Last offseason, when the Pistons and Jalen Duren discussed a contract extension, he thought they underestimated his value, and the result was that the sides did not agree to a new deal. Then Duren went out this season and showed them what he was worth: 19.5 points a game on 65% shooting, plus 10.5 rebounds while playing elite defense (he was on some Defensive Player of the Year ballots). He is almost certainly going to be an All-NBA player. That led to the expectation Durent had earned a max contract extension this summer, a five-year deal worth at least $239 million, and up to $287 million with that All-NBA nod.
Then the playoffs started.
Duren has struggled this postseason, averaging 10.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game when the team needs him most, while his lack of outside shooting has helped clog up the Pistons' offense at times. Things got so bad that coach J.B. Bickerstaff played Paul Reed over Duren during the fourth quarter and overtime of a critical Game 5.
Which begs the question, is Duren still worth a max contract? Here is what one front office executive told Brian Windhorst of ESPN:
"He's not a max player, but they're probably going to have to give him the max," an East executive said of Duren. "Because now [cap space] teams like Chicago or Brooklyn might see him as someone they could get with a max offer sheet and Detroit will have to match.
"With the new apron rules, it might come back to bite [the Pistons], and it's just another example of how the CBA crushes team building."
The Pistons need to re-sign both Duren and Ausar Thompson this offseason, two key defenders and part of the culture built in Detroit, but also two non-shooters who have led to spacing problems in the playoffs as Orlando and then Cleveland have thrown multiple defenders at Cade Cunningham and dared anyone else to beat them. If both get huge deals (Thompson will likely get a contract similar to the $25 million a season that Dyson Daniels agreed to in Atlanta), the Pistons lose flexibility to add another shot creator and/or more shooting the team needs.
Can the Pistons get Duren to take the 25% max ($239 million over five years) and not more? If the Pistons try to get him to take less than that, could a team with cap space in need of a center — Chicago and the Los Angeles Lakers both check those boxes — swoop in and try to poach him (Detroit has the right to match any offer).
As the executive quoted by Windhorst suggests, one of the consequences of the tax aprons in the CBA is that teams CANNOT miss on max contracts, or they quickly become anchors. Duren has earned the right for the Pistons to back the Brinks truck up to his home, he deserves the massive contract coming. How massive, and can he continue to play at this level, are the questions. And there are no easy answers.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks off the court after defeating the Detroit Pistons in overtime in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals tonight.
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DETROIT, MI - MAY 13: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays defense on Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached a point in their second-round series with the Detroit Pistons where all the cards are already on the table. It’s unlikely either team will do anything overly shocking in Game 6. It will be more of the same, with minor tweaks and varying execution.
One trick the Cavs have up their sleeves, however, is when and where they choose to trap Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham might carry the heaviest individual load in the league. Detroit’s success on offense relies almost entirely on his shoulders. That’s why his usage is through the roof, with Cunningham attempting the most field goals per game in the playoffs at 21.6.
This can lead to great things. Cunningham was lights out for most of Game 5, scoring 39 points and pushing his team to the brink of a 3-2 lead. But something changed in the final minutes, and the toll of everything Cade had carried up to that point was eventually paid.
The Cavs began sending two to the ball. Cunnigham saw multiple defenders in front of him, with pressure on him as soon as he crossed halfcourt. This forced Cunningham to give up the rock and work harder to get open. That’s a lot to ask of someone who played 48 minutes in Game 5. The results speak for themselves.
Cunnigham struggled against the trap. He scored just 2 points in the final 10 minutes of regulation and overtime, shooting 1-4 and turning it over at a key point of the game. Max Strus, who stole Cunningham’s inbound pass in the fourth quarter of Game 3, once again capitalized on Cunningham’s exhaustion by ripping him in the backcourt during overtime of Game 5.
When you’re tired, you make mistakes. The Cavs waited until the perfect moment to ramp up the pressure on Cunningham. The question is, can they find the same luck tonight?
“It’s a feel,” said Kenny Atkinson. “Do you do it after a timeout? You do it to throw them off balance, so do you do it on the first play? To end the game? Obviously, you’ve got to know when to, or not to, go with it.”
Doubling a player like Cunningham comes with risks. You’re giftwrapping the Pistons’ offense a numbers advantage by putting two on the ball. You can get burned in a hurry if Detroit’s role players convert on those scenarios.
That’s why it’s important to deploy this strategy at the right time. Do it too early, and you risk allowing the Pistons to find a rhythym. Do it too late, and well, you’re too late. Mixing up the coverage and keeping Cunningham on his toes is all you can do.
“He’s a great player, we can’t give him one look,” said Aktinson. “So we’re gonna keep mixing it up, and there have been games this series where we didn’t double-team, so it’s a feel.”
The Cavs have an opportunity to eliminate the 60-win Pistons and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. To do so, they’ll have to activate their best defensive strategy at the right moment and deliver the knockout blow.
As the series shifts back to Minnesota, the Timberwolves return home looking to force a Game 7 against the San Antonio Spurs, with our NBA player prop projections identifying several strong value spots on the board for tonight's Game 6.
By breaking down the data and comparing it to the latest market lines, we’ve uncovered where the strongest betting edges lie for this pivotal matchup.
If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, May 15.
Spurs vs Timberwolves computer picks for Game 6
Spurs
Timberwolves
Fox o17.5 points -115
Edwards o26.5 points -115
Champagnie o1.5 3-pointers -190
Gobert o8.5 rebounds -120
Castle o6.5 assists -110
Dosunmu o1.5 3-pointers -120
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Spurs Game 6 computer picks
De'Aaron Fox Over 17.5 points (-115)
Projection: 20.02 points
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ up-tempo pace — eighth-fastest over the last five games — should create more scoring chances for the San Antonio Spurs, especially De’Aaron Fox, who’s cleared this points line in back-to-back games.
