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

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Freshman Jeremiah Fears declares for NBA draft after one standout season at Oklahoma

Jeremiah Fears has declared for the NBA draft after one standout season at Oklahoma.

Fears made the announcement on a social media post Wednesday. The 6-foot-4 guard is projected by many to be a lottery pick. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season and helped the Sooners reach the NCAA Tournament.

“This year has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for all the love and support I have received from the OU fan base!” he said in a statement on social media. “I want to express my gratitude to coach (Porter) Moser and the entire coaching staff, who believed in me and allowed me to showcase my abilities at the University of Oklahoma.”

The previous high-profile freshman at Oklahoma, Trae Young, has kept in contact with Fears. Young was the No. 5 pick in the 2018 draft and was an All-Star for the Atlanta Hawks this season.

“Jeremiah is going to be a really good player,” Young said in January. “I mean, being one of the highest recruits that we’ve got at OU in a while, I’ve been keeping up.”

Fears had plenty of big games that boosted his stock. He scored 26 points against Arizona. He hit a 30-footer, drew a foul and completed a four-point play late that pushed the Sooners to an 87-86 win over Michigan in the Jumpman Invitational. He scored 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting and made four 3-pointers in a loss to No. 2 Florida.

He scored 29 points in an Southeastern Conference Tournament win over Georgia. In a loss to Connecticut in the NCAA Tournament, he scored 20 points and kept the Sooners in the game.

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NBA investigating Ja Morant doing finger gun motions at Warriors bench

The NBA is investigating Ja Morant — who has been suspended multiple times by the NBA for waiving a gun on social media — for using a gun gesture toward the Golden State bench and in celebration of 3-pointers during the Grizzlies' loss to the Warriors Tuesday night, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.

Morant made the gun gesture multiple times during the game, usually aimed at the nearest defender, and in celebration of one of his five 3-pointers. Late in the game when the Warriors were in complete control, Golden State's Buddy Hield mocked Morant by making the gun gesture back at him. Morant saw that and made the gesture back toward the Warriors bench, with some trash talk involved.

Morant and Hield were given technical fouls for the exchange, and the league is also investigating Hield, according to the report.

Morant has used this celebration before on 3-pointers, and he is not the only player to use a gun gesture or something similar to celebrate a 3. The NBA has no rule explicitly banning a gesture, but it has fined players for things such as a throat-slashing gesture or the big balls celebration.

Because of Morant's history, the gun gesture takes on a different significance. Morant was suspended for eight games near the end of the 2022-23 season after he showed off a gun on Instagram Live while at a strip club in Colorado. Morant told NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at the time he had learned his lesson, however, that summer Morant was seen again on Instagram Live with a gun while riding in a friend's car. This time, the league suspended Morant 25 games at the start of the 2023-24 season.

If the NBA cracks down on gun gestures, it cannot just go after Morant, other players have used that celebration as well. The NBA also would be following in the footsteps of the NFL, which cracked down on finger gun celebrations (players have been fined).

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'Make a name for myself': How the Lakers' Jaxson Hayes shows his worth

EL SEGUNDO, CA - APRIL 02: Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes speaks with the media during a Lakers practice at UCLA Health Training Center on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 in El Segundo, CA.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, speaking with reporters after practice Wednesday in El Segundo, said of his occasional frustration with officials, "I gotta remember they're human too and gotta just focus on the game, focus on myself." (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

The stakes here in early April for the Lakers are easy to see, the trophies that sit in owner Jeanie Buss’ window overlooking the practice courts a constant reminder of what the goals are for the team, particularly at a time when the talent on the roster looks formidable.

But for a player like center Jaxson Hayes, there are other things at play, the free-agent-to-be in the most important role of his career on the best team for which he's played.

“I just view it as opportunity to make a name for myself, an opportunity to go win some games and win a ring,” Hayes said after the Lakers held a rare practice Wednesday. “And I just look at it as I gotta come in locked in every day and just try to make the most out of every day, be the best version of myself.”

The best version of Hayes has been fully optimized with Luka Doncic now on the Lakers, the trade doing more than leaving Hayes as the lone option to lead the frontcourt with Anthony Davis off to Dallas. It also paired Hayes with Doncic, a maestro when it comes to playing with athletic centers who he can find space for lobs near the rim.

