Author: NBA Basketball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

ZENICA, Bosnia and Herzegovina (AP) — Four-time champion Italy has failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup.

Connecticut coach Dan Hurley went viral shortly after Braylon Mullins' heroic game-winning 3-pointer against Duke in the Elite Eight for appearing to headbutt official Roger Ayers in celebration of the shot.

Hurley's action raised debate on whether the two-time national championship-winning coach could've received a potentially game-altering technical foul. On Tuesday, March 31, Hurley said it was all in good fun after noting he and Ayers have a good on-court relationship.

REQUIRED READING: Did Dan Hurley deserve a technical after game-winning shot for going face-to-face with ref?

"Really at that point in the game we had it won," Hurley said on "The Triple Option" podcast. "And (Ayers is) an easy guy to work with during the game that I thought he was coming over to chest bump me to celebrate the shot. Because it's not like that for me with him.

"My experience with him has been — we haven't won every game, I haven't agreed with every call — so that was, in no way, me and a ref that I had been at their throat the whole game. Other points in the game where I had my arm around him walking out of a timeout, we were cracking jokes and laughing with that situation. ... That was more like the emotion of the shot and this is a cool-(expletive) ref."

Turns out @dhurley15 wasn’t worried about getting a technical at all.

You won’t want to miss this week’s episode 🤝
Subscribe now: https://t.co/kRwZLYmtaLpic.twitter.com/yaSLwjVkJJ

— The Triple Option (@3xOptionShow) March 31, 2026

Hurley also clarified that Ayers — who commonly officiates UConn games as a Big East referee — was coming up to tell him there was 0.3 seconds left on the game clock. It's clear Hurley felt comfortable with the gesture given their background, and it's not a surprise given the coach's tendency to be fiery on the sidelines — especially with officials.

Hurley then brought up UConn's loss to Marquette in the regular season finale, in which he was fined $25,000 by the Big East after he received a double-technical ejection for appearing to bump into the referee. He noted that situation was much different than the Elite Eight game.

"When I was on my man's neck, screaming into his neck," Hurley said. "That was a guy coming right up to the line and losing his mind.

Seth Greenberg, appearing on ESPN, relayed on March 30 that Ayers was similarly unbothered by the interaction with Hurley:

"I talked to Roger today," Greenberg said. "He said, 'What are you talking about?' He literally didn't know what I was talking about. He said, 'Nothing happened.' The ball went in. I was running back. They were celebrating. … That was social media trying to create something out of nothing because of Dan Hurley's 'allegedly' reputation."

REQUIRED READING: 'It was heartbreaking': Former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski laments Elite 8 loss

Hurley and "The Triple Option" crew, comprising former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and host Rob Stone, all laughed at the situation in the clip, clearing the air on a situation that became controversial in the aftermath of Duke's 73-72 win over top-seeded Duke. The Blue Devils' play-by-play announcer even called for a technical foul on a UConn player who allegedly left the bench and stepped on the court after Mullins' shot.

Two-time Final Four participant Sam Dekker, an NBA first-round pick out of Wisconsin, said there should've been a technical foul called on Hurley. At least, that was before Hurley explained what was happening.

"I have no bias here," Dekker wrote on X. "This is a tech 10/10 times. For multiple reasons … it would have lost the game for his team and he would have tried to fight the officials like he did nothing wrong. I just don’t understand it at all. Also, referees need to grow a spine in instances like this."

Regardless, UConn moved on to the Final Four with the instant-classic win and will face No. 3 seed Illinois for a spot in the national championship game against the winner of No. 1 seeds Arizona or Michigan.

All bets are off in UConn's remaining games with Hurley and those officials, though.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dan Hurley says he thought ref wanted to 'chest bump me' to celebrate UConn shot

The Chicago Bulls announced Monday that they have waived guard Jaden Ivey for "conduct detrimental to the team," soon after the former first-round draft pick made anti-gay comments on Instagram Live.

The move came less than two months after Chicago acquired Ivey from the Detroit Pistons. In recent days, the fourth-year player has posted several videos on Instagram in which he speaks at length about his religious beliefs.

Ivey recorded another such video Monday soon after learning of his release by Chicago. In it, he held firm to his convictions and predicted he would have trouble landing another NBA job because of them.

