Category: Basketball

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A potential NBA Finals preview is set to hit our screens tonight when the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Boston Celtics. 

Our NBA player prop projections are here to help you make your NBA picks for this epic showdown on March 25.

Don't forget to also check out Ed Scimia's full Thunder vs. Celtics predictions.

Thunder vs Celtics computer picks for March 24

Thunder	Celtics
Hartenstein o7.5 points +115	Brown o6.5 rebounds  +100
Gilgeous-Alexander u29.5 points +100	Queta o7.5 points -135
Williams u3.5 assists  +100	Hauser o6.5 points -112

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Thunder computer picks

Isaiah Hartenstein Over 7.5 (+115)

Projection: 8.5 points

Isaiah Hartenstein has cleared this line in back-to-back games, and the Oklahoma City Thunder have the fourth-best offense away from home. It's important to note this is OKC's fifth road game, so Hart has found recent success away from Paycom Center. 

This is a five-star play according to our projections!

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Hartenstein Now at bet365!/span

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 29.5 points (+100)

Projection: 27.3 points

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP, but even the best in the world will have a tough time scoring against the league's stingiest defense.

The Boston Celtics also play at a snail's pace, leading to fewer possessions. SGA will get his, but even if Boston holds him to "just" 29 points, this cashes.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet gilgeous-alexander Now at bet365!/span

Jalen Williams Under 3.5 assists (+100)

Projection: 3.2 assists

As mentioned, offense won't be easy to come by for the Thunder. Without Shai scoring as much as he's used to, that — along with fewer possessions — will cut into J-Dub's assists.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet williams Now at bet365!/span

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Celtics computer picks

Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 rebounds (+100)

Projection: 7.7 rebounds

Jaylen Brown can score with the best of them, but he's also an underrated rebounder. JB is pulling down 7.0 boards per game and has eclipsed this number in six of 11 March outings.

The C's rank as the second-best offensive rebound team as well, opening the door for more board opportunities for the Boston superstar.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet brown Now at bet365!/span

Neemias Queta Over 7.5 points (-135)

Projection: 9.4 points

Neemias Queta has become a reliable part of this Boston attack, eclipsing tonight's points total three times in his last five games. As mentioned, the Celtics are elite offensive rebounders, which will help lead to easy second-chance buckets for their big man.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet queta Now at bet365!/span

Sam Hauser Over 6.5 points (-112)

Projection: 7.7 points

Sam Hauser has found himself in a bit of a slump, but he cashed the Over on his points line in four straight before. OKC's offense is elite, but Tatum and Jaylen Brown will cause enough disturbance where the Thunder will dare a guy like Hauser to beat them.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet hauser Now at bet365!/span

How to watch Thunder vs Celtics tonight

Location	TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date	Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Tip-off	7:30 p.m. ET
TV	FDSN-Oklahoma, NBCS-Boston

Not intended for use in MA.
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TD Garden will play host to a potential NBA Finals showdown tonight as the Boston Celtics face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oklahoma City has won 12 straight games, and my Thunder vs. Celtics predictions back them to continue that streak tonight.

Read on for more analysis of tonight’s matchup in my free NBA picks for Wednesday, March 25.

Thunder vs Celtics prediction

Thunder vs Celtics best bet: Thunder moneyline (-135)

The Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t just riding a lengthy winning streak, but they’re as healthy as ever with the return of Jalen Williams to the lineup.

The best team in the NBA and the clear title favorites are led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.5 points per game), but Williams is one of several outstanding players around SGA that have contributed to the team’s 57-15 record. Depth is Oklahoma City’s biggest strength, with 11 players averaging 7.5+ PPG on the year.

The Boston Celtics are happy to have Jayson Tatum back and will need him to make a championship run. But Tatum is shooting just 38.8% from the field since his return from injury. The Celtics are 6-2 in the eight games with Tatum active, but are averaging 113.1 points in those contests – surprisingly down a full point from their season average. 

Even when these teams have both been fully healthy over the last few years, the Thunder have had Boston’s number, winning five of the last six matchups, and going 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 meetings. 

