Category: Basketball

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the Spurs are on their second 11-game win streak right now.

After leaving a Kawhi Leonard-shaped crater behind them in Los Angeles, without the aid of the Monstar that is Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs should enter this one with peak confidence.

It almost feels like a lack of exaggeration to say the silver-and-black have been so in lockstep over the last several games that it’s hard to point out who (if anyone) can end this streak.

The Nuggets are on that *very* short list, though, with most of their top contributors back on the court for this match-up.

When healthy, Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon pose particular problems for the Spurs, with Gordon exploiting the Spurs’ weakness at Power Forward, and Jokic’s passing negating some of Wemby’s otherwise smothering presence in the paint.

I’d also be remiss to leave out the ever-levitating Jamal Murray, who serves as one of the best challenges to the usually stellar defense of San Antonio’s guards.

Difficult enough to guard on an average day, you never know when Murray is going to summon the golden touch and completely wreck a lead, or San Antonio’s entire game plan. Almost every player, given enough time, will go on a hot streak that surpasses even the loftiest expectations, but Murray is in his own category in that respect, to the extent that it would have turned even Kobe Bryant’s head.

If I’m being honest, it reminds me of the way that Manu Ginobili would get hot back in his prime. And that’s as high a compliment as I can give.

That being said, the Spurs are in an interesting state of mind (and health), with the team seemingly getting stronger the longer that the streak goes on.

Wemby’s been tossing out 40-point games with the ease of a longtime paper boy running his route for the 1000th time. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are burning up the rims from long-distance, each easily shooting 40%+ outside of the arc (with Harper shooting 50%) over the last 10 games. All of the important players are off the injury report.

The Spurs are #1 in Offensive and Net Rating since February. Their defensive rating over that same stretch? That would be 2nd in the NBA. And according to this nifty, newly updated chart, these Spurs have officially passed the ‘Beautiful Game’ Spurs of 2014 in Net Rating for the season.

Even with a perfectly healthy Jokic, Gordon, and Murray, that might be too much to overcome, and I’m not confident that Jokic and Gordon are that kind of healthy.

Still, between the infamous Mile High Air and the cohesiveness of the Nuggets when they are all present, there’s a chance this could go down to the wire. It should certainly be entertaining.

I wouldn’t place any bets on the Nuggets, though. Especially with Victor likely to be hungry coming off of rest. This San Antonio team is something else.

And not only do they know it — they’ve been playing like it.

San Antonio Spurs (59-18) vs Denver Nuggets (49-28)

April 4th, 2026 | 2:00 PM CT

Watch: NBA on Amazon Prime/KENS| Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: None

Nuggets Injuries: Tim Hardaway Jr: Probable (Knee), Peyton Watson: Out (Hamstring), Spencer Jones: Out (Hamstring), Zeke Nnaji: Out (Hip)

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the regular NBA season with a hamstring injury.

The Slovenian, 37, had played himself into contention for the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award during an outstanding March in which he became only the 10th player in history to score 600 points in a single month.

But he will miss the final five regular season games after suffering a grade two strain of his left hamstring during Thursday's heavy loss to Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers have not provided a timetable for Doncic's return after he had a scan on Friday - just two weeks before the start of the NBA play-offs on 18 April.

Doncic is the NBA's leading scorer this season with 2143 points for an unequalled average of 33.5 points per game.

However, having been sidelined for four games with a left hamstring strain earlier in the season, and missing two games to return to Slovenia for the birth of his daughter in December, Doncic is set to fall short of the minimum games threshold required to qualify for the NBA's major end-of-season awards.

Doncic, who is one appearance short of the 65 required, will apply for an "Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge", according to his agent Bill Duffy.

"This season, Luka Doncic has performed at a historic level, leading the league in scoring, carrying the Lakers to third place in the Western Conference and placing himself in the middle of one of the most tightly contested MVP races in memory," Duffy told ESPN.

"To ensure Luka's incredible accomplishments this season are rightly honoured and he can be considered for the league's end-of-season awards, we intend to apply for an 'Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge' to the 65-game rule."

