PORTLAND, Ore. -- Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul have a lot of shared basketball history after almost two decades in the NBA, but there's one specific tie between the two former All-Stars that has bound both proud men over the past year: their respective unceremonious divorces from the Houston Rockets.

Anthony, who was waived by the Rockets after just 10 games last season, and struggled to find a job in the league this year before being picked up by the Trail Blazers last month, says he wasn't surprised by the way Paul's deal was handled and that in fact he even warned him.

"No, I wasn't surprised at all," Anthony told ESPN after a 108-96 loss to Paul and the Thunder on Sunday night. "When my situation happened in Houston, he was the first person that I called to come to my room. And we had to clear some things up and I wanted to know if he had anything to do with it. And that was the first thing that I wanted to know and he told me, 'No.' And from that point on I told him, looked him in his eyes and said 'Look, just be careful.' You know what I mean? Just be careful. And damn sure if [the same situation] didn't happen to him."

Paul, who was traded to the Thunder last summer as part of a package that sent Russell Westbrook to the Rockets, recently told The Undefeated's Marc Spears that Rockets GM Daryl Morey told Paul he would not be moved, only to be dealt a few days later.

"I was shocked," Paul told The Undefeated. "Truth be told, I just talked to Daryl a couple days before the trade and he said he wasn't going to trade me [to Oklahoma City]. That's funny because that is going to be the alert that pops up on everybody's phone because nobody knows that. But what the hell, I just said it."

Anthony says he holds no ill will towards Morey or the Rockets, but he admits that the sting of not being told why he was let go bothered him for a while.

"I haven't talked to nobody in their organization, no," Anthony said. "I'm not angry, I'm not bitter at it. It happens. I wish I had an explanation when it happened, but I'm past it."

When asked if there's a feeling in the league that Morey and the Rockets may not be straight shooters after the separate situations with both himself and Paul, Anthony took a broader approach with his response.

"Well nobody has an answer, right?" he said. "My situation and Chris' situation is totally different, but nobody has an answer. Like nobody really has an answer for my situation. Still. The only people that know is me. Me and them. That's it. And I don't even think they know. It's just something that was already established before I even got there. It was on a trial run basis. You look back at it and 10 games is an evaluation. So that's the business, right? You see New York have a press conference eight games in, 10 games. So that's the new analytics, that's the new game. Everything's based off of your first 10 games. And once you know that, it gives you clarity on a lot of things."

Both Anthony and Paul take a great deal of pride in what they've accomplished in the league, and what they've accomplished in the famed "Bananna Boat" foursome alongside Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and recently retired Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade.

Anthony and Paul exchanged hugs before Sunday's game and are enjoying the fact that they get to face off against one another at least a few more times in the league. But Anthony noted that after Paul was dealt from the Rockets, the veteran point guard didn't call to tell him that his prediction about how Paul's potential future in Houston may unfold, had come true.

"No, he didn't say I was right," Anthony said. "He was in Vegas when all of that happened, so we was talking. And when I talked to him he was like, 'Man, look, I understand it. It's messed up, but I understand it.' And for me I'm like, 'Yo, it took me months to kind of like get past that. My pride was hit, my ego was it. I had to really get past that. To a point where it was like, 'Man, Chris, is you good?' I wanted to make sure he was good. So he told me he was good and that was that."

There is barely a major Test ground around the world that Steven Smith does not know intimately. But despite being the fastest in history to score 7000 Test runs, he admits there is a sense of trepidation as he prepares for his first Test at Perth Stadium, one of Australia's newest Test centres.

The venue has only held three first-class fixtures so far, including one Test match between Australia and India last year, which Smith did not play as he was serving a ball-tampering ban. He has only played two matches at the venue, an ODI against England where he made 12 from 23 deliveries, and the T20I against Pakistan this year where he didn't bat.

So the first day-night Test against New Zealand will be an unfamiliar challenge.

"There is a sense of unknown, particularly with the pink ball as well," Smith said. "You just never know. I watched the Test match last year, which seemed to have some good pace and bounce. I guess it's just different with the pink ball, how that responds.

"I think it will be about us just summing it up and seeing how it plays and adapting really quickly to whatever we need to do."

Smith has lost his place as the world's No. 1 Test batsman to Virat Kohli, who was the only man to master the Perth Stadium conditions in last year's Test where ball dominated bat. Kohli made 123 in an India loss when no other player across sides exceeded 72.

Smith was unperturbed at losing the top spot, and he knows runs can be scored on the surface, particularly against the pink ball, as Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq did against Australia A last month.

"Sometimes when the wicket's really hard, it can soften that ball up," Smith said. "It can be 10-15 overs at the start when the ball is new it can be hard work, but then good for batting for 50 or 60 overs. We saw a pink-ball game a couple of weeks ago here between Pakistan and Australia A, and there were some big runs scored in that game from the Pakistan guys."

The weather is also an unknown. Perth is set for scorching temperatures throughout the match with 38 degrees Celsius forecast, which can often produce large cracks in the local pitches at both the WACA and Perth Stadium.

"We've seen here in the past, games at the WACA for instance, the cracks come into play late in the game," Smith said. "And if it's as hot as it says it's going to be, they could potentially come into play, which I think is good. When the cracks come into play, it's something that plays on your mind. You look down and you see these things. Generally, the balls that get you out don't touch the cracks, they're just sort of playing in your mind.

