BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich came from behind and finished the match with nine players in a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, allowing Borussia Dortmund to close to within nine points of the Bundesliga leader.
Luis Díaz, who scored the equalizer following Aleix García's opener, was sent off in the 84th minute for a second yellow card. Nicolas Jackson had received a red card in the 42nd minute.
Leverkusen took the lead in the sixth minute after Montrell Culbreath stole the ball off Díaz and fed it to Patrik Schick, who set up García on the edge of the box. The midfielder slotted home with a deflected shot.
The hosts defended well to contain Bayern's attempts to come back, and frustration showed when Jackson was sent off before halftime for a late challenge on Martin Terrier.
Bayern played with third-choice goalkeeper Sven Ulreich because Manuel Neuer has a calf issue and backup Jonas Urbig was concussed in the 6-1 win over Atalanta midweek in the Champions League. Ulreich denied an effort from Schick in a one-on-one situation at the hour mark just before Harry Kane came on.
Back from a calf injury, Kane played for the first time since Feb. 28 after scoring eight goals in his past four Bundesliga games. He fired the ball into an empty net in the 62nd minute but it was disallowed for blocking the goalkeeper's clearance with a hand in the buildup.
Diaz leveled in the 69th with a low shot from Michael Olise's precise setup. The Colombia winger later received a second yellow card for diving and Bayern was down to nine men with six minutes left to play. The hosts could not snatch the win despite pushing hard until the end as Jonas Hofmann had a goal ruled out deep in stoppage time.
Bayern hasn’t won at Leverkusen in the league since October 2021.
Dortmund beats Augsburg
Dortmund was in total control throughout the first half and Augsburg was lucky to trail by just one goal at halftime. Karim Adeyemi broke the deadlock in the 13th and had several other chances, hitting the woodwork twice. Luca Reggiani made it 2-0 in the 59th.
Hoffenheim, aiming to qualify for Champions League for first time since the 2018-19 season, stayed third — 17 points behind Bayern — after a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Wolfsburg. Eintracht Frankfurt beat Heidenheim 1-0 with a goal from Arnaud Kalimuendo.
The stars will be out in Hollywood as LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Los Angeles Lakers host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
My Nuggets vs. Lakers predictions expect the visiting team to cover the spread, with Nikola Jokic picking apart the pitiful defense of Los Angeles.
Here are my free NBA picks for this powerhouse showdown on Saturday, March 14.
Nuggets vs Lakers prediction
Nuggets vs Lakers best bet: Nuggets -3 (-110)
DeAndre Ayton’s pitiful 117.1 defensive rating ranks 32nd among 40 centers averaging at least 27 minutes per game.
He won’t have any answer for the size and physicality of the Denver Nuggets' frontcourt, who will feast down low.
The Los Angeles Lakers lack quality defenders to throw at Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and a cast of capable 3-point shooters.
Expect plenty of drive-and-kick opportunities for Murray to feed teammates and some quality looks in the lane as Aaron Gordon and Jokic pull interior defenders out to the perimeter.
Denver has unlimited ways to score and pull away tonight.
Nuggets vs Lakers same-game parlay
Denver has played in plenty of high-scoring games, going 26-10 to the Over on the road. The Lakers are 20-14 to the Over at home, and will do their fair share of scoring against a Nuggets defense ranked 22nd.
Jokic has been so effective stuffing the stat sheet that his odds to record a triple-double are down at -150.
He’s recorded one in three straight, four of his last five, and six of his last 10. Joker has reached the statistical milestone in three straight head-to-head matchups, and he’s averaged 22.9 points, 13 rebounds, and 8.8 assists over his last 10 matchups against his pal Luka Doncic.
Nuggets vs Lakers SGP
Nuggets -3
Over 245.5
Nikola Jokic triple-double
Our "from downtown" SGP: Stars shine brightest
Luka Doncic recorded a 51/10/9 line in his last outing, narrowly missing a second straight triple-double. He’s got seven on the season, including one of two games against Denver.
I expect him to be at his best against a Nuggets team that ranks 23rd in defensive rating (119.9) across its last five games.
LeBron James returned from a three-game absence and went for 18/7/7 against the Chicago Bulls. He’s recorded two games with double-digit boards and 11 with double-digit dimes.
Double-doubles haven’t been easy to come by for King James, but Luka Doncic will need help to keep pace with the Nuggets’ top-rated offense.
Nuggets vs Lakers SGP
Nikola Jokic triple-double
Luka Doncic triple-double
LeBron James double-double
Nuggets vs Lakers odds
Spread: Nuggets -3 | Lakers +3
Moneyline: Nuggets -155 | Lakers +130
Over/Under: Over 245.5 | Under 245.5
Nuggets vs Lakers betting trend to know
The Denver Nuggets have hit the game total Over in 35 of their last 50 away games (+18.53 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Lakers.
How to watch Nuggets vs Lakers
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
Nuggets vs Lakers latest injuries
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DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland kept alive its Six Nations title hopes and buried Scotland's in a familiar-looking 43-21 victory to launch the final round on Saturday.
The Irish are three points ahead of France, which hosts England in the day's last match in Paris. France can take the title by beating England or even drawing with a bonus point.
If not, Ireland could emerge as the champion from starting the day in third place.