Doncic was named March's player of the month following 13 consecutive 30-point performances which helped the Lakers to 13 wins in 14 games prior to the defeat by Thunder.

Rookie Flagg makes history in defeat

Cooper Flagg became the first teenager in NBA history to reach 50 points in a game - but that was not enough to earn the Dallas Mavericks victory against the Orlando Magic.

Flagg, 19, scored 51 points - including 24 in the fourth quarter - to surpass his previous career high of 49 in January.

But the 138-127 loss brought Dallas' 14th consecutive home defeat.

"It's always fun getting into that type of mode," Flagg said.

"The basket feels big. But I like to win. That was my main focus. It's hard for me to fully enjoy myself out there when we're down 20, down 10, down 15, for the majority of the game."

Dating back as far as the Players Era Festival in November, Michigan men's basketball has been one of the top programs in the country for a majority of the season.

The Wolverines strengthened that claim by rolling past their four opponents in the first two weekends of the Men's NCAA Tournament, highlighted by a colossal 33-point win over No. 6 Tennessee in the Elite Eight that came off from a 27-point performance from Yaxel Lendeborg.

So, is this the year that the Wolverines get over the hump and the season-long mission of being national champions with two wins at the Final Four?

Final Four odds: Expert picks to win March Madness

On part, because of its depth, experience and physicality inside the paint, Michigan has as good a chance as any of the four teams in Indianapolis to do that. Oddsmakers agree.

To get to their first national championship celebration since 1989, though, Dusty May's squad must get through a challenging No. 1 Arizona team with just as high a ceiling as Michigan and which brings as much physicality and presence around the rim as the Wolverines do.

Here's what to know on Michigan's history in the Final Four:

When was the last time Michigan went to Final Four?

It has been eight years since the Wolverines last reached the Final Four in 2018.

Michigan basketball Final Four history

Michigan is making the ninth Final Four appearance in program history, but only seven of those are recognized by the NCAA after the Wolverines vacated appearances in the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons due to improper benefits paid by a booster to players.

Here's a breakdown of how Michigan has fared in the Final Four:

• 1964: lost semifinal to Duke, 91-80; lost third place game to Kansas State, 100-90
• 1965: won semifinal vs. Princeton, 94-76; lost final to UCLA, 91-80
• 1976: won semifinal vs. Rutgers, 86-70; lost final to Indiana, 86-68
• 1989: won semifinal vs. Illinois, 83-81; won final vs. Seton Hall, 80-79
• 1992: won semifinal vs. Cincinnati, 76-72; lost final to Duke, 71-51 *
• 1993: won semifinal vs. North Carolina, 81-78; lost final to North Carolina, 77-71 *
• 2013: won semifinal vs. Syracuse, 61-55; lost final to Louisville, 82-76
• 2018: won semifinal vs. Loyola-Chicago, 69-57; lost final to Villanova, 79-62

* Denotes vacated Final Four appearances

Michigan basketball Final Four record

The Wolverines are an official 5-1 in the Final Four in their six previous trips that are recognized by the NCAA. Michigan's lone loss in the Final Four came in 1964 when Dave Strack was the head coach, and the Wolverines finished as the co-champions of the Big Ten conference.

Michigan's last trip to the Final Four came in 2018 when it stopped Cinderella sweethearts Loyola-Chicago's (with viral sensation and legend Sister Jean) run in March Madness in the national semifinals. The Wolverines would then see their run come to an end in the national title game when it ran into the buzz saw of Villanova.

Has Michigan won a Men's NCAA Tournament national championship?

Yes, Michigan men's basketball has won the national championship once in program history, coming in the 1989 NCAA Tournament. To win the national championship that season, the Wolverines — the No. 3 seed in the Southeast Region — defeated No. 3 seed Seton Hall in a one-possession, overtime game thanks to 31 points from Glen Rice and 21 points from Rumeal Robinson.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How many Final Fours does Michigan have? March Madness history

Dan Hurley has built quite the powerhouse at Connecticut in his eight seasons in the so-called "Basketball Capital of the World."