"A lot of the guys have played when the wickets have been cracked and been able to play reasonably well. If it does happen, hopefully, we can adjust to it."

Smith should be fresh and primed after a series against Pakistan where he spent more time watching than batting, something he is not accustomed to.

"It wasn't easy actually," Smith said. "It's been a while since I was sitting there and just watching the boys do their thing. It was great to see some guys score some big runs and me just sit back and watch and chill out or try to chill out. It's actually hard waiting to bat and you're really focused on what's going on out in the middle and thinking about getting ready.

"That was difficult from that point of view. New Zealand are a good side and I've had a bit of success against them in the past in Test cricket, so I'm looking forward to this series and hopefully the boys up top can keep scoring big runs, and if not, hopefully I'll be able to get some."

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will know later this week whether the Bangladesh government will allow them to send the men's team to Pakistan for a full tour in January, according to chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury. The decision to tour hinges on security assessments, which will be determined by the government, apart from the board's own security team which has submitted a report recently.

Chowdhury was responding to a question posed about the Pakistan Cricket Board's proposal to play a day-night Test during the tour. He said that the decision to play the day-night game is secondary for them currently.

"Before discussing the proposal to play day-night Test, we are awaiting the government directive because of the security issue in Pakistan," Chowdhury was quoted as saying by Kaler Kantho. "We will need the government's permission. We have to first see if we can go on this tour. We don't have much time as the tour is scheduled for next month. We are hopeful that we can clear our position on the tour this week. We will know if we are going to Pakistan or not."

ESPNcricinfo has learnt that the BCB are not quite keen on playing another day-night Test without giving the players enough match practice with the pink ball under lights. The current schedule would not allow the senior team time to prepare separately for pink-ball cricket, as the BPL ends on January 17.

The tour is scheduled for three T20Is from January 23, and the Test series has to finish before the PSL that is scheduled to begin on February 20, so like their maiden pink-ball Test in India last month, Bangladesh are unlikely to get an extra practice match before the proposed Pakistan day-night Test.

On the other hand, the PCB has been experimenting with day-night first-class cricket for the last eight years starting with the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in 2011, which was played with an orange ball in Karachi, and their Test side has played four day-night matches.

WASHINGTON -- Kawhi Leonard fell to the floor awkwardly after getting tangled up with Washington's Isaac Bonga. He then held his left leg high in the air, grabbing it with both hands.

After a few seconds in that early third-quarter moment, though, the LA Clippers All-Star got up and remained in the game and showed no signs of slowing down. Leonard scored 19 of his 34 points in the second half while also finishing with 11 rebounds and five assists to help lead the Clippers to a 135-119 victory over the Wizards.

While Leonard appeared to come away without anything more serious from that brief moment in the third quarter, there's a chance the Clippers' All-Star forward might not play in Monday night's game at Indiana. Coach Doc Rivers said he wasn't sure if both his stars -- Leonard and Paul George -- will play together against the Pacers in the second game of a back-to-back set.

Both Leonard and George are coming off injuries and the Clippers want to make sure both remain healthy for what could be a deep postseason run.

"I don't know yet," Rivers said after the win when asked if both Leonard and George will play in the second of the back-to-back games. "One, for sure. That's what we've been doing lately. We just don't know which one yet."

When asked if he saw Leonard on the floor holding his knee high up in the air, Rivers said he didn't notice it.

"I'm glad I didn't," the coach said. "I might have taken him out [to be cautious]."

Leonard said he wasn't sure when asked if he knows if he and George will play in Indiana. He did say that when he was on the floor grabbing his left knee, he wanted to make sure everything was fine. Leonard had a left knee contusion he suffered when he banged knees in a game against Houston on Nov. 13 that kept him out of three straight games in November.

"Just kind of coming off a screen and got tripped up," Leonard said. "It was good. Just making sure everything was good."

The Clippers have played four sets of back-to-back games this season and Leonard hasn't played in an entire back-to-back yet, with his knee and health remaining a priority for him. Leonard has repeatedly said that he wants to make sure he will be healthy for the postseason.

George, who scored 27 points to go with six rebounds and six assists, said he plans on playing against his former team on Monday night.

"I spent the longest part of my career in Indiana," said George, who was in Indiana for seven seasons after the Pacers drafted him in 2010. "A lot of those people there are still family to me. So, absolutely, it'll always be [of] significance coming back to Indiana."

LOS ANGELES -- It wasn't Anthony Davis' idea to score 50 points Sunday in the Los Angeles Lakers' 142-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Avery Bradley first suggested it to him at halftime, when Davis was already up to 27 points. DeMarcus Cousins then encouraged him to keep chasing it during second-half timeouts. And finally, Rajon Rondo instructed him to go get one more bucket when his point total was up to 48.

"The team was telling me, they're weren't telling me how much I had, but they were saying, 'Get 50,'" Davis said after logging the fourth 50-point game of his career. "Usually I don't really pay attention. I just go out there and play and try to get the win. But it's hard when your teammates are constantly reminding you, 'Go get 50! Go get 50!' So they made sure I was constantly reminded."

Sunday's result was a reminder of just how well the Davis and LeBron James pairing is going, as the Lakers won their fourth straight game to improve to a league-best 21-3.

