Category: NBA

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The basketball gods seem angry with the Los Angeles Lakers. Losing two of their three best players for at least a few weeks just as the playoffs near certainly changes every thought Los Angeles has.

Few opponents will pester a new point guard as aggressively as the Oklahoma City Thunder will, but my Thunder vs. Lakers predictions and these NBA picks still see value in new-look L.A. point guard Luke Kennard on Tuesday, April 7.

Thunder vs Lakers prediction

Thunder vs Lakers best bet: Luke Kennard Over 5.5 assists (+105)

Point guard Luke Kennard. That is a reality for the Los Angeles Lakers as the playoffs loom. This was certainly not their plan.

With both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined for the next few weeks, Kennard and LeBron James shared the offensive initiation duties in Sunday’s loss at Dallas, with James playing nearly 39 minutes and dishing out 15 assists while Kennard played more than 41 minutes and handed out 11 assists.

Expect Kennard to also cough up a bounty of turnovers against the Oklahoma City Thunder’s perimeter defenders. That should be obvious.

But the sheer amount of ball-handling now required of Kennard creates unquestionable value in this prop. As long as Los Angeles has hopes of the No. 3 seed in the West — currently effectively tied with the Nuggets, though the Lakers hold the tiebreaker — expect them to lean into this new-fangled look.

This was not the design, but it is now the reality.

Thunder vs Lakers same-game parlay

The value is in Kennard’s assists prop, not as much as in LeBron James’s. Kennard’s ball-handling role is the surprise induced by Los Angeles’s injuries; LeBron already initiated plenty.

The reaction to Sunday’s stats should be amazement at how much Kennard was asked to do. LeBron’s 15 assists were impressive, but also less of an outlier than Kennard’s 11.

Thunder vs Lakers SGP

• Luke Kennard Over 5.5 assists
• LeBron James Under 9.5 assists
• Thunder moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Rest LeBron?

JJ Redick faces a difficult choice this week. As the No. 3 seed slips from Los Angeles’s grasp, how long will he ride LeBron James? Any deficit against the Thunder tonight should quickly feel insurmountable, and getting some rest for the 41-year-old James before the playoffs is certainly a concern on Redick’s mind.

Thunder vs Lakers SGP

• Thunder -17
• LeBron James Under 9.5 assists
• LeBron James Under 23.5 points
• LeBron James Under 6.5 rebounds

Thunder vs Lakers odds

• Spread: Thunder -17 | Lakers +17
• Moneyline: Thunder -2000 | Lakers +1000
• Over/Under: Over 222.5 | Under 222.5

Thunder vs Lakers betting trend to know

The looming threat of the Spurs in the standings has kept the Thunder engaged enough to go 3-1 against the spread in their last four games, all as favorites of at least eight points. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Lakers.

How to watch Thunder vs Lakers

Thunder vs Lakers latest injuries

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Oklahoma State guard Jaylen Curry plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, On3’s Joe Tipton has learned. Curry is on the move for the second consecutive offseason, only spending one year in Stillwater. UMass is where his college basketball career got underway. But now, Curry is looking for school No. 3 for what should be his final year of eligibility.

The Cowboys used Curry as a nice rotational piece throughout his 33 games played. Only seven of them were starts, playing around 24 minutes every time out there. Curry averaged 10.1 points while shooting 41.8% from the field. Not too bad for somebody playing in a power conference for the first time in his career.

Curry did a little more than just score, though. He finished as Oklahoma State’s second-leading assist man, putting up 3.5 per game. Some activity on the glass did some — mainly on the defensive end — with 3.2 rebounds a night.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

There is one performance from this past season that stands out more than any. Oklahoma State hosted Nicholls back in November for a nonconference showdown. Curry had his lone double-double of the year, doing so in style. Thirty points were put up by Curry, going 8-11 from the field and making all 12 of his free throws. And then 10 assists also show up on the statsheet to help Oklahoma State get a 14-point win.

More on Jaylen Curry, early portion of college basketball career

Curry played high school basketball at Charlotte (NC) Calvary Christian, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 193 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

UMass earned Curry’s original commitment and let him get action as a true freshman. One season later, Curry was a starter for the Minutemen and putting up good numbers. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Unfortunately, not too much team success came, and Curry decided to enter the transfer portal.

