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

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Podz contemplated hitting ‘night night' celebration vs. Bucks

Podz contemplated hitting ‘night night' celebration vs. Bucks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski almost hit one of the NBA’s more iconic celebrations in Golden State’s 104-93 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night at Chase Center.

In talking to 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs” on Wednesday, the second-year Swiss Army Knife detailed his temptation to demonstrate superstar teammate Steph Curry’s “night night” celebration after knocking down a clutch 3-point shot toward the end of regulation against the Bucks.

“I was contemplating it on the second [three-point shot], but then I was like, that’s kind of [Curry and Draymond Green’s] thing, so let me just not intrude on their little celebration,” Podziemski told Mark Willard and Dan Dibley.

Dub Nation probably wouldn’t have minded. Nevertheless, here’s the “second” triple Podziemski referenced:

Podziemski could’ve done any celebration he wanted Tuesday night in San Francisco.

Over 29 minutes, he finished the Golden State win with 17 points on 4-for-7 shooting from deep and collected seven rebounds and one steal.

Sure, the “night night” celebration might be Curry’s trademark – and Green’s new rental – but Podziemski should have his own signature move after a game-sealing play; it’s on his mind, at least.

“I got to find some of mine that I could kind of label as mine and stick with it,” Podziemski admitted to Willard and Dibley.

Something with the hair, maybe? Podziemski said that would be “something.”

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NBA power rankings 2024-25: Celtics back on top of final rankings, Thunder, Cavaliers round out top three

This is the final NBC Sports NBA Power Rankings of the season. By this time next week we will be deep into the Play-In Tournament and talking seedings and possible upsets. It's appropriate that this final ranking comes full circle with Boston on top.

TRUE TITLE CONTENDERS

1. Boston Celtics (59-20, Last Week No. 2). It's fitting that the Celtics end the season where they started it — on top of these NBA Power Rankings and as the team to beat in the title chase. Boston is peaking at the right time, having gone 17-2 in their last 19 (best in the league), led by Jayson Tatum, who somehow almost gets taken for granted despite playing at an MVP level all-season long. The road to the Larry O'Brien Trophy runs through Boston.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (65-14, LW 1). Oklahoma City ran away with the West, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a deserving MVP. Still, in the loss last week to the Lakers, the playoff concerns with this team seemed to raise their heads again: Can Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren step up when opponents sell out to stop SGA? That's the question this team has to answer to reach the NBA Finals and possibly win it. Nobody is going to question SGA or if the Thunder defense is good enough, but a one-man offensive show doesn't get this team where it wants to be.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (63-16, LW 3). Cleveland has locked up the No. 1 seed in the East and heads into the playoffs looking like a legitimate contender and threat to Boston. Kenny Atkinson will be deservingly rewarded with the Coach of the Year award. Donovan Mitchell will be rewarded by likely being First Team All-NBA/fifth in MVP voting — but, for my money, Evan Mobley is the guy who deserves that honor, he has been the player on both ends driving the Cavaliers' improvement.

SECOND TIER CONTENDERS

4. Golden State Warriors (47-32, LW 4). What a mid-season turnaround — the Warriors enter the playoffs looking like the biggest threat to the Thunder. Since the Jimmy Butler trade, Golden State is 22-6, and the team has a top-five offense and defense since the All-Star break. If you needed more proof, wins last week over the next two teams in this ranking — the Nuggets and Lakers — cemented the Warriors as a team that can make a title run. Also, all the self-promotion aside, Draymond Green has a legitimate case for Defensive Player of the Year.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (48-31, LW 9). Nico Harrison didn't just gift the Lakers a bridge to their post-LeBron future, he gifted them a player in Luka Doncic who makes them a threat to win any playoff series starting this season. Adding Doncic has allowed LeBron James to thrive as a play finisher rather than a creator, while Austin Reaves has taken over a lot of the shot creation. J.J. Redick has proven himself as up to the job. We'll see how the Lakers' defense holds up in the playoffs, but this team is legit.

6. Denver Nuggets (47-32, LW 5). WHAT?!?!? Owner Josh Kroenke apparently had been thinking about firing Mike Malone since midseason (at least) but didn't want GM Calvin Booth to "win" the long-running battle between coach and GM, so he fired them both. With three games and less than a week left in the season. Officially, Kroenke said he hoped the firings would be a "jolt" that would inspire the team in the playoffs. In reality, this feels destabilizing and like throwing in the towel on this season. Is anybody picking Denver over the Lakers or Warriors, let alone the Thunder, in the West now?

7. Houston Rockets (52-27, LW 6). Are we all sleeping on the Rockets as a playoff threat? The conventional wisdom has been they are a promising young team but who would their No. 1 option be in a tight postseason game? They are seen as a year or two — and a move or two — away. However, that athletic and long-armed defense got the Rockets wins against the Thunder and Warriors in the past week, maybe this team is a bigger threat than we realize. Whatever happens in the playoffs will set the course the front office takes going forward.

PLAYOFFS OR BUST

8. Los Angeles Clippers (47-32, LW 7). Tyronn Lue has his team peaking at just the right time. Kawhi Leonard has scored 20+ points in his last dozen games, Ivica Zubac is a force in the paint (and had a 20-20 game this week), the Clippers are stout defensively and smart offensively. Things are unsettled in the West — with four teams tied at 47-32 as of Wednesday morning — but if the Clippers face the Nuggets, Timberwolves or Grizzlies in the first round, it would be tough to pick against them.