James, who finished with 32 points (including a 6-for-8 mark from 3) and 13 assists for no slouch night of his own, assisted on eight of Davis' field goals, including setting up the one that gave Davis the mark with a 7-foot floater over the Wolves' Jordan Bell.

It was the most assists he's had to any one teammate in a game this season and the second most to any teammate in a game in his 17-year career, according to research by ESPN Stats & Info. (Last March, he dished 10 assists to JaVale McGee.)

"For me and AD we just, it starts with us," James said. "If we're on the same page it makes it a lot easier for the rest of the ball club and that's both on and off the floor. So we're just trying to lead by example, lead by command, lead by our voices, lead by our play and see where it takes us. It's been pretty good for us so far."

Davis became just the second teammate of James' career to score 50 in a game. Kyrie Irving did it twice for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2014-15 season. One of those games, James didn't play in and the other went to overtime.

Davis did his damage in 39 minutes, going 20-for-29 from the field and 10-for-10 from the line.

"Just keep feeding him," James said. "He was efficient all night. Getting the ball exactly where he wanted it: mid-post, low post, perimeter. He can do it all, so. It's our job to continue giving him the ball."

It was Davis' third game with 40-plus points this season and it came on the heels of a 39-point effort in Portland on Friday. He and James became the first pair of Lakers teammates to combine for 70-plus points in back to back games since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.

"The first thing that sticks out to me is that he has four steals, a block and great defense for all 39 minutes he was out there," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. "He played strong on that end of the floor and anchored us, and to still go for 50 in what I feel like is an old school, smash mouth way of getting 50 -- no 3s? Right? (He shoots) 20-for-29 and then living at the free throw line. Pos- ups, offensive rebounds, crashes, all those types of things. Just an old school performance and one for the ages."

The mark puts Davis in great company, becoming just the 11th player in the Lakers' franchise history to put up a 50 piece.

"It means a lot," Davis said. "There's some greats to come through there and to be in the class with guys like that, especially so early in my career, my first year here, it's humbling and I'm definitely excited to be in that class."

The performance brought to mind Rondo's statement this week, declaring that Davis is on pace to win both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year this season. Davis said Rondo told him the same thing when they played together in New Orleans a few years back.

It would seem that the rest of the Lakers are on board with trying to make that statement a reality.

"I think the best thing about what happened today is he has the opportunity to just be great every night, no matter if he's making shots or not," James said. "Just his presence alone and us as his teammates just continue to make him comfortable. He's great. There's nothing more you can say."

Manchester City must accept that they may not be able to compete with the top teams in Europe at the moment, manager Pep Guardiola has said.

City's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday was their fourth of the campaign and left the defending champions third -- 14 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Guardiola's side were ripped apart by United on the counter-attack and they looked a shadow of the side that won the domestic treble last season.

"That is the level we face, against Liverpool, United, Barcelona, Madrid, Juventus -- they are the teams we have to face and the reality is maybe we are not able now to compete with them," Guardiola told Sky Sports.

"We have to improve and accept it and move forward. Maybe we need to live that as a club to improve, to accept the reality now and improve."

City's backline has been ravaged by injury, with Guardiola fielding defensive midfielder Fernando in central defence in recent games.

"The reality is we are 14 points behind for the mistakes we have done, for the quality of our opponents and especially, as well, the things we cannot control," he said.

"We are at the beginning of December and we have other competitions to play in and other games to fight and improve on."

City are back in action on Wednesday when they visit Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, where they have already sealed progress to the knockout rounds as Group C winners.

In an 94-point offensive duel between two NFC teams with double-digit wins, the 49ers edged the Saints. The showdown headlined a strong lineup of Week 14 matchups. The Ravens clinched a playoff bid with a victory over the Bills, quarterback Drew Lock impressed in a Broncos win over the Texans and the Buccaneers kept their playoff aspirations alive with a victory against the Colts.

In the afternoon, the Chiefs clinched the AFC West, topping conference foe New England. And the Jaguars and Raiders continued their slides.

Here are Week 14's biggest takeaways from NFL Nation.

Jump to a matchup:
SF-NO | BAL-BUF | IND-TB
DET-MIN | DEN-HOU | WSH-GB
CAR-ATL | CIN-CLE | MIA-NYJ
LAC-JAX | KC-NE | TEN-OAK
PIT-ARI | DAL-CHI

San Francisco 49ers 48, New Orleans Saints 46

The 49ers have what it takes to win in the most difficult environments, including in the loud Superdome. Sunday's 48-46 victory against the Saints showed a Niners team that has leaned on its defense most of this season can win a shootout against another top contender. In the process, the Niners remained in control of their destiny in the NFC playoff race. "It's going to come down to the last week with a number of teams in the NFC, and we are looking forward to next week," coach Kyle Shanahan said. -- Nick Wagoner

Next game: vs. Atlanta (4:25 p.m. ET Sunday)

The Saints got the offensive outburst they've been waiting for but squandered it with their worst defensive performance of the season. The Saints (10-3) can still potentially wind up as the NFC's No. 1 seed. But now they might need losses by the 49ers, Seahawks and Packers to make it happen. -- Mike Triplett

Next game: vs. Indianapolis (8:15 p.m. ET Monday, Dec. 16)

