Category: NBA

This ain’t the Brooklyn Nets.

The Portland Trail Blazers come to Philly Sunday a young and hungry team firmly in the Play-In picture of the loaded Western Conference. The Sixers, still decimated by injuries and one suspension, will have their work cut out for them.

On Saturday, the VJ Edgecombe-led Sixers built a 28-point lead against the tanking Nets. Brooklyn then made a fourth-quarter push to briefly take a one-point lead. Luckily, Quentin Grimes and company did just enough in the final minutes to secure the win, which keeps them tied with the Atlanta Hawks — who own the tiebreaker — for eighth in the East. They’re 1.5 games back of the sixth seed and final guaranteed playoff spot.

No true reinforcements are on the way. Joel Embiid (oblique), Tyrese Maxey (pinky), Kelly Oubre Jr. (elbow) and Paul George (suspension) remain out of the lineup. The team doesn’t have an injury report out yet, so we’ll have to see the statuses of Andre Drummond (back) and Jabari Walker (illness), who missed Saturday’s game — and also see if any surprises pop up.

Portland comes into this one relatively healthy. Young guard Shaedon Sharpe is out with a stress reaction in his right fibula. Veteran guard Damian Lillard will miss the entire 2025-26 season — sans the three-point contest — while recovering from an Achilles injury. Big man Robert Williams III is questionable with a left knee injury recovery designation.

The Trail Blazers aren’t a juggernaut by any stretch. They’re a bottom-10 team offensively and middle of the pack in defensive rating. They do have talented and capable players, though. Offensively, they’re led by All-Star forward Deni Avdija, who is a mismatch problem for most teams, but their scoring as a team is fairly balanced. Defensively, they have one of the toughest backcourts in the NBA with Toumani Camara and old friend Jrue Holiday, plus massive big man Donovan Clingan protecting the rim and crashing the glass.

This should be as stiff a test as Edgecombe will see as the team’s lead ball-handler. Nick Nurse said postgame Saturday that he’s still looking for the rookie to be more aggressive while the team is missing its top offensive threats. This isn’t the easiest matchup to get that done.

Game Details

When: Sunday, March 15, 6:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

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The Golden State Warriors will be without a majority of their key players in today’s matchup at Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks look for a third straight win.

With no size or depth in Golden State’s frontcourt, my Warriors vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks expect a big game from Karl-Anthony Towns.

Warriors vs Knicks prediction

Warriors vs Knicks best bet: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 32.5 points + rebounds (-105)

The Golden State Warriors have allowed the 10th-most rebounds, 15th-most points in the paint, and sixth-most second-chance points this season.

An already undersized and undermanned defensive unit will be even more shorthanded tonight, as Golden State will be without most of its key defenders.

Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged 22.7 points and 12.8 rebounds across his last six games, going for 33+ points + rebounds four times in that span.

He posted a 17/20 line against the Warriors in his first meeting, and Towns will be able to exploit a lineup missing Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Draymond Green.

Warriors vs Knicks same-game parlay

The Warriors are playing the first leg of a back-to-back set, and they’re punting against the New York Knicks before playing the Wizards on Monday. The Knicks are 21-11 ATS at home, and the Warriors are 14-18 ATS on the road.

With so many key players out for Golden State, they’ll have a tough time putting points on the board. Seven of the team’s Top-8 scorers will be sidelined, accounting for 103.5 points per game on the bench.

This Knicks defense has allowed just 109.6 points per game at home, and the Warriors have averaged a pitiful 110.1 points across their last seven games. They’ve scored 101 points or fewer in three of them.

Warriors vs Knicks SGP

• Karl-Anthony Towns Over 32.5 points + rebounds
• Knicks -13
• Warriors team total Under 102.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Defense wins!

New York’s defense will be able to put the clamps on Golden State’s skeleton crew lineup, leading to ample blocks and steals.

Mitchell Robinson has recorded multiple blocks in 16 of 49 games, but he’s in a great position to reach that mark against the undersized Warriors.

OG Anunoby has recorded a block in more than half of his games, doing so in 30 of 54 appearances, including six of 13 since returning from the All-Star break.

Jalen Brunson doesn’t record a ton of steals. He’s averaging 0.7 on the season and has recorded one in just 29 of 63 appearances. He’s done so in six of his last seven games, however, and steals should be plentiful against Golden State’s third-stringers.

