NBA saw its best Christmas Day viewership numbers in 15 years, the league announced Wednesday.

    More than 47 million people in the U.S. watched at least some of the five-game slate on ABC and ESPN, which represents a 45% increase over last year. And there was an average of 5.5 million viewers for the games, up 4% from a year ago.

    The Cleveland-New York game was the most-watched Christmas game ever that started at noon Eastern, with an average of 6.4 million viewers. The San Antonio-Oklahoma City game was the most-watched in the 2:30 p.m. Christmas timeslot since 2017 and the Dallas-Golden State game was the most-watched in the 5 p.m. timeslot since 2019.

    Also, the league said it was the “most-viewed brand across social media” on Christmas, with its content generating 1.6 billion views. That’s up 23% over Christmas 2024.

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  • Sacramento plays Boston in non-conference matchup

    Boston Celtics (20-12, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (8-24, 14th in the Western Conference)

    Sacramento, California; Thursday, 10 p.m. EST

    BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento and Boston meet in non-conference action.

    The Kings have gone 5-10 at home. Sacramento is 3-1 in one-possession games.

    The Celtics are 10-7 on the road. Boston ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference shooting 36.2% from 3-point range.

    The Kings average 10.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.5 fewer makes per game than the Celtics give up (14.2). The Celtics average 15.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.5 more made shots on average than the 13.0 per game the Kings allow.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Russell Westbrook is scoring 14.6 points per game with 6.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists for the Kings. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 22.0 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 47.1% over the past 10 games.

    Derrick White is averaging 18.4 points, 5.2 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 23.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 47.4% over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 3-7, averaging 113.2 points, 44.8 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 10.5 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.4 points per game.

    Celtics: 7-3, averaging 117.4 points, 43.0 rebounds, 22.7 assists, 8.1 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.8 points.

    INJURIES: Kings: Zach LaVine: out (ankle), Domantas Sabonis: out (knee).

    Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Chris Boucher: day to day (personal).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Denver faces Toronto on 3-game road slide

    Denver Nuggets (22-10, third in the Western Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (20-14, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

    Toronto; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

    BOTTOM LINE: Denver will aim to end its three-game road slide when the Nuggets play Toronto.

    The Raptors are 10-7 on their home court. Toronto is the league leader with 19.2 fast break points per game led by RJ Barrett averaging 4.1.

    The Nuggets are 12-5 on the road. Denver has a 3-5 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

    The Raptors average 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.5 fewer makes per game than the Nuggets allow (13.3). The Nuggets are shooting 51.3% from the field, 4.9% higher than the 46.4% the Raptors’ opponents have shot this season.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Scottie Barnes is averaging 19.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Raptors. Jamal Shead is averaging 19.0 points over the last 10 games.

    Nikola Jokic is scoring 29.6 points per game and averaging 12.2 rebounds for the Nuggets. Spencer Jones is averaging 5.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 5-5, averaging 108.5 points, 44.1 rebounds, 28.4 assists, 7.8 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.9 points per game.

    Nuggets: 6-4, averaging 126.2 points, 41.3 rebounds, 30.3 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 51.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.1 points.

    INJURIES: Raptors: Jakob Poeltl: out (back), RJ Barrett: out (injury management).

    Nuggets: Cameron Johnson: out (knee), Christian Braun: out (ankle), Aaron Gordon: out (hamstring), Tamar Bates: out (foot).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • George and Utah take on the Celtics in non-conference play

    Boston Celtics (19-12, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (12-19, 11th in the Western Conference)

    Salt Lake City; Tuesday, 9 p.m. EST

    BOTTOM LINE: Keyonte George and the Utah Jazz host the Boston Celtics in a non-conference matchup.

    The Jazz have gone 8-10 in home games. Utah is 3-4 in games decided by less than 4 points.

    The Celtics have gone 9-7 away from home. Boston is second in the NBA allowing only 110.5 points while holding opponents to 44.8% shooting.

    The Jazz’s 14.1 made 3-pointers per game this season are the same per game average that the Celtics allow. The Celtics are shooting 47.2% from the field, 1.9% lower than the 49.1% the Jazz’s opponents have shot this season.