9. New York Knicks (50-29, LW 10). The Knicks are locked into the No. 3 seed and Jalen Brunson is back in time for the playoffs. That means it’s time for the annual concern that Tom Thibodeau has run his starters into the ground during the regular season — it’s a legitimate concern. Check out this stat from Chris Herring at ESPN: “Looking at the teams the Knicks could face in the first round of the playoffs, Bridges this season has run 37 miles more than Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, 41 miles more than Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and 66 miles more than Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, according to NBA tracking data.”

10. Indiana Pacers (48-31, LW 11). Another team peaking at the right time, the Pacers have won five in a row, 11-of-13, and they have a top-10 offense and defense over that stretch. The Pacers are on the verge of a 50-win season and will have home court in the first round of the playoffs, likely against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks (Milwaukee won the season series between the teams 3-1).

11. Minnesota Timberwolves (46-33, LW 8). The season started with management trading away Karl-Anthony Towns, leading to rough patches as Minnesota tried to find a new identity. That identity has come around of late, with the Timberwolves going 14-4 in their last 18, but Tuesday's ugly come-from-ahead loss to Milwaukee (where Minnesota led by 24 with 10:09 left and got outscored) hurt. Huge game Thursday against Memphis, Minnesota needs that one to avoid the play-in.

12. Memphis Grizzlies (47-32, LW 13). After dropping their first three games under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, the Grizzlies have won three straight and find themselves in the four-way tie between seeds 4-7 in the West. The Grizzlies face a critical back-to-back against the Timberwolves and Nuggets on Thursday/Friday and need wins to avoid the play-in. This summer, there are some hard questions in Memphis that need to be answered about the direction of this franchise (and who is coaching them).

13. Milwaukee Bucks (45-34, LW 14). Are we underselling Milwaukee as a playoff threat? The Bucks are peaking at the right time, having won five in a row — including an insane comeback against Minnesota — and Giannis Antetokounmpo has three straight triple-doubles. Milwaukee seems likely to land the No. 5 seed, meaning on the road against Indiana in the first round, followed likely by the Cavaliers in the second round. If the Bucks get bounced in the first round or get destroyed in the second round, it could be a very hot summer in Milwaukee.

14. Detroit Pistons (43-36, LW 12). The Pistons made a massive leap this season and are playing with house money entering the playoffs (where they likely get the Knicks in the first round). Cade Cunningham is deserving of an All-NBA nod and maybe Most Improved Player, while J.B. Bickerstaff will get votes for Coach of the Year. After some rough years, Pistons fans should savor this season, it's been fantastic.

15. Orlando Magic (39-40, LW 15). Orlando will want to clinch the No. 7 seed before facing No. 8 seed Atlanta on Sunday in the final game of the regular season, but that means beating one of two red-hot teams to close the season in Boston or Indiana (though both may not have much to play for and rest key guys). Last season Orlando pushed the Cavaliers to seven games in the playoffs, a great learning experience for Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and the rest of the team, but it's going to be tough to build on that facing Boston (if Orlando is the No. 7 seed) or Cleveland (if No. 8). Still, this is a team on the rise if it can stay healthy.

16. Miami Heat (36-43, LW 17). The Jimmy Butler III era is over in Miami, but now the hard questions come: Who is this team without Butler? Can they land another name free agent? How do the Heat take a step forward off being a bottom-tier play-in team this season? They have Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, and Kel’el Ware had a strong rookie season, but right now this is a middle-of-the-pack team, and that is not where Pat Riley likes to be.

17. Atlanta Hawks (37-42, LW 16). Is there a player more at a crossroads entering the playoffs than Trae Young? He has matured his game, become a strong playmaker and at least tries harder on defense, but the question about whether the Hawks can build a winner around him remains. If (really, when) the Hawks are bounced either in the Play-In Tournament or the first round, the Hawks need to take a hard look at this team and where they want to go. They have other talent on the roster, including Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, among others, but is it time to pivot from Young? Can they?

18. Sacramento Kings (39-40, LW 20). It's going to be a rough offseason in Sacramento. De'Aaron Fox pushed his way out the door to San Antonio and now Domantas Sabonis and others will have questions about what direction this franchise goes, or they may push to leave, also. This isn't a terrible roster with Zach LaVine on it, maybe a .500 team, but in this West, that will not get the Kings very far.

19. Chicago Bulls (36-43, LW 18). Chicago made its move towards a youth movement — then kept winning games because Coby White and Josh Giddey stepped up and played well. Giddey and White are good, but not the No. 1 option the Bulls need, and they are winning too much to draft that star. The big question this summer: How much do the Bulls want to pay Giddey? He wants starting point guard money (around $30 million a season), but do the Bulls want to tie themselves to him long term, or really go all-in on the rebuild? (If not the Bulls, who pays Giddey?)

20. Dallas Mavericks (38-41, LW 19). Dallas has its path for next season, if it can just get and stay healthy. Anthony Davis in the paint and Kyrie Irving — likely returning mid-season from his torn ACL — give the Mavericks two All-NBA level players when they are on the court. Dallas ownership needs them on the court because the bad blood from the Luka Doncic trade is only going away with wins on the court.

CAPTURE THE (COOPER) FLAGG

21. Portland Trail Blazers (35-44, LW 22). The final months of the season showed that Portland has a lot of quality on its roster: Deni Avdija took a big step forward, as did Scoot Henderson, they have Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe. Look for the Trail Blazers to make a leap next season and be playing in late April (and maybe beyond). The big question this offseason, will Chauncey Billups get an extension and be back coaching, or are the two sides parting ways? A lot of buzz around the league about a split.