Mikal Bridges ranks ninth in total steals at 95, and he’s averaging 1.4 per game. The iron man has recorded at least one swipe in 47 of 68 games, and he’ll have no problem doing so against Golden State’s depleted roster.

Warriors vs Knicks SGP

• Mitchell Robinson Over 1.5 blocks
• OG Anunoby Over 0.5 blocks
• Jalen Brunson Over 0.5 steals
• Mikal Bridges Over 0.5 steals

Warriors vs Knicks odds

• Spread: Warriors +13 | Knicks -13
• Moneyline: Warriors +500 | Knicks -700
• Over/Under: Over 216.5 | Under 216.5

Warriors vs Knicks betting trend to know

The Knicks have covered the spread in 32 of their last 50 home games for +13.3 units and 24% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Knicks.

How to watch Warriors vs Knicks

Warriors vs Knicks latest injuries

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The San Antonio Spurs’ loss to the Charlotte Hornets earlier in the season may have been one of the most disappointing losses of the year… at least if you ask Victor Wembanyama.

After the Spurs’ 115-102 win over Charlotte on their home court, Wembanyama told the Amazon Prime crew that the loss to the Hornets was his “worst defensive game.” It was clear that this game was a chance to make amends. Wembanyama dominated in response.

The star big man had 32 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks. The Hornets scored just 30 points in the paint because Wembanyama had it almost completely walled off. While not an official stat, Charlotte may have had the most “nopes” I’ve seen against the Spurs in the Wemby era, completely abandoning drives several times in the same possession. On the other end, there wasn’t a single Hornet who could slow down Wembanyama. He could get a basket just about any time he wanted.

This game, despite being a somewhat inconsequential Saturday matinee, shows a lot about Wembanyama and the Spurs’ overall mentality. They want to win, and when they don’t, they take it personally. It was clear from the jump that the team remembered the sting of the earlier loss to Charlotte. That’s the mentality of a team ready to compete. When they lose a playoff game (and rest assured, they will), they can either let it rattle them or get motivated to win the next one. Saturday’s win shows that Wembanyama and his teammates have a winning mentality.

Takeaways:

• The French vanilla minutes on Saturday were great. Wembanyama’s playmaking really stood out as he hit Kornet several times on lobs. It’s not always a sustainable lineup, but in a game when Wembanyama’s perimeter game is seeing a lot of success, it makes sense to throw another big body in there to wall off the paint even more and punish teams on the glass. The Spurs out-rebounded the Hornets 54-39.
• Stephon Castle has been great since the All-Star break. He almost had another triple-double with 15 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds. He guarded everyone on the Hornets as well, which is no small feat given all the screening they do for their shooters. After the game, Keldon Johnson said that Castle deserves first-team all-defense.
• The Spurs shot 33% from deep, but dominated the paint. They outscored Charlotte 58-30 inside. We’ve already covered how Wembanyama walled off the paint, but offensively, the Spurs went right at Charlotte inside. Carter Bryant had a few good cuts for dunks, Keldon Johnson was physical inside, and De’Aaron Fox hit creative shots in the paint. The team is so much better when they are aggressively attacking the paint. We’ve seen a lot of that style of play over the course of the last two months.
• Fox deserves a lot of credit for being the Spurs’ steadying hand. Whenever the Hornets would make a run, the veteran guard would be there to get San Antonio into a good offensive set or make something happen himself. Fox had 17 points on 6-16 shooting in the win.
• Bryant missed another big-time dunk on Saturday. If my memory serves me right, that’s his second since the team threatened to shave his head. We may see bald Bryant before the end of the season.

The NBA play-in tournament is less than a month away, making every game count. With that, we’ve decided to give you, the fans, a watching guide.

We’ll post weekly updates so you know exactly which non-Knicks team you should be rooting for and against during the home stretch of the season, with a deep postseason run—and why not a Finals triumph!—in our Knickerbocker mind.

March 15th

To kick off week two of our end-of-season standings watch and rooting guide, we have the reeling Raptors hosting the top-of-the-east Pistons. Toronto has struggled mightily against the best teams in both conferences, so it will be a difficult task, but just like every other game the Pistons will play from hereon out, root against them.

