The five-time All-NBA wing is available to play for Boston on Friday night against Dallas, just 10 months after tearing his Achilles tendon in a playoff game against New York.
This is not a surprise. Tatum had been moved from “out” to “questionable” on Thursday, the first step in a player coming off a long absence returning to the lineup. Plus, the actions of the Celtics and Tatum himself pointed to this — Tatum has an ongoing docuseries on his return — "The Quiet Work," available on Peacock — which is the kind of thing a player only does if he expects to return.
Tatum will be on a minutes restriction, and while that number will increase with time, he is likely on one for the rest of the regular season (or close to it). Returning now gives Tatum and the Celtics about six weeks before the start of the playoffs to get him into game shape and find a rhythm with his teammates.
Tatum returning makes Boston better — this is a 28-year-old NBA champion and Olympic gold medalist who finished in the top six in MVP voting each of the past four seasons, and last season averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and six assists per game. Every team could use more size and shooting, and Tatum is a 6'8" wing who has shot 37% from 3-point range for his career.
There will be some rough spots working Tatum back into the rotation. Boston has gone 41-21 this season without him, thanks in large part to Jaylen Brown playing at an MVP level and averaging 28.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and five assists per game. Brown has been the leader of this team and Tatum, coming back off an injury, will have to sacrifice a little to fit into this team's system. That said, Brown and Tatum have proven they can play together and win together, and coach Joe Mazzulla has set the culture that everyone — including the stars — buys into.
Boston is about to get a lot better, starting tonight.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Yanic Konan Niederhauser tore a ligament in his right foot, putting an early end to his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 7-foot Swiss center was injured Wednesday night in a 130-107 win against the Indiana Pacers. Niederhauser was diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot and will require surgery, the team said. The injury involves damage to the ligaments or bones in the mid-foot.
Niederhauser averaged 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 41 games. After being selected 30th in last year's NBA draft, he began the season in the G League, but after the Clippers traded Ivica Zubac last month, he was earning more minutes.
In his last five games, Niederhauser was shooting 52% from the floor and averaging 8.2 points and 6.2 rebounds while playing 18 minutes a game.
Boston Celtics’ superstar Jayson Tatum may make an audacious return to the court tonight against the Dallas Mavericks.
Only 10 months removed from an Achilles tear, the mere concept of Tatum playing tonight is certainly impressive.
Any Jayson Tatum odds and NBA picks have to keep in mind that this is all ambitious, and he should be on a strict minutes limit for Friday, March 6.
Jayson Tatum prop pick
Jayson Tatum best bet: Over 1.5 threes (-130 at bet365)
Damian Lillard proved a truth about recovering from an Achilles back at All-Star Weekend: Players can shoot throughout Achilles rehab.
For a significant stretch, that is all they are allowed to do: shoot from a standstill. Some players, like Timberwolves’ second-year guard Jaylen Clark, have later credited that rehab for improving their 3-point shot.
If there is any piece of playing basketball that Jayson Tatum has done an abundance of in the last 10 months, it is shooting stationary 3-pointers and improving every piece of his catch-and-shoot mechanics. As he gets back into game shape, his shooting should be the one piece his Boston Celtics' teammates can trust out of the gates.
While Tatum may shoot well from beyond the arc tonight, he should be cautious getting up and down the court, and the Dallas Mavericks should smother him with the ball, not overly concerned about his first step.
Mostly, though, taking Unders on Tatum props like points and assists tonight ties to the reality that we have no idea how many minutes he will play.
Boston needs to be exceptionally cautious with this bold return. Achilles injuries are ripe for re-injury, and they also expose a player’s calf to possible concern. The last thing the Celtics want is to increase the odds of another long-term injury for their franchise cornerstone.
Expect Tatum to take a handful of 3-pointers tonight and probably do little else.
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The Phoenix Suns will look to bounce back from a surprising home loss last night as they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday evening.
Both teams are playing the second half of a back-to-back, and that’s just one of the reasons why I like the Under in my Pelicans vs. Suns predictions.
Keep reading to see my full analysis of tonight’s game and get my free NBA picks for Friday, March 6.
Pelicans vs Suns prediction
Pelicans vs Suns best bet: Under 226.5 (-110)
The Phoenix Suns boast some of the lowest game scores in the NBA, averaging a game total of 223.1 ppg. Phoenix has hit the Under in its last five games, with totals of 223 points or less in each of its last seven contests.
Phoenix averages 99.4 possessions per game, making it one of the five slowest teams in the NBA.
The New Orleans Pelicans are an average team in pace metrics and rank 22nd in offensive efficiency (110.9), so they’re not going to force Phoenix to speed up. On the second night of a back-to-back for both teams, the Under is the play.
