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The basketball gods seem angry with the Los Angeles Lakers. Losing two of their three best players for at least a few weeks just as the playoffs near certainly changes every thought Los Angeles has.

Few opponents will pester a new point guard as aggressively as the Oklahoma City Thunder will, but my Thunder vs. Lakers predictions and these NBA picks still see value in new-look L.A. point guard Luke Kennard on Tuesday, April 7.

Thunder vs Lakers prediction

Thunder vs Lakers best bet: Luke Kennard Over 5.5 assists (+105)

Point guard Luke Kennard. That is a reality for the Los Angeles Lakers as the playoffs loom. This was certainly not their plan.

With both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined for the next few weeks, Kennard and LeBron James shared the offensive initiation duties in Sunday’s loss at Dallas, with James playing nearly 39 minutes and dishing out 15 assists while Kennard played more than 41 minutes and handed out 11 assists.

Expect Kennard to also cough up a bounty of turnovers against the Oklahoma City Thunder’s perimeter defenders. That should be obvious.

But the sheer amount of ball-handling now required of Kennard creates unquestionable value in this prop. As long as Los Angeles has hopes of the No. 3 seed in the West — currently effectively tied with the Nuggets, though the Lakers hold the tiebreaker — expect them to lean into this new-fangled look.

This was not the design, but it is now the reality.

Thunder vs Lakers same-game parlay

The value is in Kennard’s assists prop, not as much as in LeBron James’s. Kennard’s ball-handling role is the surprise induced by Los Angeles’s injuries; LeBron already initiated plenty.

The reaction to Sunday’s stats should be amazement at how much Kennard was asked to do. LeBron’s 15 assists were impressive, but also less of an outlier than Kennard’s 11.

Thunder vs Lakers SGP

• Luke Kennard Over 5.5 assists
• LeBron James Under 9.5 assists
• Thunder moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Rest LeBron?

JJ Redick faces a difficult choice this week. As the No. 3 seed slips from Los Angeles’s grasp, how long will he ride LeBron James? Any deficit against the Thunder tonight should quickly feel insurmountable, and getting some rest for the 41-year-old James before the playoffs is certainly a concern on Redick’s mind.

Thunder vs Lakers SGP

• Thunder -17
• LeBron James Under 9.5 assists
• LeBron James Under 23.5 points
• LeBron James Under 6.5 rebounds

Thunder vs Lakers odds

• Spread: Thunder -17 | Lakers +17
• Moneyline: Thunder -2000 | Lakers +1000
• Over/Under: Over 222.5 | Under 222.5

Thunder vs Lakers betting trend to know

The looming threat of the Spurs in the standings has kept the Thunder engaged enough to go 3-1 against the spread in their last four games, all as favorites of at least eight points. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Lakers.

How to watch Thunder vs Lakers

Thunder vs Lakers latest injuries

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Oklahoma State guard Jaylen Curry plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, On3’s Joe Tipton has learned. Curry is on the move for the second consecutive offseason, only spending one year in Stillwater. UMass is where his college basketball career got underway. But now, Curry is looking for school No. 3 for what should be his final year of eligibility.

The Cowboys used Curry as a nice rotational piece throughout his 33 games played. Only seven of them were starts, playing around 24 minutes every time out there. Curry averaged 10.1 points while shooting 41.8% from the field. Not too bad for somebody playing in a power conference for the first time in his career.

Curry did a little more than just score, though. He finished as Oklahoma State’s second-leading assist man, putting up 3.5 per game. Some activity on the glass did some — mainly on the defensive end — with 3.2 rebounds a night.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

There is one performance from this past season that stands out more than any. Oklahoma State hosted Nicholls back in November for a nonconference showdown. Curry had his lone double-double of the year, doing so in style. Thirty points were put up by Curry, going 8-11 from the field and making all 12 of his free throws. And then 10 assists also show up on the statsheet to help Oklahoma State get a 14-point win.

More on Jaylen Curry, early portion of college basketball career

Curry played high school basketball at Charlotte (NC) Calvary Christian, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 193 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

UMass earned Curry’s original commitment and let him get action as a true freshman. One season later, Curry was a starter for the Minutemen and putting up good numbers. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Unfortunately, not too much team success came, and Curry decided to enter the transfer portal.