“It's a rare day as an Irishman to be cheering them (England) but we have controlled what we can control and now we'll sit back and be cheering them on later,” Ireland captain Caelan Doris told broadcaster ITV.
The Irish at least won the Triple Crown for a fourth time in five seasons, denying the Scots their first sweep of the home nations since 1990.
Both sides began the match with title ambitions. But to win their first title since 1999, the Scots had ghosts to exorcize. They'd won only once in Dublin in 26 years, not since 2010, and never at Aviva Stadium. They'd also lost their last 11 contests to Ireland.
Ireland's modus operandi was power, controlling the gainline, and relentless pressure. They smashed a Scotland side that put 50 points and seven tries on hapless France last weekend.
“We saw what their attack was capable of last week and again today it came in waves, but our defense stood up and big moments helped keep them out,” Doris said.
“There were some calm heads in there which was helped by the fact we had scoreboard pressure throughout from a fast start which we aimed for as well. It felt composed out there and it was good.”
Ireland started fast again, scored six tries — three in each half — with five converted by Jack Crowley who added a penalty. Scotland trailed 19-7 at halftime and twice rallied to within five points, but each time Ireland had a quick response.
“I’m gutted,” Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu said. “We really set our sights on coming here and getting a result but Ireland were too good today. I think we’ve made progression but we want to be where these guys are with a trophy.”
The game was intense and lively from the start.
The first scrum earned a penalty that moved Ireland into the Scotland 22. Fast hands fed fullback Jamie Osborne bursting between the posts for their quickest try of this championship, just after two minutes.
Scotland fired back in 19 phases. With big gains by forwards Jack Dempsey and George Turner, Finn Russell orchestrating, Darcy Graham finished out wide for his Scotland record-extending 38th try.
But an offside penalty against Graham sent Scotland reeling back to its tryline again, and Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan shot out of a collapsing maul for his 18th try, extending his Six Nations record for a forward.
Ireland was 19-7 ahead after 19 minutes with a try from first phase when midfielder Stuart McCloskey threw a huge pass to unmarked right wing Robert Baloucoune, whose pace beat the cover.
Ireland's defense in its 22 then turned over Scotland three times before halftime.
The Scottish backs finally clicked in the second half with tries by Russell and Rory Darge, but Ireland quickly restored 12-point leads after converted tries by Darragh Murray, a brief blood-bin replacement for the immense Tadhg Beirne, and winger Tommy O'Brien.
Crowley added a penalty to give Ireland a three-score lead and Irish supporters broke into song. Just for unnecessary gloss to the scoreline, O'Brien scored his second try of the match after Tuipulotu spilled the ball with time up.
Keegan Murray's season-long battle with injuries continues, and the Kings' best young player will be out at least two more weeks with a sprained left ankle, the team announced Friday.
With Sacramento focused on its draft position and having already shut down a number of key players — Domantas Sabonis (back), Zach LaVine (finger), De'Andre Hunter (eye) — there will be no rush to get Murray back on the court.
Murray played in at least 76 games in each of his first three NBA seasons, but has battled injuries all season long. He was delayed in starting the season due to thumb surgery, but what really has slowed him is a sprained left ankle. He missed 20 games starting just after the first of the year with the sprained left ankle, returned to play four games and then re-injured that same ankle. That's where things stand now.
When he has played this season, the 25-year-old wing has averaged 14 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He has struggled with his shot this season, which is about the injuries and not a long-term concern.
Murray signed a five-year, $140 million contract extension with the Kings that kicks in next season.
Sacramento is tanking to get a young star to pair with Murray, which is another reason not to rush him back. The Kings have the worst record in the Western Conference and are in a "race" with Indiana and Washington for the league's worst record.
As you would expect at this stage of the season, there are some lopsided spreads on today’s hoops schedule. However, we also get three monster matchups with big-time seeding stakes.
My NBA picks target those battles, with the San Antonio Spurs facing the frisky Charlotte Hornets, a Nikola Jokic-Luka Doncic duel, and an all-Florida showdown in the tight East playoff race.
Here are my favorite NBA player props for the March 14 slate.
Prop #1: Stephon Castle Over 23.5 points + assists
-105 at bet365
Stephon Castle notched his third career triple-double in Thursday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets, and he’s a prime candidate for another do-it-all effort today against the Hornets.
He’s gone past this combo prop number in three straight outings, and he’s shooting 43% from downtown this month.
With the San Antonio Spurs still chasing the No.1 seed in the West, there’s no margin for error, and Castle could see even more touches this afternoon if Victor Wembanyama and Dylan Harper — both questionable — sit out.
Plus, Castle had 16 points and nine dimes in Charlotte in late January.
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Prime
Prop #2: Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
-120 at bet365
The Denver Nuggets are still searching for their best form in the lead-up to the playoffs, but Nikola Jokic has dished 12+ dimes in four of his past five outings, including a win over L.A. earlier this month.
The Nuggets lead the NBA with 120.6 points per game, and Joker’s passing is also the spark for their league-best 39% mark from beyond the arc.
While the Lakers are on a four-game win streak, they just don’t have the frontcourt options to contain Jokic here. If JJ Redick’s men lean on double teams, the three-time MVP will be surgical in making the right reads.
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ABC
Prop #3: Desmond Bane Over 4.5 assists
-120 at bet365
Give the Orlando Magic credit. Despite a bumpy year, they’re up to fifth in the Eastern Conference after six straight victories. I’m jumping on this Over for Desmond Bane, who’s racked up 21 assists across his past three games.
