CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 20: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 20, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers might have lost this game in the first six minutes. Let’s talk about it.
LOSER – The First Quarter
The Cavs had 10 turnovers in the first six minutes of the game. Oklahoma City had 17 points off turnovers during that run on their way to a 20+ point lead. That’s a catastrophic opening that will result in a loss 99% of the time.
So what went wrong?
Cleveland entered this game with the wrong approach. They treated this like a regular-season matinee rather than the potential NBA Finals preview that the OKC Thunder were prepared for. The Cavaliers were blitzed from the jump as a result.
Hesitation is a death sentence against this Thunder defense. They pounce on the first sign of indecision. That’s what led to 10 turnovers in the opening quarter as the Cavs frantically searched for their footing. It wasn’t until the offense became more purposeful and decisive that the turnovers finally subsided.
The Cavs eventually fought back into this game and made it a good one. But the opening six minutes are what ultimately cost them.
WINNER – Sam Merrill
A handful of Cavs players stepped up to make this competitive after the first quarter. None was more impactful than Sam Merrill.
Merill jump-started this offense and got them back into gear with his three-point shooting. He nailed consecutive deep balls to cut into the deficit early in the first half. As the game went on, Cleveland continued to rely on Merrill’s outside shooting to bail them out.
It’s not always easy for a player like Merrill to get free against a team such as OKC. They defend off-ball actions better than anyone in the league. That’s why it’s so impressive that Merrill was able to find openings and release the ball before this scrambly Thunder defense could catch up.
Merrill finished with 20 points on 6-10 three-point shooting.
LOSER – Screen Navigation
Turnovers were a problem in the first quarter. That was addressed as Clevleand’s offense settled into the game.
One thing that wasn’t solved, however, was their screen navigation.
I’ll give credit to the Thunder. Isaiah Hartenstein sets some of the widest screens in the association. He was crushing Cleveland’s backcourt all game long. Combine that with an efficient shooting night from the Thunder backcourt, and this was too much to overcome.
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden both got hung up on numerous screens that led to three-point jumpers. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley were also torched for playing below the level of the screen. We understand why those bigs would be in drop coverage, but the opponent shooting 21-41 (51%) from deep should probably warrant an adjustment.
WINNER – Schroder and Ellis
Let’s hand out one more pair of winners to a bench squad that’s made a difference.
Schroder and Ellis are giving this second unit new life. They’re able to enter the game and initiate a new style that, at worst, changes the dynamic of a game, and at best, swings things back into Cleveland’s favor.
Their scrappy style lends itself to generating chaos. The Thunder had a taste of their own medicine when this duo was on the floor. Their defensive activity made life more difficult for OKC. And, they each bring their own value on offense.
The Cavs have leaned on Schroder to operate in the pick-and-roll when Mitchell or Harden aren’t on the floor. He isn’t as elite as the starting gaurds but he’s more than capable of running this two-man action.
As for Ellis, he shot just 1-4 from deep, but cut into the lane for a handful of easy buckets. He’s a better shooter than this on most nights and should mesh well with whatever lineups the Cavs put him in moving forward.
Feb 21, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) goes up for a shot in the first half against the Sacramento Kings at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Coming off a blowout victory against the Phoenix Suns, the Spurs took on the Sacramento Kings for the second I-35 Series game at the Moody Center in Austin, TX. The Spurs started hot with an 11-0 run. However, the Kings crawled back to within four points by the end of the first quarter. Despite the Spurs’ hot scoring, the Kings were able to keep pace and trailed 73-65 at halftime and even took the lead in the third. Little by little, the Spurs rebuilt the lead to 11 after three. An early run in the fourth put the game away, and the Spurs won 139-122.
Victor Wembanyama led the way with a double-double: 28 points (11-20 FG) and 15 rebounds to go along with six assists, four blocks, and a steal. After a solid outing against the Suns, Wemby turned it up against the Kings. There seemed to be some extra motivation because his childhood friend/teammate, Maxime Raynaud, matched up against him from the start. Nonetheless, Wemby dominated on both ends with multiple dunks and blocks. The All-Star starter will look to continue his MVP campaign against All-Star Jalen Duren on Monday (assuming he ends up playing 65 games).
NOT IN HIS HOUSE! Wemby swats Russell Westbrook’s shot out of the air, and it kickstarts a fast break that results in a bucket for De’Aaron Fox!
Stephon Castle dropped 18 points (6-9 FG, 6-8 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, and a block. Since returning from the All-Star break, Steph has shot 70% from the field. His resilience in slashing has also rewarded him with more free throws. Ever since he carried the offensive load for his squad in the Rising Stars Challenge, his shot has slightly improved. The reigning Rookie of the Year will look to continue his hot shooting against a stingy Detroit team and MVP candidate Cade Cunningham.
Here he comes to save the day! After the missed Wemby three, Steph flies in for the putback finish!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 18 points (7-11 FG), five assists, two rebounds, and a steal. After the hot start, D-Fox struggled to take care of the ball as he turned it over four times in the first quarter. Nonetheless, he was still a +8. After the turnover struggles, D-Fox started driving and finding his shot. Anytime he runs a pick-and-roll, the defense most of the time gives him too much space to operate for an open floater or midrange. His P&R with Wemby is deadly, as it gives him even more space to operate. The 2-time All-Star will look to continue to provide the much-needed scoring punch for this young team as the schedule gets tougher.
