How Luka Doncic injury impacts Lakers' NBA playoff scenarios

The Los Angeles Lakers, at the worst possible time, caught a bad break with their biggest star.

All-Star guard and Most Valuable Player candidate Luka Dončić, suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury in a blowout loss against the Thunder on Thursday, April 2, potentially putting his award eligibility – and the Lakers' dreams of a deep postseason run – in jeopardy.

Dončić is set to an undergo an MRI to evaluate the severity of the injury.

Thursday night’s game against Oklahoma City was his 64th of the season, putting him one shy of the minimum required for consideration for MVP, All-NBA selection and other individual honors. This means Dončić needs to play in at least one of Los Angeles’ remaining five games to become eligible. Meanwhile, the Lakers are still battling for seeding in the Western Conference in the final games of the season.

Dončić finished the game with 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting, including a sluggish 1-of-7 from 3-point range. He added 7 assists and 4 rebounds. The injury comes just days after he scored 600 points in March, marking just the 10th time in NBA history that a player has reached that level of production in any month.

What does Luka Dončić’s injury mean for the Lakers?

This comes as a blow for Los Angeles, which had gone 15-2 in March and had climbed to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. With Thursday’s loss against the Thunder, however, L.A.’s hold of the third-seed over the Nuggets shrunk to just 1 game. Denver, meanwhile, is on a seven-game winning streak.

The Lakers have gone 7-6 this season in games Dončić has been sidelined and he has become the team’s premier and most reliable offensive force. In his absence, Austin Reaves and LeBron James will have to step up considerably.

Los Angeles Lakers remaining schedule

  • Sunday, April 5: at Dallas Mavericks
  • Tuesday, April 7: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Thursday, April 9: at Golden State Warriors
  • Friday, April 10: vs. Phoenix Suns
  • Sunday, April 12: vs. Utah Jazz

The NBA playoffs are set to tip off April 18.

NBA playoff standings: Western Conference

  1. Thunder 61-16
  2. Spurs 59-18 (2 games back)
  3. Lakers 50-27 (11 GB)
  4. Nuggets 49-28 (12 GB)
  5. Rockets 47-29 (13.5 GB)
  6. Timberwolves 46-30 (14.5 GB)

Luka Dončić stats

In 64 games this season, Dončić is averaging an NBA-high 33.5 points, with 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic injury update resets Lakers NBA playoff projections

Best NBA Player Props Today for April 3: Sengun Stuffs the Stat Sheet

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We’ve got an action-packed Friday in the NBA with nine games on the docket and a bunch of lopsided matchups.

My NBA picks for Friday, April 3, hone in on Karl-Anthony Towns, Alperen Sengun, and Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Keep reading for my favorite NBA player props tonight.

Best NBA player props today

PlayerPickbet365
Knicks Karl-Anthony TownsOver 11.5 rebounds+100
Rockets Alperen SengunDouble-Double+115
Raptors Sandro MamukelashviliOver 11.5 points-112

Prop #1: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds

+100 at bet365

Karl-Anthony Towns continues to be a monster on the glass for the New York Knicks, logging 12.5 rebounds per game through March and clearing 11.5 boards in 12 of his last 17 contests.

The big man will dominate the glass tonight against a lackadaisical Chicago Bulls squad that ranks 23rd in opponent rebounds per game (45.4) and 29th in opponent field-goal attempts per contest (93.8).

The Bulls also own the second-fastest pace in the NBA (104.8), so there will be plenty of scoring (and rebounding) chances at both ends of the court.

  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: CHSN, MSG

Prop #2: Alperen Sengun Double-Double

+115 at bet365

The Houston Rockets are massive -1700 favorites tonight against the lowly Utah Jazz, setting the stage for Alperen Sengun to have a big game.

The center has 33 double-doubles in 67 appearances, including two in his last three games and six of nine.

While rebounds are his bread and butter, Sengun is also one of the best playmaking centers in the association, logging 6.2 dimes per game — the second-most at his position behind only Nikola Jokic.

The Jazz have allowed 128.3 points per game during their current 1-11 run, so Sengun and the Rockets will have no trouble padding their stats tonight.

  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: KJZZ, SCHN

Prop #3: Sandro Mamukelashvili Over 11.5 points

-112 at bet365

Sandro Mamukelashvili has been a pleasant surprise in his first season with the Toronto Raptors, averaging a career-best 11.2 points per game while shooting an efficient 52.4% from the field.

The Raptors forward has been even better down the stretch, logging Over 11.5 points in six straight and averaging 17.7 PPG during that span — tied for the second-best mark on Toronto.

The depleted Memphis Grizzlies have already given up on their season, losing 15 of their last 17 while giving up 125.7 PPG during the skid. 
Look for Mamukelashvili to make it rain in Memphis.

  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Sportsnet, FDSN SE-Memphis

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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Arizona vs Michigan predictions: Who will win in Final Four, play for national championship?

The real national championship game. At least that's what many are calling Arizona vs. Michigan's national semifinal in the Final Four's second game Saturday.

The Wolverines and Wildcats are the remaining No. 1 seeds and considered the two best teams remaining by most. So that should provide a banger of a game in the nightcap. Vegas can't figure it out either, with it basically a pick 'em ( Michigan at -118; Arizona at -102).

So who wins Saturday night? Here are our predictions:

Arizona vs Michigan prediction

  • Blake Toppmeyer: Arizona. The Arizona-Michigan semifinal will be the de facto national championship game. They looked like the two best teams all tournament. Slight advantage to Arizona, a team without weakness. Everyone in the Wildcats' starting five averages in double figures scoring.
  • John Brice: Arizona. I’ll say it: this is the national championship game. Both teams are playing their best; it’s easy to tab Michigan after its evisceration of Tennessee and the early line. Give me Tommy Lloyd’s blend of vets and freshman phenoms.
  • Jordan Mendoza: Arizona. In one of the best matchups in Final Four history, Arizona's depth comes up clutch with a big game in the paint to win a thriller.
  • Paul Myerberg: Michigan. In what feels like a de facto title game, Michigan's frontcourt of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara gives it an edge in what should be a high-scoring semifinal
  • Eddie Timanus: Arizona. This meeting is probably taking place a round too early, but don’t get me started on everything the committee did wrong with this field. Since we are getting this game, let’s just hope it lives up to its billing. I had the Wildcats winning the whole thing going in, so I’ll stick to my guns.
  • Matt Glenesk: Michigan. Billed as the real national championship game, this matchup should be awesome. Michigan has looked as good as anyone so far this tournament (along with Illinois). Arizona had a blip in the first half vs. Purdue before opening a can on the Boilermakers. There's so much talent in this one, but I'm going with Wolverines, who haven't showed any vulnerabilities this tournament.
  • John Leuzzi: Arizona. This one feels like a real toss-up, given how dominant both teams have looked in the first two weekends. Arizona wins in an all-time Final Four with Jaden Bradley and Koa Peat hitting big shots at the end.
  • Brent Schrotenboer: Arizona. Best team from the best league wins: Arizona of the Big 12. Time for the first national champion west of Kansas since 1997.
  • Craig Meyer: Michigan. These have been two of the three best teams in the country for much of the season and very little separates them. The Wolverines have just a little more experience in this situation, with an older roster and a coach who has been on this stage before, which will be enough for them to eke out a tight win. While it's tempting to call this the de-facto national title game, let's pump the brakes. Just ask Houston's 1983 team how that conventional wisdom worked out.
  • Ehsan Kassim: Arizona. This one will be an instant classic and will come down to the wire. The Wildcats escape with a close victory over Dusty May's crew.

Arizona vs Michigan betting odds: Who is favored to win?

Odds provided by BetMGM.

  • Moneyline: Michigan (-118); Arizona (-102)
  • Spread: Michigan (-1.5)
  • Over/under total: 157.8

What time is Arizona vs Michigan Final Four game?

  • Time: 8:49 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 4.

What channel is Arizona vs Michigan? How to watch Final Four, streaming info

  • The game is airing on TBS, TNT, truTV, streaming via HBO Max.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan vs Arizona predictions: Who wins Final Four game and why

Pelicans vs Kings Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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After getting crushed in Portland, the New Orleans Pelicans try to right the ship by completing a three-game regular season series sweep over the Sacramento Kings Friday night.

SacTown just snapped a four-game slide with a win in Toronto, salvaging a five-game road trip with a win.

With two of the worst scoring defenses in the league, my Pelicans vs Kings prediction and free NBA picks have the scoreboards getting a workout and the game going Over the total.

Pelicans vs Kings prediction

Pelicans vs Kings best bet: Over 234.5 (-110)

The New Orleans Pelicans losing streak extended to six with a 118-106 loss to the Trail Blazers, with each of the last four by double digits.

The Pelicans have allowed 122 points per game during this slide, and teams have shot 49.8% from the field and 39.5% from 3-point range.

It doesn’t get much better for the Sacramento Kings, who have just two wins in their last nine, and have also been bleeding points, allowing 123.7 over that stretch.

They’re also shorthanded Friday, with Keegan Murray (ankle) and Russell Westbrook (toe) already ruled out, and Malik Monk (shoulder) listed as questionable.

There’s so much bad defense that you need to target the total. The Kings have seen the Over cash in three of their last four, while NOLA has topped the Over in three if its last five.

That’s the same number of times the Over has hit in the last five head-to-head meetings between these teams.

Pelicans vs Kings same-game parlay

Zion Williamson has failed to hit the 20-point mark in each of the last two games, but he’s loved lighting up the Kings, scoring at least 23 points in nine of 12 career matchups.

Precious Achiuwa is coming off the most productive game of his career, lighting up the Raptors for 28 points and 19 boards. He’s scored 15 or more in three straight.

Pelicans vs Kings SGP

  • Over 234.5 points
  • Zion Williamson Over 21.5 points
  • Precious Achiuwa Over 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Buckets galore

DeMar DeRozan keeps getting buckets. The veteran went for 28 against his former club and now has hit 20+ points in three straight.

Trey Murphy has totaled just six assists across his last four games, but the Over looks appealing as he’s had at least five dimes in four of his last five against Sacramento.

Pelicans vs Kings SGP

  • Over 234.5 points
  • Zion Williamson Over 21.5 points
  • Precious Achiuwa Over 14.5 points
  • DeMar DeRozan Over 19.5 points
  • Trey Murphy Over 4.5 assists

Pelicans vs Kings odds

  • Spread: New Orleans -6 (-110) | Sacramento +6 (-110)
  • Moneyline: New Orleans -205 | Sacramento +170
  • Over/Under: Over 234.5 (-110) | Under 234.5 (-110)

Pelicans vs Kings betting trend to know

New Orleans has covered the spread in six straight games vs Kings teams that held a losing record. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Kings.

How to watch Pelicans vs Kings

LocationGolden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
DateFriday, April 3, 2026
Tip-off10:00 p.m. ET
TVGCSEN, NBCSCA

Pelicans vs Kings latest injuries

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NBA Playoff scenarios for Friday, April 3: Detroit has night off but can still clinch No. 1 seed in East

It's a quiet night in terms of postseason scenarios around the league on Friday, not to mention games between teams headed to the postseason, but there is some stuff to watch. Here's what you need to know.

Playoff Scenarios

Detroit is off on Friday night, but still can clinch the No. 1 seed in the East with an unlikely Boston loss to an Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee team. Detroit reduced its magic number to clinch the top seed to one with an impressive win over the Timberwolves Thursday night, behind 22 points and 14 rebounds from Jalen Duren, plus Daniss Jenkins had another big night, leading the Pistons with 26 points. Detroit is now 8-2 since Cade Cunningham went out with a collapsed lung (he will be re-evaluated by team doctors next week).

Games to Watch

Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass)

Do you enjoy an old-school game with a lot of big men being physical? This one is for you. This is the only game on Friday between two teams headed to the postseason, and both teams currently sit as the No. 6 seed in their conferences. Philadelphia is tied with Toronto for the 6/7 seed — both teams fighting to avoid the play-in — and is 1.5 games behind Atlanta for the No. 5 seed. Minnesota is not in danger of falling into the play-in and is one game behind Houston for the No. 5 seed (and 2.5 back of Denver for fourth, with six games left to play that would be difficult to make up without a lot of help).

