Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off : 22:30 (GMT +2)
Venue : Staples Center (Los Angeles, CA)

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off : 05:00 (GMT +2)
Venue : Sleep Train Arena (Sacramento, CA)




The Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets posted rare victories their last time out thanks to outstanding long-range shooting that was surprising in one team's case but not for the other.

The Kings are insisting that some internal turmoil is behind them as they prepare to host the Nets on Friday night.

These teams entered Wednesday with a combined record of 1-14 before Sacramento (2-7) ended a six-game slide with a 101-92 win over Detroit while Brooklyn snapped an 0-7 start with a 106-98 victory at Houston.

The Kings shot a season-high 56.3 percent on 3-pointers, with four from DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins is 8 for 19 on 3s after entering the season shooting 15.9 percent in 69 attempts.

"I picked my spots tonight and I was pretty successful," Cousins said.

The added dimension to his game is a major reason why Sacramento is one of the best 3-point shooting teams at 37.9 percent.

Brooklyn is second-worst at 26.8 percent. The Nets shot a season-best 47.1 percent by making 8 of 17 against the Rockets after not being better than 33.3 percent in any game.

"If we go 8 for 22, I'll be happy with 8 for 22, that's what I said before the game looking at prior stats of other teams," coach Lionel Hollins said. "I said, 'Shoot if we can do that, get eight 3s, I'll be happy.'"

The Kings defend the 3-point line well, limiting foes to 31.3 percent shooting. Hollins doesn't expect his team to start firing away since it averages 15.4 attempts for one of the league's lowest marks.

"I hope that's not the equation to us winning, making 3s, but it's always nice to make a certain amount of 3s," Hollins said. "We hadn't even been getting 3s before."

Sacramento prevailed one day after a team meeting that was also attended by upper management, including general manager Vlade Divac. Cousins issued an apology in the wake of a report surfacing that George Karl wanted to suspend the big man for two games after the All-Star center yelled profanity at the veteran coach.

"I'm not sure a panic button was pushed as you all magnified it," Karl said. "Team meetings and six-game losing streaks happen. The newness to our team? I don't know. But I thought the last two days have been good for us."

Cousins had a season-high 33 points with nine rebounds while Rudy Gay made his first five shots and scored 25.

"The best thing that came out of the meeting? This win," Cousins said. "But I'll take the hit. If it results from this every night, I'll take the hit and I'll be the scapegoat."

Rajon Rondo played all 48 minutes for the second straight game, notching his second triple-double with 14 points, 15 assists and 11 boards. He has been forced to shoulder the entire point guard load with injuries to Darren Collison and Seth Curry.

Rondo guides an offense that averages 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes for one of the league's fastest paces. Brooklyn averages 96.7 for one of the more deliberate tempos.

Joe Johnson had 16 points and a season-high 10 assists Wednesday. He leads Eastern Conference players with a 4.6 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off : 04:00 (GMT +2)
Venue : Pepsi Center (Denver, CO)




The Houston Rockets' shaky start is quite the contrast from the red-hot fashion in which they opened 2014-15.

Both ends of the floor look like major concerns for Houston heading into Friday night's meeting with the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center.

Houston won 19 of its first 24 games for the league's third-best start last season. The Rockets (4-4) have struggled to find consistency this time around, though, having their four-game winning streak snapped Wednesday in a 106-98 home loss to previously winless Brooklyn.

"I'm worried about our team right now," coach Kevin McHale said. "We haven't caught a rhythm yet. I've said it all since we've been together. We haven't been able to put together long runs of just good, solid basketball."

James Harden scored 23 after finishing with 37 or more in three of his previous four, but even with those dominant performances, the three wins came by a combined 15 points.

Houston is attempting an NBA-high 32.1 3-pointers per game, but was 8 of 34 against the Nets and is shooting 28.4 percent from deep on the season. The Rockets' league-leading 32.7 attempts per game in 2014-15 were much more palatable given their 34.8 3-point percentage.

The defensive play may be even worse, as Houston is surrendering 108.3 points per game. Brooklyn had averaged 88.8 in its previous six contests.

"We have not been very good defensively. We've got guys not doing assignments," McHale said. "A lot of it's effort. Some of it's communication. ... We're not playing very good."

