Basketball

Portland Trail Blazers (32-42, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. New York Knicks (46-27, third in the Eastern Conference) New York; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Portland comes into the matchup against New York after losing three in a row.

Houston Rockets (48-26, second in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (35-39, 11th in the Western Conference) Phoenix; Sunday, 9 p.m.

Los Angeles Clippers (42-31, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (59-15, first in the Eastern Conference) Cleveland; Sunday, 3:30 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo says he appreciated the compliment LeBron James gave him by saying the Milwaukee Bucks star could have scored 250 points in a game if he’d played in the 1970s.

DETROIT (AP) — Tim Hardaway Jr. scored a season-high 32 points and the Detroit Pistons beat the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers 133-122 on Friday night to guarantee their first winning season since 2016.

TORONTO — As the Toronto Raptors veer toward the end of the season with a playoff berth out of sight, the team’s focus has turned toward development.

Nikola Jokic had 27 points and 14 rebounds before sitting the fourth quarter and the Denver Nuggets beat the Utah Jazz 129-93 on Friday night to pad their lead in the fight for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 23 points in his return from a two-game absence and the Golden State Warriors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-95 on Friday night.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — OG Anunoby scored 20 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and the New York Knicks defeated Milwaukee 116-107 on Friday night to hand the Bucks their third consecutive loss.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Julius Randle scored 25 points, Anthony Edwards finished with 20 after missing the second quarter due to injury and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Phoenix Suns 124-109 on Friday night.