Hayes is averaging nearly 9.0 points per game while shooting 76.9% from the field since the trade. And even when Hayes is not scoring easy baskets, his rim-running has forced defenses to suck into the paint and create more open shots on the perimeter.

“When teams do that, man, it's either Luka's gonna get a bucket or one of the shooters gonna get a bucket,” Hayes said.

Read more:Lakers hold off Rockets to score important home win amid playoff seeding race

It’s made him one of the most important Lakers, a player with a skill set the team can’t really replace when he’s not on the court. When he missed four games in early March, the Lakers lost all four.

“I've told him this a number of times over the last week or so, he's so important for us,” coach JJ Redick said before a win over Houston on Monday. “If we're wanting to win at the highest level, he's gotta be elite. And that's not to put pressure on him because he has guys that can take that pressure off of him. But we need him on the floor. We need him to stay out of foul trouble. We need him to lay off the referees. He's gotta be locked in.”

Hayes’ frustration with the officials has been an issue as his minutes have increased, and he acknowledged he’s trying to find more empathy during emotional moments of the game.

“It's been a very big topic of discussion, and it's something I'm trying to work on,” he said. “Obviously I play with a lot of passion and I'm a very passionate player and very energetic player. So sometimes I get on the refs when I feel like they miss 'em, but I gotta remember they're human too and gotta just focus on the game, focus on myself. So that's been a big point of emphasis for us and just leaving them alone and focus on myself.”

Playoff preview?

The Lakers host Golden State on Thursday, the first time the teams meet since both squads reconfigured their rosters.

Since acquiring Jimmy Butler from Miami, the Warriors (44-31) have rocketed up the standings and could be a first-round opponent for the Lakers (46-29).

Stephen Curry had 52 points, including 12 three-pointers, Tuesday in a win over Memphis.

“Jimmy's just such a competitor and everyone knows that,” Hayes said. “We see what he's done with Miami the past few years, so just changed the whole game. We gotta deal with him and Draymond [Green], two very big competitors. And obviously Steph is Steph.

“Yeah, it definitely brings a lot of differences and more energy to the game.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Carmelo Anthony to be inducted into Hall of Fame on first ballot

One of the pure bucket getters the game has ever seen — whether he was winning an NCAA title, winning one of his three Olympic gold medals, or averaging 22.5 points a game in the NBA — there has been nobody like Carmelo Anthony.

Now he is deservingly going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer, which was expected but has been officially broken by Shams Charania of ESPN.

Anthony averaged 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over his 19-year career, which started with the Nuggets, moved on to the Knicks, and also included stops with the Thunder, Rockets, Trail Blazers, and Lakers. 'Melo led the NBA in scoring in 2012-13, was a 10-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA player, ranks 12th on the league's all-time points list, and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary team.

Tributes poured in for Anthony, but the best one came from the Atlanta Hawks.

(For those that don't remember, Anthony was traded from the Thunder to the Hawks in the summer of 2018, he was technically a member of the Atlanta franchise for five days before he was waived.)

The official announcement of the Neismith Basketbal Hall of Fame class of 2025 will come this weekend during the Final Four in San Antonio. Other locks to make the Hall of Fame out of this class include Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Dwight Howard, and the 2008 USA Basketball men's Olympic team — which included both Anthony and Howard.

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Report: Sixers plan to sign Colin Castleton to 10-day contract

Report: Sixers plan to sign Colin Castleton to 10-day contract  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers’ 10-day contracts keep on coming in.

The team plans to sign Colin Castleton to a 10-day deal, Jake Fischer reported Wednesday.

Castleton is a center listed at 6-foot-10, 250 pounds who’s played 36 NBA games over the past two years with the Lakers, Grizzlies and Raptors. The 24-year-old played regularly for Toronto during a 10-game stretch in March, averaging 6.9 points and 7.4 rebounds in 25.9 minutes per contest. 

Castleton has posted 16.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 53 total G League appearances.

With their roster light on healthy players, the Sixers signed Oshae Brissett, Chuma Okeke, Marcus Bagley and Phillip Wheeler to 10-day contracts in March. 