He's won a lot because of that, too.

The Jersey City, New Jersey native, who started out coaching high school basketball at St. Benedict's Prep, is widely considered as one of the top coaches in the country ... And perhaps of all-time. So, what are the numbers?

REQUIRED READING: Braylon Mullins is more than a big shot. He's been UConn's missing piece

Since taking over the Huskies program in 2018, Hurley has led the Huskies to a 198-74 overall record, back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, a Big East tournament title and six straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

In the NCAA Tournament alone, the Huskies are an impressive 17-3 overall under him, and are the first team in over a decade to make the Final Four three times in a four-year span. His overall 19-5 NCAA Tournament record, which includes a few trips with Rhode Island, has him with the best winning percentage in March Madness among active coaches and third-best all-time with a minimum of 15 games.

The Huskies now look for their 18th NCAA Tournament win under Hurley on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET when they face No. 3 Illinois in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

For his success at UConn, Hurley is well compensated by the Huskies. Here's a look at Hurley's contract at UConn:

REQUIRED READING: Dan Hurley isn’t actually a jerk entering Final Four. He just plays one on TV | Opinion

Dan Hurley contract

Hurley signed a new six-year contract with UConn in July 2024, less than a month after he turned down a job offer in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. His deal currently has another four years left on it, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

His contract extension in 2024 was his second in a span of a year, as he had signed an original six-year, $32.1 million contract extension following the Huskies' first of two back-to-back national championship titles.

"It's an honor to coach basketball at UConn and to represent this world-class institution and the great state of Connecticut," Hurley said in a statement at the time of his July 2024 contract extension. 

He is making a total of $8.025 million this season, making him one of the highest-paid coaches among public universities and colleges.

Dan Hurley bonuses

Hurley has already earned $475,000 in postseason bonuses for leading the Huskies back to the Final Four, according to his contract. He could also an addition $300,000 if UConn beats Illinois on Saturday, and then an addition $500,000 if the Huskies win it all.

All told, Hurley could earn up to a total of $1.275 million in postseason bonuses this season.

Dan Hurley buyout

Hurley's buyout is currently set at $3 million if he were to leave UConn, which was set for April 1. Should Hurley be fired by the Huskies with cause, his buyout is currently at just under $34.8 millon as of April 1.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dan Hurley contract: UConn coach's bonuses, buyout before Final Four

Orlando Magic (41-36, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (25-53, 12th in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Magic -3; over/under is 235.5

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans will try to end its seven-game slide when the Pelicans take on Orlando.

The Pelicans are 16-23 on their home court. New Orleans is 14-24 in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Magic are 17-20 in road games. Orlando has an 18-25 record against teams above .500.

The Pelicans score 114.9 points per game, 0.5 fewer points than the 115.4 the Magic give up. The Magic average 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 fewer made shots on average than the 14.2 per game the Pelicans allow.

The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Magic defeated the Pelicans 128-118 in their last matchup on Jan. 11. Desmond Bane led the Magic with 27 points, and Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pelicans. Saddiq Bey is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Bane is averaging 20.4 points and 4.2 assists for the Magic. Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.2 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 3-7, averaging 111.5 points, 41.2 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.9 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.8 points per game.

Magic: 3-7, averaging 114.2 points, 38.7 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.5 steals and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.6 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Karlo Matkovic: day to day (back), Dejounte Murray: day to day (achilles), Bryce McGowens: day to day (toe).

Magic: Anthony Black: out (abdomen), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Memphis Grizzlies (25-52, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (30-47, 11th in the Eastern Conference)

Milwaukee; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Memphis looks to stop its three-game losing streak with a victory over Milwaukee.

The Bucks have gone 17-22 in home games. Milwaukee allows 116.9 points to opponents and has been outscored by 6.4 points per game.

The Grizzlies are 11-26 in road games. Memphis averages 14.7 turnovers per game and is 14-24 when committing fewer turnovers than opponents.