Pelicans vs Suns same-game parlay
The Pelicans are playing some of their best basketball of the year, and a big part of that is having their biggest stars playing at full health.
For my same-game parlay, I’m taking New Orleans to cover behind Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III, both of whom have scored 20+ points in each of their last two games.
Pelicans vs Suns SGP
Pelicans +5.5
Zion Williamson Over 19.5 points
Trey Murphy III Over 19.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: TREYS!
I like taking the Pelicans to win outright, as they’re 5-2 in their last seven games and 3-2 on their current road trip.
I’ll combine that with a mix of New Orleans-based prop bets: Murphy has hit these rebounding and three-pointer Over targets in each of his last two games, while Williamson has at least 28 PRA in 11 of his last 12 games.
Pelicans vs Suns SGP
Pelicans moneyline
Trey Murphy III Over 2.5 made threes
Trey Murphy III Over 4.5 rebounds
Zion Williamson Over 27.5 points + rebounds + assists
Pelicans vs Suns odds
Spread: Pelicans +7 (-110) | Suns -7 (-110)
Moneyline: Pelicans +192 | Suns -230
Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) | Under 227 (-110)
Pelicans vs Suns betting trend to know
The Under is 5-0 in Phoenix’s last five games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Suns.
How to watch Pelicans vs Suns
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
GCSEN, KTVK
Pelicans vs Suns latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Denver Nuggets cannot afford to take a night off if they want to secure a top-four seed in the Western Conference, but the NBA may be taking that a bit too literally, forcing Denver into a back-to-back in a critical stretch of the season.
Expect the New York Knicks to be the beneficiaries of the Denver schedule.
My Knicks vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks also recognize how familiar Karl-Anthony Towns is with playing in Denver.
Tip comes at 9:00 p.m. ET from Ball Arena on Friday, March 6.
Knicks vs Nuggets prediction
Knicks vs Nuggets best bet: Knicks -1.5 (-110)
The New York Knicks should be favored in this game regardless of scheduling quirks.
They are playing cohesively and look more and more like the best team in the Eastern Conference, even if listed fourth in odds to win the conference at +400.
But add in that the Denver Nuggets are on the second night of a back-to-back, and this spread should suddenly favor the Knicks by more than a bucket.
Denver has not yet found health, still without both Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson, creating defensive liabilities that should be exacerbated in this spot.
Knicks vs Nuggets same-game parlay
Is Karl-Anthony Towns playing badly these days? He has hit multiple 3-pointers in just two of his last 11 games, part of why the Knicks have become an Under staple. They have fallen short of the total in six of their last seven games.
Is Karl-Anthony Towns playing well these days? He has cleared this rebounding prop in four straight and snagged double-digit rebounds in 15 of his last 17 games, part of why the Knicks have gone 13-4 outright in those games.
Knicks vs Nuggets SGP
Knicks -1.5
Under 229.5
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Old Familiar Foes
Nearly two seasons after Towns was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves, many have forgotten how often Towns and Nikola Jokic have played each other in their careers.
There is a distinct familiarity between them. Towns knows he needs his strength against Jokic, an underrated facet of his game when he chooses to rely upon it.
As Towns racks up rebounds, it is only logical to doubt the Nuggets’ superstar will do so, as well.
Knicks vs Nuggets SGP
Knicks -1.5
Under 229.5
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds
Nikola Jokic Under 12.5 rebounds
Knicks vs Nuggets odds
Spread: New York -1.5 | Denver +1.5
Moneyline: New York -120 | Denver +100
Over/Under: Over 229.5 | Under 229.5
Knicks vs Nuggets betting trend to know
As the Knicks have fallen short of the total in six of their last seven games, they have done so by an average of 16.8 points even when including the sole Over. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Knicks vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
MSG, ALT2
Knicks vs Nuggets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Our computer has crunched the numbers to come up with the best data-driven NBA picks for this premier matchup on Friday, March 6.
Knicks vs Nuggets computer picks for March 6
Knicks
Nuggets
Bridges o14.5 points -115
Gordon o10.5 points -110
Towns o17.5 points -120
Johnson o10.5 points +100
Robinson o4.5 points -125
Jokic u9.5 assists -105
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Knicks computer picks
Mikal Bridges Over 14.5 points (-115)
Projection: 16.2 points
Mikal Bridges has been up-and-down in the points department of late, clearing this prop in five of his last 10 overall. However, our projections see a +17.25% EV edge on his Over tonight, making this a four-star play.
Our system expects the New York Knicks shooting guard to take advantage of a positive positional matchup with the Denver Nuggets.
"Over the last 5 games when they are on the road, the opposing team's starting SGs have averaged 20.4 points per game (2nd-highest in the league) against the Denver Nuggets, branding this as a good matchup for offensive efficiency."