Now, another school will have an opportunity to sign Curry. If the fit turns out to be the right one, some potential still appears to be in there.

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A first-round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets would be a dream scenario for NBA neutrals, and we get another sneak preview as the teams square off tonight.

Charlotte has picked up four straight victories and won at TD Garden last month, but my Hornets vs. Celtics predictions see Boston getting the upper hand, as Jayson Tatum continues to impress. 

Check out my NBA picks for this clash between in-form Eastern Conference squads on Tuesday, April 7.

Hornets vs Celtics prediction

Hornets vs Celtics best bet: Celtics -4.5 (-110)

A healthy Boston Celtics rotation is a scary prospect for the rest of the league, and they’ve looked in sync while winning eight of their last 10 games.

Boston is also 8-2 straight up in its past 10 matchups against the Charlotte Hornets, and I’m laying the points here with Joe Mazzulla’s men, who are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven. The Celtics turned it on late to brush off the Raptors on Sunday and make it four straight wins by a margin of 14+ points.

Though the Hornets embarrassed Boston in early March, the Celtics got revenge a few weeks later with a 114-99 victory, despite missing Jaylen Brown. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard combined for 60 points that day to outplay Charlotte’s talented guards.

The hosts are at full strength now, after Nikola Vucevic’s return over the weekend, and their defense is the stingiest in the NBA, allowing just 107 points per game. Look for that attention to detail to stifle a Hornets team that leads the league in made 3-pointers.

After a recent home-heavy slate, Charlotte will be entering a rocking TD Garden, where the Celtics are 27-11 SU this year. So, even this late in the regular season, Boston should view this as a statement game, and this spread is small enough for me to back Tatum & Co.

Hornets vs Celtics same-game parlay

The Celtics are humming along since Tatum’s comeback, and he’s been especially consistent on the glass, with 9+ rebounds in eight of his last nine, headlined by 18 boards against the Heat last week. I’m wagering on another big haul tonight.

Meanwhile, Pritchard’s heat-check scoring is a spark for the Boston bench. He’s nailed this Over in five of his last six games, and finished with 28 points in the last meeting between these teams.

Hornets vs Celtics SGP

• Celtics moneyline
• Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
• Payton Pritchard Over 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Put up your Dukes

This SGP pairs two Duke alums, with Tatum going past this points prop in five straight and Kon Knueppel putting the final touches on his Rookie of the Year case.

Tatum has been a steady double-digit rebounder in the past few weeks, while Knueppel dropped 20 points on the Celtics last month and has O/U lines that feel low for a player averaging 18.7 PPG and 3.4 APG this season.

Hornets vs Celtics SGP

• Jayson Tatum Over 22.5 points
• Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
• Kon Knueppel Over 16.5 points
• Kon Knueppel Over 2.5 assists

Hornets vs Celtics odds

• Spread: Hornets +4.5 (-110) | Celtics -4.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Hornets +175 | Celtics -210
• Over/Under: Over 221 (-110) | Under 221 (-110)

Hornets vs Celtics betting trend to know

The Under is 48-31 for the Hornets this season, but the Over has hit in their past three contests. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Celtics.

How to watch Hornets vs Celtics

Hornets vs Celtics latest injuries

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The battle to stay out of the play-in spots in the East is real, with the team in fifth just 3.5 games up on the team in 10th. Two of those squads collide tonight when the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat.

Both teams desperately need a win after a tough stretch of games. My Heat vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks tell you why Toronto will prevail against the spread on Tuesday, April 7. 

Heat vs Raptors prediction

Heat vs Raptors best bet: Raptors -1.5 (-110)

The Miami Heat currently hold the last play-in spot in the East, but they trail the Toronto Raptors, who are just above the play-in spots in sixth place.

The Heat are coming off a win, but it was only their third in the last 11 games. 

This will be an interesting stylistic matchup as Toronto’s defense tries to slow down the high-tempo Heat, who rank fifth in offensive rating since the All-Star break.