22. Phoenix Suns (35-44, LW 21). Celtics announcers Brian Scalabrine and Mike Gorman pretty much summed up the Suns' season when Boston and Phoenix played last week. Scalabrine: “Great practice game for us. You really want to execute your offense, just call the Phoenix Suns. It’s the best way to work on what you want to work on.” Gorman: “You are not gonna face much resistance against this team.” Yup. There are big changes coming this offseason, with Kevin Durant likely traded and league sources expecting Mike Budenholzer to be out as coach.

23. Toronto Raptors (29-50, LW 23). Rough season in Toronto, but their future is laid out: Brandon Ingram gets healthy and returns next season to play alongside Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett. Toronto should move up and be a playoff team next season.

24. San Antonio Spurs (32-47, LW 24). We only got five games of Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox together this season, but next season look for them to show some chemistry and for the Spurs to make a leap in the West. The big offseason question: Who is going to coach them? Will Gregg Popovich return, and if so, for how long? Long-time Popovich right-hand man Mike Budenholzer is expected to be available, as is Taylor Jenkins (who was the right-hand to Budenholzer for a long time). And don't forget Michael Malone.

25. Brooklyn Nets (26-53, LW 25). The bright spot in Brooklyn this season was the job by rookie coach Jordi Fernandez, who kept this team competitive even as GM Sean Marks traded away talent as the team is in a full-on rebuild. It will be interesting to see what Fernandez can do with real talent in a few years.

26. New Orleans Pelicans (21-58, LW 26). Is Zion Williamson back in New Orleans next season? The Pelicans are expected to test the trade waters for him, there will be interest, but will New Orleans get the haul they hope for the former No. 1 pick? Might they just hold on to him? What happens with Zion determines where this franchise goes next year.

27. Philadelphia 76ers (23-56, LW 27). Nick Nurse and Daryl Morey need to swing by a church every day this summer and light a candle for the health of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. Philadelphia is locked into that core, and while they can tweak the role players around them, that core being healthy for 55+ games next season is the only way they get anywhere near the heights they expected this season.

28. Charlotte Hornets (19-60, LW 28). Two keys to the Hornets' offseason: 1) How the lottery balls bounce; 2) The answer to the question "Do they still want to build around LaMelo Ball?" Those two things could be interrelated.

29. Washington Wizards (17-62, LW 29). Rookies Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George showed promise this season, but the Wizards still need the lottery balls to bounce their way this offseason. This is not going to be a fast rebuild.

30. Utah Jazz (16-63, LW 30). While the short-term focus is on the lottery balls and the NBA Draft, the other big question for Utah is whether they trade Lauri Markkanen this summer or bring him back and try to win with him? Expect a Markkanen trade, but if the lottery gods are unkind that could change the dynamic.

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Podz reveals Butler's unique Warriors pregame ritual

Podz reveals Butler's unique Warriors pregame ritual originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors wing Jimmy Butler is unique. 

Unlike his teammates, the 35-year-old has a distinctive locker room tradition that many NBA players never have seen. Such as second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, who told 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs” about Butler’s pregame routine. 

And, yes, the six-time All-Star’s ritual is out of the ordinary. Unique. 

“I think the biggest thing that stands out to me is he lights a candle in his locker – home or away,” Podziemski told Mark Willard and Dan Dibley. “I’ve never seen that before.” 

Outside of lighting candles prior to games, the veteran forward has been electric since his arrival in the Bay, helping Golden State to a red-hot 15-2 record and boosting its NBA playoffs panorama.

In those 17 games, Butler has also made franchise history, being the fastest player to reach both 100 rebounds and 100 assists. 

Regardless of why Butler lights candles, Podziemski argues it’s rewarding. 

“I don’t know if it’s something spiritual or just a good luck thing, but he does that,” Podziemski added. 

“I’ve never seen that. I saw it for the first time in Chicago when we were there, and I was like, ‘Wow, this is different.’ But, hey, it’s working.” 

You heard him, Jimmy: Keep lighting candles.

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Podz admits to ‘lick my chops' attitude during Steph's absences

Podz admits to ‘lick my chops' attitude during Steph's absences originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors never want to play without superstar Steph Curry, but they know they must step up in his absence as they did in Tuesday’s 104-93 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Chase Center.

However, Golden State guard Brandin Podziemski, who scored 17 points against Milwaukee on 4-for-7 3-point shooting with seven rebounds and one steal, admitted he looks forward to games when Curry is unavailable – for understandable reasons, of course.

Podziemski on Wednesday explained to 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs” why he genuinely enjoys opportunities to suit up without his four-time NBA champion teammate.

“I mean, [when] No. 30’s out, I tend to lick my chops a little bit, knowing I’ll get more shots,” Podziemski told Mark Willard and Dan Dibley. “[I] understand everyone’s play has to elevate because of his absence and just be ultra-aggressive; I think I was for three quarters, I think a little bit in the third quarter I was a little bit passive. 

“And ‘aggressive’ doesn’t always mean scoring, it’s just always trying to be assertive and make the right play; I think we did that, for the most part, in yesterday’s game.”

Golden State never wants to be Curry-less. But sometimes, the 37-year-old just needs a break. And Curry was given a rest day Tuesday night.  

Podziemski proved his later point by helping lead the Warriors to a massive win over the Bucks in Curry’s absence, specifically knocking down a couple of Curry-esque, big-time triples late in the fourth quarter. 

Six-time NBA All-Star wing Jimmy Butler also poured in a historic, game-high 24 points on 6-for-11 shooting with an impressive 10 assists and eight rebounds, while rookie center Quinten Post and reserve sharpshooter Buddy Hield combined for 29 points and 10 boards.