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Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points (-120)
Projection: 19.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns has been streaky when it comes to scoring lately, clearing this Over five straight times before going on his current 1-4 O/U run. But our system suggests Towns will blow by this line by two full points tonight.
Offensive rebounding will tell the story of this play.
"Offensive rebounds continue possession and produce more chances for scoring and assists, and the New York Knicks grade out 5th-best in in the league with 13.0 offensive rebounds per game this year."
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Mitchell Robinson Over 4.5 points (-125)
Projection: 5.6 points
Mitchell Robinson sat out of Thursday's matchup with the Thunder in order to be ready for this date with Denver.
Robinson primarily plays as Karl-Anthony Towns' backup and has thrived in the role of late, clearing this line in 13 of his last 19 overall. That includes a 10-point effort vs. the Nuggets on February 4.
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Nuggets computer picks
Aaron Gordon Over 10.5 points (-110)
Projection: 12.5 points
Aaron Gordon has cashed this Over in nine of his last 10 overall, and he's projected to make it 10 of 11 tonight. In fact, our player prop projections believe he'll vault over this line by two full points, good for a +21.47% EV.
Look for Gordon to get some of those points at the foul line tonight.
"Over the last 5 games, the opposing team's starting PFs have attempted 5.2 free throws per game (5th-highest in the NBA) vs. the New York Knicks, succeeding in their efforts to draw fouls."
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Cameron Johnson Over 10.5 points (+100)
Projection: 11.6 points
Cameron Johnson is a game-time decision after not suiting up on Thursday. If he plays, he's a good bet to clear his point prop based on the positional matchup.
"The matchup against New York is a favorable one for three-point shots; when the Knicks are away from home, the opposing team's starting SFs have put up the highest three rate in the NBA this year (48.0%)."
Johnson's Over 1.5 3-pointer prop holds a +7.02% EV, but his overall point prop is at +16.66% EV.
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Nikola Jokic Under 9.5 assists (-105)
Projection: 8.9 assists
Nikola Jokic is slowing down in the triple-double department as the season hits the homestretch. Part of his downfall has been in the assists department, as he's gone below this line in five of his last eight games.
Our computer is calling for another slow night for Jokic, literally.
"The third-least up-tempo pace home offense in the NBA over the last 15 games has been the Denver Nuggets. The Knicks have played at the fifth-least up-tempo [pace] in the NBA over the last 25 games, which should lead to decreased opportunities for the Denver Nuggets."
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Jokic Now at bet365!/span
How to watch Knicks vs Nuggets tonight
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
MSG, ALT2
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
In head-to-head leagues, it all comes down to the weekend. You can have a comfortable lead in multiple categories or by a bunch of points, but if you don’t make the most of the weekend, you can walk out with a loss.
14 teams play only once this weekend, including the Hawks, Nets, Bulls, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Warriors, Grizzlies, Thunder, 76ers, Kings, Raptors, Jazz and Wizards. Avoid those teams if you’re looking to maximize your games played.
That’s often what it comes down to in standard points and category leagues, but that’s not always the case. Leagues with some sort of games cap or best ball formats like Yahoo!’s High Score leagues aren’t just looking for volume, though having two chances at a big night is a good strategy in best ball leagues.
Holiday missed a big chunk of games from November to January, and they eased him back into things after that, but he has been on fire in February and March. Over the past month, he has averaged 20.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.0 triples per game while shooting 52 percent from the floor and 90.9 percent from the free throw line. That led to one of his best performances of the season on Wednesday, where he finished with a season-high 35 points, dished out 11 assists and matched his career high with eight three-pointers. Somehow, he’s available in 43 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Now, it’s a two-game weekend for him, starting in Houston on Friday. The Rockets are a tough matchup, but Portland will have a rest advantage since Houston played on Thursday. However, the favorable matchup is against the Pacers on Sunday. Indiana is first in pace over their last 10 games and 27th in defensive rating during the same stretch. More opportunities to score on an ineffective defense is a strong recipe for success.
Guards:
Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks
With Kevin Porter Jr. sidelined on Wednesday due to swelling in his knee, Rollins returned to the starting unit and had 13 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists and three steals. Milwaukee has a back-to-back this weekend, with one of those games coming against the tanking Jazz, who play fast and have struggled on defense. The second matchup against the Magic isn’t as favorable, but Rollins could still have a strong outing. However, the game against the Jazz is enough to make him a must-start.
Collin Sexton, Chicago Bulls
Chicago is incredibly shorthanded right now, which resulted in Sexton moving into the starting unit on Thursday night. He ended up scoring a season-high 30 points, which came after two 20-point games off the bench. They only play one game this weekend, though it’s against the Kings, who rank dead last in defensive rating over their last 10 games. Expect Sexton to stay hot and pour in the points.