Houston may be able to capitalize on a vulnerable 3-point defense for Denver (4-4) that has allowed its last six opponents to shoot 41.1 percent with 11.2 made 3s per game. The Nuggets won 103-102 at home against Milwaukee on Wednesday despite the Bucks going 10 for 22.

The Rockets were cold from deep in the season's first meeting, though, going 8 for 35 in a 105-85 opening home loss Oct. 28. They shot 34.5 percent from the field with Harden and Ty Lawson combining to go 9 for 31.

Harden, who scored 22, is still averaging 33.0 points in his last five meetings. He's shooting 24.7 percent from long distance this season but is up to 40.0 over his last three.

Kenneth Faried finished a putback of Danilo Gallinari's missed shot with five seconds left against Milwaukee. Gallinari scored 25 and the victory was a boost for a Nuggets team that learned earlier in the day that Wilson Chandler would undergo season-ending surgery for a torn labrum in his right hip.

Chandler has averaged 13.3 points for Denver since being acquired from New York in 2011.

"Thank goodness we had just enough in us to come out of here with the win," coach Michael Malone said.

Nuggets point guard Jameer Nelson is questionable after missing the last two games with a lower-back injury.

Gallinari scored a team-high 23 in the first meeting as Denver shot 50.6 percent and was 13 of 27 from 3-point range. The Nuggets blocked 10 shots while winning for only the second time in eight meetings.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off : 03:30 (GMT +2)
Venue : American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)




With an emotional home game against public enemy No. 1 DeAndre Jordan behind them, the Dallas Mavericks want to be able to look back and call it a springboard victory.

They could take a first step toward that goal against the woeful Los Angeles Lakers.

The Mavericks will try to extend their longest winning streak in the series to nine Friday night when the visiting Lakers should have Kobe Bryant back as they look to avoid a second straight 1-8 start.

Dallas thrived in a charged atmosphere against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday when Jordan visited for the first time since reneging on a verbal deal with the Mavericks in July.

Dirk Nowitzki finished with a season-high 31 points, hit 5 of 6 from 3-point range and pulled down 11 rebounds, while Wesley Matthews scored 25 in the 118-108 victory.

"It was a lot of hype in the air, as expected, and it was a fun game against a great, deep team," Nowitzki told the team's official website. "It was just going back and forth. And then there in the fourth, it was almost a playoff atmosphere."

Dallas bounced back from a 120-105 loss to previously winless New Orleans a night earlier. Now it's hoping to gain some momentum from a win over one of the Western Conference's top clubs.

The Mavericks seek a third straight home victory after shooting a season-high 55.3 percent and making 11 of 24 from 3-point range against the Clippers. They've won eight straight overall versus the Lakers, including the last four at American Airlines Center by an average of 17.5 points.

"We can't get it all on the offensive end," Matthews said. "We've got to focus on the defensive end."

The Lakers have shown improvement on the defensive end, allowing 99.8 points per game in the first four of this five-game trip after giving up 116.8 during an 0-4 start. Still, they're on the verge of dropping eight of their first nine for the second straight season after Nikola Vucevic hit a 20-footer at the buzzer in Orlando's 101-99 victory on Wednesday.

Roy Hibbert paced Los Angeles with 15 points after scoring two in a 101-88 loss at Miami a night earlier. Rookie D'Angelo Russell added 14 after he totaled 10 over his previous two games.

Bryant, who has averaged 15.0 points on 31.5 percent shooting over his last five games, is expected to return after missing the past two with a back injury. He's only been able to play in two of the last eight matchups with Dallas, totaling 32 points on 9-of-37 shooting.

The 37-year-old Bryant scored 15 on just 3-of-15 shooting in the first meeting Nov. 1 when Dallas opened the game with a 15-0 run en route to a 103-93 victory at Staples Center.

Nowitzki led the way with 25 points and nine rebounds and Zaza Pachulia contributed 16 and 12 as the Mavericks (4-4) outrebounded Los Angeles 49-42. That could be a key again since the Lakers rank last in the NBA with a minus-7.0 rebounding margin.

"Teams are killing us on the offensive glass," Los Angeles coach Byron Scott said. "Our guys have just got to do a much better job of finishing plays."

Dallas forward Chandler Parsons is expected to play after resting Wednesday as he continues to work his way back from offseason knee surgery.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off 03:00 (GMT +2)
Venue : Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, OK)




Following a pair of high-scoring victories, the Oklahoma City Thunder must overcome Kevin Durant's absence for at least the next three games.