Another look at the fastbreak kickstarted by Wemby’s huge block: D-Fox plays tough defense on Westbrook and runs the floor for a wide-open layup thanks to Julian Champagnie’s bounce pass from the corner!
Keldon Johnson dropped 18 points (6-12 FG, 3-4 3PT, 3-4 FT) and a rebound in 21 minutes off the bench. Even though he was loud and demonstrative, KJ’s 18 was a sneaky 18. While most of the attention was on Wemby, Fox, and Castle, KJ battled early shooting struggles and started splashing home open threes. His willingness to drive into the paint when the team needs him to create offense usually results in a tough bucket. The Sixth Man of the Year candidate will look to continue the silver and black’s spark plug energy off the bench.
Corner Specialist! Keldon knocks down the open three from the corner in front of the Kings’ bench!
Dylan Harper dropped 12 points (5-9 FG), five rebounds, and five assists in 23 minutes off the bench. After showing out in the Rising Stars Challenge with Steph, Dyl continues to showcase his talent as a combo guard. On most teams picking in the lottery, Dyl would be a ROTY candidate and leading the offense. However, his role off the bench has provided much-needed guard play when D-Fox and Steph are on the bench. Instead of leading a lottery/play-in team, he is an important piece to the puzzle for this contending Spurs team.
Cut and slam! After feeding Wemby in the post, Dyl goes to set a slip screen and cuts to the basket to receive a rewarding Wemby pass for the open jam!
Don’t sleep on his hops! Dyl drives in from the corner and finishes with a ferocious slam! The dunk was so astonishing that even Vic couldn’t help but look amazed!
Wemby was in disbelief after Dylan Harper hammered it home with the left 🤦♂️ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OzbdXjOeYj
Julian Champagnie dropped eight points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Julian has started games and has come off the bench this season, but for now, it seems that he will start for the rest of the season alongside Devin Vassell at the forward positions. They both have played three positions this season (SG, SF, PF), and both are versatile enough to guard at either position. However, it is worth noting that Julian is taller and a better rebounder. Watch him intercept the pass from Westbrook and sprint to the cup for a poster fastbreak slam over Murray!
Despite letting the Kings come back in the second, the Spurs kept their hot shooting pace and opened the floodgates in the fourth. For the first time, the Spurs won both of their I-35 games. Also, they have now won 40 games before losing 20, which usually means they are a true contender (91% of the time, championship teams have won 40 games before losing 20). Only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons have met that mark this season, and they are both leading their respective conferences. As mentioned earlier, Detroit awaits the Spurs’ arrival on Monday.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs face a tough test on the road against the Detroit Pistons this Monday at 6:00 P.M. (CST) on Peacock/NBCSN.
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers watches action during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 29, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (19-36) visit the Indiana Pacers (15-42) for a very strangely timed Sunday afternoon game. Dallas is in the midst of a double-digit losing streak, having not won a game in over a month. The Pacers just out tanked the Washington Wizards twice in a row. This is going to be a monumentally bad game!
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
There are TWENTY TWO players on the injury report for this game between both teams. Cooper Flagg headlines the guys out for the Mavericks. Moussa Cisse and Ryan Nembhard are doubtful, largely due to how many games they have left of their eligibility. Daniel Gafford and Max Christie are still questionable. Miles Kelly and Caleb Martin are expected to play. Most of the Pacers roster is questionable with Zubac, Nesmith, Johnny Furphy, and Haliburton definatively out.
With both Cooper Flagg out again, this becomes a nearly impossible watch. But both of these teams at least play at a fast pace, so watching them might be fun if youre a true sicko. I’d expect the Mavericks to come out on top of this one. They have too many useful players compared to the Pacers. But Dallas is on a massive losing streak, so it’s POSSIBLE they lose. We’ll see. I don’t have high expectations and won’t be watching this one that closely.
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - FEBRUARY 22: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on February 22, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers erased an early 23-point first-quarter deficit, but they weren’t able to complete the comeback. The shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder, fueled by incredible outside shooting, were able to hand the Cavs their first loss in February. Cleveland fell 121-113.
The Cavaliers dug themselves their early hole due to their inability to protect the ball. They turned it over 10 times in the first quarter, leading to 17 points going the other way. That helped juice an Oklahoma City offense that was forced to play without its two best scorers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
Cleveland’s cramped starting lineup led to this. Head coach Kenny Atkinson went with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen to open things up. I like that group in most matchups, but this wasn’t one.
The combination of Oklahoma City’s perimeter defenders and the lack of ball handlers outside of Harden and Mitchell led to these issues. There weren’t outlets for the guards, and the offense struggled. This group was outscored by 14 in the five minutes they played.
Things got worse from there as the deficit ballooned to 23 late in the first quarter before the Cavs started their comeback.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Let ‘Em Know shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
Cleveland consistently rallied back over the next two-and-a-half quarters. They cut the deficit to a respectable 15 after one, brought it to single digits at the end of the second, and gained their first lead of the game midway through the third.
Unfortunately for the Cavs, that was the only lead they would take. The Thunder recaptured their advantage heading into the fourth quarter and were able to keep the Cavs mostly at arm’s length down the stretch.