With San Antonio on the brink of the Western Conference Finals, expect Fox to stay aggressive and surpass this number again.
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Julian Champagnie Over 1.5 3-pointers (-190)
Projection: 2.20 3-pointers
Julian Champagnie has been lights-out from beyond the arc in this series against Minnesota and will look to stay hot as the Spurs push to advance.
He’s cleared this three-point prop in every playoff game but one, and he remains a dependable threat to knock down multiple shots from deep once again.
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Stephon Castle Over 6.5 assists (-110)
Projection: 6.75 assists
Stephon Castle has been a steady playmaker, and his 12-assist outing in Game 3 showed just how high his ceiling is as a facilitator.
With the stakes elevated on the road, expect Castle to embrace the moment, keep the ball moving, and continue setting up quality looks for San Antonio.
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Timberwolves Game 6 computer picks
Anthony Edwards Over 26.5 points (-115)
Projection: 26.92 points
At home this season, the Spurs have struggled to contain opposing starting shooting guards, allowing them to shoot 54.7% from the field — the second-highest mark in the league. That sets up a favorable spot for Anthony Edwards, who’s never one to shy away from a challenge.
Even while dealing with an injury, Edwards has found another gear offensively over the last three games. With Minnesota fighting to keep its season alive, expect him to leave it all on the floor and bring the intensity needed to match the moment.
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Rudy Gobert Over 8.5 rebounds (-120)
Projection: 11.06 rebounds
The Spurs kept Rudy Gobert quiet on the glass in Game 5, limiting him to just five rebounds, and Minnesota won’t survive another outing like that if they want to extend the series.
Gobert has cleared this rebounds line in all but two games this series, and the Timberwolves will need him to bounce back in a big way to control the boards and generate crucial second-chance opportunities.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet gobert Now at bet365!/span
Ayo Dosunmu Over 1.5 3-pointers (-120)
Projection: 1.87 3-pointers
At home this season, opposing starting point guards have shot 48.4% from three against the Spurs — the highest mark in the league — making this a strong matchup spot for Ayo Dosunmu, who has been quieter than he was in Minnesota’s first-round series against Denver.
Dosunmu has only cleared this prop once in this series, but if there’s a time for him to heat up from deep, this is it.
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How to watch Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 6
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Friday, May 15, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime
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If the San Antonio Spurs want to punch their ticket to the Western Conference finals, this young squad needs to go into the belly of the beast and beat a veteran Minnesota Timberwolves team on its own floor.
My Spurs vs. Timberwolves predictions for Game 6 expect San Antonio to finish off a hurting Minnesota team, with stars De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama leading the charge on Friday night.
The San Antonio Spurs throw a lot at you. They had six guys score at least a dozen points in Game 5, and that depth is something the Minnesota Timberwolves' experience just can’t counter.
Anthony Edwards is playing hurt, Julius Randle is ice cold, and Jalen McDaniels can’t avoid foul trouble. San Antonio matures before our eyes with a statement win on the road.
SGP leg #2: De’Aaron Fox Over 16.5 points
De’Aaron Fox has eclipsed this points prop in three straight games, and projections have him pegged for as many as 20 in Game 6.
Fox is doing damage inside and could see an even cleaner path to the paint with Rudy Gobert playing less and the T-Wolves trying to roll out a smaller lineup.
SGP leg #3: Victor Wembanyama Over 13.5 rebounds
Victor Wembanyama has topped his rebounding total in every outing in this series — outside of his early ejection in Game 4.
With his presence in the paint pushing Minnesota into poor outside shooting, there’s a surplus of misses to be wrangled.
Wemby has drawn at least 18 rebounding chances in each of those four games, converting them into 15+ rebounds.
Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Spurs vs Timberwolves predictions for Game 6.
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Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 22: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Cue Boyz II Men, because we’ve (finally) come to the end of the road. We’ve arrived at the final SunsRank for the 2025-26 season.
Once again, thank you to everyone who took the time to vote, provide input, and approach this exercise without trolling. Well, mostly without trolling. Because yes, there were definitely a few of you out there. When you see Devin Booker receive votes for the depth pieces tier, you can’t help but laugh a little. Human nature remains undefeated.
So here’s where everything landed, and this is the framework we’ll revisit in September when preseason SunsRank rolls around again.
#
Community SunsRank
Writers SunsRank
1
Devin Booker
Devin Booker
2
Jalen Green
Dillon Brooks
3
Dillon Brooks
Jalen Green
4
Collin Gillespie
Collin Gillespie
5
Grayson Allen
Mark Williams
6
Jordan Goodwin
Grayson Allen
7
Mark Williams
Jordan Goodwin
8
Oso Ighodaro
Oso Ighodaro
9
Rasheer Fleming
Royce O’Neale
10
Khaman Maluach
Rasheer Fleming
11
Royce O’Neale
Ryan Dunn
12
Ryan Dunn
Khaman Maluach
13
Jamaree Bouyea
Haywood Higsmith
14
Haywood Highsmith
Jamaree Bouyea
15
Koby Brea
Amir Coffey
16
Amir Coffey
Isaiah Livers
17
Isaiah Livers
Koby Brea
18
CJ Huntley
CJ Huntley
The battle for the #2 spot was legitimately close. In the end, Jalen Green barely edged out the competition by five total votes. That tells you everything you need to know. The Bright Side community ranked him second overall, still, it was far from unanimous.
Other interesting differences showed up between the community rankings and the Bright Side writing staff. Mark Williams finished seventh in the community vote, whereas the writers placed him fifth. The community slotted Khaman Maluach at No. 10, which is exactly where I had him, whereas the writers landed him at 12.
Like every ballot, every perspective was a little different. In the end, this is where we landed.
