СÀ¶ÊÓƵ

Portland Trail Blazers (9-3, second in the Western Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (6-5, seventh in the Western Conference) Dallas; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Dallas hosts Portland looking to extend its four-game home winning streak.

Houston Rockets (2-10, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (6-6, eighth in the Western Conference) New Orleans; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans plays Houston in a matchup of Western Conference teams.

Utah Jazz (10-3, first in the Western Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (6-6, sixth in the Eastern Conference) Washington; Saturday, 6 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Utah visits Washington looking to extend its three-game road winning streak.

Charlotte Hornets (3-10, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (5-7, 11th in the Eastern Conference) Miami; Saturday, 8 p.m.

Brooklyn Nets (5-7, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (7-5, sixth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Saturday, 4 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets square off against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jim Boylen has not spent any time thinking about what the World Cup qualifying standings might look like after USA Basketball’s game against Brazil on Friday. He just keeps thinking how the Americans have four qualifying games left.

EDMONTON — Canada is going to the FIBA World Cup. Kassius Robertson’s 16-point performance helped Canada's men's basketball team beat Venezuela 94-56 on Thursday to clinch a berth in next summer's major international tournament.

MIAMI (AP) — Another night, another close game for the Miami Heat. And Jimmy Butler wouldn't let this one get away.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jerami Grant dribbled between his legs, knifed between New Orleans forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram and dunked hard with two hands before defenders Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III could meet him at the rim.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Kuzma scored 36 points, and the Washington Wizards overcame the absence of Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis to beat the Dallas Mavericks 113-105 on Thursday night.