Oklahoma City’s outside shooting was a weapon all game, and saved them in the fourth quarter. They simply couldn’t miss as they hit their third-highest percentage of threes in a game this season. Even though the Cavs got close multiple times, they couldn’t make the big stop when they needed to.
The Thunder ended the game going 21-41 (51.2%) from three while the Cavs went just 13-39 (33.3%). In the end, it’s a make-or-miss league.
Sam Merrill’s shooting was the only thing keeping the Cavs in the game for stretches. He was red hot from deep as he went 6-10 from beyond the arc en route to a 20-point game.
Mitchell provided 20 points on 9-19 shooting to go along with five assists and two steals.
Harden continued his streak of having seven or more assists. He finished with nine to go along with scoring 20 points on 8-14 shooting. He did, however, turn the ball over five times.
Allen wasn’t able to keep his strong play going. The Cavs weren’t able to get him involved early as he took just one shot attempt in the first quarter. This led to a somewhat unimpactful game as he provided 11 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
Mobley ended the game with 15 points with just two rebounds. Dennis Schroder supplied 11-bench points.
The Thunder were led by 22 points from Isaiah Joe and 20 from Cason Wallace. Chet Holmgren had 17 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in the win.
Even though the Cavs lost this game, this was nothing to be too discouraged by. The Thunder were missing two of their best offensive players, but you would sign up to be without them every night if it guaranteed you’d make more than half of your 41 three-point attempts.
This type of offensive performance was so far out of character for this version of the Thunder. Coming into today, lineups without SGA, Williams, and Alex Caruso had registered an abysmal 106.1 offensive rating(4th percentile).
You have to tip your cap to the Thunder on a game like this. They executed at an extraordinarily high level and were the better team today. However, there’s no reason to come away from this one thinking the Cavs aren’t on their same level.
The loss snapped what was a seven-game winning streak. Cleveland has still won 12 of their last 14 games.
The Cavs will be back in action Tuesday as they host the New York Knicks. Tip-off is at 7:30 PM.
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 03: Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Moda Center on February 03, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (33-24) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (27-30)
When: 6:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center— Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, Suns+
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns are right back at it Sunday night, less than 24 hours after a double overtime grind against Orlando that somehow delivered one of the season’s defining moments. For multiple reasons. It took real work to get there, but Jalen Green’s game-winning three-pointer cut through the noise and sent everyone home smiling. That glow faded fast once the news hit. Dillon Brooks broke his hand in that game, and there is no clear timetable yet for when he will be back.
Such is life in the NBA. Such is life and sports. Such is life.
You flip the page, you circle the next date, and you lock in on what is right in front of you. That next task shows up wearing Portland across its chest.
The Trail Blazers sit six games back of the Suns in the standings, parked comfortably in the 10th seed, with a little breathing room over Memphis down in 11th. On paper, that is a game Phoenix usually handles. In reality, with bodies piling up on the injury report and legs still feeling sore Saturday night, nothing comes free here.
This is another one that has to be earned. If the Suns want to walk away with it, they either need to shoot the ball better, move the ball better, or preferably do both. Because neither showed up against Orlando.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Jalen Green — QUESTIONABLE (Right Knee Injury Managemen)
First up? Who the heck is going to play?! That injury report is tough to look at.
Expect a heavy dose of threes in this one. Portland sits 28th in three-point percentage at 34.1%, but they launch them anyway, second most attempts in the league at 42.5 per game. We have seen this movie before. Last time these two played, the Suns fell into an early hole due to a mix of shaky perimeter defense and Portland catching fire. That turned into a dangerous cocktail that had the Suns down by as many as 19 points.
Phoenix eventually clawed back and escaped with a 130–125 win on February 3, but that start cannot repeat itself.
Portland also presents a size problem, one that pokes directly at a Suns soft spot. They are sixth in the league at 45.9 rebounds per game and third in offensive rebounding rate at 35.4%. That translates to league-best second-chance points at 18.3 per night. Donovan Clingan sets the tone there, leading the NBA with 4.7 offensive rebounds a game. He has to be accounted for, every possession.
And yeah, but this feels like a spot where giving rookie Khaman Maluach a look could help. Purely for size. A body. Someone to box out and absorb contact. I do not know if this is full experimentation season yet, but against Portland, I would not hate seeing it.
Key to a Suns Win
Shoot better.
I know that sounds like the most basic form of analysis imaginable, but sometimes the simple truth is still the truth. In February, the Phoenix Suns are shooting 34.2% from three, which sits 23rd in the NBA. At the same time, they are fifth in three-point rate, with 47.3% of their shots coming from deep. The volume is there. The accuracy is not. That gap has to close if Phoenix wants to beat Portland.
That task gets harder when Devin Booker is out, and it gets harder again without Dillon Brooks. Brooks may not always be efficient, but he has still made the fourth-most threes on the team this season. Those shots do not disappear. Someone has to absorb them. That responsibility now falls on Collin Gillespie, Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, and Ryan Dunn. They need to lock in and convert the clean looks they are getting.
Pair that with protecting the glass. Second-chance points are killers, especially for a team already dealing with injuries and heavy legs. Extra possessions drain you fast. Phoenix cannot afford to hand those out.