Bane’s strong play is a big reason for Orlando’s rise, and he’ll be a key figure tonight against a Miami Heat team that’s matching the Magic’s scorching form. He’s averaging 5.6 assists so far in March, and he’s had five dimes in his last two outings against the Heat.
There’s a clear path to a big playmaking impact here for Bane, with Franz Wagner still out and Anthony Black joining him on the sidelines.
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The Atlanta Hawks will look to extend their season-long eight-game winning streak as they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday afternoon.
Atlanta handled Milwaukee on the road recently, and I’m taking it to cover again at home in my Bucks vs. Hawks predictions.
Let’s dive further into today’s matchup with my free NBA picks for Saturday, March 14.
Bucks vs Hawks prediction
Bucks vs Hawks best bet: Hawks -9.5 (-110)
The Atlanta Hawks are not just riding an eight-game winning streak, but they’ve also gone 7-1 against the spread in that span. The Atlanta offense is averaging 122.9 ppg during its current winning streak, while holding five opponents to 104 points or fewer in that span.
At the same time, the Milwaukee Bucks are scuffling, having lost seven of their last eight. That includes a 131-113 win for the Hawks against the Bucks in Milwaukee last week.
Atlanta should have at least as much success at home tonight, which is why I’m taking the Hawks to cover.
Bucks vs Hawks same-game parlay
Jalen Johnson is averaging 8.0 assists per game this season, and has Over 7.5 assists in four of his last five games.
Similarly, Dyson Daniels has gone Over 11.5 points in each of his last five games.
Bucks vs Hawks SGP
Hawks -9.5
Jalen Johnson Over 7.5 assists
Dyson Daniels Over 11.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Double-Double Daniels!
Daniels is capable of getting a double-double in a few different ways and has managed to hit that target in three of his last five games. He’s also picked up multiple steals in seven of his last eight games overall.
Over/Under: Over 227.5 (-110) | Under 227.5 (-110)
Bucks vs Hawks betting trend to know
The Hawks are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Hawks.
How to watch Bucks vs Hawks
Location
State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Date
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Tip-off
3:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN
Bucks vs Hawks 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 Miami Heat have won seven straight games, their longest win streak in 28 months, while also covering in all seven games.
The Orlando Magic, who visit Miami on Saturday, have won six in a row, going 4-2 ATS. Orlando has also won four straight over Miami, all this year, covering the last two.
Our Magic vs. Heat predictions and NBA picks like the Heat to continue their streak while stopping the Magic's.
Magic vs Heat prediction
Magic vs Heat best bet: Heat -3.5 (-115)
Both teams enter on win streaks, but the schedules tell a different story. The Orlando Magic's run came mostly against struggling teams, including three games against Washington, two each against Brooklyn and Milwaukee, and one against Dallas.
The Miami Heat's stretch includes wins over top-seed Detroit and No. 3 Houston, stronger opponents than Orlando has faced.
Miami could get Tyler Herro (quad) and Norman Powell (groin) back after recent absences, though Andrew Wiggins remains out. Orlando will be without Franz Walker, Anthony Black, and Jonathan Isaac.
Miami is 8-2-0 ATS in their last 10, and I like them to cover tonight.
Magic vs Heat same-game parlay
Miami plays at the fastest pace in the NBA, and, despite Orlando's attempts to slow things down, the four games they've played head-to-head have actually been even faster paced than Miami's season average.
Orlando has gone Over in its last three games and on four occasions during its winning streak.
So, Bam Adebayo has had himself a week. His 83-point outburst earned plenty of attention, and the notoriety he gained probably cost us in the odds on this prop. He's stepped up his scoring, however, averaging 24 ppg over the last 22.
Magic vs Heat SGP
Miami -3.5
Over 236.5
Bam Adebayo Over 22.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Bane Damage!
With Adebayo scoring on the increase and the potential of getting Herro and Powell back for the game, look for Jaime Jaquez to concentrate even more on distributing the ball to the scorers. He's had seven or more dimes in four of the last five games, including the last three.
Desmond Bane has scored 30 or more in two of the last four games. He's boosted his scoring average by 1.4 ppg since being dealt from Memphis at the deadline. Look for him to take on an even larger scoring role, with leading scorer Paolo Banchero tasked with at least helping out defending Adebayo.
Magic vs Heat SGP
Over 236.5 points
Bam Adebayo Over 22.5 points
Jaime Jaquez Jr. Over 4.5 assists
Desmond Bane Over 22.5 points
Magic vs Heat odds
Spread: Magic +3.5 (-110) | Heat -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Magic +136 | Heat -162
Over/Under: Over 235.5 (-115) | Under 235.5 (-105)
Magic vs Heat betting trend to know
This is just the second time the Heat has been favored in the last seven head-to-head matchups with the Magic. Miami is 4-2 ATS so far in those games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Heat.
How to watch Magic vs Heat
Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Date
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN
Magic vs Heat 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.
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 12: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 12, 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Aside from it being the Josh Minott career game, the Nets’ matchup with the Atlanta Hawks was a pretty forgettable bout. With the absence of Michael Porter Jr., Ziaire Williams, and Nolan Traore, Brooklyn was pretty much doomed from the start, especially with Atlanta on a surge to take the eighth seed of the Eastern Conference standings.
