Basketball

The top two players selected in last year’s NBA draft and four of the top five picks in 2023 had never played in an NCAA Tournament before beginning their pro careers. That trend figures to end this year with Duke forward Cooper Flagg .

The East is a runaway. The West is a bigger runaway. And the NBA hasn’t seen anything quite like this in nearly 40 years.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry needs a break, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr is going to make it a priority to find some rest for his superstar.

Chicago Bulls (29-39, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (32-37, 11th in the Western Conference) Phoenix; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix will try to keep its three-game home win streak intact when the Suns face Chicago.

Philadelphia 76ers (23-45, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (56-12, first in the Western Conference) Oklahoma City; Wednesday, 8 p.m.

Dallas Mavericks (33-36, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (38-29, fifth in the Eastern Conference) Indianapolis; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Indiana hosts Dallas trying to extend its four-game home winning streak.

Denver Nuggets (43-25, third in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (41-25, fourth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Wednesday, 10 p.m.

New York Knicks (43-24, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (28-38, 13th in the Western Conference) San Antonio; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: The San Antonio Spurs host the New York Knicks in non-conference play.

Washington Wizards (15-52, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (15-54, 15th in the Western Conference) Salt Lake City; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Utah aims to end its 10-game slide when the Jazz take on Washington.

Detroit Pistons (38-31, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (29-39, 10th in the Eastern Conference) Miami; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Miami takes on Detroit looking to stop its five-game home slide.