Cleveland Cavaliers (43-27, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (25-46, 12th in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Saturday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans is looking to prolong its three-game win streak with a victory against Cleveland.

The Pelicans are 16-21 in home games. New Orleans is 14-20 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 13.6 turnovers per game.

The Cavaliers are 21-14 on the road. Cleveland is eighth in the league averaging 14.5 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 36.0% from downtown. Donovan Mitchell leads the team averaging 3.3 makes while shooting 36.4% from 3-point range.

The Pelicans average 11.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.6 fewer makes per game than the Cavaliers allow (13.9). The Cavaliers are shooting 47.7% from the field, 0.3% higher than the 47.4% the Pelicans' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Cavaliers won 141-118 in the last matchup on Dec. 24. Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 27 points, and Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Trey Murphy III is averaging 22 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pelicans. Williamson is averaging 18.2 points over the last 10 games.

Evan Mobley is scoring 18.3 points per game and averaging 8.9 rebounds for the Cavaliers. James Harden is averaging 20.3 points and 5.2 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 6-4, averaging 119.0 points, 45.4 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 9.1 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.3 points per game.

Cavaliers: 6-4, averaging 116.9 points, 42.5 rebounds, 27.6 assists, 6.8 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.2 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Dejounte Murray: day to day (achilles), Bryce McGowens: day to day (toe).

Cavaliers: Craig Porter Jr.: day to day (groin), Tyrese Proctor: day to day (quadricep), Donovan Mitchell: day to day (eye), Jarrett Allen: day to day (knee).

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

Philadelphia 76ers (38-32, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (21-49, 14th in the Western Conference)

Salt Lake City; Saturday, 9:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Utah Jazz in non-conference play.

The Jazz are 13-22 in home games. Utah ranks third in the Western Conference with 16.3 fast break points per game led by Lauri Markkanen averaging 3.3.

The 76ers are 18-16 on the road. Philadelphia is ninth in the Eastern Conference allowing only 116.1 points while holding opponents to 47.0% shooting.

The Jazz's 13.0 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.4 fewer made shots on average than the 13.4 per game the 76ers give up. The Jazz average 115.6 points per game, 9.2 fewer points than the 124.8 the Jazz allow.

The two teams match up for the second time this season. The 76ers defeated the Jazz 106-102 in their last meeting on March 5. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 25 points, and Keyonte George led the Jazz with 30 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Filipowski is averaging 10.6 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Jazz. Ace Bailey is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Dominick Barlow is shooting 53.9% and averaging 8.3 points for the 76ers. Justin Edwards is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 3-7, averaging 114.8 points, 43.0 rebounds, 26.9 assists, 10.0 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.2 points per game.

76ers: 5-5, averaging 111.0 points, 42.5 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 9.3 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.5 points.

INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (ankle), Brice Sensabaugh: day to day (illness), Isaiah Collier: day to day (hamstring), Keyonte George: out (leg), John Konchar: day to day (quad), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).

76ers: Tyrese Maxey: out (finger), Johni Broome: out (knee), Joel Embiid: out (oblique), Kelly Oubre Jr.: out (elbow).

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

Los Angeles Clippers (34-36, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (23-47, 13th in the Western Conference)

Dallas; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Dallas takes on Los Angeles looking to end its 10-game home slide.

The Mavericks have gone 12-30 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas has an 8-25 record in games decided by at least 10 points.

The Clippers have gone 21-23 against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles has a 17-25 record against opponents above .500.

The Mavericks average 10.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.7 fewer makes per game than the Clippers allow (13.4). The Clippers are shooting 48.3% from the field, 0.9% higher than the 47.4% the Mavericks' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the third time this season. The Mavericks won the last meeting 114-110 on Nov. 30, with Cooper Flagg scoring 35 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Naji Marshall is shooting 52.1% and averaging 15.1 points for the Mavericks. Flagg is averaging 16.8 points over the last 10 games.

Kawhi Leonard is scoring 28.2 points per game and averaging 6.4 rebounds for the Clippers. Darius Garland is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mavericks: 2-8, averaging 109.4 points, 45.9 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 6.9 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.2 points per game.

Clippers: 5-5, averaging 119.5 points, 39.0 rebounds, 24.2 assists, 11.1 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.3 points.

INJURIES: Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Caleb Martin: day to day (foot), Kyrie Irving: out for season (knee), Brandon Williams: day to day (head).

Clippers: Darius Garland: day to day (toe), Yanic Konan Niederhauser: out for season (foot), Bradley Beal: out for season (hip), Kawhi Leonard: day to day (ankle), Bennedict Mathurin: out (toe).

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

Indiana Pacers (15-55, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (52-18, second in the Western Conference)

San Antonio; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: San Antonio will look to keep its four-game win streak alive when the Spurs take on Indiana.

The Spurs are 27-7 in home games. San Antonio ranks fourth in the Western Conference with 16.1 fast break points per game led by Devin Vassell averaging 2.7.

The Pacers are 5-30 in road games. Indiana is 7-35 against opponents over .500.

The Spurs are shooting 48.0% from the field this season, 1.0 percentage point lower than the 49.0% the Pacers allow to opponents. The Pacers average 13.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.1 more makes per game than the Spurs allow.

The teams square off for the second time this season. In the last meeting on Jan. 3 the Spurs won 123-113 led by 24 points from De'Aaron Fox, while Pascal Siakam scored 23 points for the Pacers.