Jazz vs Rockets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The red-hot Houston Rockets welcome the reeling Utah Jazz to the Toyota Center tonight, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

My Jazz vs. Rockets predictions are eyeing Kevin Durant to cook a struggling Utah defense.

Read more in my NBA picks for Friday, April 3.

Jazz vs Rockets prediction

Jazz vs Rockets best bet: Kevin Durant Over 23.5 points (-120)

Kevin Durant has been brilliant for the playoff-bound Houston Rockets in Year 1. He's averaging 25.8 PPG, which ranks 10th in the Association. KD is a walking bucket, and he's one of the most consistent scorers around, even at 37 years of age.

The future Hall of Famer is averaging 25 PPG this season against the Jazz across three meetings, and the Utah Jazz — sitting at 21-56 and 29th in defensive rating — is the perfect matchup. Durant is also thriving lately, cashing the Over in points in six of his last eight.

He's hit the Over in three of his previous four contests at home, where Durant is averaging 24.2 PPG. The Jazz are considered an easy matchup for opposing small forwards, allowing 26 points per night to the position.

Houston enters tonight as a 92.5% favorite, looking to extend their win streak to five games. Durant should ball out tonight against this Jazz stop unit.

Jazz vs Rockets same-game parlay

Alperen Sengun has been a brilliant playmaker for the Rockets this season, averaging 6.2 assists per game. The big man has cashed the Over in dimes in three of his last four contests.

Sengun has cooked the Jazz this season as a facilitator. Across three matchups, he’s averaging 9.3 dimes.

The Rockets have won two of the last three against Utah in 2025-26, and they cashed the Over in both of those victories. The Jazz are allowing a league-worst 125.4 PPG this season.

While Houston doesn’t typically score a ton of points, they’re up against a team that struggles immensely to contain their opponents offensively. Lock in the Over.

Jazz vs Rockets SGP

  • Kevin Durant Over 23.5 points
  • Alperen Sengun Over 6.5 assists
  • Rockets Over 124.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Reed Thin Defense!

Reed Sheppard has been scorching hot from deep lately. The guard was 9-for-14 against the Bucks, and he was also 4-for-7 from three-point range on Tuesday against the Knicks.

Amen Thompson is averaging 5.3 dimes this season and 5.0 assists against Utah. He’s cashed the Over in back-to-back games, and the Jazz are allowing 5.6 dimes per night to opposing shooting guards.

Jazz vs Rockets SGP

  • Alperen Sengun Over 6.5 assists
  • Rockets Over 124.5 points
  • Reed Sheppard Over 3.5 threes
  • Amen Thompson Over 5.5 assists

Jazz vs Rockets odds

  • Spread: Jazz +17 | Rockets -17
  • Moneyline: Jazz +979 | Rockets -1800
  • Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5

Jazz vs Rockets betting trend to know


The Houston Rockets have hit the 2Q Moneyline in 17 of their last 24 games (+10.00 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Rockets.

How to watch Jazz vs Rockets

LocationToyota Center, Houston, TX
DateFriday, April 3, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVKJZZ, SCHN

Jazz vs Rockets latest injuries

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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Pacers vs Hornets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Charlotte Hornets are the standout pick for “playoff sleeper”, and they can improve their chances of sneaking into the Top 6 against the Indiana Pacers tonight.

Charlotte has put together a 7-3 run in its last 10 games, just as other Eastern Conference foes are fading, and my Pacers vs. Hornets predictions expect LaMelo Ball to cook up another big stat line here.

Get the lowdown on this April 3 clash with my free NBA picks, including the impact of Indiana’s lengthy injury report.

Pacers vs Hornets prediction

Pacers vs Hornets best bet: LaMelo Ball Over 20.5 points (-102)

Ever the polarizing player, LaMelo Ball has found the right balance of scoring and playmaking in what has quickly turned into a breakthrough season for the Charlotte Hornets.

As a result, the Hornets have reeled off win after win, and I like the LaMelo points prop tonight against an Indiana Pacers squad missing Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith.

Ball made seven of his 12 shots in his previous meeting with the Pacers, and he’s reached the 20-point mark in six of his last nine contests, while being flanked by Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.

Answering any remaining questions about whether he makes winning decisions, LaMelo has dialed back a few of his wilder field goal attempts – and he shot a steady 36% from downtown in March.

But this prop pick is still a volume play, with Ball jacking up 16+ shots in 11 of his last 16 games, and he’s always a candidate to pile up 20+.

There are some creaking gaps in the Indiana defense, too. The Pacers are giving up 120.7 PPG, fifth-most in the league, and Ball has the size to shoot over any potential backcourt defender.

With Charlotte cruising to a pair of blowouts in its past two outings, Ball shifted into playmaking mode. But I’m counting on more scoring here, particularly for a Hornets squad that’s on the second night of a back-to-back set.

Pacers vs Hornets same-game parlay

All the parts just seem to fit for the Hornets – including both Ball’s ability to get tough buckets and Moussa Diabate’s nonstop effort on the glass. I’m building this SGP around the Charlotte duo, with Diabate racking up 10+ rebounds in five of his past seven contests.

The Pacers are just 7-31 SU on the road this season, so there’s no obvious path to an upset. Given that the Hornets landed a 133-109 win in Indiana in late February, a home victory is on the cards here.

Pacers vs Hornets SGP

  • LaMelo Ball Over 20.5 points
  • Moussa Diabate Over 9.5 rebounds
  • Hornets moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: The Diabate Experience!

The Pacers are set to be the latest team to get the full Diabate experience. Rebounding is his calling card, but he’s refining his offense – to the tune of 10+ points in four of his last seven matchups – and he averaged a block per game in March.

With Diabate leading the charge defensively for Charlotte, the Under is 48-29 this year for the hosts.

Pacers vs Hornets SGP

  • Moussa Diabate Over 9.5 rebounds
  • Moussa Diabate Over 7.5 points
  • Moussa Diabate Over 0.5 blocks
  • Under 235.5

Pacers vs Hornets odds

  • Spread: Pacers +15.5 | Hornets -15.5
  • Moneyline: Pacers +795 | Hornets -1300
  • Over/Under: Over 232 | Under 232

Pacers vs Hornets betting trend to know

The Under is 7-3 in the Hornets’ last 10 contests. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Hornets.