What makes SunsRank fun every year is that it becomes a snapshot of where the fan base’s head is at in real time. Some players inspire belief. Some inspire skepticism. Some land directly in the middle, which honestly feels like the most Phoenix Suns experience imaginable these days. The Jalen Green conversation perfectly captured that divide. There’s intrigue there, clearly, although there’s still hesitation attached to what exactly he becomes long term.
And as we head toward another offseason full of questions, roster decisions, and inevitable overreactions, this final SunsRank serves as a pretty honest reflection of how people currently view the state of the organization.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: The sneakers worn by Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers before the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s do-or-die for the Detroit Pistons, who have to steal Game 6 on the road to keep their season alive.
On the flip side, the Cleveland Cavaliers are one win away from closing the door at home and booking their first Eastern Conference Finals trip since 2018.
Coming off a tough Game 5 loss, Detroit enters on uneven footing, and our Pistons vs. Cavaliers predictions & same-game parlay see Cleveland handling business and finishing the job in front of their home crowd.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have flipped this series after falling behind 2-0, now sitting just one win away from the Conference Finals.
At Rocket Arena, they’ve been nearly unstoppable as they rank top three in points, three-pointers, offensive efficiency, offensive rating, and fewest turnovers at home during the playoffs.
Cleveland is also a perfect 6-0 on its home floor this postseason, underscoring just how dominant they’ve been in front of their own crowd.
SGP leg #1: Cavaliers team total Over 106.5
The Cavaliers’ 120.4 offensive rating at Rocket Arena ranks third-best among all playoff teams, while their 118.0 points per game on their home floor sits second overall.
More importantly, this hasn’t been a one-game spike or matchup-driven anomaly — Cleveland has scored at least 107 points in every home playoff game so far, showing a clear and repeatable trend of elevated efficiency in front of its own crowd.
With the series shifting back to a familiar setting and a chance to close things out in Game 6, that baseline production feels like the floor rather than the ceiling.
SGP leg #1: Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 points
A major reason for the Cavaliers consistency is the home-road split from Donovan Mitchell, who has been significantly more comfortable and efficient at Rocket Arena this postseason.
Mitchell is averaging 30.2 points per game at home on an impressive 50.8% shooting clip, compared to 22.3 points on 40.2% shooting on the road.
That gap is not just minor variance — it reflects how much cleaner his looks have been in Cleveland, where the spacing, rhythm, and early-clock opportunities all come easier within the Cavaliers’ system.
Get Zak Hanshew's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Pistons vs. Cavaliers predictions for Game 6.
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NBA Championship odds
Stay up-to-date with the latest NBA Championship odds for each remaining team, as well as NBA title splits, betting trends, and the previous list of teams that have won the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
NBA Finals MVP odds
See what the current line movement and updates are in the NBA Finals MVP odds race, along with Finals MVP betting trends, favorite analysis, and recent superstars to receive this award.
Live NBA Playoff bracket
Never lose track of where each series sits with our live NBA Playoff bracket, as well as the updated prices for each team to win their respective series — round by round.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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 Detroit Pistons saw their season flash right before their eyes after squandering Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where our NBA player prop projections have identified several strong value opportunities.
By breaking down the data and comparing it to the latest market lines, we’ve uncovered where the strongest betting edges lie for this pivotal matchup.
If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, May 15.
Pistons vs Cavaliers computer picks for Game 6
Pistons
Cavaliers
Cunningham u27.5 points -120
Harden o19.5 points -110
Duren o8.5 rebounds +105
Mobley o8.5 rebounds +120
Robinson o2.5 3-pointers -112
Mitchell o3.5 assists +100
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Pistons Game 6 computer picks
Cade Cunningham Under 27.5 points (-120)
Projection: 26.47 points
Cade Cunningham erupted for 39 points in Game 5, but the big question heading into a do-or-die Game 6 on the Cleveland Cavaliers home floor is whether he has enough left in the tank.
The Detroit Pistons have been in this spot before, with Cunningham often stepping up under elimination pressure to keep them alive. But if he can’t replicate that production — and falls short of this points prop projection — it could mark the end of Detroit’s season in Cleveland.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet cunningham Now at bet365!/span
Jalen Duren Over 8.5 rebounds (+105)
Projection: 9.66 rebounds
The Pistons need Jalen Duren to step up on the glass, especially after he’s fallen well short of his rebounds prop in three straight losses. With desperation setting in, Detroit will be leaning on him to reclaim his usual dominance on the boards and help keep their season alive.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet duren Now at bet365!/span
Duncan Robinson Over 2.5 3-pointers (-112)
Projection: 2.95 3-pointers
The Pistons will need Duncan Robinson’s shooting badly in Game 6, especially from beyond the arc. After sitting out Game 5 with back soreness, the veteran sharpshooter appears on track to return following participation in shootaround.
The injury clearly limited his impact in Game 4, where he finished with just four points and one made three. If he’s not restricted tonight, expect Robinson to find his rhythm again and push past this prop line from deep.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet robinson Now at bet365!/span
Cavaliers Game 6 computer picks
James Harden Over 19.5 points (-110)
Projection: 22.65 points
The math is simple: when James Harden is rolling offensively, the Cavaliers usually benefit. The pattern has held throughout the series — his aggressiveness and scoring tend to translate into wins. This points line feels a bit light compared to his ceiling, and it’ll be on Harden to prove it again.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet harden Now at bet365!/span
Evan Mobley Over 8.5 rebounds (+120)
Projection: 9.54 rebounds
The Cavaliers have ranked seventh in offensive rebounding over their last 10 games, and Evan Mobley steps back into focus after a steady, impactful Game 5.