A visit from the winless Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night could help the Thunder keep their modest win streak going without one of the league's leading scorers.

Durant will miss at least seven to 10 days because of a strained left hamstring suffered in a 125-101 win over Washington on Tuesday. He was limited to 27 games in an injury-plagued 2014-15 as the Thunder missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, going 27-28 without him.

"Whenever I feel right and whenever I feel ready to play again, that's when I'll play," Durant said. "It was a long process of me getting back (from last season's injuries) and to get hurt again is unfortunate."

Three players topped 20 points for the Thunder (5-3) against the Wizards after Durant left with 14, about half his season average.

Russell Westbrook recorded his first triple-double of the season with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Dion Waiters scored a season-best 25 off the bench and Serge Ibaka had 23.

Waiters also made four of Oklahoma City's season-high 15 3-pointers.

"With Kevin not coming out of the locker room in the second half, I thought out guys came out with great focus," coach Billy Donovan said.

Donovan's team has scored at least 124 points in back-to-back games for the first time since February after averaging 100.3 during a three-game losing streak. Durant's absence could make it difficult for the Thunder to have a third consecutive high-scoring game, but they will face a team that's given up an average of 110.8 points in its last four.

Philadelphia (0-8) is also one of the league's worst offensive teams (92.9 points per game) but had its highest-scoring output Wednesday against Toronto.

The 76ers also gave up their most points in a 119-103 loss. Jahlil Okafor was a bright spot once again with 26 points, and the No. 3 overall draft pick is averaging 20.6 - eight more than any teammate.

Philadelphia has lost 18 in a row dating back to last season, one shy of matching the third-longest skid in franchise history. The 76ers had a league record-tying 26 consecutive defeats Jan. 31-March 27, 2014, and came within one loss of matching the NBA's worst start last season by going 0-17.

"You just can't get into a pity party," coach Brett Brown said. "You have to deal with it and try to figure out ways to try and steal a win."

That victory will be tough to come by in Oklahoma City, where the Sixers are 0-6 all-time. Philadelphia has lost 12 in a row in the series - its longest active skid against any opponent - since beating the Thunder on Nov. 15, 2008.

The 76ers, though, did take them to overtime in the latest matchup March 4 in Oklahoma City, but Westbrook had 49 points and a triple-double in a 123-118 victory with Durant sidelined.

Isaiah Canaan had a career-best 31 points for Philadelphia that day. He's scored at least 17 - about double his career average - in three of the past four games.

Waiters, a Philadelphia native, had 20 points and 10 rebounds in his most recent matchup with the 76ers for one of his two career double-doubles.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off 03:00 (GMT +2)
Venue : FedExForum (Memphis, TN)




Memphis' current losing streak started with a defeat in Portland. That was also the Trail Blazers' latest win.

While likely debuting at least one new player, the Grizzlies will try to avoid a fifth straight loss Friday night and extend the Blazers' woes by recording an eighth consecutive home win in the series.

Memphis (3-6) has dropped four straight beginning with a 115-96 loss to Portland on Nov. 5 on the second stop of a season-high five-game trip. The Grizzlies fell 100-84 to Golden State in their return home Wednesday, and their 34.3 percent shooting marked the fourth time they've connected at less than 36.0 this season. They had one such performance in 2014-15.

"We're frustrated, but we're confident at the same time. I know we can pull things together," forward Tony Allen said. "But looking at the standings, and being down (out of playoff position), it should frustrate you. It should hurt inside, because we know we're better than that."

The Grizzlies struggled more on defense against the Blazers, specifically in the middle quarters when they were outscored by a combined 72-48. Damian Lillard had 14 of his team-leading 27 points in a span of six-plus minutes in the third.

C.J. McCollum added 20 points while Courtney Lee was the Grizzlies' top scorer with a season-high 18.

The Blazers (4-5), though, have dropped seven in a row in Memphis. That includes three losses in last season's first-round playoff defeat.

Portland enters this one having dropped three in a row while giving up an average of 113.7 points on 52.2 percent shooting. The Blazers lost 113-101 on Wednesday to San Antonio in franchise great LaMarcus Aldridge's return to Portland, allowing a season-high 56.1 percent shooting.

