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The Houston Rockets get an opportunity to record the league’s first hat trick over the Grizzlies when the clubs meet for a third time Friday night in Memphis. The Rockets followed up on a 111-91 home romp over the Grizzlies on Nov. 22 with a 117-104 victory Wednesday night in another meeting in Houston. Former Grizzlies defensive ace Dillon Brooks contributed 13 and 11 points in the wins. As the Grizzlies await Ja Morant’s 25-game

The visiting Atlanta Hawks will be out to gain a split of their two-game series with the Toronto Raptors on Friday and end their five-game losing streak. Toronto halted its own four-game losing streak Wednesday night with a 135-128 victory over Atlanta in the series opener. The Raptors, not known for their ability to hit from long range, shot 52.9 percent from 3-point range (18 of 34). Atlanta made it close when Bogdan Bogdanovic sank

The San Antonio Spurs will not only get a second chance in three days to earn a victory over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, they get another opportunity Friday to put an end to their franchise-record losing streak. The Lakers barely escaped with a 122-119 win over the Spurs on Wednesday, needing to make clutch free throws in the final minute to hold off San Antonio. The Spurs have dropped 18 straight games, last coming

The Indiana Pacers continue a lengthy road trip Friday night when they visit the Washington Wizards. Indiana played its fourth straight game away from Indianapolis — including its NBA in-season tournament games in Las Vegas — with a 140-126 loss at Milwaukee on Wednesday. The Pacers surrendered a Bucks’ franchise-record 64 points to Giannis Antetokounmpo in the loss, which marked the fourth time this season that Indiana has allowed at least 140 points in game.

The New Orleans Pelicans might be hitting their stride, especially on offense. That could mean trouble for the Charlotte Hornets when the teams meet Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. The Pelicans racked up their biggest point total of the season in a 142-122 road victory against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. “You got shooting,” New Orleans coach Willie Green said. “You got guys who can attack the basket. It can stagnate teams. Now (with

The Philadelphia 76ers will have another chance to send the Detroit Pistons toward a record-setting NBA losing streak. The Sixers defeated the Pistons 129-111 Wednesday night and will complete the home-and-home matchup Friday night in Philadelphia. Detroit suffered its franchise-record-tying 21st loss in a row on Wednesday; the NBA single-season skid mark is 26 by both the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2010-11 season and the 76ers in 2013-14. Reigning league Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid

Lamar Jackson is hearing his name mentioned in the MVP conversation, but that doesn’t impress him much. The Baltimore Ravens star is more interested in making a run for the Lombardi Trophy, and his top-seeded AFC team can take a big step in that direction when the Ravens visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night. Baltimore (10-3) holds a one-game lead over the Miami Dolphins at the top of the conference. There are nine scenarios

Much was made of two missed blocks in the back Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens walked off the Los Angeles Rams in overtime with a 76-yard punt-return touchdown by Tylan Wallace. Whether it was to avoid a big fine from the NFL or because the film told him something fans and pundits might have overlooked, Rams coach Sean McVay took that conversation in a different direction ahead of this Sunday’s visit from the Washington Commanders.

It’s homecoming weekend for Brock Purdy as his San Francisco 49ers continue the chase for the No. 1 NFC seed on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. The 49ers (10-3) are the first team to clinch a playoff spot. They also are on a five-game winning streak during which they have outscored opponents 162-65. The Cardinals (3-10) are rested after a bye week, have won two of their last four games since Kyler

The New York Giants have won three games in a row, but their playoff chances are slim. The New Orleans Saints have lost three of four games, but their playoff chances are much better. The Giants (5-8) will face the Saints (6-7) on Sunday afternoon in New Orleans. Thirteen NFL teams are either one game above or below .500, including the Saints, who are part of a three-club logjam atop the NFC South. The Giants,