Category: Basketball

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Boston and Denver hook up in the marquee matchup of the night, and our NBA player prop projections have circled some of the best edges in this showdown. 

Before you go making your Celtics vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks, check out our favorite player props below.

Celtics vs Nuggets computer picks for February 25

Celtics	Nuggets
Pritchard o3.5 rebounds  +100	Jokic u28.5 points  -120
Queta o8.5 points  -112	Johnson o11.5 points  -112
Hauser o9.5 points  -115	Murray u23.5 points  -120

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Celtics computer picks

Payton Pritchard Over 3.5 rebounds (+100)

Projection: 4.5 rebounds

Payton Pritchard plays bigger than his size when it comes to rebounding. He tracks long misses well and stays active around the perimeter. The projection has Pritchard clearing four boards with room to spare, and at plus money, that edge matters.

He's gone Over this number in three of his last four games. 

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Neemias Queta Over 8.5 points (-112)

Projection: 10.0 points

Neemias Queta doesn’t need isolation touches to score. Rim runs, dump-offs, and put-backs are enough to push him toward double digits. The model projects Queta right around 10, giving this Over a clean cushion.

He's gone Over this number in three straight games with just 21 total field goal attempts. 

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Sam Hauser Over 9.5 points (-115)

Projection: 10.9 points

Sam Hauser’s role is simple: space the floor and shoot. If he gets his usual volume from deep, this number is well within reach. The projection puts Hauser close to 11, which makes 10 points a reasonable expectation.

He's gone Over this total in three of his last four games. 

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Nuggets computer picks

Nikola Jokic Under 28.5 points (-120)

Projection: 25.8 points

Nikola Jokic can explode at any time, but the model sees more distribution than domination. If the defense sends help and forces the ball out early, Jokic’s scoring settles into the mid-20s. That gives this Under a solid path.

He's stayed Under this number in four of his last six games. 

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Cameron Johnson Over 11.5 points (-112)

Projection: 12.8 points

Cameron Johnson doesn’t need high usage to clear this number. A few clean looks from three and one trip to the line puts him on pace. The projection has Johnson nearly a full bucket above the line.

He's gone Over this number in two of his last three games. 

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Jamal Murray Under 23.5 points (-120)

Projection: 22.3 points

Jamal Murray’s ceiling is obvious, but the projection leans slightly Under here. If shot volume dips or he shifts into more of a facilitator role, Murray lands closer to 22 than 25. It’s a thin edge — but still an edge.

He's gone Under this number in two of his last three games. 

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How to watch Celtics vs Nuggets tonight

Location	Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date	Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Tip-off	10:00 p.m. ET
TV	ESPN

Not intended for use in MA.
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PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins will have to start their playoff push without Sidney Crosby.

The club placed its longtime captain on injured reserve on Wednesday. The move comes after Crosby sustained a lower-body injury during the Olympic hockey tournament at the Milan Cortina Games.

The 38-year-old Crosby went down in the second period of Canada's quarterfinal win over Czechia. The Canadians held out hope Crosby would be able to return, but he sat out a semifinal win over Sweden and a loss to the United States in the gold medal game.

Crosby will have to miss at least a week, though it's likely he will be out for considerably longer.

The injury comes with the surprising Penguins in second place in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh is looking to return to the postseason for the first time since 2022.

Crosby has been his usually productive self this season. He leads the Penguins in goals (27), assists (32) and points (59) and is on pace to extend his NHL record of averaging at least a point a game to 21 years and counting.

The injury comes at a busy time for Pittsburgh, which opens the post-Olympic break at home against New Jersey on Thursday. The matchup with the Devils is the first of 13 games in a 24-day stretch for the Penguins.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The 2025-26 college basketball season continues to be a difficult one for Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley.

The 11th-year Sun Devils coach saw his team drop to 5-10 in Big 12 play following a 90-78 loss to TCU on Tuesday, Feb. 24. To add injury to insult, Hurley was also knocked down during a dustup, falling to the floor, about midway through the second half.

REQUIRED READING: March Madness bracketology: NCAA Tournament prediction has another shakeup

A brief sideline scrap between the two teams began when Bryce Ford was forced to call a timeout after Arizona State's Andrija Grbović set a successful trap near the Sun Devil bench. Grbović and Ford continued to tussle after the whistle.

Members of both teams ran near the ASU bench, with shoving ensuing, with Hurley pushing Horned Frogs center Vianney Salatchoum back, and TCU coach Jamie Dixon also got involved. In all of it, it appears Hurley tripped over someone's feet and tumbled to the floor.

Devils dust up at TCU... Bobby Hurley gets knocked down. pic.twitter.com/65lOKyEkrI

— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) February 25, 2026

Despite the brief scuffle, no players or coaches were ejected. Still, it was another bad chapter in the last two seasons for Hurley. The Sun Devils fell to 13-12 overall and are tied for the 12th-worst record in the Big 12.

Last season, ASU finished 15th in the conference and has not had a winning season since the 2022-23 season. Hurley is in the final year of his contract and is widely seen as a lame duck head coach.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley falls to floor during dustup vs TCU

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It’s a showdown of No. 1 seeds tonight in Motor City, with the Detroit Pistons trying to cement their NBA Finals credentials against the depleted but relentless Oklahoma City Thunder.

Some of Detroit’s flaws were exposed earlier this week in a double-digit loss to the Spurs, and my Thunder vs. Pistons predictions expect OKC to put up a fight despite key absences, with Cason Wallace doing his best SGA impression.

Take a closer look at this marquee matchup with my free NBA picks on Wednesday, February 25.

Thunder vs Pistons prediction

Thunder vs Pistons best bet: Cason Wallace Over 11.5 points (-120)

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams on the shelf, the stage was set for a monster Chet Holmgren stretch. Instead, it’s increasingly been the Cason Wallace show.