Oddly enough, the team they are competing with for said seed is the very opponent Brooklyn will face in this early afternoon I-95 matchup. Today, the Nets will take on the Philadelphia 76ers as they will look to avenge their 22 point loss against the Detroit Pistons and play a matinee in the City of Brotherly Love.
Where To Watch
Catch the early action today at 1:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.
Injury Report
Nic Claxton (rest), MPJ (right ankle sprain), Drake Powell (left knee management) will all be out tonight. Egor Demin and Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb UCL tear) are of course out for the season. The two-ways should be available and we may see the NBA debut of combo guard Malachi Smith, called up from Long Island Friday. He’ll be wearing No. 18. If he plays, he’ll be the eighth Nets player to make his NBA debut this season, following the Flatbush Five, Grant Nelson and Chaney Johnson.
Bad news for the 76ers as well.
Joel Embiid (oblique), Tyrese Maxey (right pinkie finger), Kelly Oubre (left elbow sprain) will be out. Adem Bona (back) and old friend Andre Drummond (back) are questionable.
The Game
Today will be yet another Nets game where there is an injury fest. With most of the X factors unavailable, the quality of basketball that both teams play will determine the winner. Early weekend afternoon games are usually not so great either
The 76ers have been under immense pressure as of late with the amount of losses they have accumulated at this point of the season, as well as the decisions of the front office.
Most recently, the President of Basketball Operations decided to let go of former first round draft pick Jared McCain and send him to the Thunder. That decision has led to McCain averaging 11.2 PPG (five points higher) and a higher three point percentage 42.3 % compared to 37.8% earlier this season.
Meanwhile, the tank — excuse us, playing the probabilities — continues. The Nets are two and a half games out of the top spot in the Draft lottery. If they lose to Philly, they’ll be tied once again with the Wizards for third, at least until this evening when Washington plays Boston starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. Brooklyn has 16 games left.
Player to Watch
Even though his light is not as bright as it was in the beginning of the season and both Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel have taken the spotlight, V.J. Edgecombe is still a name that must be talked about in this rookie class. With averages of 15.3 PPG, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, Edgecombe just has that “it” factor you can’t teach. Blessed with extraordinary athleticism and feel for the game, Edgecombe also has a competitive nature that allows him to rise to the moment, hence All Star Weekend.
VJ Edgecombe wins MVP of the Rising Stars tournament 🏆👏
Nobody celebrates losses, let alone ones in the dog days of March. But if you’re looking for signs about where this Celtics team is headed, this road trip provided plenty of those.
The Celtics beat Cleveland to kick off the road trip, but then fell to the top two teams in the West. They gave one away in San Antonio after Jaylen Brown’s ejection and fell two points short in Oklahoma City without Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. Nikola Vučević continues to recover from his right ring finger fracture, so he missed both games as well.
In the standings, these are just two losses. Zoom out, though, and this was about as encouraging an 0–2 stretch as Boston could have produced. The road trip won’t satisfy anyone’s appetite for wins, but this time of year is more about figuring out what you actually have, and whether it will be enough when the games start to really matter.
If the point of this trip was to learn how Boston stacks up against the best of the West, the Celtics came away with plenty to like. They were short-handed, still integrating Tatum back into the mix versus San Antonio, and asking a lot of role players and young guys in high-leverage spots. Even so, they looked competitive, deep, and annoyingly resilient against two teams that could absolutely be playing in June.
The Celtics did not leave San Antonio and Oklahoma City with wins, but they did leave with evidence that this group might be sturdier and deeper than many of us thought — and capable of making elite teams uncomfortable even when the circumstances are far from ideal.
San Antonio tested the Celtics’ composure
The Spurs game could have unraveled in a dozen different ways, none of which would have involved Jaylen Brown being ejected.
Jaylen Brown lost his cool with the refs and got ejected, then tried to charge at an official and tried to push through his own security for a while before eventually heading back to the locker room pic.twitter.com/xoD382pags
Boston was already without Payton Pritchard and Vučević, then lost Brown in the second quarter on a double technical that everyone in green seemed to find absurd. Joe Mazzulla had his principal-versus-hall monitor line ready postgame. Derrick White called the second tech “bulls—.” Jayson Tatum made it clear he thought the officials were too eager to make themselves part of the show.
That might have been the most useful takeaway from the Spurs loss. Not that Brown got a rough whistle or that Victor Wembanyama is still a basketball glitch. Not even that White had a season-high 34 and Ron Harper Jr. dropped a career-high 22. It was that Boston got hit with a game-altering event against one of the hottest teams in the league and still made San Antonio work for everything.
Despite the early chaos, the Celtics were tied 58-58 at halftime. White then detonated for 19 points in the third quarter just to keep Boston within reach while Wembanyama kept answering everything with another three, another dunk, another reminder that he is somehow both enormous and fluid. Tatum, still on a minutes restriction and still feeling his way back into game shape, had a personal 7-0 run in the fourth that briefly made it feel like Boston might pull it off.
The loss exposed the margin for error against elite teams, sure, but it also showed how Boston tends to respond when things go sideways.
