The Bum's National Basketball League December Picks/Trends/News !!

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Friday, December 11

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
CLEVELAND vs. ORLANDO
Cleveland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Orlando is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games

7:00 PM
DETROIT vs. PHILADELPHIA
Detroit is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 1-24 SU in its last 25 games
Philadelphia is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games

7:00 PM
MIAMI vs. INDIANA
Miami is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Miami is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games
Indiana is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Miami

7:30 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 10 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Milwaukee is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 7-13-1 ATS in its last 21 games when playing Milwaukee
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

7:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Golden State is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

8:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. NEW ORLEANS
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Washington is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Washington
New Orleans is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington

8:00 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. MEMPHIS
Charlotte is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Memphis
Charlotte is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
Memphis is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
Memphis is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home

9:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. DENVER
Minnesota is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Minnesota

9:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. UTAH
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Oklahoma City's last 23 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Utah is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City

9:30 PM
LA LAKERS vs. SAN ANTONIO
LA Lakers are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
LA Lakers are 2-3-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Antonio's last 8 games when playing LA Lakers
San Antonio is 9-2 SU in their last 11 games when playing LA Lakers

9:30 PM
PORTLAND vs. PHOENIX
Portland is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games
Portland is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Portland
Phoenix is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Friday, December 11

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Game of the Day: Warriors at Celtics
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The Warriors have a pair of games on their seven-game road trip and have gone 3-2 ATS in five games thus far.

Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics (Off)

Golden State's phenomenal unbeaten streak will be put to the test Friday night at a surging Boston team, especially if sharpshooter Klay Thompson is unable to participate. Thompson, who suffered a sprained ankle near the end of a 39-point performance in a 131-123 win at Indiana on Tuesday, told reporters Thursday he was at about "70 percent" and hoped to play against the Celtics.

If he is absent the 23-0 Warriors will miss a player who has scored at least 20 points in five straight games while burying 27 3-pointers. Golden State's winning streak is 27 dating to last season, which is tied with the 2012-13 Miami Heat for the second-longest run in NBA history and just six behind the Los Angeles Lakers' record of 33 set in 1971-72. Even if Thompson is available, the Celtics are one team that might be able to keep pace; they pulled into Thursday third in the NBA in shots per game (87.8) and 3-pointers per game (28), which is just a shade below Golden State's league-leading pace. Boston has won six of eight games and has scored at least 105 points in five straight contests.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (Golden State), CSN New England (Boston)

LINE HISTORY: The line and total for this game are currently off the board.

INJURY REPORT:

Warriors - SG Klay Thompson (Probable, ankle), SG Leandro Barbosa (Questionable, illness), SF Harrison Barnes (Mid December, ankle), SF Kevon Looney (Late January, hip).

Celtics - SG R.J. Hunter (Questionable, undisclosed), PG Marcus Smart (Early January, knee).

POWER RANKINGS: Warriors (-19.5) + Celtics (-8.5) + home court (-3.0) = Celtics +8.0

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The oddsmakers simply cannot catch up with this team, who is a remarkable 12-4 ATS its L16 game despite laying at least 5.5 points in all of them. An argument could be made that the Celtics are the East's best. They have the best per game point differential and nine wins by 15 or more points (trails only Golden State)."

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (23-0, 16-7 ATS, 14-9 O/U): Losing Thompson would mean that Golden State is without two of its top three scorers, since forward Harrison Barnes is expected to miss his seventh straight contest with an ankle injury. In addition, reserve guard Leandro Barbosa - who missed the win in Indiana due to an illness - was unable to practice with the team Thursday and remains a question mark. Veteran Brandon Rush has seen an increase to his role on the team's five-game road trip and had 13 points in a season-high 25 minutes against the Pacers.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (13-9, 13-9 ATS, 10-12 ATS): There's quite a buzz in Boston around this one, as it is seen by many as a potential launching point for an organization showing plenty of life in coach Brad Stevens' third year. "I feel like it's just another game for us," guard Avery Bradley told reporters. "[The Warriors] are playing great as a team right now but we can't go out there thinking like this is the championship. It's not." Eight Celtics finished in double figures in a 105-100 victory over Chicago on Wednesday.

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
* Warriors are 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings in Boston.
* Warriors are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 road games.
* Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Friday, December 11


Golden State @ Boston

Game 707-708
December 11, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
130.858
Boston
121.435
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 9 1/2
193
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 7
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-7); N/A

Milwaukee @ Toronto

Game 709-710
December 11, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
113.773
Toronto
125.419
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 11 1/2
190
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 7 1/2
194
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-7 1/2); Under

Washington @ New Orleans

Game 711-712
December 11, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
116.430
New Orleans
115.294
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Orleans
by 3
216
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+3); Under

Charlotte @ Memphis

Game 713-714
December 11, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
118.951
Memphis
124.731
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Memphis
by 6
197
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Memphis
by 3 1/2
193 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Memphis
(-3 1/2); Over

Oklahoma City @ Utah

Game 715-716
December 11, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
125.603
Utah
120.734
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma City
by 5
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 2 1/2
204
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma City
(-2 1/2); Over