The Raptors do this frustrating thing where they show their potential for three quarters, before a typically poor fourth costs them the game, just like their most recent loss to the Celtics.

However, they tend to perform better when they’re supposed to win, and they’re slight home favorites here. Additionally, their strength remains at the defensive end of the floor, where they rank 10th in defensive rating for the second half of the season.

They also do a solid job on the perimeter, ranking eighth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. This is important against a team that leads the NBA in pace and shots per game.

Meanwhile, the Heat rank 21st in defensive rating since the break. That should be enough to help Toronto cover this short spread at home and beat the Heat for the third time this season.

Heat vs Raptors same-game parlay

The Heat’s high pace of play and huge shooting output results in a lot of rebounds. Scottie Barnes has seen his rebounding numbers dip a bit lately, but he still averages 7.5 rebounds per game this season, and this is a great spot for him to get back to having a presence on the boards.

We also get a fun Norman Powell reunion tonight. The former Raptor returns to where he helped win an NBA championship in 2019, and the Toronto fans love him. Don’t be surprised if the guard, averaging 22.1 points per game this season, gets in a groove tonight.

Heat vs Raptors SGP

• Raptors -1.5
• Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
• Norman Powell Over 17.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Heating the glass

The Raptors have also struggled on the glass of late, ranking 23rd in rebounding rate since the All-Star break. So, rebounds for all!

Heat vs Raptors SGP

• Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
• Brandon Ingram Over 5.5 rebounds
• Andrew Wiggins Over 4.5 rebounds
• Norman Powell Over 3.5 rebounds

Heat vs Raptors odds

• Spread: Heat +1.5 | Raptors -1.5
• Moneyline: Heat +100 | Raptors -120
• Over/Under: Over 240 | Under 240

Heat vs Raptors betting trend to know

The Raptors have covered the 1Q Spread in 12 of their last 16 games for +7.45 Units and a 41% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Raptors.

How to watch Heat vs Raptors

Heat vs Raptors latest injuries

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Kentucky Basketball is receiving a wide range of projections in way-too-early 2026-27 Top 25 rankings, reflecting uncertainty after a season of key departures and transfers.

Way-Too-Early College Basketball Rankings

• Unranked:Jeff Borzello (ESPN), Jacob Davis (Sports Illustrated), Seth Davis (HoopsHQ)
• No. 28:Jon Rothstein (FanDuel) – despite forward Andrija Jelavić entering the transfer portal
• No. 25:James Fletcher III (On3)
• No. 13:Mike DeCourcy (Sporting News)

Roster Outlook

Projected starting five (before Jelavić’s transfer, though he could still return): G Trent Noah, G Collin Chandler, F Kam Williams, F Andrija Jelavić, C Malachi Moreno
Projected key bench: Brayden Hawthorne, Mason Williams

Roster Status

• Graduating: Otega Oweh, Walker Horn, Zach Tow
• Transferring: Denzel Aberdeen (graduating), Jasper Johnson, Brandon Garrison, Jaland Lowe, Mo Dioubate, and Andrija Jelavić
• Undecided: Trent Noah, Jayden Quaintance, Kam Williams, Collin Chandler, Brayden Hawthorne, Reece Potter
• College/Testing NBA Draft Waters: Malachi Moreno

Mark Pope’s top priority will be retention, especially keeping 7-foot center Malachi Moreno, who averaged 7.8 points per game and has high breakout potential. Veteran shooting guard Collin Chandler, averaging 9.7 points, will also hopefully anchor the backcourt, though he has not 100% confirmed his return yet.

As the Wildcats navigate departures, transfers, and player development, fans are left watching closely how the roster takes shape and how early projections will adjust leading into the new season.

One week ago, the Los Angeles Lakers clinched their spot in the NBA playoffs. They had won 15 of 17 games behind a surge from Luka Dončić and looked prime to lock up the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

How quickly things can change.

Dončić injured his left hamstring late in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Austin Reaves strained his left oblique in the same game, and just like that, the Lakers were down two of their most important players for the foreseeable future.

