Category: NBA

The Cleveland Cavaliers should see prized trade deadline pickup James Harden suit up before the end of their five-game road trip through the West.

It just might not be Saturday in Sacramento against the Kings.

Even without Harden, my Cavaliers vs. Kings predictions and NBA picks expect Cleveland to take advantage of a Sacramento team playing the second night of a back-to-back, but it won't be enough to cover on Saturday, February 7.

Cavaliers vs Kings prediction

Cavaliers vs Kings best bet: Kings +12 (-110)

James Harden might be the biggest name sidelined (he’s questionable Saturday), but he’s not alone. The Cleveland Cavaliers are down Evan Mobley (calf) and Max Strus (foot), while Dean Wade (ankle) is also questionable.

The Sacramento Kings just lost their 11th in a row and continue to bleed points, allowing 120.5 per game. They rank next-to-last with a 2-7-0 record against the spread when playing on a second straight night.

However, the Kings have shown fight of late, losing by four points or fewer in four of their last five, and they catch the Cavaliers nowhere near their final form.

Sacramento has owned this head-to-head, going 7-1-0 ATS in the last eight meetings with Cleveland.

The Cavs also don’t take advantage of being the better-rested team, going just 2-7-0 ATS in that scenario, the second-worst mark in the league.

I don’t think SacTo wins, but it's getting a lot of points.

Cavaliers vs Kings same-game parlay

Donovan Mitchell has been playing setup man of late, with nine assists in back-to-back games. But before that, he hadn't cleared this number in three straight and five of seven.

DeMar DeRozan is coming off a five-point outing when he played 20 minutes and took just three shots. His line has dropped down to a lowly 17.5 points, a figure he topped four times in his previous five games before Friday.

Cavaliers vs Kings SGP

• Kings +12
• Donovan Mitchell Under 6.5 assists
• DeMar DeRozan Over 17.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Kings For a Day

Russell Westbrook’s assist line might be slightly inflated for Saturday, considering he hasn’t hit six assists in his last seven games.

Zach LaVine has hit at least two triples in 12 of his last 16 games.

Cavaliers vs Kings SGP

• Kings +12
• Donovan Mitchell Under 6.5 assists
• DeMar DeRozan Over 17.5 points
• Russell Westbrook Under 5.5 assists
• Zach LaVine Over 1.5 made threes

Cavaliers vs Kings odds

• Spread: Cavaliers -12.5 (-105) | Kings +12.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Cavaliers -750 | Kings +475
• Over/Under: Over 234.5 (-110) | Under 234.5 (-110)

Cavaliers vs Kings betting trend to know

Each of the Kings' last four home games has cashed the Over. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Kings.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Kings

Cavaliers vs Kings latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Shorthanded Pacific Division rivals face off at Crypto.com Arena tonight when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Golden State Warriors.

With Luka Doncic sidelined, my Warriors vs Lakers predictions call for a big performance from Austin Reaves.

Here are my free NBA picks for this divisional showdown on Saturday, February 7.

Warriors vs Lakers prediction

Warriors vs Lakers best bet: Austin Reaves Over 23.5 points (-112)

Austin Reaves returned from a 19-game absence on Tuesday and logged 15 points in 21 minutes off the bench.

His playing time ramped up to 25 minutes on Thursday, and he finished with a game-high 35 points after Luka Doncic’s early exit due to a hamstring injury.

Doncic is out tonight, which means Reaves will take the lead on offense for the Los Angeles Lakers. In six games played without Doncic this season, Reaves has averaged 36.2 points and scored 24+ five times. 

His minutes will still be monitored, but AR could push for 30 minutes tonight with Luka sidelined.

Warriors vs Lakers same-game parlay

Los Angeles has covered the spread in seven of its last 10, including three of its last four. Even without Doncic, Reaves's reemergence should give the Lakers enough firepower to take down a Golden State Warriors team missing Steph Curry.

Both teams have hit the Over more often than not, as the Warriors are 29-23 to the Over, and the Lakers are 28-22. Despite those trends, neither team will have its top scoring option, and offense may come at a premium at Crypto.com Arena.

Golden State and Los Angeles are a combined 9-11 to the Under across their last 10 games.

Warriors vs Lakers SGP

• Austin Reaves Over 23.5 points
• Lakers -2.5
• Under 222

Our "from downtown" SGP: Dray day

Draymond Green isn't a scorer, but he's averaging 10.8 rebounds + assists this season, and he's gone for 10+ in 26 of 43 appearances. 

Warriors vs Lakers SGP

• Austin Reaves Over 23.5 points
• Lakers -2.5
• Under 222
• Draymond Green Over 9.5 rebounds+assists

Warriors vs Lakers odds

• Spread: Warriors +3.5 (-120) | Lakers -3.5 (+100)
• Moneyline: Warriors +125 | Lakers -145
• Over/Under: Over 222.5 (-105) | Under 222.5 (-115)

Warriors vs Lakers betting trend to know

The Golden State Warriors have only covered the first-quarter spread in 17 of their last 50 games (-20.05 Units / -35% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Lakers.

How to watch Warriors vs Lakers

Warriors vs Lakers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The stars will be out tonight at Frost Bank Center as Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs host Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks in a rematch of Thursday’s game at American Airlines Arena.

Wembanyama has been ultra-productive across his last 10 games, and my Mavericks vs Spurs predictions call for another big game from the superstar.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this star-studded affair on Saturday, February 7.

Mavericks vs Spurs prediction

Mavericks vs Spurs best bet: Victor Wembanyama Over 35.5 points + rebounds (-120)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has averaged 36.4 points + rebounds across his last 10 games, hitting the Over six times in that span. 

"Wemby" has averaged 33.9 points + rebounds on the road compared to 36.6 at home, posting at least 36 in 12 of 19 contests at Frost Bank Center. Over his last five at home, Wembanyama has averaged 38.4 and cleared this line three times.

The Dallas Mavericks allow the third-most rebounds and 11th-most points, and Wembanyama has been great against them this season. He finished with 40 and 55 points + rebounds in two matchups.

After a strong performance against Dallas on Thursday, I expect "Wemby" to stay hot and come through with another big game in front of the home crowd.

Mavericks vs Spurs same-game parlay

Cooper Flagg has been on an absolute heater over his last four games, averaging 37.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in that span, good for 51.6 PRA. Flagg has hit the Over on this combo line in four straight, including 42 against the Spurs on Thursday. I don't expect him to slow down.

The Mavericks have dropped six straight, and they've covered only twice in that span. Meanwhile, the Spurs have covered in two of their last three. Despite the recent trends, the Mavs are 6-4 ATS across their last 10, and the Spurs are 4-5-1 in that span. This is a familiar opponent, and Dallas can keep things close enough as it scraps to stay competitive and get back on track.

Mavericks vs Spurs SGP

• Victor Wembanyama Over 35.5 points + rebounds
• Cooper Flagg Over 36.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Mavericks +10

Our "from downtown" SGP: Combo Special

Daniel Gafford has seen more run over his last three, averaging 14 points and 11 boards across 28.7 minutes. He's easily cleared this combo line in each of those contests, and he should have no problem reaching that mark again, even with Marvin Bagley III in the fold to back him up.

Mavericks vs Spurs SGP

• Victor Wembanyama Over 35.5 points + rebounds
• Cooper Flagg Over 36.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Mavericks +10
• Daniel Gafford Over 15.5 points + rebounds

Mavericks vs Spurs odds

• Spread: Mavericks +10.5 (-115) | Spurs -10.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Mavericks +320 | Spurs -435
• Over/Under: Over 230.5 (-105) | Under 230.5 (-115)

Mavericks vs Spurs betting trend to know

The Dallas Mavericks have covered the 2H spread in 33 of their last 50 games (+13.58 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Spurs.

How to watch Mavericks vs Spurs

Mavericks vs Spurs latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Portland Trail Blazers will be looking to make it two wins in two against the Memphis Grizzlies as they host them once again tonight at the Moda Center.

Jerami Grant is cooking right now, and I’m eyeing him to have another standout performance in my Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers predictions.