Baltimore Ravens 24, Buffalo Bills 17

The Ravens clinched a playoff bid in Buffalo, but there wasn't much celebrating. "I tried to make a big deal about it in the locker room, and the guys kind of gave me a smattering of applause," coach John Harbaugh said. "They expected that; I think they've earned the right to expect that." Winners of nine consecutive games, the Ravens (11-2) are looking to secure the top seed in the AFC for the first time in franchise history. -- Jamison Hensley

Next game: vs. New York Jets (8:20 p.m. ET Thursday)

Regardless of how well the defense plays, 209 yards of offense is not going to cut it. Neither will 146 yards on 17-of-39 passing. The Bills and quarterback Josh Allen figured it out the hard way in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Are the Bills the team that averaged 401 yards in its previous three games, or the one that relies on its defense to bail it out until its offense heroically puts points on the board? We'll find out against the Steelers in Week 15. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Next game: at Pittsburgh (8:20 p.m. ET Sunday)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38, Indianapolis Colts 35

The Bucs overcame the loss of Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans to a hamstring injury, a broken thumb for quarterback Jameis Winston and four turnovers for their third straight win. Winston tossed three interceptions -- including an 80-yard pick-six from Darius Leonard -- yet also threw for a career-high 456 passing yards and four touchdowns with a fifth score on the ground. "It's a damn good thing I'm a young cub. Coaching the nicest team in the league is tough. We just love spotting 17 points to the other team, then come back and winning," coach Bruce Arians joked. "I don't think I have blood pressure anymore." -- Jenna Laine

Next game: at Detroit (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

The Colts came unraveled in the second half for the second consecutive game, and their playoff hopes are basically on life support after they gave up 542 total yards. The Colts have allowed the final 17 points in each of their past two games, contests they were in position to win. Indianapolis has lost five of its past six games after having a 5-2 record and being in first place in the AFC South. -- Mike Wells

Next game: at New Orleans (8:15 p.m. ET Monday, Dec. 16)

Minnesota Vikings 20, Detroit Lions 7

It might be viewed as a "bounce-back" performance by the Vikings' defense, but the way this unit played against a third-string rookie quarterback was expected. The Vikings opened the final quarter of the season by getting some mojo back against an overmatched opponent, sacking Lions quarterback David Blough five times with their fourth-lowest pressure rate of the season (11 of Blough's 45 dropbacks) and watching their newfound cornerback rotation take shape. "It's important we get a chip back on our shoulder, and I thought we kind of did that," coach Mike Zimmer said. "We need to keep going and keep doing that. That's why I wish we wouldn't have let them score." -- Courtney Cronin

Next game: at Los Angeles Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET Sunday)

The good news for the Lions in their sixth consecutive loss is the team continues to move up in the 2020 draft. Atlanta's defeat of Carolina moved Detroit into the No. 5 draft position, just behind the Bengals, Redskins, Giants and Dolphins. Considering some of those teams still play each other, it's entirely possible that three more losses could put Detroit in even better position to land a top pick in the spring. -- Michael Rothstein

Next game: vs. Tampa Bay (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

Denver Broncos 38, Houston Texans 24

The Broncos have won both of Drew Lock's starts, his first two games since coming off injured reserve. The quarterback was 22-of-27 passing for 309 yards and three touchdowns Sunday in a game the Broncos led by 35 points in the third quarter. Lock joins John Elway and Marlin Briscoe as the only first-year players in Broncos history with 300 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in a single game, per ESPN Stats & Information research. His teammates have lauded his composure, and Lock said Sunday his challenge is to take "it day by day ... and not get too far ahead of ourselves.'' -- Jeff Legwold

Next game: at Kansas City (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

A week after the Texans beat the Patriots, Houston struggled against the Broncos at home. All three Texans touchdowns came after they were already trailing 38-3. Coach Bill O'Brien took the blame for the loss, saying, "I don't think there was anything very good" in the game. At 8-5, Houston still has an opportunity to win the AFC South with two games in three weeks against the Titans. But Sunday's loss ended any hope of a first-round bye. -- Sarah Barshop

Next game: at Tennessee (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

Green Bay Packers 20, Washington Redskins 15

Winning ugly might work against teams like the Giants and Redskins, but at 10-3, the Packers probably can't expect a performance like Sunday's to be good enough for a long playoff run. Or maybe it can? While quarterback Aaron Rodgers said there is frustration at times with the inconsistent performance on offense, he added that "it might be ugly to some folks ... [but] I wouldn't mind winning ugly all the way to the Super Bowl." -- Rob Demovsky

Next game: vs. Chicago (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

The Redskins are not a good team, but they are a tough-minded one. There's no reason they should have been within a score of Green Bay late, not given their talent level and several injuries during the game. They've proved resilient the past couple of weeks, but they keep falling behind (14-0 deficits in each of the past two games). The Redskins are not equipped offensively to consistently handle such deficits. Despite a bad record, they have developed a good mindset. -- John Keim

Next game: vs. Philadelphia (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

Atlanta Falcons 40, Carolina Panthers 20

The Falcons looked better along the offensive line with rookie Chris Lindstrom back in the lineup for the first time since breaking his right foot in the season opener. Lindstrom started at right guard and was in a rotation with another young, inexperienced player in Matt Gono. But when Lindstrom drove Panthers defensive tackle Vernon Butler to the ground, it showed how much the Falcons had missed his play. Atlanta ran the ball better, with a season-high 159 rushing yards and Devonta Freeman's first rushing touchdown since December 2017. Plus, quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked one time on a day when he surpassed 50,000 passing yards for his career. -- Vaughn McClure