Given the state of the 23-53 Sixers’ frontcourt, Castleton may very well step right into some minutes.

Rookie Adem Bona started the last three games at center. Guerschon Yabusele has missed the past two games with a right knee injury and Andre Drummond is out with a left big toe sprain. 

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Kings vs. Wizards Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 2

It’s Wednesday, April 2, and the Sacramento Kings (36-39) and Washington Wizards (16-59) are all set to square off from Capital One Arena in Washington.

The Kings are currently 17-20 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Wizards have a 2-8 record in their last ten games at home. Sacramento won the only meeting with Washington by 23 points this season.

Sacramento is 1-6 over the last seven games, including a two-point loss to Indiana on Monday. Washington has dropped the past three games and eight of the previous nine.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Kings vs. Wizards live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Capital One Arena
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Kings vs. Wizards

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Kings (-714), Wizards (+508)
  • Spread:  Kings -12.5
  • Over/Under: 231 points

That gives the Kings an implied team point total of 120.98, and the Wizards 114.47.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s Kings vs. Wizards game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Kings to cover:

"The Kings are coming off a tough two-point loss to the Pacers in a game that Sacramento should have won. This is an ideal matchup for the Kings to roll the Wizards and get back in the winning column. It's Kings or pass for me."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Kings & Wizards game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Sacramento Kings on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Washington Wizards at +12.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 231.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Kings vs. Wizards on Wednesday

  • The Wizards have lost 18 of their last 20 home games
  • The Under is 7-3 in the Kings' last 10 road games
  • The Kings have failed to cover in 43 of their 75 games this season
  • The Kings have failed to cover in 43 of their 75 games this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Pelicans vs. Clippers Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for April 2

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview 

The New Orleans Pelicans (21-54) and Los Angeles Clippers (43-32) are all set to square off from Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

Zion Williamson and CJ McCullom have both been shut down for the season.

The Clippers are in great shape and playing very good basketball. They have won eight of their last 10 games.

The Pelicans are currently 7-30 on the road with a point differential of -9, while the Clippers have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Pelicans vs. Clippers live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 10:30PM EST
  • Site: Intuit Dome
  • City: Inglewood, CA
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Pelicans vs. Clippers
The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Pelicans (+1020), Clippers (-2000)
  • Spread:  Clippers -18
  • Over/Under: 218 points

That gives the Pelicans an implied team point total of 108.2, and the Clippers 117.57.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday's Pelicans vs. Clippers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
 
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Pelicans & Clippers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New Orleans Pelicans at +18.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 218.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pelicans vs. Clippers on Wednesday

  • The Pelicans have won 5 straight games at the Clippers
  • The Over is 28-20 in the Pelicans' matchups against Western Conference teams this season
  • The Pelicans have covered the Spread in 16 of their last 19 games against the Clippers
  • The Pelicans are on a 5-game win streak at the Clippers

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Hornets vs. Pacers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 2

It’s Wednesday, April 2, and the Charlotte Hornets (19-56) and Indiana Pacers (44-31) are all set to square off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Hornets are currently 7-30 on the road with a point differential of -8, while the Pacers have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home. Charlotte is 2-0 against Indiana this season with wins of 20 and four points.

Charlotte snapped a five-game losing streak on Monday with a four-point win over Utah. Indiana is 7-2 over the last nine games and coming off a two-point comeback win over Sacramento on Monday.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Hornets vs. Pacers live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  • City: Indianapolis, IN
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Hornets vs. Pacers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Hornets (+677), Pacers (-1064)
  • Spread:  Pacers -14.5
  • Over/Under: 225 points

That gives the Hornets an implied team point total of 111.57, and the Pacers 119.13.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s Hornets vs. Pacers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Pacers to cover:

"Indiana lost both meetings with Charlotte by four and 20 points, and I would not be shocked if the Pacers win this game by 24 points. This is the get-back matchup and Charlotte is resting or decreasing most of their starters' minutes in the third and fourth quarters, so they are clearly tanking. This is an Indiana or pass spot as they are 2.0 games over the Pistons, who take on the Thunder tonight. This is a must-win for the Pacers."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Hornets & Pacers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Charlotte Hornets at +14.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 225.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Hornets vs. Pacers on Wednesday