Read more in my NBA picks for Saturday, February 7.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers prediction

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers best bet:  Jerami Grant Over 17.5 points (-110)

Jerami Grant is having a nice campaign for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He’s one of Portland’s top players, and Grant has made that clear as of late.

The wing has easily cashed the Over in back-to-back contests, scoring 23 points in the win on Friday. He also dropped another 23 on Tuesday in a nailbiter loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Both of these games were at home, and as previously mentioned, the Blazers are in Portland again this evening.

The Memphis Grizzlies are in shambles, with Ja Morant’s future unclear, while they just traded Jaren Jackson Jr. This isn't a team that is elite defensively, and Grant had his way with them on Friday. 

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay

Jaylen Wells is definitely one player who is benefiting from Morant’s absence. The young guard is averaging 12 PPG in his second season and has started all 50 games.

Wells has hit the Over in points in four consecutive games.

He scored 13 points in Friday’s loss, and he had 18 points in back-to-back contests earlier in the week, as well as he helped Memphis beat the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Toumani Camara has become valuable. He’s averaging 12.9 PPG while shooting 35.4% from three-point land. Camara is averaging 2.5 makes on 7.1 attempts per contest.

He’s knocked down three triples in back-to-back outings, going 3-for-7 on Friday and 3-for-9 on Tuesday. Camara has cashed the Over in six of his last eight contests as well.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers SGP

• Jerami Grant Over 17.5 points
• Jaylen Wells Over 12.5 points
• Toumani Camara Over 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Ceddy Boards!

Cedric Coward has grabbed 15 boards across his last two games, cashing the Over in rebounds in both appearances.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers SGP

• Jerami Grant Over 17.5 points
• Jaylen Wells Over 12.5 points
• Toumani Camara Over 2.5 threes
• Cedric Coward Over 6.5 rebounds

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers odds

• Spread: Grizzlies +9.5 (-115) | Trail Blazers -9.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Grizzlies +290 | Trail Blazers -380
• Over/Under: Over 237.5 (-110) | Under 237.5 (-110)

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know

The Memphis Grizzlies have hit the Game Total Under in 26 of their last 40 away games (+10.60 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers.

How to watch Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The 2026 trade deadline has come and gone as players, teams, and fans start to navigate the fallout and where their teams stand for the stretch run of the season. Big names were traded, one particularly large name was not – Timberwolves fans can revisit that in the summertime – but Minnesota did still make a move, even if it wasn’t the mammoth-sized one that was discussed all week leading up to the 2:00 PM CT cutoff.

In a trade made a few hours before the deadline, the Timberwolves dealt Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks to the Chicago Bulls for Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips. The Timberwolves had been linked to Dosunmu (along with fellow Bulls guards Coby White and Tre Jones) leading up to the deadline. While it is always a bummer to deal with young players like Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller, Ayo Dosunmu seems like an awesome fit who is younger and able to be resigned in the offseason.

Giving up Rob Dillingham is tough, especially when you look at what Minnesota gave up to get him, but in an ecosystem that has prioritized winning for the whole time he has been here, he was not ready to contribute at that high a level. Getting a change of scenery in a lower-pressure environment will allow him to work through his mistakes with playing time, if the Chicago Bulls can find minutes for him with how many guards they have on the roster.

Just in: The Chicago Bulls have traded Ayo Dosunmu to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/DOzVoArBsL

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026

But, enough about what’s gone, let’s focus on what the Timberwolves received in return.

Ayo Dosunmu is a 26-year-old combo guard out of the University of Illinois. He is in his 5th year in the NBA. In 45 games this season, he is averaging 15.0 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game on 51.4/45.1/85.7 shooting splits. The points and 3-point percentage are career highs as a key contributor off the bench for the Chicago Bulls. The Timberwolves were looking for a backcourt depth piece that could come in and give them a scoring boost as a 7th man. Dosunmu fits that role perfectly. The more you look at his stats and what he has on film from this season, the more excited you get about his fit on the Timberwolves.

The Offense

When diving deeper into Ayo’s offensive game, there are a few things that pop out. He loves to get out in transition and has been a lethal catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter this season. On top of this, he provides some juice on drives – specifically attacking closeouts – and is a solid ball handler. Sounds like a lot of things that people have been clamoring for next to Anthony Edwards on the Timberwolves for a long time.

The transition game was the first thing that stuck out as you begin to look deeper into his play. He pushes the pace at every opportunity while having the ball-handling chops to be able to ignite the break himself. He is very good at finding gaps in the defense and having the speed to attack seams, specifically when they are not able to get set up.

The Timberwolves have done a much better job this season at getting out in transition – after ranking near the bottom of the league in pace and fast break opportunities the last two seasons, the Wolves have improved to 15th in percentage of their points off of fast breaks and are up to 10th in pace. While those are a lot better than they have been, they could always use more in this department. Naz Reid and, more specifically, Jaden McDaniels thrive in the open floor, and having another ball handler who can push the pace to get them these opportunities is a great addition to the backcourt.

Another thing that pops up is the shooting numbers. While the 3-point shooting percentage has fluctuated in his time in the NBA, this season he’s shooting 45.1% from distance. That is good for 8th in the NBA while taking 4.3 attempts per game.

Those are deadeye numbers. This includes shooting a 42.5% on catch-and-shoot threes and 64.0% on pull-ups. Take the pull-up numbers with a grain of salt, as he shoots less than one per game, but still shows some promise in outside shooting off the bounce. Dosunmu should benefit greatly from the gravity that Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle command, along with the spray passes Randle kicks from being doubled in the post.

Only players with 15+ PPG and 45+ 3P% this season:

— Jaden McDaniels
— Ayo Dosunmu

Teammates. pic.twitter.com/sncDLxdrXe

— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 5, 2026

The last aspect that is intriguing about Ayo’s offensive game is his drives in advantageous situations and ball handling. Minnesota has long craved more players who can play off the catch – especially when Ant gets it to Rudy Gobert in the middle of the floor, and the offense morphs into a 4 on 3 situation. Ayo is great at this. He attacks closeouts well, is quick enough to get by the first defender, and then makes the right decision while driving to the basket.

While the rim shooting percentage is down this year overall – 61% according to Cleaning the Glass, which is in the 27th percentile – and he isn’t going to be able to straight up beat a defender 1 on 1 very often, his prowess to do so in transition and advantage situations still is a strength. He is a solid ball handler who should be able to help initiate actions off the bench. This is a different look that the Wolves could use from their backcourt, as that part is one of Donte DiVincenzo’s bigger weaknesses.

Ayo profiles as a great complementary offensive fit and does a little of everything that the Timberwolves need, especially as a reserve.

The Defense

Defense is extremely tough to measure, especially when projecting a fit with a new team, as in this case. With that being said, Ayo looks to be a prototypical NBA wing defender (if slightly on the smaller end of this spectrum). He is listed at 6’4” and 200lbs with a 6’8”-6’10” wingspan depending on where you look.

Checking out a couple of other guys that Timberwolves fans know well who are similar to this build: Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaylen Clark. Using his build, which is more stocky, he aligns more with the sturdy Jaylen Clark profile compared to the more slippery Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

I have some custom scripts that fetch NBA data as part of my game prep.

Part of that is generating similarity score based on statistical profiles (scoring, shooting, playmaking, play style, etc.)

Player most similar to Ayo Dosunmu?

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (67.0% similarity) pic.twitter.com/AdTKEElUGZ

— Jack Borman (@jrborman13) February 5, 2026

According to Cleaning the Glass, the Chicago Bulls were 1.4 points per 100 possessions better defensively when Dosunmu was on the court. While it is good that it is in the positive, that is not a huge swing in terms of on/off numbers. This is something that is worth monitoring as Dosunmu moves to a more winning situation than what he was a part of in Chicago. Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson from Chicago Sports Network also had the following to say about Ayo.

A word about Ayo Dosunmu: You can tell he’s a Chicago kid. Wouldn’t be denied. Relentless, hard-working, no-nonsense pro who loved hard coaching and always looked inward. Everything he gets in his career, he will have earned. Was a go-to voice in locker room for what we do.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 5, 2026

You combine a ‘relentless’ and ‘hard-working’ player with his measurements, and he projects to be a great connective defensive piece. Putting together his build with those intangibles and a knack for igniting the fast break, that is always something that is a useful injection into any lineup.