He’s narrowly missed this prop in three straight outings, but with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals on the line, expect him to bring added urgency on the glass and fight for every rebound against the Pistons.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet mobley Now at bet365!/span
Donovan Mitchell Over 3.5 assists (+100)
Projection: 4.65 assists
After shouldering a major scoring load all series, it’s unrealistic to expect Donovan Mitchell to keep living off tough buckets alone.
He’s consistently hovered around this assists line throughout the matchup, and there’s no better spot to break through than a pivotal Game 6 at home with a chance to advance.
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How to watch Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 6
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Friday, May 15, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime
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A former Abilene Christian men's basketball player was permanently banned by the NCAA on Friday for allegedly helping rig basketball games for sports bettors.
According to the NCAA's Division I Committee on Infractions, Airion Simmons — who played at Abilene Christian from 2019-2024— colluded with a teammate and agreed with a bettor to throw a March 2024 game for money. In a December 2025 interview, Simmons told NCAA investigators he was also contacted by a second bettor about losing the game for money.
In January, Simmons and the two bettors were included in a sprawling indictment by federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania on various charges, including bribery, fraud and conspiracy.
The point-shaving scheme generally revolved around gamblers who placed bets and recruited players with the promise of a big payment in exchange for purposefully underperforming during a game, prosecutors said. Those fixers would then bet against the players’ teams in those games, defrauding sportsbooks and other bettors, authorities said.
Players often recruited teammates to cooperate by playing badly, sitting out or keeping the ball away from players who weren’t in on the scheme to prevent them from scoring. Sometimes the attempted fix failed, meaning the fixers lost their bets.
In September 2025, a former Abilene Christian men’s basketball student-athlete transferred to the program and reported that in March 2024, Simmons, along with another teammate, tried to convince him to join them in purposely losing a game for money.
Later, the student-athlete who reported the violations received a FaceTime call with Simmons, the teammate and a bettor, who told the group to throw the game for money. The student-athlete who reported the violations indicated that by the time he entered the game, the final outcome was already determined, and his performance had no impact on the outcome.
Simmons told NCAA investigators he told the bettors he had a hand injury and his status for the game was unclear, and he shared that another teammate would not be playing in the game. Simmons was offered $3,500 to “play bad” in the game. He left the game with a hand injury after playing 11 minutes.
Simmons said he met someone in a Dallas parking lot to get cash for throwing the game. He received the cash and did not pay the other student-athletes he had conspired with, the NCAA said.
According to the NCAA, Simmons agreed to be interviewed by its investigators but declined to participate in the processing of the case.
Simmons is the latest student athlete to lose his eligibility as part of the point-shaving scheme. Two former Fordham basketball players were also permanently banned by the NCAA last month.
INGLEWOOD, CA - APRIL 15: Head Coach Steve Kerr, Assistant Coaches Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse looks on during the game against the LA Clippers of the Golden State Warriors during the SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In today’s Dub Hub:
Warriors’ assistant coaches Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse will not be returning to the team next season, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
The changes have begun for the Golden State Warriors this offseason, starting with the coaching staff. According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors’ top two assistant coaches, Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse, will not return to the team after their contracts expired following the season.
The Warriors are losing their top two assistant coaches.
Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse are departing the franchise, sources told ESPN. Their contracts expired and both are interested in pursuing head coaching opportunities.
Slater reported that both coaches are leaving on good terms, with Stotts informing head coach Steve Kerr late in the regular season that he did not plan on returning next season, while Stackhouse is expected to pursue head coaching opportunities elsewhere.
Stotts just finished his second year as Kerr’s lead assistant and offensive coordinator. His nearly three-decade coaching career includes a nine-season run as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. Stotts informed Kerr late in the regular season that he didn’t intend to return and told ESPN he is leaving the Warriors on good terms and remains open to NBA head coaching opportunities.
“I enjoyed my time with Steve, the staff and players,” Stotts said. “My two years there were fulfilling. Nothing but well-wishes.”
The timing is notable, however, considering the news comes just days after Kerr agreed to a multi-year contract to remain with the Warriors. There have been reports that Kerr’s return was conditioned on some adjustments to his coaching staff being made in an effort to adapt to a more modern style of play. With Golden State having secured Kerr for the foreseeable future, he will now need to rebuild his staff with that in mind.
One name Slater mentioned as a potential candidate is former New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green, who previously served as an assistant under Kerr in 2016. Meanwhile, ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel floated another familiar name to Warriors fans: franchise legend Andre Iguodala.
I don’t full believe it to happen yet, but one early name I’ve heard come up along with Willie Green is Andre Iguodala. https://t.co/IdijyusWNJ
The injury-riddled Warriors won only 37 games last season and failed to make the playoffs through the play-in bracket. Management voiced the need for changes in conversations with Kerr after the season.
In the next two months, during the NBA’s transaction season, the Warriors are expected to refresh the roster around Steph Curry, along with remaking the coaching staff under Kerr.
“Guys were late all the time,” Turner told New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart on their “Game Recognize Game” podcast. “Guys were showing up to film whenever they wanted to show up. Guys were missing meetings. It was one of the craziest things I personally ever experienced.”
Asked by Stewart who was most likely to be late last season, Turner said it was an “easy” answer.
“Giannis. Giannis is going to show up whenever he wants, really,” Turner said. “I think that this kind of just came with the territory that — and once I saw what was going down, I was like, ‘Hey man, more power to you. They ain’t going to fine you. S—, do what you do.'”
That seems to be what’s keeping Kerr going. Realistically, it’s not about winning a fourth title. It’s about remaining competitive and having nights like the play-in win against the Los Angeles Clippers. And it seems to be about coaching Steph Curry for as long as he can and probably Draymond, too.
Given his comments about wanting to give the franchise a “clean start” after Curry is done, it sounds like Kerr is committed to being there for the messy ending. The dynasty might be dying, but Kerr is there to go down with the ship.