Minnesota @ Denver

Game 717-718
December 11, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
116.587
Denver
114.150
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 2 1/2
209
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
Pick
202
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
Over

LA Lakers @ San Antonio

Game 719-720
December 11, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Lakers
109.781
San Antonio
132.372
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 22 1/2
189
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 14 1/2
194
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-14 1/2); Under

Portland @ Phoenix

Game 721-722
December 11, 2015 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Portland
116.275
Phoenix
121.921
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 5 1/2
206
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 4
209
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(-4); Under

Detroit @ Philadelphia

Game 701-702
December 11, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
114.698
Philadelphia
110.209
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 4 1/2
187
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
by 8
193
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+8); Under

Miami @ Indiana

Game 703-704
December 11, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
120.016
Indiana
122.503
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 2 1/2
202
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 5
195 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+5); Over

Cleveland @ Orlando

Game 705-706
December 11, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
116.445
Orlando
124.380
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Orlando
by 8
201
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 3
197
Dunkel Pick:
Orlando
(+3); Over

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Friday, December 11

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DETROIT (12 - 11) at PHILADELPHIA (1 - 22) - 12/11/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 27-46 ATS (-23.6 Units) as a home underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 37-61 ATS (-30.1 Units) in home games in December games since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 102-135 ATS (-46.5 Units) in home games first half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 4-4 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 4-4 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MIAMI (12 - 8) at INDIANA (12 - 8) - 12/11/2015, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 9-6 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 8-7 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CLEVELAND (14 - 7) at ORLANDO (12 - 10) - 12/11/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 19-34 ATS (-18.4 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 13-28 ATS (-17.8 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in road games after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) as an underdog this season.
ORLANDO is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) first half of the season this season.
ORLANDO is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 8-0 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 8-0 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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GOLDEN STATE (23 - 0) at BOSTON (13 - 9) - 12/11/2015, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-1 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 4-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MILWAUKEE (9 - 14) at TORONTO (14 - 9) - 12/11/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 33-21 ATS (+9.9 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 120-86 ATS (+25.4 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 5-3 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 7-1 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WASHINGTON (9 - 11) at NEW ORLEANS (5 - 16) - 12/11/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 132-176 ATS (-61.6 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 2-2 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 4-0 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CHARLOTTE (13 - 8) at MEMPHIS (13 - 10) - 12/11/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 37-67 ATS (-36.7 Units) against Southwest division opponents since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 139-177 ATS (-55.7 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 113-83 ATS (+21.7 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 18-5 ATS (+12.5 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 3 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 16-31 ATS (-18.1 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 2-2 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 3-1 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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OKLAHOMA CITY (14 - 8) at UTAH (10 - 10) - 12/11/2015, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 57-42 ATS (+10.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 40-25 ATS (+12.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 24-3 ATS (+20.7 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 43-15 ATS (+26.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 5-4 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-3 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MINNESOTA (9 - 12) at DENVER (8 - 14) - 12/11/2015, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 36-54 ATS (-23.4 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 26-42 ATS (-20.2 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) in road games this season.
MINNESOTA is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) in road games first half of the season this season.
DENVER is 14-27 ATS (-15.7 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
DENVER is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) after scoring 85 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
DENVER is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
DENVER is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 5-4 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 5-4 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LA LAKERS (3 - 19) at SAN ANTONIO (18 - 5) - 12/11/2015, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 919-799 ATS (+40.1 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 729-617 ATS (+50.3 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 468-388 ATS (+41.2 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 78-54 ATS (+18.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 310-244 ATS (+41.6 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 191-133 ATS (+44.7 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 44-28 ATS (+13.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 3-3 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 5-2 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PORTLAND (9 - 14) at PHOENIX (10 - 13) - 12/11/2015, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 104-79 ATS (+17.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 205 and 209.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 52-33 ATS (+15.7 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 62-44 ATS (+13.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 6-4 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 6-4 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cavaliers (14-7) at Magic (12-10)
Date: December 11, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

(AP) - Kyrie Irving's getting on a plane with the Cleveland Cavaliers. His next trip could be onto the floor.

The All-Star point guard, who hasn't played since breaking his left kneecap in Game 1 of last season's NBA Finals, could make his much-anticipated 2015-16 debut in the next few days.

Coach David Blatt said Thursday that Irving - and starting guard Iman Shumpert, who has been out with a right wrist injury - will travel with the team and may play either Friday against the Orlando Magic or Tuesday in Boston.

"There's a chance that one of the two or both will play on the trip, but there's also a chance they don't," Blatt said following practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "We'll see how they're feeling."

Irving and Shumpert both made it through their third full practices Thursday and will accompany the team on the two-game swing. Blatt stressed the team will stay cautious. Cleveland's eyeing a return to the Finals and the Cavs don't want to unnecessarily rush back two of their best players.

"We're in December," Blatt said. "Not a normal situation. Both of them are coming back from pretty serious injuries, but they are progressing."

Irving played in a career-high 75 games last season before getting hurt while making a move in the finals against Golden State, which defeated the Cavs in six games.