This group did not get shell-shocked or turn inward when they got thrown a curveball. They did not start playing like a team waiting for somebody else to save it. White kept cooking. Harper kept firing. Tatum kept competing. Mazzulla kept searching for answers, even if some of those answers involved getting weird with matchups and asking more from Garza, Walsh, and the rest of the rotation.
There was also something instructive in how Boston chose to defend Wembanyama. Mazzulla admitted afterward that, “against a player like that, you are constantly deciding what you can live with”. The Celtics clearly decided that if Wembanyama was going to beat them, they preferred him doing more damage away from the basket. That gamble burned them because he hit eight threes, but it wasn’t a crazy gamble. Sometimes a seven-foot-five alien buries your process anyway.
The bigger takeaway was that Boston stayed connected enough to make the game matter into the final minutes even after losing Brown and dealing with Wembanyama with his chaos dial turned up to eleven.
Yes, there was plenty of frustration afterward about the officiating and how the game unfolded. That was unavoidable, and arguably warranted. But underneath that frustration was something else: the Celtics sounded like a team that believed they had let a winnable game slip away.
That’s actually a pretty healthy sign.
Oklahoma City showed how real Boston’s depth might be
If the Spurs game felt like a bar fight, the Thunder game felt more like a high-speed chess match.
Boston went into Oklahoma City without Tatum, without White, and still without Vučević. The Thunder were also missing pieces, but they still had Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and the best record in the league.
The Celtics still came within one missed Payton Pritchard three of stealing the game entirely.
In fact, that might be the biggest reason this road trip felt so encouraging. The Thunder game turned into a showcase for all the players Boston will need when the games start to tighten up later in the spring. Brown was excellent, pouring in 34 points and seven assists while basically dragging the offense through long stretches. Pritchard looked like exactly the kind of bench guard every contender wishes it had, fearless and twitchy and apparently born to attempt impossible late-clock shots. Baylor Scheierman kept knocking down big threes. Hugo Gonzalez gave meaningful minutes, as did Jordan Walsh. Garza stretched the floor. Queta battled. Ron Harper Jr. kept doing Ron Harper Jr. things.
Payton Pritchard was asked what he’s learning about some of the young Celtics coming off the bench:
“We’re not learning anything. You guys have already seen it. They come ready to play and play winning basketball. So it’s nothing new.”
That’s a lot of useful contributions from a lot of different places.
For most of the season, Boston’s depth has been discussed as a nice story. Against Oklahoma City, the ‘young wolves’ looked more like a bunch of useful playoff assets. Not because Mazzulla is going to run 10 deep in a Finals game, but because the Celtics have a real collection of players who can hold up when a matchup or injury situation demands it. In last year’s playoffs, we saw just how severely injuries can change things in an instant.
Boston led 59-56 at halftime largely because the bench had 27 points and the ball was popping. They were up 83-80 after three, with the young guys continuing to make winning plays against one of the league’s most disciplined teams.
Oklahoma City is not the kind of team that accidentally lets role players feel good. The Thunder pressure every decision, make simple actions feel crowded, and turn “decent” into “a little rushed”. That slight rush is often enough to throw a wrench into any offense, but Boston handled it better than I expected.
Not perfectly, of course. The fourth quarter got sloppy and the turnovers were an issue all game. Shai got to his spots and looked, as always, like a man operating under different laws of physics. But the larger point remains: Boston looked like it belonged in that game, and it looked that way while missing two starters.
There is another layer to this, too. The Thunder seemed relieved to survive. Their fans were talking about a Finals preview, while their players and commenters were praising Boston’s shooting and toughness. That is usually a decent clue – great teams know when another great team has made them feel uncomfortable.
The Celtics did that.
OKC WINS A THRILLER ON SHAI'S RECORD-SETTING NIGHT!
SGA for the lead with 29.6 to play. JB ties it with 21.9. Chet gets fouled with 0.8. Makes both free throws. OKC holds on. pic.twitter.com/nlo8nZOIgX
And they did it while still very clearly having room to grow. Tatum, White, and Vučević were all out, meaning Brown had to do too much at times. Pritchard had to create more than usual. The rotation bent in ways that probably will not be necessary in a healthier, more settled playoff version of this team.
But Boston still nearly won anyway, and for a loss, that is about as useful as it gets.
Two losses, one pretty good reminder
Maybe the cleanest way to put it is this: the Celtics did not look overmatched against the Spurs or the Thunder.
San Antonio and Oklahoma City are two wildly different problems. One can throw Wembanyama at your entire offensive ecosystem and dare you to solve advanced geometry in real time. The other makes every possession feel sped up and slightly cruel.
Boston lost both games, but never looked out of place. In March, when you’re trying to figure out what kind of team you actually have before the playoffs arrive, that matters.
Because if these two games showed anything, it’s that the Celtics still look like a team nobody is going to enjoy having to beat four times out of seven.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 19: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics react during the first quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 19, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
These days, Gordon Hayward doesn’t watch a ton of NBA basketball. The former NBA All-Star prioritizes family, hanging out with his five children. In his free time, he golfs, a hobby he picked up after retiring from the NBA in 2024.
But the former Celtic has paid enough attention this year to be thoroughly impressed with what the Celtics have pulled off en route to the East’s second-best record.
“You’ve got to credit Joe Mazzulla and how he’s gotten the boys playing,” Hayward told CelticsBlog. “And JB and Payton Pritchard – and Derrick White’s a winner. And, all the guys that are just playing their roles.”
