Basketball

MIAMI (AP) — This story would never have been told if Udonis Haslem’s mother hadn’t moved from Miami to Jacksonville. Or if his stepbrother hadn’t been so smart about an airball. Or if Atlanta signed him in 2002. Or if San Antonio did in 2003.

Miami Heat (43-37, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (34-46, 13th in the Eastern Conference) Washington; Friday, 7 p.m.

Denver Nuggets (52-28, first in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (36-44, 12th in the Western Conference) Salt Lake City; Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Jazz -2.5; over/under is 25.

Minnesota Timberwolves (40-40, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (21-59, 14th in the Western Conference) Saturday, 4 p.m.

Phoenix Suns (45-35, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (41-39, seventh in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Friday, 10:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Lakers -6.

Philadelphia 76ers (52-28, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (41-39, eighth in the Eastern Conference) Atlanta; Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Orlando Magic (34-46, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (44-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference) New York; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Nets -11.

Portland Trail Blazers (33-47, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (42-38, fifth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Saturday, 4 p.m.

PHOENIX (AP) — Chris Paul made a career-high seven 3-pointers and the Phoenix Suns won their season-best seventh game in a row, holding off the short-handed Denver Nuggets 119-115 on Thursday night.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points and the Oklahoma City strengthened their hopes of reaching the play-in tournament with a 114-98 victory over the short-handed Utah Jazz on Thursday night. “We were aware of the situation.