With the news that starting center Dereck Lively II will be out for 2-3 months, the Mavericks are trying to avoid free-fall after losing nine of their last 12 games. With an important matchup against the Timberwolves looming,

Boston’s starting five is finding cohesion, and its defense stifled Golden State. The Celtics’ ability to stay consistent will be tested against the Clippers, who sit fifth in the Western Conference standings and sport a 15-7 record at the Intuit Dome.

NBA games are scheduled to return to wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles on Monday night, with the Clippers planning to resume their schedule when they host the Miami Heat and the Lakers set to host Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Jrue holiday received a big injury update for the Celtics' game on Wednesday night against the Clippers on the road.

The Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets kick off an early slate of NBA games on Martin Luther King Day with a noon ET tip at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

Given that schedule, the Celtics also chose a cautious approach with several of their veterans. Jrue Holiday (shoulder), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Al Horford (big toe) all were ruled out against the Clippers after being listed as questionable.

The Grizzlies had three players (Jaren Jackson, Desmond Bane, and Luke Kennard) go for over 20 points and Kennard hit seven three-pointers. Ja Morant played the role of facilitator with 16 points (5-9 FG) and 13 assists to fall one dime shy of a season high. He was also active on the defensive end of the floor.

ATLANTA — Cade Cunningham had 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 107-96 win over the Houston Rockets on Monday. Cunningham was 12 of 22 from the field. He scored 19 points in the third quarter as the Pistons built a 90-80 lead after three.

Jaden McDaniels scored a career-high 27 points, including the clinching free throw with 3 seconds to play, and Anthony Edwards added 21 as Minnesota outlasted short-handed Dallas.

One man who played on some dynastic Lakers teams of the past feels the current Lakers can end up with a high seed in the Western Conference.

The Celtics and Clippers tied the series 1-1 last season with each team winning on the road. The Celtics are 94-47 overall all time against the Clippers and they are 45-29 when pl