Cleveland leads the Eastern Conference with a 14-7 record, quite an accomplishment considering the Cavs have been without two starters. Once Irving and Shumpert return, Cleveland will be as healthy as it has been since the beginning of last spring's playoffs.

Irving will give the Cavs another playmaker and scorer, while Shumpert provides them with a perimeter defender who can match up with the opponent's best wing player.

"They give us a real boost, a real shoot in the arm because of their particular skills and what they bring to the table for us," Blatt said.

With Shumpert out, J.R. Smith has been starting alongside Mo Williams. Blatt said he has yet to decide if Shumpert will return to the starting lineup.

Whenever Irving and Shumpert return, Blatt promised to ease them back before increasing their minutes to normal levels.

"I'd like to see them be able to come and play significant minutes or at least minutes that give them the chance to feel the court long enough to contribute or get something out of it," Blatt said.

The Cavs still have LeBron James to lean on. After resting in Saturday's loss at Miami, James had 33 points and 10 rebounds as Cleveland rallied from an 18-point deficit in Tuesday's 105-100 win over Portland that snapped a three-game skid.

Irving finished with 33 points in a 123-108 win March 15 in the most recent meeting in Orlando. Kevin Love scored 34 and hit six 3-pointers Nov. 23, while J.R. Smith added 26 with six 3s in a 117-103 victory in the first matchup this season.

The Cavs have won the past 11 games against the Magic by an average of 14.1 points.

After riding a five-game winning streak, Orlando dropped two of the last three on a five-game road swing. Nikola Vucevic had 21 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday, but the Magic (12-10) struggled down the stretch in a 107-104 loss at Phoenix.

"In order for us to turn the corner, we have to be consistent night in and night out," forward Tobias Harris said.

Orlando will try to bounce back at home, where it has won seven of its past eight.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pistons (12-11) at 76ers (1-22)
Date: December 11, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Detroit Pistons appear to have a good chance to rebound from a heartbreaking loss, though nothing has come easy for them against the Philadelphia 76ers.

As they try to avoid a fifth straight road defeat, the inconsistent Pistons look to end their inexplicable struggles in their series with the woeful 76ers on Friday night.

Although Detroit (12-11) has been tough to beat at home, it had a five-game winning streak there snapped Wednesday when Matt Barnes hit a half-court shot with 1.1 seconds left to give Memphis a stunning 93-92 victory.

Andre Drummond finished with 18 points and 19 rebounds, while Reggie Jackson contributed 18 points and seven assists. The Pistons held the lead throughout the second half but were outscored 26-18 in the fourth quarter in their second straight defeat.

'It's the toughest loss all season,' Jackson said. 'It was a good basketball game, just with something unimaginable and unexplainable happening at the end.'

Detroit has been solid offensively at home, averaging 109.6 points on 46.3 percent shooting in its last five games. The production has waned on the road, where the Pistons have scored 89.6 on 38.8 percent shooting while dropping eight of nine.

Jackson has averaged 22.5 points and made 20 of 47 (42.6 percent) from 3-point range in 11 home games, but he's only scored 10.2 while missing 21 of 26 from 3 over his last six on the road. The point guard appeared to injure his leg late in the first half Wednesday before playing the final two quarters with a brace on his knee.

Jackson, averaging a team-high 19.3 points, has scored 10.3 on 31.8 percent shooting in his last four against Philadelphia dating to his time with Oklahoma City.

The Pistons should be able to end their road woes against Philadelphia, but the 76ers have had more success against them than any other opponent over the past 20 months. They've won four of five meetings, including three in a row at home.

NBA-worst Philadelphia (1-22) beat Detroit last season after a 1-18 start and is hoping to do it again while ending a deadlock with the 1993-94 Dallas Mavericks and 1970-71 Cleveland Cavaliers for the worst start in league history.

After suffering the fifth-largest defeat (51 points) in franchise history to San Antonio on Monday, the 76ers couldn't hold on after taking a four-point lead into the fourth quarter of Thursday's 100-91 loss at Brooklyn.

Jahlil Okafor had 22 points and 10 rebounds in his second game since returning from a two-game suspension. Robert Covington, though, was held to six points on 3-of-10 shooting after averaging 17.1 over his previous nine.

'I'm trying to play more games and just getting (my) flow back," Okafor said. "I'm going to try to keep getting better and play every game.'

Philadelphia, which shot 39.1 percent and 4 for 31 (12.9 percent) from 3-point range, ranks last in the NBA with 90.8 points per game and a minus-5.2 rebounding margin.

Although they have the league's leading rebounder in Drummond (16.7), the Pistons have been outworked 110-84 on the glass in their last two games. Drummond has only averaged 7.6 points and 10.0 boards in his last five against Philadelphia.

The Pistons have scuffled offensively in this series, shooting 37.1 percent - including 29.6 from beyond the arc - in the past five meetings.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Heat (12-8) at Pacers (12-8)
Date: December 11, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

It's no secret the Indiana Pacers missed Paul George during a disappointing campaign last season, and he made a point to come back better than ever to help them become contenders again in the Eastern Conference.