    The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Jazz defeated the Celtics 105-103 in their last meeting on Nov. 4. George led the Jazz with 31 points, and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 36 points.

    TOP PERFORMERS: George is shooting 45.0% and averaging 24.2 points for the Jazz. Lauri Markkanen is averaging 5.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

    Brown is averaging 29.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Celtics. Anfernee Simons is averaging 13 points and two steals over the past 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 4-6, averaging 124.3 points, 43.8 rebounds, 30.7 assists, 7.4 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 132.2 points per game.

    Celtics: 7-3, averaging 119.1 points, 43.4 rebounds, 23.5 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.0 points.

    INJURIES: Jazz: Ace Bailey: day to day (hip), Georges Niang: out (foot), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder).

    Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Chris Boucher: day to day (personal).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Washington hosts Toronto on home slide

    Toronto Raptors (18-13, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (5-23, 15th in the Eastern Conference)

    Washington; Friday, 7 p.m. EST

    BOTTOM LINE: Washington hosts Toronto looking to end its four-game home slide.

    The Wizards have gone 3-17 against Eastern Conference opponents. Washington ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference with 11.5 offensive rebounds per game led by Marvin Bagley III averaging 2.7.

    The Raptors are 16-9 against Eastern Conference opponents. Toronto has a 3-1 record in one-possession games.

    The Wizards’ 13.0 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.5 more made shots on average than the 12.5 per game the Raptors allow. The Raptors average 11.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.1 fewer made shots on average than the 15.0 per game the Wizards give up.

    The teams meet for the second time this season. In the last matchup on Nov. 22 the Raptors won 140-110 led by 24 points from Brandon Ingram, while CJ McCollum scored 20 points for the Wizards.

    TOP PERFORMERS: McCollum is averaging 18.6 points and 3.5 assists for the Wizards. Bilal Coulibaly is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

    Immanuel Quickley is shooting 44.2% and averaging 15.8 points for the Raptors. Sandro Mamukelashvili is averaging 4.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Wizards: 3-7, averaging 112.8 points, 45.4 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 5.9 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.4 points per game.

    Raptors: 4-6, averaging 104.7 points, 42.0 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.0 points.

    INJURIES: Wizards: Corey Kispert: day to day (hamstring), Cam Whitmore: out (shoulder), Bub Carrington: day to day (foot).

    Raptors: Jakob Poeltl: day to day (back), RJ Barrett: out (knee).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Atlanta faces Miami, looks to stop home slide

    Miami Heat (15-15, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (15-16, ninth in the Eastern Conference)

    Atlanta; Friday, 7 p.m. EST

    BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta plays Miami looking to stop its three-game home slide.

    The Hawks have gone 9-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta has a 6-11 record against teams over .500.

    The Heat are 9-10 in Eastern Conference play. Miami is 8-8 in games decided by at least 10 points.

    The Hawks average 118.8 points per game, 1.2 more points than the 117.6 the Heat allow. The Heat are shooting 47.0% from the field, 0.9% lower than the 47.9% the Hawks’ opponents have shot this season.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Jalen Johnson is shooting 52.3% and averaging 23.8 points for the Hawks. Vit Krejci is averaging 5.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

    Jaime Jaquez Jr. is scoring 15.9 points per game and averaging 5.5 rebounds for the Heat. Andrew Wiggins is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 2-8, averaging 118.6 points, 40.7 rebounds, 31.3 assists, 9.0 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 126.0 points per game.

    Heat: 2-8, averaging 110.6 points, 44.3 rebounds, 24.8 assists, 7.9 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.5 points.

    INJURIES: Hawks: Dyson Daniels: day to day (hip), Kristaps Porzingis: out (reconditioning), N’Faly Dante: out for season (knee), Mouhamed Gueye: day to day (shoulder).

    Heat: Nikola Jovic: out (elbow), Tyler Herro: day to day (toe), Pelle Larsson: day to day (ankle).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Spurs celebrate big win over Thunder, but matchup with reigning champs not a rivalry yet

    SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs are the hottest team in the NBA just a year removed from two of the worst seasons in franchise history.