Lillard scored a team-best 22 points while dealing with a torn nail on his right thumb. Meyers Leonard dislocated his left shoulder in the third quarter, and his status is unclear.

"It's pretty stiff and sore right now," Leonard said. "We'll see with time, but I'm hoping I can heal quick. It's frustrating, but it is what it is… I've done this a couple times but normally it's what they call a subluxed, so it slips in and out.

"This time it was a complete dislocation. We'll see, I'm hoping for a quick recovery. I want to get back to the court and play."

Gerald Henderson had 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting in 18 minutes in his Portland debut following offseason hip surgery.

Mario Chalmers will likely play his first game for Memphis after being traded from Miami with James Ennis on Tuesday. Memphis sent Beno Udrih and Jarnell Stokes to the Heat.

The Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, who had a season-best 26 points Wednesday, also had 26 points along with 14 rebounds in the series clincher in Memphis on April 29. He had 15 points on 4-of-13 shooting and five boards in the loss earlier this month.

McCollum is averaging 24.3 points on 54.7 percent shooting, including a 15-of-23 performance from 3-point range, in his last four games against Memphis.

Lee is averaging 19.0 points while shooting 67.3 percent in his past five such matchups versus Portland.

Memphis hasn't dropped five in a row since Dec. 11-18, 2013.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off 03:00 (GMT +2)
Venue : United Center (Chicago, IL)




The Charlotte Hornets have won four of five behind improved offensive play, especially from their bench.

They've also been taking care of the basketball well, which could be the difference against the more turnover-prone Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Friday night.

Charlotte posted the league's second-lowest field-goal percentage (42.0) and third-worst scoring average (94.2) in 2014-15. Those struggles resurfaced in the new season as the Hornets averaged 93.3 points on 39.1 percent shooting in the first three games.

Since then, however, they are averaging 106.2 points while shooting 47.7 percent.

They held on for a 95-93 home win against the New York Knicks on Wednesday as Kristaps Porzingis' buzzer-beating 3-pointer was ruled to be too late. Cody Zeller converted the go-ahead a layup on an inbounds play with 0.6 seconds left, finishing with 12 points and bouncing back after missing two free throws moments earlier.

The Hornets didn't shoot as well as they had been, shooting 41.7 percent, but committed an NBA season-low five turnovers compared to New York's 17.

"Again, the turnover game - if you're going to win, you can't turn the ball over," coach Steve Clifford said. "It was really probably the difference in the game."

Turnovers have been more of an issue for the Bulls, who are still adjusting to first-year coach Fred Hoiberg's offense and rank near the bottom of the league with an average differential of minus-1.6. Charlotte is plus-2.4.

Zeller, questionable for this contest with a strained left ankle, was one of three reserves to score at least 12 points along with Jeremy Lamb and Jeremy Lin, complementing starter Nicolas Batum's season-high 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting.

Those bench performances helped bail out Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker, who were a combined 4 of 21 from the floor. Six Hornets are averaging at least 10.4 points, and the club's bench is averaging 42.8 points.

Chicago (5-3) has split its last six games but beat up on hapless Philadelphia in a 111-88 victory Monday. The Bulls were 10 of 25 from 3-point range, with Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott hitting three apiece while scoring 20 and 18 respectively. That duo in particular helped Chicago compensate for Jimmy Butler's season-low seven points.

"We needed something like this," said McDermott, who is 19 of 33 from beyond the arc and has started three games in a row. "We've had a couple of good practices but it's good to play against someone else."

Joakim Noah had been listed as a starter but was a late scratch due to his sore left knee, which also gave him issues last season. Noah's 20.6 minutes per game are a career low, though Hoiberg said he got through all of Thursday's practice and would "hopefully" return for this game.

"There's nothing structurally wrong with it," Hoiberg said.

Chicago hopes to get Kirk Hinrich back from a toe injury that has limited him to only one game - he saw five minutes of action at Brooklyn on Oct. 28.

The Hornets have won four of the last six meetings, though Chicago has taken 12 of the last 16 at the United Center and is 3-1 there this season. Charlotte made 14 of 23 shots from beyond the arc in a 130-105 rout at home Nov. 3, with Jeremy Lamb scoring 20 to pace seven players in double figures.

