Basketball

NEW YORK (AP) — Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are the NBA's main men in the middle, the two centers combining for the last three MVP awards in the regular season with perhaps another coming soon.

Dallas Mavericks (50-32, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (51-31, fourth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Mavericks -2.5; over/under is 218.

Phoenix Suns (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26, third in the Western Conference) Minneapolis; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

Indiana Pacers (47-35, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (49-33, third in the Eastern Conference) Milwaukee; Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Bucks -1.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Hours after the NBA announced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was selected as a finalist for the league’s Most Valuable Player award, Oklahoma City's All-Star guard showed why.

BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum notched his first career playoff triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Boston Celtics past the Miami Heat 114-94 on Sunday to open their first-round playoff series.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard couldn’t be stopped in the first half — and couldn’t score a point in the second. It all added up to one of the most unusual dominant performances in recent playoff history.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard’s sensational start ensured the Milwaukee Bucks would fare just fine without Giannis Antetokounmpo in their playoff opener.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Harden spent the season developing a pick-and-roll chemistry with big man Ivica Zubac. The future Hall of Famer in his first season in Los Angeles is schooling the longest-tenured Clipper.

Nikola Jokic is one step closer to winning a third MVP award in the last four seasons. Victor Wembanyama is surely on his way to a trophy — or maybe two. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might get a couple of his own as well.