Prediction Time
Expect the unexpected. The Suns are wounded right now, no way around it, but there is still plenty of fight in this group. We saw it against Orlando. That was a game they probably lost nine times out of ten, and somehow they dragged it across the finish line anyway.
Now it is Sunday, and Portland is standing in front of them. This feels like one of those nights where things get weird, where effort and timing matter more than polish. The kind of night where a role player steps into the light and keeps everything from tilting the wrong way.
Call it a hunch, call it basketball intuition, call it “there’s no one else to score”, but it feels like a Royce O’Neale night. The Suns are going to need one.
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 5: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on December 5, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Boston Celtics (36-19) at Los Angeles Lakers (34-21) Sunday, February 22, 2026 6:30 PM ET TV: NBC/Peacock, NBCSB, Telemundo Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, ESPN LA 710, Sirius XM Regular Season Game #56 Road Game #29 Crypto.com Arena
The Celtics visit the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2nd and final meeting this season. The Celtics win the first meeting in Boston 125-105 on December 5. The Celtics were at full strength for that game while the Lakers were without LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart. These two teams tied the series last season with each team winning on their home court. The Celtics are 168-135 overall, all time, against the Lakers. They are 55-78 in games played at the Lakers.
The Lakers basically kept their core together for this season. They did make a couple of changes however. They brought in DeAndre Ayton to shore up their center spot. They also signed Marcus Smart to help their defense. They signed Jake LaRavia as a free agent also. At the trade deadline, the Lakers traded Gabe Vincent to Atlanta for Luke Kennard to give them a sharpshooter off the bench.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 5.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1 game ahead of 3rd place Cleveland, 1.5 games ahead of 4th place New York, 3 games ahead of 5th place Toronto, 6 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 6.5 games ahead of 7th place Orlando. The Celtics are 12-6 against Western Conference opponents. They are 18-10 on the road and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.
The Lakers are 5th in the West, 8 games behind first place OKC, 5 games behind 2nd place San Antonio, 1 game behind 3rd place Denver, half a game behind 4th place Houston and tied with 6th place Minnesota. They are 2.5 game ahead of 7th place Phoenix. They are 11-7 against Eastern Conference opponents and 16-10 at home. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.
The Celtics are playing in the 2nd game of a 4 game Western road trip. They beat Golden State 121-110 on Thursday and will play Phoenix, and Denver back to back on Tuesday and Wednesday to close out the trip. They will then return home for games against Brooklyn and Philadelphia before a game at Milwaukee. Then they are back home for games against Charlotte and Dallas before a tough 3 game road trip through Cleveland, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City. Then they host Washington, Phoenix and Golden State.
The Lakers are playing in the 7th game of an 8 game home stand. They are 4-2 so far on the home stand and will close it out with a game against Orlando. They will then play at Phoenix and Golden State before returning home to play Sacramento and New Orleans. Then it’s one game at Denver before a 5 game home stand where they will host Indiana, New York, Minnesota, Chicago and Denver.
Both teams are healthy other than Jayson Tatum for the Celtics, who remains out as he rehabs from the torn Achilles. The Lakers have no one on their injury report. I’m assuming that the Celtics will once again start White, Scheierman, Brown, Hauser and Queta. I’m thinking that the Lakers will stick with the starters they used on Friday in their win over the Clippers, which is Doncic, Reaves, LeBron, Smart and Jordan. Although they only used this starting lineup once due to injuries, they consider it their strongest starting lineup.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Luka Doncic
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesLuka Doncic | NBAE via Getty Images
SG: Baylor Scheierman vs Austin Reaves
Baylor Scheierman | Getty ImagesAustin Reaves | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
SF: Jaylen Brown vs LeBron James
Jaylen Brown | Getty ImagesLeBron James | NBAE via Getty Images
PF: Sam Hauser vs Marcus Smart
Sam Hauser | Getty ImagesMarcus Smart | NBAE via Getty Images
C: Neemias Queta vs Deandre Ayton
Neemias Queta | Getty ImagesDeandre Ayton | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Nikola Vucevic Jordan Walsh Delano Banton (10-day) John Tonje (10-day)
2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Max Shulga
Injuries/Out Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Lakers Reserves Kobe Bufkin Rui Hachimura Jaxson Hayes Bronny James Luke Kennard Maxi Kleber Dalton Knecht Jake LaRavia Adou Thiero Jarred Vanderbilt 2-Way Players Chris Manon Nick Smith, Jr Drew Timme
Injuries/Out None listed Head Coach JJ Redick
Key Matchups Derrick White vs Luka Doncic Doncic is averaging 33.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game while shooting 47.3% from the fiield He is coming off a game where he finished with 38 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists and 1 block. He missed the December game against the Celtics. The Celtics have to slow Doncic down and guard him both on the perimeter and in the paint along with anticipating his passes.
Baylor Scheierman vs Austin Reaves Reaves is averaging 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. He is shooting 51.1% from the field and 37.4% from beyond the arc. In the December meeting between these two teams, Reeves finished with 36 points, 3 rebound, and 8 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. He is coming off a game where he finished with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Honorable Mention Jaylen Brown vs LeBron James LeBron is averaging 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.2 assists while shooting 49.9% from the field and 30.6% from beyond the arc. In his last game on Friday, he finished with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists and 1 steal. He didn’t play in the first game between these two teams. He may be old, but he is still dangerous and a very good passer.