How to watch Pacers vs Hornets

LocationSpectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
DateFriday, April 3, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN-IN, FDSN SE-CHAR

Pacers vs Hornets latest injuries

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Luka Doncic's hamstring injury will test Lakers' depth on eve of NBA playoffs

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers' Luka Doncic reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on Thursday. (Cooper Neill / Getty Images)

In the aftermath of their worst loss of the season, few Lakers players or coaches had spoken to Luka Doncic after he limped off the court in the third quarter Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Austin Reaves didn’t know the extent of Doncic’s hamstring injury, but he knew how the Lakers superstar would approach the latest hurdle in this winding season.

“He's a competitor,” Reaves said of Doncic, “so he'll do all he can do to put himself in a position to come back when he can.”

Doncic will undergo an MRI on Friday on the left hamstring injury he suffered in a 43-point loss to the Thunder. He already missed four games before the All-Star break with the same injury, but the Lakers withheld expectations on his status for the final five regular-season games.

After Sunday’s game in Dallas, the Lakers face the Thunder at home Tuesday, play consecutive games at Golden State on Thursday and against Phoenix at home Friday and finish the regular season Sunday against Utah.

Read more:Lakers star Luka Doncic suffers hamstring injury in reality-check loss to Thunder

Doncic’s injury left the Lakers backcourt extra shorthanded Thursday as Marcus Smart missed his sixth consecutive game Thursday. The veteran guard could return against Dallas, coach JJ Redick said. He has been day-to-day since injuring his right ankle against Orlando on March 21.

If Smart is unable to return in Doncic’s absence, the Lakers could shift even more ball-handling responsibility to Reaves and LeBron James while relying on Bronny James as an additional guard off the bench. The 21-year-old James has played in five consecutive games, tying his longest stretch of his second pro season.

The Lakers (50-27) are already guaranteed a top-six seed in the Western Conference, but are still jostling for seeding. They have a one-game lead for the No. 3 seed over No. 4 Denver, which is on a seven-game winning streak.

Approaching the end of the regular season, the Lakers looked at Thursday’s game against the defending NBA champions as a test, forward Jake LaRavia said. They were 15-2 in March with 13 wins in their last 14 games. The Lakers were playing like an evolved form of the team that lost by 29 to the Thunder in Oklahoma City in November.

Read more:After a sizzling March, Lakers face a big playoff test against equally hot Oklahoma City

But like that first rout, Thursday’s featured a flurry of Lakers turnovers, suffocating Oklahoma City ball pressure and an efficient masterclass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“This close to the end of the season, we would've wanted it not to go that way,” said LaRavia, who had six points and a team-high eight rebounds Thursday. “It was pretty much the same story, I feel like, the first time we played here this year.”

The Lakers built much of their March success on successful revenge performances. They bounced back after previous losses to the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and the Orlando Magic. They lost by seven to the Nuggets on March 5 then responded with nine consecutive wins, their longest winning streak of the season, including an overtime thriller against Denver that clinched the head-to-head tiebreaker that could factor into the tight standings.

Redick praised his team’s “playoff mentality” during the run. It was also when the team was largely its healthiest.

Doncic had played all but one game since the All-Star break. Reaves, who missed six weeks with a calf injury this season, has started in 22 consecutive games. When James returned from an elbow injury, the star trio found a clear hierarchy that lifted the team to new heights.

Read more:Luka Doncic matches Michael Jordan for the most magical March in NBA history

Doncic, who became just the 10th player in NBA history to score 600 points in a single month, is the “head of the snake,” said James, who is averaging just 12.3 shots in the last 12 games but is shooting 54.4% from the field. Doncic’s brilliant March unified the team behind his most valuable player push, his thrilling shot-making and even his smiling dunk against Washington.

With the team exuding the type of joy that often characterizes Doncic’s game, James believes the Lakers can maintain their momentum despite Doncic’s uncertain status and a deflating loss.

“Nothing is rattled,” James said. “It's one game, it's part of the NBA season, it's the defending champions. We get it. We understand.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

How to watch Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors: TV, live stream info for Sunday's game

This week's Sunday Night Basketball coverage features another exciting doubleheader on NBC and Peacock. The action starts at 7:30 PM ET when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks. Then, at 10:00 PM ET, the Houston Rockets go head-to-head with the Golden State Warriors. Live coverage begins with Basketball Night in America at 6:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock. See below for additional information on how to watch each game.

Follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

RELATED: Draymond Green can be a free agent this summer, but don’t expect him to leave Warriors

Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Game Preview:

Sunday's game will be the third and final contest between the Rockets and Warriors this season. Houston won the first matchup in San Francisco, 104-100, on November 26, while the Warriors won the most recent game, 115-113, in overtime on March 5, in Houston.

Kevin Durant has been Houston's most consistent player, leading the Rockets in scoring. Durant, now 37, looks to lead his fifth franchise to the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Golden State is locked into the Play-In Tournament for the third consecutive season, with injuries playing a major role throughout the year.

Jimmy Butler suffered a torn ACL on January 19. Moses Moody is out for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his left knee on March 23.

The Warriors now look to strengthen their playoff chances as Stephen Curry continues to work his way back to the lineup. Curry has been out since January 30 with right knee pain and inflammation.

RELATED: Stephen Curry reportedly targeting Sunday return to lineup vs. Houston

How to watch Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors:

  • When: Sunday, April 5
  • Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
  • Time: 10:00 PM ET
  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Live Stream:Peacock

RELATED:NBA power rankings 2025-26 - Championship tiers are back and San Antonio is on top of them

What other NBA games are on Peacock tonight?

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. Sunday Night Basketball coverage will also be available on NBC and Peacock. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule:

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago
All of the NBA’s ideas make the lottery bigger — 18 to 22 teams — and flatten the odds.

Hawks vs Nets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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There’s always that one tricky team all the contenders want to avoid in the playoffs. And right now, the Atlanta Hawks are that team in the East.

Atlanta has bullied its way up the Eastern Conference standings with an 18-3 record since the All-Star break, scoring recent wins over heavyweights like Boston and Detroit. 

The Hawks take a step back in competition tonight, traveling to the Big Apple as 16.5-point road favorites against the Brooklyn Nets. But while the oddsmakers expect an easy win for Atlanta, this team really has no chill.

