On January 4, Beijing time, the NBA regular season will continue, and the league has scheduled nine games. Can the Rockets beat last season's championship when they host the Celtics? The Knicks, who have won 9 in a row, challenge the Thunder, who have won 13 in a row, whose winning streak will be ended?

Nuggets vs. Spurs, Jokic PK Wemban, and Wei Shao hit the scoring milestone. The Lakers host the Hawks, James will surpass Nowitzki in appearances and occupy the fourth place in history, and if he scores another 30+ points, he can surpass Jordan and become the player with the most 30+ points in NBA history.

8:00: Hornets vs. Pistons

The Hornets are 7-25 and on an eight-game losing streak and are in 14th place in the East; The Pistons are 15-18 and in ninth place in the East.

The Hornets lost to the Bulls 108-115 in their last game, Bridges had 31 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, and Mark Williams had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Pistons beat the Magic 105-96 in their last game, with the Pistons' Ivey 22 points, 4 assists and 5 three-pointers, Cunningham 19 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, and Duren 18 points and 11 rebounds.

This will be the third meeting between the two sides this season, with the first two meetings being won by the Hornets.

In terms of injuries, the Hornets' Tre Man and Gervais are out, and the three balls, Jeffries, Cody Martin, and Miller are doubtful. The Pistons' Fontecchio and Ivey are out. ESPN predicts a win percentage: 24.9% for the Hornets and 75.1% for the Pistons.

8:30: Magic vs. Raptors

The Magic are 20-15 and ranked 4th in the East; The Raptors are 8-26 and 13th in the East.

The Magic lost to the Pistons 96-105 in their last game, Suggs had 24 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, Pope had 21 points, and Wendell Carter had 15 points and 8 rebounds. The Raptors beat the Nets 130-113 in their last game, with Barnes having 33 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists, Dick 22 points, and Quickley 21 points, 4 rebounds and 15 assists.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, with the Magic winning all three of last season's meetings.

In terms of injuries, the Magic's Banchero, Wagner Jr., Big Wagner, and Gary Harris are absent, Quinn is likely to play, and Blake is doubtful. The Raptors' Barrett is doubtful. ESPN predicts a win percentage in this game: Magic 43.4%, Raptors 56.6%.

9:00: Celtics vs. Rockets

The Celtics are 25-9 and in second place in the East; The Rockets are 22-11 and in third place in the West.

The Celtics narrowly beat the Timberwolves 118-115 in their last game, with Tatum having 33 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, and White having 26 points and 5 three-pointers. The Rockets beat the Mavericks 110-99 in their last game, Shin Kyung had 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals, Jalen Green 22 points and 5 rebounds, Dillon 19 points and 6 rebounds, and Whitmore 18 points.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, with Celtic winning both of last season's meetings.

In terms of injuries, Celtics' Al Horford, Jaylen Brown and Porzingis are doubtful. The Rockets' Amen Thompson is suspended, Eason is likely not to play, and Landale is doubtful. ESPN predicts a win percentage in this game: Celtics 54.5%, Rockets 45.5%.

9:00: Wizards vs. Pelicans

The Wizards are 6-25 and 15th in the East; The Pelicans are 5-29 and on an 11-game losing streak and are in 15th place in the West.

The Wizards beat the Bulls 125-107 in their last game, with Poole scoring 30 points, 6 three-pointers and 3 steals, Wallan 14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, and Sarr 11 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. The Pelicans lost 108-119 to the Heat in their last game, with Murphy III having 34 points and four rebounds and McCollum having 22 points, four rebounds and five assists.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, with the Pelicans winning both of last season's meetings.

In terms of injuries, the Wizards' Kalidou Koulibaly, Bagley and Saddiq Bey are out. The Pelicans' Zion, Ingram, and Matkovic are out, Alvarado is likely to play, and Robinson Earle is doubtful. ESPN predicts a win percentage: 47.3% for the Wizards, 52.7% for the Pelicans.

9:00: Knicks vs. Thunder

The Knicks are 24-10 and on a nine-game winning streak and are third in the East; The Thunder are 28-5 and on a 13-game winning streak and are ranked No. 1 in the West.

The Knicks beat the Jazz 119-103 in their last game, Towns had 31 points, 21 rebounds and 4 assists, Bridges 27 points, Anunoby 22 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals, and Hart 15 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. The Thunder beat the Clippers 116-98 in their last game, Alexander had 29 points and 8 assists, Jalen Williams had 18 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists, and Hatten had 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, with the Thunder winning both of last season's meetings.