The reaction was predictable; the Lakers came out flat against an already eliminated Dallas Mavericks team on Sunday. They were able to fight back behind a 30-point, 15-assist effort from LeBron James and a triple-double by trade deadline acquisition Luke Kennard, but Cooper Flagg had arguably his signature moment of his rookie season with 45 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to outlast LA 134-128, handing the shorthanded Lakers their second straight loss.

In the meantime, the other teams in the running for the third seed – the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets – have surged. The Nuggets have won nine in a row and overtook the Lakers for third place with their comeback over the Portland Trail Blazers, Monday, April 6. The Rockets, trailing by just one game, have also been red-hot with a six-game winning streak of their own.

So how much room do the Lakers have for error – if any at all? Here's what lies ahead for each team in the final week of the season:

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAOS: Who will get No. 5 and 6 seeds?

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The final week of the NBA season usually sees some unexpected results. As the Minnesota Timberwolves back into the playoffs, they are ripe candidates to provide one of those results, especially as the Indiana Pacers play what may be their best basketball of the season.

My Timberwolves vs. Pacers predictions and these NBA picks refuse to put any faith in Minnesota on Tuesday, April 7.

Timberwolves vs Pacers prediction

Timberwolves vs Pacers best bet: Pacers +12.5 (-105)

The Minnesota Timberwolves have effectively boxed themselves into the No. 6 seed in the West. They would need to go 4-0 this week while the Rockets go 1-3 to catch Houston for the No. 5 seed. But there is a worrying scenario for Minnesota. It could fall into the Play-In Tournament yet.

Every day that remains a possibility, anxiety will set in further for the Timberwolves. The organization already had to include two Play-In games amid the postseason ticket presale access for season-ticket holders. They are genuinely a loss or two away from having to answer questions about slipping into the Play-In Tournament.

Recognizing that stressor is the only reason this is not a bet on the Indiana Pacers to win outright. The Pacers have sprung three upsets as multi-bucket underdogs in the last two weeks, part of going 8-1 against the spread in their last nine.

Indiana has secured its needed draft lottery positioning. The Pacers can play as competitively as able. And with the Timberwolves without both Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, they are quite vulnerable to upsets. Edwards and McDaniels are no less than two of Minnesota’s three-best bucket getters, and many nights feel like they are the top two.

Without them, fading the Timberwolves becomes nearly an automatic bet; only the worry of falling to seventh in the standings should prevent Minnesota from losing outright.

Timberwolves vs Pacers same-game parlay

The mere option to bet a Mike Conley points prop is a surprise. He hit no more than one field goal in 12 of his last 16 games. Bench players like that do not usually warrant spots on the props board. But Conley is not a bench player right now. He has started his last five games, though only four of those were genuine. But in his last two games, Conely has hit 7-of-12 shots from deep, scoring 14 and 11 points. He may be finding a form that could actually contribute in the postseason.

Minnesota hopes Naz Reid finds that form soon. A nagging shoulder injury has clearly cut into his efficiency. Reid has cleared this prop just once in his last 10 games.

Timberwolves vs Pacers SGP

• Pacers +12.5
• Mike Conley Over 5.5 points
• Naz Reid Under 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Perhaps Pacers

One of the best ways for Minnesota to avoid an upset is to have Reid hit multiple 3-pointers. Given he is 1-of-10 from beyond the arc in his last two games and has hit multiple 3-pointers in just three of his last 17 games, it is valid to wonder if Indiana might spring this surprise.

Timberwolves vs Pacers SGP

• Pacers Moneyline
• Naz Reid Under 14.5 Points

Timberwolves vs Pacers odds

• Spread: Timberwolves -12.5 | Pacers +12.5
• Moneyline: Timberwolves -800 | Pacers +550
• Over/Under: Over 232.5 | Under 232.5

Timberwolves vs Pacers betting trend to know

While going 8-1 against the spread in their last nine games, the Pacers have exceeded bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 8.9 points, even when including the sole ATS loss; that number jumps to 10.4 points in the eight ATS wins. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Pacers.

How to watch Timberwolves vs Pacers

Timberwolves vs Pacers latest injuries

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The 2025-26 men's college basketball season came to an end on Monday, April 6, with maize-and-blue confetti falling from the rafters of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis after Michigan held on to beat UConn 69-63 in the championship game of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament.