Now, another school will have an opportunity to sign Curry. If the fit turns out to be the right one, some potential still appears to be in there.

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A first-round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets would be a dream scenario for NBA neutrals, and we get another sneak preview as the teams square off tonight.

Charlotte has picked up four straight victories and won at TD Garden last month, but my Hornets vs. Celtics predictions see Boston getting the upper hand, as Jayson Tatum continues to impress. 

Check out my NBA picks for this clash between in-form Eastern Conference squads on Tuesday, April 7.

Hornets vs Celtics prediction

Hornets vs Celtics best bet: Celtics -4.5 (-110)

A healthy Boston Celtics rotation is a scary prospect for the rest of the league, and they’ve looked in sync while winning eight of their last 10 games.

Boston is also 8-2 straight up in its past 10 matchups against the Charlotte Hornets, and I’m laying the points here with Joe Mazzulla’s men, who are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven. The Celtics turned it on late to brush off the Raptors on Sunday and make it four straight wins by a margin of 14+ points.

Though the Hornets embarrassed Boston in early March, the Celtics got revenge a few weeks later with a 114-99 victory, despite missing Jaylen Brown. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard combined for 60 points that day to outplay Charlotte’s talented guards.

The hosts are at full strength now, after Nikola Vucevic’s return over the weekend, and their defense is the stingiest in the NBA, allowing just 107 points per game. Look for that attention to detail to stifle a Hornets team that leads the league in made 3-pointers.

After a recent home-heavy slate, Charlotte will be entering a rocking TD Garden, where the Celtics are 27-11 SU this year. So, even this late in the regular season, Boston should view this as a statement game, and this spread is small enough for me to back Tatum & Co.

Hornets vs Celtics same-game parlay

The Celtics are humming along since Tatum’s comeback, and he’s been especially consistent on the glass, with 9+ rebounds in eight of his last nine, headlined by 18 boards against the Heat last week. I’m wagering on another big haul tonight.

Meanwhile, Pritchard’s heat-check scoring is a spark for the Boston bench. He’s nailed this Over in five of his last six games, and finished with 28 points in the last meeting between these teams.

Hornets vs Celtics SGP

• Celtics moneyline
• Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
• Payton Pritchard Over 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Put up your Dukes

This SGP pairs two Duke alums, with Tatum going past this points prop in five straight and Kon Knueppel putting the final touches on his Rookie of the Year case.

Tatum has been a steady double-digit rebounder in the past few weeks, while Knueppel dropped 20 points on the Celtics last month and has O/U lines that feel low for a player averaging 18.7 PPG and 3.4 APG this season.

Hornets vs Celtics SGP

• Jayson Tatum Over 22.5 points
• Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
• Kon Knueppel Over 16.5 points
• Kon Knueppel Over 2.5 assists

Hornets vs Celtics odds

• Spread: Hornets +4.5 (-110) | Celtics -4.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Hornets +175 | Celtics -210
• Over/Under: Over 221 (-110) | Under 221 (-110)

Hornets vs Celtics betting trend to know

The Under is 48-31 for the Hornets this season, but the Over has hit in their past three contests. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Celtics.

How to watch Hornets vs Celtics

Hornets vs Celtics latest injuries

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The battle to stay out of the play-in spots in the East is real, with the team in fifth just 3.5 games up on the team in 10th. Two of those squads collide tonight when the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat.

Both teams desperately need a win after a tough stretch of games. My Heat vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks tell you why Toronto will prevail against the spread on Tuesday, April 7. 

Heat vs Raptors prediction

Heat vs Raptors best bet: Raptors -1.5 (-110)

The Miami Heat currently hold the last play-in spot in the East, but they trail the Toronto Raptors, who are just above the play-in spots in sixth place.

The Heat are coming off a win, but it was only their third in the last 11 games. 

This will be an interesting stylistic matchup as Toronto’s defense tries to slow down the high-tempo Heat, who rank fifth in offensive rating since the All-Star break.

