Basketball

TORONTO — An average night for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still makes him one of the best players in the NBA.

The NBA is returning to China next season, striking a deal to play preseason games there more than five years after the league was effectively banned over Commissioner Adam Silver not punishing Daryl Morey for tweeting support of anti-government prot

Detroit Pistons (9-15, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (14-8, fourth in the Eastern Conference) New York; Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Detroit looks to stop its three-game skid with a victory against New York.

Sacramento Kings (10-13, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (11-11, 11th in the Western Conference) San Antonio; Friday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Kings -3.5; over/under is 227.

Oklahoma City Thunder (17-5, first in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (5-18, 14th in the Western Conference) New Orleans; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City visits New Orleans in Western Conference action Saturday.

Minnesota Timberwolves (11-10, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (13-8, fifth in the Western Conference) San Francisco; Friday, 10 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Warriors -2; over/under is 220.

Phoenix Suns (12-9, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Miami Heat (10-10, seventh in the Eastern Conference) Miami; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix hits the road against Miami looking to end its four-game road losing streak.

Denver Nuggets (11-9, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (2-18, 15th in the Eastern Conference) Washington; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Washington heads into the matchup against Denver as losers of 16 in a row.

Cleveland Cavaliers (20-3, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (6-16, 13th in the Eastern Conference) Charlotte, North Carolina; Saturday, 1 p.m.

Dallas Mavericks (15-8, third in the Western Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (7-16, 12th in the Eastern Conference) Toronto; Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Dallas will try to prolong its six-game win streak with a victory over Toronto.