Wallace torched the Raptors on Tuesday with 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting, and that’s where Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault went when he needed a bucket. The third-year guard is averaging 14.2 points per game in February, and he’s 8-for-13 from beyond the arc in his last two.

Wallace has cashed this Over in five of his past six road outings, and he’ll be the X-factor against a physical Detroit Pistons defense tonight.

Thunder vs Pistons same-game parlay

Wallace has played 30-plus minutes in three straight, and the heavy lifting should continue. This week’s scoring tear hasn’t taken anything away from his defense, and he’s grabbed 4+ rebounds in six of his last seven contests.

Even on the second night of a back-to-back set, I see OKC bringing the fight. The visitors are 7-2-1 against the spread in their past 10 games and 21-7 straight up on the road. Cade Cunningham is coming off a 5-for-26 dud against the Spurs, and now he’ll have to deal with the Thunder’s perimeter stoppers.

Thunder vs Pistons SGP

• Cason Wallace Over 11.5 points
• Cason Wallace Over 3.5 rebounds
• Thunder +8.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Boards bonanza!

With two terrific defensive teams, I’m banking on a lot of missed shots, and this SGP taps into a feeding frenzy on the glass at both ends. Cade has grabbed 6+ rebounds in five straight, and Jalen Duren has had 13+ in consecutive contests, while OKC had a 49-34 rebounding edge over Toronto last night.

Thunder vs Pistons SGP

• Cade Cunningham Over 5.5 rebounds
• Jalen Duren Over 11.5 rebounds
• Cason Wallace Over 3.5 rebounds
• Lu Dort Over 3.5 rebounds

Thunder vs Pistons odds

• Spread: Thunder +8 (-110) | Pistons -8 (-110)
• Moneyline: Thunder +240 | Pistons -300
• Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)

Thunder vs Pistons betting trend to know

The Pistons are just 8-13 ATS against Western Conference opponents this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Pistons.

How to watch Thunder vs Pistons

Thunder vs Pistons latest injuries

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#1 – Two underdogs with similarities

When the season started, rare were those who expected the Phoenix Suns and the Celtics to be competing for playoff spots in their respective conferences. The franchise from Arizona traded their superstar Kevin Durant and had to let Bradley Beal go to rebuild a team around Devin Booker and the new coach Jordan Ott.

In the meantime, the Celtics saw the departures of Luke Kornet and Al Horford, traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday for economic reasons, and started the season without their franchise player, Jayson Tatum.

However, both of these teams were able to build strong teams and perform beyond expectations thanks to a few common strategic aspects. Phoenix, like Boston, increased its presence on the offensive glass and they both became among the best teams in that category. They also both increased their defensive pressure with more forced turnovers and, finally, they shot a lot of shots from beyond the line.

With these tactical tricks and the belief that the group could overachieve whatever the public might predict, these two teams are showing you can still be great after losing superstars. Now, time to deep dive into their matchup last night.

#2 – Derrick White as a leader

Jaylen Brown out, Payton Pritchard without rhythm, it was Derrick White’s turn to put the team on his back — and he did it, on both sides of the court. Yet, what is crazy about White as a leader is that he is doing it by making the team shine, with or without the ball. Offensively, most of his scoring came off the ball, as the team was setting screens all over the place to create chaos and play quickly in transition.

His ability to stay connected to the play and make rapid decisions to exploit any gap in the defense is what makes him one of the best connectors in the NBA. It’s simple and yet so important. After Nikola Vucevic screens for Payton Pritchard, he presents himself to offer a solution and be the connector between PP and Vooch so the big man can punish the mismatch.

Or here, when he receives the ball, quickly understands the defense made a mistake in their rotation, and finds Neemias Queta for the best shot possible.

On defense too, he always stays connected even when he looks a little late. On that play, you first think he is stuck in the screen, but he is able to use his timing, length, and hand-eye coordination to block the shot from behind.

22 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal… it doesn’t get better than that, and that’s exactly what the Celtics needed.

#3 – Harper the starter

Ron Harper Jr. not only started, but played 30 minutes of great Celtics basketball and proved he deserved every second he spent on the floor. His length and mobility are such important components of the Celtics’ defensive structure. He can defend larger dudes or smaller guards because of that body frame and his sense of the game.

He is also very active in the help, always ready to switch or trap the ball handler, leading to a lot of transition opportunities last night.

Offensively, he was well prepared to be present in the corner, to cut, and to keep the ball moving. Yet, his biggest added value came on the offensive glass with 4 rebounds and a lot of pressure on the defensive structure anytime a Celtic took a shot.

His energy and discipline would go a long way if he keeps that defensive intensity. Let’s hope the shooting will come and the Celtics could have a great 3-and-D player for the coming years. And he might not be the only one.

#4 – Baylor brings balance

Maybe it is the haircut, maybe it’s the vibe, or maybe it’s bigger than that, but Baylor Scheierman reminds me a lot of Luke Skywalker — and like Luke before him, he brings balance. While Jordan Walsh or Hugo Gonzalez remind me more of Jar Jar Binks with their crazy moves and high-intensity stretches, Baylor brings something far more stable, on both sides of the court.

On offense, he brings spacing while also being the best of the rest at navigating space with the ball. Like White, he is great at connecting the offense and making sure the gap created is exploited.

Similarly to Harper, he also brings a lot of juice on the glass and finished with another double-double with 11 rebounds last night. His defense isn’t as flashy as Walsh and Hugo’s, but it might be more impactful because he rarely makes mistakes. He reads the game so well that he anticipates the movement of the ball and his matchups.

As the season unfolds, it isn’t a surprise to see him getting this many minutes and becoming the fifth starter who brings balance to the team. But enough with Star Wars — now, let’s talk about play-calling!