Oklahoma City won the first game between these teams this season, albeit in a very close battle. I’m expecting another tight matchup tonight, but until I see Tatum playing like his old self again, I don’t think Boston has the weapons to match up with the Thunder for 48 minutes, even at home. I’m betting on the Thunder to pick up the win on the road tonight.

Thunder vs Celtics same-game parlay

The Thunder have a wealth of capable scorers, and I’m counting on two to hit their targets tonight.

I like center Chet Holmgren to get Over 14.5 points tonight, something he’s done in four of his last five games. I’m also taking Jalen Williams to go Over 13.5 points after scoring 18 in his return to action on Monday.

Thunder vs Celtics SGP

• Thunder moneyline
• Chet Holmgren Over 14.5 points
• Jalen Williams Over 13.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Treys cool

Boston plays outstanding defense but can be hit at the three-point line, where they allow opponents to shoot 35.7%.

Jared McCain has hit 3+ threes in four of his last five games, Holmgren hit three shots from deep in his last game, and Jaylin Williams has hit at least one shot from beyond the arc in nine of his last 10. I’m taking all three to hit the Over on their threes made totals tonight.

Thunder vs Celtics SGP

• Thunder -2
• Jared McCain Over 1.5 made threes
• Chet Holmgren Over 1.5 made threes
• Jaylin Williams Over 0.5 made threes

Thunder vs Celtics odds

• Spread: Thunder -2 (-110) | Celtics +2 (-110)
• Moneyline: Thunder -135 | Celtics +115
• Over/Under: Over 218.5 (-110) | Under 218.5 (-110)

Thunder vs Celtics betting trend to know

The Thunder have won 12 straight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Celtics.

How to watch Thunder vs Celtics

Thunder vs Celtics latest injuries

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The biggest opening on the men's college basketball coaching carousel thus far is in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The Tar Heels announced on Tuesday, March 24, that Hubert Davis would not return to his alma mater for a sixth season after UNC was upset in the first round of the Men's NCAA Tournament by 11-seed VCU. In a statement posted on his social media, Davis said he was "let go by" North Carolina and that he wanted to "still coach" the Tar Heels.

REQUIRED READING: Why was Hubert Davis fired? North Carolina says it 'must move forward'

Davis' tenure is highlighted by leading the Tar Heels to the Final Four as a No. 8 seed in his first season. The Tar Heels went 125-54 overall in five seasons under Davis, but a near-70% winning percentage was not good enough for another year, as the program saw a second straight first-weekend exit in March Madness.

It's an important hiring cycle for the Tar Heels, who have athletic director Bubba Cummingham retiring and Steve Newmark soon taking over. It could also be a historic one, as UNC said it is looking to hire someone with no ties to the Tar Heels — something that hasn't happened in 74 seasons.

If North Carolina wants to hire its replacement for Davis from among the top coaches and rising stars in the sport, it will need to be ready to make a significant financial investment simply to lure them away from their current programs.

Here's a look at the buyouts for some of the Tar Heels' top potential candidates:

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With just three weeks left in the season, every win matters in the tightly-bunched and highly-competitive Western Conference.

The Minnesota Timberwolves (sans Anthony Edwards) host Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, and my Rockets vs. Timberwolves predictions expect KD to stay hot after his 40-point eruption against the Chicago Bulls.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this heavyweight tilt on Wednesday, March 25.

Rockets vs Timberwolves prediction

Rockets vs Timberwolves best bet: Kevin Durant Over 26.5 points (-110)

Kevin Durant is averaging 24.2 points per game at home, but he’s scoring 27.7 on the road this season. The Slim Reaper has scored 27+ in 31 of 68 games, reaching that mark in 18 of 33 road contests.

Durant went through a dip in scoring, averaging just 20.3 points in a three-game span while facing the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. Over his last two games, Durantula is back on track offensively with scoring totals of 27 and 40.

Houston’s superstar forward recently passed Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list. Remarkably, Durant ranks fifth in scoring but just 13th in field goal attempts, highlighting his elite efficiency.