Next game: at San Francisco (4:25 p.m. ET Sunday)

Interim coach Perry Fewell said it best after Carolina's fifth consecutive loss after a 5-3 start: "We're all fighting for our jobs.'' The losses already cost coach Ron Rivera his job. Sunday's sloppy performance (four turnovers) didn't help Fewell's chances of being a serious candidate to replace him. The five-game losing streak gives the Panthers a 1-12 record in the second half of the season over the past two years. Last season's team started 6-2 and lost seven straight before winning its finale. This team could be headed for a complete overhaul by owner David Tepper. -- David Newton

Next game: vs. Seattle (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

Cleveland Browns 27, Cincinnati Bengals 19

The Browns defeated the Bengals once they remembered they boast the NFL's leading rusher and were facing the league's worst run defense. After getting only three carries in the first half Sunday, Nick Chubb powered the Browns with his sixth 100-yard rushing game this season, the most by a Cleveland runner since 1968. Yet even as the Browns landed their fourth victory in five games, speculation surrounding Odell Beckham Jr.'s health and future in Cleveland seemed to overshadow the game itself. Last week, Beckham was vague about his future in Cleveland beyond this season. Then after Sunday's game, when asked about a pregame Fox report that he's been telling opposing coaches and players to "come get me" out of Cleveland, Beckham would say only that he wouldn't be answering questions "about any offseason stuff that's going on." That nondenial will surely fuel even more speculation about his future as they prepare to meet Arizona in a must-win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. -- Jake Trotter

Next game: at Arizona (4:05 p.m. ET Sunday)

Mark Sunday's loss to the Browns as another game the Bengals should have won. Cincinnati outgained Cleveland, won the turnover margin and had five red zone possessions. However, the Bengals were unable to score more than one touchdown. The loss at Cleveland and the season-opening defeat at Seattle could be reasons the Bengals have the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. "It was a game we felt like we had good control over," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. "We just didn't execute in those key situations." -- Ben Baby

Next game: vs. New England (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

New York Jets 22, Miami Dolphins 21

The Jets overcame a lot to beat the Dolphins, including no Le'Veon Bell, no Jamal Adams and no consistency on offense. And let's not forget about a late deficit. The talent might not be there, and a lot of key players weren't available because of injuries, but the team showed mental toughness after last weekend's no-show. -- Rich Cimini

Next game: at Baltimore (8:20 p.m. ET Thursday)

The Dolphins haven't lacked in fight or emotion, but talent upgrades are needed at just about every position as they look toward 2020. Almost every week since its Week 5 bye, Miami has been competitive and in position to win. That fight is admirable but shouldn't hide the dearth of talent, most notably at offensive line, edge rusher and defensive back, that will make this offseason so important. -- Cameron Wolfe

Next game: at New York Giants (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

Los Angeles Chargers 45, Jacksonville Jaguars 10

Playing on his 38th birthday, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers showed he can still make plays. Rivers was efficient, completing 16 of 22 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. In doing so, he eclipsed 3,500 passing yards for a 12th consecutive season, the third-longest streak in NFL history. "It was a fun day," Rivers said. "We've shown spurts of this this year. I've thrown the ball this same way this year. I've just had some critical turnovers and some other misses. But we've shown spurts of this. We were just more consistent today." -- Eric D. Williams

Next game: vs. Minnesota (4:05 p.m. ET Sunday)

The Jaguars lost their fifth consecutive game. And Sunday was worse than the 28-point loss in Seattle in 2013, the 34-point loss in New England in 2015 and the embarrassment on national TV in Tennessee in 2016. Those Jaguars teams didn't have much talent. But there are three Pro Bowlers on this defense. Leonard Fournette entered the game third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage. DJ Chark is one of the best young receivers in the league. There has been a lot of money spent on free agents and extensions, including a big-money deal to land now-backup quarterback Nick Foles. Yet this team is 4-9 and hasn't been competitive since October. It's hard to imagine owner Shad Khan holding off until the season ends to fire coach Doug Marrone. There's one more home game (Dec. 29), and Khan surely doesn't want to watch his franchise get even lower. -- Mike DiRocco

Next game: at Oakland (4:05 p.m. ET Sunday)

Kansas City Chiefs 23, New England Patriots 16

The Chiefs clinched their fourth consecutive AFC West championship but have plenty to play for. At 9-4, they are a game behind the 10-3 Patriots in the race for the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, so they'd need to gain a game for a first-round bye. But by virtue of Sunday's victory, the Chiefs would have the tiebreaker. -- Adam Teicher

Next game: vs. Denver (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

The Patriots were on the wrong end of two crucial calls by the officials, contributing to their comeback falling short. But while that was disappointing, equally so was the fact they were in a position to need a comeback after an extended stretch of offensive ineptitude. Coach Bill Belichick credited the team's resolve, saying it would serve the Patriots well going forward, which was a silver lining as they are now "on to Cincinnati." -- Mike Reiss

Next game: at Cincinnati (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

Tennessee Titans 42, Oakland Raiders 21

The Titans exploded for 552 total yards and scored 30 or more points for the fourth consecutive game. The offense is finding balance with running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Ryan Tannehill leading the way. Henry rushed 103 yards, giving him four consecutive games with at least 100. Tannehill finished with 391 yards and three touchdowns. The balanced attack paired with the defense bodes well for the Titans as they return home to host the Texans for a showdown that will have heavy AFC South title ramifications. -- Turron Davenport