Background

The Pistons selected Ivey at No. 5 overall in the 2022 draft. He was a starter for much of his first two-plus seasons before being hampered by multiple injuries. In 218 games for Detroit, Ivey averaged 14.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and four assists in 27.9 minutes a game.

Chicago acquired Ivey and his expiring contract in a three-team trade on Feb. 3. He played in four games for the Bulls leading into the All-Star break, but was a healthy scratch for their Feb. 19 game against the Toronto Raptors.

After the game, Ivey told reporters that "the old Jalen is dead."

Read more:Lamar Odom's past is a 'cesspool of trauma,' he says: 'I don't know what made me relevant now'

“I’m alive in Christ" he said. "No matter what the basketball setting is, I’m born again with the Holy Spirit, been saved by Jesus Christ. No matter how many DNPs I don’t get to play, no matter how many points I score, those things are temporary things. ...

"Jesus is not going to say on Judgment Day, ‘How many points did you score today?’ … Jesus is not going to say, “Feb. 19, why didn’t you play, Jaden?’ He’s gonna say, ‘What did you do for my kingdom? Do you believe in my name? Did you love me? Did you keep my commandments? Did you repent of your sin? Are you free from sin?’ And there’s only freedom in Jesus Christ.”

Ivey has not played since. The Bulls announced on Feb. 21 that he would be sidelined for at least two weeks because of soreness in his left knee. On Thursday, the team announced that Ivey would miss the remainder of the season because of injuries.

What he said

The Bulls did not elaborate, but the announcement that Ivey would be waived came soon after one of his videos on Instagram Live .

“They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA. They proclaim it," Ivey said in the video. "They show it to the world. They say, 'Come join us for Pride,' for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness. They proclaim it. They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it in the streets. Unrighteousness. So how is it that one can’t speak righteousness? How are they to say that this man is crazy?”

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that a source within the Bulls organization said the decision to dismiss Ivey didn't stem from one incident but rather from an accumulation of posts and comments that started in February.

Read more:How Luka Doncic's season stacks up against the NBA's other MVP contenders

After the Bulls announced the move, Ivey returned to Instagram Live and recorded another lengthy video.

"All I'm preaching is about Jesus Christ and they waived me, right? They say I'm crazy, right? I'm psycho," Ivey said. "…God let these things happen for a reason. His will be done. May His will be done. Not my will. My will is done.

"When I came into the league, all I wanted to do was win championships and get millions of bucks, get that next contract, get them cars. That's all I wanted when I came into the league — until the Lord showed me. What good is it to gain the world and forfeit your soul?"

He added: "That's why everybody around me turning their back on me, because of my faith in Him, in the Son of God. That’s why — I didn't get myself waived. I was in the gym today. I was rehabbing, I was lifting, doing what was required of me in my job, doing whatever they said to do. …

Read more:Swanson: Bronny James has proven he deserves to be a Laker — with or without LeBron

"I could’ve quit on my own, but they kicked me out. And I’m sure every NBA team gonna say the same thing, ‘We don’t want him, he’s too religious for us.’ But I bless you all in Jesus’ name."

On Tuesday, Ivey posted another video in which he seemed to address the aftermath of his previous comments.

"Those who are around me, those who are my family members [are] betraying [me] because of what I spoke — the truth," Ivey said. "Betraying me. Saying that I’m losing my mind. Saying that I’m crazy. Saying that I don’t know the truth. These are my own family members who love me. My blood. Those who raised me, saying that I don’t know the truth. ‘Man, he’s psycho. He’s this, he’s that.' Those are my own household.

"All because of the gospel. All because I said the truth, that unrighteousness will not be let into God’s kingdom. That’s the truth."

What others are saying

Bulls coach Billy Donovan addressed the situation with reporters before his team's game Monday in San Antonio.

“I don’t want to get into what he put out there, but certainly, I hope for him he’s OK," Donovan said of Ivey. "I’ve had conversations with Jaden, and he’s been always about rehabbing his knee and trying to get on the court and wanting to play. But I think organizationally, there are certain standards we want to have as an organization and try to live up to those each and every day.”