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
Prior to exiting early on Thursday night, Thompson had averaged 13.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.8 blocks over a four-game stretch. Now, he gets to take on Brooklyn, who ranks 29th in defensive rating over their last 10 games, and Miami, who ranks second in pace over their last 10 games, in the same weekend. It’s worth noting that Daniss Jenkins started the second half after Thompson’s premature departure. If Thompson is sidelined, Jenkins should be worth streaming in if he starts despite struggling on Thursday.
Forwards:
Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans
Bey has been fantastic this season, and this weekend should be a strong opportunity for him to be productive across the board. They take on the Suns on Friday and the Wizards on Sunday. Both teams have struggled on the glass recently, with Washington being worse than Phoenix, though the Suns are set to be without Mark Williams for a few weeks. Plus, the Wizards play at a fast pace and have struggled on defense. Start all your Pelicans with confidence.
Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers
Grant has been red-hot recently, scoring at least 20 points in five of his last six games. As mentioned previously, Houston on Friday is a tougher matchup, but the Pacers game on Sunday is where Grant feels like a lock to shine. He is coming off his fourth 30-point game of the season and matched his season high for rebounds in Wednesday’s win over the Grizzlies.
Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
The Jazz only play one game this weekend, though it comes against the Bucks, who rank in the bottom five in defensive rating over their last 10 games. Bailey had arguably the best offensive performance of his career on Thursday, setting new career highs with 32 points and seven three-pointers in the win. Bailey should be a priority on offense for the rest of the season, so there should be more performances like that coming up.
Centers:
Oso Ighodaro, Phoenix Suns
Ighodaro stepped into the starting unit on Thursday and should remain there for a while with Mark Williams (foot) expected to miss at least 2-3 weeks. As a starter against the Bulls, he contributed 10 points (5-of-5 FGs), nine rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 36 minutes. Friday’s matchup with the Pelicans is more favorable than Sunday’s against the Hornets, but New Orleans has been much better as of late. Neither will be easy, but this isn’t about the matchups. It’s about the opportunity.
Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta only plays once this weekend, but it comes against the 76ers, who have struggled on the glass recently, ranking 27th in rebounding percentage over their last 10 games and have allowed the second-most second chance points per game during the same stretch. Okongwu isn’t a great rebounder, but he has averaged 10 boards over his last five games and has provided first-round value over the past two weeks.
Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers
Three Blazers may seem excessive, but the story remains the same. Friday’s game against the Rockets isn’t a favorable matchup, but it is another opportunity. It’s Sunday’s game against the Pacers that is a recipe for success. Indiana ranks 28th in rebounding percentage and have allowed the most points in the paint per game over their last 10 outings.
Suns forward Dillon Brooks was arrested early Friday morning for suspicion of driving under the influence in Scottsdale, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix.
Scottsdale police initiated a traffic stop around 1 a.m. and, upon investigation, arrested Brooks on suspicion of driving under the influence, something first reported by TMZ and since confirmed by NBC Sports. Brooks was taken to jail, booked, and then released around 3:30 a.m.
"We are aware of the situation involving Dillon Brooks and are gathering more information. We have no further comment at this time," the Suns said in a statement.
Brooks is currently sidelined following surgery to his fractured left hand. He is expected to be out until near the end of the regular season.
Brooks is in the midst of the best year of his career, averaging 20.9 points per game and leading a cultural shift in the locker room after a couple of seasons in which the Kevin Durant/Bradley Beal/Devin Booker Suns had been a disappointment. Brooks came to Phoenix as part of the trade that sent Durant to Houston, and in the desert he has thrived on the court and as a leader in the locker room for a Suns team headed to the postseason and seriously outperforming preseason expectations.
The Los Angeles Clippers may have known what they were doing all along.
Are they better now after trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac? The thought must be at least considered, even tonight against the San Antonio Spurs.
My Clippers vs. Spurs predictions and NBA picks do not expect Los Angeles to spring an outright upset, but it should not be entirely ruled out on Friday, March 6.
Clippers vs Spurs prediction
Clippers vs Spurs best bet: Clippers +7 (-110)
“Buy on bad news, sell on good” has long been one of the most trusted axioms in sports gambling, but it rarely has a runway as long as it does right now with the Los Angeles Clippers.
When they traded James Harden and Ivica Zubac, it seemed the Clippers were packing it in.
Instead, they have gone 8-1 against the spread since Bennedict Mathurin entered the lineup. The market overestimated the roster’s drop off, and LA has been paying off its backers ever since.
With the San Antonio Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back, bet on more Clippers’ profit.
Clippers vs Spurs same-game parlay
The second night of a back-to-back should slow down the Spurs enough to add value to this Under, particularly as they have cashed three straight Unders already.