Next game: vs. Houston (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

Well, that should be a wrap. The Raiders' run to a playoff spot, as unlikely as it seemed at the start of the season, is all but done, courtesy of a loss to the Titans in the penultimate game at the Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders, who lost their third straight game, fell to 6-7. The Titans, one of two teams the Raiders were chasing for the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC, improved to 8-5. The Raiders were a feel-good story when they sat at 6-4 and rode a three-game winning streak in this latest rebuilding season, but injuries and ineffectiveness the past month have turned the tide. "We did put ourselves in position to make a run and we didn't do it," Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said. "It's just as simple as that, right?" Right. -- Paul Gutierrez

Next game: vs. Jacksonville (4:05 p.m. ET Sunday)

Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Arizona Cardinals 17

The Steelers keep finding ways to win. This time, receiver Diontae Johnson powered his team to a victory with two scores -- including Pittsburgh's first punt return touchdown since 2015 -- and cornerback Joe Haden sealed the game with an interception on the final drive. "Just keep playing complementary football," defensive end Cameron Heyward said. "Offense puts up the points, defense keeps 'em off the scoreboard. Special teams came through today." With the win, the Steelers continue to hold the No. 6 spot in the AFC playoff race and have guaranteed the team won't have a losing record in the regular season, something that seemed a long way off when it started 1-3 and lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. -- Brooke Pryor

Next game: vs. Buffalo (8:20 p.m. ET Sunday)

Another game, another loss for the Cardinals. They have three more chances to avoid finishing the season on a nine-game losing streak -- a feat not even former coach Steve Wilks accomplished before getting fired after going 3-13 last season. There are major issues for Arizona on both sides of the ball, and they likely won't be fixed by season's end. At this point, the Cardinals are hoping to get out of each game with a victory and make strides toward 2020. -- Josh Weinfuss

Next game: vs. Cleveland (4:05 p.m. ET Sunday)

Chicago Bears 31, Dallas Cowboys 24

Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is playing like a top-five pick. It's impossible to ignore the fact Trubisky struggled mightily at times this season, but it all came together against the Cowboys. Trubisky not only passed for 244 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, but he also ran for 63 yards and a score. That's important because he entered the game with 80 rushing yards for the season. The Bears need Trubisky to be multidimensional, which he was in Chicago's victory over the fading Cowboys. Trubisky can't erase what happened earlier in the season, but he appears to be ending it on a high note. -- Jeff Dickerson

Next game: at Green Bay (1 p.m. ET Sunday)

With 10 days off between games, maybe the Cowboys can use the time to gather themselves after their third consecutive defeat. Emotions are edgy from owner and general manager Jerry Jones to the players. They know what they have to do -- play better football -- they just don't know how to get it done. The Cowboys can still win the division, thanks to Philadelphia's issues, but this was a team that was viewed as a Super Bowl contender. Having lost seven of their past 10 games, the Cowboys lack confidence and belief to fight through the adversities of the game. -- Todd Archer

Next game: vs. Los Angeles Rams (4:25 p.m. ET Sunday)

The Ravens are in. The Chiefs are in, as the AFC West champions for the fourth consecutive season. And the 49ers are back atop the NFC after defeating the Saints 48-46, though the Seahawks could still overtake them in the NFC West -- and the conference -- by winning the final three games of their season.

Here's what the playoff picture looks like right now, with some help from ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) to inform our analysis.

Note: X denotes a team that has clinched a playoff berth, Y shows a team that has clinched its division, and Z indicates a team that has secured a first-round bye. An asterisk shows home-field advantage.

Jump to: AFC | NFC

AFC

1. Baltimore Ravens (11-2) - x

Sunday brought loads of good news for the Ravens. First, they clinched a playoff spot by defeating the Bills. They can secure their seemingly inevitable AFC North division title as early as Thursday with a victory over the Jets (or a Steelers loss). And most important, they are now a strong favorite for the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. In essence, the Ravens have a two-game lead over the Patriots with three games to play, courtesy the head-to-head tiebreaker. FPI gives them a 95.6% chance of winning the top seed.

Next up: vs. New York Jets

2. New England Patriots (10-3)

The Patriots have lost two consecutive games and haven't clinched a playoff spot, let alone the AFC East title. Sunday's loss to the Chiefs dropped their FPI chances to secure home-field advantage to 3.8%. But it's not difficult to see the parallel between this mini-slide and the Patriots' two-game losing streak in December 2018 -- which they reversed with consecutive victories to end the regular season before going on to win the Super Bowl. The Patriots have three quite winnable games remaining: at Cincinnati in Week 15, followed by home games against the Bills and Dolphins. They'd clinch a playoff berth with a win next weekend.

Next up: at Cincinnati

3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) - y

Sunday was productive for the Chiefs. Their victory over the Patriots clinched the AFC West, their fourth consecutive division title. It allowed them to leapfrog the Texans, who were trounced at home by the Broncos. And it put them in the conversation for a first-round bye if the Patriots lose another game. FPI gives the Chiefs a 16.9% chance to climb up to the No. 2 seed by the end of the regular season.