He added: “We have people from all different walks of life that are working in the building and players from all different walks of life, right? So the first thing is, everybody comes with their own personal experiences. … We’ve got to all be professional. I think there’s got to be a high level of respect for one another, and we’ve got to help each other and then be accountable to those standards.”

Read more:Plaschke: 'Yeaaaaaah!' A child’s cheer inspires surging Lakers

Bulls guard Josh Giddey said Monday: "Obviously, the whole thing is kind of unfortunate in a way. I hope he gets the help he needs, whatever he’s going through or not going through. I do really hope he gets help. It’s not going to be with the Bulls anymore, but wherever it is, I hope he gets it.’’

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson appeared to show his support for Ivey on his Instagram Story. He posted a graphic referencing Ivey's situation along with a quote from the New Testament.

"'Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven,'” Henderson wrote. "Matthew 5:10."

Asked about Henderson's post on Tuesday, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he wants his players "to be able to express what they believe in their heart and in their mind, but also want to make sure that they’re educated."

"And we want to be inclusive," Vrabel added. "Everything we want to do [is] to provide an environment for people to want to feel comfortable, but also to share their personal beliefs. And then also, we represent the team. And we represent the organization.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Some of the first names to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's 2026 class are starting to leak out, and the early wave includes some of the game’s legends.

According to ESPN, former Suns and Knicks forward and center Amar'e Stoudemire, former Los Angeles Sparks icon Candace Parker, former Sky and Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne and longtime NBA coach Doc Rivers, currently with the Milwaukee Bucks, are among the first four members to be enshrined.

The Hall has not issued any statement concerning the induction of the four and did not initially respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY Sports.

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The Milwaukee Bucks host the Dallas Mavericks in NBA action tonight. 

These are two of the worst teams in the league, but there are a few reasons why my Mavericks vs. Bucks predictions favor the home side.

I explain with my best free NBA picks on Tuesday, March 31. 

Mavericks vs Bucks prediction

Mavericks vs Bucks best bet: Bucks moneyline (+110)

Both squads have been terrible lately, with the Dallas Mavericks winning just three of their last 18 games and the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks going 3-14 in their previous 17. The Bucks are last in the NBA in net rating (-17.3) since the start of March, while Dallas is 28th (-11.5).

That said, the Mavs are on the road and could be tired after losing by 30 points to Minnesota last night. 

Meanwhile, the Bucks enjoyed a day off after losing at home to the Clippers on Sunday. They should also have Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, and Ryan Rollins back in the lineup after they missed the previous contest.

They are three of Milwaukee's Top 6 scorers this season (with another being the still-sidelined Antetokounmpo), so having that trio active will boost the Bucks' chances of winning.

That's enough for me to back them at plus money against a Dallas squad that has Cooper Flagg and not much else.

Mavericks vs Bucks same-game parlay

Since both teams have nothing to play for, we've seen little effort from them on the defensive end of the floor. That has me backing a couple of player props in this SGP.

Daniel Gafford has stepped up as the Mavs' No. 2 scoring option and has logged 24+ points and rebounds in seven of his last eight games.

Meanwhile, Rollins has knocked down more than 2.5 threes in six of his last eight games. He'll torch a Dallas squad that is allowing 14.3 threes per game at 38.6% clip since the start of February.

Mavericks vs Bucks SGP

• Bucks moneyline
• Daniel Gafford Over 22.5 points + rebounds
• Ryan Rollins Over 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Planting his Flagg

Flagg is coming off a night against Minnesota, where he went just 5-for-19 from the field. That said, the Rookie of the Year favorite should bounce back against a Milwaukee squad that is second-last in the league in defensive rating since the All-Star break. 

Flagg has dropped 5+ dimes in 12 of 14 games this month, and he also makes plays on the defensive end. He has logged 2+ steals in five of his last seven games while blocking at least one shot in six of his previous eight contests.

Mavericks vs Bucks SGP

• Cooper Flagg Over 24.5 points
• Cooper Flagg Over 4.5 assists
• Cooper Flagg Over 1.5 steals
• Cooper Flagg Over 0.5 blocks

Mavericks vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Mavericks -2 (-110) | Bucks +2 (-110)
• Moneyline: Mavericks -130 | Bucks +110
• Over/Under: Over 230 (-110) | Under 230 (-110)

How to watch Mavericks vs Bucks

Mavericks vs Bucks latest injuries

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Okay Dub Nation, I see you. Sitting on the stool in the corner of the ring, spitting out blood as the trainers press an ice pack over your swollen eye sockets from watching a rough and tumble month of Golden State Warriors basketball.