The only player who may not want that slower pace is Bennedict Mathurin. He has not scored in bunches in all of his games with the Clippers — falling short of 15 points in three of them — but he has grabbed at least six rebounds in six of those nine games, part of how he has posted a positive plus/minus in eight of his nine games with Los Angeles.
Clippers vs Spurs SGP
Clippers +7
Under 223
Bennedict Mathurin Over 5.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Multi-Faceted Mathurin
In fact, doubting Mathurin to pour in the points makes too much sense not to act on. He has fallen short of this prop in five of his nine games with Los Angeles, including three of his last four.
Mathurin finds other ways to impact the game, so he should not force that issue against San Antonio’s long defense tonight.
Clippers vs Spurs SGP
Clippers +7
Under 223
Bennedict Mathurin Over 5.5 rebounds
Bennedict Mathurin Under 17.5 points
Clippers vs Spurs odds
Spread: Clippers +7 (-110) | Spurs -7 (-110)
Moneyline: Clippers +230 | Spurs -280
Over/Under: Over 223 (-110) | Under 223 (-110)
Clippers vs Spurs betting trend to know
Los Angeles has not just gone 8-1 ATS since Mathurin entered the lineup; the Clippers have exceeded bookmakers’ expectations by an average of six points in those nine games, even including the sole ATS loss. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Spurs.
How to watch Clippers vs Spurs
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Clippers vs Spurs latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum visited the western state of Jalisco on Friday to address growing security concerns ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup following a wave of violence in the region.
The violence was triggered by the killing of the most powerful drug lord in Mexico — Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or “El Mencho" — by Mexico's army last month. Clashes between cartel gunmen and the burning of cars erupted across Mexico, but the violence has been most intense in Jalisco and its capital, Guadalajara, one of Mexico's three host cities for the World Cup.
The wave of violence left more than 70 people dead, including 25 National Guard members, and sowed doubts in Mexico and beyond over the viability of the city hosting thousands of visitors.
Accompanied by her Security Cabinet and senior military commanders on Friday, Sheinbaum hosted her morning news briefing from military headquarters in the municipality where “El Mencho” was buried earlier this week under heavy guard and where the stadium that will host World Cup games is located.
“We are here ... to tell everyone in Jalisco, all the people of Jalisco, that we are together, that we are working for peace, security and the well-being of the inhabitants of this beautiful state," Sheinbaum said.
With fewer than 100 days until the World Cup, Sheinbaum and security officials detailed a security plan to be deployed during the summer sporting event involving more than 20 federal government agencies, including the Army and Navy, as well as local authorities.
He added that the Mexican plan will include specialized training for officials, planning and operational exercises, early warning systems, security deployments around stadiums, airports, roadways and lodging centers, and protection schemes for delegations and attendees.
Sheinbaum has sought to project confidence in the face of doubts, including holding a phone call shortly after the burst of violence in late February with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who expressed his “full confidence” that Mexico will be able to host part of the World Cup. Earlier in the week, she wrapped a FIFA scarf around her neck and posed next to the World Cup trophy.
On Friday, Gen. Román Villalvazo, who leads security coordination for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said they had created three joint task forces in World Cup host cities Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
“The 2026 FIFA World Cup organized by Mexico, the United States and Canada represents an unprecedented event," he said.
“For Mexico, it entails two challenges: to present a reliable and secure country before the international community, and to have the capacity to confront any threats that undermine national security.”
The Sacramento Kings have played some of the worst defense in the NBA this season. But guard Russell Westbrook offered up some confrontational cover for his younger teammates by blasting reporters following the Kings' latest setback.
The organization is enduring another brutal NBA campaign, with their one-year revival as a playoff team in 2023 disintegrating into yet another rebuild and the worst record in the league less than three years later. But Westbrook insisted during a tense exchange at a March 5 news conference that local media members are contributing to the problems with "false comments" regarding him and other Kings' players.
"You guys have a lot of opinions about how we do what we're doing. What you got," Westbrook asked in the aftermath of Sacramento's 133-123 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. "You make a lot of statements and broad statements that you have no context, so where do you get your context from? Are you in practice? Are you at our film session? Are you anywhere around the building?"
Westbrook declined to elaborate when asked for specifics about what sparked his comments, but continued to answer questions with criticism of the team's media coverage.
When one reporter noted criticism of the team was fair considering its record and status in the bottom-three of the NBA in offensive and defensive rating this season, the 37-year-old guard said backlash against the Kings (14-50) has too often not been about basketball.
"You guys' job is to talk about the game, what's happening in the game, not stir up a bunch of – I don't want to cuss here because I don't want to get fined – but stir up a bunch of stuff that, it's not accurate and that's my problem," Westbrook said. "Being in the league awhile, I've been able to experience a lot of these times where people outside of our building, outside of the film session, outside of what we do daily, how much work we put in, that is not an easy job to do.