Over his last 10 games, Durant has shot 58.1% from the floor and 46% from beyond the arc. He can be effective against a formidable Minnesota defense even if the team limits his shot attempts.

Durant has found success against the Minnesota Timberwolves in recent matchups. Across his last five regular-season tilts with the Wolves, he’s averaged 30.4 points and scored 27+ three times, including a 39-point performance in his first meeting of 2025-26.

I expect Durant to stay hot on the road in a primetime matchup with major playoff implications.

Rockets vs Timberwolves same-game parlay

Houston is just 1-6 ATS across its last seven games, while Minnesota has covered in three of four without Anthony Edwards. Edwards is out again, and Ayo Dosunmu is banged up with a calf injury.

The Houston Rockets should be desperate for a win after an embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bulls, and I’ll take them to win by at least a bucket on the road against a banged-up Wolves team.

Both teams have struggled offensively across their last 10 games. In that span, the Wolves rank 22nd in scoring (114 PPG), and the Rockets rank 26th at 111.1 PPG.

Both defenses are above average and play a physical brand of basketball, and buckets may come at a premium in this dogfight.

Rockets vs Timberwolves SGP

• Kevin Durant Over 26.5 points
• Rockets -1.5
• Under 224

Our "from downtown" SGP: No Bones About It

Bones Hyland has scored 15+ points in four straight games without Anthony Edwards while averaging 20 in that span. He's only averaged 2.4 assists for his career, but he's averaged four helpers in three starts and 3.8 dimes in nine games with 25+ minutes.

With Ayo Dosunmu banged up, Bones could have the ball in his hands a lot tonight.

Durant will understandably see plenty of defensive attention from Minnesota, and he'll need to find his teammates for open looks when the double-team comes.

He's recorded 5+ assists in four of his last seven games, and he dished seven dimes against the Wolves in his first meeting.

Rockets vs Timberwolves SGP

• Kevin Durant Over 26.5 points
• Bones Hyland Over 14.5 points
• Kevin Durant Over 4.5 assists
• Bones Hyland Over 3.5 assists

Rockets vs Timberwolves odds

• Spread: Houston -1.5 (-110) | Minnesota +1.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Houston -125 | Minnesota +105
• Over/Under: Over 224 (-110) | Under 224 (-110)

Rockets vs Timberwolves betting trend to know

The Minnesota Timberwolves have hit the Team Total Under in 25 of their last 35 games at home (+13.75 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Timberwolves.

How to watch Rockets vs Timberwolves

Rockets vs Timberwolves latest injuries

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BENGALURU, India (AP) — American investors are making a big move into Indian cricket, with two separate billion-dollar deals made on the same day for teams in the country's most popular sports league.

No team in the Indian Premier League — one of Asia's most-watched sports events — had ever sold for more than $1 billion until a consortium backed by U.S. businessmen Kal Somani and Rob Walton — the former Walmart chairman — agreed Tuesday to buy the Rajasthan Royals in a deal that Indian media valued at $1.63 billion.

That record only lasted hours, though, as an even bigger deal was announced the same day for reigning champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru. That team was bought for $1.78 billion by another consortium that includes U.S. billionaire David Blitzer's Bolt Ventures and American asset manager Blackstone.

The two deals highlight the increasing allure of India's national pastime among international investors looking to be part of the most popular sport in the world's populous country.

“It’s mind-boggling numbers," Indian cricketing great Sourav Ganguly told local reporters. “But great news for Indian cricket and the way forward. I think it’s already as big as the NBA.”

The valuations for the two teams mark a huge jump from their original 2008 sales, when liquor baron Vijay Mallya purchased RCB for $111.6 million and Rajasthan sold for $67 million.

Cricket's hottest property

The IPL, which only runs three months a year, features the sport's shortest format — called Twenty20 — and has developed into cricket's hottest property. In 2022, the broadcast rights for the 2023-27 cycle were bought for $6.4 billion by Disney Star and Reliance Viacom18. Disney has since exited its India business and the two entities together formed JioStar in 2025.

In a statement, Blitzer described the IPL as “one of the great growth stories in global sport.”