The Dubs went 5-10 in March, Steph Curry’s birthday month. Curry and Jimmy Butler didn’t play a single second. The team’s net rating was -5.9, the kind of number that belongs to rebuilds.

And yet. Maybe there’s a chance in here buried under the losses and life lessons. Golden State spent the month caught between two truths: too good to tank and too hurt to compete. If there’s one thing March taught us, it’s that there’s something about this team that is exciting and tragic at the same time.

The Win That Made You Believe

March 5th in Houston. The Warriors were missing seven players, including every name that appears on a marquee. What showed up instead was a ragtag collection of role players, former G-Leaguers, and aging veterans who apparently missed the memo that the game was supposed to be meaningless.

De’Anthony Melton scored 10 points in the first seven minutes. Al Horford, age 39, won the overtime tip and scored a post-up hook shot. LJ Cryer hit threes. Gui Santos played 41 minutes, finished plus-20, and put Kevin Durant on the floor with a spin move.

Brandin Podziemski went 3-for-3 in overtime and reached a season-high 26 points. And KD, one of the greatest players alive and a forever legend in Golden State, bricked two consecutive free throws to give Golden State the game.

Final score: 115-113. The Warriors owned the Rockets franchise one more time without a single star. That was the argument for this team. For one night, every player on that floor had something to prove, and together they proved it.

The Win That That Didn’t Feel Like One

Eighteen days later, same state, different city, different kind of Texas night entirely.

Moses Moody stole the ball from Cooper Flagg with 1:13 left in overtime. He got out in space with the dunk coming into view. And we know Moody can elevate. This time, unfortunately he planted his foot, and the floor gave out beneath a season that had finally started to mean something. Torn patellar tendon. Season over.

Original Splash Bro Klay Thompson was on the other side in a Mavericks uniform. He watched that basketball inheritance collapse in real time. Nobody felt like celebrating the overtime win. The Warriors needed a big victory, but at what cost? I wonder if they’d rather have the loss if it meant preserving Moody’s future.

This is what March 2026 was. A month where the Warriors were simultaneously too good to tank and too hurt to compete. Steph has now missed over two dozen consecutive games. Butler has been gone since January. Horford went down with a calf strain. Moody, who was the living proof that the Two-Timeline strategy could actually work, is watching the rest of this season from a treatment table. A month where the best version of this roster kept flashing, and the injury report kept taking it away.

April Starts Against San Antonio

The Warriors open April against the Spurs. The one with Victor Wembanyama, the version of the future this season was supposed to hold off. They are going into that game without Steph, without Jimmy, without Moses, and with a net rating that politely suggests the process is still very much in progress. Another Texas team, another test, and another day of wondering if the glass is half full or half empty on this season.

March presented two true things simultaneously. The Warriors can still be beautiful when the ball moves and the right people show up hungry. And it also whispered that this season is not going to end in triumph. Both are hella real and define Warriors basketball in 2026.

Goodbye March, you were tough on the team.

Rapper J. Cole has long been an NBA sicko. In 2018, he hopped on 21 Savage’s track ‘a lot’ and immediately shouted out Markelle Fultz and Dennis Smith Jr. However, there is no NBA player he loves like Steph Curry — who also hails from his native North Carolina.

On Carmelo Anthony’s 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast, Cole spoke extensively about his love for Steph.

“I love basketball — it’s an even playing field,” Cole said. “Of course, you’re going to get athletically gifted people, but that’s why I love Steph so much. Compared to the average NBA player — 6’6″, 6’7″, freak of nature — he doesn’t fit that bill. He’s more of a regular size in the league.”

Cole sees Curry as an emblem of working with what you’ve got and using your own unique skillset to grow and become the best version of yourself.

“I stand next to Steph and I’m like, ‘Damn, this dude my height,'” Cole said. “He’s not little, but he maxed out his ability. If I work harder than everybody else, I can max my abilities out, and then I got a fair shot.”