Keys to the Game Defense – I can’t say it enough that defense is the most important key to winning. The Celtics are 8th in the league with a defensive rating of 112.6. The Lakers are 24th with a defensive rating of 116.5. The Celtics have played good defense for the most part in recent games but they still are not consistent on that end for 48 minutes each game They must stay committed to playing tough, lock down defense, especially against a Lakers team with some very good offensive weapons. The Celtics must especially defend in the paint as the Lakers are 9th in the league with 51.9 points in the paint per game.
Rebound – Rebounding takes effort and energy and the Celtics will need both to out-rebound the Lakers. The Celtics need to crash the boards and keep the Lakers from getting second chance points and fast breaks. The Celtics are averaging 45.6 rebounds per game (8th) while the Lakers are averaging 40.9 rebounds per game (24th). The Celtics must put out extra energy and effort to beat the Lakers to rebounds.
Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics need to move the ball in order to find the best shot on each possession. When the ball sticks and players try to do too much, the Celtics struggle. They are at their best when they pass the ball and keep it moving. The Celtics had 31 assists in their win over the Warriors. The Celtics are 28-4 when they have at least 25 assists. But they have to make careful passes and not get sloppy because the Lakers average 17.8 points off turnovers.
Be Aggressive – The Celtics must be the more aggressive team. They have to be aggressive in going to the basket, in diving for loose balls, and on defense. They have to aggressively crash the boards. They have to be the team that plays harder and that wants it more. In most of their losses, they have allowed their opponents to play harder and be more aggressive. They absolutely can’t let the Lakers play harder than them if they want to have a chance to win.
X-Factors On the Road – The Celtics are playing in the second game of a 4 game road trip. They need to fight through the distractions of playing on the road and on the other coast in a different time zone and keep their focus on playing the right way. They need to put all those distractions of playing in a strange arena and in front of hostile fans and staying in hotels and away from family aside and put all their focus on playing the game.
Pride – “Beat LA” is one of the most iconic chants in sports. This is a storied rivalry and no matter the circumstances, the Celtics always want to beat the Lakers and vice versa. The Celtics have to focus on the game and on playing aggressive basketball. It’s a matter of pride and the Celtics need to get the job done and “Beat LA”. On the other hand, LeBron always has a chip on his shoulder against the Celtics and LeBron and his teammates are going to give extra effort to beat one of their biggest rivals.
Officiating – The officiating can always be an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently and the Celtics have to adapt to how the game is being called and not allow bad calls and no calls to take away their focus. If you doubt that officiating is an x-factor, just think back to the last Finals between these two teams. In game 7, the Celtics were up 6 going into the 4th quarter. The refs had called the game evenly up until then. But in the 4th quarter, the referees took over and it cost the Celtics that game. The Lakers took 21 free throws in the 4th quarter alone while the Celtics took 6. The Lakers took more free throws in the 4th quarter than they did in the first 3 quarters combined. (Yes, I am still a little bitter over that.) Hopefully the refs call it fair in this game and let both teams play.
Dec 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla looks on during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images | Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
The Lakers have a problem. It’s a LeBron James problem. Well, it’s also a Luka Doncic problem. Really, it’s an Austin Reaves problem, too.
When LA’s three best players are on the floor together, they’re a -8.8 net rating. They’ve played just eleven games together and sure, sport an 8-3 record, but at their core, it’s just not working.
Boston’s Big Three, on the other hand, have been humming along. Well, had been humming along. Before the NBA trade deadline, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard spearheaded the second-best offense in the league with an 8.1 net rating in 823 minutes together. But after the acquisition of Nikola Vucevic, the defending Sixth Man of the Year went back to the bench and now forms a lethal one-two punch with the second unit.
The sample size is obviously small, but the eye test speaks volumes to the second unit’s potential. In four games, Vucevic and Pritchard have led the second unit with a +12.7 net rating (115.8 offensive, 103.1 defensive) in 95 minutes together. The pairing has opened up the floor for swingmen like Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh.
It’s a dynamic that the team didn’t necessarily have with the ignitable Anfernee Simons and in a season that has been defined by doing the best what you have, Joe Mazzulla has made, well, incredible lemonade.
Removing Pritchard from the starting lineup probably doesn’t fit J.J. Redick’s definition of Mazzulla as a “basketball sicko,” but it does highlight Mazzulla’s commitment to doing whatever it takes to extract the most out of this roster. Pritchard was having easily the best season of his career after a patient six-year wait to be a starter in this league. And without even blinking, he’s been a soldier in Mazzulla’s army and done whatever’s been asked of him.
”I can start, I can come off the bench — it don’t matter,” he has said. “Just what the team needs: being killer in my role. That’s what it takes.”
Just how well does the Lakers' Big 3 stack up?@chiney analyzes the Lakers' efficiency of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves together✍️ pic.twitter.com/FdpWZd8oFu
You have to wonder if similar conversations have been had with the Lakers. As ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike explains above, Doncic and Reaves are a +14.4 with LeBron on the bench and James is +7.7 with Doncic and Reaves off the floor. And together, they’re awful in everything the Celtics do great: defend, rebound off the offensive glass, and limit turnovers.