Next up: vs. Denver

4. Houston Texans (8-5)

Once assumed to be the runaway AFC South winners, the Texans have almost no room for error remaining. Their stunning home loss to the Broncos, combined with the Titans' victory at Oakland, has narrowed the division race considerably. Yes, FPI is still giving the Texans a 73.9% chance to win it. But the Titans are hot, having won six of their past seven games, and they still have both matchups remaining against the Texans. The first is will be next Sunday in Nashville. These should be nervous times in Houston.

Next up: at Tennessee

5. Buffalo Bills (9-4)

Sunday was the first of three consecutive games against likely playoff teams, by far the toughest stretch of a season in which the Bills' strength of victory is .310, lowest in the AFC. They couldn't overcome the Ravens at home, and now they'll see what they can do in Pittsburgh and then New England. But chances are the Bills could lose both of those games and still make the playoffs if they beat the Jets at home in Week 17. That's why FPI is still giving them a 95.9% chance to advance to the postseason, and they can lock it up with a win next weekend.

Next up: at Pittsburgh

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)

The Steelers' seventh victory in eight games allowed them to keep pace in the AFC wild-card race. The Titans are keeping the pressure on the field, and FPI is giving Tennessee a 50.6% chance to make the playoffs either as a division winner or as a wild card. The Steelers, meanwhile, can overtake the Bills in the standings with a victory next Sunday and give them head-to-head tiebreaker advantage. Overall, FPI has the Steelers at 59.6% to make the playoffs.

Next up: vs. Buffalo

Next up

• Tennessee Titans (8-5)

• Cleveland Browns (6-7)

• Oakland Raiders (6-7)

• Indianapolis Colts (6-7)

NFC

1. San Francisco 49ers (11-2)

Wow. The 49ers just completed a three-game gauntlet that included the Packers, Ravens and Saints. They won two of the three games and, after a brief dip in the standings, have retained controlled of the top spot in the conference. The 49ers will be the No. 1 seed if they win their final three games, which includes a Week 17 matchup in Seattle. It's true that they have not yet clinched a spot in the postseason (they would in Week 15 with a win or a Rams loss), but after beating the Packers and Saints -- and losing on a field goal to the Ravens -- the 49ers don't have to convince anyone they are a playoff team.

Next up: vs. Atlanta

2. Green Bay Packers (10-3)

Close followers of this team are sometimes left wondering why it must work so hard to beat inferior opponents like the Giants and Redskins, as has been the case the past two games. But the bottom line is that the Packers have stacked enough wins -- pretty or ugly, against a contender or bottom-feeder -- to put themselves in the conversation for a first-round playoff bye. At the moment, they are holding the tiebreaker over the Saints because of one fewer conference loss. FPI is giving them a 34.2% chance of holding onto the No. 2 seed, which will probably require them to win their final three games.

Next up: vs. Chicago

3. New Orleans Saints (10-3) - y

In one wild loss to the 49ers, the Saints lost control of the NFC and even whether they'll manage a first-round bye. FPI is taking a dim view of their chances to regain the top seed (8.2%), and is split between whether they'll climb back to No. 2 (48.2%) or stay at No. 3 (46.3%). It would certainly work in their favor if the Seahawks win the NFC West, considering the Saints hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with Seattle.

Next up: vs. Indianapolis

4. Dallas Cowboys (6-7)

The Cowboys have to hope that the Eagles won't capitalize on their losing streak, which reached three games Thursday in Chicago. Although they won't lose the division lead Monday night even if the Eagles defeat the Giants, it stands to reason that the Cowboys are going to have to win at least one more game this season to secure a trip to the playoffs. We can all guess how that trip will end, but this is about the NFL's playoff picture, and that's what the Cowboys' looks like.

Next up: vs. Los Angeles Rams

5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3)

After a short week of rest, the Seahawks seemed tired Sunday night in Los Angeles. Their 28-12 loss dropped them behind the 49ers in the NFC West and back into the fifth spot in the NFC. Now they'll have to collect themselves quickly for a cross-country trip to Carolina in Week 15. The good news is that they wouldn't need help to jump back ahead of the 49ers. That would happen if they win their final three games, capped off by a victory over the 49ers in Week 17. The Seahawks would then win the tiebreaker based on a head-to-head sweep. In other words, there is plenty left in this NFC West story.

Next up: at Carolina

6. Minnesota Vikings (9-4)

The Vikings secured the fourth winning season of Mike Zimmer's six-year coaching tenure, and they are a near-90% lock for a playoff spot, per FPI. But their path to anything beyond the sixth seed remains difficult. The Vikings likely will need the Packers to lose at home to the Bears, or at Detroit in Week 17, in order to overtake them for the NFC North title. They would lose in a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Seahawks for the No. 5 spot, if it comes to that. And now a trip to play the Chargers might not be the breeze it once appeared.

Next up: at Los Angeles Chargers

Next up

• Los Angeles Rams (8-5)

• Chicago Bears (7-6)

• Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)

LOS ANGELES -- Anthony Davis had a season-high 50 points and the Los Angeles Lakers improved to a league-best 21-3 with a 142-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.

Davis hit a floater with 4:39 remaining to reach 50 points for the fourth time in his career. He was 20 of 29 from the field and made all 10 of his free throws to go along with seven rebounds and six assists.

LeBron James had 32 points and 13 assists despite committing four fouls in the first half. Alex Caruso added 16 points as the Lakers won their fourth straight and improved to 10-2 at home.

