WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand won the toss Wednesday and chose to bowl in the fifth Twenty20 cricket international against Pakistan.
The Blackcaps hold an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series after winning the fourth game on Sunday by 115 runs.
New Zealand made one change to its lineup, selecting fast bowler Ben Sears in place of Zakary Foulkes.
Pakistan made sweeping changes, naming Omair bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Jahandad Khan, Sufyan Moqim and Mohammad Ali in place of Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed.
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Lineups:
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay, Michael Bracewell (captain), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke.
Pakistan: Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Omair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Moqim, Mohammad Ali.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Memphis Grizzlies (44-28, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (60-12, first in the Western Conference)
Oklahoma City; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City will attempt to continue its seven-game win streak with a victory over Memphis.
The Thunder are 34-11 in conference play. Oklahoma City ranks fourth in the Western Conference with 50.8 points per game in the paint led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 13.7.
The Grizzlies are 26-19 against conference opponents. Memphis ranks second in the NBA scoring 56.8 points per game in the paint led by Jaren Jackson Jr. averaging 11.4.
The Thunder make 48.1% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.4 percentage points higher than the Grizzlies have allowed to their opponents (45.7%). The Grizzlies average 15.5 more points per game (122.4) than the Thunder give up to opponents (106.9).
TOP PERFORMERS: Gilgeous-Alexander is shooting 52.1% and averaging 32.8 points for the Thunder. Isaiah Joe is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Jackson is averaging 22.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Grizzlies. Desmond Bane is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 9-1, averaging 121.1 points, 46.6 rebounds, 26.8 assists, 8.3 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 49.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.8 points per game.
Grizzlies: 6-4, averaging 118.9 points, 47.0 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 9.6 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.0 points.
INJURIES: Thunder: Aaron Wiggins: day to day (achilles), Jalen Williams: day to day (hip), Ousmane Dieng: day to day (calf), Cason Wallace: day to day (knee), Alex Ducas: day to day (quadriceps), Nikola Topic: out for season (acl), Ajay Mitchell: out (toe).
Grizzlies: Marvin Bagley III: day to day (concussion protocol), Zyon Pullin: day to day (knee), Ja Morant: day to day (hamstring), Jaren Jackson Jr.: day to day (face), Brandon Clarke: out for season (knee), Lamar Stevens: day to day (shoulder).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Dallas Mavericks (35-38, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (35-38, eighth in the Eastern Conference)
Orlando, Florida; Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Orlando seeks to continue its three-game win streak with a victory against Dallas.
The Magic are 19-17 on their home court. Orlando has a 17-19 record in games decided by 10 points or more.
The Mavericks are 15-22 in road games. Dallas is 3-8 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Magic average 105.1 points per game, 10.3 fewer points than the 115.4 the Mavericks allow. The Mavericks average 12.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 more made shots on average than the 11.5 per game the Magic give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Franz Wagner is averaging 24.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Magic. Paolo Banchero is averaging 29.8 points, eight rebounds and 3.9 assists over the last 10 games.
P.J. Washington is scoring 14.8 points per game and averaging 7.9 rebounds for the Mavericks. Naji Marshall is averaging 24.2 points and 7.8 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 6-4, averaging 110.7 points, 41.5 rebounds, 21.9 assists, 7.9 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points per game.
Mavericks: 3-7, averaging 118.4 points, 38.6 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 7.1 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 124.6 points.
INJURIES: Magic: Jalen Suggs: out for season (quad), Cole Anthony: day to day (toe), Moritz Wagner: out for season (knee).
Mavericks: P.J. Washington Jr.: day to day (ankle), Daniel Gafford: out (knee), Dante Exum: out (hand), Kyrie Irving: out for season (knee), Caleb Martin: day to day (hip), Anthony Davis: day to day (thigh), Dereck Lively II: out (ankle), Olivier-Maxence Prosper: out for season (wrist).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Portland Trail Blazers (32-41, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (35-37, ninth in the Western Conference)
Sacramento, California; Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento heads into the matchup against Portland as losers of four straight games.
The Kings are 24-24 against Western Conference opponents. Sacramento averages 12.8 turnovers per game and is 20-17 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents.
The Trail Blazers are 17-30 in conference matchups. Portland is 19-12 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 15.2 turnovers per game.
The Kings score 116.0 points per game, 1.8 more points than the 114.2 the Trail Blazers give up. The Trail Blazers average 111.0 points per game, 4.8 fewer than the 115.8 the Kings allow to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Domantas Sabonis is averaging 18.9 points, 13.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists for the Kings. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 21.1 points and 5.9 assists over the past 10 games.
Shaedon Sharpe is shooting 45.0% and averaging 17.6 points for the Trail Blazers. Anfernee Simons is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 2-8, averaging 110.3 points, 39.5 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 7.2 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.3 points per game.
Trail Blazers: 4-6, averaging 112.1 points, 47.6 rebounds, 23.6 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 43.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.8 points.
INJURIES: Kings: Malik Monk: day to day (illness).
Trail Blazers: Deandre Ayton: out (calf), Robert Williams III: out (knee), Jerami Grant: day to day (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Atlanta Hawks (35-37, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (31-41, 10th in the Eastern Conference)
Miami; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks visit Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat in Eastern Conference action.
