Sports

Los Angeles Clippers (6-17, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-8, sixth in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -10.5; over/under is 225.5

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota heads into a matchup against Los Angeles as winners of four straight games.

The Timberwolves are 9-7 against conference opponents. Minnesota has a 3-6 record against opponents over .500.

The Clippers are 4-10 in Western Conference play. Los Angeles has a 3-11 record against teams above .500.

The Timberwolves' 14.6 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.2 fewer made shots on average than the 14.8 per game the Clippers allow. The Clippers average 12.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.6 more makes per game than the Timberwolves give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 22.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the Timberwolves. Naz Reid is averaging 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks over the past 10 games.

Ivica Zubac is averaging 16 points and 11.6 rebounds for the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard is averaging 24.0 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 43.5% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 120.0 points, 44.8 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 8.6 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.7 points per game.

Clippers: 2-8, averaging 111.6 points, 42.0 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 8.3 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.5 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: None listed.

Clippers: Bradley Beal: out for season (hip), Jordan Miller: day to day (hamstring), Derrick Jones Jr.: out (knee), Bogdan Bogdanovic: day to day (hip).

___

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

Orlando Magic (14-9, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (15-7, second in the Eastern Conference)

New York; Sunday, 12 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: New York will try to keep its five-game home win streak alive when the Knicks face Orlando.

The Knicks are 11-7 against conference opponents. New York is second in the Eastern Conference at limiting opponent scoring, giving up only 113.0 points while holding opponents to 46.4% shooting.

The Magic are 11-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando ranks third in the NBA scoring 54.7 points per game in the paint led by Franz Wagner averaging 12.2.

The Knicks average 15.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.9 more made shots on average than the 11.7 per game the Magic allow. The Magic are shooting 47.3% from the field, 0.9% higher than the 46.4% the Knicks' opponents have shot this season.

The teams meet for the third time this season. The Magic won 133-121 in the last matchup on Nov. 22.

TOP PERFORMERS: Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 22.5 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Knicks. Miles McBride is averaging 7.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Wagner is averaging 23.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Magic. Jalen Suggs is averaging 4.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 7-3, averaging 120.5 points, 44.5 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.2 points per game.

Magic: 7-3, averaging 122.4 points, 43.9 rebounds, 27.0 assists, 9.8 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.1 points.

INJURIES: Knicks: Landry Shamet: out (shoulder).

Magic: Moritz Wagner: out (knee).

___

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

Oklahoma City Thunder (22-1, first in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (8-14, 11th in the Western Conference)

Salt Lake City; Sunday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City aims to keep its 14-game win streak intact when the Thunder take on Utah.

The Jazz are 4-10 against Western Conference opponents. Utah averages 29.7 assists per game to lead the Western Conference, paced by Keyonte George with 6.9.

The Thunder are 18-1 against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma City ranks sixth in the Western Conference with 26.3 assists per game led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 6.4.

The 118.4 points per game the Jazz average are 11.3 more points than the Thunder allow (107.1). The Thunder average 13.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.5 fewer made shots on average than the 15.1 per game the Jazz give up.

The two teams match up for the second time this season. The Thunder defeated the Jazz 144-112 in their last meeting on Nov. 22. Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points, and George led the Jazz with 20 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Lauri Markkanen is scoring 27.6 points per game with 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the Jazz. George is averaging 18.0 points and 0.0 rebounds while shooting 41.7% over the last 10 games.

Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.8 points and 6.4 assists for the Thunder. Chet Holmgren is averaging 15.0 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 4-6, averaging 120.8 points, 42.5 rebounds, 30.2 assists, 8.8 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 130.2 points per game.

Thunder: 10-0, averaging 122.9 points, 41.7 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 9.1 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.3 points.

INJURIES: Jazz: Georges Niang: out (foot), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder).

Thunder: Nikola Topic: out (groin), Alex Caruso: day to day (quad), Isaiah Joe: day to day (knee), Isaiah Hartenstein: out (ankle), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee), Luguentz Dort: day to day (adductor).

___

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