  • The Hornets have lost 5 straight road games
  • Each of the last 4 matchups between the Hornets and the Pacers have stayed under the Total
  • The Hornets have failed to cover in 8 of their last 10 games (80%) as an underdog
  • Each of the last 4 matchups between the Hornets and the Pacers have stayed under the Total

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Spurs vs. Nuggets Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for April 2

San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets Preview 

The San Antonio Spurs (31-44) and Denver Nuggets (47-29) are all set to square off from Ball Arena in Denver.

Last night, the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves had a game for the ages. They played two double overtimes, and Nikola Jokic had a 60-point double-double. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, they fouled a three-point shooter as time expired and lost the game.

They will likely be extremely shorthanded in this game.

The Spurs also are on a back-to-back, after losing to the Orlando Magic last night.

The Spurs are currently 11-24 on the road with a point differential of -3, while the Nuggets have a 5-5 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Spurs vs. Nuggets live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 9:00PM EST
  • Site: Ball Arena
  • City: Denver, CO
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Spurs vs. Nuggets

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Spurs (+310), Nuggets (-398)
  • Spread:  Nuggets -9.5
  • Over/Under: 231 points

That gives the Spurs an implied team point total of 114.34, and the Nuggets 119.3.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday's Spurs vs. Nuggets game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

 Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Spurs +9.5…

Thomas: “This game is gross. I don’t have a strong lean, but it should be a fade to consider when a team is on a back-to-back and played double overtime in the game before. Especially with the limited availability of players.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Spurs & Nuggets game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Denver Nuggets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the San Antonio Spurs at +9.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 231.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Spurs vs. Nuggets on Wednesday

  • The Nuggets have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Southwest Division teams
  • 6 of the Spurs' last 8 road matchups against the Nuggets have stayed under the Total
  • The Spurs have covered in 10 of their 16 matchups against Western Conference Northwest Division teams this season
  • The Nuggets are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Heat vs. Celtics Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 2

It’s Wednesday, April 2, and the Miami Heat (34-41) and Boston Celtics (56-19) are all set to square off from TD Garden in Boston.

The Heat are currently 15-22 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Celtics have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. Boston has won all three meetings versus Miami this season by double-digits.

The Celtics have won nine straight games entering this matchup, while the Heat are on a five-game winning streak.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Heat vs. Celtics live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: TD Garden
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Heat vs. Celtics

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Heat (+425), Celtics (-578)
  • Spread:  Celtics -11
  • Over/Under: 214 points

That gives the Heat an implied team point total of 105.95, and the Celtics 111.69.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s Heat vs. Celtics game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Celtics to cover:

"Both teams are on winning streaks and while Miami earning five consecutive wins might be surprising, it isn't really when you look at who they beat. Miami has beaten Charlotte, Golden State, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington in that stretch. Boston is superior to those squads and I think the double-digit spread implies that. It's Boston or pass for me."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Heat & Celtics game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Boston Celtics on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Heat at +11.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 214.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Heat vs. Celtics on Wednesday

  • The Celtics have won 13 of their last 20 home games
  • The Heat's last 3 versus the Celtics have stayed under the Total
  • The Heat have covered in their last 5 games
  • The Heat have covered as an underdog 3 times in a row

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Knicks vs. Cavaliers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 2

It’s Wednesday, April 2, and the New York Knicks (48-27) and Cleveland Cavaliers (60-15) are all set to square off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

The Knicks are currently 22-15 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Cavaliers have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. Cleveland has won both meetings versus New York by six and 37 points.