The Bucks average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.0 more made shot on average than the 14.0 per game the Grizzlies allow. The Grizzlies average 13.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 14.8 per game the Bucks allow.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Grizzlies won 125-104 in the last matchup on Dec. 27.

TOP PERFORMERS: Myles Turner is averaging 11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Bucks. Ryan Rollins is averaging 14.5 points and four assists over the last 10 games.

GG Jackson is averaging 12.5 points for the Grizzlies. Olivier-Maxence Prosper is averaging 12.8 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bucks: 2-8, averaging 106.0 points, 38.6 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 7.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.0 points per game.

Grizzlies: 2-8, averaging 109.7 points, 35.1 rebounds, 23.8 assists, 9.5 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 126.0 points.

INJURIES: Bucks: Kevin Porter Jr.: out for season (knee), Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (ankle), Ryan Rollins: day to day (hip), Bobby Portis: day to day (wrist), Gary Trent Jr.: day to day (hip).

Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: out for season (knee), Jahmai Mashack: day to day (neck), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Walter Clayton Jr.: day to day (hip), Ja Morant: out for season (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out for season (toe), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Ty Jerome: day to day (ankle), Jaylen Wells: out for season (toe), Taj Gibson: day to day (foot), Olivier-Maxence Prosper: day to day (back), Cam Spencer: day to day (back), Brandon Clarke: out for season (calf).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Charlotte Hornets (42-36, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (46-31, sixth in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -1.5; over/under is 228.5

BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte is looking to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Hornets take on Minnesota.

The Timberwolves are 25-14 on their home court. Minnesota ranks fifth in the Western Conference with 16.2 fast break points per game led by Ayo Dosunmu averaging 3.8.

The Hornets are 21-17 on the road. Charlotte leads the league averaging 16.4 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 38.0% from downtown. LaMelo Ball leads the team averaging 3.6 makes while shooting 36.5% from 3-point range.

The Timberwolves' 13.7 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.9 more made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the Hornets give up. The Hornets are shooting 46.1% from the field, 0.2% higher than the 45.9% the Timberwolves' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Timberwolves won the last matchup 122-105 on Nov. 1, with Julius Randle scoring 30 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Randle is averaging 21.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Timberwolves. Dosunmu is averaging 15 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists over the last 10 games.

Ball is scoring 19.5 points per game with 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 20.3 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49.3% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 5-5, averaging 110.4 points, 46.1 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 8.9 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.0 points per game.

Hornets: 8-2, averaging 122.4 points, 47.0 rebounds, 26.8 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.4 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Jaden McDaniels: out (knee).

Hornets: Grant Williams: day to day (knee), Moussa Diabate: day to day (ankle), PJ Hall: day to day (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Utah Jazz (21-57, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (61-16, first in the Western Conference)

Oklahoma City; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Utah is looking to stop its eight-game slide with a win against Oklahoma City.

The Thunder are 38-9 in Western Conference games. Oklahoma City ranks second in the Western Conference with 34.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Chet Holmgren averaging 7.0.

The Jazz are 1-14 against Northwest Division opponents. Utah ranks third in the league with 29.4 assists per game led by Isaiah Collier averaging 7.2.

The Thunder score 118.9 points per game, 6.7 fewer points than the 125.6 the Jazz give up. The Jazz score 9.7 more points per game (117.2) than the Thunder give up (107.5).

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Thunder won 129-125 in overtime in the last meeting on Jan. 8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 46 points, and Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 29 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Holmgren is shooting 55.0% and averaging 16.9 points for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.5 points over the last 10 games.

Kyle Filipowski is scoring 11.3 points per game and averaging 7.1 rebounds for the Jazz. Ace Bailey is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 9-1, averaging 120.9 points, 46.9 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 9.9 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.5 points per game.

Jazz: 1-9, averaging 116.6 points, 42.5 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 130.6 points.

INJURIES: Thunder: Alex Caruso: day to day (illness), Luguentz Dort: day to day (undisclosed), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).

Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (hip), Isaiah Collier: day to day (hamstring), Keyonte George: out (leg), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Elijah Harkless: day to day (hamstring), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Detroit Pistons (56-21, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (43-34, sixth in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Saturday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pistons -1.5; over/under is 227.5

BOTTOM LINE: Detroit faces Philadelphia in Eastern Conference action Saturday.

The 76ers are 25-24 against Eastern Conference opponents. Philadelphia ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference with 50.2 points per game in the paint led by Tyrese Maxey averaging 11.3.

The Pistons are 35-12 in Eastern Conference play. Detroit averages 117.5 points and has outscored opponents by 7.9 points per game.

The 116.5 points per game the 76ers score are 6.9 more points than the Pistons allow (109.6). The Pistons are shooting 48.2% from the field, 1.4% higher than the 46.8% the 76ers' opponents have shot this season.

The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Pistons won 131-109 in the last matchup on March 12. Duncan Robinson led the Pistons with 19 points, and MarJon Beauchamp led the 76ers with 17 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Maxey is averaging 28.7 points, 6.8 assists and 1.9 steals for the 76ers. VJ Edgecombe is averaging 20.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists over the past 10 games.

Ausar Thompson is averaging 9.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and two steals for the Pistons. Jalen Duren is averaging 22.2 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 7-3, averaging 122.5 points, 46.4 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 7.5 steals and 6.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.8 points per game.

Pistons: 8-2, averaging 119.2 points, 44.6 rebounds, 31.0 assists, 9.9 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.6 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Johni Broome: out (knee).

Pistons: Marcus Sasser: day to day (hip), Tobias Harris: day to day (knee), Cade Cunningham: out (lung), Isaiah Stewart: out (calf).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Los Angeles Clippers (39-38, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (20-57, 14th in the Western Conference)

Sacramento, California; Sunday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles will try to keep its three-game road win streak alive when the Clippers take on Sacramento.

The Kings are 3-10 against opponents in the Pacific Division. Sacramento has a 3-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Clippers are 8-6 against opponents in the Pacific Division. Los Angeles is 18-27 against opponents over .500.

The Kings are shooting 46.6% from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points lower than the 46.9% the Clippers allow to opponents. The Clippers are shooting 48.5% from the field, 1.0% lower than the 49.5% the Kings' opponents have shot this season.

The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Kings won the last matchup 118-109 on March 15. DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points to help lead the Kings to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: DeRozan is scoring 18.6 points per game with 3.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Kings. Maxime Raynaud is averaging 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 54.6% over the last 10 games.

Kawhi Leonard is averaging 28 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and two steals for the Clippers. Darius Garland is averaging 19.4 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 3-6, averaging 112.3 points, 43.2 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 5.9 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.6 points per game.

Clippers: 5-5, averaging 115.3 points, 38.8 rebounds, 24.2 assists, 10.2 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 50.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.7 points.

INJURIES: Kings: Domantas Sabonis: out for season (back), Russell Westbrook: out (foot), De'Andre Hunter: out for season (eye), Zach LaVine: out for season (finger), Drew Eubanks: out for season (thumb), Malik Monk: day to day (shoulder), Keegan Murray: out (ankle).

Clippers: Isaiah Jackson: out (ankle), Yanic Konan Niederhauser: out for season (foot), Bradley Beal: out for season (hip).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Los Angeles Lakers (50-27, third in the Western Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (24-53, 13th in the Western Conference)

Dallas; Sunday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lakers -6.5; over/under is 235.5

BOTTOM LINE: Dallas faces the Los Angeles Lakers after Cooper Flagg scored 51 points in the Dallas Mavericks' 138-127 loss to the Orlando Magic.

The Mavericks are 13-34 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas gives up 119.3 points to opponents and has been outscored by 5.7 points per game.

The Lakers are 30-17 against conference opponents. Los Angeles ranks eighth in the NBA scoring 52.1 points per game in the paint led by LeBron James averaging 11.0.

The Mavericks average 113.6 points per game, 1.4 fewer points than the 115.0 the Lakers allow. The Lakers average 11.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.0 fewer made shot on average than the 12.9 per game the Mavericks allow.