Cole, 41, has pretty famously always wanted to be an NBA player, trying out for the Draft in 2020 and going pro briefly between 2021 and 2022 in the Basketball Africa League and the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

“That’s what I love about basketball,” Cole said. “I can measure my growth. I can see it. I can watch how bad I was or how regular I was, and how much better I’ve gotten in this one area. And I feel like I need that in my life. My music is the same way. My writing is the same way. My rap is the same passion — I want to push myself. Basketball gives me something measurable.”

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Our NBA player prop projections are set for tonight’s showdown between the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, with the model pinpointing several standout opportunities.

By analyzing the data and comparing it to current market lines, we’ve uncovered the bets with the highest value.

These Knicks vs. Rockets predictions aren’t guesswork — they’re driven by the numbers.

For those building their cards, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Tuesday, March 31.

Knicks vs Rockets computer picks for March 31

Knicks	Rockets
Brunson u24.5 points  -112	Durant u25.5 points  -120
Bridges o1.5 threes -125	Sengun u8.5 rebounds +105
Hart o6.5 rebounds -130	Thompson o4.5 assists -120

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Knicks computer picks

Jalen Brunson Under 24.5 points (-112)

Projection: 24.6 points

Over their last 10 road games, opposing starting point guards have averaged just 12.8 points per game against the Houston Rockets — the second-lowest mark in the NBA — making this a difficult offensive matchup, particularly for Jalen Brunson.

Additionally, the New York Knicks have played at the slowest pace in the league over their last five games. They're likely to see even fewer possessions against a Houston team that ranks as the second-slowest offense in terms of pace this season.

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Mikal Bridges Over 1.5 threes (-125)

Projection: 1.7 3-pointers

Mikal Bridges has eclipsed 1.5 made threes in five of his last 10 games, and this matchup sets up well for him to build on that trend against the Rockets.

While Houston plays at a slower pace, their defensive scheme often prioritizes protecting the paint and limiting high-percentage looks inside. That naturally shifts opportunities to the perimeter, where Bridges thrives as a catch-and-shoot weapon.

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Josh Hart Over 6.5 rebounds (-130)

Projection: 7.4 rebounds

Josh Hart has gone Over 6.5 rebounds in six of his last 10 games, and the Knicks’ strong presence on the glass should continue to boost his rebounding outlook.

New York ranks fifth in the NBA with 13.0 offensive rebounds per game this season, creating extra opportunities for Hart to capitalize on the boards.

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---

Rockets computer picks

Kevin Durant Under 25.5 points (-120)

Projection: 24.2 points

From a scoring standpoint, the Rockets have struggled at home, averaging just 109.9 points per game over their last 25 contests — the second-lowest mark in the NBA.

They also operate at the second-slowest pace in the league this season, a combination that could limit possessions and make it tougher for Kevin Durant to clear his points prop tonight.

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Alperen Şengün Under 8.5 rebounds (+105)

Projection: 8.4 rebounds

The Knicks have operated at the slowest pace in the league over their last five games.

This should limit possessions for the Rockets and cut into rebounding chances for Alperen Şengün, especially after he’s gone Under in five of his last 10 games at an 8.5 rebound line.

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Amen Thompson Over 4.5 assists (-120)

Projection: 5.2 assists

Amen Thompson has gone Over 4.5 assists in four of his last 10 games, and tonight’s matchup against the Knicks sets up favorably for him to continue that trend.

Thompson thrives when he can push the pace, and with the Knicks playing at the slowest tempo in the league over their last five contests, defensive rotations will be critical — opening passing lanes for a quick, athletic playmaker like Thompson.

His ability to penetrate and draw attention often forces collapses that create open opportunities for teammates, giving Thompson plenty of chances to rack up assists.

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How to watch Knicks vs Rockets tonight

Location	Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date	Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Tip-off	8:00 p.m. ET
TV	Peacock

Not intended for use in MA.
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There’s a “2-for-1” deal inside Intuit Dome when the Los Angeles Clippers host the Portland Trail Blazers tonight. These Western Conference rivals are Nos. 8 and 9, respectively, in the Western Conference standings, which means a victory is twice as nice. 

Los Angeles is on a five-game run, but kicking the tires on that tear sees L.A. taking advantage of some NBA bottom-feeders.