#5 – Spain under the Sun

The Spain pick-and-roll has been a classic in basketball for a while now, but I remember when the Suns, with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton, played it so well in 2021 they almost won a title that year.

Well, the Celtics made sure to pay their respects to the 2021 Suns and played it on their first half-court possession. This play was not only a tribute to the former Suns, but also a very smart way to punish Mark Williams’ low positioning and lack of mobility.

This play is really great against this defensive coverage because it will always create a gap in the defense. Here, the Suns try not to defend the pick too high and close out pretty well on Sam Hauser, but there is a continuity option in the corner and Walsh plays it very smartly (well played by Queta too, who made sure the rim remained open for Jordan).

What is pretty nice with that play too is that the defensive structure often collapses, which opens opportunities for offensive rebounds, and the Celtics made sure to capitalize on that.

#6 – Offensive rebounds surge

Per cleaningtheglass.com, the Celtics grabbed offensive rebounds on 51.5% of their half-court offensive possessions. That’s literally the best offensive glass performance of the season for Joe Mazzulla’s team. And it had a HUGE impact.

To give a bit of perspective, the Celtics shot only 40% from the field, while the Suns shot 36%. So theoretically, the game should have been close… but the Celtics had 16 more field-goal attempts!

It was a collective effort, not only Neemias Queta or Baylor Scheierman fighting for extra possessions. On the play above, Queta isn’t even below the rim, but still, there are three Celtics fighting for the offensive glass and getting it done.

#7 – 11 points allowed in the third

After a pretty close first half, the Celtics wanted to send a message and show that their elite defense is back. Straight out of the break, the Celtics displayed an impressive defensive possession where everyone is fighting through screens, guys are helping in the gaps, and Queta is protecting the paint from behind as a safety. It caused a contested shot after 24 seconds of possession, showing the Suns didn’t figure out the Celtics’ defense.

The Celtics bet on the Suns missing their three-pointers and dared them to shoot while making sure the paint stayed protected. The result speaks for itself, as the Suns shot 1-for-9 from beyond the line and scored only 11 points overall in 12 minutes. The willingness to defend was on full display with this impressive transition defense from Scheierman and Harper, concluded by a bucket from Hugo.

#8 – Double big experiment

The Celtics tried the double-big lineup with Vucevic and Queta… and it didn’t really work that time. I think the goal was to put even more pressure on the offensive glass while protecting the paint… but it also had a double negative effect.

First of all, on offense, the spacing shrank when the two big men were on the court, leading to far fewer driving lanes and weaker outside shooting to stretch the Suns’ defense.

On defense, the mobility and help defense decreased a lot with these two on the court at the same time. The Suns quickly understood it and involved their two matchups in screening actions. As both Queta and Vucevic were in drop coverage, the Celtics defenders had far less help and it created gaps in the defense.

Joe Mazzulla quickly put an end to that and went back to a more traditional way of using his big men for better spacing.

#9 – Centers as a hub

In the previous ten takeaways, we looked into the difference in offense with Queta and Vooch. Last night was a great example of how the Celtics can use them both in the same way: as offensive hubs.

Because Queta doesn’t shoot from three, the only way he can stretch defenders away from the paint is to have the ball in his hands. Because of that, Mark Williams is taken away from the rim and the Suns’ defense becomes weaker. It’s simple and yet very efficient.

These types of plays can be replicated with Vucevic as a hub because the former Bull is also pretty skilled with the ball in his hands and can pass from different angles.

Yes, both plays are pretty similar — and that’s the beauty of it. Different players, same play, same outcome.

#10 – Another quiet impactful night for Queta

Speaking of big men, Queta was very impactful last night, beyond the box score. His deep drop positioning really worked well against this team, and that was another impressive defensive night for the Celtics thanks to him. He was the player with the most contested shots last night, while also producing the most points thanks to screen assists.

The Portuguese big man keeps showing that he deserves that starting center spot for all the little things he brings that don’t always show up in raw stats but are definitely impactful for team performance.”

As much as this is Jalen Brunson’s Knicks team, its universe sometimes feels like it revolves around Karl-Anthony Towns. He’s the back line of the defense as the starting center, the No. 2 option offensively, and an emotional core relative to Brunson’s stoic demeanor. 

When things are going well this isn’t an issue, but Towns was having a down scoring year, and when the Knicks hit a rough 2-9 patch following their NBA Cup victory, a disproportionate amount of the blame fell on him. Towns and the rest of the team did take their foot off the gas defensively, and he’s been struggling with the new offensive system all season.

But Towns has started to turn his season around, and the Knicks are rediscovering their winning ways. Here’s how the former first overall pick righted the ship, and what that means for the Knicks’ playoff prospects...

It’s hard to pinpoint the reason for Towns’ rough start to the year. It could be attributed partially to injury, as he played through a quad strain out of the gate, or adjusting to the new offensive system.

Perhaps it was just a slump, as his shot diet went largely unchanged outside of a general decrease in volume. He shot the same threes he usually did, from similar distances with similar coverage, and ditto for his drives and post-ups. They all just converted way worse than usual. 

Through the end of November, Towns averaged 21.7 points on an uncharacteristic 51.3 percent clip from two-point range and 32.7 percent from three. His career averages are 56.6 percent and 39.8 percent, respectively, marking massive drawdowns.

This poor shooting appeared to impact his process. He started forcing things, not playing within the flow of the offense, further compounding the issue and letting it impact his defense.

Towns appeared to find his groove during New York’s dominant December. The Knicks lost four games all month and won the NBA Cup, while Towns shot over 44 percent from deep and recorded four 35-point performances.

January’s losing skid brought Towns back into his shooting woes as the defense around him collapsed to one of the worst in the league. His own performance didn’t help, and both he and the Knicks found themselves at rock bottom. 

