ScoresandStats.com Latest Sports Previews

Houston and Portland meet again after one of the strangest finishes of the season. The Trail Blazers escaped Wednesday with a 103-102 win after a last-second tip-in by Tari Eason was overturned on review. The Rockets dominated the glass and generated open looks, but poor shooting cost them a chance to steal the game late. Friday’s rematch adds another layer with Kevin Durant approaching a historic milestone. Durant has scored 20 or more points in 12 straight games and needs 15 points to pass Wilt Chamberlain for seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Houston expects sharper execution after what Ime Udoka called its worst defensive night in weeks. For broader slate context, see the updated NBA previews page. Houston

Los Angeles returns home still navigating availability issues as it prepares for a marquee matchup with Milwaukee. Luka Doncic continues to shoulder a massive load, posting a 38-point triple-double in a loss at San Antonio, but the Lakers remain short-handed with LeBron James sitting on the second night of a back-to-back and multiple rotation players sidelined. Milwaukee arrives looking for consistency. The Bucks fell at Golden State on Wednesday despite an efficient shooting night and another dominant performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Since returning from a calf strain, Giannis has looked fully engaged on both ends, even as the team struggles to string together extended winning streaks. For full slate context, visit the NBA previews hub. Milwaukee opened -2 and has

Philadelphia opens a three-game road trip playing some of its most connected basketball of the season. The 76ers have won four of their last five, and the chemistry between Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George continues to improve. Embiid has played five straight games and looks more comfortable anchoring both ends. Orlando remains unpredictable. The Magic have alternated wins and losses across their last dozen games and needed a buzzer-beater from Paolo Banchero to escape Brooklyn in overtime on Wednesday. The teams have split the first two meetings, each winning decisively at home, which adds weight to Friday’s opener. For league-wide matchup context, visit the NBA previews hub. Philadelphia opened -2 and has moved to -3 with consistent early

Eric Musselman’s return to Minneapolis has the personal angle, but the betting angle is sharper. USC is in the middle of a brutal road swing and just got popped in back-to-back games against elite Big Ten teams. Now the Trojans head into Williams Arena for a Friday night spot (7:30 p.m. local time, Big Ten Network) against a Minnesota group playing its best ball of the season. Minnesota has momentum, a real home-court environment, and a clear scoring hub. USC has the higher-end talent at the top, but the profile has been volatile away from home, especially when the turnovers show up and the half-court spacing tightens. These are the current betting lines, and you’ll want to keep an eye