New York is on a three-game winning streak and is 5-1 over the last six games, including a 14-point win over the 76ers last night. Cleveland is 4-1 over the past five games and coming off a five-point win over the Clippers on Sunday.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Knicks vs. Cavaliers live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
  • City: Cleveland, OH
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Knicks vs. Cavaliers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Knicks (+404), Cavaliers (-549)
  • Spread:  Cavaliers -10.5
  • Over/Under: 230 points

That gives the Knicks an implied team point total of 113.96, and the Cavaliers 119.44.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s Knicks vs. Cavaliers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Cavs on the spread and Mobley Over his stocks prop:

"The Knicks playing last night as -14 point favorites then turning around and being 10-point underdogs is not ideal. The Knicks are not full strength and it'll be a tough task to hang with the Cavs. Evan Mobley is coming off a three-block game and had four combined blocks and steals in the previous meeting versus New York, plus three blocks in the first meeting. If you get +100 or better on his Over 2.5 blocks and steals prop, that's another lean of mine as he continues to build his Defensive Player of the Year campaign."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Knicks & Cavaliers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Knicks at +10.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 230.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Knicks vs. Cavaliers on Wednesday

  • The Cavaliers have won 12 of their last 14 games when having a two-day rest advantage
  • The Over is 20-17 in the Knicks' road games this season
  • The Cavaliers have covered in 11 of their 17 matches against Eastern Conference Atlantic Division teams this season
  • The Cavaliers have won 12 of their last 15 home games but could be pushed by a New York Knicks outfit who head to the Rocket Arena following five wins in their last six.

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Hawks vs. Mavericks Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 2

Atlanta Hawks vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview 

The Atlanta Hawks (36-39) and Dallas Mavericks (37-39) are all set to square off from American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The Hawks are coming off an embarrassing home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers last night. They must turn around and play on the road against the Mavericks.

 The Hawks are currently 17-20 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Mavericks have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Hawks vs. Mavericks live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 8:30PM EST
  • Site: American Airlines Center
  • City: Dallas, TX
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Hawks vs. Mavericks

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Hawks (+140), Mavericks (-165)
  • Spread:  Mavericks -4
  • Over/Under: 237 points

That gives the Hawks an implied team point total of 117.67, and the Mavericks 119.75.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday's Hawks vs. Mavericks game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
 
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Hawks & Mavericks game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dallas Mavericks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Atlanta Hawks at +4.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 237.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Hawks vs. Mavericks on Wednesday

  • The Mavericks have lost 4 of their last 5 home games
  • 7 of the Hawks' last 8 road games have gone over the Total
  • The Hawks have covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 games against teams with better records
  • The Mavericks have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference Southeast Division teams

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Pistons vs. Thunder Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 2

Detroit Pistons vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview 

The Detroit Pistons (42-33) and Oklahoma City Thunder (63-12) are all set to square off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

The Pistons are having a great season. They are fifth in the Eastern Conference and just a few wins away from clinching a playoff berth. They have won six of their last 10 games and will be playing in the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-2019 season.

The Thunder have the best record in the NBA and continue to roll. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on his way to his first league MVP.

The Pistons are currently 21-17 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Thunder have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Pistons vs. Thunder live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 9:30PM EST
  • Site: Paycom Center
  • City: Oklahoma City, OK
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Pistons vs. Thunder

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Pistons (+715), Thunder (-1136)
  • Spread:  Thunder -14.5
  • Over/Under: 231 points

That gives the Pistons an implied team point total of 114.61, and the Thunder 122.16.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday's Pistons vs. Thunder game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Thunder -13…

Thomas: “The Thunder get to play the shorthanded Pistons at home. They have covered in five straight, and continue to be the best team in the NBA. Without Cade Cunningham, the Pistons have an uphill battle just to cover the spread.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Pistons & Thunder game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Detroit Pistons at +14.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 231.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pistons vs. Thunder on Wednesday

  • The Thunder have won 5 straight home games
  • 6 of the Pistons' last 8 matchups with the Thunder have stayed under the Total
  • The Pistons have covered in 23 of their 38 road games this season
  • The Thunder have won 17 of their last 20 games at home

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Embiid to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Sixers say

Embiid to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Sixers say originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Joel Embiid has decided on his next step.

The Sixers released the following statement Wednesday on their star center, who was ruled out for the season on Feb. 28 because of persistent left knee problems:

“Following consultations with medical experts, it has been determined that Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week to address his left knee. Further updates will be provided following the procedure.”

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Embiid “will be re-evaluated in six weeks and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Embiid had been considering treatment options. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse recently said that the team’s vice president of athlete care, Simon Rice, was also a key part of those conversations with doctors.

