The Philadelphia 76ers have played 27 games since acquiring Jimmy Butler from Minnesota in November, and the effort to fit him into an offense featuring Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons continues heading into Friday’s home game against the Atlanta Hawks. The 76ers are 18-9 since trading for Butler but not all is harmonious in the City of Brotherly Love, as Butler reportedly has criticized coach Brett Brown’s usage of him in the offense.

The Milwaukee Bucks just finished taking out one of the hottest teams in the NBA as superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo got the better of Houston's James Harden in a battle of MVP candidates. The Bucks will try to avoid a letdown when they make the second stop of a three-game trip by visiting the Washington Wizards on Friday.

The New York Knicks managed one win on their six-game road trip, which is one more than they posted in their last six home games. The Knicks will try to win at Madison Square Garden for the first time since Dec. 1 when the host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Kawhi Leonard attempts to run his career-best streak of 20-point games to 18 when the Toronto Raptors host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Leonard is averaging 30.2 points during the stretch and is closing in on the franchise record 23-game streak Vince Carter recorded in 2001.

The Houston Rockets are cooling off a bit with losses in two of their last three games after falling 116-109 to the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. James Harden will try to drag his team back into the win column when the Rockets take a step down in Eastern Conference foes while hosting the NBA-worst Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

Ryan Saunders won his first game as Minnesota interim coach and looks to post another triumph when the Timberwolves host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. The 32-year-old Saunders was promoted to the top seat on the bench when the organization fired Tom Thibodeau on Sunday.

The Utah Jazz look to post their seventh consecutive home victory over Los Angeles when they host the Lakers on Friday. Los Angeles will again be without forward LeBron James, who will miss his ninth consecutive game due to a groin injury.

The Portland Trail Blazers look to record their 11th straight home win over Charlotte when they host the Hornets on Friday. Charlotte hasn't left town with a victory since registering a 93-85 triumph over the Trail Blazers on March 29, 2008.

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson got hot in a win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday, but it was nothing compared to the flames coming off the All-Star the last time he faced the Chicago Bulls. Thompson will try to post another historic performance when the Warriors host the Bulls on Friday.