Although he's putting up the best numbers of his career, even George's impressive efforts haven't been enough lately.

The Pacers look to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat by winning a ninth straight regular-season home meeting with the Miami Heat on Friday night.

George missed all but the final six games of 2014-15 after suffering a freak leg injury in a USA Basketball exhibition, but he's gotten back to being his old self and the No. 1 offensive option for the Pacers (12-8).

He's averaging 27.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists, all per-game numbers that project to be career highs. George has six 30-point games over his last seven, a stretch during which he's averaging 33.6.

Indiana, though, has dropped the last three, including Saturday when George scored a career-high 48 points in a 122-119 overtime loss to Utah and 33 in a 131-123 defeat to Golden State on Tuesday.

The Pacers rallied to trim a 32-point deficit to six in the final minute but couldn't get any closer. They tied a franchise worst by allowing 44 points in the first quarter and allowed their most total points since a 132-89 loss to New York on Jan. 3, 2010.

Indiana gave up an average of 95.3 points over its first 17 but has allowed 125.3 per game during its losing streak.

The Pacers were much better defensively in the first meeting with Miami (12-8) on Nov. 6, holding Dwyane Wade to nine points on 4-of-15 shooting in a 90-87 home victory.

George finished with 36 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers, who haven't lost in the regular season to Miami at Bankers Life Fieldhouse since Feb. 14, 2012.

"Every team is different from the first time seeing them to now," George said. "We're a different team now (as well). Everybody gets more locked in, more dialed in to what they're doing. It's going to be a different ballgame. We can't come out here and expect that we're going to beat them easily because we beat them already. It's going to be an even tougher game for us."

The Heat also appear much improved after going 37-45 and missing the playoffs in its first season in five years without LeBron James while also dealing with Chris Bosh missing most of that season with a blood clot in his lungs.

Bosh struggled Wednesday, though, scoring a season-low seven points in a 99-81 loss to Charlotte. Miami suffered its second straight defeat while shooting just 38.7 percent and tying its season low for total points.

Tyler Johnson scored a career-high 20 off the bench, and Wade and Gerald Green added 11 apiece. Luol Deng scored five points off the bench in his first action since missing six games with a left hamstring strain.

Wade felt the Heat looked out of sorts.

'Everybody means well,' Wade said. 'On the road, you can't come out and spar with them offensively. You've got to get to your game right away. Not that it's going to guarantee a win, but it'll settle us and let us get better shots.'

Bosh had 21 points and 11 rebounds in the first meeting for the Heat, who are 2-4 on the road.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Warriors (23-0) at Celtics (13-9)
Date: December 11, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

As the Golden State Warriors continue to pile up wins, they're beginning to lose healthy bodies.

It's uncertain whether Klay Thompson will play as the unbeaten Warriors attempt to reach another milestone Friday night against the Boston Celtics.

Golden State (23-0) matched the 2012-13 Miami Heat for the second-longest streak in NBA history with a 27th consecutive regular-season victory on Tuesday. Its 131-123 win at Indiana may have come with a cost, however, after Thompson rolled his right ankle in the latter stages.

The injury isn't believed to be serious, but the Warriors could still hold Thompson out with the team playing consecutive nights. Golden State concludes a seven-game trip Saturday in Milwaukee.

Golden State has already withstood Harrison Barnes' six-game absence due to an ankle injury that will sideline him at least another week.

"One of the great things about this team is our guys are confident all the way down the line," interim coach Luke Walton said. "We've seen that consistently with Brandon (Rush) and Ian (Clark) filling in for Harrison."

Thompson would be tougher to replace, however, especially with the 2015 All-Star coming off a season-high 39 points on Tuesday. He's shot 51.9 percent on 3-pointers, highlighted by a 10-for-16 effort against the Pacers, while averaging 25.4 points over his last five games.

'It was one of those nights where I got a lot of great looks," Thompson said. "Going in I felt great. 'I felt like I was due for a game like that.'

Backup guard Leandro Barbosa also is questionable with an illness that kept him out against Indiana, potentially leaving the Warriors further short-handed against a Celtics team that's won four of five and may be able to match the defending NBA champs' offensive prowess.

Boston (13-9) has averaged 108.0 points during the five-game surge and had eight players finish in double figures in Wednesday's 105-100 win over Chicago. Among them was former Warrior David Lee, who tallied 12 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes after missing the previous two games with a bruised right heel.

Lee, traded by Golden State to the Celtics in July to clear salary cap space, averaged 16.7 points and 9.3 rebounds in five seasons with the Warriors.

Isaiah Thomas scored all 20 of his points in the second half in Boston's fourth straight home win. The explosive point guard is one of four Celtics, along with Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Kelly Olynyk, averaging at least 14.8 points and shooting over 43 percent from 3-point range over the past four.

"Just knowing any given night you don't know who's going to be that guy, that's the strength of this team," Thomas said. "You can't just focus in on one guy because we've got so many other guys who can put the ball in the basket and make plays."