Being able to get through any given game while not playing smaller players that are more easily hunted, like Mike Conley, should also naturally improve the defense. He may not be a Jaden McDaniels type, where he is asked to guard the other team’s best player and shut him down, but it’s hard not get excited about having another player who has these two-way abilities.

The Other Stuff

As was mentioned in the above post, he is also a hard-working professional who brings it every night. For a Timberwolves team that has had struggles in bringing the energy consistently, that is also something that they could use more of. All of this culminates in a needed boost off the bench on both ends and a player that Timberwolves fans should greatly enjoy watching on a night-to-night basis. Playoff basketball rewards these types of players, and it is an exciting proposition to inject this archetype into any lineup.

Ayo Dosunmu is a wicked north/south scorer and spot-up shooter…

Strong bodied and gets down hill consistently. Lots of pressure on the rim in the half court and a beast in transition. Type of guard built for the the trenches of a playoff series. pic.twitter.com/6m40DcNoD9

— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) February 4, 2026

A small extra thing that is worth mentioning is his contract situation. While he is on an expiring contract, with this trade, the Timberwolves obtain Dosunmu’s bird rights. This means that they can go above the salary cap to resign him. If Ayo had gone into free agency, Minnesota would have had to clear cap space in order to sign a player to that salary number. Now, they can retain Dosunmu while also utilizing money to sign another player in the offseason.

This offseason, the Wolves are $8.3 million under the luxury tax. They could increase that to $13.7 million by trading their first round pick and declining Julian Phillips team option

They could spend that entire amount on a MLE player and then re-sign Dosunmu and Clark on top https://t.co/GHYR9Gq4Uo

— Ryan Eichten (@REichten) February 5, 2026

We have 10 games across the Association today, with a pair of afternoon contests on the docket. My NBA player props for all the action will include Kevin Durant, Tyrese Maxey, and Matas Buzelis. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Saturday, February 7. 

Best NBA player props today

Prop #1: Kevin Durant Over 23.5 points

-105 at bet365

Kevin Durant is having an impressive first season with the Houston Rockets, who look like a team that could make some noise in the playoffs. They'll face a good test this afternoon as Houston travels to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder. 

While KD hasn’t faced the defending champs yet this season, this is always a special game for him, as he spent the early years of his career with OKC. Durant is also averaging 27.3 points per game on the road, and he’s cashed the Over in three of his previous four road appearances.

• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ABC

Prop #2: Tyrese Maxey Over 3.5 threes

+160 at bet365

Tyrese Maxey has been the main man for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, and he’s a big reason they could be a dark horse in the playoffs. The guard is averaging 28.8 ppg on 38.4% shooting from downtown, averaging 3.4 makes on 8.8 attempts. 

The Kentucky product has cashed the Over in converted triples in three of his last five games, and he’s averaging 3.6 makes on the road at a 41% clip.

• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NBCS-Philadelphia, KTVK

Prop #3: Matas Buzelis Under 6.5 rebounds

-135 at bet365

Matas Buzelis isn’t exactly known for his rebounding, but he’s no pushover on the glass, either. The youngster averages 5.3 boards per game, and his size allows him to make an impact at times down low. 

However, Buzelis has hit the Under on rebounds in three consecutive outings, grabbing six on Thursday, and he had just five boards combined in the two games before that. 

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Altitude, CHSN

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

Washington Wizards center Anthony Davis is not expected to play the rest of the season, NBA TV reports.

According to the report, Davis will use the time off to get fully healthy for the 2026-27 season.

Davis has not played since he was injured late in the fourth quarter on Jan. 8 in a loss against the Utah Jazz when he was a member of the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 21 points with 11 rebounds in 35 minutes.

He was expected to return from ligament damage in his left hand in about six weeks.

Davis was traded to Washington in a deal that involved eight players between three teams.

Once Davis is healthy enough to play, he is expected to team up with guard Trae Young, who was traded from the Atlanta Hawks. Young has been sidelined since Dec. 27 with knee and quadriceps injuries and will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.

The 32-year-old Davis, a 10-time All-Star, is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks in the 20 games he has appeared in this season.

Washington (14-36) has the league's worst point differential and is giving up 122.6 points a game, second worst in the NBA. The Wizards have missed the postseason in each of the last four seasons.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anthony Davis: Wizards star expected to sit rest of the season

For a decade, teams have been chasing the most efficient shot. The NBA ran away from the mid-range to build better spacing with players positioned beyond the three-point line. With that shift, efficiency at the rim increased significantly, rising from 60% in 2016 to 67% in 2026. However, like any innovation, spacing might have reached its ceiling.

Now that everybody is on the same page regarding efficiency, spacing, and shot profile, the analytics cheat code might be overdue — or perhaps it is about something other than efficiency. In an era where NBA teams know how to build coherent offenses to generate the best possible shots, how do you actually make a difference?

Well, recently, teams have found a new way to win games. It isn’t about who gets the most efficient shots anymore; it’s about who is able to generate the most possessions. A few weeks ago, we looked into it with an article about the Celtics’ shift in offensive rebounding and turnover creation: How Boston used basic math to stay elite.

However, to become one of the best teams at winning the possession battle, you need soldiers who generate those extra attempts. Therefore, with some coding, a lot of brain juice, and plenty of coffee, I was able to come up with a metric that evaluates the volume of extra possessions gained (or saved!) when a player is on the court.

I presented it this summer and ran the code again today to look at the best players at winning the possession battle across the league — and within the Celtics roster. For those interested in the logic behind the numbers, the methodology is available in this story from June: Winning the margins: who drives Boston’s possession edge?

Hugo Gonzalez, Marcus Smart heir

Before deep diving into the Celtics roster, let’s zoom out and look at the entire league for some perspective. We see a clear signal, even stronger than last season, regarding the impact of the possession battle on team performance. Comparing this season’s numbers to last year’s, the link between possession control and Net Rating has actually strengthened.

• 2024/25: correlation between Total Possessions Added and Net Rating (On/Off) = 0.476
• 2025/26: correlation between Total Possessions Added and Net Rating (On/Off) = 0.558

To sum it up, players who help their teams win the possession battle tend to make those teams perform better. And among all NBA players who logged at least 500 minutes, Hugo Gonzalez ranks second in total possessions added. He trails only Yves Missi and sits ahead of offensive rebounding specialists like Mitchell Robinson or Moussa Diabaté, as well as elite defensive playmakers such as Alex Caruso and Marcus Smart.

Now that we’ve established how elite Hugo has been at creating extra possessions, how does he compare to the rest of the Celtics roster?

The Celtics soldiers

Last season, the go-to guy for extra possessions was Luke Kornet, but this year Hugo Gonzalez has taken the lead in that department. Still, he isn’t the only Celtic with a positive impact in the possession battle. Behind the rookie, Luka Garza and Neemias Queta have also been very influential.

Garza’s presence on the court provides a significant boost on the offensive glass. For Queta, the impact comes more from the Celtics’ ability to secure the defensive rebound and increase the volume of forced turnovers when he is on the floor.

The two other players with a positive impact on the possession battle are guards: Derrick White and Anfernee Simons. When they are on the court, the Celtics improve their ability to generate turnovers and suppress opponents’ offense, leading to more extra possessions. Additionally, when White is on the floor, he also applies pressure on the offensive glass and helps secure the ball, limiting turnovers.

Looking at the left end of the chart, we can also see that some Celtics players have a negative impact on the team’s ability to win the possession battle — most notably Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard. But why?

It starts on the defensive end. When they are on the court, the Celtics create fewer turnovers and also struggle slightly more to secure the defensive rebound. On offense, the team is also less likely to apply consistent pressure on the offensive glass with those two on the floor.

With their offensive load peaking this season, it’s not a huge surprise that the Celtics’ offensive engines aren’t able to provide the same level of extra-possession hustle. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the Celtics’ Net Rating is also higher when they are on the bench, further highlighting how much the possession battle impacts overall team performance.

Last but not least, how is Nikola Vucevic, the Celtics’ latest addition performing with the Bulls this season when it comes to extra possessions?

