Sports

Los Angeles Lakers (22-11, third in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8-29, 15th in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans is looking to end its four-game home skid with a win against Los Angeles.

The Pelicans are 4-22 in conference matchups. New Orleans is the top team in the Western Conference averaging 58.1 points in the paint. Zion Williamson leads the Pelicans with 16.0.

The Lakers are 17-8 in Western Conference play. Los Angeles is ninth in the Western Conference allowing just 117.3 points while holding opponents to 48.7% shooting.

The Pelicans are shooting 46.1% from the field this season, 2.6 percentage points lower than the 48.7% the Lakers allow to opponents. The Lakers are shooting 50.1% from the field, 1.4% higher than the 48.7% the Pelicans' opponents have shot this season.

The teams meet for the third time this season. The Lakers won 133-121 in the last matchup on Dec. 1.

TOP PERFORMERS: Trey Murphy III is averaging 20.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals for the Pelicans. Jeremiah Fears is averaging 21 points over the last 10 games.

Luka Doncic is scoring 33.7 points per game with 8.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists for the Lakers. Jake Laravia is averaging 26.0 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 56.3% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 3-7, averaging 117.8 points, 44.5 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 8.8 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 124.0 points per game.

Lakers: 5-5, averaging 114.9 points, 41.2 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 8.2 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.9 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Herbert Jones: out (ankle), Dejounte Murray: out (leg), Saddiq Bey: out (hip).

Lakers: Gabe Vincent: out (back), Austin Reaves: out (calf), Adou Thiero: out (knee), Rui Hachimura: out (calf).

___

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

Orlando Magic (20-16, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (9-25, 14th in the Eastern Conference)

Washington; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: CJ McCollum and the Washington Wizards host Desmond Bane and the Orlando Magic in Eastern Conference action.

The Wizards are 6-17 in conference matchups. Washington is 2-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Magic are 5-3 against the rest of their division. Orlando is eighth in the Eastern Conference scoring 117.1 points per game and is shooting 46.9%.

The Wizards are shooting 46.3% from the field this season, 1.4 percentage points lower than the 47.7% the Magic allow to opponents. The Magic average 11.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.2 fewer made shots on average than the 14.4 per game the Wizards give up.

The two teams play for the second time this season. The Magic defeated the Wizards 125-94 in their last matchup on Nov. 1. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 28 points, and Kyshawn George led the Wizards with 17 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: McCollum is averaging 18.6 points and 3.6 assists for the Wizards. Corey Kispert is averaging 13.0 points over the last 10 games.

Bane is averaging 19.3 points and 4.6 assists for the Magic. Banchero is averaging 28 points, 12 rebounds and five assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wizards: 5-5, averaging 114.9 points, 46.5 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 7.3 steals and 7.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.8 points per game.

Magic: 5-5, averaging 114.9 points, 43.2 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.0 points.

INJURIES: Wizards: Cam Whitmore: out (shoulder), Kyshawn George: out (hip).

Magic: Franz Wagner: out (ankle), Moritz Wagner: out (knee), Jalen Suggs: out (knee).

___

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

Denver Nuggets (23-12, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (19-14, fifth in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: 76ers -11.5; over/under is 229.5

BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia comes into a matchup with Denver as winners of three consecutive games.

The 76ers are 9-8 in home games. Philadelphia is 9-4 in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Nuggets have gone 13-7 away from home. Denver is fifth in the Western Conference with 33.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Nikola Jokic averaging 9.1.

The 76ers' 13.6 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.3 more made shots on average than the 13.3 per game the Nuggets give up. The Nuggets score 8.2 more points per game (124.3) than the 76ers give up (116.1).

TOP PERFORMERS: Tyrese Maxey is averaging 31.1 points, 7.1 assists and 1.8 steals for the 76ers. Joel Embiid is averaging 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists over the last 10 games.

Jamal Murray is averaging 25.4 points and 7.2 assists for the Nuggets. Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 26 points over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 6-4, averaging 117.3 points, 44.5 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 8.9 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.1 points per game.

Nuggets: 4-6, averaging 121.2 points, 40.6 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.8 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Trendon Watford: out (thigh), Kelly Oubre Jr.: out (knee), Joel Embiid: day to day (knee).

Nuggets: Cameron Johnson: out (knee), Tamar Bates: out (foot), Nikola Jokic: out (knee), Jonas Valanciunas: out (calf).

___

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