In terms of injuries, the Knicks' Mitchell Robinson is out, and Brunson and McBride are doubtful. The Thunder's Holmgren and Topic are out, and Caruso is likely not to play. ESPN predicts a win percentage in this game: Knicks 28.0%, Thunder 72.0%.

9:30 a.m.: Cavaliers vs. Mavericks

The Cavaliers are 29-4 and have won eight in a row and are in No. 1 place in the East; The Mavericks are 20-14 and on a three-game losing streak and are in fifth place in the West.

The Cavaliers beat the Lakers 122-110 in their last game, Allen had 27 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks, Mitchell 26 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Mobley 20 points and 6 rebounds, and Garland 14 points and 14 assists. The Mavericks lost to the Rockets 99-110 in their last game, with Irving having 16 points and seven rebounds, Thompson having 16 points and five rebounds, and Grimes having 17 points and five rebounds.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, with the Cavaliers winning both of last season's meetings.

In terms of injuries, the Cavaliers' Okoro is absent, Merrill is likely not to play, the Mavericks' Doncic and Exum are absent, Marshall is suspended, and Kleber and Washington are doubtful. ESPN predicts a win rate of this game: Cavaliers 75.6%. Mavericks 24.4%.

10:00: Spurs vs. Nuggets

The Spurs are 17-16 and 10th in the West; The Nuggets are 19-13 and on a three-game winning streak and are in fourth place in the West.

The Spurs beat the Clippers 122-86 in the last game, Wembanyama had 27 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks, Johnson 17 points and 6 rebounds, and Paul 7 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. The Nuggets beat the Hawks 139-120 in their last game, with Jokic having 23 points, 17 rebounds and 15 assists, Murray 21 points, Porter 21 points, and Westbrook 16 points and 11 assists.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, with the Nuggets going 3-1 in four meetings last season.

In terms of injuries, the Spurs' Sochan is out, and the Nuggets' Kankar, Gordon, and Holmes are absent. ESPN predicts a win percentage: 40.2% for Spurs, 59.8% for Nuggets.

In terms of milestones, Wei Shao has scored 25,602 points in his career so far, and if he scores another 12 points, he will surpass Nuggets legend Inglish (25,613 points) and rise to 22nd place in history.

11:00: Grizzlies vs. Kings

The Grizzlies are 23-11 and ranked second in the West; The Kings are 15-19 and 12th in the West.

The Grizzlies beat the Suns 117-112 in their last game, Jaren Jackson Jr. had 38 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, Bane had 31 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, and Kennard had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The Kings beat the 76ers 113-107 in their last game, with Fox having 35 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists, Monk having 20 points and 6 assists, and Sabonis having 17 points, 21 rebounds and 7 assists.

This will be the second meeting between the two sides this season, with the Grizzlies beating the Kings 115-110 in the last meeting.

In terms of injuries, the Grizzlies' Morant, Aldama, Smart, Vince Williams Jr., and GG Jackson are absent, while Zach Edie, Clark, LaRavia, and Yuki Kawamura are doubtful. The Kings' Keegan Murray is likely to be sidelined. ESPN predicts a win percentage: 41.6% for the Grizzlies and 58.4% for the Kings.

11:30 a.m.: Hawks vs. Lakers

The Hawks are 18-16 and 7th in the East; The Lakers are 19-14 and in sixth place in the West.

The Hawks lost 120-139 to the Nuggets in their last game, Trae Young had 30 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists, and Hunter had 20 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. The Lakers beat the Trail Blazers 114-106 in their last game, James had 38 points, 8 assists and 7 three-pointers, Christie had 28 points and 5 three-pointers, and Reaves had 15 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists.

This will be the second meeting between the two sides this season, with the Hawks narrowly beating the Lakers 134-132 in overtime in the last meeting.

In terms of injuries, the Hawks' Bafkin, Nance Jr., and Zeller are out, and Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Bogdan are doubtful. The Lakers' Wood and Vanderbilt are absent, Vincent is likely not to play, and Hood Schiffino and Thick Eyebrows are doubtful. ESPN predicts a win rate of 37.4% for the Hawks and 62.6% for the Lakers.

In terms of milestones, James has scored 30+ points in 562 games, tied with Jordan for the first place in history, and if he scores another 30+ points, he will surpass Jordan and occupy the first place in history. If James plays against the Hawks, he will have 1,523 career regular-season appearances, surpassing Nowitzki (1,522) and moving for fourth all-time.