Hayward was on the Celtics from 2017 to 2020, signing with Boston just months after Jayson Tatum was drafted. Jaylen Brown, meanwhile, was beginning his second season in the NBA.
And, from the jump, both young forwards impressed Hayward, who was fresh off his first All-Star appearance and in the prime of his career.
“I can remember playing in a pickup game in the fall the year I got there, and like JT had every shot that you could have, at however young he was, 19 years old, which was really impressive,” Hayward said of Tatum. “Like most of the time, you have some deficiencies early on, but he could score at three levels in a pickup game against pros.”
Brown impressed Hayward in his own right; right away, Hayward was struck by the 21-year-old’s natural physique.
“I had worked my whole career, my whole life, to get up to be – I was about 6’7, 6’8 – 225, 230 pounds,” Hayward said. “And JB was, like, walking into the league, basically around that. And so it’s like, ‘Wow, this dude is a specimen.’ Unreal athleticism, smart. He’s playing at an MVP [level this] year.”
Still, the now 35-year-old can’t say he saw this level of success coming. Together, Tatum and Brown have been to five conference finals and two NBA Finals. They’ve won a championship and accrued a collective 11 All-Star appearances (Tatum has 6, Brown has 5) before either has turned 30.
“I knew they were good,” Hayward said. “I didn’t know they would be this good.”
(Hayward spoke to CelticsBlog as part of his partnership with Colgate: “I’ve got five kids, and teeth brushing and oral hygiene is big in our family,” he said. “It’s a fight, it’s a struggle every night to try to get these kids to prevent bad things from happening. I try to tell them, ‘Don’t be like your dad and get cavities and root canals.’ So, let’s brush our teeth. Let’s use the toothpaste.”)
Gordon Hayward recalls watching the Celtics from the sidelines
Just six minutes into his Celtics debut, Hayward suffered his infamous leg injury, fracturing his tibia and dislocating his ankle. He missed that entire 2017-2018 season, one that culminated in a 20-year-old Tatum leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals in his rookie season.
“One thing I remember sitting out is that there wasn’t a moment that was too big for him, even at such a young age,” Hayward said of Tatum. “We went to the Eastern Conference [Finals] that year, and he played a major role. Kyrie got hurt, and it was like, ‘Okay, I think we got something here.’”
Hayward has enjoyed seeing Tatum and Brown’s growing success over the past decade.
“It’s been cool to see them grow into the players that they are, the leaders that they are,” Hayward said. “I still look back to those days and had some really good conversations with both of them. I sat right next to JT on the plane, on our road trips, and so there were many times where we had great talks – and talks not about basketball, but just about life and growing up. And so it’s been fun to watch those guys.”
But this year, he’s seen Tatum live out a reality that, unfortunately mirrored the one he had to endure in that first year in Boston in some ways. Up until last week, Tatum had to watch the Celtics put together a successful season while being unable to play as he recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered last spring.
“There was a moment where the team won – when I wasn’t playing – where they had won like, 13 or 14 straight or something,” Hayward said. “It was a ridiculous record that they started off with. And you’re like, man, like, I just wish I could be out there. Like, that should be me out there.“
For Hayward, that era is still painful to reflect on.
“It’s really tough, one of the toughest two years of my career,” Hayward said. “For me, I’m coming off the best year that I’ve ever had in the NBA. I’m an All-Star. And then, your first game, you’re hurt, and it’s just not the way that you see your career going when you decide to make the jump and go play for the Celtics.”
Hayward also said he had never really thought about just how isolating it was to go through rehab until he experienced it firsthand.
“When I was a rookie, I remember we had veterans go down, and you don’t really think about it until it’s you that goes down, and then you kind of realize, like, ‘Oh man. Like, that’s what that guy was going through,’” Hayward said.
Last week, Tatum made his emotional return to the floor in a home game against the Dallas Mavericks. And Hayward was thrilled to see that unfold, especially given that he experienced his own version of that game seven years earlier.
To this day, his return game against the Philadelphia 76ers is one of the most meaningful moments of his career.
“The fans were just so supportive of me, and probably similar to how Jayson felt when he was announced back in the starting lineup,” Hayward said. “That was a moment I’ll never forget, because at the time, with the way my injury worked, and how it all happened, I was thinking I might not run again. I might not be able to run and jump, like I don’t even know if I’m gonna be able to play basketball. And then to work your tail off and get all the way back to have a chance to play basketball on an NBA court again, and have the fans… Boston fans are so passionate. To have them, the whole city behind me there, that was a very special moment.”
Hayward’s Celtics tenure didn’t pan out as he’d hoped.
Still, he smiles as he reflects on the current team’s success.
“Boston fans are super spoiled, man,” he said. “They just get so much — so [many] good teams. And certainly, they’ve had some good ones with JT and JB.”
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 13: Brandon Williams #10 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by Nae'qwan Tomlin #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at American Airlines Center on March 13, 2026 in Dallas, 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks got shelled on Friday night, losing their first home game since March 1st, 138-105. But if you want to know more about what happened from a sequential point of view, click this recap here. Otherwise, scroll on down and see the numbers by which the Dallas Mavericks died.