The answer is mixed. His impact on offense has been relatively flat, with little influence on rebounding, and negative on defense. With him on the court, the Bulls’ defense has been far less aggressive, as their ability to create turnovers and generate transition opportunities fell off a cliff. That said, it is worth noting that he has had a very positive impact on protecting the defensive glass — an area that can still be a weakness for the Celtics at times.

It’s all about the margins

What this data really highlights is not just a league-wide trend, but a very specific Celtics reality. The possession battle isn’t won by star usage or shot-making talent, it’s won on the margins, by players willing to absorb the dirty work that doesn’t always show up on highlights.

Hugo Gonzalez’s emergence gives Boston a new lever in that fight. His impact, alongside contributions from Kornet last season and Garza or Queta this year, reinforces how much the Celtics rely on role players to stabilize their floor across lineups. At the same time, the numbers also underline the natural trade-off between offensive responsibility and extra-possession effort for high-usage scorers.

In a league where efficiency gaps are shrinking, Boston’s edge increasingly comes from who creates the next possession. And as the season unfolds, the ability to balance scoring talent with possession-winning specialists may end up being one of the Celtics’ most sustainable advantages.

Every team had an objective they were trying to accomplish heading into the 2026 NBA trade deadline. Some wanted to bolster the rotation for the playoff run, others wanted to cut their luxury tax bill, and then there were teams like the Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Indiana Pacers who made bold moves in an attempt to take a leap up the standings next year.

While we didn’t get a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, there were some big names and highly impactful players on the move: Anthony Davis, Trae Young, James Harden, Darius Garland, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ivica Zubac were the headliners, and that’s only a fraction of the players who actually changed teams.

We’ve already graded every notable trade and handed out our winners and losers from the deadline. Now, let’s zoom out and take a simple look at who got better and who got worse. Given the nature of some of these deals, I’ve also included teams who improved for next year in the ‘got better’ section.

Teams that got better at the trade deadline

Cleveland Cavaliers

James Harden for Darius Garland is a true trade deadline stunner that no one would have suggested a week ago. Harden is 10 years older than the point guard he’s replacing, but he’s also more durable historically and healthier currently. The Cavs just didn’t think they could count on Garland for the playoffs with his lingering big toe injury, and apparently it was so discouraging that they thought JAMES HARDEN would be more reliable in the postseason. Harden wasn’t the Cavs’ only pickup: Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder also came over from the Kings — and not to be a hater, but losing De’Andre Hunter in that deal might be addition by subtraction. I’m fascinated to see the new-look Cavs.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder needed a shooter, and they found a young one on a cost-controlled contract in Jared McCain. McCain looked like arguably the best player in the rookie class a year ago, but multiple injuries and the arrival of V.J. Edgecombe made him expendable in Philadelphia this season. That, or Sixers owner Josh Harris just wanted to cut his tax bill. McCain has had a pretty rough season, but he’s only on the brink of his 22nd birthday, and he had a special run for a rookie last season when he was healthy. The Thunder only gave up a late first round pick to get him when they already owned two better picks in this draft. OKC has the defense to insulate him and coach him up on that end as long as his shooting is sweet enough. I like buying low on McCain with 2.5 years left on his rookie deal.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller were never getting in the rotation for Minnesota. Ayo Dosunmu has been one of the best sixth men in the NBA this season during his time with the Bulls. The Wolves made a smart move to pick up Dosunmu for his playoff run as Chicago decided it didn’t want to give him a new contract in free agency. Dosunmu has a lot that Dillingham never did: more size, greater rim pressure as a driver, and a significantly better defensive reputation at the point of attack. He fits into any Wolves lineup, and gives them a decent proxy for what Nickeil Alexander-Walker was providing last year.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets took advantage of the Bulls’ fire sale by upgrading from Collin Sexton to Coby White. Sexton had a nice year for the surging Hornets after getting salary dumped by Utah over the summer, but White is a better version of the same player if he can come back healthy from the calf strain that’s been bugging him all year. The Hornets could stand to up their three-point rate, and that’s where White’s best. He’ll be a perfect sixth man behind LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel.

Utah Jazz

Utah’s stunning trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. caught everyone off guard. The Jazz have been tanking for years, and need to continue tanking through the end of this year with their first-round pick behind top-8 protected to OKC. Something tells me Utah will lose enough games the rest of the way to get one more shot in the lottery before they push to make the playoffs next season. Jackson Jr. is a really unique big man with sharp strengths (shooting, rim protection, face-up driving) and weaknesses (rebounding, fouling). I assume the Jazz will play a supersized front line with him next to Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanen in the front court next year, and that’s going to be super fun to watch.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers made an incredibly bold move to fill their void at center for next year when Tyrese Haliburton returns from his torn Achilles. Ivica Zubac was my pick for Defensive Player of the Year last season, and while he hasn’t been quite as good for the Clippers this year, he’s still a monster rebounder, pick-and-roll finisher, and paint protector for a team that made Game 7 of the NBA Finals last time Haliburton was healthy. I thought the Pacers’ trade was way too risky — they’re giving up an unprotected 2029 first-rounder, plus this year’s first-round pick (protected 1-4) or a 2031 unprotected first — but it’s admirable that they’re trying to win the East again as soon as they get Hali back.

Washington Wizards

Like the Jazz and Pacers, the Wizards are included on this list because they’re now ready to make a leap next season. Raise your hand if you thought the Wizards would acquire Anthony Davis and Trae Young this season. I don’t see any hands up. Washington will immediately enter the Eastern Conference playoff picture if Davis and Young can look even remotely like their typical selves. Bake in improvement from the young core — Alex Sarr is one of the NBA’s most improved players already this season — and add another top draft pick, and the Wiz are done tanking and ready to compete.

Teams that got worse at the trade deadline

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr. after trading Desmond Bane over the summer, getting a huge haul of future draft picks in both deals. The only reason Ja Morant is still on the roster is apparently because no one will take him. Memphis’ plan is clear: tank for the loaded 2026 draft, rebuild around Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, and their new rookie, and get ready to remake the supporting cast before going for another playoff push in the West.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers were the hottest team in the West recently until the James Harden trade triggered a major reset. Without Harden and Zubac, the Clippers should sink the West. That’s great news for the Oklahoma City Thunder who have swap rights on their draft pick. It’s also good news for the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, and Golden State Warriors, as there is now one less team to compete with for a West playoff spot.

Chicago Bulls

It felt like Chicago was making a tank move by trading Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kevin Huerter, but I suppose it’s possible they can remain exactly has mediocre as they’ve been with some solid vets joining the roster in Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, and Guerschon Yabusele, plus young guns Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and Jaden Ivey. I still think Vooch did a lot for this team in terms of spacing the floor and crushing the glass, and they’re going to be worse off without him. The best case scenario for the Bulls is that they fall down the standings and increase their lottery odds. It will be impossible for Chicago to get good odds at a top pick with 24 wins already, but hey, the Hawks jumped from No. 1o to No. 1 in 2024, and the Mavs jumped from No. 11 to No. 1 in 2025. Stranger things have happened.

We’ve gotten a few crank e-mails lately from people who are saying stuff like we’re only talking about Cooper Flagg because he’s white or something along those lines, which is obviously ridiculous.

Take his last four games. Here’s what he’s done:

• Points – 49, 34, 36, 32
• Rebounds – 10, 12, 9, 6
• Assists – 3 5, 6, 4
• Blocks – 1, 1, 2, 3
• Three point shots – 8-18 (44%)
• Overall shots – 59-105 (56.1%)

Did we mention he’s 19?

Overall, Flagg is averaging 20.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 4.2 apg. He’s currently, at a minimum the co-leader for Rookie of the Year and is generally considered a Top 25 NBA player.

But if that isn’t enough to convince you, take the actions of the Dallas Mavericks, who recently traded away Anthony Davis, thus committing to building around a 19-year-old rookie.

That’s an amazing statement of belief. It may take longer for some people, but clearly, the Mavericks get it.

• Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg Earns Rave Reviews From NBA Executives
• Kevin Durant raves about Cooper Flagg after loss to Dallas
• Kidd raves about Flagg as he breaks LeBron James record
• Naji Marshall Gives Cooper Flagg Rave Reviews, Reveals Mavericks Locker Room Dynamics and More 
• Mavericks news: Steve Kerr makes Cooper Flagg seem like a Jedi

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Per a Spurs press release:

The San Antonio Spurs announced plans for their Black Heritage Night game, presented by Spectrum, taking place on Saturday, Feb. 7 as the Spurs host the Dallas Mavericks, tipping off at 5 p.m. This theme night is part of the Spurs month-long celebration of Black History Month, presented by Spectrum, with the organization’s 2026 theme being “Built by Black History, Elevated by Black Voices,” and will feature a $40,000 donation and in-game Leaders and Legacies spotlight, special jersey ticket package and more. Additionally, throughout the month, Spurs player Harrison Barnes and his family will support multiple local nonprofit organizations in the San Antonio community.

Activations include:

• Leaders and Legacies Grants: The Spurs will distribute $40,000 in grants to four local organizations whose work strengthens health, education, culture and opportunity across San Antonio. In partnership with Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, the organizations will also be honored during in-game Leaders & Legacies tributes:
  • Gardopia Gardens will receive a $10,000 grant in honor of founder and CEO Stephen Lucke, recognizing the organization’s leadership in community wellness, and garden-based education.
  • Ella Austin Community Center will receive a $10,000 grant in honor of Beverly Watts Davis, supporting one of San Antonio’s longest-standing East Side institutions serving children, families and seniors.
  • San Antonio Area African American Community Fund will receive a $10,000 grant in honor of Bobby Blount, advancing support for Black-led nonprofits and philanthropic initiatives.
  • Juneteenth Freedom Coalition of San Antonio will receive a $10,000 grant in honor of Oscar L. Vicks, supporting the city’s annual Juneteenth parade and celebration of African American history and culture.
• Exclusive Black Heritage Night Ticket Package: Fans can celebrate with a one-of-a-kind Spurs Black Heritage jersey and Coyote bobble head included exclusively as part of the ticket package. Jerseys and bobbleheads are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A portion of the proceeds from the ticket package will go toward investing and supporting the local community, including Black owned businesses, nonprofits and programs through Spurs Give.
• Pregame Check Presentation: Prior to tipoff, the Spurs will present a $4,000 donation to the San Antonio Zulu Association (SAZA) in recognition of the organization’s longstanding commitment to cultural celebration, civic engagement and philanthropy in San Antonio.
• Halftime Performance: The Mu Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. from Texas State University will perform a step routine during halftime.

In addition to the Spurs donations, Harrison Barnes and his wife Brittany are donating $150,000 to 10 local nonprofit organizations.

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Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.

Fantable Questions of the Week

Q1: In November, Ryan Dunn averaged 24.4 minutes per game. In January, his MPGs dropped to 16.4 and to 14.9 in the last 10 games. Both his field goal and 3-point (FG – 47.0, 44.8, 39.0, 3-pt – 42.3, 32.4, 31.6) percentages have dropped over time. What’s your opinion of Dunn’s recent struggles and whether he will be able to improve his shooting?

Ashton: Well at this point, he was not traded. I thought he may be part of a trade package.

I am going to hold the line that nobody should be moved if it upsets team chemistry. Let Dunn get out of his shooting slump and develop under proper coaching. The coach and the Suns are good at it.

OldAz: A lot of opinions are floating around about Dunn, and in typical Suns fans’ fashion, some are even calling for him to be first on the trade block. To just get rid of him. As usual, this is reactionary and shortsighted. Yes, he has slipped down the depth chart and is not playing as many minutes, but the same could’ve been said earlier in the season about Oso, who is now a key cog in their success. Another factor in his reduced playing time is the fact that he is not in any way, shape, or form a power forward. With the glut of guards on the team and the style of play, there is just no room for a wing that is less effective.

Interestingly, I think Dunn‘s problems actually stem from his struggles on the defensive end. He was an above-average one-on-one defender last year on a team of parking cones. This year, he is continuing to try to lock down his man when, in reality, the Suns are a much better team defensively, and he has not made the transition. He is often still stuck to his man when he should be switching or playing the passing lanes. This is a different mindset, and he needs to spend time watching someone like Jordan Goodwin (who also plays aggressive 1:1 but knows how to fit the team’s defensive concepts better) and adjust his style accordingly. Once Dunn does this and gets more comfortable on the defensive end within the team system, I think his offense will come around. His form and technique still look good on that end, so I have to believe he’s simply thinking too much.

Rod: For the most part, Dunn’s recent play has gotten me to the point where cold chills go down my spine whenever he touches the ball, and I hold my breath every time he attempts a shot. Whenever there’s a closeup of his face on TV, I see the look of a guy who seems to have lost his confidence.

As John suggested a few days ago, perhaps some time assigned to the Valley Suns in the G League might be good for him. He would get lots of reps there with the opportunity to get a confidence boost too. Seeing he court time and reps continue to dwindle with the Suns isn’t going to do anything to solve the problem so why not give it a shot?

We’ve seen him play better so there’s no doubt that he can do it again, and even improve, so calling for him to be traded as a few fans have done just seems like jumping the gun to me.

Q2: What are your thoughts on the Suns/Bucks/Bulls deadline trade?

Ashton: So, again, team chemistry. If Green is the biggest cheerleader in street clothes on the bench, then you keep him. And he was kept. Do the fans really know his injury status? Not in the slightest.

But this question has multiple parts. How exactly are the Suns going to fund Mark Williams, Goody, and Collin Gillespie extensions? The Suns are under the repeater tax for now, and I am fine with it. The numbers are beyond me, and I am not going back to school on this CBA and the complicated format it provides. Unless Rod starts an online class.

I thought the “backup” guards stunk it up against the Clippers and wondered if Green could have been a factor for a win. And then Portland happens, and the backup guards are not that bad. Then GSW happens, and the backup guards suck again. Green is still out. Should the Suns have made a trade for an injured Green?

But in the end, the team avoided the luxury tax. And if they do it for a second year (2027), the clock resets on the repeater tax.

Also, Phoenix will now have a 2026 second-round pick, a selection that will be the second-most favorable between Dallas (19-31), Philadelphia (29-21), and Oklahoma City (40-12). It is currently the 49th overall pick. (Arizona Sports). I love picks.

So, it was a good trade. The Suns are off the tax and needed to move Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis to do it. But what they got back is not that impressive. Two guards, and if you squint enough, maybe one that one can play small-ball at SF?

Waive them both (Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey) and fill up the roster spots with the two-ways.

Old Az: My first take is about the entire league and how amazing it is that almost every team made some type of move at this deadline. As for the Suns, they did exactly what people have been saying they were going to do for four weeks. They made a small move on the margins to get under the luxury tax. This is far more important than many people recognize because of the Draconian penalties in the current CBA.

I don’t know much about the two players being brought in (at this point in their careers) but they traded away two players that weren’t playing, and even if the two players brought in give them nothing it created space to sign one or both of Bouyea and or Livers to a full contract. Both of those players have shown to be valuable this year. They also don’t have to be in a hurry to do anything as, for the first time in a while, they can be full participants in the buyout market and snag a player that really could contribute this season.

For the first time in a long time, we can actually see the Sun‘s front office with a plan that does not include making trades for the sake of trades or selling low after buying high. That is a nice change, and my biggest takeaway from the Suns’ moves at the deadline.

Rod: It was a small move that has a bigger impact than you would assume at first glance. The biggest plus from it was not only getting the Suns below the luxury tax line but also getting them far enough below it to possibly be able to eventually convert both Bouyea’s and Liver’s two-way contracts to standard NBA contracts if they eventually waive either Anthony (likely) or Coffey (unlikely) to create enough roster spots for both of them.

And there’s also the upcoming buy-out market to consider. Under the tax aprons, the Suns can now sign anyone who gets bought out, no matter what their previous salary was. I can hardly wait to see who is available. There may be no one there that fits the Suns’ needs but, if there is, they can at least make a play for them now.