"Y'all come in, y'all make your comments, and nobody say nothing. But I don't have to sit back and say nothing," Westbrook continued. "... As a leader of this team, it's my job to speak up for the guys in the locker room. We talk about it. They see it. I hear it. Because of the comments you guys make, you got guys thinking about a bunch of random things that has nothing to do with the game. You guys are making false comments about our team and what we're doing here, and I don't appreciate that. So my ask is that you respect what we do and we'll respect what you do."
Westbrook, now finishing up his 18th NBA season, signed a one-year deal with the Kings in October. They are his seventh team in eight seasons after starting his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 2017 NBA MVP winner is averaging 15.3 points, 6.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds in nearly 29 minutes per game in Sacramento this season.
The Indiana Pacers aren’t playing for much in the final months of the NBA schedule. But tell that to Pascal Siakam.
Indiana’s athletic forward has one gear: Go.
He returned to the lineup after missing three games with a sprained wrist, putting up 29 points and five rebounds in 30 minutes versus the L.A. Clippers on Wednesday.
Tonight, he takes on the other L.A. team — the Los Angeles Lakers — who will be running short in the front court and playing the second of back-to-back outings.
My Pacers vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks like Siakam to stack up the rebounds on Friday, March 6.
Pacers vs Lakers prediction
Pacers vs Lakers best bet: Pascal Siakam Over 5.5 rebounds (-112)
Pascal Siakam grabbed five boards versus the Clippers, coming up just short of his 5.5 O/U rebounding prop. Tonight, he runs into a Los Angeles Lakers lineup missing key bodies on the boards.
LeBron James and Deandre Ayton exited last night’s loss at Denver, and their status is in doubt. That’s almost 14 rebounds off the box score for L.A.
Siakam has snatched six or more rebounds in 15 of his last 20 games while positioned for an average of 10.9 rebounding chances in that span.
Projections range from 5.8 to 6.6 boards for the Indiana Pacers’ forward.
Pacers vs Lakers same-game parlay
The Lakers are worse for wear after an in-and-out trip up the mountain, losing at Denver last night, then traveling back for this non-conference clash. LeBron and Ayton left that game with injuries and could leave L.A. short on size tonight.
Siakam averages almost 11 rebounding chances, and Los Angeles is instantly shorter with those injuries. His forecasts flirt with seven rebounds, and he should get 30+ minutes.
Austin Reaves’ projections barely top 20 points tonight. With James possibly sidelined, he has to step up his ball-handling and become more of a passer than a scorer.
Pacers vs Lakers SGP
Pacers +9.5
Pascal Siakam Over 5.5 rebounds
Austin Reaves Under 24.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Pace Maker
The Pacers are a tough team to cap, with mixed motivations, but Siakam isn’t one to go easy.
Some models call for 23 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in La-La Land.
Pacers vs Lakers SGP
Pacers +9.5
Pascal Siakam Over 21.5 points
Pascal Siakam Over 5.5 rebounds
Pascal Siakam Over 2.5 assists
Pacers vs Lakers odds
Spread: Pacers +9.5 (-110) | Lakers -9.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Pacers +375 | Lakers -500
Over/Under: Over 235.5 (-110) | Under 235.5 (-110)
Pacers vs Lakers betting trend to know
The Los Angeles Lakers are 13-22 Over/Under (63% Unders) in the second of back-to-back games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Lakers.
How to watch Pacers vs Lakers
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Tip-off
10:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Indiana, Spectrum SportsNet
Pacers vs Lakers latest injuries
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Lace up your hiking boots! Tonight the Knicks (40*-23) scale the mountains of Denver to face the Nuggets (39-24) at Ball Arena. New York plans to leave with a season sweep in this cross-conference matchup. Our heroes have won six of their last ten games on the schedule, while Denver have split their last ten.
The teams last met on February 4, 2026, when the Knicks won 134-127 in double overtime slog at MSG. Jalen Brunson topped New York with 42 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, while Jamal Murray scored 39 points and six assists for the visitors.
Denver has built one of the league’s top offenses this season, ranking first in offensive rating (121.7) and points per game (120.4). Shoot well? Why yes, they lead the NBA in three-point percentage (39%) and effective field goal percentage. Their downfall is their defense: they rank 22nd in defensive rating and last in steals and opponent turnovers.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokić anchors the Nuggets with 28.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game, leading the league in PER and box plus-minus. He’s also the Nugget most likely to smell like a barn. Murray averages 25.7 points and 7.3 assists, and is capable of posting a lot of points (137 over his last four games), while Christian Braun (10.9 PPG) provides wing defense and energy.