The other game, besides the Knicks’ very own one, that really matters today will be the Cavaliers’ one. They’ll be hosting one of the worst teams in the league in the Mavericks, so it should be an easy win for Cleveland, but we did just see Brooklyn defeat Detroit not too long ago, so take your shot and hope the Mavericks can pull off this upset.

March 16th

In the two games that really matter on Monday, the Hawks take on the Magic, while the Celtics host the Suns. In the former game, it doesn’t matter too much as the Knicks have distanced themselves enough from both teams. Barring a historical collapse, the Knicks should be safe as the fourth seed at the very worst. That being said, you can never be too sure. While the stakes are lower, if you need someone to root for in this one, go with the Hawks as it not only pushes the Magic down a bit, but also keeps the Hawks’ distance from the hot Hornets.

In the second game, the Celtics enter Sunday with a one and a half game lead over the Knicks. That could be down to a one-game lead if New York takes care of business tonight against the Warriors. And a Suns road victory on Monday could shrink that lead to half a game. Go Suns.

March 17th

The Heat, who are the seventh seed as of now, and the Hornets, who are currently in the 10th seed, play to kick off the evening. Who you root for in this one is completely dependent on what seed you think the Knicks will end up with, and how good you think these two teams are. So let me break it down.

If you believe in the Hornets and think that they could be a scary playoff opponent, then keeping them as the ninth or 10th seed, where they’ll need two wins to make it through the play-ins, may be the best route. If you are a Hornets believer, root for the Heat.

A Hornets win could help keep the Heat in the play-ins, which, if they advance, would match them up with the second seed. If you think the Knicks can surpass the Celtics for sole possession of the second seed, but don’t want them to play the Heat in the first round, root for the Heat. But if you think the Celtics will finish the season as the second seed, and think the Heat, given their experience, scrappiness, make for a tougher matchup for the Celtics, then, root for the Hornets, as New York would then get to avoid playing the Heat in the first round.

After that, we have the Pistons hosting the Wizards. Detroit should be heavily favored in this one, but it could unironically be a chance for an upset if the Pistons decide to rest some of their main guys. Cheer for the Wizards at your own risk.

Then there’s the Thunder visiting the Magic, and the Cavaliers visiting the Bucks. Much like the Pistons and Celtics have been for much of the season, the Cavaliers are now in the “root against them every single time” category, so hope for a Bucks win there, as well as a Magic loss against the defending champion Thunder.

March 18th

With most of the games on Wednesday being between teams that are irrelevant to the Knicks’ race for the second seed, there’s really only one game here that deserves any attention, and it’s the Warriors at Celtics game. Golden State will be underdogs in this one, as they may be, like they are tonight, without many of their key players. But Knicks fans should hope for an unexpected upset against the Celtics here. The only other one that has even the slightest significance to the Knicks is the Hawks at Mavericks game. As mentioned above, if you think the Hornets could make any noise in the playoffs, rooting for the Hawks to win and maintain their spot in the top eight becomes somewhat crucial. If you, on the other hand, think Atlanta poses a bit more of a threat, then root for Dallas.

March 19th

Just 48 hours after Knicks fans have the unenviable task of rooting for the Wizards against the Pistons, they’ll get to do it all over again as the two teams face off again. Root for Washington here. As for the Magic at Hornets game that’ll be taking place concurrently, root for the Magic if you are worried about the Hornets jumping the 76ers, and Hawks to become the eight seed, or think that they could pose a tough challenge for the Cavaliers in the first round. And root for the Hornets, if you think the Magic could catch up to the Knicks. And lastly, in yet another game between a top Eastern Conference team and a bottom-feeder, root for the Bulls to somehow pull off the improbable with a win against the Cavaliers.

March 20th

Friday has two games involving the teams ahead of the Knicks, but they are both ones in which an upset seems unlikely. The Pistons host the struggling, and bandaged up Warriors, while the Celtics visit the struggling Grizzlies, who enter Sunday as losers of seven straight. It won’t be fun, but if you are committed, root for the Warriors and the Grizzlies.

March 21st

While the Knicks’ schedule to end the season looks relatively easy, so do a lot of the other top Eastern Conference teams’. The Cavaliers visit the Pelicans, who are 22-46 at the time of writing this piece. You know the drill by now: root against the Cavaliers, and in this case, the Pelicans. As for the Heat at Rockets game, it kind of depends on where the standings stand at this point, but to clarify what was said earlier, if you want the Heat to end up playing the Celtics in the first round, you just want to root for whatever outcomes end up with them doing that. It’s hard to predict six days out what that’ll be because some of that is predicated on whether the Celtics or the Knicks are the second seed.

