Sports

Miami Heat (20-17, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (7-31, 15th in the Eastern Conference)

Indianapolis; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Indiana aims to end its seven-game home losing streak with a win against Miami.

The Pacers are 5-19 against conference opponents. Indiana is 3-18 in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Heat are 12-10 against Eastern Conference opponents. Miami has a 4-2 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Pacers average 110.8 points per game, 6.6 fewer points than the 117.4 the Heat give up. The Heat average 120.1 points per game, 0.6 more than the 119.5 the Pacers allow.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Heat won 142-116 in the last matchup on Dec. 28.

TOP PERFORMERS: Pascal Siakam is scoring 23.9 points per game with 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Pacers. Aaron Nesmith is averaging 9.6 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 40.5% over the past 10 games.

Kel'el Ware is averaging 12.3 points and 10.6 rebounds for the Heat. Norman Powell is averaging 24.2 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 47.7% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 1-9, averaging 112.6 points, 37.7 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 7.6 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.4 points per game.

Heat: 5-5, averaging 119.9 points, 45.8 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 10.7 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.8 points.

INJURIES: Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin: out (thumb), Andrew Nembhard: day to day (back), Obi Toppin: out (foot), Isaiah Jackson: day to day (concussion), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

Heat: None listed.

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

Dallas Mavericks (14-24, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (17-20, 10th in the Eastern Conference)

Chicago; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Chicago heads into the matchup against Dallas as losers of three in a row.

The Bulls have gone 10-9 at home. Chicago is 6-4 when it wins the turnover battle and averages 14.1 turnovers per game.

The Mavericks are 4-14 on the road. Dallas is the leader in the Western Conference scoring 17.9 fast break points per game led by Cooper Flagg averaging 3.5.

The Bulls average 14.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.3 more made shots on average than the 11.7 per game the Mavericks allow. The Bulls average 113.1 points per game, 8.1 fewer points than the 121.2 the Bulls give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Nikola Vucevic is averaging 16.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Bulls. Matas Buzelis is averaging 17.7 points over the last 10 games.

Naji Marshall is averaging 13.3 points for the Mavericks. Flagg is averaging 20.6 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 5-5, averaging 113.9 points, 46.3 rebounds, 30.8 assists, 5.1 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.0 points per game.

Mavericks: 3-7, averaging 113.5 points, 45.8 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.5 points.

INJURIES: Bulls: Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Jalen Smith: out (concussion protocol), Josh Giddey: out (hamstring), Zach Collins: out (toe), Kevin Huerter: out (back).

Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Kyrie Irving: out (knee), Dante Exum: out for season (knee), Anthony Davis: day to day (hand), P.J. Washington: day to day (ankle), Brandon Williams: day to day (illness).

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