Cleveland puts road win streak on the line against Oklahoma City
Cleveland Cavaliers (36-21, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (43-14, first in the Western Conference)
Oklahoma City; Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Cleveland hits the road against Oklahoma City looking to prolong its five-game road winning streak.
The Thunder have gone 23-7 in home games. Oklahoma City ranks fifth in the league with 34.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Chet Holmgren averaging 6.8.
The Cavaliers are 17-10 in road games. Cleveland is ninth in the Eastern Conference giving up just 115.3 points while holding opponents to 46.0% shooting.
The Thunder make 48.6% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.6 percentage points higher than the Cavaliers have allowed to their opponents (46.0%). The Cavaliers average 14.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 more makes per game than the Thunder allow.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Thunder won 136-104 in the last matchup on Jan. 19.
TOP PERFORMERS: Holmgren is averaging 17.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the Thunder. Isaiah Joe is averaging 14.5 points over the last 10 games.
James Harden is scoring 24.7 points per game and averaging 4.8 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Sam Merrill is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 6-4, averaging 112.9 points, 44.4 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 9.1 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.4 points per game.
Cavaliers: 9-1, averaging 122.9 points, 44.0 rebounds, 29.6 assists, 10.4 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.8 points.
INJURIES: Thunder: Ajay Mitchell: out (abdomen), Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: out (abdomen), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
Cavaliers: Evan Mobley: out (rest), Max Strus: out (foot).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Rice issues Arsenal warning and reveals dressing-room talks after Wolves draw
Declan Rice believes Arsenal need to maintain "perspective" over their position in the Premier League - but admits they will need to return to winning ways quickly to silence their critics.
Golden State and Denver square off in conference showdown
Denver Nuggets (36-21, third in the Western Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (29-27, eighth in the Western Conference)
San Francisco; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Western Conference foes Golden State and Denver face off on Sunday.
The Warriors have gone 19-16 against Western Conference opponents. Golden State is 3-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Nuggets are 21-10 against Western Conference opponents. Denver is sixth in the NBA with 33.5 defensive rebounds per game led by Nikola Jokic averaging 9.3.
The Warriors score 115.4 points per game, 0.7 fewer points than the 116.1 the Nuggets give up. The Nuggets score 7.1 more points per game (120.9) than the Warriors give up to opponents (113.8).
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Nuggets won 129-104 in the last meeting on Nov. 8. Jokic led the Nuggets with 26 points, and Draymond Green led the Warriors with 17 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Brandin Podziemski is averaging 12 points and 3.6 assists for the Warriors. Moses Moody is averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Tim Hardaway Jr. is shooting 45.4% and averaging 14.0 points for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 4-6, averaging 108.9 points, 40.9 rebounds, 29.5 assists, 11.6 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.3 points per game.
Nuggets: 5-5, averaging 123.4 points, 45.5 rebounds, 29.3 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.4 points.
INJURIES: Warriors: Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Seth Curry: out (back).
Nuggets: Tamar Bates: out (foot), Aaron Gordon: out (hamstring), Peyton Watson: out (hamstring).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Philadelphia faces New Orleans on 3-game slide
Philadelphia 76ers (30-25, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (15-42, 14th in the Western Conference)
New Orleans; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: 76ers -3.5; over/under is 229.5
BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia is looking to break its three-game skid with a win against New Orleans.
The Pelicans have gone 9-21 at home. New Orleans is 6-19 in games decided by at least 10 points.
The 76ers are 15-10 on the road. Philadelphia ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference with 16.2 fast break points per game led by Tyrese Maxey averaging 5.4.
The Pelicans average 11.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer makes per game than the 76ers allow (13.0). The 76ers average 12.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 14.6 per game the Pelicans give up.
The two teams match up for the second time this season. The 76ers defeated the Pelicans 124-114 in their last matchup on Feb. 1. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 40 points, and Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 34 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Zion Williamson is shooting 58.9% and averaging 21.9 points for the Pelicans. Bey is averaging 20.4 points over the last 10 games.
VJ Edgecombe is averaging 15 points, 5.5 rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals for the 76ers. Maxey is averaging 26.8 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 45.3% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 4-6, averaging 112.7 points, 43.3 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.3 points per game.
76ers: 6-4, averaging 115.5 points, 41.4 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.6 points.
INJURIES: Pelicans: Yves Missi: out (calf), Trey Murphy III: out (shoulder), Micah Peavy: out (toe), Dejounte Murray: out (achilles).
76ers: Joel Embiid: day to day (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Milwaukee takes home win streak into matchup with Toronto
Toronto Raptors (33-23, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (24-30, 11th in the Eastern Conference)
Milwaukee; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Milwaukee will try to keep its three-game home win streak intact when the Bucks play Toronto.
The Bucks are 17-18 in Eastern Conference games. Milwaukee has a 13-17 record in games decided by 10 or more points.
The Raptors are 25-15 in conference matchups. Toronto is the league leader with 19.4 fast break points per game led by RJ Barrett averaging 3.8.
The Bucks score 112.3 points per game, 0.2 more points than the 112.1 the Raptors allow. The Raptors average 11.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.8 fewer made shots on average than the 14.2 per game the Bucks allow.
The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Raptors won 111-105 in the last matchup on Dec. 19.
TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan Rollins is averaging 17.1 points, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals for the Bucks. Kyle Kuzma is averaging 13.6 points over the last 10 games.
Brandon Ingram is averaging 22 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Raptors. Immanuel Quickley is averaging 17.2 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 48.9% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bucks: 6-4, averaging 114.1 points, 43.3 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 6.0 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.3 points per game.
Raptors: 6-4, averaging 110.8 points, 43.1 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 9.4 steals and 6.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.1 points.
INJURIES: Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (calf), Myles Turner: out (calf), Taurean Prince: out (neck).
Raptors: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.