Our Hawks vs. Nets predictions like how things shake out for Atlanta’s lineup, especially big man Onyeka Okongwu.

My NBA picks take his points prop tonight.

Hawks vs Nets prediction

Hawks vs Nets best bet: Onyeka Okongwu Over 13.5 Points (-120)

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu is logging a lot of minutes in recent games after sharing shifts with fellow big Jock Landale most of the season.

Landale has been in and out of the Hawks' lineup and will not be on the court against the Brooklyn Nets tonight after injuring his ankle in a blowout win over Orlando on Wednesday. That has Okongwu putting in work against a terrible Nets interior.

While Okongwu can do damage in the key, he’s not just a bruiser. The Southern Cal product has range from outside and is shooting the ball well from deep, knocking down 10 of 22 attempts from beyond the arc the past four games.

Brooklyn is getting roughed up from inside and out. The Nets have pretty much given up defending 3-pointers, sitting dead last in opponent success from distance.

Brooklyn also allows the sixth most points in the paint, and its frontcourt limps into Friday with starters Nic Claxton and Noah Clowney dealing with several issues, including illness.

Okongwu has scored 16 and 20 points in the past two games, and with his minutes peaking with Landale out, player projections call for between 14 and 16 points versus Brooklyn tonight.

My number comes out to 14.8 points with respect to a much higher ceiling.

Hawks vs Nets same-game parlay

The Hawks just roasted the Magic by 29 points and need to keep the wins coming as they chase Cleveland for the No. 4 seed in the East. Brooklyn, on the other hand, only has a few more games to drop to last in the league and a better shot at the No. 1 overall pick.

Around the Covers office, there are days known as “Jonathan Kuminga games”. This could be one of them. The Hawks are trying to get their sixth man on track ahead of the playoffs, and with a sizable spread, the bench will see extra floor time.

Kuminga can explode for big nights when he wants, and the Nets don’t offer much pushback.

Hawks vs Nets SGP

  • Atlanta Hawks -16.5
  • Onyeka Okongwu Over 13.5 points
  • Jonathan Kuminga Over 11.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Oh Wow, Onyeka!

Onyeka Okongwu makes the most of his extra minutes against a bad Brooklyn frontcourt. Not only is he projected to top his scoring prop, but models call for as many as 11 rebounds and three assists. He hung a similar stat line against Boston two games ago.

Hawks vs Nets SGP

  • Hawks -16.5
  • Onyeka Okongwu Over 13.5 points
  • Onyeka Okongwu Over 7.5 rebounds
  • Onyeka Okongwu Over 2.5 assists

Hawks vs Nets odds

  • Spread: Hawks -16.5 | Nets +16.5
  • Moneyline: Hawks -1700 | Nets +950
  • Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5

Hawks vs Nets betting trend to know

The Nets do nothing with all those points being handed over by oddsmakers. Brooklyn is 12-22-1 ATS as a double-digit underdog, including going 4-10 ATS when catching +10 or more at home. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Nets.

How to watch Hawks vs Nets

LocationBarclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
DateFriday, April 3, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVFDSN SE-ATL, YES

Hawks vs Nets latest injuries

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Magic vs Mavericks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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If you thought the rides at Disney World made you queasy, try getting on the Orlando Magic’s roller coaster.

Orlando’s up-and-down play in the home stretch of the NBA schedule has the team’s postseason plans in peril.
 
The Magic were riding high to begin March, climbing to a Top-6 seed, but suddenly dropped six straight outings to fall back in the Play-In. Orlando has split its last four outings and desperately needs direction as it visits the Dallas Mavericks tonight.

Our Magic vs. Mavericks predictions call for that consistency to come from do-it-all guard Desmond Bane. My NBA picks like Bane stuff the stat sheet on Friday, April 3.

Magic vs Mavericks prediction

Magic vs Mavericks best bet: Desmond Bane Over 8.5 rebounds + assists (+102)

Desmond Bane’s biggest strength is his versatility. The stocky 6-foot-6 shooting guard can be whatever the Orlando Magic need him to be.

Sometimes that’s a scorer. Other times, that’s a playmaker. And some games, Orlando needs Bane to battle on the boards. The Magic need a little bit of everything against the Dallas Mavericks tonight.

I’m focusing on Bane’s passing and rebounding with his combo prop set at 8.5. 

He’s coming off a quiet game against a very good Atlanta defense in which he finished with just two rebounds and two assists. That 29-point blowout loss left him to log just 30 minutes, and Orlando’s rotations were a work in progress with Franz Wagner playing his first game since February 11.

Heading into that game, Bane had topped his combo prop in five of the previous seven. He’ll face a softer challenge from the Mavericks, who are playing out the home stretch at the bottom of the Western Conference.

Dallas sits 24th in defensive rating since the All-Star break and was busted open like a piñata in March, giving up almost 123 points per game. The Mavericks watch opponents rack up the fourth-most assists (28.3) and wrangle the fifth-most rebounds (55) per game.

Bane and the Magic beat Dallas 115-114 at home on March 5, and he finished with eight rebounds and three assists (along with 14 points) in 38 minutes of action. Tonight’s projections have his assists between 4.4 and 5.0, while his rebounding forecast bounces between 4.5 and 5.4.

Magic vs Mavericks same-game parlay

Dallas has only one win in its last seven games and lacks the Magic's motivation, as they try to improve their spot in the Eastern Conference pecking order. Orlando always has troubles in Texas, but game models have them walking out with the “W”.

Paolo Banchero pulled the plug on a bad night versus Atlanta, leaving with only 26 minutes in floor time and a dismal 11 points on 3-for-9 shooting. Game projections call for a bounce-back performance at 24+ points.

Magic vs Mavericks SGP

  • Magic moneyline
  • Desmond Bane rebounds + assists Over 8.5
  • Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: The Bane of Dallas' existence

The Mavericks were rolled by margins of 24 and 30 points in their last two games. Dallas has put up 100, 99, and 94 points in the past three outings, staying below the total in each of those contests. Bane’s player forecasts call for as many as five assists and five rebounds.