61.5%: Cleveland’s field goal and free throw %
Oh brother, Dallas, are you going to stop anyone? The Cavs went nuts both inside and outside the arc, which has me wondering what the defensive point of emphasis was in this game. The Mavericks aren’t a great defensive team but they aren’t this bad either. The Cavs shooting nearly 50% from outside the arc was obnoxious to watch and what I thought was the main reason Dallas lost this game.
At least until I got to the next stat.
72: Points surrendered in the paint by Dallas
At some point these last 10 games, the Mavericks have gone from being a team that scores in the paint and rules there, to being a team that invites their opponent to score there instead. The Cavs shot 75% inside the paint! Just no paint or rim protection to speak of anymore for this team. Since these two teams play again Sunday, we have to hope they find some pride otherwise that game is going to be a beatdown as well!
4: Dallas Mavericks steals
I mainly want to talk about this stat so I can tell you the Cavs had 12 in comparison. Live ball turnovers killed the Mavericks tonight and the sloppy defense from Dallas didn’t force any. It’s hard to say what kind of defense Dallas is running lately because it sucks, but you can see this by the other datapoints I mentioned. Dallas needs better on ball defense, better help coverage, and way better three point defense.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 28: Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics argues with referee JB DeRosa #22 during the second half at the TD Garden on October 28, 2024 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. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA, whether they wish to admit it or not, has an officiating problem. The problem is deep, it’s structural, and the NBA is either oblivious to it, or worse, they consider it to be a feature instead of a bug.
It’s a problem that Jaylen Brown has been highlighting for quite some time now, and it’s worth a deeper dive.
To start with, officiating in the NBA is incredibly difficult. This is a fast-paced game with a lot of close contact, all of which has to be judged as incidental or illegal in, literally, a split second of time.
There are fouls that are blindingly obvious, ones which we can see from a thousand miles away through bird’s eye views of the court on our television screens, and then there are fouls that literally occur in only a few tenths of a second, real time, and officials have to identify those fouls without the benefit of slow-motion replay.
That this is a difficult task that is done well by many officials is a positive reflection on those officials who approach their job with a professional disposition and a deep-seated desire to get things right.
Unfortunately for them, it’s probably harder to get things right in the NBA than in any other major professional sport here in the states.
The fastest paced game among the top four professional leagues has the fewest number of officials, both in absolute terms and as a ratio to participating players.
I believe this is directly, although not entirely, responsible for the plague of flopping. Players learn at a very early age that they need to exaggerate the effect of contact to catch the attention of officials who are trying to monitor the actions of multiple players. From there it’s a short step to outright faking contact. Mind you, the NBA does have a flopping penalty, but they’ve apparently put it in a box out in the garage and have forgotten about it. Jaylen Brown called it foul baiting after Thurdsay’s game against the Thunder during a postgame press conference that might net him another $35,000 hit to his wallet.
Lack of an extra official, I believe, is also responsible for wildly inconsistent treatment of off-ball fouls like illegal screens. Performing an illegal screen becomes very much about making sure that you’re in an official’s blind spot before you step into a defender or move sideways to keep him out of the way. In Thursday night’s game against the Thunder, there were a pair of illegal screens called that were done out in wide open space and were so obviously illegal that it was impossible for them not to be called, unless you happen to watch the game more closely and see screens like that being set in traffic all the time. An extra official means more eyes on the court, and closer attention to off-ball action.
Then there’s the star system.
Rasheed Wallace tells a story about an NBA official who approached him after a game and asked him for autographs for his kids.
In CONCACAF, the federation that administers soccer in the Americas, requesting autographs is a violation of policy and will land you a suspension. Think about that… As corrupt as CONCACAF has been, they still recognize that officials seeking autographs is a problem.
But here you have an official requesting autographs for his kids, who showed up to a Lakers game wearing Kobe jerseys.
Of course, nobody is saying that officials’ kids can’t have favorite teams and favorite players, but it’s a really bad look when you bring your kids to the game wearing jerseys for one of the teams that’s playing in it—or at least it’s a bad look when you subsequently take those kids out to meet the players.
NBA officials have a job to do out there on the court, and in order to do it fairly, they need to avoid giving even the appearance of being star-struck.
Yes, great players are great, in part, because they are harder to stop by legal means, and this undoubtedly leads to more fouls being called on their defenders, but this should only happen when these are calls that would be made regardless of who’s holding the ball.
This is another thing that Jaylen Brown has an issue with, and it’s hard to argue with him.
There is a double standard in what my dad called ‘ticky-tack’ fouls, and I think that it’s reflective of a measure of unprofessionalism within the NBA officiating body as a whole.
Essentially, I think that star players tend to draw more attention from officials than non-star players.
I don’t think it’s intentional. These guys are stars. When they touch the ball, the whole dang arena pays attention.
Officials, unless trained otherwise, can hardly be immune to the electricity that comes onto the court when a special player starts to do special things. They can hardly avoid being caught up in the moment—unless they’re trained to focus on the job at hand. And I don’t think they are adequately prepared for that responsibility.
Finally, you’ve got the NBA’s ‘celebrity’ refs. Guys whose reputation precedes them, and who are, if we’re being honest with ourselves, a definite problem because they deviate from accepted officiating standards.
The best officials are the officials that are invisible. You should never have cause to remember the name of a game official. They should be competent, professional, and anonymous.