As Podziemski mentioned, the Warriors understand they must step up to minimize Curry’s absence. So far, Golden State is 7-3 without Curry during the 2024-25 NBA season, and Podziemski has averaged 13.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists over the eight Curry-less games he has played this campaign.

While the Warriors prefer Curry to be active for every game, at least coach Steve Kerr and the rest of the organization know Podziemski always is ready to answer the call.

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LaVine, Garland out for Kings-Cavs game; LaRavia questionable

LaVine, Garland out for Kings-Cavs game; LaRavia questionable originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings will be without another key starter as they face the best team in the NBA.

Zach LaVine was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center due to personal reasons, per the NBA’s latest injury report.

He joins Kings star center Domantas Sabonis as the players ruled out for Wednesday’s contest. Sabonis suffered a moderate right ankle sprain and will miss at least Sacramento’s next six games before he is re-evaluated next Friday.

LaVine, who was traded to Sacramento as part of the blockbuster deal that sent De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, is averaging 22.7 points on 52.7-percent shooting from the field and 44.1 percent from 3-point range in 18 games with the Kings, along with 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 36.5 minutes.

Kings second-year forward Jake LaRavia, who Sacramento also acquired at the trade deadline, was questionable with an illness but later downgraded to out. The 23-year-old quickly has become a fan favorite in the 916. Through 15 games with the Kings, averaging 5.4 points on 41.1-percent shooting from the field and 36.6 percent from downtown, with 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 18.6 minutes off the bench.

For Cleveland (56-12, first in the Eastern Conference), two-time NBA All-Star guard Darius Garland is out due to rest. Garland is averaging 20.9 points on 47.6-percent shooting from the field and 40.7 percent from long-range, with 2.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.5 minutes through 64 games this season.

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Pistons vs. Heat Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 19

It’s Wednesday, March 19, and the Detroit Pistons (38-31) and Miami Heat (29-39) are all set to square off from Kaseya Center in Miami.

The Pistons are currently 20-15 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Heat have a 3-7 record in their last ten games at home. Detroit is 2-1 against Miami this season with both wins coming by one possession in OT.

The Pistons are 1-2 in the last three games, but are coming off a 46-point win over the Pelicans, while the Heat have dropped a season-high eight straight games.

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. Heat live today

  • Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: Kaseya Center
  • City: Miami, FL
  • 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. Heat

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Pistons (-214), Heat (+178)
  • Spread:  Pistons -4.5
  • Over/Under: 217 points

That gives the Pistons an implied team point total of 110.37, and the Heat 107.51.

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. Heat game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Pistons to cover versus the Heat:

"Detroit is coming off a 46-point win and rested a majority of their players from the third quarter on against the Pelicans, while Miami lost its eight-straight game. Miami is struggling to compete for four full quarters, so this is a Detroit or pass spot."

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 Pistons & Heat 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 Miami Heat at +5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 217.

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 Pistons vs. Heat on Wednesday

  • The Heat have won 8 of their last 10 home games against the Pistons
  • The Pistons' last 3 road games have stayed under the Total
  • The Pistons have covered the Spread in 9 of their last 11 road games against the Heat
  • The Heat have won 3 straight home games against the Pistons

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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Rockets vs. Magic Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 19

It’s Wednesday, March 19, and the Houston Rockets (44-25) and Orlando Magic (32-37) are all set to square off from Kia Center in Orlando.

The Rockets are currently 18-14 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Magic have a 3-7 record in their last ten games at home. These teams met for the first time this season on March 10 and Houston won 97-84.

This is the final matchup between the two and Orlando is 3-2 in the last five games after losing five straight, while Houston is on a seven-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 Rockets vs. Magic live today

  • Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Kia Center
  • City: Orlando, FL
  • 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 Rockets vs. Magic

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Rockets (-145), Magic (+121)
  • Spread:  Rockets -2.5
  • Over/Under: 209 points

That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 105.24, and the Magic 103.93.

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 Rockets vs. Magic game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Magic +2.5 against the Rockets:

"Houston is on a seven-game winning streak with one of those victories coming over Orlando (97-84), however, six of the past seven games for the Rockets have come in Houston. This is the first road game since March 6 for Houston. Orlando is coming off a three-game home stand themselves and an upset win over Cleveland that should give this team some confidence. I don't hate the Under, but this would be Orlando 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 Rockets & Magic 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 Orlando Magic at +2.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 209.

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 Rockets vs. Magic on Wednesday

  • The Rockets have won 4 of their last 5 at Eastern Conference Southeast Division teams
  • The Total went under in 21 of the Magic's 34 home games this season
  • The Magic have covered in 4 of their last 5 games
  • The Magic have won 8 of 14 home games following a win

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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Mavericks vs. Pacers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 19

It’s Wednesday, March 19, and the Dallas Mavericks (33-36) and Indiana Pacers (38-29) are all set to square off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Mavericks are currently 14-20 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Pacers have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. The Pacers are 1-0 against the Mavericks this season with a 134-127 win in Dallas. This marks the final meeting between the two.

The Pacers are back at home after a three-game road trip where they went 2-1 capped off by a 132-130 OT win over the Timberwolves. Dallas has lost seven of the past eight games and currently on a three-game losing streak. The Mavericks lost the 76ers, 130-125 in the last time out.

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 Mavericks vs. Pacers live today

  • Date: Wednesday, March 19, 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 Mavericks vs. Pacers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Mavericks (+261), Pacers (-329)
  • Spread:  Pacers -10.5
  • Over/Under: 234.5 points

That gives the Mavericks an implied team point total of 115.82, and the Pacers 120.26.

