New Orleans at Indiana (8 p.m. EST). The top two teams in the Eastern Conference meet in Indianapolis.

LEADERS

Jason Kidd leads the NBA, averaging 9.5 assists. Kidd was tops in that category last season at 8.9. Allen Iverson, who has played in 21 of the 76ers' 32 games, is the league's top scorer this season, averaging 28.9 points. Allan Houston is the league's top foul shooter, having missed just eight of 119 (93.3 percent). Detroit's Ben Wallace is the league's top shot-blocker, averaging 3.32.

PAYTON RETURNS

Gary Payton returns to Seattle for the first time Friday since being traded after 12 seasons with the SuperSonics. Payton remains Seattle's career leader in scoring, assists, steals, games, personal fouls, minutes, triple-doubles, field goals and 3-pointers.

CLIPS ON THE RISE?

Through 28 games the Los Angeles Clippers are 13-15. It took them 35 games to reach 13 wins last season.

SPEAKING

``There's no doubt in my mind this team can make the playoffs. As long as we don't get caught up in thinking we're better than we are, we'll be fine.'' _ Glen Rice, on the Clippers' postseason prospects.