Each of the Timberwolves' starters had at least 12 points. Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins each had 19 points as Minnesota lost its fourth straight game.

Davis had 42 points through three quarters, one more than his previous single-game best this season, 41 points in his return to New Orleans on Nov. 27. He tacked on 15 points in the third, but balanced scoring allowed Minnesota to stay within 110-103 as the quarter closed.

It wasn't until the fourth quarter that the Lakers could relax. Davis went hard to the rim against Towns and drew a foul that put the Lakers in the bonus with 5:30 remaining.

Davis had eight points during an 11-0 run that gave the Lakers a 73-65 lead at the half. He had 27 through two quarters, making 12 of 15 shots, including his first six attempts from the field. He provided a spark after James got his fourth foul with 2:27 left in the second quarter.

The Timberwolves found success from long range to get back into contention after trailing 39-31 after the first quarter. Minnesota hit its first five 3-pointers to start the quarter, with Wiggins providing the first lead at 52-51 midway after trailing by as many as 11.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: Towns passed Anthony Peeler (465) for second-most 3-pointers in team history. . G Shabazz Napier tied a season-high with 13 points. He also had 13 in the Timberwolves' last game, a 137-129 overtime loss at Oklahoma City on Friday.

Lakers: C Dwight Howard celebrated his 34th birthday with eight points and six rebounds in 22 energetic minutes off the bench. . G Rajon Rondo did not play because of a strained hamstring. . G Avery Bradley (leg) is likely to return during the Lakers' upcoming trip after being cleared for full contact, coach Frank Vogel said. Bradley participated in 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 work in practice Sunday. He has not played since Nov. 13 because of a hairline fracture.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Wrap up a three-game trip at Phoenix on Monday.

Lakers: Open a five-game trip at Orlando on Wednesday.

DALLAS -- Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic stopped at midcourt after the final buzzer sounded Sunday, unleashing several more choice words to the officiating crew before he left the American Airlines Center court at the end of a 110-106 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Doncic was livid about the no-call on his shot with 7.7 seconds remaining, when he felt that he earned a pair of free throws that would have put him in position to tie a game the Mavs trailed by as many as 24 points. It was one of several times during the game that Doncic, who was called for a technical foul late in the first quarter, expressed his displeasure with the officials.

By the time he met with the media in front of his locker, Doncic had calmed down. He agreed with Mavs coach Rick Carlisle's view that "it's clear that he got hit on the elbow" by Kings guard Cory Joseph on the critical drive, a statement Carlisle made after viewing the replay in his office, summoning a couple of reporters out of the locker room to make sure he got it on the record.

However, Doncic also acknowledged that he should tone down his animated interactions with officials.

"Yeah, for sure. But my thing is, I'm passionate for the game," said Doncic, who had 27 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in the loss. "I want to win, and I just sometimes get out of control, because I want to win the whole time. I'm competitive. You can ask my family. Even if it's not basketball, if it's anything, I'm so competitive. But, yeah, I've got to work on that for sure.

"I know how to [approach officials], but like I say, I'm passionate. I know a lot of times I'm wrong. Persons are wrong sometimes, and I've just got to learn to calm myself down and go to the next play."

The 20-year-old Doncic has established himself as one of the NBA's elite players while leading the surprising Mavs to a 16-7 record. He's the only player to rank among the league's top 15 in scoring (third at 30.0 points per game), assists (9.2, second) and rebounding (9.8, 15th). He surpassed Michael Jordan on Sunday for the most consecutive 20-point, five-rebound, five-assist outings since the NBA/ABA merger with his 19th straight such performance.

But Doncic has recently struggled to control his frustration with officials. He has been called for technical fouls in two of the past three games, both of which were whistled after numerous instances of Doncic yelling at officials and visibly showing them up, such as punching the air when he felt he drew a foul that wasn't called.

"I think he's got a case for a lot of it, but I'm not going to get into a big analysis of it," Carlisle said. "I don't coach my team through the media. It's just not the way I do things. "Look, he's a guy that gets hit a lot. People take a lot of liberties on him. I was here for 11 years with Dirk Nowitzki, who people constantly took shots at, were trying to get physical with, trying to distract him, everything else. Everybody in the league is trying to do it with Doncic, too. He's tough. He can handle all of it, but when he comes over to the bench and he's got scratches and blood marks on his arms and hands, I know there's something there."

Carlisle substituted for Doncic when he was called for a technical foul with 1:07 remaining. Doncic often plays the entire first quarter, but Carlisle opted to give him time to calm down, which didn't work.

Doncic was still heated at the end of the quarter, walking out onto the floor to try to confront the officiating crew of Pat Fraher, Brent Barnaky and Nate Green. Veterans J.J. Barea, Courtney Lee and Boban Marjanovic stood between Doncic and the officials, trying to calm their teammate and prevent the Mavs' MVP candidate from earning a second technical foul and ejection.

Mavs owner Mark Cuban also walked over to talk to Doncic. Doncic, however, said he feels that he gets his due respect from referees, putting the onus on himself to not overreact when the whistle doesn't go his way.

"They're humans; they make mistakes," said Doncic, whose 9.3 free throws attempted per game rank fourth in the league. "I make mistakes; everybody makes mistakes. Just sometimes they don't see it and they don't call it. Like I said, I've got to calm down and go to the next play."