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 Mavericks vs. Pacers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

"Dallas is currently in its worst stretch of the season and the year is lost after the Luka Doncic trade. That was evident in a loss to the 76ers where they were -6.5 to -8.5 favorites. The Mavericks are running low on players and the Pacers have played much better at home than on the road, so I would lean the Pacers to cover and get the sweep over the Mavs. This spread opened at -8.5 and moved to -10.5. I prefer staying at -10 or lower."

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 Mavericks & Pacers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Indiana Pacers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dallas Mavericks at +8.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 234.

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 Mavericks vs. Pacers on Wednesday

  • The Pacers have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Southwest Division teams
  • Each of the Mavericks' last 3 road games with the Pacers have stayed under the Total
  • The Pacers are 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 games
  • Betting the Mavericks on the Money Line in all their road games this season is showing a 107% return on investment

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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Draymond Green: 'One million percent I have a case' to win Defensive Player of the Year

The moment Victor Wembanyama went out for the season, the Defensive Player of the Year race was thrown wide open.

Draymond Green says he has a case — and he made it on the court Tuesday night. Green was the primary defender on Giannis Antetokounmpo for 7:04 of the Warriors' win over the Bucks and held the former MVP to 0-of-6 shooting (for the game, Antetokounmpo scored 20 points on 5-of-16 shooting). After the game, the never-shy Green said he had a case for Defensive Player of the Year, quotes via NBC Sports Bay Area.

"If we keep winning and close this year out strong, most definitely. I look around the league and don't see many players impacting the game on the defensive end the way I do. I don't see many players completely throwing off an entire team's offense the way I do. One thousand percent.

"Especially with Wemby going down, seemed like he had it won. And now it is right there. So, one million percent I have a case, and I will continue to build that case for these next 13 games. Tonight was a prime example of that."

Green has a strong case, but first, he needs to qualify. He has played in 55 games this season and needs to stay healthy and play in 10 of the Warriors' remaining 13 games to reach the 65-game threshold set by the league.

Evan Mobley, whose defensive versatility is at the heart of the Cavaliers' top-10 defense, is the current frontrunner (and betting favorite) for the award. Among bigs, the Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. has a strong case, and while he's returned and should easily reach the 65-game mark, his recent missed time and Memphis falling out of the top 10 in defense did not help his case. The Clippers Ivica Zubac has a strong case that seems to be slept on by watchers of the race. Voters tend to lean into big men for this award — as paint protectors they impact defense more than perimeter players — but Dyson Daniels in Atlanta and Lu Dort in Oklahoma deserve consideration.

We've reached the campaign part of the awards season, when players, teams, and some vocal fan bases will make their case for various players to win awards. Nobody is going to have as loud a campaign for an award as Green.

Green absolutely is deserving, and if nothing else is very likely to end up on First Team All-Defense. As for a second DPOY award for Green, a few more nights like Tuesday go a long way toward making his case.

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How Mikal Bridges has stepped up for Knicks in Jalen Brunson's absence

In the wake of New York’s captain and leading scorer Jalen Brunson injuring his ankle, many questions arose about how the Knicks would respond in his absence after playing 61 of their 62 games with him at the helm.

Some suggested his injury would force the Knicks to learn how to play and win without him, which would be a beneficial development as the playoffs near. One player in particular is proving this theory right -- Mikal Bridges.

The starting shooting guard acquired for a bundle of first-round picks has had an up-and-down season, but he has stepped up since Brunson went down.

In his last five games, Bridges is averaging 23.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists on 63.4/47.1/95.0 shooting splits, helping the Knicks go 3-2 without their best player.

It’s been a departure from Bridges’ season averages of 17.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 48.8/35.0/72.7, stemming from newfound aggressiveness and trust in his ability to create and score. He’s looked much more like the guy New York hoped they would get when emptying their asset chest this past offseason, and the hope is he’ll continue this approach once Brunson returns and the postseason begins.

Bridges is actively seeking out his own creation opportunities, calling for more pick-and-rolls with himself as the ball handler, and putting an emphasis on getting into the paint. This has not only opened up easier close-range scoring opportunities for Bridges but more playmaking chances -- an underrated part of his game.

Where Bridges used to be more connective in the offense, he’s now initiating, leveraging defenses with his scoring threat and finding open shooters and cutters. There’s an argument for him being the third-best passer on the team, and it seems he and the Knicks have realized this and taken advantage.

New York Knicks small forward Mikal Bridges (25) celebrates with teammates after making the game-winning shot in overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
New York Knicks small forward Mikal Bridges (25) celebrates with teammates after making the game-winning shot in overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. / Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Another benefit of his attacking offense: he’s finally getting to the free-throw line. Bridges had previously shied away from contact, dropping his free throw attempts per game from 3.9 last year to 1.3 this season.

He’s attempted 20 free throws in the last five games; a total that he needed the previous 22 games to match. A willingness to take contact at the rim won’t just grant him free points at the stripe but will keep defenses honest and open up his mid-range game more.

Bridges’ offense was on full display against the Trail Blazers, when he scored 33 points on 13-of-21 shooting and buried the buzzer-beating three in overtime to give New York the win. What’s more, his offensive eruptions haven’t taken away from his stout defense.

New York has taken full advantage of Brunson being out to get back to its defensive roots, boasting a 104.9 defensive rating over the last five games, good for third in the league. Bridges has been a pivotal part of that despite the increase in minutes and offensive load.

The Knicks are hoping Bridges can keep up this level of play as Brunson rehabs and even once he’s back in the starting lineup. While Brunson can dominate the ball, Bridges has had many chances to take over like this in bench lineups or on nights when New York’s stars aren’t up to par, with mixed results.