One day after the Wolverines hoisted the NCAA championship trophy, cut down the nets and savored their one shining moment, they added a few other bullet points to a lengthy and impressive resume from the best season in program history.

To the no one's surprise, Coach Dusty May's team finished the season atop the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 on Tuesday, April 7. They were followed by, in order, UConn, Arizona, Duke and Illinois to round out the top five.

REQUIRED READING: Big Ten doing college sports better than anyone. They just win more | Opinion

Though it finished with a relatively close championship game win, Michigan had one of the more dominant runs through the NCAA tournament in recent memory, winning their first five games by an average of 21.6 points, capped off by a 91-73 drubbing of fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in the Final Four.

With the season now complete, here's a look at the final Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 from the 2025-26 season:

College basketball final rankings for 2025-26

First-place votes in parentheses.

USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

1. Michigan (31)
2. UConn
3. Arizona
4. Duke
5. Illinois
6. Houston
7. Purdue
8. Iowa State
9. Florida
10. St. John's
11. Michigan State
12. Tennessee
13. Arkansas
14. Nebraska
15. Virginia
16. Alabama
17. Vanderbilt
18. Gonzaga
19. Iowa
20. Kansas
21. Texas Tech
22. Miami
23. Louisville
24. Texas
25. Wisconsin

Others receiving votes: Utah State 37; Saint Louis 30; UCLA 28; North Carolina 28; Saint Mary's 16; Miami (OH) 9; BYU 8; High Point 7; Villanova 4; UCF 3; Kentucky 3; VCU 2

AP Top 25

This section will be updated when the poll is released.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Men's college basketball rankings: Updated Coaches Poll, AP Top 25

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Two teams coming off rare wins will look to make it two in a row as the Brooklyn Nets host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.

Milwaukee is sitting much of what little talent they still have for this game, so my Bucks vs. Nets predictions are taking Brooklyn to cover.

Read on for my free NBA picks for Tuesday, April 7.

Bucks vs Nets prediction

Bucks vs Nets best bet: Nets +2 (-110)

Both of these teams are coming off wins despite playing with rosters that hardly resemble what they looked like earlier this season. The Milwaukee Bucks are counting on players like Ryan Rollins and Cormac Ryan, while the Brooklyn Nets have been led by options such as Jalen Wilson and Nolan Traore. 

The list of injuries is astounding, with Giannis Antetokunmpo, Bobby Portis, Nic Claxton, and Michael Porter Jr. among the recognizable names that won’t be playing tonight.

So how are these teams winning? By playing other teams out of the playoff race, of course.

The Bucks have recent wins over the Grizzlies and Mavericks. On the other hand, Brooklyn has gotten its recent victories over the Wizards and Kings, possibly the two teams most committed to tanking in the entire league. 

Fundamentally, the Bucks have been the better team this season, but today’s injury report has changed the calculus significantly.

Milwaukee will be without Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner, and Ryan Rollins, all players who started in the victory over Memphis. The Bucks' one advantage was in their depth of reasonably capable role players, and now we know they’re all siting out tonight.

The Nets at least bring back the lineup that has seen some limited success in recent games, with Traore in particular showing some growth late in his rookie season.

With what passes for more talent on the court and the healthier roster, I’m taking Brooklyn to cover.

Bucks vs Nets same-game parlay

Traore has been one of the few bright spots for the Nets late in the season. He’s averaged 15.8 ppg over his last four outings, and is getting lots of shooting volume, making him a good pick to hit his scoring total tonight.

However, with the overall lack of talent on the court — especially with all the players being held out by Milwaukee — I’m taking the Under, which has hit in four of Brooklyn’s last six games.

Bucks vs Nets SGP

• Nets +2
• Under 220
• Nolan Traore Over 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Youth is served

Let’s go all in on two of Brooklyn’s young players who have been getting significant playing time lately to hit their props.

I’m sticking with Traore to hit his scoring Over, and combining that with a bet on the 19-year-old to hit Over 1.5 threes, something he’s done in three of his last four games.

I’ll also take Wilson to dish out at least three assists after picking up four dimes against the Wizards on Sunday.