The Raptors do this frustrating thing where they show their potential for three quarters, before a typically poor fourth costs them the game, just like their most recent loss to the Celtics.

However, they tend to perform better when they’re supposed to win, and they’re slight home favorites here. Additionally, their strength remains at the defensive end of the floor, where they rank 10th in defensive rating for the second half of the season.

They also do a solid job on the perimeter, ranking eighth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. This is important against a team that leads the NBA in pace and shots per game.

Meanwhile, the Heat rank 21st in defensive rating since the break. That should be enough to help Toronto cover this short spread at home and beat the Heat for the third time this season.

Heat vs Raptors same-game parlay

The Heat’s high pace of play and huge shooting output results in a lot of rebounds. Scottie Barnes has seen his rebounding numbers dip a bit lately, but he still averages 7.5 rebounds per game this season, and this is a great spot for him to get back to having a presence on the boards.

We also get a fun Norman Powell reunion tonight. The former Raptor returns to where he helped win an NBA championship in 2019, and the Toronto fans love him. Don’t be surprised if the guard, averaging 22.1 points per game this season, gets in a groove tonight.

Heat vs Raptors SGP

• Raptors -1.5
• Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
• Norman Powell Over 17.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Heating the glass

The Raptors have also struggled on the glass of late, ranking 23rd in rebounding rate since the All-Star break. So, rebounds for all!

Heat vs Raptors SGP

• Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
• Brandon Ingram Over 5.5 rebounds
• Andrew Wiggins Over 4.5 rebounds
• Norman Powell Over 3.5 rebounds

Heat vs Raptors odds

• Spread: Heat +1.5 | Raptors -1.5
• Moneyline: Heat +100 | Raptors -120
• Over/Under: Over 240 | Under 240

Heat vs Raptors betting trend to know

The Raptors have covered the 1Q Spread in 12 of their last 16 games for +7.45 Units and a 41% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Raptors.

How to watch Heat vs Raptors

Heat vs Raptors latest injuries

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.

Kentucky Basketball is receiving a wide range of projections in way-too-early 2026-27 Top 25 rankings, reflecting uncertainty after a season of key departures and transfers.

Way-Too-Early College Basketball Rankings

• Unranked:Jeff Borzello (ESPN), Jacob Davis (Sports Illustrated), Seth Davis (HoopsHQ)
• No. 28:Jon Rothstein (FanDuel) – despite forward Andrija Jelavić entering the transfer portal
• No. 25:James Fletcher III (On3)
• No. 13:Mike DeCourcy (Sporting News)

Roster Outlook

Projected starting five (before Jelavić’s transfer, though he could still return): G Trent Noah, G Collin Chandler, F Kam Williams, F Andrija Jelavić, C Malachi Moreno
Projected key bench: Brayden Hawthorne, Mason Williams

Roster Status

• Graduating: Otega Oweh, Walker Horn, Zach Tow
• Transferring: Denzel Aberdeen (graduating), Jasper Johnson, Brandon Garrison, Jaland Lowe, Mo Dioubate, and Andrija Jelavić
• Undecided: Trent Noah, Jayden Quaintance, Kam Williams, Collin Chandler, Brayden Hawthorne, Reece Potter
• College/Testing NBA Draft Waters: Malachi Moreno

Mark Pope’s top priority will be retention, especially keeping 7-foot center Malachi Moreno, who averaged 7.8 points per game and has high breakout potential. Veteran shooting guard Collin Chandler, averaging 9.7 points, will also hopefully anchor the backcourt, though he has not 100% confirmed his return yet.

As the Wildcats navigate departures, transfers, and player development, fans are left watching closely how the roster takes shape and how early projections will adjust leading into the new season.

One week ago, the Los Angeles Lakers clinched their spot in the NBA playoffs. They had won 15 of 17 games behind a surge from Luka Dončić and looked prime to lock up the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

How quickly things can change.

Dončić injured his left hamstring late in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Austin Reaves strained his left oblique in the same game, and just like that, the Lakers were down two of their most important players for the foreseeable future.