This stretch could earn him some added comfort and trust to consistently bring his game to another level, which would pay dividends come the postseason. Bridges is built to be a key performer there, with defense taking precedent and offenses being pushed toward the inefficient mid-range where he thrives.

Now it’s time to show he can step up to that responsibility. So far, Bridges looks ready.

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Scheierman has breakout performance in Celtics' win over Nets

Scheierman has breakout performance in Celtics' win over Nets originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics are pretty much locked into the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference standings and the Brooklyn Nets are destined to finish in the draft lottery, so there wasn’t a ton at stake in Tuesday night’s matchup at TD Garden.

But that didn’t stop fans from creating an amazing atmosphere, and the primary reason for the excitement was Baylor Scheierman.

The 2024 first-round draft pick scored a career-high 20 points on 6-for-7 shooting from 3-point range. His best moment came at the end of the third quarter. He banked in a long 3-pointer but it was waved off due to a whistle. The rookie forward got another chance with 1.7 seconds left and drilled a 3-pointer as time expired, sending the crowd into a frenzy and firing up his teammates.

“It’s pretty special. When I hit that buzzer beater and the crowd was going crazy, that was probably a top-three environment I’ve ever been a part of,” Scheierman told reporters postgame. “It’s just special, and that’s obviously what makes Boston so elite and the best sports city in the country.”

It can be tough for a rookie to find a rhythm on a team like the Celtics that wins a lot of games and has a bunch of veteran players, but Scheierman has done a nice job staying ready and taking advantage of opportunities whenever they come.

“I think I’ve just done a good job of just trying to be where my feet are, whether that’s Maine or here, and try to learn as much as possible and take bits and pieces from everybody and mold it into my routine and how I go about things,” Scheierman said.

“I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve seen over the course of the year is just the growth that I’ve learned and staying ready for whenever my number is called.”

Scheierman was labeled as a very good outside shooter when the Celtics drafted him out of Creighton, and his ability to knock down 3-point shots is obviously quite valuable. But he’s more than just a shooter. He crashes the boards, he plays with toughness, he gives great effort defensively, he dives on the floor for loose balls — a lot of the little things that add up to winning. In addition to his scoring, he tallied three rebounds, two steals and one assist in 16 minutes versus the Nets.

“The thing I really like about him is his toughness,” C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters postgame. “He’s got a high level of toughness. He’s got a chip on his shoulder and kind of an F-U mentality to where he’s going to make it work. We saw that on some of his box-outs, some of his offensive rebounds. Again, the threes were great, but I like the mindset and the toughness that he brought on both ends of the floor.”

Scheierman agreed with his coach’s remarks.

“You kind of have to have that mentality to make it in this league with a lot of talented players,” he said. “Every time I step on that court I’m trying to go 110 percent and play as hard as I can regardless of the score or who we’re playing against. Just trying to put my best foot forward every single time.”

The Celtics have a pretty soft schedule the rest of the regular season. There are a lot of matchups against non-playoff teams coming up. If Mazzulla chooses to rest some of his veterans to keep them fresh for the playoffs, there could be lots more chances for Scheierman to develop his talent and prove he belongs at this level.

And if Scheierman continues to play well, maybe he could earn some minutes in the playoffs. Celtics history is full of unexpected playoff heros who played a key role in winning a single game or an entire series.

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Draymond makes DPOY case while dominating Giannis in Warriors' win

Draymond makes DPOY case while dominating Giannis in Warriors' win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – News began to spread Monday night in the Warriors’ locker room that the Denver Nuggets would be without Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and Christian Bruan a little more than an hour before tipoff. 

Relief wasn’t felt. Disappointment was, perhaps from Draymond Green more than anybody. 

Battling Jokić, a three-time NBA MVP who is averaging a triple-double this season, is like wrestling a bear blindfolded. All you hope for is survival. Most don’t make it out. But those are the challenges Green lives for. 

It’s not like Draymond didn’t show up in the Warriors’ letdown of a loss to the Nuggets, especially defensively, where he had five blocked shots and three steals. If his intensity always is at a 10, though, he turned the knob to 12 or higher 24 hours later guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo in a game where the Warriors were without Steph Curry against the Milwaukee Bucks on the second night of a back-to-back. 

The Warriors needed to set a tone early Tuesday night, and fire could be felt rising from the Chase Center hardwood, with Green being the architect of a gut-check 104-93 win over the Bucks. 

“He’s always like that. It’s not just Giannis. He don’t give a damn who he’s going against. If he’s going up against a damn five-year-old,” Jimmy Butler said, earning laughs from reporters. “No, seriously. He would hate for that individual to score on him, and he wouldn’t want anybody helping. It’s like, this is my matchup, this is on me and I got to get a stop.” 

Green let Antetokounmpo and the rest of the Bucks know what kind of night they were in for from the start. Within the first four and a half minutes of the game, he already blocked three shots, beginning with the Bucks’ opening possession where Green trailed Antetokounmpo, stayed vertical and met him under the basket. Green’s second blocked shot was his most impressive, highlighting how unique of a defender he is. 

A mere two minutes after Green’s first block, he showed on a Damian Lillard high screen, going past the free-throw line, only to recover quick enough to flip his hips, slide and meet Antetokounmpo, who is at least five inches taller than him, at the rim. 

His third block of the first quarter was another example of how there aren’t any defenders like Green. Maybe ever. He went from guarding 7-foot center Brook Lopez in the post to recognizing Taurean Price was beating Quinten Post off the dribble fast enough that Green was able to rotate and block his attempt of a floater. 

Green on his fourth and final block of the night lured Kevin Porter Jr. into thinking he had enough space behind the arc. He didn’t. Green stepped up right as Porter went to unload for three, knocking the ball upon its release. 

