Sports

Boston Celtics (18-11, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (6-24, 14th in the Eastern Conference)

Indianapolis; Friday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Indiana aims to end its three-game home slide with a win against Boston.

The Pacers have gone 4-14 against Eastern Conference teams. Indiana is 5-12 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 13.1 turnovers per game.

The Celtics are 14-8 in conference games. Boston ranks sixth in the NBA with 12.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Neemias Queta averaging 3.1.

The Pacers are shooting 42.9% from the field this season, 1.6 percentage points lower than the 44.5% the Celtics allow to opponents. The Celtics average 15.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 4.1 more made shots on average than the 11.5 per game the Pacers allow.

The teams play for the second time this season. The Celtics won the last meeting 103-95 on Dec. 23. Jaylen Brown scored 31 points to help lead the Celtics to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Pascal Siakam is averaging 23.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Pacers. T.J. McConnell is averaging 16.0 points over the last 10 games.

Payton Pritchard is shooting 43.9% and averaging 16.8 points for the Celtics. Derrick White is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 2-8, averaging 108.0 points, 40.7 rebounds, 22.7 assists, 7.2 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.9 points per game.

Celtics: 8-2, averaging 118.3 points, 43.5 rebounds, 22.7 assists, 8.1 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.6 points.

INJURIES: Pacers: Obi Toppin: out (foot), Ben Sheppard: day to day (calf), Isaiah Jackson: day to day (head), Aaron Nesmith: out (knee), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Jordan Walsh: day to day (illness).

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

Philadelphia 76ers (16-12, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (14-15, 10th in the Eastern Conference)

Chicago; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Chicago is looking to build upon its four-game win streak with a victory over Philadelphia.

The Bulls have gone 11-10 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago is second in the Eastern Conference with 34.7 defensive rebounds per game led by Josh Giddey averaging 8.1.

The 76ers are 13-11 against conference opponents. Philadelphia ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference with 32.5 defensive rebounds per game led by Andre Drummond averaging 6.1.

The Bulls average 14.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the 76ers give up. The 76ers' 45.0% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.0 percentage points lower than the Bulls have given up to their opponents (48.0%).

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Bulls won 113-111 in the last matchup on Nov. 5.

TOP PERFORMERS: Giddey is averaging 20 points, 9.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists for the Bulls. Coby White is averaging 5.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Tyrese Maxey is averaging 31 points, 6.9 assists and 1.8 steals for the 76ers. Joel Embiid is averaging 27 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 5-5, averaging 119.3 points, 43.5 rebounds, 29.5 assists, 9.2 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.0 points per game.

76ers: 6-4, averaging 115.3 points, 47.0 rebounds, 23.1 assists, 9.7 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 42.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.5 points.

INJURIES: Bulls: Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Matas Buzelis: day to day (leg).

76ers: Trendon Watford: day to day (thigh), VJ Edgecombe: day to day (illness), Quentin Grimes: day to day (illness), Kelly Oubre Jr.: out (knee), Dominick Barlow: day to day (illness).

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

Milwaukee Bucks (12-18, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (14-16, ninth in the Western Conference)

Memphis, Tennessee; Friday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Santi Aldama and the Memphis Grizzlies take on Ryan Rollins and the Milwaukee Bucks in out-of-conference play.

The Grizzlies are 6-8 on their home court. Memphis is 7-6 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 14.7 turnovers per game.

The Bucks have gone 4-10 away from home. Milwaukee is 2-4 in one-possession games.

The Grizzlies average 115.0 points per game, 1.2 fewer points than the 116.2 the Bucks allow. The Bucks average 14.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 more makes per game than the Grizzlies allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Aldama is scoring 14.4 points per game with 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists for the Grizzlies. Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 21.0 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 56.3% over the past 10 games.

Bobby Portis is shooting 48.9% and averaging 12.5 points for the Bucks. Rollins is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Grizzlies: 6-4, averaging 118.5 points, 46.5 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.7 points per game.

Bucks: 4-6, averaging 108.2 points, 40.5 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.8 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.3 points.

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

Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (calf), Taurean Prince: out (neck), Gary Trent Jr.: day to day (calf).

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