Magic vs Mavericks SGP

  • Magic -6.5
  • Under 238.5
  • Desmond Bane Over 4.5 assists
  • Desmond Bane Over 4.5 rebounds

Magic vs Mavericks odds

  • Spread: Magic -6.5 (-110) | Mavericks +6.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Magic -270 | Mavericks +220
  • Over/Under: Over 238.5 (-110) | Under 238.5 (-110)

Magic vs Mavericks betting trend to know

Dallas is just 7-12 ATS in its last 19 games, including 2-6 ATS at home in that stretch. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Mavericks.

How to watch Magic vs Mavericks

LocationAmerican Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
DateFriday, April 3, 2026
Tip-off8:30 p.m. ET
TVFDSN-FL, KFAA

Magic vs Mavericks latest injuries

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Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Cooper Flagg gets blown out in ESPN’s Rookie of the Year Straw Poll

The results from Tim Bontemps’ final 2025-26 NBA MVP straw poll over at ESPN are in, and though the race between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama appears to be as close as it ever has been, Gilgeous-Alexander actually won it in what looks like a walk. SGA took nearly 90% of respondents’ (who are likely MVP voters themselves) first-place votes and appears set to nab his second straight MVP award.

You may look at the 88-8 disparity in first-place votes between those two and think, “What a blowout — the voters think he’s that much better than Wemby? Surely, it’s more of a 60-40 or 55-45 kind of race this year.”

It’s important to read the context as well as the results, though, both in the two-man race at the top of the MVP balloting and in the two-man race that has become the Rookie of the Year vote among media members this year. Because we have a similar result in Bomtemps’ Rookie of the Year straw poll, and it’s not one that many Dallas Mavericks fans are going to be happy with.

Kon Knueppel won the Rookie of the Year ESPN straw poll among the 100 media members asked who they have at the top of their Rookie of the Year ballot, getting 80 of the 100 possible first-place votes to Cooper Flagg’s 20. But that does not mean that the disparity is that wide, so cool your jets if they’re firing loud.

In a two-man race, if all 100 voters think it’s a close race, but Gilgeous-Alexander is just slightly ahead of Wembanyama at this point, and Knueppel is just slightly ahead of Flagg at this point, both of those two are going to win the poll, 100-0.

“When this is a binary choice, it doesn’t matter if you think it’s 60-40 for one guy,” Bontemps said on Friday morning’s episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, where he and fellow ESPN analysts Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon discussed the straw poll results. “If you think it’s 60-40 for one guy, and the majority thinks it’s 60-40 for one guy, the voting is not going to be 60-40. It’s going to be like 80-20, which is about where this is. It’s not like a ranked-choice scale where you can get percentage points for being close. You’re either first, or you’re second. You either win or you lose, and all fans look at it this way.”

Kon Knueppel is leading the entire NBA in 3-pointers made this season with 261 entering play on Friday. He’s shooting better than 43% from distance this year, something we haven’t seen from a rookie since Stephen Curry. His Charlotte Hornets are suddenly relevant, which is an unexpected point in his favor this year. Team relevance usually doesn’t play a role in Rookie of the Year voting, but the Hornets’ case this year is unique. The fact that Knueppel was on an absolute heater during the stretch of games that Flagg missed in February with a sprained foot, and Flagg’s slow start out of the gate after coming back from that injury also works against Flagg in the poll results.

Flagg has been great, and in 95 out of 100 years, his rookie stat line of 20.3 points (better than Knueppel), 6.6 rebounds (more than Knueppel) and 4.5 assists (more than Knueppel) would be good enough to win Rookie of the Year. Since the NBA-ABA merger, he’s just the fourth rookie to average more than 20 points, more than six rebounds and more than four assists per game as a rookie, after Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Luka Dončic all did it in their first years. The one knock on Flagg’s game is that he hasn’t been a good jump-shooter across his rookie campaign. He’s shooting just 27.8% from 3-point range this year and

“For [Flagg] not to be Rookie of the Year was going to require something pretty historic was going to have to happen,” Bomtemps said on Hoop Collective. “And, not only has Knueppel set the 3-point record for a rookie in the NBA, he’s currently leading all players in the NBA in [3-pointers made], he’s shooting 43% from 3-point range on crazy high volume. And on top of that he’s been the driving force, if not one of the driving forces, on the remarkable turnaround job in Charlotte.”

He called the Rookie of the Year straw poll result “pretty expected” under those circumstances, though I don’t expect Mavs fans to agree with them. It should be noted, though, that Windhorst was one of Flagg’s 20 first-place votes in the straw poll.

“It’s a perfectly defensible vote if you want to vote for him,” Bontemps said on the podcast. “He’s having an awesome season.”

What we learned from the Spurs win over the Clippers

INGLEWOOD, CA - APRIL 2: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the LA Clippers on April 2, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

I’m fascinated by limitations. I don’t think I’m alone in this, but in my case, the fascination borders on morbidity. Even when the ceiling on something is predictably low, I’m curious as to how precisely low that is.

NFTs seemed like such obvious snake oil (especially the whole ‘Bored Ape’ phenomenon), but I couldn’t stop tracking the ascent before the eventual downfall. Most of us knew it was coming, but I just had to know how astronomically overvalued they would become.

I had been a bit young to fully appreciate how farcical the value of beanie babies were in the mid-to-late 90s, but I couldn’t miss out on part deux, and I was riveted.

There was an almost fatal optimism around it that was spellbinding. It became a sort of litmus test for those you had previously considered reasonable and those who reeked of artifice. Immunity was unpredictable. Not because it exposed the unintelligent, but because it exposed what even the intelligent were not exempt from: the weaponization of hope.

I didn’t need the dulcet tones of Morgan Freeman’s voice to remind me that hope was a dangerous thing. I was living that reality as a Spurs fan.

Clinging to every peripheral acquisition. Holding my breath if the team strung two or more wins together in a row. Panning my way through game replays and box scores in search of the faintest glimmer.

I watched Keldon Johnson pile up rebounds and stumble his way into an unforeseeably hot streak from long distance. I fantasized that he could be a sharpshooting Charles Barkley-lite, never minding that those rebound numbers had been the result of an otherwise lone effort on the boards, or that his shooting form roughly resembled that of a medieval trebuchet.

I told myself that Dejounte Murray and DeMar DeRozan’s mid-range games could easily be extended beyond the arc, and that Chip Engelland would work his magic, ignoring that even under his tutelage, Tony Parker had never really managed to become an outside threat.