Derrick Rose has played in only three of the teams' last 15 meetings, averaging just 10.3 points on 33.3 percent shooting. He's shooting 36.8 percent this season.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off 02:30 (GMT +2)
Venue : Air Canada Centre (Toronto, ON)






The Toronto Raptors ended their first losing streak of the season by taking advantage of a matchup with a struggling team.

They'll get another such game Friday night against the severely depleted New Orleans Pelicans, who didn't have Anthony Davis in their latest contest.

Toronto (6-3) ended a three-game slide Wednesday with a 119-103 victory at winless Philadelphia. The Raptors shot a season-best 48.3 percent, had a season-low eight turnovers and outrebounded the 76ers 56-37.

Kyle Lowry scored 23 points for a second straight game, and Luis Scola had 17 of his season-high 21 in the third quarter. The Raptors also played short-handed with DeMarre Carroll (heel) and Terrence Ross (thumb) out.

"It was a good win for our team. We needed it with the three-game losing streak," Lowry said. "We did things we needed to do. We could have been a little bit better defensively, but I think we made some effort and strides to getting back to the way we know how to play."

Playing just one of their four home games between Nov. 3-Dec. 2, the Raptors look to drop New Orleans to 1-8 before beginning a five-game trip against Western Conference teams.

The Pelicans earned their lone win Tuesday, 120-105 against Dallas, despite Davis sitting out the second half with a bruised right hip. Davis didn't play in the following night's 106-98 loss in Atlanta.

New Orleans tried to make up for his absence by shooting a season high 48.3 percent from 3-point range. The Pelicans made 14 shots from beyond the arc for the second straight game.

"I thought we ran out of gas a little bit. We had guys playing a lot of minutes," coach Alvin Gentry said. "I think we played hard and competed like crazy. We just weren't able to make plays to get over the hump."

Starting point guard Jrue Holiday (leg), Tyreke Evans (knee), Norris Cole (ankle), Quincy Pondexter (knee) and Kendrick Perkins (pectoral) were also out for the Pelicans, who are off to their second-worst start in franchise history.

New Orleans lost 19 of its first 20 games in 2004-05 and 29 of its first 31.

The Pelicans won both matchups against the Raptors last season - following six consecutive losses in the series - even with Davis and Holiday missing each game. Davis was nursing an injured left foot during a 95-93 victory in Toronto on Jan. 18 and had a sprained right shoulder during a 100-97 home win Feb. 23.

Holiday was limited to 40 games because of an ailing right leg, and Ryan Anderson sat out in the win in New Orleans because of a sprained right knee. Anderson is averaging 21.0 points while shooting 53.2 percent in his last three games, but the Pelicans likely won't have their hero from the latest visit to Toronto. Evans made a layup with 1.6 seconds left and had 26 points.

Alexis Ajinca averaged 19.0 points while shooting 72.0 percent in the two 2014-15 matchups. He had a go-ahead layup in the final minute in the win in February, but he has gone scoreless in his last two games.

Carroll is listed as questionable for this game while there is no timetable for Ross' return.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off 02:30 (GMT +2)
Venue : Madison Square Garden (New York City, NY)




LeBron James turned in a magnificent fourth quarter to help rally the Cleveland Cavaliers their last time out.

The New York Knicks were already victimized by a spectacular final period from the superstar last week.

The Knicks get a chance for revenge Friday night at home when they meet a Cavaliers team seeking its best start in 39 years.

James scored 17 of his 31 points in the fourth Tuesday as Cleveland (7-1) erased a nine-point deficit with just over seven minutes left for a 118-114 home victory over Utah. His point total matched a season high and he added eight assists.

"Bron is the greatest player in the game," coach David Blatt said. "I don't think there's anyone with a higher basketball IQ or a better understanding of the moment."

James has exhibited increased aggressiveness with 26 foul shots in the last two games. He never shot more than eight in his first six games.

The Cavaliers, winners of seven straight, are seeking their first 8-1 start since 1976-77.

They begin a three-game trip against a Knicks team they defeated 96-86 at home Nov. 4 after coming back from 15 points down. That contest featured a fourth quarter in which Cleveland held a 26-17 scoring edge, with James scoring 11 points in the final 7:13.

Carmelo Anthony made 1 of 5 shots for two points in the fourth that night. He is shooting 31.7 percent in the final period compared to 51.2 for James.