Below are all four of his blocked shots. Each shows the many ways Green can completely disrupt an offense. 

“He’s the best defender I’ve ever seen,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I mean, you see the pick-and-roll with Dame. If he’s in it, he kind of does this fake blitz thing with his speed, with his anticipation. He forces Dame back out towards halfcourt and he’s able to get back. The speed and recovery with Draymond is just stunning. 

“And then the brain that goes with it. If he’s on the weak side, he’s constantly coming over to help. He’s one of the great defenders of all time, and he’s still doing it at a high level.” 

Blocking shots wasn’t the only way Green dominated defensively, too. He also had two steals in the second quarter, including this one that again emphasizes how he sees and affects everything. 

Butler is in his 14th NBA season. Playing 17 games alongside his fellow 35-year-old has given him an enhanced sense of appreciation for Green. 

“Hell yeah,” Butler said. “I think you have to respect the hell out of what he does, and it’s so hard to do. To shoot the ball, I don’t know, four times maybe, if that, and then just lock in on defense every possession down and get mad when anybody scores — not just the guy he’s guarding — you don’t find that around the league too often. 

“He has won at this level. He is a Hall of Famer for a reason. I just respect what he brings to this squad, what he brings to this locker room and how he affects winning in every single way.” 

Stats of course play a major part in awards. Voting also can be subjective, which is why Green somehow only has one Defensive Player of the Year award. He’s coming for No. 2 right now, and believes he should have a strong case, even more so with Victor Wembanyama out for the season. 

What he did to Antetokounmpo should be the film every voter watches. Green guarded him for seven minutes, and Antetokounmpo, who is second in the NBA averaging 30.2 points per game, didn’t score once on him. He was 0 of 7, trapped in Green’s defensive spell. 

The stats Tuesday night did Green justice. Often times they don’t tell the full story, particularly on defense, requiring watching the game to actually make it clear why Green deserves so much applause. 

“I look around the league and I don’t see many players impacting the game on the defensive side the way I do,” Green said. “I don’t see many players completely throwing off an entire team’s offense the way I do. So, one thousand percent. Especially with Wemby going down. Seemed like he had it won, and now it’s right there. 

“One million percent I have a case, and I’ll continue to build a case over these next 13 games. But tonight I think was a prime example of it.”

The stats against top players matches the eye test. Zion Williamson in two games has been blocked six times by Green and has shot 41.7 percent (10 of 24) this season. Paolo Banchero went 7 of 21 (33.3 percent) when guarded by Green in two games. Kyrie Irving was 4 of 13 (30.8 percent) in their four matchups, and Jalen Green is 0 of 5 with two turnovers in three games against the Warriors while being defended by Draymond this season. 

He’s a terror to players of all skill sets, all shapes and sizes. Those on the East Coast, this is your reminder to stay up late to appreciate a defensive clinic. Those on the West Coast, consider yourself lucky. 

Draymond only having one Defensive Player of the Year is a crime equal to Kevin Garnett just claiming one, and Tim Duncan having none. The Warriors will have to keep winning, and Green will have to remain healthy, but he’s on a mission and the league knows trying to get in his way is never a good idea.

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Which player will own Celtics' 3-point record at season's end?

Which player will own Celtics' 3-point record at season's end? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics have three players currently on pace to shatter the team record for most 3-pointers in a single season. The only question is which one will own the top spot in the Celtics’ record book at season’s end?

With 13 games remaining in the regular season, the trio of Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, and Payton Pritchard are all on pace to eclipse Boston’s single-season record of 245 3-pointers by Isaiah Thomas during his magical 2016-17 season.

White leads the pack at 228 made 3-pointers, while Tatum is close behind at 227. Pritchard is lingering at 223. 

The White/Tatum/Pritchard trio already slots in spots 5-7 on Boston’s all-time list and should soon comprise three of the top five spots overall.

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Boston’s trio also sits in spots 4-6 among the NBA’s leaders in 3-pointers this season:

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Who emerges as the Celtics’ single-season leader could hinge on games played, which could help Pritchard make up ground. If the Celtics prioritize rest for veterans like Tatum and White, particularly after all the basketball they’ve played over the past 18 months, it could open a pathway for Pritchard to make a late surge.

While Pritchard has prioritized team success over all individual accomplishments, he’s acknowledged that winning Sixth Man of the Year is an obvious goal of any player in a bench role. Landing the Celtics’ single-season record would be another bold line on his 2024-25 resume when voters make their end-of-the-year selections.

Tatum owned spots 2-4 on Boston’s single-season list entering the season and, if he doesn’t get the single-season record this year, it feels like there could still be plenty of chances moving forward in Boston’s 3-point heavy attack.

White tops the team with 4.2 3-point makes per game since the All-Star break. He’s shooting 41.7 percent over a 13-game span, leaving a little midseason slump in the rearview mirror. If games played are equal among the three players, White is on pace to stiff arm Tatum and Pritchard at the finish line.

The Celtics have loftier goals than a single-season record but it’s no easy task to muscle your way into Boston’s record books. The three-horse race could add a tiny slice of intrigue to the Celtics’ final games of the season, particularly if the combatants playfully jockey for the honor.

Imagine a scenario where Tatum and White rest on the final day of the regular season but Pritchard has the opportunity to catch them. TD Garden hummed with intrigue on opening night when the Celtics nearly set the league record for 3-pointers in a single game versus the Knicks. Might the building have a little extra energy on 3-pointers if aware of the 3-horse race for the single-season record?