Q3: Two-way player Koby Brea has not played exceptionally well in the G League. While he’s averaged 16.6 ppg, his FG and 3-point percentages are 38.9% and 32.5% (10.2 3-point attempts per game), respectively. If he continues to struggle in the G League, should the Suns let him go this summer or sign him to another two-way contract?

Ashton: Suns have a fan base problem. We like our young developmental talent, and Brea is at the top of the list. Eventually, I think there is going to be a culling. And Brea may be on the list.

My knee-jerk reaction is to give him to another two-way. The Suns may have a generational three-point shooter that I would hate to see develop on another team.

But this is a good problem to have. Youth in development in the G league is not a bad thing (even though the Valley Suns keep losing games). But based on some of the previous questions, there are players who may need to be sent there.

OldAz: Professional sports are a performance game, and there’s not much room for a shooter who can’t shoot. Admittedly, I have not watched any of Koby play this year because I don’t watch much G League. However, the Suns’ front office has shown an excellent ability to maximize the two-way contracts this year. Unless they see something in Brea that is bubbling below the surface, then I expect they will move on and look for the next Gillespie, Livers, or Bouyea.

I am not worried about his shot as much as I am wondering if he is showing other abilities to stay on the floor by being part of the defense or offensive system. If he is showing any other positive qualities, then maybe he gets another year, and with some extra minutes, maybe he gets his shot back. Again, however, it’s tough to keep a roster spot for a shooter who can’t shoot.

Rod: When the Suns drafted him, he was promoted as already having one NBA-ready skill…shooting threes. So far, he hasn’t been able to do that consistently in the G League, let alone in an NBA game. I haven’t watched enough of the Valley Suns games to get a good idea as to why his percentages are so low, but whatever problems he’s having in the G League are likely only going to be amplified at the NBA level. I’d say that his sticking with the Suns next season, even on another two-way contract, is going to depend on him making some progress/improvement before this season ends.

As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!

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Quotes of the Week

“You can do it (pick-and-roll) so many different ways, so many different locations, so many guys can be involved, and our offense is just going to be heavy in concepts. We’re gonna have to read and react a ton. … This is gonna be a constant evolution of our team, but specifically our offense over time.” – Jordan Ott

“I think he (Oso Ighodaro) is taking a gigantic step defensively with his activity. He’s one of those guys that are elite athletes in this league, just a little undersized for his position.” – Jordan Ott

“Goodie (Jordan Goodwin) does so much good stuff for us, rebounding, guarding, picking up full every possession. He brings a spark to the game that we need each and every night.” – Oso Ighodaro

“I am just trying to make it difficult for them, trying to get the shot clock down. Just get extra possessions for our team but I do take on a lot of assignments, and it’s not just me. I got the bigs behind me, guys giving me good shifts and stuff like that, so it’s really a team effort. I’m just trying to make it difficult.” – Jordan Goodwin

“I think he (Collin Gillespie) has caught a lot of people by surprise, but nobody in this locker room. He does everything out there. He’s a warrior for us. He’s been consistent since he got here, and I’m happy he’s on our side.” – Devin Booker

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Suns Trivia/History

On February 6, 2008, the 34-14 Suns traded Marcus Banks and four-time All-Star Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat for Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal, who had been sidelined with a hip injury before the trade, was inactive for his first 5 games as a Sun but would start for the Suns, averaging 12.9 points and 10.6 rebounds, in 28 of their final 29 games of the season, in which they were 17-11. The Suns would finish the season as the 6th seed in the West with a 55-27 record and bow out of the playoffs quickly, losing their 1st round series with the San Antonio Spurs 4-1.

On February 7, 2018, the Suns tied the team record (set earlier that season on Oct. 18, 2017, against the Portland Trail Blazers) for the worst loss in team history as the San Antonio Spurs defeated them 129-81 (a 48-point margin). The Suns scored only 9 points in the 1st quarter, shot 9.4% (3 of 32) from three, and 34.0% from the field. The Suns’ starting lineup for that game was Tyler Ulis, Josh Jackson, T.J. Warren, Dragan Bender, and Marquese Chriss. This record would stand until earlier this season when the Suns were trounced by OKC (138-89) on Dec. 10, 2025, to set a new record with a 49-point loss.

On February 9, 1986, the NBA All-Star game was played with no Phoenix Suns player on the roster for the West. It was the first time in team history that no Suns player was selected for the All-Star game. The Suns struggled through the 1985-86 season to a 32-50 final record.

On February 11, 1979, the Suns defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 136-101 in a game where 8 of the 10 Suns that played scored in double figures. The Suns were led by new acquisition Truck Robinson’s 24-point, 15-rebound double-double. The Suns also made more free throws (36) than the Cavaliers attempted (25) and out-rebounded them 65 to 45.

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This Week’s Game Schedule

Saturday, Feb 7 – Suns vs Philadelphia 76ers (7:00 pm)
Tuesday, Feb 10 – Suns vs Dallas Mavericks (7:00 pm)
Wednesday, Feb 11 – Suns vs OKC Thunder (7:00 pm)

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This Week’s Valley Suns Game Schedule

Tuesday, Feb 10 – Valley Suns vs Winchester Knicks (7:00 pm) ESPN+
Thursday, Feb 12 – Valley Suns vs Salt Lake City Stars (12:00 pm)

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Important Future Dates

Feb. 13-15 – 2026 NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, CA
March 1 – Playoff eligibility waiver deadline
March 28 – NBA G League Regular Season ends
March 31 – 2026 NBA G League Playoffs begin
April 12 – Regular season ends (All 30 teams play)
April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET)
April 14-17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin

Coming into the season, the script was supposed to be simple. Kentucky Basketball knew Jayden Quaintance was likely a one-and-done talent. Even with his injury struggles, the NBA scouts have been tracking him for years.

But while everyone was watching Quaintance, another Wildcat has quietly, or maybe not so quietly anymore, snuck his way up the draft boards.

MalachiMoreno is playing his way into the first round, and Kentucky fans might need to start preparing for the reality that they could lose two 7-footers to the league this summer.

The scouts are taking notice of Malachi Moreno

Moreno wasn’t necessarily projected as a “one-and-done” lottery pick when he arrived on campus, but his efficiency has forced the issue. Major outlets are now consistently ranking him as a top-30 prospect.

• FanSided ranks him at No. 20, noting: “Despite a fluctuating role, Malachi Moreno looks the part of an NBA contributor… He has ready-made size and strength for the next level, on top of impressive agility in space, which allows Moreno to fully weaponize his reported 7-foot-2 wingspan.”
• SB Nationlists him as the 23rd-best prospect in the entire class.
• Sports Illustratedhas him going No. 28 to the Denver Nuggets in their latest mock draft.

Why Moreno is rising

It is easy to see why the league is intrigued. In just 22 minutes per game, Moreno is putting up extremely productive numbers: 8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. He is shooting 58.6% from the field, proving he knows his role and doesn’t force bad shots.

“We recruited (Moreno) because we thought he could be a terrific passing big,” Pope said. 

But what separates him from a standard “rim runner” is his feel for the game. Moreno is averaging 1.7 assists per game, showing a passing ability that NBA teams crave in modern bigs. He can anchor a defense with his shot-blocking, but he is agile enough to hedge on screens and recover, a prerequisite for surviving on an NBA court.

The one weakness

The only thing holding him back from being a lottery lock is the modern NBA’s obsession with spacing. Moreno has not made a 3 in college, shooting just 2 so far.

In a league where “stretch fives” are king, he is a throwback. Could his versatility outweigh his shooting? Yeah, probably. You can’t find a lot of very mobile 7-footers.

Kentucky fans were bracing to lose Quaintance. They probably weren’t bracing to lose Moreno this fast. But when you are 7-feet tall, can protect the rim, and pass, the NBA comes calling quickly. It is beginning to look like Mark Pope might have to replace more than just 1 center.

Drew Holbrook has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time, he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion

1. Incredible Second Half Comeback

The Celtics scored 38 points in the first half and were down by as many as 22 points. It looked like it was going to be a blowout, but something lit a fire under this team at halftime because Boston came out and scored 36 points in the third quarter alone t0 tie the game going into the fourth. In a back and forth final quarter where both teams were doing everything they could to win, the Celtics were able to come out on top with a Derrick White three at the 1:31 mark to give Boston a 98-96 win.