Lord help me, I even let myself think that maybe Luka Samanic was right, and that something dimly resembling Kevin Durant could be looming somewhere off in his future. I grasped at every straw, I crawled down every rabbit hole, I tuned into every fluctuation.

And you know what? I was wrong. I was categorically, unquestionably, embarrassingly wrong.

But that’s the thing. No one is immune to the necessity of hope in one part of their lives or another. I was experiencing marital troubles. I was strained by a regime change at work. I was diagnosed with a degenerative condition just two weeks before my daughter was born, in the midst of a country-wide lockdown.

I needed to believe that something unreasonable was possible, even when the rest of my brain knew better. If there’s one thing you can say for the truly mad, it’s that they’re rarely suffering from a crisis of faith.

I find it to be supremely interesting that what the rest of us designate as insanity is often merely a belief in that which the collective agrees is preposterous. It makes me wonder how flimsy that agreement really is.

Because, honestly, are there any of us who do not believe in at least one vaguely absurd thing?

Sure, there’s a difference between believing that more than half the population has been replaced by beings who have assumed their identities and believing that Lonnie Walker IV could blossom into some variation of Vince Carter if he could just find the right confidence-restoring mantra, but I’m starting to surmise that it’s not as large a gap as one might think.

I suspect it (largely) has more to do with how much a belief consumes the rest of your life rather than the belief itself. After all, I have a Jock Landale t-shirt and no one’s come to put me away, yet.

The problem is that once you reach a place where you’re capable of recognizing the delusion for what it is, it can make you a little gun-shy regarding anything that threatens to seduce you in a similar fashion.

You recognize the sensation, and then connect it to previous hallucinations in relation to the potential of one Malaki Branham, and it kind of takes you out of it to the point of wielding your crosses and your holy water whilst bidding the devil begone.

That’s been my prevailing instinct all year.

The Spurs are on a double-digit win-streak? Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

They keep beating the reigning NBA champions? I mean, it is just the regular season after all.

They go undefeated for the month of February? It was only 11 games.

They scored 110+ points in every game? Defense in the NBA isn’t what it used to be.

Hell, I even went as far as to declare the Spurs just shy of championship caliber two weeks into the very same month. And while the Spurs have certainly evolved into something different in the time that has passed, it’s not hard to see why I felt that way. The inconsistency was prevalent. The youth was without question.

But that’s the thing about rationality, it’s not a zero-sum game. Sometimes in our desire to be reasonable, we tilt too far in the wrong direction. We make a deity out of philosophy, and in our desire for the world to be coherent, we place our hope in something equally absurd.

According to the myth, the Pythagoreans, cultic in their belief in a rational universe, threw their compatriot Hippasus into the depths of the sea for bringing to light the irrationality of the square root of 2.

My takeaway from that story has always been that there’s no definitive mode of thought that can insulate you from the unpredictability of the cosmos.

I saw more people attribute the arrival of Victor Wembanyama to fate and/or the power of positive thinking than to mathematical chance. The numbers were just not as optimistic.

Sometimes you just have to place your hope in something, even within the framework of other faiths and creeds. Sometimes you just have to believe.

The difference is that this team isn’t fool’s gold. I had started thinking that long before they cut down the-nephew-that-must-not-be-name and the hungry Los Angeles Clippers without the aid of their gargantuan leader.

59 wins. The Spurs are going to win 60+ games. They’ve just tallied their 2nd 11 game win streak of the season, and looked supremely unbothered in the process of knocking down a team that’s played them close and hard all season.

De’Aaron Fox reminded fans that the jet-boosters attached to his legs are still in their prime, picking his spots with the selectivity and sleight-of-hand of a longtime carnival worker who knows all the tricks of the trade.

Stephon Castle continued to make teams pay for sagging off of him at the arc, upping his three-point percentage to 43% over the last 10 games, and navigating crowded space like the Millennium Falcon through an asteroid belt.

Luke Kornet did his best Wemby impression in protecting the paint, and Dylan Harper threaded passes with the delicacy of a jeweler crafting a Faberge egg and an audacity that opened up lanes so wide that it almost felt like the Clippers were begging him to start a layup line.

Everyone made their contribution. Nobody seemed to break a sweat. They’ve spent most of the season taking every team’s best shot, and in doing so have become a team for whom limitation exists at the boundary of what they can imagine.

The Spurs have arrived in a manner that is much more suggestive of the iPhone than a blockchain full of cartoon monkeys. And sure, there are gonna be people who sneer at them and cling to their Blackberry.

I have empathy for them, though. They have to hope their teams will remain relevant. That the tide is still high. That they’re not beating on against the current, being borne ceaselessly into the past. I’ve been on the other side of it, and I can’t begrudge them their fantasies.

Hope is the garment of every naked emperor, and we all take turns playing at the role.

They’re welcome to borrow my Jock Landale t-shirt, though. I hear it’s going up in value.

Takeaways:

  • I’ve been pretty vocal about this for most of the season, but if Stephon Castle can keep hitting threes the way he has been, Dylan Harper is the most natural fit for running the point. No player on the roster getting real minutes has been more turnover efficient than Harper, even as his touches increase. He converts passes that would make Manu blush. He finishes inside with an ease that would put rookie Tony Parker to shame. He can hit shots from the outside, and he sticks to guards and wings alike, forming a natural pairing with Castle in the back-court (who is himself capable of thwarting the forwards that Harper cannot handle). It’s really a shame that he’s not going to win ROY, because he definitely would have if he’d swapped draft years with Castle. He’s just that good. Whatever the case, San Antonio’s back-court is set up to be oppressive both now and in the future. I can barely contain myself thinking about what they’ll be capable of next season.
  • I did a bit of a deep dive data-wise yesterday afternoon, and discovered that Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie have the highest net ratings for low usage players in the league. They are the definition of efficiency on both ends, and they helped keep a healthy Kawhi Leonard in check last night, while adding their usual long-distance contributions. It’s no coincidence that the Spurs have led the league in offensive rating pretty much from the moment they both made their way into the starting lineup together. Wemby might be the engine that runs this train, but they’re the ones diligently throwing coal on the fire, and they’re keeping it hot!
  • Also, boy is this team different when they can lean on Luke Kornet. No offense to Mason Plumlee (who’s been a damn sight better in relief than Bismack Biyombo), but Kornet’s health is paramount to this team making it through the Western gauntlet in the postseason. He’s been a little banged up as of late, so I’d love to see the Spurs rest him a bit before the close of the season. Against most teams, as long as Wemby’s playing, they can get away with playing him less. Admittedly, the Clippers’ front-court squad is far from fearsome, but keeping them from getting any easy points was probably the difference in playing out a very stressful 4th quarter, and walking away with a double-digit margin of victory. He’s been one of the best signings in the NBA this offseason, I’d daresay.