My Trail Blazers vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks believe L.A. reserve Bennedict Mathurin has gotten fat off that cupcake competition, and aren’t convinced he’ll keep the points coming.

Trail Blazers vs Clippers prediction

Trail Blazers vs Clippers best bet: Bennedict Mathurin Under 17.5 points (-125)

Bennedict Mathurin has been massive for the Los Angeles Clippers' turnaround the past two months. 

The 6-foot-5 guard gives L.A. a shot of energy off the bench, upping his scoring to 20+ points per game since the beginning of February. Mathurin has been especially hot in his last nine outings, averaging almost 23 points since March 7.

Helping heap on the points has been a schedule littered with lousy defenses. Four of those last nine games came against teams ranked Bottom 4 in defensive rating since the All-Star break (Indiana, Milwaukee, Sacramento, Memphis), along with a 26-point showing versus Chicago (21st).

Tuesday’s tilt brings a sneaky-good Portland Trail Blazers team to Los Angeles. Portland has also roughed up some weaker foes in recent games but sits No. 4 in defensive rating since the break and will approach this vital matchup with a playoff-like intensity.

The Blazers blitz opposing ball-handlers with smothering pressure and force them to get rid of the rock. That tactic has Portland giving up the third-fewest points to guards across the Association (47.2 per game).

Mathurin relies on getting to the foul line to pick up points, going to the stripe at least nine times in seven of his last nine outings. He won’t be able to get into attack mode versus that Portland press.

Projections all sit below his scoring prop, with my number just north of 15 points. That should have this Under 17.5 priced around -200 rather than the modest ask of -125.

Trail Blazers vs Clippers same-game parlay

The Clippers have boosted their stock against some bad teams recently. Portland is a stiff defensive challenge for L.A,. and our game models see the Clippers escaping but not covering as home chalk.

The forecasted final also comes up short of the current Over/Under total. The Trail Blazers can’t match the firepower of the Clippers and will try to turn this into a grinder of a game.

Trail Blazers vs Clippers SGP

• Trail Blazers +5.5
• Under 227.5
• Bennedict Mathurin Under 17.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Chairmen of the boards

The Trail Blazers need this win to keep pace in the playoff race, but won’t win a shootout against the Clippers. Defense is the name of the game for Portland, which keeps the score low and Jrue Holiday and Deni Avdija busy on the glass. Both Blazers are projected to top their rebound markets tonight.

Trail Blazers vs Clippers SGP

• Trail Blazers moneyline
• Under 227.5
• Jrue Holiday Over 3.5 rebounds
• Deni Avdija Over 6.5 rebounds

Trail Blazers vs Clippers odds

• Spread: Trail Blazers +5.5 | Clippers -5.5
• Moneyline: Trail Blazers +180 | Clippers -220
• Over/Under: Over 227.5 | Under 227.5

Trail Blazers vs Clippers betting trend to know

The Trail Blazers are 7-14 Over/Under (63% Unders) as road underdogs this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Clippers.

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Allow Charlotte Hornets fans to feel optimism for once. They have earned it. They can even look at an opponent like the Brooklyn Nets and have complete confidence in a win tonight.

My Hornets vs. Nets predictions and these NBA picks even go so far as to expect Charlotte to give some players a lighter workload on Tuesday, March 31.

Hornets vs Nets prediction

Hornets vs Nets best bet: LaMelo Ball Under 19.5 points (-120)

This is what life is like on the other side, Charlotte Hornets fans. You are no longer tanking; you get to take advantage of the teams that are tanking, like the Brooklyn Nets.

Sometimes that joy can be a bit excruciating itself. Your stars may not take the game as seriously, like scoring 20 points on 7-for-16 shooting against the Kings a week ago. Or they may not see as many minutes, like not even playing 22 minutes against the Pacers in late February.

LaMelo Ball cleared this prop in both those instances, but scoring 20 points against tanking teams is hardly an argument that he 'll ruin this prop by the hook tonight.

The Hornets have a back-to-back coming up on Thursday and Friday; they likely need to win both games — vs. Phoenix and then vs. Indiana — to keep their chances of slipping into the preferred Play-In game as the No. 8 seed in mid-April alive.

Limiting Ball’s minutes tonight will only help that cause later in the week, and Charlotte certainly should not need much of a performance from him against Brooklyn. The Nets have one outright win in their last 11 games, against the Kings.

