The Charlotte Hornets are running out of time to keep themselves in the playoff picture, but they get a prime opportunity to pick up a win when they host the sliding Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. The Hornets followed up a five-game winning streak with four consecutive losses - all to teams ranked in the top six in the East - and are six games out of a playoff spot with 17 to play.

The Miami Heat are not feeling much pressure from behind as they sit in the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference, but the opportunity to move up continues to present itself. The Heat will get another opportunity to win at the expense of a team in front of them in the standings when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.

The Boston Celtics could be without All-Star guard Kyrie Irving once again when they finish a three-game road trip at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. Irving, who is hampered by a knee injury and could be held out through the week, was absent Monday when the Celtics rolled past the Chicago Bulls 105-89.

The Oklahoma City Thunder can't afford to suffer through any lengthy losing streaks with the Western Conference packed as tightly as it is from three through 10. Luckily, the schedule is lining up nicely for the Thunder to avoid a three-game slide with the lowly Phoenix Suns visiting on Thursday.

Anytime the Golden State Warriors have met up with the San Antonio Spurs over the last few seasons, it's been considered a marquee matchup in the Western Conference. That matchup will have lost a bit of luster when the Spurs visit the Warriors on Thursday.