Matchups

The Charlotte Hornets are locked in a four-way battle for the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference and earned a huge road win at Miami on Thursday. The Hornets host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday in search of their 10th win in 11 games this month.

The Detroit Pistons are in a battle for their first playoff berth since 2009 and look to take advantage of another struggling team Saturday when they host the Brooklyn Nets. The Pistons moved into a virtual tie with Chicago for eighth place in the Eastern Conference after a 115-108 victory over the lottery-bound Sacramento Kings on Friday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder look to cap a perfect road trip and extend their longest winning streak since before the All-Star break when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Russell Westbrook's 13th triple-double (20 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists) of the season propelled the Thunder to a 111-97 win in Philadelphia on Friday.

The Washington Wizards have turned their fortunes with three straight wins and are charging toward a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The New York Knicks, who visit the Wizards on Saturday, are not in the postseason fight in the East but could pull off a split of a six-game road trip with a victory in Washington.

The Atlanta Hawks find themselves in a dogfight for playoff seeding in the crowded Eastern Conference, but victories in nine of their past 11 have the Hawks moving in the right direction entering Saturday’s home contest against the Houston Rockets. Atlanta sits in third place in the East but are only one game ahead of sixth-place Boston.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have dropped their last 10 visits to Miami and attempt to halt that dubious streak when they visit the Heat on Saturday. Cleveland's last victory in Miami occurred on Jan. 25, 2010 when LeBron James was still on his first tour of duty with the Cavaliers and hadn't yet joined the Heat as a free agent.

The Utah Jazz are aiming to play their way into the postseason and look to claim their fifth straight victory when they visit the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Continuing the winning streak may be difficult as Utah is opening a five-game road trip and is just 11-22 on the road.

The shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies are struggling to score points and attempt to halt a four-game losing streak when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Memphis has scored 86 or fewer points three times during the skid as the offense is faltering after a rash of injuries.

The Golden State Warriors take another swipe at ending their dismal performances in San Antonio when they clash with the Spurs on Saturday. Golden State has lost 32 consecutive regular-season visits to San Antonio with the last victory occurring Feb. 14, 1997.