Depending on who’s available, the home team will likely start Murray, Braun, Julian Strawther, Zeke Nnaji, and Jokić. On their injury report, Peyton Watson (hamstring) is OUT, while Aaron Gordon (hammy), Cameron Johnson (ankle), and Spencer Jones (shoulder) are all listed as game-time decisions. For the Knicks, Josh Hart is questionable (back), and Miles McBride is still healing from hernia surgery.
Prediction
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Knicks a 52% chance to win. Excellent. The Nuggets an elite offense, but the Knicks have muscled up their defensive pressure lately, making this a great test for our heroes. Injuries have depleted Denver, and three of their top six scoring options could be scratches tonight. Look for New York to take a while getting used to the altitude but to buckle down in the second half for a 10-point win.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (40*-23) at Denver Nuggets (39-24) Date: Friday, March 6, 2026 Time: 9 PM ET Place: Ball Arena, Denver, CO TV: MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but NBA Cup wins are gaseous, not solids.
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 8: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics pregame against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 8, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The first thing that popped into my mind when I heard the news about Jayson Tatum was, I suspect, the first thing that popped into the minds of many of you.
“Anticipation” by Carly Simon.
No? Well, bear with me anyway.
Anticipation for Tatum’s return has reached a fever pitch over the last month or so, and I’m here to break down Tatum’s return lyrically…
We can never know about the days to come But we think about them anyway
Half of what we do as sports fans in general is speculate about what’s coming. We can revel in the past and enjoy the present moment, but part of the fun of being a fan is looking to the future. The next game, the next week, the next season. Right now, the next game is potentially Tatum’s first of the season, and it looks like he’s going to get a nice run-up to get back into game shape before the games start to really matter in May.
If he comes back tonight, he’s going to get a 20-game preseason before things get real.
But I, I rehearsed those words just late last night When I was thinking about how right tonight might be
Yesterday, when I was cooking up the theme for this column, I couldn’t help but imagine what it will be like in Boston Garden tonight, if Tatum’s name is read out as the Celtics’ starting power forward. Again, these are moments you live for as a fan. Moments that are foundational, “I-was-there,” “I-remember-when…” moments. All of you, I’m sure, remember seeing Tatum hoist Deuce up to the rafters after the C’s clinched the title in 2024. The return will be a moment like that.
These are the good old days
This is the main thing that I want to talk about today…
Why are we so excited for Tatum to return?
Sure, a little bit of it is about Tatum, but most of it is because of everyone else.
Try to imagine what it would be like to welcome Tatum back to a 21-41 team instead of a 41-21 team.
I mean, there would be a vocal segment of the fanbase that would want Tatum to just shut it down for the whole year because, hey, lottery picks.
Instead, we’re excited because everyone else on the team refused to take a “gap year.” The C’s young guns refused to take the year off, and have all continued to work on their games. Joe Mazzulla didn’t change what his goals were for the season because of some little thing like the loss of a First Team All-NBA player, along with four other key contributors to past successes.
The story of this season has been one of ongoing improvement, especially on defense. Hugo Gonzalez was a cipher coming into the season, and he’s now a key contributor on the defensive side of the ball. Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman have continued to improve as well.
On offense, Jaylen Brown’s points per game scoring average has jumped from 22.2 to 28.9, and everyone in the C’s rotation has stepped up a little bit. No one’s seen a drop in points per game, from last season to this. Collectively, the C’s have filled in the gaps, and that’s down to each individual player accepting the challenge and refusing to back down.
On the brink of Tatum’s return, it’s good to reflect on how different this team is than the Celtics team assembled to win Banner 17.
When Boston traded for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, we were getting two superstars who were, respectively, dang near 33 years old and 32 years old at the time the C’s won their title in 2008. Pierce was the youngster, being only 30 at the time. They had a limited window to work with, and due to a variety of factors, they didn’t have a lot of support by the end of their time with Boston.
We’re not living in those times. While Tatum and Brown are getting older (as we all are), they’ve got a young core surrounding them. They’re not being asked to carry as much of a load as the C’s Big Three had to carry. This year’s team has the reigning 6th Man of the Year. The Big Three Celtics had good bench support in 2008, but it just got thinner and thinner as the years went by. In the final real game of the Big Three era, Game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics lost by 13 points and got a grand total of two points off their bench.
You have to go to the early 80s to find a Celtics team that was as solid from top to bottom as this one is.
In a league where ‘per 36’ stats have become de rigueur, reflecting the average minute load for starters, Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens have focused on winning all 48 minutes of the game, and that’s shown up this season as the Celtics have barely dropped off their 2025 pace, despite losing Holiday, Horford, Kornet, Porzingis and Tatum.
As we look to welcome back Jayson, let’s revel in the fact that he’s coming back to a complete team; a team that is perfectly capable of thriving without him, and a team that could be something truly special with him.