    So players and fans can be excused for celebrating a win in December like it’s 1999 and their first NBA championship.

    San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 130-110 on Tuesday night, handing the Thunder their worst defeat of the season and their second loss to the Spurs in 11 days. It was the Spurs’ seventh straight victory, the league’s longest active streak.

    Just don’t call the matchup between the teams a rivalry — yet.

    “I don’t view it as a budding rivalry,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said of Oklahoma City. “Our group’s been together 25-some-odd games. That team won 16 games in the playoffs (last season) to win a championship. I don’t want to disrespect their program and what they’ve built. We are trying to build something and we’re chasing every other single team in this league.”

    The Spurs and Thunder play for the third time in two weeks on Thursday in Oklahoma City.

    San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 111-109 on Dec. 13 in the NBA Cup semifinals.

    “It is good we get to play them as much as we do because they’re a really good team,” Thunder forward Jalen Williams said.

    San Antonio has won 14 of 17, including victories against the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers, and moved into second place in the Western Conference.

    Keldon Johnson scored 25 points, Stephon Castle added 24 and Harrison Barnes had 20 on Tuesday as the Spurs pulled within 3 1/2 games of the Thunder atop the West. San Antonio outscored Oklahoma City 43-28 in the fourth quarter, turning a tense game with 15 lead changes and 13 ties into a blowout.

    “I think it would have been a great game to watch,” Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said. “I’ll watch it again.”

    Wembanyama almost watched the game from the best seat in sold-out Frost Bank Center.

    The 7-foot-3 center was downgraded to questionable on Monday as he continues to rehabilitate from a strained left calf that kept him out for 12 games. He was cleared to play a half hour before tipoff and came off the bench for the sixth straight time since returning.

    “He’s a really, really good player, but he’s not their whole team at all,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “They’ve got a lot of good guys, they’ve got good balance, they’re well coached. They were super sharp tonight. They played with a great sense of purpose and they executed really well.”

    The Spurs have had seven different players lead the team in scoring during their longest winning streak since 2015.

    “We get it done by committee,” Keldon Johnson said. “Each night it could be somebody different and it has been someone different each and every night. Knowing we have that luxury, that we can have multiple guys that can have a night, but we all understand the team aspect of it that if someone has it going, we’ve got to get him the ball.”

    It’s a welcome change for a storied franchise that has fallen on hard times.

    The Spurs tied an NBA record with 22 consecutive postseason appearances beginning in 1998, the season before capturing their first of five championships. San Antonio has since missed the playoffs in six straight seasons.

    The Spurs finished 34-48 last season after consecutive 22-60 seasons, one loss shy of the franchise’s worst record of 21-61 set in 1989. San Antonio has rallied this year, starting with a franchise record 5-0 start.

    “It tells me how much better we are from the beginning of the season,” Wembanyama said of Tuesday’s win. “We can still get much better, but it means something for sure.”

    Until then, Wembanyama dismisses any talk of a rivalry with the reigning champions.

    Plus, he knows what a real rivalry is, having grown up watching Paris Saint-Germain face Marseille in soccer.

    While the Spurs are still developing, Wembanyama is bringing some of that soccer fervor to San Antonio. He created a super fan group called the San Antonio Jackals.

    Following the game, Wembanyama introduced what he hopes is a new tradition he worked on with the Jackals while sidelined with the calf injury.

    The Spurs gave Wembanyama a microphone and brought a large bass drum onto the court. Wembanyama asked fans to stand, outstretch their arms and clap once after he pounded on the drum. The pause between each Wembanyama thump of the drum decreased until the Spurs fans were clapping wildly in celebration.

    “That was phenomenal,” Barnes said. “I heard about it on the fly. That was great. He may have a career in marketing. The way he got that stadium going, that was great.”

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    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

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  • Knicks host the Cavaliers for Christmas day matchup

    Cleveland Cavaliers (17-14, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (20-9, second in the Eastern Conference)

    New York; Thursday, 12 p.m. EST

    BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Knicks -5.5; over/under is 236.5

    BOTTOM LINE: The New York Knicks square off against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

    The Knicks are 16-8 in Eastern Conference games. New York averages 120.1 points and has outscored opponents by 7.2 points per game.