In 2021, the league was expanded from eight to 10 teams and the two new franchises, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, sold for $670 million and $940 million, respectively.

In comparison, the London Spirit team of the British cricket league The Hundred was valued in 2025 at $370 million — the highest for any team in that tournament — when its partial stake was up for sale last year.

“Over the past two decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket, creating enormous value for India,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman Aditya Birla Group, which is part of the consortium that includes Blitzer. “RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers us a distinctive platform to extend our legacy into the arena of global sport.”

The 2025 title was RCB's first, but the celebrations turned tragic when at least 11 people died in a deadly crowd crush at the team’s stadium.

The new ownership consortium will bring in a reformed management team for RCB. Aditya Birla director Aryaman Vikram Birla will serve as chairman, while Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group will take on the role of vice chairman.

Blitzer already has ownerships stakes in the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, the NHL's New Jersey Devils and the Premier League's Crystal Palace, among a slew of other teams.

For Rajasthan, Somani was an existing shareholder and moved to take full control of the franchise in a deal that still needs approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Indian media reported. The Arizona-based tech entrepreneur is also one of the founders of Motor City Golf Club in the TGL league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

The 81-year-old Walton is the eldest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, and is an owner of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.

Room for growth

While the IPL’s current valuations still fall well shy of the top global sports franchises in other sports, like the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys or soccer's Real Madrid, there is still room to grow.

Cricket made a foray into the U.S. market with the 2024 T20 World Cup — won by India — and the sport will return to American shores at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Times Group, another of RCB’s new co-owners, is already heavily invested in the American cricket market. It owns Willow, which primarily broadcasts all major cricket matches — including the IPL — in the U.S.

Walmart, meanwhile, has key interests in India. It acquired a majority stake in e-commerce giant Flipkart in 2018, and also controls PhonePe, the leading digital payments platform among other business interests.

There is also a connection between the IPL and Major League Cricket — a T20 competition that began in 2023 and has six teams: in Los Angeles, New York, San Fransisco, Seattle, Dallas and Washington, D.C.

The MLC is run with the blessings of IPL’s franchises – Chennai Super Kings owns the Texas franchise, while Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians own the Los Angeles and New York teams, respectively. The league is expected to grow to eight teams in 2027, with Arizona being a prime contender for one of the new franchises.

___

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

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It’s a jam-packed night of NBA action with a whopping 12 games on the schedule to wager on. That means a virtually unlimited number of options in the player prop markets.

That said, my best bets go back to a couple of old favorites, including fading the Heat on the glass and Victor Wembanyama continuing his personal block party.

Those and more NBA picks for Wednesday, March 25 below.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Evan Mobley	Over 9.5 rebounds	+100
Victor Wembanyama	Over 3.5 blocks	+100
Kawhi Leonard	Over 2.5 threes	+100

Prop #1: Evan Mobley Over 9.5 rebounds

+100 at bet365

Fading the Miami Heat with opposing player rebounds is one of my favorite things going in NBA betting these days.

The Heat aren’t a terrible rebounding team, but their high tempo makes them ripe to pick on. Miami leads the NBA in pace and field goal attempts per game. That inherently means a lot of rebounds, and in fact, they allow the second-most opponent rebounds per game.

So, let’s keep things simple for tonight’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With Jarrett Allen banged up, Evan Mobley is Cleveland’s best rebounder. He is averaging 8.9 rebounds per game this season, and that is up to 11.0 over his last seven games, and he has hauled down 11 or more four times over that stretch.

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FDSN-South, FDSN-Ohio

Prop #2: Victor Wembanyama Over 3.5 blocks

+100 at bet365

My other favorite bet going these days is Victor Wembanyama blocks. The Alien has been on a mission since coming out of the All-Star break, protecting the rim as we’ve rarely seen. 

The San Antonio Spurs’ star is averaging 3.9 blocks over the 17 games he’s played since the break, rejecting four or more shots 13 times during that period, and I’m expecting the block party to continue when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies.

The banged-up Grizz will be clearly overmatched in this game as 16.5-point home dogs, and this inexperienced group already ranks 19th in opponent blocks per game.