Bucks vs Nets SGP

• Nets +2
• Nolan Traore Over 14.5 points
• Nolan Traore Over 1.5 threes made
• Jalen Wilson Over 2.5 assists

Bucks vs Nets odds

• Spread: Bucks -2 | Nets +2
• Moneyline: Bucks -140 | Nets +115
• Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220

Bucks vs Nets betting trend to know

The Nets are 6-3 ATS in their last nine overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Nets.

How to watch Bucks vs Nets

Bucks vs Nets latest injuries

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It’s a jam-packed day of NBA action with 10 games on the schedule, but as is the case with late-season NBA, we’ve got a lot of massive spreads. Tonight's slate features five games with spreads at -10 or higher.

Sometimes, games with big spreads are best to attack with NBA player props. My NBA picks for today have plays in three of those games, including Ace Bailey continuing his strong play for the Jazz.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Donte DiVincenzo	Over 3.5 rebounds	+102
John Collins	Over 11.5 points	-115
Ace Bailey	Over 17.5 points	-115

Prop #1: Donte DiVincenzo Over 3.5 rebounds

+102 at bet365

The Indiana Pacers are just winding down the clock on the season. They obviously have issues everywhere, but one of the best places to exploit them is on the glass.

Indiana enters this matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves ranked 24th in opponent rebounds per game and 27th in rebounding rate since the All-Star break.

The T-wolves have an obvious rebounding props candidate in Rudy Gobert, but the big man isn’t my favorite value on the board tonight. The honor belongs to guard Donte DiVincenzo. 

While DiVincenzo hasn’t had much impact on the glass lately, he still averages 4.2 rebounds per game, and we’re getting the Over at 3.5 at plus money.

The other thing to like about this play is that the Pacers take the 12th most threes per game since coming out of the break. That means long boards to grab for DiVincenzo.

• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FDSN-North, FDSN-Indiana

Prop #2: Ace Bailey Over 17.5 points

-115 at bet365

The Utah Jazz have clearly gone full tank mode down the stretch, but one guy is still getting minutes and making the most of them: Ace Bailey.

Bailey is showing why he was worth a high lottery pick. He’s averaging 19.5 points per game over his last 15 games, which includes him shooting a solid 37.7% from 3-point range.

He gets an interesting matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. New Orleans has been playing better basketball once the team got healthy, but it was too little too late, and they're out of the playoffs.

On that note, though, Trey Murphy III is out for this game, and Dejounte Murray is questionable, two of their best defenders. That’s not great for a team that still ranks 19th in defensive rating since the All-Star break.

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: KJZZ, GCSEN

Prop #3: John Collins Over 11.5 points

-115 at bet365

The Los Angeles Clippers are locked into a Play-In spot in the Western Conference, but playing those games at home is still on the table with a strong finish.

They get a good chance to notch another win when they host the Dallas Mavericks and the red-hot Cooper Flagg.

The Mavericks need that offensive outburst because they aren’t stopping anyone from scoring, particularly on the inside. Dallas enters tonight’s matchup ranked 24th in defensive rating and 27th in opponent points in the paint since coming out of the All-Star break.

That has me targeting John Collins. The power forward is in a groove, averaging 19.8 points over his last four games with a .704 effective field goal percentage, putting up at least 15 points in all four.

He keeps that going by dominating the Mavs down low.

• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: KFAA, FDSN-California

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.

Now that the confetti has been swept up and the nets have been cut down, there is one final piece of business to close the book on the men’s college basketball season.

Michigan takes its rightful place as No. 1 in the season-ending USA TODAY Sports coaches poll after claiming the program's second title with a defeat of Connecticut. The Wolverines, who held the top spot for a stretch during the regular season, finishes atop the rankings for the first time since USA TODAY began administration of the coaches poll. Their previous title in 1989. The runner-up Huskies finish at No. 2 overall, though the Huskies did not receive every second-place vote among the 31 panelists.

Arizona lands at No. 3 overall. Duke, which entered the tournament at No. 1 , finishes ahead of semifinalist Illinois for the No. 4 spot despite falling short of the Final Four thanks to UConn’s buzzer-beater.