A post to end the week:
The Warrior remains 🔥
Wright Thompson takes us behind the scenes of Steve Kerr's decision to stay with Golden State. pic.twitter.com/WUwDdpdFYc
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 12: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves react during the first quarter in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 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. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I am joined by Pounding the Rock’s (our Spurs sister site) JR Wilco for yet another parlay about the series as it continues. With the Spurs now up 3-2, on the verge of closing out a competitive second round matchup, much of our conversation shifted to if this series is about to end, or if it has another twist still in store.
J.R. Wilco
Before the series began, I was terrified of Anthony Edwards destroying my playoff hopes and dreams. And the more tape I watch of this series, the more I’m coming to feel like San Antonio is pretty lucky that he’s not 100%. The Spurs are throwing the kitchen sink at him, and he still regularly wins the play. I can’t imagine how frustrated with him I’d be if he was fully healthy.
Is it just me, or are some of the Timberwolves getting frustrated with Julius Randle? I’m not talking about how his scoring has fallen off, everybody goes through slumps. I’m talking about his effort level. Jaden McDaniels’ body language seems to be screaming something like, “Dude, we’re all trying out here. Want to join us?” Anyway, I haven’t been watching the team all year, maybe that’s just a dynamic you’re used to.
SAN ANTONIO, TX. – MAY 2026: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) react as they head into halftime against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs, NBA Western Conference Semifinals, Game 5. NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via Getty Images
Leading up to Game 5, I was pretty concerned that Minnesota was going to try some bid for retaliation against Victor Wembanyama’s extracurricular elbow. And outside of the one play where Reid went up for a hook shot and chopped at Wemby’s neck, I didn’t see anything other than your basic psychological warfare. So, a couple of questions: were you expecting them to retaliate, and do you think anyone in the Minnesota camp actually thought that mind games would work with Victor?
Thilo
Despite his reputation as a bad boy conflict initiator, Jaden McDaniels has not really gone after anyone in a meaningful way outside of his own hand. If that’s the head of the “I want to fight” snake, I didn’t really expect anyone else on the roster to make that call.
I also think the Spurs haven’t built up enough hatred from the Wolves for them to try to start anything. The Nuggets deserve that animosity. The Lakers do as well. NBA on TNT (and its modern equivalent) did.
The Randle angle is the larger story. He is, with no exaggeration, playing to the standard of being one of the least valuable playoff players in the past 30 years of the NBA in this run. Especially after last year’s run had the inverse situation (Randle had a career best series against the Lakers as part of their gentleman’s sweep), I think the team is just hugely disappointed. They dragged him forward during the Nuggets series, but you can’t sport a negative star against a team this good.
Randle’s defense on Wemby remains the only silver lining of his play in this series. I feel I can’t accurately describe the level to which the eye test matches the numbers. Randle’s made field goals are keeping pace with his total fouls. His turnovers are doing the same to his assists.
Part of this is that Randle’s favorite passing partner, Donte Divincenzo, is out for the year with a torn achilles. But even that modicum of credit can’t undo all the bad.
In just a few words, Randle has been the Spurs second best player. And, with respect to Dylan Harper, it hasn’t been close. I fully expect Julius to be on another team next year. The question is if Rudy Gobert will join him.
However, let’s go back to that second best player question. It seems clear to me, as it does to most of Wolves twitter, that Harper is the second scariest player for the Wolves outside of that horrifying alien you guys call a center.
While DeAaron Fox and Stephon Castle continue to struggle with the defense looks they’re seeing, Dylan Harper was absolutely fantastic in Games 4 and 5. He was efficient, he got to the line, and in the fourth quarter, it was his constant driving that kept the Spurs in it when their shots went cold.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MAY 08: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs knocks the ball away from Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 08, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I’m curious if you think a move to the starting lineup is coming, as one is almost certainly in store for the Wolves. What would stop you from making that move? What scares you most about a potential Wolves rotational change?
J.R.
My kids are finally old enough and so I’m watching The Office with them for the first time. And right now I feel like Angela trying to choose between Andy and Dwight, because I really like Castle, but Harper is blowing up. I want to complement Dylan and talk about how awesome he has been and what his efficiency is doing for the Spurs in limited minutes, but I don’t want Stephon to know that I’m thinking all these things.
Fox is such a steady hand and his ability to manipulate the defense has been huge, but the rookie had that one on four fast break where Ayo tried to stop him, but he gave the double behind the back move (which I may not have even known was a thing) and took off to dunk it on everyone’s head. Only none of the four guys in white jerseys even got off the floor, so it turned into a showboat dunk instead.
Stop asking me difficult questions because I don’t want De’Aaron to drive a Prius over to my house and drive me into the hedges. I could talk about this for much longer, but you’ve asked me other questions so I’ll just adjust my clothes as I come back from the warehouse and hope that nobody notices.
There’s no way Coach Mitch adjusts the starting lineup at this point of the season. The last time, a difficult decision had to be made about the rotation, Johnson handled it perfectly though it took some time. Now Keldon Johnson has a 6MOTY trophy to show for it and the team is excited for him following in Manu’s footsteps. But the playoffs are not the time to mess with touchy situations like that unless the end is nigh.
As far as what scares me about Minnesota changing things up, that’s easy. I feel like everything I’ve seen so far the series has led me to expect the Spurs to win Game 6. Everybody has shown their cards, tactically, speaking, and so if all else remains the same, there isn’t much to keep the status quo from continuing. The Spurs are up 3-2, and so I like the status quo. If it’s all the same to you I’d prefer to keep things the way they are. Can we do that please?
Thilo
Can we? Maybe. Would I like us to? Absolutely not.
That being said, I’m sure this wasn’t the intention, but after back to back years of getting smacked by teams that are clearly in a different tier from these Wolves, I am more excited for this off-season than I should be considering it (likely) isn’t ending with a title and parade.