Embiid publicly indicated multiple times this season that non-surgical approaches were not working and his knee continued to bother him. He ultimately played in just 19 games for the injury-riddled Sixers, who have fallen far out of playoff contention.

“I wish I could play every game,” Embiid said on Feb. 4. “My goal is to be available and play every game. Whatever God decides, from that point on, I can’t control it. I can only control what I can do every single day, what I should focus on, what keeps me on the floor. And whatever happens, happens.

“I don’t really worry about how many games I’m going to play, how much I’m going to be available. The goal is to be available every single night and if God wants it to happen, good. If he doesn’t, back to the drawing board.”

The Sixers went 8-11 in his appearances and Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. For the most part, he did not come close to reaching the MVP contender level he’d grown accustomed to over the prior four seasons.

“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now and it sucks,” Embiid said on Feb. 20. “But I believe I probably need to fix the problem and I’ll be back at that level. But it’s hard to have the trust when you’re not yourself.

“I’m not as dominant as I was a couple months ago, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t have a lot of impact on the game. … But my dominant self, I’ll get there. It’s just tough because you know you can do so much more. There’s no excuses; it’s just the way it is. Just got to keep finding ways to figure it out and get better.”

Last February, Embiid underwent surgery on his left lateral meniscus. He returned for the end of the regular season and the playoffs, then played in the Paris Olympics and earned a gold medal with Team USA. 

He missed the beginning of the 2024-25 regular season. The Sixers started horrendously and never truly recovered. They’ve used an NBA-record 52 different starting lineups and are 23-53 overall. 

Along with Embiid, Paul George (adductor and left knee injuries), Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery) and Eric Gordon (right wrist surgery) have been ruled out for the remainder of the year. Tyrese Maxey hasn’t played since March 3 because of a right finger sprain. 

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Joel Embiid to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Sixers say

Joel Embiid to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Sixers say originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Joel Embiid has decided on his next step.

The Sixers released the following statement Wednesday on their star center, who was ruled out for the season on Feb. 28 because of persistent left knee problems:

“Following consultations with medical experts, it has been determined that Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week to address his left knee. Further updates will be provided following the procedure.”

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Embiid “will be re-evaluated in six weeks and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Embiid had been considering treatment options. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse recently said that the team’s vice president of athlete care, Simon Rice, was also a key part of those conversations with doctors.

Embiid publicly indicated multiple times this season that non-surgical approaches were not working and his knee continued to bother him. He ultimately played in just 19 games for the injury-riddled Sixers, who have fallen far out of playoff contention.

“I wish I could play every game,” Embiid said on Feb. 4. “My goal is to be available and play every game. Whatever God decides, from that point on, I can’t control it. I can only control what I can do every single day, what I should focus on, what keeps me on the floor. And whatever happens, happens.

“I don’t really worry about how many games I’m going to play, how much I’m going to be available. The goal is to be available every single night and if God wants it to happen, good. If he doesn’t, back to the drawing board.”

The Sixers went 8-11 in his appearances and Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. For the most part, he did not come close to reaching the MVP contender level he’d grown accustomed to over the prior four seasons.

“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now and it sucks,” Embiid said on Feb. 20. “But I believe I probably need to fix the problem and I’ll be back at that level. But it’s hard to have the trust when you’re not yourself.

“I’m not as dominant as I was a couple months ago, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t have a lot of impact on the game. … But my dominant self, I’ll get there. It’s just tough because you know you can do so much more. There’s no excuses; it’s just the way it is. Just got to keep finding ways to figure it out and get better.”

Last February, Embiid underwent surgery on his left lateral meniscus. He returned for the end of the regular season and the playoffs, then played in the Paris Olympics and earned a gold medal with Team USA. 

He missed the beginning of the 2024-25 regular season. The Sixers started horrendously and never truly recovered. They’ve used an NBA-record 52 different starting lineups and are 23-53 overall. 

Along with Embiid, Paul George (adductor and left knee injuries), Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery) and Eric Gordon (right wrist surgery) have been ruled out for the remainder of the year. Tyrese Maxey hasn’t played since March 3 because of a right finger sprain.