Just over a week ago, the Boston Celtics were likely entertaining thoughts of surpassing the New York Knicks atop the Atlantic Division. How things have changed. The Celtics have lost four straight while the once-struggling Knicks have won four in a row, taking some of the drama from their meeting Tuesday night at Boston's TD Garden. Further sapping the intrigue is the fact that the Celtics will be without All-Star forward Kevin Garnett as he battles a left ankle injury.

Having snapped their 10-game losing streak, the Detroit Pistons turn their attention toward ending a string of six straight home losses when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. The Pistons ended their season-long skid with a 92-91 win at Charlotte on Saturday, but they haven't won at home since an 11-point victory over Washington on Feb. 13.

With their mediocre defense and 37-year-old point guard, the Dallas Mavericks could easily be confused for a lottery team. Instead, they’re 1 1/2 games out of a playoff berth heading into Tuesday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Mavericks are 21-13 since Jan. 9, and they moved to 2-1 on their season-long six-game homestand with a 113-108 win over Utah on Sunday. Dallas also trails ninth-place Utah by a half-game with 12 games remaining.