This isn’t to say that the Lakers aren’t a good team. They’ve weathered injuries all year and are still positioned to avoid the Play-In Tournament. To their credit, they’ve instituted some much needed change. Doncic did go on a summer diet and looks trimmer this season. Rob Pelinka finally traded the once expected sharpshooter Gabe Vicent for the current flavor-of-the-month Luke Kenard. They brought in the ultimate gamechanger in Marcus Smart and are currently revamping their front office with new ownership.
However, none of that has exactly translated on the floor and in Redick’s defense, he arguably has more on his plate than Mazzulla has. There’s Lebron and Reaves’ impending free agency. There’s catering to Luka, something Mavericks management just couldn’t stomach anymore. There’s the often disconnect between what Redick wants to see on the floor and how the players are performing followed by the fingerpointing in the press.
So, I wonder if things would be different in La La Land if it was Mazzulla-la-la at the helm.
Would Joe have already moved the greatest scorer of all time to the bench? Would Dalton Knecht have found his groove by now? Would Jaxson Hayes and Deandre Ayton be even on the team at this point?
Thankfully today and for the foreseeable future, Mazzulla is our basketball sicko, unafraid and undeterred to make changes, with only winning in mind.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Oluchi Okananwa scored 26 points, leading six in double figures, and No. 14 Maryland won its fifth straight game, defeating Purdue 99-66 on Sunday.
Addi Mack scored 14 points and Saylor Poffenbarger and Mir McLean added 11 each for Maryland (22-6, 10-6 Big Ten). Off the bench, Kyndal Walker scored a career-high 18 points and fellow freshman Rainey Welson added 11.
Kiki Smith scored 19 points and Nya Smith had 18 for Purdue (12-15, 4-12).
Okananwa scored 10 points in the first quarter and the Terrapins led 22-17 after one. Saylor Poffenbarger took over in the second quarter, scoring all of her 11 points, and the Terrapins led 51-32 at halftime.
A 15-5 run over the last five minutes of the third quarter gave Maryland a 77-48 lead heading to the fourth. The largest lead was 97-60 with about two minutes to go. Maryland freshman Marya Boiko, a backup forward from Belarus, blocked five shots, four in the fourth quarter.
Maryland had significant advantages in points after opponent turnovers (21-11), bench points (31-16) and second-chance points (20-11).
Maryland improved to 27-5 in February over the past three seasons.
Up next
Maryland: The regular season concludes with a home game against Northwestern on Wednesday followed by a visit to No. 6 Michigan on Saturday.
Purdue: at home against Oregon on Wednesday; at Northwestern on Sunday.
Feb 21, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
A blizzard is coming to the Delaware Valley. Fitting since the Sixers’ season feels like it could be snowballing.
After the team suffered an embarrassing loss to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans Saturday, they’ll travel to Minnesota (because that travel schedule makes sense) to take on the Timberwolves Sunday night — and they’ll do so without Joel Embiid.
Embiid missed the two games before the All-Star break and the two after. The Sixers dropped all four and will have to go up against a tough Timberwolves team without him. They’re 1-9 in their last 10 games without Embiid. After only missing planned rest games in back-to-back situations throughout January, Embiid’s last four absences have been the result of shin soreness in his right leg.
At 30-26, the Sixers are in very real danger of slipping out of the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot. The Miami Heat are only percentage points behind them in seventh. If Embiid continues to miss time — while Paul George continues to serve his suspension — things could ugly.
The other bit of bad news is that rookie Johni Broome has suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee. The team said there will be further evaluation to determine treatment. Broome, a second-round pick (35th overall) in the 2025 NBA Draft, has struggled to find a role with the big club. The 23-year-old, who starred at Auburn, has had success in the G League, recording a 50-point game with the Delaware Blue Coats last month.
The East goes through Detroit. That’s all that needs to be said as Wes and Blake record this show right after the Pistons steamrolled the New York Knicks for the third time this season. And this time, the Knicks were healthy, the Pistons were not. Blake and Wes take a quick moment to applaud the NBA All-Star game’s new format before diving in to that shorthanded beatdown. Was this Cade’s best game of his career? Oh, and should he be truly in the conversation to win MVP this year? What about another stellar defensive performance from Ausar Thompson? How valuable will he be as a defensive weapon in the playoffs? The guys break this all down, then they look ahead. Who is the Pistons’ biggest playoff threat? Will Ron Holland maintain his rotation spot this year in the playoffs? And just how unique is this Piston identity that JB Bickerstaff alludes to?
We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode!
Want to hear your voice on the Pindown? Call (313) 355-2717 and leave your question as a voicemail! The guys will play your message and answer your question on that week’s episode! All we ask is that you keep your questions to under 45 seconds.
Dear God, it’s hard to watch. This season has been an abject disaster.
Not from a rational point of view. It’s been a disappointment by any measure. The Houston Rockets wanted to be better this year. They were supposed to be title contenders. Deep, structural roster flaws have been exposed. The trade machine’s server is being overloaded in Southeast Texas (and, to be honest, from one refurbished MacBook Air in Eastern Canada).