And if you want to monitor the fun straight into the postseason, here are the Celtics’ top six in 3-pointers made in one season when including postseason games (with total 3-point output and total games played):

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Post wildly out-performing Steph's early NBA career 3-point pace

Post wildly out-performing Steph's early NBA career 3-point pace originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors rookie Quinten Post is outpacing the greatest shooter in NBA history from beyond the arc. Yes, you read that correctly.

Golden State’s 7-foot center, as the San Francisco Chronicle’s Ron Kroichick pointed out on X after the Warriors’ 104-93 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday at Chase Center, has made more 3-pointers (53) through his first 31 NBA games this season than Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame-bound teammate Steph Curry (40) did through his first 31 career games 15 years ago.

Of course, context is important, and as Kroichick alludes to, the game of basketball has changed dramatically since Curry’s rookie 2009-10 NBA season. In large part, due to his impact.

However, Post’s success from the 3-point line still is eye-opening. In 31 games this season, the Warriors’ rookie big man is shooting 41.4 percent from beyond the arc, the best clip on the team.

While Post has emerged as a reliable stretch big for the Warriors this season, the rookie still is developing at the NBA level. After a pair of turnovers in Tuesday night’s game, Post was pulled and went back to the Warriors bench, where he was seen chatting with Curry, who did not play against the Bucks due to rest.

“I don’t think [the conversation] was about the turnovers, more defensively when they’re trying to get me in the action, trying to pick on me,” Post told reporters postgame “Steph said ‘I’ve been dealing with this for 16 years, so you’ve just got to keep your head cool, do the best of your ability and whatever you do on the floor do it with some type of aggression and things will usually end up right.”

Although the two sharpshooters play different positions on the court and have wildly different physical attributes, there still is plenty the 24-year-old can learn from Curry.

And so far it appears he’s doing just that.

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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Zaccharie Risacher flourishes in Charlotte

Given how poor the Charlotte Hornets have been this season, using them as a measuring stick isn't the best approach. However, that should not be used as an excuse to dismiss Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher's performance on Tuesday. With the Hawks winning by a 134-102 final score, he only played 24 minutes, but the first-overall pick made the most of those minutes. Shooting 7-of-15 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line, Risacher finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one block and five three-pointers.

Rostered in 21 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Risacher has provided 11th-round value in eight-cat formats since the All-Star break. However, over the past week, he has averaged 15.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 three-pointers per game while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 100 percent from the foul line. Of course, Risacher providing more consistent production in the assist and defensive (steals and blocks) categories would be nice. Still, there's no denying that the rookie has made strides in his development.

The Hawks are competing for the seventh seed in the East, which guarantees home-court advantage in the 7/8 play-in game. Thus, Risacher is not at risk of being shut down. The only negative is the Hawks' schedule, which includes two more games in Week 20 and three in Week 21. Let's look at a few other low-rostered standouts on a light night in the Association.

PF/C Kyle Filipowski (32%), Utah Jazz

The Jazz did not play on Tuesday but released their injury report for Wednesday's game against the Wizards. Walker Kessler (rest) is out, and given how the team has handled Lauri Markkanen's minutes, it would be stunning if he logged more than 25 on Wednesday. Enter Filipowski, who has been a 10th-round player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks. He's worth adding ahead of Wednesday's action, and fantasy managers should strongly consider keeping Kyle, regardless of his production against the Wizards.

PG/SG Keon Johnson (30%), Brooklyn Nets

Johnson only played 23 minutes in Tuesday's loss to the Celtics, finishing with 13 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals and three three-pointers. That certainly isn't an attention-grabbing stat line, but the Nets guard has shot 44.6 percent from the field over the past two weeks. Of course, Johnson also shot 58.3 percent from the foul line during this period, but he is improving. And with the Nets on a collision course with the draft lottery, there will likely be more nights when D'Angelo Russell is given the night off. That will be when Johnson is most valuable to fantasy managers.

SG/SF Buddy Hield (30%), Golden State Warriors

Hield has primarily been a specialist for fantasy managers this season, but there was a little more room for him to flourish on Tuesday. The Warriors did not have Stephen Curry for their win over the Bucks, and Hield was one of the players who stepped up. Shooting 5-of-7 from the field, he recorded 15 points, six rebounds, one steal and four three-pointers in 24 minutes. With Brandin Podziemski returning on Tuesday, there may not be many nights like Tuesday in Hield's immediate future once Curry returns. But he will be worth the risk if Steph misses Thursday's game against the Raptors.

SG/SF Max Strus (19%), Cleveland Cavaliers

Strus had a good night in Inglewood, shooting 8-of-12 from the field and finishing the Cavaliers' loss to the Clippers with 24 points, four rebounds, one assist and five three-pointers in 26 minutes. He's made five three-pointers on five occasions, and the 24 points were a season-high. The Cavaliers visit the Kings on Wednesday, but Strus has been one of the players who has consistently played both games of back-to-back. If the team decides to rest one (or more) of its stars, Strus will have added fantasy value despite being similar to Hield from a fantasy basketball standpoint.

SG DaQuan Jeffries (5%), Charlotte Hornets

While his fantasy value hasn't been much to write about, Jeffries has received consistent opportunities to show what he can do as the Hornets play out the remainder of the season. He has started five straight and seven of his last eight outings. Jeffries, a 14th-round player in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks, finished Tuesday's loss to the Hawks with 19 points, five rebounds, one assist, two blocks and three three-pointers in 32 minutes. Only Damion Baugh played more than Jeffries, and he logged 33 minutes. Jeffries is not a must-add right now, but he would offer greater value if the Hornets were to shut down LaMelo Ball or Miles Bridges. Neither player saw action on Tuesday.