The Boston Celtics are falling off the pace in the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference and are coming off a pair of tough losses to fellow East playoff contenders. The Celtics will try to get back in the win column when they begin a stretch of eight of 10 on the road by visiting the lowly Orlando Magic on Friday.

The Philadelphia 76ers are streaking toward the playoffs as they enter Friday's home contest against the Brooklyn Nets. Philadelphia recorded its 12th win in the past 17 contests with Thursday's 118-110 comeback victory over the New York Knicks and now begins a stretch in which six of seven games are at home.

The Toronto Raptors aim to match the franchise record of 11 consecutive victories when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Toronto's streak became the second best in team history on Thursday when it posted a 106-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

The status of Oklahoma City All-Star small forward Paul George will be firmed up at the mid-day shootaround leading up to Friday's game against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. George injured a groin muscle during Tuesday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks and was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

The Golden State Warriors were missing three of their four All-Stars on Wednesday but were not about to use that as an excuse to lay down and take a third straight loss. Kevin Durant managed to lead the Warriors past the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday and will try to do the same when they host the lowly Sacramento Kings on Friday.

The Miami Heat will very likely finish in the top eight of the Eastern Conference and advance to the postseason, but performances like Wednesday's won't get them much higher than the seventh or eighth spot. The Heat will try to avoid dropping back-to-back road games to lottery-bound opponents when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.