But it’s not truly a disaster. The Rockets are likely to have homecourt advantage in the first round of a season where their starting point guard hasn’t played a game. They have a surplus of young players and future first-round picks. It’s only been disastrous from the perspective of how much fans expected to enjoy the year, relative to how much they have. Here’s the good news:
It’s not their fault.
The 2025-26 season has been cursed. The working theory is that the team made a deal with the Devil ahead of the 1993-94 season. The Prince of Darkness agreed to persuade Michael Jordan to play baseball. In exchange, the Rockets would be wildly disappointing once per decade from the moment Jordan returned.
I’m not crazy, you’re crazy.
Rockets suffer from a generational curse
Let’s go back to 1995-96.
I wasn’t even ten yet, so I can’t offer a firsthand account. I can tell you that Houston switched from the iconic ketchup-and-mustard jerseys that they’d thrived in for so long to the navy pinstripe duds that I loved as a child and retroactively identify as a downgrade.
Although only Bret “The Hitman” Hart tickles my nostalgia bone as strongly as that little cartoon Rocket.
Anyway, the rest is history. The Rockets were still good in 1995-96. It’s hard to point to any one player’s decline and explain their shortcomings. They were, seemingly, just marginally worse than before. They could not get past the (soon-to-be revived) Seattle Supersonics in the second round, and the dynasty that never was died.
The Rockets would inexplicably acquire Charles Barkley, get worse, get old, rebuild, draft Steve Francis, get even worse, (deep breath), draft Yao Ming, trade for Tracy McGrady, and start to get better.
The 2004-05 season was one for the books. Sure, the Rockets lost in the first round. Nobody cared. They were built around a 24-year-old Ming and a 25-year-old McGrady (which, in NBA terms, was younger at a time when Tim Duncan played in college for four years). The future was bright.
And then…
The Devil came collecting. It had been ten years since 1995-96. Ming and McGrady would both miss time with injuries, establishing a motif for their time together in Houston. The Rockets won 34 games.
They’d win 50+ games for the next three seasons. The Devil was indifferent. The curse was lifted. Injuries would eventually limit their star duo’s upside, leaving the Rockets to rebuild again. They toiled in mediocrity for a few years until James Harden entered the picture. He instantly established himself as a franchise-caliber talent. In 2014-15, he and Dwight Howard would lead the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals.
And then…
It was difficult to account for. The Rockets retained most of their key players. Ty Lawson was the can’t-miss acquisition that missed, but even if it was a case of subtraction-by-addition, he was quickly out of the rotation. As it was in ’96, the Rockets were kind of just… worse.
Defenses had figured them out. Stop Harden, and you stop everyone. Howard wasn’t getting post touches, rightfully or not. Houston didn’t have a way to generate offense if Harden wasn’t cooking.
That’s why they got Chris Paul. It’s why they made another Conference Finals trip in 2017-18, only this time, it actually felt like they might win. We all know what happened and how it got us to where we are now.
The last two seasons were fun. The post-Harden tank was over. A .500 season in 2023-24 was acceptable to everyone. A first-round exit after a 52-win season last year was defensible. The team was young.
This year? Nobody is satisfied. Blame Ime Udoka’s offensive ingenuity. Blame Reed Sheppard’s size. Blame Amen Thompson’s broken jumper, or Alperen Sengun’s broken touch. Blame whoever you like:
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 04: Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Target Center on March 04, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the 76ers 126-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sunday night’s contest is a matchup of two clubs trending in opposite directions in their respective conferences. Philadelphia has lost four straight games spanning across the All-Star break, most recently losing by double digits to the bottom-dwelling Pelicans last night. The Sixers sit in sixth place in the East, but three games back of Toronto, and the top half of the standings feels like a distant memory. Meanwhile, Minnesota is only in sixth place, but the Wolves have won three straight and are just one game back of the third-place Nuggets in the hotly-contested Western Conference standings.
On paper, the Sixers have things stacked against them tonight, not only due to the teams’ recent run of play, but being on the second night of the back-to-back. The one big thing that could help Philadelphia is the potential return of Joel Embiid. He was ruled out early due to right shin soreness (and knee injury management) for the game in New Orleans, but it’s possible the team was playing it safe knowing Joel would have to sit out one of the games of the back-to-back anyway. Embiid did travel with the team and seemed in good spirits on Saturday (at least until he had to watch his teammates play in the third quarter like the rest of us), so the door is at least ajar. Joel was the only injury absence for the Sixers yesterday, with Paul George obviously still out due to suspension.
For Minnesota, they have a clean injury report, but are also dealing with a suspension, as Rudy Gobert has been suspended one game due to flagrant foul accumulation. It’ll be good for the Sixers to miss the Wolves’ leading rebounder and shot blocker, who is still one of the best defenders in the league, although Minnesota having Naz Reid soak up more minutes is certainly a good pivot option to have.
Tonight’s game will be a meeting of two of the top five scorers in the league. Amidst a rough outside shooting patch in February, Tyrese Maxey is down to fifth in the league at 28.9 points per game. Not to play body language doctor, but he looks to be feeling the effects of the heavy load the team is asking him to carry. On the opposing sideline, Anthony Edwards is third in the league at 29.5 points per game. He just dropped 40 points in Friday night’s win over Dallas, right after securing All-Star Game MVP honors. We’ll likely get to see a lot of VJ Edgecombe marking Edwards, which should make for a fascinating watch.
