Basketball

Houston Rockets (20-60, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (26-54, 14th in the Eastern Conference) Charlotte, North Carolina; Friday, 7 p.m.

Chicago Bulls (38-42, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (38-42, 11th in the Western Conference) Dallas; Friday, 8:30 p.m.

Toronto Raptors (40-40, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (55-25, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Boston hosts Toronto trying to prolong its five-game home winning streak.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves made a big move last summer — in more ways than one — to build off a breakthrough season, and the end result was a small impact in the NBA playoffs this spring.

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers still aren't saying if Joel Embiid will be able to return from a sprained right knee and play next week in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Time and again, Stephen Curry called for his Golden State Warriors to be better, to learn from the glaring mistakes and road losses that piled up in frustrating fashion and with little explanation as to why.

MIAMI (AP) — They brawled in 1997. Jeff Van Gundy clung to Alonzo Mourning’s leg in 1998. Allan Houston got a friendly bounce in 1999. Clarence Weatherspoon didn’t get one in 2000.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has a meniscus tear in his right knee, although his surgically repaired right ACL is intact.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The attorney for Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards said his client will “vigorously defend” himself against misdemeanor third-degree assault charges for allegedly swinging a folding chair and injuring two Denver arena emp

New York Knicks (47-33, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (41-39, eighth in the Western Conference) New Orleans; Friday, 8 p.m.