The Dallas Mavericks are playing at home five times in a six-game stretch, but they’re hosting some heavy hitters during this crucial time for their playoff hopes. That includes Saturday’s visit from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks, who rank among the Eastern Conference’s top six teams, handed the visiting Denver Nuggets their second loss in the last 12 games with a 121-112 decision on Thursday. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 28-point, 19-rebound effort led Milwaukee while Brook Lopez chipped in 22 points. The Bucks also got 16 points, nine rebounds, and five assists from Kyle Kuzma, the recently acquired forward brought in from Washington in a trade that sent Khris Middleton to the Wizards. Milwaukee ranks in the lower half of the league

Betting on today’s Canucks and Kraken game? Catch the action at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA, as the Kraken hosts this showdown at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. This Pacific division matchup has an over/under of 5.5 goals, and the Kraken are favored by -1.5 at home vs. the Canucks. Vancouver improved to 27-21-11 with a 3-2 win over the Sharks. The Canucks were favored on the puck line, but didn’t cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 5 goals fell short of that mark. The Sharks struck first, but Pius Suter tied it up at 5:19 in the second period. Vancouver took the lead with a goal from Jake DeBrusk in the third, only for

Already dealing with a nine-game losing streak, the Philadelphia 76ers face immediate and longer-range issues in trying to resuscitate their season. Not only do the Sixers have to tangle with the red-hot Stephen Curry and the visiting Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, but Philadelphia learned Friday that center Joel Embiid won’t return this season due to his troublesome left knee. The Sixers, who entered Friday 12th in the Eastern Conference, two spots shy of a play-in tournament berth, have not won since Feb. 4. On Wednesday, they fought hard before falling to the host New York Knicks 110-105. Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points, but he shot just 12-of-32 from the field and 0-of-10 from long distance as he continues

The Memphis Grizzlies will be looking to complete a season-series sweep of the San Antonio Spurs when the clubs meet for a fourth and final time Saturday night in Tennessee. Continuing a trend they began in January 2021, the Grizzlies have dominated their Southwest Division rival this season, winning at home by 28 points and on the road by 14 and 19. The Grizzlies have won 16 of the teams’ last 17 matchups. As opposed to the first three meetings, San Antonio will play this time without Victor Wembanyama, who put up strong numbers against the Grizzlies in defeat before he was diagnosed with a season-ending blood clot in his right shoulder on Feb. 20. The Spurs have gone 1-4