I am personally always in favor of tweaking things until the very end. Identity is found in continuity. Ceiling is found in change.
With that in mind, it seems unavoidable now to see that the Wolves are certainly a good playoff team, but not nearly good enough to win a title in the current Western Conference.
That leads us back to the question of where Randle and Gobert will be. And I am incredibly excited to see what Tim Connely and Co. will do with an off-season full of question marks and two teams that have clearly outpaced them.
The series isn’t over just yet though, and calling Game 6 would be premature. Maybe we’ll be back here, maybe we won’t but all we can hope for is a good game!
Nov 12, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
13 former Gonzaga Bulldogs suited up in the NBA this season, setting a new program record. As the 2026 playoffs get underway, seven of them punched postseason tickets, with one more agonizingly close to joining them. From a reigning champion hunting a repeat to a journeyman veteran soaking up garbage minutes on the hottest team in basketball, the Zag pipeline has never looked deeper. Here’s where every former Bulldog stands as the playoff race starts heating up.
Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals
OKC swept Phoenix in the first round, and then ran through and swept the Lakers in four (LeBron’s team never led a single game at any point). They’re now sitting in the Western Conference Finals at 8-0 waiting on whoever survives Spurs-Wolves. The defending champs are doing exactly what defending champs are supposed to do.
The Thunder were the #1 seed for the second straight year, Holmgren was a first-time All-Star and DPOY finalist, and he signed a five-year $240 million max extension last July. His regular-season line was 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and a team-high 1.9 blocks across 69 starts.
His playoff numbers are actually better than last year’s championship run: 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 60% from the floor, compared to 15.2 and 8.7 boards across 23 games in 2025. The signature moment came in Game 2 against the Lakers when OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander landed in foul trouble in the third. Holmgren took over in his absence and finished with 22 points and nine boards. OKC won by 18.
Chet Holmgren has been UNREAL this postseason 🤯
It feels like he can’t miss right now 🔥
His efficiency has somehow been even better than OKC’s championship run last season 🏆 pic.twitter.com/SdGNJR1GZn
Only two former Zags have ever won a ring (Adam Morrison and Austin Daye), and neither played a meaningful role for their respective squads. If Holmgren and the Thunder hoist the championship trophy once again, he’ll be the first former Bulldog to win back-to-back titles while actually playing a meaningful role: big minutes on a big contract as the second-best player on the best team in the sport.
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) May 6, 2026
Kelly Olynyk | San Antonio Spurs | SAS leads MIN 3-2
Thirteen years in the league. Seven teams. Kelly Olynyk has seen everything, and this season he landed on the best roster of his career. The role is what it is: 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists in under 10 minutes a night, zero starts across 42 games. But Olynyk is a guy who knows how to stick, and the Spurs are glad to have the veteran insurance behind Wembanyama.
The story behind those stunning Spurs “Men in Black” suits?
Kelly Olynyk gifted custom-tailored suits to EVERY single one of his teammates, made by AMIN, a small NYC tailor, to mark the Spurs’ playoff comeback.
And what a team to be part of. San Antonio went 62-20 this season, second-best record in the league, and have looked every bit that caliber in the playoffs. Wembanyama is doing some unprecedented basketball things: 27 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the Game 5 throttling of Minnesota that pushed the Spurs to a 3-2 series lead.
Game 6 is tonight in Minnesota, and if the Spurs close it out, Olynyk would be heading to the Western Conference Finals for just the second time in his career, the first being that remarkable 2020 Miami Heat run where he dropped 24 in a Finals game against the Lakers. He’s been around long enough to know what this moment is worth.
Rui Hachimura | Los Angeles Lakers | Eliminated — Second Round (swept by OKC)
The Lakers went out in a sweep, but Rui Hachimura had nothing to do with it. Over 10 playoff games (six against Houston in the first round, four against OKC), he averaged 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.3 threes per game while shooting 54.9% from the floor and 56.9% from three. That three-point percentage is the highest in NBA playoff history.
Rui Hachimura INSANE 3-point shooting
Regular season: 44.3% (3.9 attempts per game) Playoffs: 57.1% (5.3 attempts per game) pic.twitter.com/Mvcg02GA1B
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) May 8, 2026
He scored in double digits in every single game. He hit five or more threes twice. In Game 4 against OKC, with the Lakers’ season on the line and Hachimura coming off 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, coach JJ Redick pulled him from the floor for the final 12 seconds, trailing by three, and drew up a play for Austin Reaves that didn’t work. The internet did not take it well, and honestly, fair enough.
The kicker is that Hachimura heads into the summer as an unrestricted free agent off the best postseason of his career. His regular season line was a more modest 11.5 points in 32 minutes, but the playoffs revealed what Gonzaga fans already knew: the dude’s a winner. The Lakers would be wise to bring him back. See below for some Zag on Zag playoff violence.
Jalen Suggs | Orlando Magic | Eliminated, First Round (lost Game 7 to Detroit)
The fifth overall pick in 2021 keeps adding chapters to a career that consistently delivers on the defensive end while leaving the offensive ceiling somewhat unresolved. This season was his best yet in terms of playmaking: a career-high 5.4 assists to go with 13.9 points and 1.9 steals across 57 games, though injuries again cost him 25 regular-season games.
The Magic had to claw through the play-in just to face the top-seeded Pistons, which made their seven-game push all the more impressive. Suggs had his moments: 16 points in Game 1, 19 points in Game 2. But Game 7 told the familiar story. Six points on 2-of-9 shooting, four steals and two blocks, a guy who showed up fully on one end and couldn’t find his shot when it mattered most. Orlando lost 116-94 and went home.