New York (4-5) fell 95-93 at Charlotte on Wednesday, with Anthony's baseline jumper from the left wing hitting the side of the backboard as the shot clock expired with 3.7 seconds left with the score tied. The Knicks were outscored 26-14 in a fourth quarter in which they shot 27.3 percent.

"I didn't deliver," Anthony said. "I had in my mind I was going to deliver. Everything felt good going into it."

Rookie Kristaps Porzingis drilled a 3-pointer that set off a celebration before it was ruled to have gone in after the buzzer as New York missed a chance at a three-game win streak. Porzingis had 10 points and 15 boards for his fourth double-double.

These teams each got a key player back this week.

Cavs guard J.R. Smith returned Tuesday after missing three games with a bruised right knee with seven points in 22 minutes. Smith will return to New York for the second time since the Knicks traded him to Cleveland on Jan. 6.

"The biggest thing is wind, trying to get your wind back," Smith said. "There's no shape like game shape. I think that's the biggest thing. Other than that, everything should be like riding a bike."

Arron Afflalo started in his Knicks debut Wednesday with 12 points in 28 minutes after being out with hamstring issues.

"I'm very, very excited to get my first game in the Garden," Afflalo said. "I think that will provide me with even more energy, the entire team for that matter, so I'm just extremely excited."

The Knicks will be wary of Mo Williams, who had a season-high 29 points Tuesday on 8-of-9 shooting and scored 22 against New York last week. Kevin Love has turned in consecutive 22-point efforts but had a season-low 11 versus the Knicks.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off 02:30 (GMT +2)
Venue : TD Garden (Boston, MA)




Al Horford is a major presence in the paint for the Atlanta Hawks. He's now also a threat from downtown.

Horford looks to show off his growing range as the Hawks seek their best road start in 48 years Friday night against the Boston Celtics.

Horford is averaging 17.6 points and 8.0 rebounds while his 51.7 percent shooting is the highest qualifying mark for Atlanta (8-2). While those totals hover around his career averages, the All-Star center has added a new dimension; 3-pointers.

Horford has connected on 12 of 36 from beyond the arc after going 11 for 36 all of last season. He had the best 3-point game of his career in Wednesday's 106-98 win over New Orleans, making 4 of 6 while shooting 11 of 15 overall to finish with a season-high 26 points. He also added eight rebounds and three blocks.

"That's something I've been working on," Horford said. "I'm not just shooting to shoot 'em. I feel better about it, too. I'm more comfortable in the offense. I'm much more comfortable with my shooting."

Horford's added range is a big reason why the Hawks' 93 converted 3s are among the most in the NBA.

Atlanta is also the last remaining unbeaten team on the road in the Eastern Conference and has an opportunity to go 5-0 for the first time since 1967-68 - the franchise's final season in St. Louis.

Jeff Teague has been much more productive on the road, averaging 21.5 points compared to 16.0 at home. He's scored 19.5 per game over his last eight visits to Boston. However, the guard was limited to 10 while going 4 for 12 from the floor before Evan Turner's running jumper with 0.2 seconds left sealed an 89-88 win for the Celtics on Feb. 11.

Turner finished that matchup with 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as Boston (3-4) won for the sixth time in eight matchups with Atlanta at TD Garden.

If Avery Bradley is still bothered by a bruised lower left leg, Turner could replace him in the lineup for a second straight game. He had a season-high 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting in Boston's 102-91 loss to Indiana on Wednesday. The Celtics missed 20 of 24 from 3-point range and committed 18 turnovers - one shy of their season high.

"We didn't take care of the ball," Turner said. "I think we kind of rushed a little bit. I think we kind of did a few of them back-to-back-to-back."

Isaiah Thomas leads Boston with 20.6 points per game but was held to a season-low 14 Wednesday on 4 of 13 from the field. The guard has averaged 25.3 in his last three meetings with Atlanta.

Jared Sullinger is averaging 17.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in his past four matchups with the Hawks, hitting his scoring average with 15 boards Feb. 11. He's pulled down 21 rebounds over the past two games after averaging 7.4 in the first five.

Sullinger has started the last four contests at center, setting up a matchup with Horford on Friday.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off 02:00 (GMT +2)
Venue : Amway Center (Orlando, FL)




After overcoming a slow start without their leading scorer from last season, the Orlando Magic now have to move on without one of their top all-around players.