The Heat are 8-5 against the rest of their division. Miami has a 16-18 record in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Hawks are 9-4 in division matchups. Atlanta is fifth in the NBA scoring 117.6 points per game while shooting 46.9%.
The Heat are shooting 46.1% from the field this season, 2.0 percentage points lower than the 48.1% the Hawks allow to opponents. The Hawks average 13.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.4 fewer makes per game than the Heat give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Adebayo is averaging 17.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Heat. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Young is averaging 24.1 points and 11.4 assists for the Hawks. Onyeka Okongwu is averaging 16.2 points and 11.5 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 2-8, averaging 103.7 points, 37.8 rebounds, 24.3 assists, 8.6 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.1 points per game.
Hawks: 7-3, averaging 121.5 points, 43.7 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 8.8 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.9 points.
INJURIES: Heat: Dru Smith: out for season (achilles), Nikola Jovic: out (hand), Duncan Robinson: day to day (back).
Hawks: Larry Nance Jr.: out (knee), Kobe Bufkin: out for season (shoulder), Clint Capela: out (hand), Jalen Johnson: out for season (shoulder).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Los Angeles Clippers (40-31, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. New York Knicks (45-26, third in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Clippers -1.5; over/under is 217.5
BOTTOM LINE: New York hosts Los Angeles trying to extend its three-game home winning streak.
The Knicks have gone 24-11 in home games. New York scores 116.5 points and has outscored opponents by 4.3 points per game.
The Clippers have gone 15-20 away from home. Los Angeles averages 111.8 points while outscoring opponents by 3.3 points per game.
The Knicks make 48.7% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.8 percentage points higher than the Clippers have allowed to their opponents (45.9%). The Clippers average 111.8 points per game, 0.4 fewer than the 112.2 the Knicks allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Josh Hart is shooting 53.3% and averaging 13.9 points for the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 24.7 points over the last 10 games.
James Harden is averaging 22.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.5 steals for the Clippers. Ivica Zubac is averaging 20.0 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 5-5, averaging 111.4 points, 43.4 rebounds, 27.9 assists, 9.7 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.8 points per game.
Clippers: 8-2, averaging 118.3 points, 43.5 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.7 points.
INJURIES: Knicks: Ariel Hukporti: out (knee), Miles McBride: day to day (groin), Jalen Brunson: out (ankle), Mitchell Robinson: day to day (ankle).
Clippers: Jordan Miller: out (hamstring), James Harden: day to day (foot).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Houston Rockets (47-26, second in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (16-57, 15th in the Western Conference)
Salt Lake City; Thursday, 9 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Houston visits Utah trying to prolong its three-game road winning streak.
The Jazz are 7-39 in conference matchups. Utah ranks sixth in the Western Conference with 11.9 offensive rebounds per game led by Walker Kessler averaging 4.6.
The Rockets are 26-17 against Western Conference opponents. Houston is 21-9 in games decided by 10 points or more.
The Jazz average 13.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.8 more made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Rockets give up. The Jazz average 113.6 points per game, 6.5 fewer points than the 120.1 the Jazz allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kessler is averaging 11.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for the Jazz. Collin Sexton is averaging 14.1 points over the last 10 games.
Alperen Sengun is averaging 19 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Rockets. Dillon Brooks is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 1-9, averaging 108.3 points, 43.9 rebounds, 24.7 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.0 points per game.
Rockets: 9-1, averaging 119.8 points, 51.6 rebounds, 23.7 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.8 points.
INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (illness), John Collins: out (ankle), Taylor Hendricks: out for season (fibula), Jordan Clarkson: out (foot).
Rockets: Amen Thompson: day to day (ankle), Reed Sheppard: out (thumb).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
San Antonio Spurs (31-40, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (58-14, first in the Eastern Conference)
Cleveland; Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The San Antonio Spurs take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in non-conference action.
The Cavaliers have gone 30-5 at home. Cleveland is second in the league averaging 122.3 points and is shooting 49.3% from the field.
The Spurs have gone 12-23 away from home. San Antonio ranks ninth in the Western Conference with 43.9 rebounds per game led by Jeremy Sochan averaging 6.6.
The Cavaliers are shooting 49.3% from the field this season, 1.9 percentage points higher than the 47.4% the Spurs allow to opponents. The Spurs average 14.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.7 more makes per game than the Cavaliers allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Evan Mobley is averaging 18.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 blocks for the Cavaliers. Max Strus is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
De'Aaron Fox is scoring 23.5 points per game with 4.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists for the Spurs. Devin Vassell is averaging 19.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 48.0% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 6-4, averaging 116.7 points, 43.0 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 7.8 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.3 points per game.
Spurs: 5-5, averaging 120.8 points, 41.1 rebounds, 28.2 assists, 9.5 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.1 points.
INJURIES: Cavaliers: Jaylon Tyson: day to day (knee), Donovan Mitchell: day to day (groin).
Spurs: Charles Bassey: day to day (knee), De'Aaron Fox: out for season (hand), Victor Wembanyama: out for season (illness).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.