Overall, they shot 14-47 (30%) from the field in the first half and 21-37 (57%) in the second half. This 22-point comeback was the biggest comeback win of the season for Boston and it showed the resiliency that this team has. The lineup of Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, and Nikola Vucevic came together and went on a heater to bring the Celtics kicking and screaming back into this game.

Really brought the HEAT in the second half 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oQ3R9hEthZ

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 7, 2026

2. Three point turn around

Boston shot 1-20 (5%) from three in the first half of this game and it was the worst three point shooting first half in the Joe Mazzulla era. The last time the Celtics made only one triple in a first half before tonight was on January 11th, 2024 against the Milwaukee Bucks when they shot 1-16. There was a chance that Boston was going to continue this slow shooting stretch, but they caught fire in the third quarter. The Celtics shot 5-7 from three in the third quarter and 9-16 from three in the second half as a whole. The three-point shot has been the common denominator in a lot of the Celtics close games this season and it once again showed tonight. Once Boston was started knocking down their threes, everything fell into place after that.

3. Nikola Vucevic Debut

Nikola Vucevic played his first game of the season as a member of the Celtics since the trade deadline and he made a huge first impression for his debut. Vucevic finished with a double-double of 11 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals on 4-8 shooting.

He scored his first points of the night after Pritchard missed a shot and Bam Adebayo fumbled the rebound. Vucevic just grabbed it and flipped it up for an easy floater and his first points as a member of the Boston Celtics.

Vucevic then started to turn it on in the third quarter when the Celtics were making their run. He scored three times in the paint on Miami, just abusing their interior defense. He started by rolling out of a pick and roll with Derrick White. Two Heat defenders went to White so he fired a pass to Vucevic for a layup. The second basket came when he was backing down Dru Smith in the post. Pritchard found him and Vucevic missed his first attempt but was able to finish on a tap back on his second try. The final basket came when he had great positioning on Jamie Jaquez Jr. and White found him again for another layup.

Another thing that really surprised me from Vucevic’s debut was how great of a passer he was. All of his assists looked like fastballs coming 100 miles per hour and all of them were right on target. The first one came after he tapped an offensive rebound to himself and threw a crosscourt pass to Baylor Scheierman for a long two. The next came when he found Hugo Gonzalez cutting to the basket and threw a strike right to his hands for a dunk. The third came in the second quarter when he got the ball in the post and two Heat defenders went after him. Vucevic calmly found Derrick White who was cutting to the basket from the top of the three-point line and he finished with an easy dunk. Finally, on the game winning basket, Vucevic put the ball on the floor and found White for a wide-open corner three to give Boston the lead with under two minutes to go. Overall, this was a great showing out of Vucevic and the Celtics did a great job of incorporating him into the offense.

4. Jaylen Brown Kept Boston in the Game

Jaylen Brown finished with 29 points and 7 rebounds on 11-25 shooting and didn’t have his best game of the season. However, when the Celtics were down big at the half, without Brown turning it on the second quarter, they would have been down by a lot more. Brown had 15 of the Celtics 23 points in the second quarter, shooting 6-10 and doing everything in his power to keep Boston in striking distance.

Brown started his scoring barrage with a layup after sealing of Andrew Wiggins on the drive to the basket. Next came on a thunderous slam where he blew by Wiggins and attacked the rim. The third bucket came when he had Bam Adebayo one-on-one. He drove and threw up a floater that went in plus the foul for an And-1. The next one came where he took it coast-to-coast for an easy layup over Simone Fontecchio. The fifth came where he overpowered Davion Mitchell and finished another easy layup. Finally, he got the ball at the perimeter, blew by Mitchell, and threw down another dunk.

The fourth quarter was the next time Brown came up big, starting with a play that got broken up by the Heat defense. Brown was able to get it back and take the contact from Adebayo to finish a floater that should have been an And-1. The other big bucket came at the 2:16 mark where he scored the second to last basket of the game for the Celtics, driving into Norman Powell and finishing a tough shot.

5. Payton Pritchard Huge Second Half

At the end of the first half, Payton Pritchard had 5 points on 1-6 shooting and was being really passive. As a 6MOTY winner, scoring was going to have to be his top priority in the second half and he did not disappoint. Pritchard finished with 19 points in the second half on 7-9 shooting from the field and 4-4 from three.

Pritchard started his second half scoring a step back three over Myron Gardner who was a step slow on the contest. The next one came on another step back three, this time over Simone Fontecchio who had no chance of guarding him. He finished the third quarter with a driving layup and forced an And-1 on Kel’el Ware who hit him on the arm.

Starting the fourth quarter, Pritchard picked up right where he left off, starting with crossing up Nikola Jovic one-on-one for a midrange jumper. The next bucket came off of a missed shot by Brown but Sam Hauser got the offensive rebound and found Pritchard wide open for three. The next one came on another three, this time right in the face of Norman Powell. Finally, on maybe his best play of the night, Pritchard backed down Davion Mitchell, hit a spin move into an up and under move for a layup.

6. Derrick White Clutch 4th Quarter

Similar to Pritchard, White had a slow first half in this game but turned it on when the Celtics needed him most. He finished with 21 points, 5 assists and 4 blocks on the night and the biggest came in the fourth quarter.

Before the fourth quarter, as time was running down in the third quarter, Baylor Scheierman found White for a wide open corner three out of an inbounds pass. White made the shot as he was falling away and tied the game for Boston, completing their 22-point comeback.

As the Celtics were rolling, White hit his first shot of the fourth quarter coming off a pass from Pritchard. White caught the ball in front of Erik Spoelstra, hit the three, and held the follow through for a little bit. To quote Wesley Snipes from White Men Can’t Jump, “It’s pretty, it’s so pretty.”

His other basket of the quarter came with 1:31 left in the game. Brown attracted two Heat defenders on the pick and roll and found Vucevic wide open at the three point line. Vucevic caught the pass, made one dribble, and found White wide open in the corner from three. This would be the game winning basket for the Celtics as neither team scored again.

The reason why nobody scored again can also be attributed to Derrick White. With 34 seconds to go, Davion Mitchell drove on Derrick White. He must have forgotten that White is the best shot blocking guard in the NBA because he sent it back and Baylor Scheierman grabbed the rebound.

7. Hugo Gonzalez has no fear

Hugo Gonzalez’s birthday was on February 5th, 2026, the same day as the trade deadline and the day before this game. He graduated from no longer being 19 anymore, although he still might be in the eyes of Celtics fans for while. But since he is now 20 years old, Hugo decided he wanted celebrate his birthday by doing the thing he does best, creating chaos on the basketball court.

Gonzalez’s first highlight play of the night came in the first quarter when he started streaking from the corner. Vucevic found him on a nice pass Hugo’s beautiful cut led to a wide open dunk.

The next impressive play of the night came in the second quarter. Hugo was the only defender trying to guard two Heat players on the three point line. But when Pelle Larsson tried to make a bounce pass to the corner, Gonzalez picked it off and started the fast break. On it, he found Jaylen Brown on an incredible bounce pass that led to Brown being fouled and shooting free throws.

Finally, Hugo showed that he will back down to no man when it comes to fighting for the basketball. When Norman Powell grabbed a rebound in the fourth quarter, Gonzalez was also trying to grab the ball as well. He was trying to force a jump ball and when the ref blew the whistle, Powell and Gonzalez went up to each other face-to-face. Gonzalez didn’t back down to the all-star and the fight was broken up before anything got started.

Postgame, Joe Mazzulla smiled when he was about the confrontation, saying, “That was fun.” He dove deeper into it, saying “…anything that can create chaos and conflict, but not cost you points, we should be all about that.”

Joe Mazzulla on Hugo Gonzalez standing toe-to-toe with Norman Powell:

“That was fun.”

