Portland Trail Blazers (9-15, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (3-22, 15th in the Western Conference)
New Orleans; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Trail Blazers -5.5; over/under is 237.5
BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans hosts Portland looking to stop its four-game home losing streak.
The Pelicans are 1-19 against Western Conference opponents. New Orleans has a 1-10 record in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Trail Blazers are 7-10 in Western Conference play. Portland has a 4-5 record in games decided by 10 or more points.
The Pelicans average 11.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.5 fewer makes per game than the Trail Blazers give up (12.5). The Trail Blazers' 44.2% shooting percentage from the field this season is 5.6 percentage points lower than the Pelicans have given up to their opponents (49.8%).
The teams play for the second time this season. The Trail Blazers won the last matchup 125-117 on Nov. 13, with Shaedon Sharpe scoring 35 points in the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Trey Murphy III is shooting 47.7% and averaging 21.0 points for the Pelicans. Jose Alvarado is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Deni Avdija is averaging 25.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists for the Trail Blazers. Jerami Grant is averaging 21 points and seven rebounds over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 1-9, averaging 119.2 points, 42.9 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 126.1 points per game.
Trail Blazers: 3-7, averaging 112.7 points, 48.7 rebounds, 23.6 assists, 7.0 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 42.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.0 points.
INJURIES: Pelicans: Dejounte Murray: out (leg), Zion Williamson: out (abductor), Jordan Poole: day to day (quad).
Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson: out (hamstring), Matisse Thybulle: out (thumb), Robert Williams III: out (illness), Jrue Holiday: day to day (calf), Blake Wesley: out (foot), Donovan Clingan: day to day (leg), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Boston Celtics (15-9, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (10-15, 10th in the Eastern Conference)
Milwaukee; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -7.5; over/under is 226.5
BOTTOM LINE: Boston will look to keep its five-game win streak alive when the Celtics take on Milwaukee.
The Bucks are 8-11 in Eastern Conference games. Milwaukee is 2-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Celtics are 11-6 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference shooting 36.9% from 3-point range.
The Bucks score 115.1 points per game, 4.5 more points than the 110.6 the Celtics allow. The Celtics average 117.3 points per game, 0.7 fewer than the 118.0 the Bucks give up to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan Rollins is shooting 47.6% and averaging 17.5 points for the Bucks. Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 7.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Derrick White is scoring 17.5 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Celtics. Sam Hauser is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bucks: 2-8, averaging 111.3 points, 38.9 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.8 points per game.
Celtics: 8-2, averaging 122.1 points, 42.6 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.5 points.
INJURIES: Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (calf), AJ Green: day to day (shoulder), Taurean Prince: out (neck).
Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (achilles).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.