His name even popped up in trade rumors, beyond the obvious links to Giannis Antetokounmpo. They didn't come to pass, and for good reason, as Towns had already begun piecing his game and season back together.

It started with defense and rebounding. Towns actually continued scoring at low efficiency while the Knicks rattled off eight straight wins, but his work on the other end was undeterred. 

Towns put up back-to-back 20-rebound nights, and 10 straight double-digit rebound games in this latest stretch, making himself felt whether he was scoring or not. His defense picked up intensity, and the rest of the team followed.

Early on in the turnaround, Towns still looked uncertain and shaky offensively. But he stopped forcing and started picking his spots while looking for his teammates more. 

His game simplified, and we’re starting to see the results of it bearing fruit. In Towns' last eight games, he’s at 65 percent shooting from two and 44 percent from three.

The output still isn’t extended, but he recently strung together five straight 20-point games for the first time this season, an excellent step. Some credit is due to his coaching staff and teammates for further emphasizing him as the clear-cut second fiddle, which has helped get him going.

Otherwise, most of his game has remained the same. Locking in defensively and not getting too into his own head offensively seemed to do the trick.

If this is a true development and not an aberration, it means the world to the Knicks, who are trying to compete for a championship. They wouldn’t have made it six games into last year’s Conference Finals without Towns' heroics in Detroit, his defensive leap against Boston, and his miracle Game 3 in Indiana. 

New York needs Towns playing at his best, and even now we’re only returning to that form. If Towns gets more comfortable with finding his spots in this offense, and reverts back to that generational floor-spacer and scorer full-time, they’ll be in terrific shape.

There’s no reason this shouldn’t continue. The Knicks have proven themselves defensively capable with Towns in the middle, and nothing about this offensive system should be far outside of his skill set to handle. 

The Knicks might need to continue catering more set plays and freelance playmaking in Towns' direction. He also needs to recognize when he has an advantage, command position and demand the ball more.

This season, and the previous one, has shown they can figure this out. It looks like they are already beginning to.

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Conference heavyweights collide as the Denver Nuggets host the Boston Celtics tonight at Ball Arena.

Nikola Jokic has been tremendous, and my Celtics vs. Nuggets predictions expect him to stuff the stat sheet at home.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this prime-time bout on Wednesday, February 25.

Celtics vs Nuggets prediction

Celtics vs Nuggets best bet: Nikola Jokic triple-double (-115)

Nikola Jokic ranks second in all-time triple-doubles, and the Denver Nuggets superstar will add to his burgeoning total tonight in front of a home crowd in which he’s excelled this season.

Jokic has averaged 28.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 11.2 assists at Ball Arena, recording a triple-double in 12 of 19 games there.

Joker has recorded a league-high 21 triple-doubles this season, doing so in two straight and in four of his last six at home. The Boston Celtics defense is elite, but Jokic has recorded a triple-double in each of his last two home games against the C’s.

Celtics vs Nuggets same-game parlay

The Nuggets are just 12-14 ATS at home and 8-10 as the home favorite. Boston has excelled on the road, covering the spread in 20 of 30 games, including seven of 10 as the road dog. Back-to-backs haven’t been a problem for the Celtics, who are 6-3 ATS playing with no rest.

The Nuggets are 15-11 to the Over at home, but the Celtics are just 11-19 to the Under on the road. Boston boasts one of the stingiest defenses in the Association, and the C’s have hit the Under in two straight and eight of their last 10.

Celtics vs Nuggets SGP

• Nikola Jokic triple-double
• Celtics +3.5
• Under 230.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Brown blitz

Jaylen Brown has scored 30+ in 28 of 51 appearances, including 14 of 25 on the road. He sat out Tuesday and should be well-rested for tonight's marquee matchup with Denver.

Celtics vs Nuggets SGP

• Nikola Jokic triple-double
• Celtics +3.5
• Under 230.5
• Jaylen Brown Over 29.5 points

Celtics vs Nuggets odds

• Spread: Celtics +3.5 (-110) | Nuggets -3.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Celtics +140 | Nuggets -165
• Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-110) | Under 229.5 (-110)

Celtics vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Boston Celtics have hit the Game Total Under in 22 of their last 30 games (+13.20 Units / 40% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Nuggets.

How to watch Celtics vs Nuggets

Celtics vs Nuggets latest injuries

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The Knicks have depth, but they’re still figuring out how to use it.

The starting five, Mitchell Robinson, Jose Alvarado, and Landry Shamet are solidified. When Deuce McBride eventually returns from his sports hernia, he will be too. The battle for the ninth or tenth man, though, is up in the air.

On one end, you have exciting, 19-year-old rookie Mo Diawara, who has shown tremendous flashes on both ends just a few months after not being good enough to go top 50 in the NBA Draft. With his recent three-point outburst, he’s becoming more and more of a viable role player as a rookie.

But on the other end, you have another young player, but one who’s more experienced and is looking to make an impact in a new situation. Jeremy Sochan is still only 22, but fell out of favor in San Antonio and elected to sign in New York after being released mid-season.

These two are on the Knicks’ rotation bubble, with players like Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti, and Kevin McCullar Jr. waiting in the wings in case of injuries. But which of the two makes more sense for the Knicks? Could they both play a role?

A rotation doesn’t need to be concrete. From game to game, things can change. The strengths of the two are different, but both are common in the sense of being full of potential with considerable downside. It’s easy to scheme both out of a game, which makes identifying specific matchups necessary.

Sochan’s biggest weakness is shooting; he’s always been a basket case on offense. He brings rebounding and a smidge of secondary playmaking, but he’ll make the people guarding Josh Hart look like Patrick Beverley if he gets the ball on the perimeter.