With forward Victor Oladipo sidelined indefinitely, the Magic will go after their fifth win in seven games Friday night as they look to end a four-game home skid versus the Utah Jazz.

Things seemed to go from bad to worse Nov. 4 when Nikola Vucevic banged knees with Dwight Howard in a 119-114 overtime loss to Houston that dropped Orlando to 1-4.

The Magic (4-5), however, won two of the next three games without Vucevic, who averaged a team-high 19.3 points in 2014-15. The center then hit a 20-foot jumper at the buzzer for a 101-99 home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in his return on Wednesday.

The win proved costly for Orlando as Oladipo banged the side of his head into Dewayne Dedmon in the first quarter. The 23-year-old, who had scored 16.1 per game over his first eight, will have to go through the concussion protocol until he is symptom-free.

"It's very unfortunate, but we can't feel sorry," forward Evan Fournier, who's averaging a team-high 18.7 points, told the team's official website. "We have to play harder and everybody has to step up - just like when (Vucevic) was out. We know we're going to be fine. We have the right pieces to compete even without Vic."

Shabazz Napier had a career-high 22 points, including five 3-pointers, against the Lakers after totaling 15 over his first seven games.

Orlando led the league in defensive field-goal percentage (40.4) through six games before allowing a 46.2 percent clip in its last three. Oladipo's absence won't help as he's had 14 steals and limited players he's defended to 37.9 percent shooting.

The Magic will try to keep the Jazz (4-4) scuffling after they shot 38.2 percent and missed 13 of 17 from 3-point range in Thursday's 92-91 loss at Miami. After winning four of its previous six, Utah has dropped the first two on this four-game road swing.

"We just weren't able to knock them down," forward Gordon Hayward said. "For whatever reason they didn't fall. The good news is we got the shots we wanted."

Derrick Favors finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds against the Heat, while Hayward contributed 24 and 12. Favors has totaled 42 points and 21 boards and Alec Burks has scored a combined 48 while hitting 7 of 8 from 3-point range on the trip.

Although it ranks among the league's leaders in defensive scoring (90.0) and field-goal percentage (41.6), Utah allowed a season-high point total in Tuesday's 118-114 loss at Cleveland and has surrendered 48.3 percent shooting in the past two games.

Making matters worse, Rudy Gobert may not be able to play after missing Thursday's contest with a sprained left ankle. The center is averaging 3.4 blocks per game, and he's allowing opponents to shoot just 31.6 percent at the rim - the best defensive mark in the league.

The Jazz have limited the Magic to 89.3 points per game in their last six meetings. They've won eight of the past nine matchups overall and four in a row at Orlando.

Favors totaled 44 points and 23 rebounds to help Utah split last season's series. Tobias Harris led the Magic with a combined 46 points.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date :14 November 2015
Kick-off 02:00 (GMT +2)
Venue : Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)




Paul George needed a few games to get into a groove while adjusting to playing big minutes again after missing most of last season.

The Indiana Pacers couldn't be happier to have him back.

Indiana seeks its sixth victory in seven tries Friday night against a Minnesota Timberwolves team looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

George came off the bench in the final six games of 2014-15 following his recovery from a gruesome leg injury suffered in an exhibition contest playing for USA Basketball. He averaged 16.8 points while shooting just 33.3 percent in his first four this season, with the Pacers (5-4) dropping the first three.

The last five have been a different story, though, with George averaging 29.4 points and shooting 47.6 percent, including 44.1 percent from 3-point range. He also has four double-doubles in that stretch after finishing with 26 points and 10 rebounds in Wednesday's 102-91 win at Boston.

Although his offensive contributions stick out, George has continued to work hard on the other end of the floor as well. He's helped the Pacers rank fourth by allowing 95.3 points per game.

"He's been fantastic. What nobody's talking about is his defense," coach Frank Vogel said. "He's putting up some big numbers offensively, but every time we put him up on a top guy, that guy just gets cooled down very quickly. That's why he's one of the best two-way players in the NBA. He's showing that he's back."

Myles Turner won't be back for some time, however. Turner, the 11th pick in this year's draft, suffered a chip fracture in his left thumb after playing just over one minute against the Celtics and is expected to miss at least four weeks.