“So anything that can create chaos and conflict, but not cost you points — we should be all about that.” pic.twitter.com/bQznD8Va2z

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) February 7, 2026

8. Double-Big Experiment

In the Celtics win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Joe Mazzulla ran out a double-big starting lineup with Luka Garza and Neemias Queta. It worked well as they were able to upset Houston so Mazzulla tried that lineup again to start this matchup against the Heat. Results were not working the same to start this game as the Heat went on a 9-2 run before Joe pulled the plug. Mazzulla took out both Garza and Queta at the 8:58 mark of the first quarter and didn’t use a double big lineup for the rest of the night. Although the double big lineup didn’t work with Garza and Queta, I don’t think Mazzulla should be swayed to never use it again. I would like to see what a lineup of Vucevic and Queta look like for a game and although it might yield similar results to tonight, you never know.

Before tonight I thought the Celtics could potentially run three bigs in their rotation similarly to how they would use Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet. After tonight I am a lot less confident in my belief of that. I think Luka Garza will be a great third center coming off the bench for Boston but I think most of the minutes should be switched off between Queta and Vucevic. If or when Jayson Tatum comes back, the power forward spot will be filled but for now I wouldn’t mind them starting a guy like Baylor Scheierman or Hugo Gonzalez. This allows Pritchard and Vucevic to come in off the bench at the same time and be able to build continuity.

9. Playoff Atmosphere

This season is my first season covering the beat for CelticsBlog live from TD Garden during games and as a media member I have been to 3 or 4 Celtics games so far but as a fan I have been to a lot more. I have been to a lot of both regular season and playoff games over the years but I think the crowd in tonight was the loudest I have ever heard it.

During the Celtics comeback in the third quarter, every time Boston made a basket or a stop on defense the crowd was erupting like it was Game 7 of the NBA Finals. I don’t know if it was because it was a Friday night or because it was against the Miami Heat, but either way sitting up in the press box, you could feel the stadium shaking with every basket. The loudest it got was in the fourth quarter when Derrick White hit what was the game winning three for Boston. My phone recording doesn’t do it justice because I could feel the stadium vibrating underneath my feet.

HUGE THREE FOR DERRICK WHITE GIVES THE CELTICS THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/KWswf82wFT

— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) February 7, 2026

This was an all time TD Garden crowd tonight and when Joe Mazzulla was asked about it after the game he said, “We have the phrase up there, “different here”, and it’s the truth… I thought that the crowd could have easily given up on us, deservedly so and I thought they stuck with us and helped us, especially third quarter.”

When the TD Garden crowd is rocking, there is no other place in the NBA that I think gets louder. I would say the crowd tonight was a factor and it got into the heads of a young Miami Heat team.

Joe Mazzulla on the fans impact tonight

“We have the phrase up there, “different here”, and it's the truth… I thought that the crowd could have easily given up on us, deservedly so and I thought they stuck with us and helped us, especially third quarter.” pic.twitter.com/ChR1xiAhyW

— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) February 7, 2026

10. Epic Miami Collapse

To say this was a collapse of epic proportions for the Miami Heat would be an understatement. After being the only team in the Eastern Conference not to make a move at the trade deadline, Miami opened up a huge lead on the road in Boston. Celtics fans were surly getting PTSD from the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals and going into halftime, all they had to do was just keep their foot on the gas.

That did not happen for them to the benefit of the Celtics, and their poor third quarter was really their downfall. They shot 5-19 (26%) from the field and 2-12 from three in the quarter. This along with the Celtics hot shooting, got the fans in TD Garden into a frenzy and Miami lost all momentum from there. Boston has now won 13 of their last 15 matchups against the Miami Heat and 10 of those wins in a row. In the dead of winter, its always nice to Beat the Heat.

The Bucks put the Warriors through the washing machine. 

By dangling Giannis Antetokounmpo as a carrot ahead of the NBA trade deadline, they made the league’s modern-day dynasty believe it had another shot at the mountaintop. They made Steph Curry believe he had a chance to compete for his fifth ring. And they made Draymond Green face the harsh reality that anyone is disposable if a shiny enough object comes along. 

The Warriors went all in on the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. They were considered front-runners. They were willing to mortgage their future with four unprotected first-round picks. They shifted their focus from pursuing other trades, including Jaren Jackson Jr., before pivoting at the buzzer and landing Kristaps Porzingis.

There was a lot of fallout from the Bucks’ 6-foot-11, 240-pound pump fake.

But none was more revealing than the way Green handled hearing that his name was involved in trade talks for the first time in his 14-season career, something that would’ve been off the table for pretty much anyone not named Antetokounmpo.

Green took it on the chin. 

Two days before the trade deadline, when he was asked about being included in a potential deal, he was markedly understanding. “I think a lot of people want to know how I feel about it, like am I upset about it,” Green said Tuesday. “I’m not at all. If that’s what’s best for this organization, that’s what’s best for the organization.”

That wasn’t an act. One thing Green isn’t is disingenuous. Rather, those were the words of a man who knew he did everything he could for the Warriors. They were the words of someone who poured every ounce of himself into a franchise, helping it become a dynasty that won four championships in eight years. They were the words of someone at peace. 

The 35-year-old Green is known for being fiery. He’s a guy who transformed himself from an undersized No. 35 pick in the 2012 draft into one of the greatest defenders in NBA history. He’s grit personified. For the Warriors, none of this would’ve happened without him. 

He was considered untradable — or at least as untradable as someone can be in a league in which Luka Doncic can be dealt. He had earned that. But when that changed, he didn’t express surprise over the whiplash of it all. He didn’t express disappointment over the shift in loyalty. 

Rather, he leaned into gratitude. 

“I don’t know that it ends at 13 1/2, but if it does, what a f***ing run it’s been,” Green said. “I’ll take the fine for (cursing). What a f***ing run it’s been.”

The thing is the relationship between Green and the Warriors has always been symbiotic. 

His ability to guard 1 through 5 made the Warriors one of the greatest franchises ever. In turn, they supported him through the turbulence that goes hand-in-hand with a player whose oxygen is intensity. 

After Green got into it with Kevin Durant in November 2018, Curry drove to Green’s Oakland home and talked with him in his backyard for two hours. And after Green was suspended indefinitely for striking Jusuf Nurkic in the face in December 2023, Warriors coach Steve Kerr went to Green’s Los Angeles home, sat in his backyard and helped recenter him. 

The Warriors have had Green’s back. And he’s had theirs. 

For Green, if a trade had happened, there wouldn’t have been any bitterness. Any resentment. Any betrayal. While Green can be reactionary, this clearly showed his other side. He’s contemplative. He’s likable. 

You don’t remain on a team for 13 1/2 years if you’re not. A few years ago, Green likened himself, Curry and Klay Thompson to being the co-founders of a start-up. Over their six Finals runs, they played an extra 127 games, or the equivalent of an extra season and a half. 

They became brothers, spending more time together than with their actual families. They wanted to retire together. Thompson left in free agency in July 2024 because he wanted out amid frustrations over contract negotiations and his decreased role. 

If Green had been traded, that would’ve felt different. 

Kerr has called Green the “heart and soul” of the team. His unbridled intensity served as a defibrillator in locker rooms and huddles, shocking his teammates into meeting him at the feverish pitch at which he existed. 

Without Green, the Warriors’ path could’ve been dramatically altered. 

Curry might not have been able to become the best shooter of all time without fully trusting that the other end of the court was patrolled. Kerr might not have been so effective without having a human form of fireworks echoing his words.

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Green is the Warriors’ glue guy, who selflessly facilitated on offense, while also pouring himself into the less glamorous side of the court. He is the person who does the things other players don’t want to do. He’s a blue-collar worker who turned himself into a four-time All-Star and future first-ballot Hall of Famer. 

And when his name surprisingly came into trade conversations, he didn’t hem and haw. He didn’t take veiled shots at the organization. Rather, he understood. 

The Warriors needed to do everything possible to acquire Antetokounmpo. Green knew that. He respected it. Even if it came at a big cost to him. 

Over the last decade, he helped the Warriors become one of the NBA’s most dominant teams. And in turn, they enabled him to become the best version of himself. 

And when his future was hanging in the balance, it was clear he overwhelmingly felt one emotion: appreciation. 

“What do I have to be upset about?” he asked. “I’ve been here for 13 1/2 years. That’s longer than probably 98% of NBA players have been in one place. And this guy from Saginaw has been in a place for 13 1/2 years.”