Hornets vs Nets same-game parlay

Limiting Ball’s minutes while increasing Coby White’s will serve Charlotte not only to rest Ball for later in the week but also to further White’s understanding of this Hornets offense. Since joining the rotation in late February, White has taken at least 11 shots in 10 of 15 games, including each of the last eight.

More and more White usage should create Charlotte permutations that frustrate postseason opponents. An early lead will create a clear opportunity for less Ball and more White tonight.

Hornets vs Nets SGP

• Hornets first half -10
• LaMelo Ball Under 19.5 points
• Coby White Over 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Nets Hang Around

The Nets may be the complete inverse of the Jazz. While Utah stays competitive into the fourth quarter and then benches its contributing pieces to assure a loss, Brooklyn tends to hang around the whole game, then score garbage-time points to cover the full-game spread. The Nets are 5-1 ATS in their last six.

Hornets vs Nets SGP

• Nets +17.5
• Hornets first half -10
• LaMelo Ball Under 19.5 points

Hornets vs Nets odds

• Spread: Hornets -17.5 | Nets +17.5
• Moneyline: Hornets -1700 | Nets +950
• Over/Under: Over 219.5 | Under 219.5

Hornets vs Nets betting trend to know

The last five Hornets games have all cashed their Unders, and by an average of 5.7 points. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Nets.

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Hornets vs Nets latest injuries

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The NBA Rookie of the Year award can be a good indicator of future success, but it doesn’t always mean the player who won it will go on to have the best career of his class, nor does it mean the ones who didn’t win it can’t be just as successful. This year, the NBA’s top candidates are Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg, and both of them are special players with high ceilings. Still, the San Antonio Spurs made the made the right pick by selecting Dylan Harper at 2nd overall (sorry, Kevin O’Connor), and here’s why.

There are 19 NBA rookies playing at least 20 minutes per game in the 2025-26 season, and only three are logging at least 30 mpg (minimum 55 games played): Flagg, Knueppel, and VJ Edgecomb. All three have been mostly starers for their teams, while Harper is 12th among rookies in minutes at 22.3 per game with just two starts, meaning he doesn’t have as strong of a case for ROY as his fellow top four picks. Still, any rookie who has made himself a rotation player has done a good job, especially when they earn that spot on a quality team like the Spurs. 

Keep in mind that only three Spurs rookies have averaged 30 minutes since 1988-89: Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Willie Anderson. A lot of that has to do with how stacked many Spurs teams have been over the years, but it’s also not their motto to put too much on rookies’ plates, especially the younger ones. While the three Spurs above all entered the league aged 21 or older and started from day 1, Harper plays mostly with the second unit. Yet notably, the five-man unit with Harper, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama is one of their best.

That rotation is their 12th most-used this season, but part of the reason for its success is having added versatility with multiple ball handlers. The other is the sharp perimeter defense that buys Wemby the extra second to get where he wants. 

Harper is a smart shot creator, averaging a 2.76 assist-to-turnover ratio: the best among rookies.  Most of his passes and assists have gone to Johnson, who also passes him the ball the most.  To boot, Harper is one of three rookies to score in double figures with a minimum 54.0 effective field goal percentage, and on the Spurs, he generates the third most 3-pointers (5.4) for his teammates after Castle and De’Aaron Fox.

Harper was never going to make as much noise as many 2nd overall picks do because of his role, but take out that bit of context, and what he’s done matters a lot to a team that has turned into a championship contender at least a year earlier than expected. Despite being a rookie, he’s someone coach Mitch Johnson can count on in big games and is a big part of why the team has a top-eight scoring bench. His rookie campaign may not be as glamourous as Flagg or Knueppel’s, but it’s still rare for a rookie to garner that much trust so early in their careers.

It’s always difficult to get a read on how award voters will lean, but while it’s probably safe to assume Harper won’t win Rookie of the Year, he at least deserves to be on one of the All-Rookie teams. He’s quick, strong and shifty with the ball, and while he has only started twice this year against two low-level opponents, the Spurs offense didn’t miss a beat in his minutes. He is in the top five among rookies in points in the paint and fastbreak points, but most importantly, he’s doing all this for a team that’s on the hunt for the league’s best record. Other rookies can put up similar numbers with no pressure since their team is going nowhere or their role is not in jeopardy, but Harper is under pressure to produce, because if he doesn’t, the Spurs can simply turn to Fox or Castle for more minutes.

