Sports

Boston Celtics (27-16, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (12-30, 13th in the Eastern Conference)

New York; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn enters the matchup against Boston as losers of three games in a row.

The Nets are 9-18 against Eastern Conference opponents. Brooklyn gives up 114.5 points to opponents and has been outscored by 6.6 points per game.

The Celtics are 6-4 in division games. Boston is 12-10 against opponents over .500.

The Nets' 14.2 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.1 fewer made shots on average than the 14.3 per game the Celtics allow. The Celtics average 116.8 points per game, 2.3 more than the 114.5 the Nets allow to opponents.

The teams play for the third time this season. The Nets won the last meeting 113-105 on Nov. 22. Michael Porter Jr. scored 33 points to help lead the Nets to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Noah Clowney is scoring 13.1 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Nets. Porter is averaging 18.8 points and 5.6 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Jaylen Brown is scoring 29.8 points per game and averaging 6.7 rebounds for the Celtics. Sam Hauser is averaging 3.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 2-8, averaging 104.8 points, 39.6 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 43.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.1 points per game.

Celtics: 6-4, averaging 116.0 points, 49.6 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 6.3 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.3 points.

INJURIES: Nets: Haywood Highsmith: out (knee).

Celtics: Josh Minott: day to day (ankle), Jayson Tatum: out (achilles).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Phoenix Suns (27-17, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (21-25, 10th in the Eastern Conference)

Atlanta; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix aims to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Suns take on Atlanta.

The Hawks have gone 7-13 at home. Atlanta leads the NBA with 31.0 assists per game led by Jalen Johnson averaging 8.0.

The Suns have gone 13-12 away from home. Phoenix ranks third in the Western Conference with 15.3 fast break points per game led by Devin Booker averaging 3.3.

The Hawks are shooting 47.3% from the field this season, 0.6 percentage points higher than the 46.7% the Suns allow to opponents. The Suns average 114.7 points per game, 4.4 fewer than the 119.1 the Hawks allow to opponents.

The two teams match up for the second time this season. The Hawks defeated the Suns 124-122 in their last matchup on Nov. 17. Onyeka Okongwu led the Hawks with 27 points, and Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 34 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Okongwu is averaging 16.1 points, eight rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Hawks. Johnson is averaging 21.1 points over the last 10 games.

Collin Gillespie is averaging 13.4 points and 4.8 assists for the Suns. Booker is averaging 21.4 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 41.6% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 4-6, averaging 112.5 points, 42.9 rebounds, 30.3 assists, 10.6 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.4 points per game.

Suns: 7-3, averaging 112.0 points, 43.1 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.4 points.

INJURIES: Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis: out (achilles), Zaccharie Risacher: out (knee), N'Faly Dante: out for season (knee).

Suns: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.