Savor these moments, because these are the good old days.
Mar 3, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (12) in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
For most of the season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have desperately searched for quality play from their bench. Aside from Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner Naz Reid, the Wolves had gotten incredibly little production from their reserves as they ranked 23rd in bench scoring per game from the start of the season through the trade deadline.
Coming into the year, the Wolves seemd well set up to deal with the offseason departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Terrence Shannon Jr., Rob Dillingham, and Jaylen Clark all appeared to be ready to join the rotation, and Mike Conley, despite his age, still appeared to have enough left in the tank to still be a solid backup point guard.
None of that came to fruition. Just a few weeks into the season, it was clear the Wolves’ bench was going to be shorthanded for a while with all three of the Wolves’ young trio struggling to find consistency on the court, and as father time finally caught up to Conley. The Wolves had a massive gap in their rotation, making it clear that if they wanted to make another deep playoff run this spring, they were going to need to add bench production from outside of the organization.
“We got options and depth and versatility,” Timberwolves Head Coach Chris Finch said about the team’s new-look bench. “Super blessed right now. Again, you know, our front office did a great job of rounding out this roster with exactly what it needed.”
Thursday night’s 155-107 win over the Toronto Raptors showcased what the pair of Dosunmu and Anderson can bring to the Wolves the rest of the season. Ayo finished with 13 points including multiple baskets in transition as he has added a new level of pace to the Wolves’ offense.
Last night Ayo Dosunmu showcased what he can bring to the Wolves offense with 13 points including a pair of transition buckets, a 3 after a double of Ant, and a pretty back cut for a layup
Here's all of his makes from last night plus a miss that directly led to a Rudy putback pic.twitter.com/0u0I4vUehg
“Speed, I think that’s the main thing,” Anthony Edwards said about Dosumnu after the game. “The speed that he brings when he checks into the game is the main thing.”
Ayo has also shown flashes on the defensive end of the floor. He finished Thursday’s game with three steals and provided physical defense while chasing around opposing players on the perimeter.
“I have a lot of trust,” Rudy Gobert stated about Dosumnu’s denfensive game. “I keep telling him and I keep telling everyone, when you guys are physical on the ball and disruptive, even if you get beat, I’m there. It’s much easier for them to get beat while being physical than letting guys get comfortable. I think tonight was a great example of that.”
Anderson put up four points, four rebounds, and three assists while filling in perfectly on the defensive end for Jaden McDaniels who had to go to the bench in the first half with foul trouble.
“He makes the game easy,” Finch said of Anderson’s performance against the Raptors. “You put the ball in his hands late in the shot clock you know you’re gonna find something. He kinda sees the floor and anticipates where the defense is going to be. It’s all the same things that we love about him when he was here before. You can put the ball in his hands and the game slows down so you know you’re going to get something good.”
The pairing of Dosumnu and Anderson have also found a quick chemistry together on the court. Late in the third quarter Anderson found Dosunumu on a back cut for an easy layup, a play the two had drawn up over text a few days prior.
I asked Ayo Dosunmu about playing with Kyle Anderson and the back door cut he had in the 3rd Q. Here's what he said along with the play referenced in my question.
"The second day he got here he shot me a text at like 7 in the morning and told me hey that cut be there I swear." pic.twitter.com/4QzTMspZl9
Just two games into his now second Timberwolves tenure, Slo-Mo is doing again all the same things that made him such a valuable signing for the Wolves back in the summer of 2022. His combination of defense, playmaking, and on-court leadership and accountability have already begun to show dividends just two games back with the organization.
Dosunmu has also quickly taken to a leadership on the floor for the Wolves. Edwards pointed to Dosunmu along with Slo-Mo, Conley, and himself as to who have been the connectors for the team during games.
Anthony Edwards on the hardest part of gelling as a team, and making it feel like a family
“I mean you just need connectors on the team, we got Slomo back, getting rid of Mike would have been hard because like he’s one of the connectors, so getting him back was big for us,… pic.twitter.com/BVi5AsS9IG
With Dosunmu and Anderson quickly hitting their stride with the team, the Timberwolves have completely transformed their bench in the blink of an eye and they did so at little to no cost.
Anderson was signed last week as a free agent, costing about half a million dollars the rest of the season and Dosumnu was acquired for second round draft capital, Leonard Miller, and Dillingham who, despite the large cost to acuire in the 2023 Draft, had largely fallen out of favor with the organization making a trade the best path forward for both parties.
While the starting lineup plus Naz Reid have been the workhorses so far this season for Minnesota, the bench is finally catching up as the Wolves look to close the regular season strong before the playoffs. With just 19 games remaining on the schedule and the Wolves now sitting as a top three seed for the first time in two seasons, the finish line is now finally in sight.
Knicks
Nuggets