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Lakers won the last matchup 124-104 on Feb. 13. James scored 28 points to help lead the Lakers to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Flagg is averaging 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Mavericks. Naji Marshall is averaging 15.5 points and 3.7 assists over the last 10 games.

James is scoring 20.6 points per game and averaging 6.0 rebounds for the Lakers. Austin Reaves is averaging 1.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mavericks: 2-8, averaging 117.8 points, 43.4 rebounds, 26.9 assists, 9.1 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 127.9 points per game.

Lakers: 8-2, averaging 116.9 points, 40.5 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 9.3 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 51.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.3 points.

INJURIES: Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Caleb Martin: day to day (foot), P.J. Washington: day to day (illness), Kyrie Irving: out for season (knee), Marvin Bagley III: day to day (shoulder).

Lakers: Marcus Smart: day to day (ankle), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Phoenix Suns (42-35, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (29-48, 12th in the Eastern Conference)

Chicago; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Chicago heads into the matchup against Phoenix as losers of six games in a row.

The Bulls are 18-21 on their home court. Chicago ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 17.0 fast break points per game led by Matas Buzelis averaging 2.7.

The Suns are 18-20 on the road. Phoenix ranks seventh in the NBA allowing only 111.3 points while holding opponents to 47.2% shooting.

The Bulls score 116.2 points per game, 4.9 more points than the 111.3 the Suns give up. The Bulls average 112.8 points per game, 8.8 fewer points than the 121.6 the Bulls allow to opponents.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Bulls won 105-103 in the last matchup on March 6.

TOP PERFORMERS: Josh Giddey is shooting 44.8% and averaging 17.0 points for the Bulls. Buzelis is averaging 18.6 points over the last 10 games.

Devin Booker is averaging 25.7 points and six assists for the Suns. Collin Gillespie is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 2-8, averaging 119.3 points, 44.0 rebounds, 26.4 assists, 7.3 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 130.8 points per game.

Suns: 3-7, averaging 114.7 points, 42.3 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 8.8 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.4 points.

INJURIES: Bulls: Anfernee Simons: day to day (wrist), Jalen Smith: out for season (calf), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Nick Richards: day to day (elbow), Zach Collins: out for season (toe).

Suns: Haywood Highsmith: day to day (knee), Amir Coffey: day to day (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Indiana Pacers (18-59, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-29, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

Cleveland; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Conference foes Cleveland and Indiana meet on Sunday.

The Cavaliers have gone 30-18 against Eastern Conference opponents. Cleveland ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 28.3 assists per game led by James Harden averaging 8.1.

The Pacers are 14-34 against Eastern Conference opponents. Indiana averages 13.7 turnovers per game and is 13-25 when turning the ball over less than opponents.

The Cavaliers are shooting 48.0% from the field this season, 1.1 percentage points lower than the 49.1% the Pacers allow to opponents. The Pacers are shooting 45.9% from the field, 0.5% lower than the 46.4% the Cavaliers' opponents have shot this season.

The two teams match up for the fourth time this season. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 120-116 in their last meeting on Jan. 7. Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers with 20 points, and Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 22 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.7 points, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. Harden is averaging 20.6 points over the last 10 games.

Siakam is averaging 24 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Pacers. Aaron Nesmith is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 121.0 points, 44.2 rebounds, 28.6 assists, 6.6 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.2 points per game.

Pacers: 3-7, averaging 123.0 points, 38.3 rebounds, 35.0 assists, 6.6 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 52.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 128.1 points.

INJURIES: Cavaliers: Dean Wade: day to day (ankle), Jaylon Tyson: out (toe).

Pacers: T.J. McConnell: day to day (hamstring), Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Andrew Nembhard: day to day (back), Ivica Zubac: out for season (rib), Pascal Siakam: day to day (back), Jarace Walker: day to day (back), Aaron Nesmith: day to day (neck), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

The Dallas Mavericks kicked off the weekend with a Friday night matchup against the Orlando Magic. Both teams came in ice cold, each 2-8 in their past 10 games. But Orlando had too much firepower against a shorthanded Dallas, as the Mavericks home losing streak extended to 14. But it didn’t matter because there was a bigger storyline for Dallas tonight: Cooper Flagg is special. Here are the grades, as the Mavs shift focus to the Lakers on Sunday.