The reaction was predictable; the Lakers came out flat against an already eliminated Dallas Mavericks team on Sunday. They were able to fight back behind a 30-point, 15-assist effort from LeBron James and a triple-double by trade deadline acquisition Luke Kennard, but Cooper Flagg had arguably his signature moment of his rookie season with 45 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to outlast LA 134-128, handing the shorthanded Lakers their second straight loss.

In the meantime, the other teams in the running for the third seed – the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets – have surged. The Nuggets have won nine in a row and overtook the Lakers for third place with their comeback over the Portland Trail Blazers, Monday, April 6. The Rockets, trailing by just one game, have also been red-hot with a six-game winning streak of their own.

So how much room do the Lakers have for error – if any at all? Here's what lies ahead for each team in the final week of the season:

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAOS: Who will get No. 5 and 6 seeds?

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The final week of the NBA season usually sees some unexpected results. As the Minnesota Timberwolves back into the playoffs, they are ripe candidates to provide one of those results, especially as the Indiana Pacers play what may be their best basketball of the season.

My Timberwolves vs. Pacers predictions and these NBA picks refuse to put any faith in Minnesota on Tuesday, April 7.

Timberwolves vs Pacers prediction

Timberwolves vs Pacers best bet: Pacers +12.5 (-105)

The Minnesota Timberwolves have effectively boxed themselves into the No. 6 seed in the West. They would need to go 4-0 this week while the Rockets go 1-3 to catch Houston for the No. 5 seed. But there is a worrying scenario for Minnesota. It could fall into the Play-In Tournament yet.

Every day that remains a possibility, anxiety will set in further for the Timberwolves. The organization already had to include two Play-In games amid the postseason ticket presale access for season-ticket holders. They are genuinely a loss or two away from having to answer questions about slipping into the Play-In Tournament.

Recognizing that stressor is the only reason this is not a bet on the Indiana Pacers to win outright. The Pacers have sprung three upsets as multi-bucket underdogs in the last two weeks, part of going 8-1 against the spread in their last nine.

Indiana has secured its needed draft lottery positioning. The Pacers can play as competitively as able. And with the Timberwolves without both Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, they are quite vulnerable to upsets. Edwards and McDaniels are no less than two of Minnesota’s three-best bucket getters, and many nights feel like they are the top two.

Without them, fading the Timberwolves becomes nearly an automatic bet; only the worry of falling to seventh in the standings should prevent Minnesota from losing outright.

Timberwolves vs Pacers same-game parlay

The mere option to bet a Mike Conley points prop is a surprise. He hit no more than one field goal in 12 of his last 16 games. Bench players like that do not usually warrant spots on the props board. But Conley is not a bench player right now. He has started his last five games, though only four of those were genuine. But in his last two games, Conely has hit 7-of-12 shots from deep, scoring 14 and 11 points. He may be finding a form that could actually contribute in the postseason.

Minnesota hopes Naz Reid finds that form soon. A nagging shoulder injury has clearly cut into his efficiency. Reid has cleared this prop just once in his last 10 games.

Timberwolves vs Pacers SGP

• Pacers +12.5
• Mike Conley Over 5.5 points
• Naz Reid Under 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Perhaps Pacers

One of the best ways for Minnesota to avoid an upset is to have Reid hit multiple 3-pointers. Given he is 1-of-10 from beyond the arc in his last two games and has hit multiple 3-pointers in just three of his last 17 games, it is valid to wonder if Indiana might spring this surprise.

Timberwolves vs Pacers SGP

• Pacers Moneyline
• Naz Reid Under 14.5 Points

Timberwolves vs Pacers odds

• Spread: Timberwolves -12.5 | Pacers +12.5
• Moneyline: Timberwolves -800 | Pacers +550
• Over/Under: Over 232.5 | Under 232.5

Timberwolves vs Pacers betting trend to know

While going 8-1 against the spread in their last nine games, the Pacers have exceeded bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 8.9 points, even when including the sole ATS loss; that number jumps to 10.4 points in the eight ATS wins. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Pacers.

How to watch Timberwolves vs Pacers

Timberwolves vs Pacers latest injuries

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.