The Timberwolves (4-4) have some injury concerns of their own. Ricky Rubio has missed the last two with a strained left hamstring, a minor injury interim coach Sam Mitchell attributes to Rubio getting back into better shape after missing 60 games last season with ankle problems.

Andrew Wiggins missed Tuesday's loss to Charlotte with a sore right knee, but he returned Thursday and scored 19 points in nearly 35 minutes of a 129-116 loss to unbeaten Golden State.

Top overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 17 and 11 rebounds for Minnesota, which allowed Stephen Curry to score 46 points and the Warriors to shoot 53.9 percent from the field.

Mitchell still came away impressed with how Wiggins wanted to play through his injury.

"That's part of being a pro and being a good player in this league," Mitchell said. "You've got to learn how to play when you're nicked up. I was proud of him."

Wiggins had 30-point games in each of his previous two, but he might find it tough to get going Friday. There's a good chance George could be matched up against him.

"It's how I made my name in this league, wanting to guard the best player or match up against the best player," George said. "That's what I do. It's fun to me. I don't take it as it's going to drain me or tire me out. It energizes me when I can get a stop on the best player. It gets me going when I can get a stop against the best guy on the other team."

George scored 35 points and grabbed 11 rebounds the last time he faced the Timberwolves on Feb. 19, 2014.

Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date :13 November 2015
Kick-off 02:30 (GMT +2)
Venue :American Airlines Arena (Miami, FL)




The Miami Heat have excelled defensively behind their impressive rookie and shot-erasing center, while the Utah Jazz have carried over their defensive improvement from last season.

Utah, though, could be without its anchor for Thursday night's matchup between the league's top two scoring defenses at Miami.

The Heat (5-3) ranked 19th in 2014-15 in defensive efficiency with 103.8 points allowed per 100 possessions but have reduced that number to 93.7 this season, and their 90.1 points per game allowed are the second-fewest in the NBA.

That drops further to 86.3 points per 100 possessions when rookie forward Justise Winslow is on the floor, the fewest for any player in the league averaging at least 28.5 minutes. Winslow has immediately assumed large defensive responsibilities, taking on the likes of LeBron James, Paul George, James Harden and DeMar DeRozan.

Though the 10th overall pick is averaging a modest 7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds, the Heat are plus-71 with Winslow on the floor - a margin that ranks among the league leaders.

"He competes, he studies, he applies, he learns," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "And that's all that you can ask for from a young kid."

Hassan Whiteside has also been a major factor, contributing 3.9 of Miami's 6.9 blocks per game. Also averaging 15.3 points and 11.4 rebounds, Whiteside accounted for three of the Heat's seven blocks in Tuesday's 101-88 home win against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Miami forced 18 turnovers and limited the Lakers to 39 second-half points while Chris Bosh scored a season-high 30.

"The identity of this basketball team that we're starting to embrace is a physical, gritty, tough defensive-minded team," Spoelstra said.

Utah (4-3) is allowing a league-low 89.7 points per game and also leads the NBA in that category going back to Feb. 20, when Rudy Gobert joined the starting lineup permanently. But Gobert, who is averaging 3.4 blocks, is questionable for Thursday's contest after leaving in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's 118-114 loss at Cleveland with a twisted left ankle. X-rays were negative.

Though Utah surrendered a season-high point total and let the Cavaliers shoot 50.0 percent after limiting its previous opponents to 39.4, playing the reigning Eastern Conference champions to the wire could be a confidence booster for the young Jazz, who finished 11th in the West last season.

"This showed us we could play with anybody," said Gordon Hayward, who scored 17 and leads the club with 15.7 points per game. "We were right there. It was a great experience for us as a team."

Utah is shooting well from 3-point range, going 33 for 73 (45.2 percent) over the last three games, while the Heat have limited their last five opponents to 27.5 percent shooting from deep.

Miami sent Mario Chalmers and James Ennis to Memphis on Tuesday in exchange for Beno Udrih and Jarnell Stokes, a measure to help avoid paying the repeater tax and improve cap flexibility for free agency next summer. Chalmers was averaging just 5.5 points on 31.3 percent shooting, though he started at point guard for the 2012 and 2013 NBA championship teams.

Dwyane Wade's 28.0 career scoring average against Utah is his highest against one team. he scored 42 in the last meeting Dec. 17.

These teams have alternated wins and losses for the last nine meetings, with Utah holding a 5-4 edge.