The key for Denver is stringing together as many victories in a row as they can, and Orlando is a great test. The Nuggets might relax because they see the health of Orlando at this current moment, but last season in a similar situation, the Nuggets let go of the rope against the Magic and paid the price in crunch time.

New York owns the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA, with almost every opponent from now until the season finale on April 13 against Brooklyn fighting either for a championship, to stay out of the Play-In Tournament, or break into it.

Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid won a gold medal as teammates for the United States at the 2024 Olympics, but there's a scenario where they could have

NBA Best Prop Bets Today ✔️ Ballislife Bets top NBA prop bets and odds for the NBA games ✔️ Get the best props for Thursday, January

The Orlando Magic are now a perennial playoff contender. They’re led by an all-around forward in Paolo Banchero, who has become their offensive hub. The talent gap between he and second-in-command Franz Wagner isn’t particularly large.

Butler averaged 13 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field in those three games since returning from his first suspension. The Heat, which went 1-2 in those games, has been outscored by 6.8 per 100 possessions with Butler on the court during that span.

The sources said Butler missed a team flight to Milwaukee on Wednesday and now Miami is keeping him home for its two-game road trip.

NEW YORK — Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 16 rebounds, Jalen Brunson scored eight points down the stretch and finished with 17 as the New York Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-95 on Tuesday night. OG Anunoby scored 20 points and Precious Achiuwa had 11 points off the bench as the Knicks won their second straight game.

Simons and Ayton lead the way, with Simons dropping 24 on 6-12 three-point shooting, adding four boards, and three assists. Ayton posted a double-double putting up 22 points, and pulling down 15 rebounds. Avdija also added a double-double, scoring 16 with 10 rebounds.

Nikola Jokic delivered his fourth straight triple-double on Tuesday, a league-leading 19th of the season, to propel the Denver Nuggets to a 144-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons has rediscovered his shooting touch just in time for his homecoming Thursday in Orlando, Florida. On Tuesday night, Simons shook off one of his worst scoring stretches to lead the Blazers with 24 points during a 116-107 win at the Miami Heat.