Minnesota took the opposite tack of the Sixers at the trade deadline, trading Rob Dillingham and four second-round picks for Ayo Dosunmu to bolster their backcourt depth. Are the Wolves now in a position to really challenge the juggernaut Thunder, not to mention emerge out of the rest of the crowded West? I don’t know, but I respect them for doing something to go for it.
We’ll await word on whether Embiid suits up, and tune in tonight to see if the Sixers can put together a 48-minute effort and challenge the Wolves on the road.
Game Details
When: Sunday, February 22, 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 11: Jock Landale #31 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the first half of a basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on February 11, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks (27-31) badly need to take care of business against non-competitive teams like the Brooklyn Nets (15-50) today.
Starting lineup:
G Dyson Daniels
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
G CJ McCollum
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Start Time: 3:30 PM EDT
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSNSE)
Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)
Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network app, Fubo (out of market), NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jessica Timmons scored a career-high 34 points, Ta’Mia Scott added 21, and No. 25 Alabama rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Florida 76-71 on Sunday to snap a three-game losing streak.
Alabama (21-7, 7-7) led by six points at halftime and the lead was 54-46 after Timmons hit a 3-pointer late in the third quarter. Liv McGill then scored seven points in Florida's 12-0 run that gave the Gators a 58-54 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
Florida's lead reached 60-54 before Scott scored five points and Timmons had seven, eventually drawing Alabama even at 66 with seven minutes remaining.
Florida's last lead was 68-66 with five minutes left before Timmons had a 3-pointer and a three-point play to finish an 8-0 run for a 74-68 lead with 1:24 remaining. She added two free throws in the final minute, giving her Alabama's last eight points.
Alabama opened the game with three 3-pointers and led 9-2 after about two minutes of play. Scott hit her third 3 of the quarter in the final minute and the Crimson Tide led 17-14.
Timmons scored eight points early in the second quarter and the Crimson Tide pushed their lead to 31-19 by the six-minute mark. But Alabama made only one field goal the rest of the half, going 1 for 5. Alabama led 38-32 at halftime.
McGill had 19 points and eight assists for the Gators (16-13, 4-10). Jade Weathersby scored 13, Laila Reynolds 12 and Nyadieng Yiech 10.
Up next
Alabama: The regular season wraps up with a visit to No. 5 Vanderbilt on Thursday and a home game against No. 4 Texas on Sunday.
Florida: The Gators visit No. 17 Ole Miss on Thursday and host No. 24 Georgia on Sunday.
The Dallas Mavericks have waved the white flag with 10 straight losses, but they’ll be hard-pressed to out-tank the Indiana Pacers as the teams square off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse today.
At 15-42, Indiana has the inside track on a high lottery pick, and my Mavericks vs. Pacers predictions expect both squads to struggle to create good looks without their sidelined playmakers.
Read on for my free NBA picks ahead of this February 22 basement battle.
Mavericks vs Pacers prediction
Mavericks vs Pacers best bet: Under 234 (-110)
The injury reports for the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers are a reminder that there’s every incentive to keep their top playmakers on the sidelines. Both squads have peppered the Under this season, and it feels like one of the best picks on the board today.
The Under is 15-9 in Dallas’ 24 road outings, and Cooper Flagg’s absence hurts the visitors’ offensive flow. Meanwhile, Indiana will be short on shot creators if Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard sit out.
The Mavs eked out a 107-105 win over the Pacers in October, and I’m not counting on fireworks in this rematch.
Mavericks vs Pacers same-game parlay
With the Pacers’ first-choice starting lineup all on the injury report, I like the value of the Mavs moneyline here, despite the visitors’ recent skid. Dallas still has some gritty veterans available, while Indiana limps into this clash on the heels of back-to-back losses to the Washington Wizards. Enough said.
Even if this descends into a rock fight at times, Naji Marshall is a candidate for a nice stat line, and I’ll grab the Over on his rebounds tally. He finished with eight boards earlier this month against the Boston Celtics, and his minutes could hit the mid 30s today.
Mavericks vs Pacers SGP
Under 234
Mavericks moneyline
Marshall Over 6.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Huffing and puffing
Look for Marshall to have his fingerprints all over this contest, and Dallas’ injury woes should prompt an uptick in his February averages of 4.7 RPG and 3.3 APG.
In the same way, Indiana will hand Jay Huff all the minutes he can handle. Huff drilled five 3-pointers against the Wizards on Friday, and his size will be key for the depleted Pacers on the glass.
Mavericks vs Pacers SGP
Marshall Over 6.5 rebounds
Marshall Over 3.5 assists
Huff Over 5.5 rebounds
Huff Over 1.5 threes
Mavericks vs Pacers odds
Spread: Mavericks -2 | Pacers +2
Moneyline: Mavericks -130 | Pacers +110
Over/Under: Over 234 | Under 234
Mavericks vs Pacers betting trend to know
The Under is 33-24 for the Pacers this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Pacers.
How to watch Mavericks vs Pacers
Location
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Tip-off
5:00 p.m. ET
TV
MavsTV, FDSN Indiana
Mavericks vs Pacers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