If Harper has one weakness, it’s his 3-point shooting. Almost all of his attempts are open to wide-open, making league average efficiency with 4-6 feet of space, but only 31.2 percent with six feet or more space. Spurs fans should not worry about this being a long term problem because he works hard, and Chip Engelland’s secret sauce has been closely replicated by the team.  For now, he can focus on becoming a screener after a handoff if opponents scheme him out by daring him to shoot, which will help him rack up assists and is a good counter by attacking the space.

There’s only seven games left in the regular season, so it is doubtful anyone will learn anything new from the crop of youngsters at this point. But we so know who Rookie Harper, and he’s earned himself an A- on my scale. The scary thing for the rest of the league is he has much more room to grow.

CHANDIGARH, India (AP) — Cooper Connolly marked his Indian Premier League debut with an unbeaten half-century in Punjab Kings' three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans on Tuesday.

Batting at No. 3, the 22-year-old Australian smashed 72 not out off 44 balls with five sixes and five fours as last year’s finalist survived a middle-order collapse to reach 165-7 with five balls to spare.

Fast bowler Vijayakumar Vyshak (3-34) and experienced spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (2-28) had earlier bowled well in the middle overs to restrict Gujarat to 162-6 after Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field.

“I was looking forward to the experience of playing with some world-class players, but to put that performance in tonight, very happy," Connolly said. "I’m just more of a tempo player, feel the flow of my hands, don’t hit too many big sixes.”

Punjab had the chase under control at 110-2 in 12 overs before impact substitute Prasidh Krishna rattled the middle order with three wickets in 10 balls and the home team slumped to 118-6 in the 15th over.

But Connolly didn’t lose patience with wickets falling around him provided Punjab a winning start to the tournament.

Krishna ignited the collapse when Iyer clipped a straightforward catch to mid-wicket of the first ball he faced after he was struck hard on his hand at the non-striker by a hard drive from Connolly and needed on-field treatment.

Shashank Singh was undone by a sharp short ball and got a faint edge behind the wicket while Marcus Stoinis sliced a catch to Rashid Khan at third of another short delivery.

Marco Jansen smashed a six but got deceived by a slower delivery from Gujarat debutant Ashok Sharma and offered a tame catch at covers with Punjab still needing 19 runs for victory.

Xavier Bartlett (11 not out) eased the nerves when he pulled Krishna for a six over mid-wicket before Connolly guided Punjab to victory.

Earlier, skipper Shubman Gill top-scored with 39 off 27 balls, but none of the top-order Gujarat batters could convert starts into meaningful knocks. Gill started off well with his fluent boundaries in the power play, but Gujarat got tied down after scoring 54-1 in the first six overs.

Gill dominated Chahal early on with his trademark sweep shots before he got caught at mid-wicket while trying another sweep against the spinner as Gujarat couldn’t find momentum after power play.

Jos Buttler scored 38 off 33 balls, that included 14 dot balls before he holed out to long-on at the start of death overs.

Punjab did well in the last five overs and allowed Gujarat score only 34 runs with Jansen (1-20) intelligently varying his pace. Arshdeep Singh’s (0-42) long 11-ball last over went for 12 runs that included a no-ball and four wide balls.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

On March 23rd, Moses Moody suffered a season-ending patellar tendon tear during the Warriors’ game versus the Dallas Mavericks. Moody was taken off the court on a stretcher with only 58 seconds remaining in overtime. Before his injury, Moody was having a great game, with 23 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Luckily, the Warriors pulled out a win. Moody underwent knee surgery on March 27th.

Two days later, on March 29th, Moody broke his silence via Twitter.

“I appreciate all of the love. Every challenge I’ve been through in life I’m glad I went through. I’m sure I’ll feel the same about this. 💪🏾” Moody said in a tweet Sunday.

Moody, turning 24 next month, was averaging 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game — his best season yet. Moody is young and exceptionally talented, so he has a bright future ahead of him after his recovery process. Hopefully, he comes back stronger. Either way, Dub Nation is behind him every step of the way.