    The Cavaliers have gone 13-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. Cleveland ranks third in the NBA averaging 15.3 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 34.8% from downtown. Donovan Mitchell leads the team averaging 4.0 makes while shooting 38.8% from 3-point range.

    The Knicks are shooting 47.9% from the field this season, 1.1 percentage points higher than the 46.8% the Cavaliers allow to opponents. The Cavaliers score 7.1 more points per game (120.0) than the Knicks allow their opponents to score (112.9).

    The two teams match up for the second time this season. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 119-111 in their last matchup on Oct. 22. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 24 points, and Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 31 points.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Jalen Brunson is shooting 48.2% and averaging 29.1 points for the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 40.0 points over the last 10 games.

    De’Andre Hunter is averaging 15.3 points for the Cavaliers. Mitchell is averaging 27.0 points over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 7-3, averaging 119.4 points, 45.8 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.9 points per game.

    Cavaliers: 5-5, averaging 122.6 points, 46.1 rebounds, 28.5 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.5 points.

    INJURIES: Knicks: Guerschon Yabusele: day to day (illness), Landry Shamet: out (shoulder), Jalen Brunson: day to day (ankle), Miles McBride: day to day (ankle), OG Anunoby: day to day (ankle).

    Cavaliers: Max Strus: out (foot), Evan Mobley: out (calf), Lonzo Ball: day to day (injury management), Larry Nance Jr.: out (calf).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Utah takes on Memphis, aims to end 3-game slide

    Memphis Grizzlies (13-16, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (10-18, 12th in the Western Conference)

    Salt Lake City; Tuesday, 9 p.m. EST

    BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Grizzlies -2.5; over/under is 244.5

    BOTTOM LINE: Utah enters the matchup against Memphis as losers of three straight games.

    The Jazz have gone 6-13 against Western Conference teams. Utah is seventh in the NBA averaging 119.6 points and is shooting 45.7% from the field.

    The Grizzlies are 12-9 against Western Conference opponents. Memphis is third in the NBA with 34.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Zach Edey averaging 7.2.

    The Jazz are shooting 45.7% from the field this season, 1.1 percentage points lower than the 46.8% the Grizzlies allow to opponents. The Jazz average 114.3 points per game, 12.8 fewer points than the 127.1 the Jazz allow.

    The teams meet for the second time this season. The Jazz won 130-126 in the last matchup on Dec. 13.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Keyonte George is averaging 23.9 points and 6.9 assists for the Jazz. Svi Mykhailiuk is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

    Santi Aldama is averaging 13.6 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Grizzlies. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is averaging 16.0 points over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 4-6, averaging 121.4 points, 44.1 rebounds, 30.5 assists, 6.7 steals and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 130.6 points per game.

    Grizzlies: 6-4, averaging 116.0 points, 47.7 rebounds, 28.1 assists, 7.9 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.6 points.

    INJURIES: Jazz: Georges Niang: out (foot), Kevin Love: day to day (rest), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder).

    Grizzlies: John Konchar: out (thumb), Vince Williams Jr.: day to day (knee), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out (toe), Ja Morant: day to day (ankle), Javon Small: out (toe), Zach Edey: out (ankle), Ty Jerome: out (calf), Brandon Clarke: out (calf).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Buzelis and Vucevic score 24 apiece to lead Bulls to 136-125 victory over short-handed Cavaliers

    CLEVELAND — Matas Buzelis and Nikola Vucevic each scored 24 points as the Chicago Bulls pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 136-125 victory over the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

    Vucevic, who also grabbed 15 rebounds, had 11 points and six boards in the fourth quarter as the Bulls won consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 19.

    Seven players scored in double figures for Chicago. Josh Giddey had 17 points and Tre Jones added 16 off the bench.

    Darius Garland scored a season-high 35 for Cleveland, which was missing All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell due to illness. All-Star forward Evan Mobley will be sidelined for at least another week with a calf injury.