At 24, he still has time to round it out, and the defensive reputation is legitimate. But for a former Zag billed as a two-way star coming out of Spokane, the scoring consistency and injury concerns linger.
Julian Strawther | Denver Nuggets | Eliminated, First Round (lost to Minnesota 4-2)
The frustrating part of the Strawther story is the timing. Across a 57-game regular season, he averaged 7.2 points in a limited role, but when Denver’s injury situation opened the door in the final stretch, he walked through it: 22 points against OKC, then 25 against San Antonio in the regular season finale, looking every bit like a guy who belonged in the rotation. Then the playoffs started, the full roster came back, and coach David Adelman dropped him entirely. He was a DNP by Game 2 against Minnesota.
Denver lost to the Timberwolves in six. Strawther watched.
Nuggets go to Chicago (pindown + handoff) action for Cam Johnson, it's defended well, so they find Julian Strawther on the second side.
He is 24, still on a rookie deal, and the shot’s still there. But three years in, the NBA has yet to deliver him a consistent role on a team that has consistently needed wings. That’s a front office problem as much as a player one, and next year’s situation bears watching.
Love when Denver empties out a side of the floor in semi-transition and goes to this inverted pick-and-pop between Nikola Jokić and Julian Strawther pic.twitter.com/5aLtCU9sct
Corey Kispert | Atlanta Hawks | Eliminated, First Round (lost to New York 4-2)
Corey’s season has two acts. Act one: a bench role in Washington on a rebuilding team going nowhere. Act two: a January trade to Atlanta as part of the Trae Young deal, landing him on a Hawks squad that nobody expected to make the playoffs, and then proceeded to go 46-36 and win the 6-seed outright. In 39 games with Atlanta, Kispert averaged 9.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 threes in 18.2 minutes off the bench. Solid. Useful. Exactly what a role player on a good team is supposed to be.
The playoff run ended at the hands of the Knicks in six. Kispert’s Game 6 line was four points on 1-of-7 shooting in a 140-89 blowout.
He is under contract through next season and will turn 27 in March. The shooting stroke is as smooth as it’s ever been, and his role in Atlanta is well defined. For a former Gonzaga wing who came into the league with questions about whether the shot would travel, the answer has been yes, consistently, for five years now.
Well, ALRIGHT then, Corey Kispert. Career-high 33 points on 77.8% true shooting against his former team. pic.twitter.com/jAUVi51Ep3
Drew Timme | Los Angeles Lakers | Did Not Make the Playoff Roster
Gonzaga’s all-time leading scorer spent the year bouncing between the Lakers and their G League affiliate in South Bay, once again searching for the right team to make the right choice and just give him an actual contract. When the Lakers’ frontcourt got thin mid-season, Timme stepped in and made the most of it: a career-high 21 points against Portland, LeBron James publicly calling him “an NBA player” after the game, genuine organizational buzz around a guy who had been fighting for a foothold in the league for three years.
Then the playoffs arrived, and the Lakers had one roster spot to fill. They chose guard Nick Smith Jr. over Timme, citing backcourt depth with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both banged up. Timme’s two-way contract made him ineligible regardless, and that was that.
He finished the regular season averaging 3.4 points in 23 NBA appearances, numbers that don’t begin to capture what he showed in his best moments. The G League numbers do: averaging over 24 points per game with South Bay this season. At 25, he needs a standard contract and a real role, and there’s enough tape now to suggest he deserves a shot at both.
Three Gonzaga alums get the starting nod in the Los Angeles Lakers (Rui Hachimura, Drew Timme) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Chet Holmgren) matchup. https://t.co/mn0WfV1PNH
— The Slipper Still Fits (@slipperstillfit) April 8, 2026
Thirteen Zags on NBA rosters, seven in the playoffs, one hunting a second straight championship, and another setting all-time playoff shooting records. From Holmgren anchoring a dynasty to Timme scratching for every minute on a two-way deal, the full spectrum of what an NBA career looks like runs right through Gonzaga’s alumni list this year.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today marks five days without Knicks basketball, as a week-long wait to determine their opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals slowly draws to an end. Whether it’s tonight in Cleveland or Sunday in Detroit, the Knicks will know their opponents soon enough.
But who should Knicks fans want to face with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line? Well, with a massive Game 6 just hours away, let’s break down the pros and cons of both potential opponents as we creep closer to the Knicks finally getting back on the hardwood.
Why they should want the Pistons:
✅ Lack of ballhandlers around Cade Cunningham: The worst-kept secret around Detroit’s offense is their lack of creating offense when Cunningham sits or doesn’t have the ball in his hands. St. John’s product Daniss Jenkins has served as the team’s secondary ballhandler, but has been extremely inconsistent. There have been times when, if Cunningham is held under wraps and is turning the ball over, their offense grinds to a halt.
✅ Limited 3-point shooting: The Knicks’ defense has been one of the best in basketball since late January, but they’ve still struggled in one key metric. Defending the perimeter has been a massive problem all season long, and they’ve allowed teams to grill them from beyond the arc many times, including the Pistons themselves. That said, the law of averages seems to suggest that a team that was 17th in 3pt% and 29th in 3pa per game isn’t much of a threat behind the arc.
They’ve actually shot it pretty well overall in this series against Cleveland, but they continue to attempt under 30 per game. A team shooting 10/25 from three is less impactful than a team shooting 14/35, even if both are 40%, so the Knicks won’t have to worry about Celtics-esque barrages even on good shooting nights.
✅ Jalen Duren’s struggles: You know what’s interesting? Of the 12 games Duren has missed this season, three of them were against the Knicks, so he hasn’t played them since Game 6 of last year’s first-round matchup. Even though we didn’t see him live, he put up an All-NBA caliber season and truly emerged as one of the league’s premier centers.
