Basketball

Dallas Mavericks (1-2, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (1-3, 11th in the Eastern Conference) New York; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Nets -1.5; over/under is 227.

Philadelphia 76ers (1-4, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (3-2, seventh in the Eastern Conference) Toronto; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Toronto faces Philadelphia in a matchup of Eastern Conference teams.

New York Knicks (3-1, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (3-0, first in the Eastern Conference) Milwaukee; Friday, 8 p.m.

New Orleans Pelicans (3-1, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (3-1, third in the Western Conference) Phoenix; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans heads to Phoenix for a Western Conference matchup.

DENVER (AP) — A LeBron James-led team doesn't begin 0-4 often. Not since his rookie season has one of his teams stumbled out of the starting gate quite like this. “It’s a new system. It's a new group of guys together,” James explained.

Indiana Pacers (1-4, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (3-1, sixth in the Eastern Conference) Washington; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Conference foes Washington and Indiana square off on Friday.

Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (3-1, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Chicago Bulls (3-2, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (3-2, eighth in the Western Conference) San Antonio; Friday, 8:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: San Antonio faces Chicago in non-conference action.

Atlanta Hawks (3-1, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (1-4, 14th in the Eastern Conference) Detroit; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Detroit comes into the matchup with Atlanta after losing four in a row.

Los Angeles Lakers (0-4, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2, sixth in the Western Conference) Minneapolis; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles heads into the matchup against Minnesota as losers of four in a row.