Diawara’s simply being a limited rookie. If you remember, he started the game against the Spurs on New Year’s Eve, which started the slump, and Mitch Johnson expertly schemed him out of the game. He sagged off Diawara, daring him to either shoot or put the ball on the floor. He’s not an advanced enough jumpshooter (especially in non-C&S situations) to shoot out of it, and his ballhandling needs improvement. It’s not a terrible thing for a rookie, but it must be considered.

So what are their strengths? Diawara is a switchable defender who can hold his own against most players due to his size and length, as is Sochan. Sochan is a great rebounder, while Diawara has sneakily been extremely effective on catch-and-shoot (41.5 3pt%) and corner threes (12-for-14).

Diawara is an asset in non-OG Anunoby minutes for a team that has a lot of guards and small wings in the rotation, but the team has specifically dominated minutes where Karl-Anthony Towns is playing and Jalen Brunson is sitting:

The best role for Diawara is to play the non-Brunson minutes, where KAT is the lead option on offense. Alvarado comes off the bench as the ballhandler, and his two-man game with him and Towns can collapse the defense enough to get it to an open shooter, such as Shamet or Diawara. It’s not a big role, but it’s a useful one for a rookie.

Figuring out a role for Sochan is more difficult, as he’s struggled mightily in his first few games as a Knick. It wasn’t going to be pretty every time, and it hasn’t yielded much in a small sample. Still, there might be one option that has the best chance of working out.

The Knicks are struggling badly when one of Towns or Robinson isn’t available. As much as we’ve wished Hukporti could emerge as a viable third center, it’s rough at times out there. When Towns had to sit for a bit in the fourth quarter against the Bulls, the offense ground to a halt.

That’s where Sochan comes in. Against teams without much size (like the Bulls, who deployed Jalen Smith and OAKAAK Guerschon Yabusele at the 5 that night), Sochan is a viable small-ball five who’s more versatile than Hukporti. Mike Brown hasn’t totally leaned into untraditional fives, but I think it’s worth considering deploying Sochan in that role over Hukporti when the team can’t throw one of Robinson or Towns out there.

There is a spacing component, as Sochan’s lack of perimeter shooting makes it so that it’s hard to see him on the floor with one of the Knicks’ worst/unwilling shooters (Robinson, Hart), but he can viably be used in spurts as a small-ball five in a lineup full of floor spacers.

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The Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors head to the FedExForum this evening to take on the Memphis Grizzlies, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. 

Draymond Green has been stepping it up offensively lately, and my Warriors vs. Grizzlies predictions are targeting him to keep that trend alive here. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, February 25.

Warriors vs Grizzlies prediction

Warriors vs Grizzlies best bet: Draymond Green Over 10.5 points (-115)

Draymond Green is averaging 8.5 points per game this season, which is right on par for him. After all, the veteran is more of a defensive presence and playmaker than a scorer. However, Steph Curry remains sidelined, and Draymond has seen an uptick in minutes. 

He’s played 24+ minutes in three of his last four, surpassing the 30-minute mark in two of those contests. Green has also cashed the Over in points in three of his last four. 

Draymond registered 11 points on Tuesday, and he’s averaging exactly 10.5 PPG across two meetings with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2025-26. 

Warriors vs Grizzlies same-game parlay

De'Anthony Melton has been on a different level lately, hitting the Over in points in three straight, erupting for 28 points in Tuesday’s loss to the Pelicans. 

He also dropped 20 on Sunday against the Nuggets. Yes, this is a high total for a guy averaging just 12.7 PPG, but Melton is in his bag right now. 

Dating to January 2025, the Golden State Warriors have won four straight against Memphis, including both this season. 

While Golden State doesn’t have Curry and it's compiled an 11-17 record on the road, the Warriors will be motivated to bounce back after losing to a very poor Pelicans team. 

Warriors vs Grizzlies SGP

• Draymond Green Over 10.5 points
• De'Anthony Melton Over 19.5 points
• Warriors moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Seein' Green

Green is averaging 5.1 dimes this season, and he’s cashed the Over in two of his last three. The veteran is also averaging 6.0 assists against the Grizzlies in ‘25-26.

Warriors vs Grizzlies SGP

• Draymond Green Over 10.5 points
• De'Anthony Melton Over 19.5 points
• Warriors moneyline
• Draymond Green Over 4.5 assists

Warriors vs Grizzlies odds

• Spread: Warriors -3.5 (-110) | Grizzlies +3.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Warriors -170 | Grizzlies +145
• Over/Under: Over 231 (-110) | Under 231 (-110)

Warriors vs Grizzlies betting trend to know

The Golden State Warriors have hit the 2Q Moneyline in 12 of their last 17 away games (+8.60 Units / 40% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Grizzlies.

How to watch Warriors vs Grizzlies

Warriors vs Grizzlies latest injuries

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Folks, it’s time. With the Dallas Mavericks firmly in position to compete for the NBA Draft Lottery, we need to take our first look at how the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft could play out. Myself, along with fellow Mavs Moneyball contributors David, Bryan and David hashed this all out during a live Pod Maverick during the all-star break, which you can see here.

Here’s where we settled in the lottery, with the remainder of the first round hashed out by me after the stream.

1) Brooklyn Nets – Darryn Peterson (G, Kansas)

Despite all his challenges, Peterson remains in the top spot. It’d be nice if over the course of the last month of the year, he’s able to consistently play full minute loads, as he did against Cincy and Houston on Saturday and Monday. However, the talent is undeniable, and he will be here until proven otherwise.

2) Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa (F, BYU)

You could flip either of Dybantsa and Boozer around at two or three, depending on the team. Washington, in this scenario, takes Dybantsa to bolster their scoring with Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr manning the four and five.

3) Sacramento Kings – Cam Boozer (F, Duke)

Boozer follows suit and goes third to Sacramento, who desperately needs a steadying presence. With Sabonis likely on the move, Boozer is a plug and play starter.