And then the playoffs started. For some unbelievable reason, he’s been utterly putrid through 12 games, averaging just 10.1 points and 8.3 rebounds on 50% from the field, all massive drops from the regular season. He’s looked timid at the rim and is getting benched late in games for Paul Reed. Unless he can find something in the next two games, you’ll be looking at Detroit’s second-best player entering the series as a startled mess of himself, giving Cade even less help.
✅ Cade’s turnover woes: Speaking of Cade, he cannot stop turning it over. The Knicks thrived off turning over Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers in the four-game sweep in the second round and they suddenly face someone who’s rewriting the record books with turnovers.
In Cunningham’s 18 career playoff games, he’s averaging over five turnovers a night. He’s had three games of at least eight turnovers, five games of at least seven turnovers, and nine games of at least six turnovers. He’s never had a game with fewer than three, and his playmaking impact is similarly diminished as his assist-to-turnover ratio plummets. On a team with not many secondary scorers and playmakers, the scrutiny on the head of the snake becomes all the more focused.
Why they shouldn’t want the Pistons:
🚫 Regular-season struggles: The regular season does not matter in the playoffs; we know this from years of trial and error, but it’s at least a datapoint ahead of any series. The Pistons went 3-0 with a +84 point differential in three meetings with the Knicks this season. For about 10 out of those 12 quarters, it looked like a contender playing a G-League team. The Knicks’ offense, which was 4th best in the sport all season long, was held to 90, 80, and 111 points in three meetings.
Of course, these meetings took place between January 1 and February 20. These teams are very different from what they were in that snapshot of the season, and there are injury factors on both sides. That said, the Pistons would enter this series with a feeling of “we punked these guys all year long” rather than the feeling of last year’s defeat.
🚫 No home court advantage: If the Knicks played the Cavs, they’d get to play four out of seven games at the World’s Most Famous Arena, a place where they’re 34-11. If they played Detroit, they’d have to travel to Little Caesars Arena for a true road game, not like we saw in Atlanta and Philly.
🚫 Ausar Thompson and a hellacious defense: What makes the Pistons an extremely tough team to play is the utter devastation of their defense. Their bigs play physical, they have guards and wings who are willing defenders, and, of course, they have Ausar Thompson. There are not many players in the NBA that I think can properly stick with Jalen Brunson, but the Thompson twins are two of them. No team gave this offense more fits than Detroit this season.
🚫 Revenge factor: Despite dominating the Knicks in the regular season, the Pistons will have a sour taste in their mouths after losing an incredibly competitive first-round series a year ago to a very similar Knicks team. We saw these guys play with a level of fire and desire that you rarely see in the regular season during the three meetings, and with a spot in the NBA Finals on the line, I cannot imagine the intensity would drop one bit.
Why they should want the Cavaliers:
✅ Lack of a Brunson stopper: Jalen Brunson would rather be guarded by another VJ Edgecombe or Kelly Oubre Jr. than by Dyson Daniels. The Cavs have Dean Wade and Max Strus as their primary options to guard the Knicks’ captain, and while both are bigger and more formidable than Edgecombe, they lack the level of sheer smothering that Ausar can give. The key to winning any series is a great series from Brunson, and he’s more likely to do that against Cleveland’s defense.
✅ Overall defensive concerns: Donovan Mitchell and James Harden aren’t two abysmal defenders, but both are relatively small and will be hunted by the likes of Brunson and a hopefully healthy OG Anunoby on switches. Cleveland isn’t the most stout defensively, even if they roster a former Defensive Player of the Year winner.
✅ Turnovers: No team has been more turnover-prone than Cleveland in this postseason (well, except the Lakers) with 16.6 a game. They’re also allowing a playoff-high 22.1 PPG off turnovers, something that plays directly into the hands of a Knicks team that has feasted off turnovers (18.6 points off 14.6 opponent turnovers).
With the on-and-off nature of Mitchell and Harden in this postseason, it seems like there will always be one of them to target and turn over to get easy points in transition.
✅ Mitchell Robinson: Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are still recovering from the PR hit from how Robinson victimized them in the postseason three years ago and both have been heavily scrutinized whenever they underperform in the playoffs since.
With Mobley being shockingly absent on the boards over the last few games even with Duren’s disappearing act, you have to imagine Mike Brown is licking his chops at the possibility of deploying Karl-Anthony Towns and Robinson together against Cleveland’s double big lineup.
✅ Home court advantage: No matter if the series ends tonight or on Sunday, the Cavs will have to travel to New York to play just two days later. If they close it out tonight, they’d have to do so with an even shorter turnaround, playing at 3:30 on Sunday.
Why they shouldn’t want the Cavaliers:
🚫 More creation and scoring: Cunningham is the only guy on Detroit who can create his own offense, something it makes their offense easier to gameplan against. With Cleveland, they have two perennial All-NBA guards who are both capable of scoring 30 on any given night and will absolutely look to hunt a Brunson mismatch at any opportunity.
🚫 Challenging defensive assignment: How would you manage to match the starting five with Cleveland’s? Sure, you put Mikal Bridges on Spida, Anunoby on Harden, and KAT on Allen, but after that?
Is Josh Hart able to stick Evan Mobley and impact him the way he did Jalen Johnson? Are we sure Brunson against Strus or Wade won’t lead to problems? Against a team like this, the lineups may need to be more flexible. Could Robinson start?
🚫 Significantly more shooting: Duncan Robinson, Kevin Huerter, and Javonte Green are the biggest perimeter threats for Detroit. When you compare that to Harden, Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Sam Merrill, and Strus/Wade for Cleveland, it’s a significant difference. They can grill you with both volume and efficiency.
Game 6 between the Cavaliers and Pistons is set for 7 p.m. ET in Cleveland, with the Cavs holding a 3-2 series lead.
Spurs
Timberwolves
Pistons
Cavaliers