TOP PERFORMERS: Victor Wembanyama is scoring 24.3 points per game with 11.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the Spurs. Fox is averaging 20.4 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 53.0% over the last 10 games.

Siakam is averaging 24 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Pacers. Jay Huff is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Spurs: 9-1, averaging 123.6 points, 47.7 rebounds, 30.6 assists, 5.9 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.2 points per game.

Pacers: 0-10, averaging 110.2 points, 39.2 rebounds, 28.6 assists, 6.7 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 124.9 points.

INJURIES: Spurs: David Jones Garcia: out for season (ankle), Stephon Castle: day to day (hip).

Pacers: Pascal Siakam: day to day (knee), Micah Potter: day to day (triceps), Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Ivica Zubac: day to day (head), Andrew Nembhard: day to day (calf), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles), Obi Toppin: day to day (foot).

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

Milwaukee Bucks (28-41, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (39-31, seventh in the Western Conference)

Phoenix; Saturday, 10 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix aims to end its four-game losing streak when the Suns play Milwaukee.

The Suns have gone 22-13 at home. Phoenix is the worst team in the Western Conference scoring 42.6 points per game in the paint.

The Bucks are 12-22 on the road. Milwaukee has a 16-26 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Suns are shooting 45.3% from the field this season, 1.6 percentage points lower than the 46.9% the Bucks allow to opponents. The Bucks are shooting 47.9% from the field, 0.9% higher than the 47.0% the Suns' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Suns won the last meeting 129-114 on March 11, with Devin Booker scoring 27 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Booker is averaging 25.8 points and 5.9 assists for the Suns. Jalen Green is averaging 22.3 points and 3.2 assists over the past 10 games.

Ryan Rollins is scoring 16.8 points per game with 4.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists for the Bucks. Bobby Portis is averaging 14.7 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 48.7% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 5-5, averaging 112.9 points, 41.7 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.4 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.4 points per game.

Bucks: 2-8, averaging 106.2 points, 39.2 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.5 points.

INJURIES: Suns: Grayson Allen: day to day (knee), Dillon Brooks: out (hand), Mark Williams: out (foot), Haywood Highsmith: day to day (knee), Royce O'Neale: day to day (knee), Amir Coffey: day to day (ankle).

Bucks: Kevin Porter Jr.: day to day (knee), Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (ankle).

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

MIAMI (AP) — Luka Doncic stepped to the foul line in the final moments and couldn't help but hear what the crowd was yelling, over and over and over again.

An MVP chant.

On the road, no less.

"I think every player wants to hear it," Doncic said. "I got a lot of goosebumps, so it was pretty special.”

The cheers in Miami were certainly warranted, after Doncic — the NBA's scoring leader — put together one of the best games of his life, a 60-point masterpiece that helped the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat 134-126.

He's now 1.9 points per game ahead of Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the scoring race, is averaging 37.2 points per game in March, is averaging 35.1 points per game since the All-Star break. He's hitting his best stride and it's no coincidence that the Lakers — now winners of eight straight — are doing the same.

“It became just an incredible display of shotmaking, drawing fouls, etc.,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We just probably weren't active enough to get the ball out of his hands. ... We didn't get to enough stuff to keep him at least a little bit off-balance.”

Doncic's final numbers from Thursday night, done on the same court where Miami's Bam Adebayo had his 83-point game against Washington earlier this month: 18 for 30 from the field, 9 for 17 from 3-point range, 15 for 19 from the line, with seven rebounds and five steals in there as well. Oh, and it should be noted that it was on the second night of a back-to-back, one where the Lakers played in Houston on Wednesday and didn't get to their hotel in Miami until 5:10 a.m. on Thursday.

“It was a superhero performance,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.

It tied the second-most points Doncic scored in a game, behind a 73-point night against Atlanta in 2024 and matching a 60-point night against New York in 2022 — both of those efforts coming when the Slovenian superstar played for Dallas.

Doncic also broke the scoring record for a Heat opponent, topping the 58-point effort from James Harden for Houston on Feb. 28, 2019.

Coaches always root for their own guys in award races, and rightly so. It shouldn't surprise anyone that Redick thinks Doncic should win MVP. But he's been openly wondering why Doncic — who has never finished higher than third in the MVP voting — isn't talked about more as a top contender this season, if not the very top contender.

And that was before Doncic had his 60-point outing Thursday.

“I think he’s playing as well as anyone in basketball," Redick said. "He’s really elevated his play at a really important time for our team. He’s elevated the play of his teammates. ... He's one of the best and should be in the M-word conversation. Hopefully, people will start talking about that because he’s having as good a season as anyone.”

BetMGM Sportsbook lists Doncic as the second choice in the NBA race — but a distant second behind Gilgeous-Alexander, last year's winner.

Doncic's night in Miami was so stellar that it overshadowed another record for LeBron James, who tied Robert Parish's all-time NBA mark for games played, and did so in a matchup where he had a 19-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple double.

James marveled at how easily Doncic made getting to 60 points look.

“It wasn’t even like he was trying to force his way to get it," James said. “I mean, everything came in the flow. Once he got hot in that third (quarter), obviously he had a red hand and he just kept it going and then made some big time plays for us in the fourth. ... Big time, big time, big time.”

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba