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

[StarDust Bum]

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


UTA at WAS 07:00 PM

UTA -2.0

U 195.5 BEST BET


CHI at CLE 08:00 PM

CHI +12.5 BEST BET

O 205.5 BEST BET


SA at LAC 10:30 PM

SA -4.5 BEST BET

U 205.5

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mavericks (29-26) at Magic (23-29)
Date: February 19, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Orlando Magic pulled the trigger on a deal aimed at lifting them out of their dive and back into the playoff picture.

Stuck in their own rut, the Dallas Mavericks decided to stand pat at the trade deadline.

The Magic hope the additions of Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova yield quick results Friday night as they try to beat the Mavericks at home for the first time in almost a decade.

Orlando held the Eastern Conference's fifth seed Dec. 31 but limped into the All-Star break at No. 11 following a 4-16 slump - better than only Phoenix (2-17) since the calendar turned to 2016.

However, the Magic (23-29) entered the break with two wins over Atlanta and a 98-96 loss to San Antonio before trading forward Tobias Harris to Detroit for Jennings and Ilyasova on Tuesday.

Harris is averaging 13.7 points in the first year of a $64 million, four-year contract that made him Orlando's highest-paid player. His scoring average is down from 17.1 in 2014-15 and his 3-point percentage has dipped from 36.4 to 31.1.

Jennings and Ilyasova each played under Magic coach Scott Skiles in Milwaukee from 2009-13, compiling some of their career-best numbers. Ilyasova is averaging 11.3 points this season and Jennings 6.8 since his December return from an Achilles tendon injury that kept him out 11 months.

"(Tuesday) was a strange day for me because one guy that I really, really like is gone and two guys that I really, really like are coming in," Skiles told Orlando's official website. "That doesn't happen often that I have relationships with all of them already."

General manager Rob Hennigan insisted the deal was made with the intention of making the postseason, not to dump salary after his team's dismal stretch - which included three overtime losses and a 2-7 home record. The Magic also traded forward Channing Frye to Cleveland on Thursday for guard Jared Cunningham and a second-round draft pick.

Orlando has a tough schedule down the stretch with 20 of its 30 remaining games against teams at .500 or better. Skiles said he thinks the Magic need at least 18 wins but more likely 20 to sneak into the playoffs.

While Orlando felt it needed a change, Dallas (29-26) didn't make a deal after entering the break in the West's No. 6 spot.

"We like this group, and we want to give them a chance to grow together," general manager Donnie Nelson said. "With three-fifths of our starting lineup being new, and eight new faces, it's really not time to make changes."

Not many gave the Mavericks a chance this season after free agent DeAndre Jordan backed out of his verbal commitment over the summer. But Zaza Pachulia has been a nice consolation prize, averaging 10.0 points and 10.7 rebounds, and Wesley Matthews and Chandler Parsons returned earlier than expected from injuries.

Dallas, though, will try to end its funk of four losses in five games by continuing its dominance in this series. The Mavericks have beaten the Magic seven straight times and taken the last nine in Orlando.

Magic point guard Elfrid Payton had a triple-double in the last meeting with 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, though Dirk Nowitzki's 25 points lifted the Mavs to a 107-102 win in Dallas on March 18.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pistons (27-27) at Wizards (23-28)
Date: February 19, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Coach Stan Van Gundy lamented a lack of bench production in a November loss to the Washington Wizards, previewing what would become a troubling trend the playoff-hopeful Detroit Pistons set out to reverse before the trade deadline.

Desperate to spark a postseason push, the Wizards added the volatile Markieff Morris.

A day after both teams made significant moves, the visiting Pistons look to avoid a season high-tying fourth straight defeat Friday night when the Wizards go after their second consecutive victory to begin a stretch of three games in as many nights.

Van Gundy complained Detroit's reserves "didn't do anything" after they were outscored 51-15 by Washington's bench in a 97-95 home loss Nov. 21. It has been a common theme for the Pistons, who rank near the bottom of the league with 26.4 bench points per game.

Sitting a half-game out of the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot, they sought to bolster their depth by acquiring forward Tobias Harris from Orlando on Tuesday and big man Donatas Motiejunas and guard Marcus Thornton from Houston in a three-team deal on Thursday.

Harris is averaging 13.7 points after scoring a career-high 17.1 in 2014-15, while Motiejunas started 62 games last season but has only appeared in 14 following off-season back surgery. Thornton is averaging 10 points over his 47 contests.

"Every move we make, we hope, helps us in the present. We're trying to win as much as we can," Van Gundy told the team's official website in the wake of Thursday's trades.

Detroit, which hasn't reached the postseason since 2009, will try to avoid its first four-game losing streak since dropping the last four of a six-game road swing in November.

The Wizards (24-28) have an opportunity to move within one game of the ninth-place Pistons after opening back-to-back-to-back games with Thursday's 103-89 home win over Utah in a rescheduled contest from Jan. 23 because of a snowstorm.

Marcin Gortat led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds and John Wall contributed 17 points and 11 assists as Washington won for only the fifth time in its last 14 games.

Now the club hopes to have Markieff Morris, twin brother of Detroit's Marcus Morris, after acquiring him from Phoenix on Thursday. The forward gets a fresh start after he was suspended for two games in December after throwing a towel at then-coach Jeff Hornacek and got into a physical altercation with a teammate during a game last week.

He's played well of late, averaging 20.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in his last five games.

'We needed someone who will play with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder and has something to prove,' general manager Ernie Grunfeld said. '... he's that type of player.'

Wall finished with eight points on 4-of-11 shooting at Detroit (27-27) in November, but he's averaged 25.8 on 54.3 percent shooting in his last four home meetings.

Washington did a solid job against All-Star Andre Drummond in that contest, limiting him to eight points and 13 boards. He's averaging 14.6 and 14.1 over seven straight double-doubles.

Detroit's Reggie Jackson, who had 20 points and nine assists, is expected to return from a one-game absence due to an illness. Backcourt mate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will likely be back after missing the past four because of a core muscle strain.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Knicks (23-32) at Nets (14-40)
Date: February 19, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

No matter what side of the Knicks-Nets rivalry they're on, New York fans have felt a level of frustration during a disappointing season with the clubs being guided by interim coaches and occupying two of the last four spots in the Eastern Conference.

Neither team followed through on a trade at the deadline, but the Nets hope the hiring of new general manager Sean Marks provides them with the necessary leader needed to make future adjustments to a roster badly in need of some.

The Knicks still believe they're in the playoff hunt and look to snap a six-game losing streak Friday night in Brooklyn.

New York (23-32) has lost 10 of 11 while dropping to 12th in the East, five games back of the final playoff spot. President of basketball operations Phil Jackson fired coach Derek Fisher on Feb. 8 before the Knicks lost 111-108 the next night to Washington in Kurt Rambis' debut prior to the All-Star break.

Rumors swirled that Jackson might've been looking to deal Carmelo Anthony before Thursday's deadline, but he stood pat despite the slump.

"I'm putting the onus on them that we need to keep getting better," Rambis said. "We have talented players. We need those guys playing really hard, really focused and together."

Anthony had 33 points and 13 rebounds against the Wizards while Kristaps Porzingis scored 20, but the Knicks again dug themselves an early hole and couldn't rally.

They've been behind after the first quarter in each of their last four, including three times by double digits. Rambis and Anthony said New York needs to be more engaged at the start if it wants to make the postseason for the first time in three years.

"Getting a win in Brooklyn coming off the break would get us off to a good start," Anthony said. "It's going to be challenging, but we believe that we can (make the playoffs). We just have to win some games and we'd be right there."

The Nets (14-40) don't share those playoff aspirations and are trudging through their remaining schedule under Tony Brown after Lionel Hollins was fired Jan. 10. Owner Mikhail Prokhorov reassigned general manager Billy King within the organization that same day and targeted Marks as his replacement.

Marks was introduced Thursday with no moves being made before the deadline. He joins the Nets after spending the last two years as the assistant general manager for San Antonio.

"I look forward to the challenge of creating a unified culture and building a winning team,' Marks said.

That certainly won't happen overnight. Brooklyn hasn't won back-to-back games since early December and failed to do so again before the break, falling 109-90 to Memphis at home Feb. 10. Joe Johnson was held scoreless, ending the NBA's longest active streak of 937 games with at least one made field goal.

"Second half of the season, want to get some of our younger players quality minutes (while) always trying to win," Brown said.

The Nets have won five of the last six meetings, including three in a row at Barclays Center. Brooklyn overcame a career high-tying 31 points from Derrick Williams in a 110-104 home win Jan. 13 in the most recent matchup.

Anthony, who scored 28 in a 108-91 victory over the Nets on Dec. 4, missed the last meeting with a sprained right ankle.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Heat (29-24) at Hawks (31-24)
Date: February 19, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Though much of the buzz surrounding the trade deadline focused on whether they'd move a pair of key starters, the Atlanta Hawks decided to stick with their core.

The Miami Heat also engaged in only minor tweaks despite the uncertainty surrounding Chris Bosh.

With the Southeast Division lead at stake, the clubs return to action Friday night when short-handed Miami looks to take the season series and win for the sixth time in seven road games.

Al Horford and Jeff Teague were rumored to be heading elsewhere Thursday with Atlanta (31-24) far off the pace of last year's 60-win season. Coach Mike Budenholzer, however, said post-deadline that the team never really came close to dealing away one of its top players.

"We very much like our group," he said. "We're fortunate to have really good players and a good team. I think continuity is something we value through the summer and through the season. We'd like to be better. We'd like to be more consistent. We'd like to play better."

The Hawks did make a minor change in a three-team deal that moved seldom-used guards Shelvin Mack and Justin Holiday and brought in guard Kirk Hinrich from Chicago.

Although they've had a disappointing first half, the Hawks still lead the division by one game over the Heat (29-24).

Horford averaged 18.8 points in four games prior to the All-Star break, while Teague scored 20 per game and hit 14 of 26 from 3-point range over his past six.

"We want to redeem ourselves for the first half," said forward Kent Bazemore, who had a career-high 28 points in a 100-88 home loss to Miami on Dec. 14. "I feel like this team here is very talented. We have everything we need to make a big run in the playoffs."

Teague led the way with 26 points and nine assists and Horford added 17 points and 13 rebounds in a 98-92 win at Miami on Nov. 3 before Bosh finished with 24 points and 10 boards in the December meeting and 18 and seven in a 105-87 home victory Jan. 31.

Bosh, though, won't be available in this matchup after a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press earlier this week that the All-Star forward is again on blood-thinning medication to combat a clot in his leg. He was declared out for the season at the All-Star break a year ago when a clot on his lung threatened his life.

"A lot of people hear speculation on a lot of guys," Dwyane Wade said. "I was around him, got a lot of opportunity to talk to him, to share things, and his spirits are very high. He's doing everything he can to make sure that he figures out what's going on within himself, but he's very positive."

Miami must be as well as it did not make a move to boost its ailing frontcourt Thursday. The club, however, did reportedly save $14 million by trading Jarnell Stokes, Brian Roberts and Chris Andersen for second-round draft picks.

Although they fell at home to the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio prior to the break, the Heat have played well away from home by winning five of their past six. Wade, however, has struggled in his last two trips to Atlanta, totaling 20 points on 8-of-29 shooting.

Luol Deng has come up big by scoring a combined 35 in the two wins over the Hawks.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: 76ers (8-45) at Pelicans (20-33)
Date: February 19, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Although the New Orleans Pelicans have been off for a week, Anthony Davis hasn't had much time to rest.

The Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers return from long layoffs Friday night in New Orleans looking pretty much the same as they did before the All-Star break, with each making a minor move prior to the trade deadline.

There was some talk of the Pelicans (20-33) trading 3-point sharpshooter Ryan Anderson, but no deal was done. New Orleans had reason to keep him because it has 'Larry Bird' rights, which allows teams to go over the salary cap to retain their own free agents - Anderson becomes one after the season.

The Pelicans have one of the league's top big men in Davis but have been ravaged by injuries, leaving the club's future uncertain. With players missing a combined 154 games because of injuries, the Pelicans are a longshot to return to the playoffs as the Western Conference's 12th-place team.

"We got to stick with the guys that we have and try to figure something out," Davis said after Wednesday's practice.

When the trade deadline passed, the Pelicans' only move was acquiring forward Jarell Stokes from Miami while the 76ers (8-45) got Joel Anthony from Houston.

Despite being off since last Thursday's 121-95 loss in Oklahoma City, Davis has been busy. He competed in Saturday's Skills Challenge in Toronto and made 12 of 13 shots for 24 points in Sunday's All-Star Game, then joined several teammates and coach Alvin Gentry in Oklahoma City on Thursday for the funeral services of Ingrid Williams, the wife of former New Orleans coach Monty Williams.

The 76ers' first half of the season could not have gone much worse, but the young team emerges from the break feeling rejuvenated.

With the playoffs out of the question before the calendar even flipped to December, coach Brett Brown said he wants his team to finish the season strong and focus on closing out games.

The league-worst Sixers blew a 17-point lead and were outscored 39-23 in the fourth quarter of 114-110 home loss to Sacramento on Feb. 10 to fall to 1-5 in games decided by six points or less in 2016.

"We've been in a lot of close games," Brown told the 76ers' official website after Wednesday's practice. "How do we better execute? How do we better defend? How do you execute better in fourth periods? How do we continue on the stand that our world, while I'm coach, is how do we defend, and we got to get better."

Starting forward Nerlens Noel appears ready to return after missing Philadelphia's final game before the break due to right knee tendinitis. As a precaution, he did not play in Friday's Rising Stars Challenge.

Jahlil Okafor, who matched a season high with 26 points to go with 10 rebounds against the Kings, is experiencing a major increase in workload as a rookie and said the break came at a good time.

"It was a good rest," said Okafor, who has appeared in 47 games after playing in 38 for Duke last season. "I'm ready to start the second half of the season. I'm excited about that, and I'm ready to get going."

The Pelicans split two games with the 76ers last season, with Davis scoring 32 in a 25-point home win Jan. 26 after sitting out a 15-point loss 10 days earlier due to a sprained left toe. Since 2012-13, New Orleans is 4-0 against Philadelphia when Davis plays and 0-2 when he doesn't.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Hornets (27-26) at Bucks (22-32)
Date: February 19, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The same day the Charlotte Hornets announced oft-injured former No. 2 overall pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, they acquired a veteran who seems capable of helping them remain a serious playoff contender.

Courtney Lee is expected to debut for the visiting Hornets as they try to match a season-high four-game winning streak Friday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Though Charlotte (27-26) reportedly pursued Dwight Howard prior to Thursday's trade deadline, Lee might prove to be a solid fallback option. His addition should provide even more confidence for a club that entered the All-Star break in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

"We put ourselves in a good position," said leading scorer Kemba Walker, who has averaged 26 points in the last three games. "I'm excited to have (Lee). ... We're excited to get it going."

The Hornets acquired the eighth-year swingman from Memphis on Tuesday in a three-team deal that sent second-year small forward P.J. Hairston to the Grizzlies and point guard Brian Roberts to Miami.

'He brings a lot of experience,' Hornets general manager Rich Cho said of Lee, who played in Orlando when Charlotte coach Steve Clifford was an assistant. 'He is a vet that is a true pro. He's a great shooter and plays great defense.'

Lee is not a small forward like Kidd-Gilchrist (12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds per game), who was limited to only seven games in his fourth NBA season after tearing his labrum for the second time in a 117-95 win at Indiana on Feb. 10.

However, Lee remained a valuable overall presence while averaging 10 points, shooting 37 percent from 3-point range and going a plus-43 in 51 games for the Grizzlies this season.

'There are not a lot of those 3 and D guys around,' Cho said.

Charlotte, which allowed an average of 94.5 points and 42.1 percent shooting to win five of six before the break, could also get a boost if center Al Jefferson is ready to return from Dec. 30 knee surgery.

"I feel good," said Jefferson, who has averaged 12.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 19 games this season. "I just have to get my wind back, my rhythm back."

Charlotte has split two meetings with the Bucks (22-32) at home, allowing Milwaukee to shoot 54.2 percent in a 105-92 loss Jan. 16 in the most recent matchup.

Looking for a third straight home victory and seventh in the last eight there, Milwaukee will continue to lean on leading scorer Khris Middleton (17.9 ppg). The fourth-year shooting guard, who scored 24 on 11-of-16 shooting at Charlotte last month, has averaged 21.5 points in the last four games.

He recorded 14 of his 27 points and five of nine assists in the fourth quarter of last Thursday's 99-92 win over Washington.

"We look at Khris as our best player, our best scorer,' teammate Jabari Parker said. 'He opens up a lot of areas for us, and we're going to depend on him.'

Parker has averaged 14.2 points on 52.1 percent shooting in the last six at home.

Walker averaged 24.8 points over a six-game stretch against Milwaukee before being held to 12 on 4-of-14 shooting in January.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pacers (28-25) at Thunder (40-14)
Date: February 19, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Russell Westbrook and Paul George did their best to steal the spotlight from Kobe Bryant's All-Star Game send-off.

The intensity figures to be raised when the two square off again in Friday night's matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and visiting Indiana Pacers.

Both players delivered electrifying performances in Sunday's memorable game in Toronto, with Westbrook claiming MVP honors for a second consecutive year by amassing 31 points and eight rebounds in the Western Conference's 196-173 win. George finished one point shy of Wilt Chamberlain's All-Star Game record with 41 for the East, further proving he's all the way back from a broken leg that limited him to six games last season.

George had a chance to set the mark but missed a 3-pointer in the final minute while drawing a double-team that included the Thunder's Kevin Durant, a tactic he light-heartedly brought up during Wednesday's practice.

"It's definitely going to be a little grudge," George joked. "Although Russ won (MVP), (Durant) took part in the double-team. So, I've got a little something for them."

Indiana (28-25) will likely need another monster effort from its franchise player in order to take down a Thunder team that was absolutely rolling before the break. Winners of seven of eight and 14 of 16, Oklahoma City has scored 106 points or more in 12 consecutive games and is averaging 117.7 while shooting 49.1 percent over its last seven.

The Thunder's two stars have unsurprisingly led the surge. Durant averaged 33.0 points and shot 43.3 percent from 3-point range over an eight-game stretch in which Westbrook nearly averaged a triple-double with 25.0 points, 11.8 assists and 9.8 rebounds.

Both had 23 points and Oklahoma City (40-14) shot 52.3 percent to earn its ninth straight home win with a 121-95 rout of New Orleans on Feb. 11.

"It's a big win and it's great to have 40 wins but we know we have to keep the train rolling," guard Anthony Morrow said. "We have to continue to stay locked in."

The Thunder, the NBA's second-highest scoring team at 110.1 per game, added another floor-spacer to the mix at Thursday's trade deadline by acquiring veteran guard Randy Foye from Denver in exchange for point guard D.J. Augustin and seldom-used forward Steve Novak.

Indiana, sixth in the East but just 1 1/2 games ahead of ninth-place Detroit, looks to bounce back from a lackluster defensive showing in its final outing prior to the break. The Pacers had a two-game win streak snapped when Charlotte shot 51.7 percent and went 12 of 28 from 3 in a 117-95 win in Indianapolis on Feb. 10.

"We weren't able to get stops and that affected us on the offensive end,' coach Frank Vogel said. 'We've got to figure this out, especially against a team where all five on the floor shoot 3s. You've got to win your home games against (contending) teams like this."

Vogel would also like to see his team regain its shooting stroke after the Pacers were a combined 8 of 45 on 3s in their last two games.

George has made 44.8 percent of his 3-pointers while averaging 26.0 points over the last four, but C.J. Miles remains in a prolonged slump. The swingman has shot 21.3 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 7.6 points during a 12-game stretch.

Miles compiled 51 points in last season's two meetings with the Thunder, including 30 with 10 rebounds in a 116-104 home win April 12 in which Westbrook recorded a career-high 54 points.

The Pacers have lost five straight in Oklahoma City.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Timberwolves (17-37) at Grizzlies (31-22)
Date: February 19, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Despite losing their leading scorer to injury and trading a key all-around contributor, the Memphis Grizzlies believe they can successfully handle some post-All-Star break uncertainty.

After acquiring some modest help prior to the trade deadline, the Grizzlies try to avoid a season-high third straight home loss Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This is Memphis' first game in nine days and first since dealing away starting guard Courtney Lee, a solid defensive presence who averaged 10 points and shot 37 percent from 3-point range. Tuesday's three-team trade with Miami and Charlotte saw the Grizzlies (31-22) acquire second-year forward P.J. Hairston and veteran big man Chris Andersen, who will be needed to take some minutes with 7-foot-1 center Marc Gasol out indefinitely with a broken foot.

"The team will be different, we've just got to figure it out," forward Zach Randolph said. "We'll make the adjustments."

Though this deal creates more flexibility with Andersen in the final year of his contract, the focus remains on the present for a Memphis club that's fifth in the Western Conference.

"Just keep fighting. Everybody's got to step up," Randolph said. "The goals definitely don't change."

When the Grizzlies last played, they were coming off back-to-back overtime defeats at home and playing for the first time since losing Gasol (16.6 points per game), but they earned a 109-90 win at Brooklyn on Feb. 10.

"As long as I've been here we've handled adversity," said coach Dave Joerger, in his ninth season with the organization. "It's just another challenge for us."

Perhaps the toughest task facing the Grizzlies comes on the offensive end without two of their top-five scorers. Andersen wasn't brought in to improve on his 5.5 career scoring average. Memphis might want to see if Hairston can be a regular contributor despite averaging 6.0 points this season in 48 games, including 43 starts.

The Grizzlies, though, have been shooting the ball quite well. They've hit at least 50 percent from the field in three straight games and five of six. Mike Conley has shot 51.6 percent in that span and totaled 47 points in the last two games.

It's unclear who will step in to Lee's starting spot, but one candidate had been Jeff Green until Memphis dealt him to the Los Angeles Clippers at Thursday's trade deadline for Lance Stephenson. While Stephenson probably won't debut before Sunday's game in Toronto, he could see more playing time with the Grizzlies after averaging 4.7 points and 15.8 minutes - both his lowest since 2011-12 - in 43 games with the Clippers.

While Memphis made a major move at the deadline, the Timberwolves stayed quiet despite rumors that Ricky Rubio could be shipped out. Rubio's 15 points and 12 assists keyed a 106-101 home win over the Grizzlies on Jan. 23, which remains Memphis' only regulation loss in its last 13 games.

The Timberwolves (17-37) have lost 10 of 11 in Memphis but ended a 12-game road slide in their last game away from home, beating the Los Angeles Clippers 108-102 on Feb. 3. That sparked Minnesota's 3-1 stretch entering into the break.

Rookie Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged 22.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in the last 12 games. He scored a season-high 35 and posted a ninth straight double-double in a 117-112 win over Toronto in the final game before the break.

Towns won the Skills Challenge during All-Star weekend, and teammate Zach LaVine was named MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge before winning his second straight slam dunk contest.

"I'm proud of the guys," interim coach Sam Mitchell told the Timberwolves' official website. "But we want those guys to be a part of it. We want the next phase for these guys to participate in the All-Star Game."

LaVine scored 25 in 17 minutes in a 114-106 loss to Memphis on Nov. 15, but had five points in the most recent matchup.

Teammate Kevin Martin (wrist) hasn't played since facing Memphis last month but should return from a nine-game absence Friday.

Minnesota has scored and allowed an average of 110.8 points while going 3-2 in February.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rockets (27-28) at Suns (14-40)
Date: February 19, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

Houston's second-half playoff push will happen with Dwight Howard still around, while Phoenix will play out the season devoid of Markieff Morris.

Some fresh faces probably couldn't hurt for the Suns as they return from the All-Star break Friday night hoping to end another lengthy losing streak before it reaches double digits against the visiting Rockets, who entered the eight-day layoff describing themselves as "broken."

After some speculation, Houston (27-28) ended up holding onto Howard through Thursday's trade deadline, and he's now charged with helping to turn things around for the up-and-down Rockets. The team did, however, deal forward/center Donatas Motiejunas and guard Marcus Thornton to Detroit in a three-team trade that also includes Philadelphia.

Houston received a protected 2016 first-round pick from Detroit and the draft rights of forward Chukwudiebere Maduabum from the 76ers in the deal. The Rockets also sent Denver's second-round pick in 2017 to Philadelphia and the 76ers received center Joel Anthony from the Pistons.

The Rockets' three-game losing streak heading into the break had them surpass last season's loss total of 26. A playoff spot was a forgone conclusion at this time last year before marching on to the Western Conference finals, but there was no such optimism after a 116-103 loss in Portland on Feb. 10.

"We're broken. It's that simple," interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "Right now we are a broken team. It's easy to see. It's a fragmented bunch. You can't win that way."

James Harden agreed, despite scoring 34 points with 11 assists and nine rebounds.

"It's frustrating that we're broken," said Harden, who's averaged 34.7 points per game on the skid while making 13 of 27 from 3-point range. "We're just not willing to help each other out."

Howard didn't see the need to lend further support after managing 28 points on 13-of-17 shooting with 13 rebounds.

"I'm not going to talk about what's broken," he said after a third straight double-double while averaging 20.3 points and 14.0 rebounds. "All we do is talk about the issues that we have. Nobody's being positive."

Another matchup with the Suns should change that. Houston preceded the losing streak with a 111-105 victory in Phoenix on Feb. 4 for its fourth straight there as part of a 6-1 span in the series.

The Suns (14-40) have a more drastic losing streaks to worry about with a 112-104 home loss to Golden State giving them their second nine-game skid over an NBA-worst 2-24 span. They last lost 10 straight toward the end of 2012-13 with the Rockets handing them the 10th behind 33 points from Harden. The last five have come at home, which they haven't gone beyond since losing seven straight on the same skid, and interim coach Earl Watson's time in charge has started with those five defeats.

Morris was shipped to Washington on Thursday for a protected first-round draft pick and forwards Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair a week after getting into a physical confrontation with teammate Archie Goodwin.

The forward had regressed greatly this season, averaging 11.6 points in 24.8 minutes while shooting 38.7 percent a season after being at a career-high 15.3 points, 31.5 minutes and 46.5 percent. Morris was also suspended for two games in December after throwing a towel at since-fired coach Jeff Hornacek during a game.

"The season hasn't gone how we thought it would or hoped it could, and we all take responsibility for that," said general manager Ryan McDonough, who will have three first-round picks this year if Washington's isn't higher than No. 10. "I share in the responsibility. But as far as the deal, we think it's a really good deal for us."

Goodwin, meanwhile, is averaging 16.8 points in his last 11 games since entering the starting lineup.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Warriors (48-4) at Trail Blazers (27-27)
Date: February 19, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

While the Golden State Warriors were relishing some time without a bulls-eye on their backs, the Portland Trail Blazers likely would have rather kept playing through the All-Star break.

Among the NBA's hottest teams at the stoppage, the Trail Blazers will have a motivated Damian Lillard when they continue their playoff push and attempt to end the visiting Warriors' 11-game winning streak Friday night.

Golden State enjoyed an eight-day reprieve from the constant media attention given to its 42-game regular-season home winning streak and quest to break the Chicago Bulls' league record of 72 wins. The Warriors remain on pace to exceed that mark by amassing a 48-4 record at the break, best in league history.

Their three best players still kept busy during the hiatus, with Klay Thompson edging Stephen Curry to win Saturday's 3-point contest and joining the reigning MVP and Draymond Green in Sunday's All-Star Game. Curry scored 26 points in the Western Conference's 196-173 victory.

"It's such a high stress environment everywhere we go and we play every regular season game, so to be able to just enjoy the entire night is something you want to be able to take in," Curry said.

Lillard spent the break recording rap music after being omitted from the West roster despite All-Star caliber numbers, ones that have helped Portland (27-27) to win 12 of 15 since a 128-108 home loss to the Warriors on Jan. 8.

After delivering 33 points in an overtime win at Memphis on Feb. 8, Lillard posted 31 with nine assists in a 116-103 victory over Houston two days later in the Blazers' final outing before the break and eighth win in nine games.

Though Lillard has been the catalyst, he's far from the lone reason why Portland currently holds a playoff spot in what was expected to be a rebuilding season. A greater commitment on the defensive end also has aided the surge, as has increased production from several complementary players.

The Blazers have held their last eight opponents to 96.8 points per game and 43.4 percent shooting, the second and fourth-lowest marks in the league over that span. They've limited teams to 28.1 percent from 3-point range during their present three-game win streak.

'We just embraced the challenge,' Lillard said. 'You've got to give credit to all the work we put in.'

Keeping down the Warriors, the NBA leaders in scoring and 3-point percentage, is another matter. And that particularly pertains to Curry, who has averaged 35.3 points and shot 50 percent from beyond the arc to lead Golden State to six wins in the series' past seven matchups.

Curry averaged 34.5 points over the Warriors' final four games before the break, including 51 in a win at Washington on Feb. 3. Thompson, who scored 36 and went 7 of 10 from 3 in last month's win in Portland, is averaging 27.1 points over his past seven.

Portland will be counting on continued contributions from players like Maurice Harkless and Gerald Henderson, both of whom have succeeded in increased roles of late. Harkless had season highs of 19 points and 13 rebounds against Houston, and Henderson is averaging 13.3 points off the bench in his last six.

The Warriors were expectedly quiet at Thursday's trade deadline, while Portland acquired Brian Roberts from Miami to serve as Lillard's backup. The Blazers also obtained Anderson Varejao from Cleveland as part of a three-team deal but promptly waived the veteran center.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Celtics (32-23) at Jazz (26-26)
Date: February 19, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

Utah is in the process of giving back what it accomplished on a seven-game win streak, which Boston hopes to take advantage of to add to its own pre-All-Star success.

The Celtics resume play Friday night and begin a three-game trip against the Jazz, who find themselves right back under .500 - albeit with some backcourt help after a trade-deadline acquisition.

Boston (32-23) had won 10 of 12 entering the break, including a 139-134 home overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 10. Isaiah Thomas had 36 points and 11 assists to boost the guard's scoring average to 23.1 over the last 19 games.

Jared Sullinger had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and the big man is averaging 14.0 points on 56.9 percent shooting in the last five after scoring 9.5 on 41.5 percent through 49 contests. His production comes at a good time with Kelly Olynyk expected to miss two weeks because of a shoulder injury.

"Guys in the locker room, we are sticking together, we're fighting. We stick up for one another," said Jae Crowder, who's averaged 18.5 points in the last two games. "Everyone gets along and it's a great energy in the locker room."

The recent play combined with unattractive offers made general manager Danny Ainge sit tight through Thursday's deadline.

"You hear it all the time about all the pieces working together and maximizing all the pieces to maximize the talent that you have by playing together," Ainge told the team's official website. "And you hear also where there's stars that don't get along and they don't really max out the talent that's on the team. I think our team is maxing out their talent. I think they enjoy playing with one another, and I think they'll be excited to continue on what they've done in the first 55 games."

The Jazz elected to deal, acquiring Shelvin Mack from Atlanta in a three-team trade that included Chicago. The Bulls received a second-round pick from the Jazz and guard Justin Holiday from the Hawks. Atlanta receives guard Kirk Hinrich from the Bulls.

The move adds depth at point guard as the Jazz deal with the absence of Dante Exum, and it reunites Mack with former Butler teammate Gordon Hayward, who had 19 points in Thursday's 103-89 loss in Washington.

It was a makeup for a Jan. 23 postponement, and the Jazz follow Friday's home game with Sunday's contest in Portland. They start the second half without more than one day off until March 6-7.

"That's what happens when you have a snow day," Hayward said. "It's unfortunate for us but we're professionals and we'll get back tomorrow with another tough test tomorrow and hopefully we play better."

Utah (26-27) also dropped its last game before the break - a 100-96 final in New Orleans on Feb. 10 - and Quin Snyder's team has now dropped 13 of its last 14 in which it's given up at least 100 points.

The Jazz also committed a season-high 23 turnovers a game after totaling 17, so some veteran ballhandling to help rookie Raul Neto and Trey Burke might be arriving at the right time.

"He's an intelligent player," said Snyder, who was Mack's assistant coach in Atlanta. "For him to be effective and help us, he's got to find a role within our group, and I think he's capable of doing that."

That'll include working with Rodney Hood, who continued to boost his scoring average with 18 points against the Wizards. The second-year guard is now averaging 15.0 points per game for the season with 20.9 over the last 12 contests.

Boston won both meetings last season as part of an 8-1 stretch in the series.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pistons (27-27) at Wizards (24-28)
Date: February 19, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Coach Stan Van Gundy lamented a lack of bench production in a November loss to the Washington Wizards, previewing what would become a troubling trend the playoff-hopeful Detroit Pistons set out to reverse before the trade deadline.

Desperate to spark a postseason push, the Wizards added the volatile Markieff Morris.

A day after both teams made significant moves, the visiting Pistons look to avoid a season high-tying fourth straight defeat Friday night when the Wizards go after their second consecutive victory to begin a stretch of three games in as many nights.

Van Gundy complained Detroit's reserves "didn't do anything" after they were outscored 51-15 by Washington's bench in a 97-95 home loss Nov. 21. It has been a common theme for the Pistons, who rank near the bottom of the league with 26.4 bench points per game.

Sitting a half-game out of the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot, they sought to bolster their depth by acquiring forward Tobias Harris from Orlando on Tuesday and big man Donatas Motiejunas and guard Marcus Thornton from Houston in a three-team deal on Thursday.

Harris is averaging 13.7 points after scoring a career-high 17.1 in 2014-15, while Motiejunas started 62 games last season but has only appeared in 14 following off-season back surgery. Thornton is averaging 10 points over his 47 contests.

"Every move we make, we hope, helps us in the present. We're trying to win as much as we can," Van Gundy told the team's official website in the wake of Thursday's trades.

Detroit, which hasn't reached the postseason since 2009, will try to avoid its first four-game losing streak since dropping the last four of a six-game road swing in November.

The Wizards (24-28) have an opportunity to move within one game of the ninth-place Pistons after opening back-to-back-to-back games with Thursday's 103-89 home win over Utah in a rescheduled contest from Jan. 23 because of a snowstorm.

Marcin Gortat led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds and John Wall contributed 17 points and 11 assists as Washington won for only the fifth time in its last 14 games.

Now the club hopes to have Markieff Morris, twin brother of Detroit's Marcus Morris, after acquiring him from Phoenix on Thursday. The forward gets a fresh start after he was suspended for two games in December after throwing a towel at then-coach Jeff Hornacek and got into a physical altercation with a teammate during a game last week.

He's played well of late, averaging 20.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in his last five games.

'We needed someone who will play with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder and has something to prove,' general manager Ernie Grunfeld said. '... he's that type of player.'

Wall finished with eight points on 4-of-11 shooting at Detroit (27-27) in November, but he's averaged 25.8 on 54.3 percent shooting in his last four home meetings.

Washington did a solid job against All-Star Andre Drummond in that contest, limiting him to eight points and 13 boards. He's averaging 14.6 and 14.1 over seven straight double-doubles.

Detroit's Reggie Jackson, who had 20 points and nine assists, is expected to return from a one-game absence due to an illness. Backcourt mate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will likely be back after missing the past four because of a core muscle strain.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Raptors (35-17) at Bulls (27-26)
Date: February 19, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Raptors headed into last year's All-Star break with a nearly identical record as this season's mark and crumbled following the time off before losing in the first round of the playoffs.

They're determined not to let that happen again.

Toronto looks to avoid dropping an eighth straight meeting with Chicago when it visits the slumping Bulls on Friday night.

The Raptors (35-17) had a 14 1/2-game lead atop the Atlantic Division with a 36-17 record before the 2015 All-Star Game and seemed poised to make a deep playoff run. They dropped nine of their first 11 after the break, though, and were swept by Washington in the opening round of the postseason.

Toronto, which hosted this year's All-Star Game, is involved in a much tighter division race this season with Boston only 4 1/2 games back, and it knows it can't afford a similar slump that followed the break last year.

The Raptors had won three straight and 14 of 15 before falling 117-112 at Minnesota on Feb. 10.

"The guys understand what we need to do, especially the guys who were here last year," said DeMar DeRozan, who scored a season high-tying 35 points against the Timberwolves. "We're all playing for something. This time around, we're not letting none of our success get to our head. We still have a long way to go."

Toronto didn't make any moves prior to Thursday's trade deadline, something coach Dwane Casey said instills more confidence within the locker room. Former Bull James Johnson is set to return after missing the previous four, and DeMarre Carroll, who has sat out the last 17 with a knee injury, hopes to return soon.

"We understand what happened last year, but this is a new year and a new team," Casey said. "We can learn from last year, but we can't dwell over last year. We have to worry about Friday night, not even the process of making the playoffs. That'll all play itself out."

Toronto hasn't beaten Chicago since Dec. 31, 2013, and it blew a 12-point halftime lead in a 115-113 loss Jan. 3 in the most recent matchup. Jimmy Butler scored 40 of his 42 points in the second half, including a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left that put the Bulls ahead for good.

Butler, though, has been out the last four because of a sprained left knee and is expected to miss at least a couple more weeks. The Bulls (27-26) haven't won since he went down and have dropped five straight after falling 106-95 at Cleveland on Thursday.

Chicago's only move at the trade deadline was dealing Kirk Hinrich to Atlanta in a three-team deal despite rumors that it was shopping Pau Gasol. The veteran big man scored 14 points against the Cavs and Derrick Rose finished with 28 for the Bulls, who are tied with Charlotte for seventh in the East but are only a half-game up on ninth-place Detroit.

'We've just got to stay together through the good, the bad and the ugly - and it's the ugly right now,' Rose said. 'I'm going to keep controlling what I can control. We're trying to fight to be in the playoffs.'

Rose sat out the last meeting because of right hamstring tendinitis but scored 20 in a 104-97 win over the Raptors on Dec. 28. Gasol finished with 22 in that contest to help overcome 28 from Kyle Lowry, who had 22 points and 10 assists against the Bulls last month.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nuggets (22-32) at Kings (22-31)
Date: February 19, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets each underwent minor changes at the trade deadline. The Kings made a tweak to their coaching staff, while the Nuggets made sure they got something in return for a veteran player.

Each must make a move quickly if they hope to re-enter the Western Conference's postseason picture, a task that begins with Friday night's matchup in Sacramento.

The Kings (22-31) might have taken the cake as the NBA's most dysfunctional team at the All-Star break with tension continuing to build between coach George Karl and upper management. Karl was rumored to be on his way out during the team's 2-8 stretch before the hiatus, but a meeting with general manager Vlade Divac saved his job.

After deals for Pau Gasol and Iman Shumpert fizzled before Thursday's deadline, however, the Kings fired one of Karl's favorite assistants, Vance Walberg.

"I don't understand it. It's never happened in my time as a coach," Karl said. "You move forward and try to make the best of it."

Sacramento is reportedly seeking a more defensive-minded replacement for Walberg.

That's where the issues fall for the Kings, who have surrendered an average of 117.3 points on 48.3 percent shooting in the last 10 games, including three in a row with at least 120 allowed for the first time since January 2009.

The Kings rank last in the league by allowing 109.1 per game, a mark that's on pace to be the franchise's worst since an average of 109.3 during its 17-win 2008-09 season.

However, the Kings are still just four games removed from the West's eighth seed thanks to an offense that ranks third with an average of 107.1 points, which trails only Golden State (115.5) and Oklahoma City (110.1).

DeMarcus Cousins is averaging a career-high 26.8 points and has double-doubles with at least 30 points in his last two games against Denver.

Rajon Rondo's 11.9 assists per game are on pace to be the most in the NBA since John Stockton's 12.3 in 1994-95. He posted at least 15 in the final four games before the break, a number he has reached twice in 11 games against the Nuggets.

Denver has won the last two in this series and 12 of 16 dating to March 2011. That span includes wins in six of eight meetings in Sacramento, though the teams have split the last four meetings there.

The Nuggets (22-32) dealt 32-year-old Randy Foye to Oklahoma City on Thursday in exchange for backup point guard D.J. Augustin and forward Steve Novak, whom they reportedly agreed with on a buyout that allows him to sign with another team. Foye was in the last year of his contract.

Denver won three of four entering the break but still sits a half-game behind the Kings. The Nuggets are 2-1 on a four-game trip after Will Barton scored 15 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter of a 103-92 win at Detroit on Feb. 10.

Barton ranks ninth in the league in fourth-quarter scoring with an average of 6.3 points. He is the only Denver player to score at least 15 in the fourth quarter this season, doing it five times - two more than LeBron James.

"We need him to score," coach Michael Malone said. "Will has been a spark plug for us all year."