    Rookie guard Tyrese Proctor scored 16 points in his first NBA start, and Nae’Qwan Tomlin had 15 off the bench.

    The Cavaliers have dropped three straight and four of five. They’ve also lost five of their last six home games.

    The game was tied at 115 before Chicago took control with a 17-8 run. Vucevic had seven points during the spurt, including a go-ahead layup.

    Chicago had a 66-55 lead at halftime and was up 74-60 early in the third quarter before Cleveland fought back with a 27-9 surge. Jarrett Allen had 10 points and four rebounds while Garland scored nine points with four assists during the run.

    Cleveland scored the game’s first 11 points before Chicago began to come back with six points on one trip down the floor. Buzelis hit a 3-pointer before Jaylon Tyson received a Flagrant 1 foul. Buzelis hit the free throw and Vucevic added a layup.

    Game official Tre Maddox injured his leg at the end of the first quarter, reducing the officiating crew to two the rest of the game: Ray Acosta and Phenizee Ransom.

    Bulls: At the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

    Cavaliers: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.

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    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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  • Aldama, Grizzlies square off against the Timberwolves

    Memphis Grizzlies (11-14, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-9, sixth in the Western Conference)

    Minneapolis; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST

    BOTTOM LINE: Memphis takes on Minnesota in Western Conference action Wednesday.

    The Timberwolves are 12-8 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota ranks ninth in the Western Conference in rebounding averaging 43.5 rebounds. Rudy Gobert leads the Timberwolves with 10.3 boards.

    The Grizzlies are 11-8 in conference play. Memphis has a 5-9 record in games decided by 10 points or more.

    The Timberwolves’ 14.1 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.4 fewer made shots on average than the 14.5 per game the Grizzlies allow. The Grizzlies average 13.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 more made shots on average than the 12.0 per game the Timberwolves allow.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 23.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists for the Timberwolves. Naz Reid is averaging 4.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

    Santi Aldama is averaging 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Grizzlies.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 7-3, averaging 119.3 points, 43.5 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.2 points per game.

    Grizzlies: 6-3, averaging 116.9 points, 47.9 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 7.4 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.6 points.

    INJURIES: Timberwolves: Mike Conley: day to day (achilles), Anthony Edwards: day to day (foot).

    Grizzlies: John Konchar: out (thumb), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out (toe), Javon Small: out (toe), Zach Edey: out (ankle), Brandon Clarke: out (knee), Ty Jerome: out (calf).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Doncic and the Lakers take on conference foe Phoenix

    Los Angeles Lakers (17-7, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (14-11, seventh in the Western Conference)

    Phoenix; Sunday, 8 p.m. EST

    BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lakers -2; over/under is 227.5

    BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix hosts Los Angeles in a matchup of Western Conference teams.

    The Suns are 5-2 against opponents in the Pacific Division. Phoenix ranks fourth in the Western Conference with 12.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Mark Williams averaging 3.1.

    The Lakers are 2-2 against opponents from the Pacific Division. Los Angeles ranks eighth in the Western Conference shooting 36.1% from 3-point range.

    The Suns score 114.8 points per game, 2.0 fewer points than the 116.8 the Lakers allow. The Lakers are shooting 50.7% from the field, 2.6% higher than the 48.1% the Suns’ opponents have shot this season.

    The teams meet for the second time this season. The Suns won 125-108 in the last matchup on Dec. 2.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Gillespie is shooting 43.6% and averaging 13.1 points for the Suns. Dillon Brooks is averaging 16.0 points over the last 10 games.

    Deandre Ayton is averaging 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds for the Lakers. Luka Doncic is averaging 35.0 points over the last 10 games.

    LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 5-5, averaging 108.0 points, 40.4 rebounds, 23.0 assists, 11.2 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.0 points per game.

    Lakers: 7-3, averaging 121.2 points, 41.1 rebounds, 24.7 assists, 5.6 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.1 points.

    INJURIES: Suns: Isaiah Livers: day to day (hip), Devin Booker: day to day (groin), Jalen Green: out (hamstring).

    Lakers: Maxi Kleber: day to day (back), Austin Reaves: out (calf).

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    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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