So, as long as sportsbooks keep giving me even money or better on Over Wemby blocks, I’m going to keep betting it.

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FDSN-Southwest, FDSN-Memphis

Prop #3: Kawhi Leonard Over 2.5 threes

+100 at bet365

Kawhi Leonard has been spending the month of March reminding us that when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best basketball players in the world.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ star is averaging 30.0 points over his last 11 games, and he’s been on fire from beyond the arc. Kawhi is shooting a very good 42.5% on 6.6 3-point attempts per game over that 11-game stretch.

I’m betting he stays hot against his former team, the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors are wrapping up a West Coast road trip, and you can tell the season has been wearing on them.

Their perimeter defense has taken a step back recently, ranking 27th in opponent 3-point percentage since the All-Star break.

Kawhi has hit three or more threes in three straight games. He does it again tonight.

• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: TSN, FDSN-SoCal

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

North Carolina on Tuesday, March 24 fired fifth-year head coach Hubert Davis after back-to-back exits in the first round of the Men's NCAA Tournament.

Could another North Carolina program from the ACC have an opening soon?

REQUIRED READING: At Sweet 16, the coaches supply the star power. We rank them 1-16

According to multiplereports, LSU is working on hiring McNeese athletic director Heath Schroyer for a senior administrator position in Baton Rouge that would oversee the Tigers' men's basketball program. The reported attempt to hire Schroyer is an important one for LSU's rumored plans of bringing back North Carolina State's Will Wade to lead the program.

This comes at a time that fourth-year coach Matt McMahon is still employed by LSU following his third losing record in his last four seasons at LSU. Since his hiring, LSU has never won more than 17 games in a season, never finished better than .500 in SEC play and has never made the Men's NCAA Tournament, advancing only as far as the first round of the 2024 Men's NIT.

Conversely, Wade just wrapped his first season at NC State, which saw the Wolfpack go 20-14 to finish tied for seventh in the ACC. Their season ended with a First Four loss to 11-seed Texas, which is still dancing in March Madness.

Wade, of course, formerly coached LSU from 2017-22, where despite on-court success he was fired for cause after the NCAA accused him of committing multiple Level I and Level II violations, including "lack of institutional control." Following a season in which he didn't coach, Wade took over at McNeese in 2023-24, going 50-9 and appearing in the NCAA Tournament twice in two seasons, helping him land the Wolfpack head coaching position.

Should Wade leave NC State to return to LSU, here is what he would owe the Wolfpack:

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The Detroit Pistons are sending a clear message to anyone who thought they’d fall apart without Cade Cunningham, and they’ve got the Atlanta Hawks in their sights tonight at Little Caesars Arena.

While Atlanta is 9-1 in its last 10 games, the schedule has been favorable. My Hawks vs. Pistons predictions side with a Detroit team that’s won three in a row since Cade was ruled out.

Check out my NBA picks for a March 25 matchup that could yet be a first-round playoff preview.

Hawks vs Pistons prediction

Hawks vs Pistons best bet: Pistons -2.5 (-115)

The Detroit Pistons doubters have been loud at times this season, even before Cade Cunningham’s injury, but the Pistons just keep on winning.

After Monday’s impressive victory over the red-hot Lakers, they’re now 27-8 SU at home, and I’m picking Jalen Duren & Co. to cover this small spread tonight.

Detroit has won six of the past seven meetings with the Atlanta Hawks, including a 142-115 beatdown in December, and the hosts can match the Hawks’ recent surge.

Like Atlanta, the Pistons have made hay against weaker opposition, winning seven of their last eight games — six by a double-digit margin.

Of course, Cade’s absence hurts, but Daniss Jenkins continues to show he can handle big minutes, and his 30-point, eight-assist explosion was the catalyst for stunning the Lakers.

The Hawks’ loss in Houston last week may be an indicator of what happens when they face a physical defense, and the Pistons have held opponents to 110 points or fewer in seven of their last 10 contests. The visitors lean heavily on three guards in their starting five, and that could be a recipe for Duren feasting on the glass.

