Basketball

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jordan Poole is far from a finished product, and the fourth-year guard showed both signs of brilliance and struggles controlling his emotions on the big Christmas Day basketball stage.

DENVER (AP) — Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker left with a groin injury early in the first quarter Sunday night against the Denver Nuggets. The All-NBA guard had two points in 4:20 after missing the previous three games because of groin soreness.

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown knocked down his shots in the fourth quarter. And then he knocked down Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks had trailed from the opening bucket when the crowd erupted at the sight of retired star Dirk Nowitzki on the video boards late in the first half.

DALLAS (AP) — Dirk Nowitzki stood with his son Max, both ready to push the lever that would unveil the statue of the retired Dallas Mavericks star outside the team's arena.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers weren't playing well, and worse than that, Joel Embiid thought he was playing soft. He and James Harden have the Sixers on too good a roll to stay down too long. “We just know how to play.

Houston Rockets (9-23, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (14-18, 11th in the Eastern Conference) Chicago; Monday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Houston aims to end its five-game slide with a win over Chicago.

Los Angeles Clippers (19-15, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (8-27, 15th in the Eastern Conference) Detroit; Monday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Detroit aims to break its five-game home slide with a victory over Los Angeles.

Charlotte Hornets (9-24, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (17-16, ninth in the Western Conference) Portland, Oregon; Monday, 10 p.m.

Indiana Pacers (17-16, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (20-12, third in the Western Conference) New Orleans; Monday, 8 p.m.