4) Indiana Pacers – Caleb Wilson (F, North Carolina)

Indiana was favored by the Lottery Gods here in our sim, getting to keep their pick. The reward? Potentially the best defender in the class with Caleb Wilson.

5) Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans) – Mikel Brown Jr. (G, Louisville)

The first real shocker comes at five, with Atlanta making Mikel Brown Jr. the first guard after Darryn Peterson to go off the board. However, when you dive into the numbers since conference play began for Brown Jr., he’s been every bit as good as the three guys who will follow him in this mock.

As I said on the stream, this part of the draft is the ice cream shop. These guys are all comparable, and teams will simply be picking their favorite flavor.

6) Utah Jazz – Keaton Wagler (G, Illinois)

Wagler remains an interesting scout, as he and Acuff have similar strengths and weaknesses. The difference is that Wagler is 6’6”, which buys a lot of good will in NBA front offices.

7) Dallas Mavericks – Kingston Flemings (G, Houston)

If the board were to fall this way, it’s a no brainer for the Mavericks. Kingston Flemings could be a day one starter at guard alongside Kyrie Irving. The defensive intangibles that come from playing for Kelvin Sampson at Houston are a huge strength, along with his offensive production. You could ask, “why would he fall?” An answer could be that the jumper just doesn’t look as good as some of the others here. However, it goes in all the same.

8) Memphis Grizzlies – Darius Acuff (G, Arkansas)

Memphis has had success in the past with smaller guards, in going from Mike Conley to Ja Morant. Acuff would be protected defensively here, as Cedric Coward and Zach Edey are pretty good safety blankets.

9) Milwaukee Bucks – Yaxel Lendeborg (F, Michigan)

Yaxel Lendeborg went through the draft process last year before pulling out and transferring to Michigan. It’s paid off, as he has drastically improved as a player. His only real weakness is his age, but if Milwaukee is trying to win now, it’s a great pick. If not, they’ll probably take Ament.

10) Chicago Bulls – Nate Ament (F, Tennessee)

The aforementioned Nate Ament has come a long way since the start of the season. Since SEC play began, he’s improved basically every statistical category from the non-conference slate. He might not make it all the way to the top five, as was projected preseason. However, the player we’ve seen for the last six weeks is the guy who was promised.

11) San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks) – Hannes Steinbach (C, Washington)

Leave it to the Spurs to take the international guy. Steinbach, of Wurzburg, Germany, has been a glass eater for the Huskies this season. There is development to be done with some of the finer things, but you don’t have to squint too hard to see the vision.

12) Charlotte Hornets – Jayden Quaintance (F/C, Kentucky)

Quaintance has struggled with complications from knee surgery last year and has missed a lot of the season. However, he remains here because he has a ton of potential on the defensive side of the ball. If healthy, he’s probably a top six guy in the class. As is, if he slips any further than this it would make sense for him to return to school.

13) Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers) – Brayden Burries (G, Arizona)

Brayden Burries might be my favorite prospect in the class. He plays with an outstanding feel for the game, mainly off ball with Jaden Bradley handling point guard duties for the Cats. Burries is an excellent shooter, works well in the secondary creation role, and defends very well. I’d take him as high as nine.

14) Portland Trail Blazers – Labaron Philon (G, Alabama)

Portland is a true wildcard here, as their draft is somewhat run by former ESPN draft scout Mike Schmitz. Philon has had some wild variance over the course of this draft cycle. It went overshadowed, as Darius Acuff scored 49, but Philon dropped 35 points and seven assists in that double overtime win against Arkansas. He’s got great burst to get to the rim, and he shoots it at high level. Philon is firmly in the mix here late in the lottery.

15) Miami Heat – Koa Peat (F, Arizona)

It’s fair to wonder if Koa Peat returns to school if he falls out of the lottery. Peat has some seasoning that needs to happen offensively in order to reach his potential, as it’s pretty much all bully ball right now. However, they don’t make them like this guy physically. He’s a brute.

16) Golden State Warriors – Karim Lopez (F, New Zealand)

Lopez has seen a steady rise all the way to the outskirts of the lottery. He is a bit of a combo forward, which could be intriguing to a team like Golden State.

17) Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic) – Thomas Haugh (F, Florida)

The Grizzlies are a data-driven organization, which makes a guy like Haugh an interesting option. He does it all for Florida and could be a fun option alongside Coward, Edey and a guy like Darius Acuff. However, Memphis could be a trade team if they package their two first round picks together.

18) Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers) – Joshua Jefferson (F, Iowa State)

It would be shocking if OKC didn’t try and package these picks together for one better lottery selection. If they do stick here, Joshua Jefferson could be a replacement for the likes of Isaiah Hartenstein.

19) Charlotte Hornets (via Suns) – Braylon Mullins (G, UConn)

Mullins would add more offensive pop to the Hornets, which would be pretty scary off of their bench. Again, keep an eye on Charlotte to potentially trade in the draft.

20) Toronto Raptors – Cam Carr (G, Baylor)

Baylor has been an unmitigated disaster this season. Their lack of a true point guard has hurt both Carr and Tounde Yessoufou, but the talent is still flashing. Carr is an excellent shooter and good at creating off secondary action, making him a nice fit in Toronto.

21) Detroit Pistons (via Wolves) – Morez Johnson (F, Michigan)

Detroit earned this swap at the trade deadline, which would allow them to take a guy in Morez Johnson that has been wonderful for Michigan this season. Detroit could use some forward help, especially if they decide not to pay some of the guys they currently have.

22) Los Angeles Lakers – Patrick Ngongba (C, Duke)

The need for a center is still there in Los Angeles. Luka Doncic has already shown the ability to win the west with a rookie center from Duke. So, might as well spin the block.