Sure, Atlanta is scrapping to stay above the play-in line in an increasingly tight race, but no one loves a bruising battle more than Detroit. Plus, Jalen Johnson is listed as questionable with a shoulder issue, and the Pistons can turn to Ausar Thompson for any perimeter assignment.

It may not be pretty, but this one feels like a home win.

Hawks vs Pistons same-game parlay

I like the Pistons to grab a fifth straight win tonight, and the script has to start with a monster Duren outing.

He’s finished with 11 rebounds in four of his last five games, and he hauled in four offensive boards on Monday against L.A.

Duncan Robinson’s production — even without Cade to set him up — is an important ingredient, too. He’s made 10 3-pointers across his last three contests.

Hawks vs Pistons SGP

• Pistons moneyline
• Jalen Duren Over 10.5 rebounds
• Duncan Robinson Over 2.5 3-pointers

Our "from downtown" SGP: Mr. MIP

Duren is the front-runner for the Most Improved Player award, and he’s embracing the chance to be Detroit’s lead dog. This SGP taps into his all-around production, and he’s shooting 67% from the field in March.

I'm also adding in the Over, which is 8-2 in the past 10 matchups between these teams.

Hawks vs Pistons SGP

• Jalen Duren Over 22.5 points
• Jalen Duren Over 10.5 rebounds
• Over 228.5
• Pistons moneyline

Hawks vs Pistons odds

• Spread: Hawks +2.5 | Pistons -2.5
• Moneyline: Hawks +130 | Pistons -154
• Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5

Hawks vs Pistons betting trend to know

The Pistons are 34-11 SU against Eastern Conference opponents this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Pistons.

How to watch Hawks vs Pistons

Hawks vs Pistons latest injuries

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Trump administration gave San Jose State University 10 days to resolve what the U.S. Education Department has deemed are Title IX violations involving transgender athletes, saying the school will face legal action and the possible loss of federal funding if it fails to comply.

The department in January found that the university had discriminated against women by letting a transgender athlete play on the women’s volleyball team. The department issued its ultimatum in a Tuesday letter.

Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights, said the administration had provided the university with multiple ways to resolve the violations, including separating “male” and “female” athletes based on the administration's definitions of those terms.

"Yet, SJSU remains obstinate, choosing a radical ideology over safety, dignity, and fairness for its own students,” she said. “With today’s action, the Department is putting the university on notice: comply with the law or risk losing its federal funding.”

Title IX is a 1972 gender equity law.

A spokesperson for the California State University system directed The Associated Press to a web page in which the system and university say they disagree with the department's legal position and findings.

In a letter to the department, the university said Title IX prohibits discriminating against transgender individuals.

The Education Department has taken action against a series of states, schools and colleges that allow transgender athletes to participate on sports teams, something President Donald Trump has promised to end.

The investigation into San Jose State was opened in February 2025 alongside a similar one at the University of Pennsylvania. Penn later agreed to a deal similar to the one being offered to San Jose State, modifying school records set by a transgender swimmer and apologizing to other athletes on the swim team.

Seattle could regain an NBA team after the league's board of governors voted to explore adding two expansion franchises, with Las Vegas the other potential location.

The Seattle Supersonics competed in the NBA from 1967 to 2008 before being relocated to Oklahoma City and renamed the Thunder after the franchise was bought by an Oklahoma-based group in 2006.

If the expansion is approved, it would increase the number of NBA teams from 30 to 32.

Las Vegas has not previously had an NBA team, but has two teams in the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.

NHL side the Las Vegas Knights were founded in the Nevada city as an expansion franchise in 2017, while the NFL's Raiders moved there from Oakland in 2020.

MLB team the Athletics, previously based in Oakland and currently playing in Sacramento, will move to Las Vegas from the 2028 season.

Seattle hosts teams in three of the four major leagues - reigning NFL Super Bowl champions the Seahawks, MLB's the Mariners and the NHL's Kraken.

• From Sin City to Sports Town USA - how Vegas fell for sport
• Oakland Athletics to move to Las Vegas from 2028

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the current NBA champions, while the franchise previously won one title as the Supersonics in 1979.

