Denver at Portland (10 p.m. EST). Carmelo Anthony leads the Nuggets against Rasheed Wallace and the Blazers.

LEADERS

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

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 played, personal fouls, minutes, triple-doubles, field goals made and 3-pointers.

CLIPPERS 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.