23) New York Knicks – Dailyn Swain (F, Texas)

Swain has been a steady riser during this process, as he has really taken off since SEC play began. The worry here is the shot, because he is ready made in all other aspects of the game.

24) Atlanta Hawks (via Cavs) – Bennett Stirtz (G, Iowa)

Atlanta could use a guard that will help steady them, and Stirtz fits the bill nicely. He won’t ever be a star, but he seems destined to run second units for 12 years. He does almost everything well on the offensive end, but the limits defensively will cap him.

25) Denver Nuggets – Amari Allen (F, Alabama)

If Denver is truly unable to pay Peyton Watson this offseason, it’s time to start looking for his replacement. Amari Allen is perfect for that, as he will come in as a readymade shooter and defender.

26) Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets) – Chris Cenac Jr. (F, Houston)

Cenac is awesome, but it’s fair to question whether he’d remain in the draft if he is slated to slip here. If he stays, teams are getting an elite rebounder, solid defender and a guy who isn’t afraid to shoot. He’s got nice touch, but the shot selection could use some work.

27) Boston Celtics – Aday Mara (C, Michigan)

Don’t let the Duke game fool you, Aday Mara has been really good for the Wolverines and is deserving of this first round consideration. For a Boston team that needs a big, he’d be an immediate fit.

28) Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs) – Christian Anderson (G, Texas Tech)

Christian Anderson is undervalued by almost everyone, which allows the fall here to 28 and Cleveland. The sophomore guard is an excellent offensive player, shooting over 40% from three and running an elite two man game with JT Toppin. With Toppin now out, it’s time to see Anderson do what he did in the FIBA U19 World Cup with Germany: Carry a team to victory.

29) Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder) – Tounde Yessoufou (G, Baylor)

Yessoufou has been victimized by Baylor’s lack of point guard play, so the numbers aren’t as impressive as you’d hope. But the athletic ability is truly elite, as Yessoufou is able to guard and is a connecting piece offensively. The shot doesn’t look as bad as the low 30’s percentage from three would tell you, so there is hope on that end, too. Think Lu Dort, but without everything you hate about Lu Dort.

30) Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons) – Tyler Tanner (G, Vanderbilt)

Tyler Tanner is an absolute joy to watch. He is fantastic on the offensive end, and the effort can never be questioned. Of course, he’s listed at 6’0”, 170 pounds, which is why he finds himself here. But, there’s a spot in the league for guys like him. Minnesota could work, especially considering their need for guard play off the bench.

The Milwaukee Bucks put their disappointing loss to the Toronto Raptors in the rear-view mirror last night, taking down the Miami Heat 128-117. The Bucks’ defense shut the door on Miami, holding them to six points in the final six minutes of regulation. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.

Player Grades

Ryan Rollins

37 minutes, 21 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 9/16 FG, +4

Rollins got going early on, and it was a sign of things to come. He and KPJ combined for 14 of the final 16 points for Milwaukee. 

Grade: B+

Kevin Porter Jr.

37 minutes, 32 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 11/20 FG, 8/8 FT, +10

What a fourth quarter it was for KPJ. He just went into total takeover mode. Also, having seven assists to just one turnover is the next step in his evolution. 

Grade: A

AJ Green

28 minutes, 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 fouls, 2/6 3P, 2/2 FT, +12

It took Green until the second half to put in his first points, but he found other ways to contribute with five rebounds and four assists. You want more scoring and shooting from him, but efforts like last night are good enough. 

Grade: C+

Kyle Kuzma

25 minutes, 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 7/16 FG, 3/7 3P, 2/4 FT, -6

If Kuzma didn’t tail off in the second half, he might have gotten highest grade on the team. Kuz got a little three-point happy throughout the game, but starting the game with nine of the Bucks’ first 11 points made up for a lot of that.

Grade: B-

Myles Turner

19 minutes, 2 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1/5 FG, 0/3 3P, -4

It wasn’t a great night for Turner. Bam Adebayo got the better of him on most occasions, and he couldn’t get a rhythm offensively.

Grade: D+

Bobby Portis

24 minutes, 21 points, 2 rebounds, 3 fouls, 8/14 FG, 5/10 3P, +18

One of several Bucks who had a bounce-back night offensively, Portis tied a season-high in three-point makes (and many came in timely situations). 

Grade: B

Cam Thomas

20 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2/10 FG, 0/4 3P, 2/3 FT, +1

Thomas was due for a stinker. He did have a nice stretch to end the first half, converting a crazy and-one layup and drilling a step-back midrange jumper over Tyler Herro. Outside of that, though, it was a quiet night for Cam. 

Grade: C-

Jericho Sims

29 minutes, 8 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 4/4 FG, +15

Big shoutout to the load Sims carried. He played the final 17:22 of the game and looked great (particularly in the fourth, helping to limit Bam to just two points and one rebound). 

Grade: A-

Ousmane Dieng

22 minutes, 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 4/6 FG, 3/3 3P, +5

The Ous finally got loose in Milwaukee. After going scoreless in his home debut against Toronto, Dieng had himself a solid day against Miami; he was much more assertive and aggressive. 

Grade: B

Doc Rivers

Doc nearly cost the team the game again in the fourth quarter. For some reason, he left in a lineup of Rollins, Thomas, Dieng, Sims, and Portis that was getting shredded by the Heat. He stuck with that lineup for too long in the fourth quarter, getting down by nine at one point. Rivers saved himself by subbing in Green, and the Bucks immediately went on a 9-0 run. 