Cooper Flagg: A+

51 PTS / 6 REB / 3 AST / 3 STL / 1 BLK – 34 MIN

Holy cow. No teenager had ever scored 50 points in an NBA game – until tonight. At 19 years and 103 days old, Cooper Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history to hit the 50-point mark (51 actually). He was special tonight. Flagg was 19/30 from the floor, 6/9 from three, and 7/7 from the free throw line. An aggressive Cooper Flagg is a Cooper Flagg that we like to see. From the jump, Flagg was searching for his shot and getting to the rim with relative ease. Even with a physical Magic team hounding him all night, Flagg found a way to get to his spots, and his jumper was hotter than fish grease. When he starts taking pullup jumpers from the perimeter, you know he’s in rhythm.

Naji Marshall: C-

9 PTS / 4 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL – 24 MIN

This was an uncharacteristic Naji Marshall game. Marshall was just 3/12 from the floor, missing several of his patented paint floaters. He just didn’t have the touch tonight and was a team worst -16. As icing on the cake, he was ejected with 10:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, after receiving his second technical foul.

Klay Thompson: A

18 PTS / 2 AST / 1 REB – 22 MIN

Klay Thompson is a lot more like us regular folk than one might think. This man just shows up for work, does what he was hired to do, and goes home. He was the hot hand from beyond the arc tonight for Dallas, going 4/10. If you needed a reminder, Klay is closing in on 3,000 three pointers made in his career and if he stays a Maverick this offseason, he’ll do it sometime in 2026. He currently sits at 2,891. And once he eclipses that mark, he’ll be one of only three players to hit 3,000 career threes, joining Stephen Curry and James Harden.

Max Christie: B+

14 PTS / 5 REB / 3 AST – 29 MIN

Max Christie, after losing his touch for a few games this season, has been better as of late. He hit a couple threes to give the Mavericks offense life early but was largely silent for the rest of the game. But he impacts the game defensively. Christie was a team high +7 on a night the Mavs lost by 11.

Brandon Williams: B-

23 PTS / 5 AST / 2 REB / 2 STL / 3 TO – 26 MIN

Williams’ ability to attack and finish is never an issue. He has one of the quickest first steps of any guard in the NBA and he’s past you before you can blink. But he had loose hands tonight, adding three turnovers to his five assists. The scoring is there, but Williams is limited in creating offense for others.

Ryan Nembhard: C+

2 PTS / 6 REB / 5 AST / 3 TO – 21 MIN

Nembhard is a good facilitator. He can run and offense and help get guys into their spots. But his lack of size is too often exploited on both ends of the floor. Sometimes his offense can make up for his defense, but it didn’t tonight. Scoring two points with five assists and three turnovers just isn’t good enough.

Daniel Gafford: B

7 PTS / 3 REB / 1 AST / 2 STL / 2 BLK – 20 MIN

Gafford has been through a lot this season. He has no real point guard to play off of and his injuries have kept him from maintaining any consistency in his play. While the stat sheet doesn’t jump off the page tonight, his energy and effort were much needed as the Mavs are desperately searching for something to inject them with some life on a nightly basis.

Dwight Powell: B

0 PTS / 5 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 25 MIN

This is the most Dwight Powell game of Dwight Powell games. He didn’t score but did grab a few rebounds and still moved like he’s 22. Powell was at a severe disadvantage tonight with Orlando’s athletic big men, but as he always does, he tried. And solely for his effort, he would get an A.

Final Thoughts

Orlando, despite its recent struggles, is just the clear better team. They shot well from three, beat the Mavs up in the paint, and just found ways to expose the Mavericks on defense. But the real story was Cooper Flagg. There’s nothing else to be said that hasn’t been already. He’s special and one-of-a-kind. Even if he doesn’t win Rookie of the Year, he’ll be amongst the league’s elite…very soon.