But that’s not how the NBA does it. In the NBA, you have guys who are known to call things tight, who are known to ‘let players play’ and so on and so forth. Refs are known to have feuds with certain players and coaches, and the NBA is apparently fine with all of this.
They’re also fine with star system officiating and inconsistent application of rules.
How do we know this?
Because every minute of every game is subject to review by the NBA’s officiating staff, and officials are graded based on their performance. Do your job well and you’ll get playoff assignments and maybe even a chance to appear on the big stage—yet the playoffs are often filled with celebrity refs and questionable officiating.
The only possible conclusion is that the NBA is fine with a game that is understaffed by officials who are evidently star-struck at times. They’re fine with celebrity refs who are know for their deviations from standard officiating practices, and they’re fine with inconsistent rule enforcement.
Much as I admire Jaylen Brown for being willing to take it on the chin—or in the wallet—and consistently make noise about bad officiating, I’m afraid he’s going to be waiting a long time for real change to occur.
And he might want to choose better methods for expressing his disappointment in the officiating during games.
But he’s right. There is a problem with officiating in the NBA.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 04: Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks defends Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 04, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks front up today against the Atlanta Hawks in what will likely be their final chance to beat a side right above them in the standings (and thus gain a full game on that opponent). Analysts like Zach Lowe have wondered whether Giannis will get shut down soon if they don’t stack wins over the next week or so. But let’s be honest: if they aren’t dead already, a loss today will all but ensure it. The series currently stands at one game apiece (with this game being the series decider).
Where We’re At
Well, the Bucks have lost seven of their last eight games, and the vibe around the team is… not great. Most recently, they’ve lost to the Magic, Suns, and Heat. Giannis’ return has not resulted in improved performance; they are 1-4 with him in the lineup. That said, it’s not like Doc isn’t trying things; he went to a Porter-Dieng-Kuzma-Antetokounmpo-Turner starting lineup against Miami. But ultimately, none of the changes have been all that fruitful.
The Hawks, on the other hand, are flying, winning eight straight (though most of those games have come against tanking and/or injured teams). But hey, all you can do is play who’s in front of you, and the Hawks own the NBA’s top net rating of 17.4 during that span (the second-highest is 13.5). In particular, they are leaning on defence, ranking at the top of the league in that time.
Injury Report
For the Bucks, Giannis (calf injury management) is questionable, though it seems likely that this designation is because they intend to play him in the second half of the back-to-back against Indy; I’m going to assume he plays today for the sake of this preview. Also questionable are Ousmane Dieng (illness) and Kevin Porter Jr. (knee).
For the Hawks, Jonathan Kuminga (knee) is out.
Player to Watch
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 23 points on 9/14 shooting in the last game, including 5/9 from three. No longer is he the three-and-D player he once was; this is a primary option who can really go. The Bucks need to be ready.
How To Watch
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 2:00 p.m. CDT.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Authorities were searching for a man who shot and killed two people in a drug store parking lot near the TPC Sawgrass, leading The Players Championship to delay opening gates for the third round Saturday morning.
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick said the suspect, whom he identified as Christian Barrios, shot two people multiple times about 10:30 p.m. Friday in the parking lot of Walgreens in a domestic violence situation. The store is located about a mile away from the course.
He said canine units pursued Barrios onto TPC Sawgrass property. Hardwick said Barrios, who turned 32 on Saturday, at one point picked up a PGA Tour radio and later dropped it. He then stole a black BMW, and Nassau County authorities in the far northeastern tip of Florida pursued the car and forced a crash into the woods.
The suspect fled on foot and was still at large.
The PGA cited “operational considerations” in deciding not to open the gates until 9 a.m. The first round bean at 8:15 a.m. and was not delayed. Hospitality areas were delayed opening until 11 a.m.
Hardwick said Barrios had a long criminal history and knew the victims, both of whom were shot multiple times and taken to the hospital where they died.
HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 13: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 13, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Houston Rockets were without Alperen Sengun, but Kevin Durant hit a jumper with seven seconds left, then two free throws a few seconds later to close the game out and give the Rockets a 107-105 victory that somehow has them in third place in the jam-packed Western Conference.
Durant went for 32 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists while turning the ball over just once. He was 13-for-24 from the field and also added a steal and a block.
Amen Thompson pitched in 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists on a near triple double, while Reed Sheppard had 18 points on 5-for-11 shooting from three and Jabari Smith jr. had 16 points on 3-for-10 from downtown to round out the Rockets in double figures.
The Pelicans turned the ball over twice in the final 13 seconds, for an offensive execution that might actually be worse than the Rockets, and blew a slim lead despite Dejounte Murray’s 35 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. They also got 21 from Zion Williamson, though they were the two who turned the ball over down the stretch for the Pels.
The Western Conference is now super bunched up, with just a half game seperating the third through the sixth seed, and just 2.5 games if you stretch it to the seventh seed. The Rockets stand at 41-25 on the year, which has them on pace for 51 wins, or one worse than last season. They will return to action on Monday with a massive game against the fourth-seeded L.A. Lakers. They will then play the Lakers again on Wednesday. Both games are at home, so it will be a chance for the Rockets to make at least a little bit of space in the west standings. Monday’s game is airing on NBC/Peacock, while the Wednesday game is on ESPN, so that should tell you how big they are.
Stephon Castle
Nikola Jokic
Desmond Bane