Grade: C+

DNP-CD: Gary Trent Jr., Gary Harris, Andre Jackson Jr., Pete Nance, Thanasis Antetokounmpo 

Inactive: Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince

Bonus Bucks Bits

• Doc used the term “manhandled” when describing their performance against the Raptors on Sunday. He was asked about how his team responded last night:

“This was a big response for us. This is what we haven’t done this year. We’ll get a nice stretch of games going, then we’ll lose, and then, in the next game, we’ll give in again. There were stretches where we could’ve given in, and we didn’t. I told them after the game, ‘that’s a gut kind of win for us.’” 

• Ousmane Dieng finally got on the scoreboard at Fiserv. I asked Doc about what he thought of the young wing’s performance. 

“He was terrific, more in the second half. I thought in the first half he got beat a couple of times off the dribble, some of the fouls. In the second half, I just thought he got aggressive, pushed the ball, made plays, made threes. The kid is 22 [years old], and he’s gonna get better every night.” 

• On Sunday, the Lakers immortalized legendary former head coach Pat Riley with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena (still hate that name). Doc Rivers, who played under Riley when they were both on the New York Knicks, talked about Riley being the one who got him into coaching in the first place:

“People think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not; if Pat Riley never coaches me, I never coach; it’s that simple. Mike Fratello would argue he’s the one; he always told me I was going to coach, but I was hell-bent on going into TV when I was playing with the Hawks. During the summer, I worked for TNT and CNN, and I was going to become a broadcaster; that is what I wanted to do. Then I played for Pat Riley, and I just watched him coach. How he motivated, how he pushed, and it changed me. I’m sure it’s in one of Pat’s books; the big blow-up argument we had, a lot of it was over that. He said, ‘you’re gonna coach one day,’ and I was so mad at him at the time, I told him, ‘have you frickin’ lost your mind?’ The fact that I’m closing in on him, with a chance to pass him in wins, is crazy to me. I never thought I’d do it this long, and I’d like it this much because I never wanted to do it.”

• Rivers also said that he thinks coaches should go back to wearing suits in the playoffs, after Pat Riley said as much. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra seemed a bit more tepid about the idea:

“Pat and I debate about this all the time. We went to the Hall of Fame for Mickey Arison (owner of the Miami Heat). So, I had to wear back-to-back nights of suits, and I swear that’s all Pat was talking about. I could see the argument both ways. I think as long as we look professional and different from the players, I think that’s great. I think it’s becoming a little bit different in corporate America, but then I also see Pat’s point of view. When I see the footage of him from the Lakers to the Knicks to the Heat, he did look sharp.” 

Up Next

The Bucks are back in action tonight in the second game of a back-to-back, as they’ll be hosting the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers with James Harden. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central time, and you can watch it on both FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin and over the air on WMLW.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Co-host Sri Lanka was knocked out of cricket’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday after losing to Group 2 rival New Zealand by 61 runs in the Super 8 stage.

New Zealand hit 168-7 after being put in to bat by Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka.

Sri Lanka could then only make 107-8 in reply.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

The highlight of last night’s Wizards loss to the Atlanta Hawks was almost certainly the singing of the National Anthem by the Chamblee High School Mixed Chorus and River Ridge High School Junior ROTC. Catch it on a replay, if you can. Those kids did great.

The game itself had me doing mental math figuring out how many more of these I have to watch this season. Because ugh.

If you time-shifted this one to the morning, I’d recommend just firing it into the sun. In the first minute, I’d jotted “sloppy” in my notes. A few seconds later, I wrote, “SLOPPY.”

The Wizards committed turnovers on each of their first five possessions. They were disorganized and discombobulated. They were getting pummeled on the glass. When they finally did start getting shots up, they were inaccurate, and the shot selection was…well…crummy.

There were some moments of hopeful basketball. Bilal Coulibaly made a couple strong drives on consecutive possessions for a potential and-one (he missed the free throw) and a dunk. Dyson Daniels, who was first team All-Defense last season, had trouble staying in front of him. At least on those possessions.

The second of those possessions came with 8:33 to go in the first quarter. The game degenerated from there.

Before Atlanta began The Slacking Off, they built a 38-point lead. Washington’s bench mob staged something of a “comeback” to cut the final margin to a semi-respectable 21 points. The game was not even that competitive.

For the record, I double-checked my in-game mental math, which turned out to be correct. The Wizards have 25 games left in the season.

Thoughts & Observations

• Atlanta’s broadcast had the cinematic camera first used (at least in the NBA) by the Toronto Raptors. It blurs the background on player closeups and a few other shots and looks epic. Kudos to the Hawks for adding it.
• Here are Washington’s offensive ratings (points per possession x 100) by quarter:
  • First: 74
  • Second: 85
  • Third: 72
  • Fourth: 155
• The fourth quarter output was more a result of Atlanta defensive indifference than Washington offensive excellence. Kudos to the Wizards for making the shots, I guess.
• Neither team played well on the offensive end. Washington’s 91 offensive rating was their fourth worst of the season. Atlanta’s 110 ortg was more than five points per 100 possessions below average…against one of the NBA’s worst defensive teams.
• Given the number of possessions (108 for each team) an average NBA game would have produced 249 points. The Wizards and Hawks combined for 217.
• All complaining aside, Coulibaly had a pretty decent game despite shooting 3-9. In 24 minutes, he had 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks.
• If you’re looking for positives, focus on clips involving Will Riley (7-8 shooting) or Justin Champagnie (5-8) or Jamir Watkins (6-8).
• Watkins, by the way, got hit with a well-deserved technical for flopping.
• Jonathan Kumgina looked great in his Hawks debut. In 24 minutes, he had 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists and hit 3-4 from three-point range.

Four Factors

Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).

The four factors are measured by:

• eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
• OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
• TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
• FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)

Stats & Metrics

PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).

PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.

POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.

ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is listed in the Four Factors table above. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.

USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%.

ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.

+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 115, the league — on average — would produced 23.0 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -3.0.

Players are sorted by total production in the game.