That depth has the Celtics believing they can match up with Golden State, which can extend the best road start in NBA history with a 14th consecutive win.

'They're in the same league as us,' said center Jared Sullinger, who's grabbed 36 rebounds during Boston's two-game win streak. 'They get paid on the first and 15th just like us.'

Golden State has won four straight in the series, with Thompson finishing with 31 points in a 114-111 home victory Jan. 25 and Stephen Curry scoring 37 in a 106-101 win at Boston on March 1.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Bucks (9-14) at Raptors (14-9)
Date: December 11, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Beating the league's best team outside the Bay Area didn't do much to excite Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey.

A win over the last-place Milwaukee Bucks, however, would give him some delight.

The Raptors look to end a disturbing trend of following encouraging victories over good teams with losses to lesser opponents Friday night when they host a Bucks club trying to avoid a ninth straight road loss.

San Antonio arrived in Toronto for Wednesday's matchup riding a four-game winning streak and boasting the league's top defense, but Casey's club became the first team this season to make more than half its shots against the Spurs in a 97-94 victory.

DeMar DeRozan had 28 points and Kyle Lowry added 19 as Toronto (14-9) shot a season-high 57.8 percent on 64 shots - its fewest in a win since December 2009 - and never trailed.

Although the Raptors dropped the Spurs to 18-5, Casey won't be completely satisfied until he sees his team replicate that performance.

Already this season, Toronto has followed victories at Oklahoma City, at Washington and at Atlanta with defeats at Orlando, and home against Phoenix and Denver.

'We have to build a consistent identity of playing this way if we're serious about doing anything,' Casey said. 'We can be up and down and get happy on the farm and do all this on one night and come back and lay an egg the next night.

'We have to make sure we tend to our business and keep this same concentration, execution in the next game.'

One of Toronto's biggest problems in its defeats has been its 3-point defense, as it's gone 2-6 when opponents make at least 10 3s. It is 12-3 when holding teams to nine or fewer 3-pointers.

Limiting the damage from the perimeter shouldn't be a problem against Milwaukee, which has been outscored by an average of 17.9 points during its eight-game road skid and is averaging just 84.6 points in the last five.

The Bucks (9-14) were 2 of 10 from 3-point range in Wednesday's 109-95 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and are shooting 25.0 percent on 3s in their last three road games. Their average of 11.8 3-point attempts in five December games is the fewest in the league.

'Right now we're not a team that takes a lot of 3s,' Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. 'You play to your strength and ours is in the paint.'

The Bucks are averaging 46.9 points in the paint for the Eastern Conference's second-best mark, but they're not particularly efficient converting there. Their 56.3 shooting percentage from less than five feet from the basket is in the bottom half of the league.

Visiting Toronto on Nov. 1, the Raptors outscored the Bucks 52-44 in the paint in a 106-87 home victory - their seventh win in the last eight meetings. Toronto made 11 of 25 3-pointers while the Bucks were 5 of 19.

Michael Carter-Williams had 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting with seven assists and four turnovers in that game and has alternated good and bad performances in the last four contests. He has totaled 40 points on 56.3 percent shooting with 16 assists and four turnovers in the two good ones but has combined for 14 points on 29.4 percent shooting with 12 assists and nine turnovers in the other two.

Toronto's starting backcourt of backcourt duo of DeRozan and Lowry are averaging 49.0 points on 47.5 percent shooting in five games this month.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Wizards (9-11) at Pelicans (5-16)
Date: December 11, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The chances of the lowly New Orleans Pelicans snapping their lengthy skid against Washington wouldn't appear to be too encouraging, but they'll likely face a depleted Wizards frontcourt Friday night.

Washington could have as many as three of its big men missing as it attempts to earn an eighth consecutive win against the Pelicans, who might get center Kendrick Perkins back on the floor.

The Pelicans (5-16) are firmly cemented in last place in the Southwest Division and ahead of just one team in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers. They didn't aid their chances of moving out of either position when they couldn't build on a 114-108 overtime win against Central Division-leading Cleveland last Friday.

Anthony Davis was limited to 16 points and six rebounds while dealing with some early foul trouble in a 111-93 loss to visiting Boston on Monday. The rest of New Orleans' starters combined for 11 points with guards Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon each held scoreless.

The Pelicans allowed an opponent to reach triple digits for the eighth straight game and 19th time this season. The Wizards (9-11) have also struggled to contain teams lately, allowing an average of 108.4 points in the last five games, but have topped 100 in each of those while going 2-3.

They earned back-to-back road wins for the second time with a 114-103 victory against Miami on Monday but fell 109-103 to visiting Houston on Wednesday.

The Wizards got center Marcin Gortat back after a three-game absence because of a family emergency in Poland, and he tied a season high with 18 points while grabbing 13 rebounds. However, Nene (calf), Kris Humphries (ankle) and Drew Gooden (calf) sat out.

"We gave up too many (3-pointers) and too many uncontested ones. We had too many turnovers (18). The way we started the game, we dug ourselves a hole. We fought back and gave ourselves a chance," point guard John Wall said. "We've got to do a better job with starting games."

