The Chicago Bulls look to continue their winning ways when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. The Bulls have won seven of their last nine, including a 96-89 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves, which was their first victory since star guard Derrick Rose was lost to a knee injury. Rose underwent successful surgery on Friday and is expected to return in four-to-six weeks as Chicago hopes to stay ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the race for top spot in the Central Division.

LeBron James will be back in action Sunday when he leads Cleveland into a nationally televised matinee at Houston, but his running mate remains on the sidelines. Both James (rest) - who was coming off a season-high 42-point effort in a win over Golden State - and star point guard Kyrie Irving (shoulder) were absent Friday at Indiana and the Pacers took advantage with a 93-86 win to send the Cavaliers to just their third loss in 21 games. Irving has already been ruled out for Sunday's contest.

The Portland Trail Blazers may have finally found their swagger Friday in a comeback win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Trail Blazers look to build on that performance and win a third straight game Sunday when they visit the Sacramento Kings. After starting the season 30-8, Portland had won just seven of 18 games before recovering from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to stymie Oklahoma City behind All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard.

The Golden State Warriors continue to thrive on the road and they play the ninth away game of a stretch in which 10 of 11 contests are on enemy soil when they face the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Golden State is 6-3 during the span – counting a win over San Antonio in the lone home game – and the trip concludes with games against the Celtics and Brooklyn Nets on Monday. Boston recently revamped the roster and posted a 106-98 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

Surging Indiana continues a home-heavy portion of its schedule with a visit from Philadelphia on Sunday. The Pacers, who have won seven of nine, entered Saturday holding the eighth and final seed in a jumbled Eastern Conference playoff race, percentage points ahead of three other teams and in position to continue its move up the standings. Including Friday's 93-86 victory over a shorthanded Cleveland team, Indiana plays eight of nine games at home with its lone road game at lowly New York.

The Charlotte Hornets have hit some speed bumps on their road to the playoffs and look to change course when they visit the Orlando Magic on Sunday. The Hornets let a 16-point lead get away at Boston to drop their sixth in seven games Friday and continue to lose ground in the six-team battle for the final two postseason spots in the Eastern Conference. The Magic, who are 4-4 since their coaching change, can win the season series after taking two of the first three – both at Charlotte.

The Los Angeles Lakers won't be the only team missing their biggest star when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. The Lakers have won three straight — their longest streak since losing star Kobe Bryant to rotator cuff surgery — and also could be without swingman Nick Young (knee) for a third straight game. The Thunder will be without star guard Russell Westbrook, who had surgery for a facial fracture on Saturday, in addition to reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant (foot).

The New Orleans Pelicans continue their pursuit of a Western Conference playoff spot when they visit the sputtering Denver Nuggets on Sunday. New Orleans has posted four straight wins – three without All-Star power forward Anthony Davis – and role players like Quincy Pondexter and Alexis Ajinca have stepped up to be stars over the last two games. Denver has lost 18 of its last 20 games and suffered a 104-82 drubbing at the hands of the Utah Jazz on Friday.