A few notes from the Knicks' win over Chicago on Friday...

ROTATION CHANGE?

Mike Brown went with Jeremy Sochan as his backup center against the Bulls. He was pleased with Sochan's effort.

"It allowed us to do a lot of things like switch pick and rolls," Brown said while giving Sochan the Defensive Player of the Game nod. "It brought a different element to our game. Not just offensively with the speed, but defensively with switching a lot of things and just keeping the ball in front of us."

An interesting wrinkle to Sochan's rotation minutes? Neither Jose Alvarado nor Mohamed Diawara played in the first three quarters of Friday's game.

Afterward, Brown was asked about Alvarado's role with the team. It's a "priority" to play Miles McBride and Landry Shamet at the guard spots off the bench right now, Brown said.

"We think Jose has done a fantastic job for us," Brown said. "… Deuce is getting healthier and Landry's getting healthy and trying to find minutes for those guys -- both of those guys are capable of playing that (backup guard) spot -- is going to be a priority because they've proven themselves this year for us."

Speaking of McBride's health, he was asked about tweaking his groin/ab muscle last Sunday against Oklahoma City. McBride reiterated that the tweak against OKC is part of the process as he returns from sports hernia surgery.

"It's just kind of like a tweak; it's a painful tweak," McBride said. "(It's) like someone stabbing your groin, hip and ab at the same time. It's not fun. I'll get back right. All glory to God."

ANUNOBY'S ALL-DEFENSIVE CASE

Brown was surprised to hear that OG Anunoby has only made one All-Defensive team in his career (second team in 2022-23).

"It's bulls--t, and I can say that with a straight face 'cause he's a great defender and he does a lot of different things that people don't see on that end of the floor for us and for other teams he played for," Brown said. "But more importantly, his versatility is just off the charts and you can do a lot of things with your defense because of him. In my opinion, he deserves First Team All-Defense this year -- and hopefully the powers that be will see it that way, too."

Anunoby agreed with the idea that he should have been named to more than just one All-Defensive team at this point in his career.

"I think I should've gotten it more, for sure," Anunoby said. "I think I should've gotten it last year. I think I should get it this year. That's definitely a goal of mine, coming into the season, especially defensively, being on the first team or second team -- hopefully first."

McBride was also surprised to hear that Anunoby has only made one All-Defensive team in his career. McBride calls Anunoby the "nickel" corner of the Knicks' defense, pointing out that he guards players both bigger and smaller than him.

"I think that speaks to his motor, his work ethic," McBride said. "He super important for us."

BROWN REMAINS CONFIDENT IN GROUP

The Knicks reached 50 wins on Friday night. They've won 50 or more games for three consecutive years. It's the first time a Knicks team has done that since the club had four straight 50-plus-win seasons from 1991-92 to 1994-95.

In a big-picture sense, this season is another in a great run for New York. But this year's team has been inconsistent on both ends of the floor. It has lost three straight to teams above .500.

It's hard to know what to make of the team with four games left before the postseason. What does Brown think about where his team is at the moment?

"You always want your team to be playing at the highest of high cylinders," Brown said before Friday's game. "Do I think we're there right now? No. Do I have belief in this team? Yes, I do. I've seen us play really good basketball throughout the course of the year. Even in games where there's quote-unquote manufactured pressure (such as the NBA Cup). We've played really good basketball.

"I like what we have in that locker room and I like the things that we've done this year, but I expect more from myself first and everybody else second."

Brown noted that his team has performed mostly well in games against Boston, the Thunder and in the NBA Cup. That means something to the head coach.

"All games you want to win, but when you go into Boston, it's different than maybe going into another arena," he said. "Or if you go into OKC, it's different than going into another arena. Those types of games, there's a lot of manufactured pressure just because they're good teams and it’s on national TV and all that good stuff. So to get that (environment) and to be able to perform at a pretty good level -- you embrace that opportunity. You want to win all games, but to win those games -- our guys have done (well) in those situations over the course of the year.

"So my belief is, (with) this group going into the playoffs when it's real, that our guys will rise to the occasion."