Humphries is questionable for the opener of a four-game trip while Nene and Gooden are expected to remain on the bench. That could make it difficult on Washington when facing Davis and potentially Perkins.

Davis is averaging 25.7 points on 64.6 percent shooting and 11.3 rebounds in his last three games against the Wizards.

Perkins has been out since Oct. 31 because of an injured right pectoral muscle. He appeared in three games for New Orleans following an offseason deal.

"I'm trying to play Friday and be ready whenever my number is called," he said. "Hopefully I can be available and get back to wearing a jersey instead of suits."

Washington's Ramon Sessions is averaging 17.7 points in his last three games against New Orleans, his best showing versus any opponent in the past three seasons. He's averaging 12.0 points on 67.9 percent shooting in the last four games after averaging 7.5 points and shooting 38.9 percent in his first 16.

Bradley Beal has been held to 9.7 points on 35.3 percent shooting in the past three matchups with the Pelicans, and Wall is averaging 12.0 points on 39.5 percent shooting in his last three.

New Orleans has lost four in a row in the series at home since a 97-89 win Feb. 1, 2011.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Hornets (13-8) at Grizzlies (13-10)
Date: December 11, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The heavy lifting the Charlotte Hornets endured last week against the best team in basketball was about as unpleasant as it's been for the rest of the league. What came from it, though, seems to be an ability to handle everything that's been thrown at them since.

The Hornets can win four straight for the second time in under a month Friday night in Memphis, but it's the Grizzlies seeking a fourth straight win in the series.

After falling 116-99 at home to Golden State on Dec. 2, Charlotte (13-8) has gone 3-0 while limiting opponents to 87.0 points per game and 39.0 percent shooting. A 99-81 home win over Miami on Wednesday gave them an average winning margin of 14.7 in those games.

"I thought we had good energy, and our defense was really good," said coach Steve Clifford, whose team will play just its second road game since Nov. 17. "I thought guys were locked in and we did a good job individually also. A lot of the defense turned turn into good offense."

Nicolas Batum has a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and Clifford credited him with plenty of the success on the winning streak as the team continues to play without Al Jefferson.

"His passing was unbelievable," Clifford said. "These last three games now, if you made a video, you'd have eight, nine clips of just - that's just talent. Nobody teaches anybody how to do that. When he catches the ball, he knows where everybody is, and he knows not to throw the ball to guys that can't do it where they are, and he knows where to give it to guys so they can do something.

"He has just such an exceptional sense of how to play."

Charlotte acquired Batum as part of a offseason roster overhaul from Portland for Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh. The 6-foot-7 shooting guard hasn't had his shot in the last two games, hitting just 7 of 24, but he has 19 assists and 18 rebounds in that time.

"I'm blessed they've embraced me," Batum said.

Memphis (13-10) is familiar with the former Western Conference foe, limiting him to 8.1 points on 33.8 percents shooting and 22.6 from 3-point range in his last eight games against the Grizzlies while with the Trail Blazers.

The Grizzlies have also handled the Hornets well, winning the last three meetings and six of the last seven.

They're in position to win consecutive games after Matt Barnes knocked down a halfcourt shot with 1.1 seconds to play in Wednesday's 93-92 victory in Detroit. Coach Dave Joerger didn't get too caught up in how things ended but complimented the defensive effort after struggling to make stops for much of the previous three games.

"Good win; haven't been playing great," Joerger said. "I thought our defensive effort tonight was pretty good. We got after people. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot and that's what I told the guys. To play defense through what we did to ourselves with the turnovers and the missed free throws, that's just a heck of a defensive effort."

Offensively, Zach Randolph showed some promise, scoring 21 points on 10-of-18 shooting after being held to an average of 11.8 while shooting 35.8 percent in his first five back from a five-game absence due to a knee injury. He also had a season-high 16 rebounds.

His interior presence is all the more welcomed given Memphis' perimeter game lately. The Grizzlies were 4 of 15 from 3-point range against the Pistons and have shot 24.1 percent over their last six games while never making more than five.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Timberwolves (9-12) at Nuggets (8-14)
Date: December 11, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

The Minnesota Timberwolves can exhale a bit as they head back out on the road following a rare home victory. The Denver Nuggets are all too familiar with that feeling of disappointment on their own floor.

Minnesota looks to match last season's road win total Friday night and send Denver to a six straight home loss.

The Timberwolves (9-12) ended a three-game home losing streak and won for just the third time in 12 tries at Target Center with a 123-122 overtime victory over the Western Conference-worst Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Kevin Martin scored 37 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 26 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks for Minnesota, which also snapped a four-game overall slide.

The Timberwolves now open a stretch of five of seven on the road, where they're 6-3 after going 7-34 last season.

"It's these little things, especially about to go on an away trip," Towns told the team's official website. "Knowing that we were able to get a 'W' at home and be able to now go on the road where we've been very successful allows us to play well."

Martin hadn't been playing well at all. He averaged 7.7 points on 28.3 percent shooting in the last 12 games before going 14 of 27 from the field and making 6 of 9 3-pointers Wednesday.

