NBA Previews

Heat Meet Nets, Hope for Positive End to Two-Game Trip Without Butler While the Brooklyn Nets will be celebrating Vince Carter’s jersey retirement, the Miami Heat are managing internal turmoil surrounding Jimmy Butler, whose future with the franchise remains uncertain ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Butler has missed 18 games this season, including eight of the past 11

Inconsistent Celtics Guarding Against Back-to-Back Losses, Visit Mavericks The Boston Celtics will aim to avoid losing back-to-back games for just the second time this season when they visit the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. Boston is coming off a 117-96 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, marking their worst loss of the season in terms of margin. The

Speculation Swirls Around Suns’ Bradley Beal as Wizards Visit The Phoenix Suns have shown signs of life lately, winning seven of their last 10 games to move above .500 for the first time in weeks. But as they host the struggling Washington Wizards on Saturday, the future of Bradley Beal remains one of the hottest topics in the NBA trade

Knicks Kick Off Homestand Against Resurgent Kings The New York Knicks begin a crucial five-game homestand on Saturday night when they host the surging Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden. Both teams are jockeying for position in their respective conferences, with New York chasing the No. 2 seed in the East, while Sacramento fights to solidify a playoff spot in

Hawks Try to Avoid Two-Game Sweep to Visiting Raptors The Atlanta Hawks will try to avoid a two-game home sweep when they host the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night at State Farm Arena. The Hawks have lost three straight games, including Thursday’s 122-119 defeat to the Raptors, and are just 11-9 at home this season. Meanwhile, Toronto has won four

Bucks Look to Maintain Momentum Against Clippers’ Home Dominance Once trusted to lead the Los Angeles Clippers into the future, Doc Rivers returns to Southern California on Saturday night with his Milwaukee Bucks riding a five-game winning streak. Facing off against his former team, Rivers will attempt to outcoach Tyronn Lue as the Bucks challenge the Clippers’ impressive home record.

Cavaliers Aim to Rebound Against Struggling 76ers The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to bounce back from a tough 109-108 loss to the Houston Rockets when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. While Cleveland is still near the top of the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia is in free fall, having lost seven straight games while battling injuries and defensive struggles. NBA

Pelicans Lean on CJ McCollum Ahead of Grizzlies Matchup The New Orleans Pelicans head to Memphis on Friday night, looking to keep their momentum alive behind the red-hot play of CJ McCollum. With both teams riding winning streaks, this matchup could showcase two surging Western Conference contenders. McCollum Sparks Pelicans’ Turnaround CJ McCollum has been the heart of New Orleans’

Iowa Looks for Answers Against Penn State The Iowa Hawkeyes are in search of a turnaround as they welcome Penn State to Iowa City on Friday. After a tough stretch of games, both teams have something to prove in this Big Ten showdown. Iowa’s Troubles on Both Ends Iowa (12-7, 3-5 Big Ten) has seen its promising form falter with