Playing You Out – The Theme Song of the Evening:

The Logical Song by Supertramp

Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets preview: Shooting for the moon

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on February 09, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tonight marks the Jazz’s preparation for their closing performance in the ceremony. They went through the depths of hell for the last four years, they made their bid for Ace Bailey, they got their win-now trade piece, and now we must bid adieu to what was the strangest Jazz season in the last decade.

Funnily enough, the Rockets clinched their second consecutive Playoff birth after Phoenix’s blowout loss against Charlotte. Unsurprisingly, they built this team on the backbone of the NBA Draft Lottery by throwing out the most putrid lineups imaginable from 2021-2023; the same precedent that Adam Silver wants to stop so that a first-round exit Playoff team can achieve a top-4 pick, for some reason.

Today’s Jazz injury report will feature all your favorite regulars, including Blake Hinson, who has been bestowed the highest honor one can receive for being capable of hitting three triples in a row. Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier, Elijah Harkless (hamstring triplets?!), JJJ, Markkanen, Kessler, and Nurkic continue their comfortable ride on the Jazz bench during the final stretch.

Rockets are still all business despite their latest Playoff birth, featuring only their true injured players of Fred VanVleet (torn ACL) and Steven Adams (ankle surgery). That’s because they’re only 1.5 games back of catching up to 4th-seeded Denver and taking home-court advantage into the first round.

Catching up to the Jazz’s standings, on the other hand, Sacramento’s interesting 123-115 win over the Raptors only puts the Jazz 1 game ahead of them in the standings. Yes, DeMar DeRozan just played 35 minutes in a meaningless April game. Utah can’t afford any chances; they intend to keep the ball rolling and to continue throwing out a combination of lineups that only sort of resemble the game of basketball. That could be the difference between draft lottery immunity and an 0.6% chance of giving up their pick to OKC.

I would bet my buck that Ace Bailey is determined to finish this season strong. The media had a chance to propel Ace Bailey to All-Rookie 1st Team honors, and may have completely sabotaged that by giving Western Conference Rookie of the Month to…Maxime Raynaud?

Don’t get me wrong Kings fans, I, too, remember when Kessler was the only promising young piece on my team. But it feels a little mundane not to reward Ace Bailey after having statistically one of the greatest months one could have as a teenager.

But the Jazz do, in fact, have more young promising pieces that they can barely even keep up with.

Kyle Filipowski has been juggling between the 4 and the 5 spot, playing out of position 90% of the time while still managing to average 15.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game since the All-Star Break. Utah’s gravest mistake may be choosing to unleash Sensabaugh. Since returning to the starting lineup on March 9, Ice Brice has scored over 20 points in 8 of 10 games. During this period, he is averaging 25.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 three-pointers made, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting an efficient 53.7% from the field and 47.4% from three-point range.

Point in case, this is not a game for the Rockets to slack off, or the Jazz to…work hard, I guess. Utah can do the whole charade — maybe a 21-3 run sprinkled in there, a Svi Mykhailiuk sudden heat-check, perhaps even a Kennedy Chandler hustle montage. All that matters is that Utah comes in to collect that 57th loss, no matter how badly some Twitter loser tries to convince you that it’s ‘ruining’ the NBA product. Sometimes, as Neil Armstrong would say, you need to land the eagle.

How to watch:

Who: Utah Jazz (21-56) at Houston Rockets (47-29)

When: April 3rd, 6:00PM Mountain Time

Where: Toyota Center, Houston

Channel: Peacock, Jazz+, KJZZ

Radio: 97.5/1280 The Zone

How to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks: TV, live stream info for Sunday's game

This week's Sunday Night Basketball coverage features another thrilling lineup on NBC and Peacock. First at 7:30 PM ET it's the Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks. The excitement continues at 10:00 PM ET when the Houston Rockets go head-to-head with the Golden State Warriors. Live coverage begins with Basketball Night in America at 6:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock. See below for additional information on how to watch each game.

Follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

RELATED: Draymond Green can be a free agent this summer, but don’t expect him to leave Warriors

Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks Game Preview:

Sunday's game marks the fourth meeting of the regular season between the two teams. The Lakers have won each of the first three contests.

The Lakers have officially clinched a playoff spot and earned their second straight Pacific Division title. They've been one of the best teams in the league over the last five weeks, going 16-3 in their last 19 games.

“There are a million different forms of leadership, and every guy has their own responsibility to lead in whatever way they can. Whether it’s [Marcus]Smart defensively, LeBron making hustle plays, or Jake [LaRavia] with his physicality. That’s leadership, said Lakers’ head coach JJ Redick.“Our team right now is the reason that we’re winning. Our team – because each guy has contributed to winning.”

RELATED:Lakers’ Luka Doncic leaves game after apparent hamstring injury, does not return to court

For the third time in the last four seasons, the Mavericks have been eliminated from playoff contention. The team has surpassed 50 losses for the first time since the 2017-2018 season.

Despite the disappointing season, Cooper Flagg — the No. 1 pick in 2025 — remains among the favorites for Rookie of the Year. The 19-year-old leads the Mavericks in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

RELATED:Rich Paul on speculation about LeBron’s next team - ‘There’s no truth to any of it’

How to watch LA Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks:

  • When: Sunday, April 5
  • Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
  • Time: 7:30 PM ET
  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Live Stream:Peacock

RELATED:NBA power rankings 2025-26 - Championship tiers are back and San Antonio is on top of them

What other NBA games are on Peacock tonight?

  • Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors - 10:00 PM ET

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. Sunday Night Basketball coverage will also be available on NBC and Peacock. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule:

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

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Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago
All of the NBA’s ideas make the lottery bigger — 18 to 22 teams — and flatten the odds.