"Kevin's been in a month-long slump, but I give credit to Kevin, he works hard every day, he's been playing defense, he's been rebounding, he's been moving the basketball," interim coach Sam Mitchell said. "He's been doing other things to give us a chance to win.

"Even some of the games that we won that he didn't score, I kept telling him the reason that he was on the floor is because he was playing defense. But it was good to see him, we needed every point."

Towns scored 28 while adding 14 rebounds and four blocks in a 95-78 win at Denver on Oct. 30, with Martin contributing 14 points in 21 minutes off the bench.

That's one of seven losses in 10 home games for the Nuggets, who have matched that poor offensive play in the last three on their five-game skid at Pepsi Center.

Denver (8-14) ended an eight-game slide by concluding a five-game trip with back-to-back wins over Toronto and Philadelphia, but it fell 85-74 to Orlando on Wednesday to open a stretch of three in a row at home.

Reserve guard Will Barton led the way with 23 points while the starters combined to score 41 on 15-of-44 shooting (34.1 percent).

The Nuggets are averaging 82.7 points and shooting 37.7 percent in their last three in Denver.

"Our offense is on a milk carton - it's missing. I don't know where it is," coach Michael Malone said. "It's very simple: When you turn the ball over, when you can't make open shots and when you can't finish, you're going to have a hard time scoring."

Minnesota has won two in a row and three of four in Denver after going 2-12 in its previous 14 visits.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Thunder (14-8) at Jazz (10-10)
Date: December 11, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

When he returned from a hamstring injury against the Utah Jazz last month, Kevin Durant had a comfortable landing spot at a venue where he's excelled.

Now he's headed back to Salt Lake City playing as well as anyone east of Oakland.

The six-time All-Star looks to continue his strong stretch and help the Oklahoma City Thunder to a fourth consecutive victory Friday night against the Jazz.

Oklahoma City split six games without Durant before he returned to score 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting in a 111-89 rout that ended a three-game slide at Utah.

The star forward missed both meetings in Salt Lake City last season, but has averaged 39.0 points while going 43 for 47 from the foul line in his last three.

Durant hopes to continue that trend after he had 25 points, 12 boards and 10 assists for his seventh career triple-double in Thursday's 107-94 home win over Atlanta.

"I just try to play the game and make it simple for myself," he said.

Other than Golden State's Stephen Curry, Durant has been perhaps the league's most efficient scorer over the past two weeks. He's shooting 56.3 percent from the field, 46.7 from 3-point range and 88.4 from the stripe in his last seven games.

"He steps over half court and he's in range," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said last month.

Russell Westbrook had 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds against the Hawks, while Serge Ibaka added 23 points and 10 boards. The Thunder have shot a combined 52.4 percent and 22 of 43 (51.2 percent) from 3-point range in their last two games after shooting 41.5 percent and 29.8 from beyond the arc in the previous three.

Oklahoma City has also shown improvement defensively, giving up 94.4 points per game in its last eight after surrendering 105.2 over the first 14.

Now the Thunder (14-8) will try to contain a Utah team that has averaged 111.3 points over its last three games. Gordon Hayward finished with 24 points and Derrick Favors added 20 in Wednesday's 106-85 home win over New York.

Hayward had 19 points in the first matchup with Oklahoma City, which held the Jazz to 38.4 percent shooting and 5 of 19 from 3-point range. Hayward has averaged 23.1 points while hitting 22 of 41 (53.7 percent) from 3 in his last seven games.

The small forward has scored 21.8 per game in his last four against the Thunder, though he's made just 3 of 18 from beyond the arc in those contests.

After allowing an average of 110.5 points on 47.8 percent shooting in their previous four games, the Jazz (10-10) held the Knicks to a 39.7 field-goal percentage. New York's 35 points were the second-fewest Utah has allowed in the first half this season.

Utah is missing its top rim protector with Rudy Gobert out due to a sprained MCL.

Snyder knows building on Wednesday's victory isn't going to be easy with a home-and-home against Oklahoma City before a visit to San Antonio on Monday.

"As long as we're tracking in the right direction, I'm going to try not to be fixated on our record," said Snyder, whose club hasn't won more than two in a row.

Westbrook has averaged 27.3 points and 9.0 assists in his last three games against Utah, which has dropped 14 of the past 19 in this series.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Lakers (3-19) at Spurs (18-5)
Date: December 11, 2015 9:30 PM EDT

D'Angelo Russell impressed Kobe Bryant in his first chance at the role his mentor perfected during his waning career.

The rookie will undergo another trial by fire Friday night, when his Los Angeles Lakers take on a San Antonio Spurs team that sports the league's stingiest defense and is unbeaten at home this season.

Though it didn't stop the Lakers' losing ways, Wednesday's 123-122 overtime defeat at Minnesota marked another step in the transition process during Bryant's final season. The legendary guard voluntarily spent the entire fourth quarter and overtime on the bench as Russell and second-year forward Julius Randle rallied Los Angeles from a six-point deficit with 2:17 left to force extra time.