TOP 25:Complete final USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll

NEXT YEAR:Our too-early Top 25 for the 2026-27 season

Houston lands at No. 6 in the final rankings, followed by Purdue and Iowa State. Florida, the first top regional seed eliminated, topples to No. 9. St. John’s rounds out the top 10.

It’s an impressive final poll for the Big Ten. In addition to ending its championship drought while sending two representatives to the Final Four, the league ends up with seven ranked teams in all as Wisconsin narrowly edges Utah State for the No. 25 spot.

The SEC lands six thanks to No. 24 Texas’s surprising run from First Four to Sweet 16. The Big 12 is next with five teams in the top 25, and the ACC lands four.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball final rankings: Michigan leads coaches poll Top 25

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Two teams whose seasons feel like they’ve been in extended garbage time clash on Tuesday, when the Chicago Bulls visit the Washington Wizards.

The Bulls come in riding a seven-game losing streak, while Washington has just a single win in its last 23 games, part of the reason they’re five-point home ‘dogs in the NBA odds.

Even though these are two of the worst scoring defenses in the NBA, my Bulls vs. Wizards predictions and free NBA picks has this coming in Under an exceptionally high total.

Bulls vs Wizards prediction

Bulls vs Wizards best bet: Under 251.5 points (-110)

Except for a one-point loss to Memphis, every other game in the Chicago Bulls’ seven-game slide has been a demolition, losing by double digits in each.

During this skid, they are allowing an NBA-worst 134.7 points per game, with teams shooting 51.4% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range.

They are also limping into the US Capital, with Josh Giddey, the team’s leading scorer, rebounder and assist man down with a hamstring injury.

Joining him in street clothes are Matas Buzelis (illness), Anfernee Simons (wrist), and Nick Richards (elbow), while Collin Sexton (finger) and Lachlan Olbrich (foot) are probable.

Barring an unforeseen four-game win streak (and help), the Washington Wizards will finish the year with the worst record in the NBA, and a legit shot at the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

They’ve locked that in with a futile 1-22 run, where they’ve allowed a league-worst 129.3 points per game. That includes three games allowing 150+ points, and 10 at 130+.

But a little closer into the numbers, and these teams aren’t locks to combine for 249 points.

The Wiz have hit the Over seven of the last 10, but Overs that cashed at 249+ points (4) came against teams that were in the playoff picture.

The Bulls have actually gone Under the total in three of their last four, and the last 10 head-to-heads between these teams have produced just one Over at this hefty number – and they’ve cashed the Under in each of the last five.

Bulls vs Wizards same-game parlay

Washington has been allowing teams to shoot 37% from three during this skid, and Leonard Miller has had the range of late, hitting at least two triples in three of his last four games.

I’m not sure how a 7-footer has just one game with 5+ rebounds in nine games, but that’s where we are with Tristan Vukcevic. However, he did pull down eight boards against the Bulls in their lone meeting this season.

Bulls vs Wizards SGP

• Under 251.5 points
• Leonard Miller Over 1.5 3-pointers made
• Tristan Vukcevic Over 4.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Silver liners for Wizards

It's been a banner stretch for Washington rookie Will Riley, who's coming off back-to-back 30+ point games, and has actually cracked the 20-point plateau in four of his last six.

He's a far different player than the one that logged just three minutes and recorded one assist in his first game against Chicago on Nov 22.

Bub Carrington has just one game with at least three boards in his last eight, but he’s pulled down at least three rebounds in four of his last five games against the Bulls.

Bulls vs Wizards SGP

• Under 251.5 points
• Leonard Miller Over 1.5 3-pointers made
• Tristan Vukcevic Over 4.5 rebounds
• Will Riley Over 19.5 points
• Bub Carrington Over 2.5 rebounds

Bulls vs Wizards odds

• Spread: Chicago -6 (-110) | Washington +6 (-110)
• Moneyline: Chicago -225 | Washington +185
• Over/Under: Over 251.5 (-110) | Under 251.5 (-110)

Bulls vs Wizards betting trend to know

Chicago has covered the spread in 10 of their last 13 games following a loss. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Wizards.

How to watch Bulls vs Wizards

Bulls vs Wizards latest injuries

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