Seattle would reportedly be able to use the Supersonics name and logo if a franchise were to return to the city.

Las Vegas has hosted NBA all-star events and summer league games, while Women's National Basketball Association side the Aces are also based there.

Any expansion is still several steps away and would require approval by at least 23 of the 30 NBA governors to pass.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the vote "reflects our board's interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle - two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball."

He added: "We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties."

Any bids to own either of the two expansion franchises are expected to be between $7bn (£5.2bn) to $10bn (£7.5bn).

If both expansion teams are created, they would be placed in the Western Conference, with either the Memphis Grizzlies or Minnesota Timberwolves moving to the Eastern Conference to ensure 16 teams in each.

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The Milwaukee Bucks will play their fourth road game in six days when they travel west to face the surging Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center tonight.

My Bucks vs. Trail Blazers predictions call for the home team’s defense to lock down the shorthanded visitors’ offense.

Read more in my best free NBA picks for this non-conference tilt on Wednesday, March 25.

Bucks vs Trail Blazers prediction

Bucks vs Trail Blazers best bet: Bucks Team Total Under 106.5 (-115)

It’s no secret that the Milwaukee Bucks have struggled this season, and that’s been strikingly evident across the team’s last 10 games.

In that span, the Bucks rank 29th in scoring at a paltry 107.2 points per game. They scored 106 points or fewer in five of their last 10, and they were held under 100 points in two of their last three.

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains sidelined, and both Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Harris will join him there. Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma are questionable, and Milwaukee has a dearth of available offensive weapons.

On the flip side, the Portland Trail Blazers have allowed the fifth-fewest points to opponents across their last 10 games (108.8) and sport the second-best defensive rating at 106.9.

The Blazers have held opponents to 106 points or fewer in five of their last 10 outings, including two of their last three overall and two of their last three at home.

Over the last 10 games, Portland’s defense ranks top-12 in fewest points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers allowed.

Tonight’s matchup of a deflated offense traveling on the road to face a surging defense offers the perfect storm for the Bucks to post a dud in the scoring column. I’ll take the home team to put the clamps on Milwaukee’s lackluster offense.

Bucks vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay

The Bucks are hitting the skids right now, having lost by 30+ in two of their last three games on the current road trip. The Blazers have won four of their last five, including a 134-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. I’ll take the home team to win comfortably.

Donovan Clingan swatted seven shots against Brooklyn on Monday, and he’s averaged three rejections across his last eight outings. The big man has blocked multiple shots in six of his last eight.

Bucks vs Trail Blazers SGP

• Milwaukee Bucks Team Total Under 106.5
• Trail Blazers -12.5
• Donovan Clingan Over 1.5 blocks

Our "from downtown" SGP: Blazers Bottle Up Bucks

Clingan has averaged 13.1 rebounds across his last eight games, corralling 13+ five times in that span. Toumani Camara has reached 5+ boards in five of his last 10 outings, and he grabbed seven in his first matchup with Milwaukee.

Camara has recorded at least one swipe in 13 of 17 games since the All-Star break. Scoot Henderson has averaged 1.5 steals across his last six games, recording at least one theft three times. Both players should have no problem picking the pockets of a depleted Milwaukee roster.

Bucks vs Trail Blazers SGP

• Donovan Clingan Over 1.5 blocks
• Donovan Clingan Over 12.5 rebounds
• Toumani Camara Over 4.5 rebounds
• Toumani Camara Over 0.5 steals
• Scoot Henderson Over 0.5 steals

Bucks vs Trail Blazers odds

• Spread: Milwaukee +12.5 (-105) | Portland -12.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Milwaukee +500 | Portland -700
• Over/Under: Over 226 (-110) | Under 226 (-110)

Bucks vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know

The Milwaukee Bucks have only covered the 1Q Spread in 19 of their last 50 games (-16.50 Units / -29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Trail Blazers.

How to watch Bucks vs Trail Blazers

Bucks vs Trail Blazers latest injuries

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