The hole the Charlotte Hornets began digging for themselves before the All-Star break continues to grow deeper as the fourth-quarter struggles from prior to the break transferred over on Thursday. The Hornets will try to build a lead and maintain it on Saturday, when they visit the DeMarcus Cousins-less Sacramento Kings.

The Atlanta Hawks hope to wash away the bitter taste of a disappointing effort coming out of the All-Star break when they visit the struggling Orlando Magic on Saturday. The Hawks lost for the third time in four games Friday as they shot 38 percent from the field in a 108-90 setback against the red-hot Miami Heat, following a nine-day break.

The New York Knicks likely will be without forward Kristaps Porzingis when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Porzingis suffered an ankle injury in Thursday's 119-104 loss at Cleveland and is expected to watch as the Knicks attempt to snap out of a 1-6 stretch that spans the All-Star break and an inactive trade deadline.

The Miami Heat were thinking about next season a little over a month ago, and things have changed dramatically as they prepare to host the Indiana Pacers for a key Eastern Conference battle on Saturday night. The Heat have won 15 of their last 17 games after rolling over Atlanta 108-90 on Friday and are within two games of the eighth and final playoff spot after a demoralizing 11-30 start.

The New Orleans debut of All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins was a tremendous disappointment and the Pelicans hope for a much better showing when they visit the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. New Orleans acquired Cousins from the Sacramento Kings on Sunday to team with All-Star Game MVP Anthony Davis and the Pelicans were drubbed 129-99 by the Houston Rockets on Thursday in the duo's first game together.

While the Chicago Bulls have been unable to keep pace with the rival Cleveland Cavaliers over the last few years, they have gotten the better of the head-to-head matchups in the regular season. The Bulls will try to continue their recent dominance of the defending NBA champions when the teams meet in Cleveland on Saturday.

The Minnesota Timberwolves ended an eight-game skid against Houston in their last meeting and look to notch another victory when they visit the Rockets on Saturday. Point guard Ricky Rubio was at the top of his game in the 119-105 win on Jan. 11 by dishing out a club-record 17 assists.

One of the biggest mismatches of the season is on tap on Saturday when the Golden State Warriors host the woeful Brooklyn Nets. Golden State owns the top record in the NBA and has won 17 of its last 20 games, while Brooklyn possesses the worst record in the league and has lost 15 consecutive games and 26 of its last 27.