'They were playing with good energy and great momentum,' Bryant said. 'Just let 'em go.'

Russell scored 11 of his season-high 23 points in the final four minutes of regulation. The 2015 No. 2 overall pick hit a game-tying jumper with 2.2 seconds remaining but couldn't get a go-ahead shot to fall in the closing stages of overtime.

'I mean, that's an honor for him to say something like that knowing that he could have easily told Coach (Byron Scott) he wants that shot just to add to his collection,' Russell said of Bryant. 'He probably would have made it.'

Randle added 20 points and 12 rebounds, his sixth double-double in seven games, and the Lakers shot a season-high 51.6 percent with Bryant on the court for just 25 minutes.

Los Angeles (3-19) still ranks among the league's worst shooting teams at 41.3 percent and will be surely challenged by the Spurs, who have held opponents to 42.1 percent while yielding an NBA-low 88.7 points per game.

San Antonio (18-5) isn't coming off one of its finer defensive efforts, though, as Toronto shot 57.8 percent in halting the Spurs' four-game win streak with Wednesday's 97-94 victory.

The Spurs, who trailed by 11 early on and never led, hadn't allowed an opponent to shoot better than 48.8 percent previously.

"In the first half nothing was easy," guard Manu Ginobili said. "They played very aggressively, we couldn't figure it out."

Having Kawhi Leonard not at full strength likely contributed to San Antonio's struggles. The 2015 NBA Defensive Player of the Year had a season-low nine points after sitting out Monday's 119-68 rout of Philadelphia with a stomach virus.

'I thought towards the end of the game he started to look fairly normal again, but he obviously wasn't himself,' coach Gregg Popovich said.

A return to the AT&T Center, where the Spurs have won 20 straight regular-season games, should also help them bounce back. San Antonio is allowing just 85.6 points per game in winning all 11 home matchups by an average of 14.3 points.

The Lakers have two wins in their past three visits to San Antonio, including a 112-110 overtime decision Dec. 12, 2014. Bryant had 22 points and nine assists and Nick Young capped a 29-point night with a go-ahead 3 with 7.4 seconds left.

San Antonio held Los Angeles to 39.8 percent shooting in a 99-85 home win Jan. 23.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Trail Blazers (9-14) at Suns (10-13)
Date: December 11, 2015 9:30 PM EDT

The Phoenix Suns refused to let the exhaustion of losing close games on their recent road trip frustrate them and have shown in back-to-back contests that they still have some energy left.

A brutal stretch for the Portland Trail Blazers hasn't been going as well.

Phoenix looks to extend its winning streak to three and beat the visiting Blazers for the third time this season Friday night.

The Suns (10-13) began a six-game trip with a five-point win over Toronto on Nov. 29, the first of a franchise-record seven straight games decided by five points or fewer. They lost the next four by a combined 13 points, then fell behind by 16 at Chicago on Monday.

Phoenix, though, rallied to score 42 points in the fourth quarter, capped by Mirza Teletovic's bucket with 0.3 seconds left to give it a 103-101 win. The Suns then returned home two nights later and hung on to beat Orlando 107-104.

Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight finished with 21 points apiece, and Alex Len added a career-high 20 while tying a career best of 14 rebounds.

'We definitely needed this win," Bledsoe said. "We came off a tough stretch."

The Suns had dropped eight of nine prior to winning the last two. They're also facing a potential distraction with Markieff Morris, who demanded a trade after the team shipped his twin brother, Marcus, to Detroit in the offseason.

There are reports that Phoenix is shopping Morris, who is averaging 11.4 points and shooting 38.6 percent. He didn't play at all in a loss to Memphis on Sunday before coming off the bench for only seven minutes against the Bulls.

The Suns said Morris was inactive Wednesday because of a sinus infection. Tyson Chandler also sat out a seventh straight game with a right hamstring strain.

'We just have to continue to stick together,' Knight said. 'We believe in ourselves. We put the time in and we put the work in.'

Damian Lillard is preaching the same for the Blazers (9-14) despite their struggles. Portland blew a late lead in Monday's 90-88 loss to Milwaukee, then let an 18-point edge slip away the following night in a 105-100 loss to Cleveland.

Lillard finished with 33 points against the Cavaliers while C.J. McCollum added 24.

"The main thing is that everybody cares to be a part of the group," Lillard said. "Wins, losses, guys playing bad ... everybody still manages to stick together. That lets me know people really want to be a part of the group. And that's really good for the direction we're going in here."

This contest will finish a four-game trip for Portland, which faces New York on Saturday. Monday's game against New Orleans will cap its second stretch of three games in four nights since last Saturday.

'Over the years, we've been a good back-to-back team, so that's not much of an issue,' coach Terry Stotts said. 'It's more the four-in-five days or six-in-nine days that really take their toll on an NBA team.'

The Blazers' first back-to-back set of this season didn't go so well as it was swept in a home-and-home by the Suns on Oct. 30 and 31. Bledsoe had 22 points in Phoenix's 110-92 victory before netting a season-high 33 in a 101-90 road win the next night.