Eastern Conference Standings Through March 14th

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With all eyes on Selection Sunday, the NBA offers a tasty seven-game slate with several NBA player prop betting opportunities on the board.

My three selections begin in Cleveland, head to Madison Square Garden, and hopefully end with another vintage Russell Westbrook performance in Sacramento. 

Read on for my NBA picks for Sunday, March 15.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Cooper Flagg	Over 4.5 assists	-110
Karl-Anthony Towns	Over 1.5 threes	+122
Russell Westbrook	Triple-Double	+1100

Prop #1: Cooper Flagg Over 4.5 assists

-110 at bet365

NBA Rookie of the Year candidate Cooper Flagg continues to take on a larger playmaking role for the Dallas Mavericks.

Flagg is beginning to learn the NBA game. He’s not forcing as many shots as he did earlier this season and has recorded five or more assists in six straight games. 

Today’s matchup also helps. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 27 assists per game over their last 10 and should give the rookie plenty of chances to reach five helpers again.

• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FDSN Ohio, KFAA

Prop #2: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes

+122 at bet365

Karl-Anthony Towns appears to have found his outside shot again for the New York Knicks.

Towns recently snapped a long drought from downtown and has now made multiple threes in two straight games. He’s been even more reliable at home, averaging 1.6 made threes per home game while shooting 37% from deep.

The Golden State Warriors have allowed 13 made threes per game over their last 10 games.

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NBC

Prop #3: Russell Westbrook triple-double

+1100 at bet365

Russell Westbrook remains one of the few players capable of producing a triple-double at any time.

Westbrook has recorded two triple-doubles in his last three games, and his role has grown with 30+ minutes expected again tonight. 

The matchup against the Utah Jazz also looks promising. They're one of the worst defenses in the league over the last 10 games, and tonight’s total is the second highest on the board. 

• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Jazz+, NBCS-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.

There are few things more embarrassing that missing a dunk in a basketball game. If you're even attempting a dunk, that means you have a mostly clear look at the basket, hoping to flex your athleticism and make your teammates go crazy. Then, whatever ill-begotten fate awaits you, be it a slip, mishandling the ball, or a weird takeoff happens and you whiff. Not a great look.

It's even worse when it happens in one of the biggest games of your college program's history. It's even worse when it happens with less than five seconds left in that game and your team is trailing by two points.

That's exactly the nightmare that Utah Valley forward Isaac Davis underwent during last night's Western Athletic Conference championship game. Trailing by two points to Cal Baptist with a spot in the Division I NCAA Tournament on the line – a feat Utah Valley has never been able to accomplish – Davis had an alley-oop opportunity to tie the game.

ISAAC DAVIS MISSES THE DUNK TO CLINCH CBU’S FIRST EVER D1 NCAA TOURNAMENT BERTH🤯🍿

CAL BAPTIST TRAILED BY 7 WITH UNDER THREE MINUTES LEFT 💥 pic.twitter.com/bFiGww91wb

— The College Sports Company (@CollegeSportsCo) March 15, 2026

He missed.

Isaac Davis stats

While this was obviously a harrowing moment in Davis' career, his impact on the Utah Valley men's basketball program cannot be overstated. The team's 25-7 record this season was the best record (by win-loss percentage) in program history, and the sophomore Davis played a pivotal role in that success.

Davis was fourth on the team in points per game with 11, while shooting 64.8% from the field. He also averaged 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

Utah Valley outlook

While this is a tough moment for the Utah Valley Wolverines program, the program does have a bright future. After all, the team only boasted a single senior on this year's roster – guard Noah Taitz.

Furthermore, the team has improved its record each of the three years since head coach Todd Phillips took over in 2023.

When does the NCAA Tournament begin?

The NCAA Tournament begins with the First Four on March 17-18, with the championship game set for April 6 in Indianapolis.

Cal Baptist's victory over Utah Valley gave the team their first tournament bid in program history. They will figure out who their NCAA Tournament first-round opponent will be during Selection Sunday, at 6 p.m. ET on CBS tonight.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Utah Valley misses dunk that could have clinched NCAA Tournament bid

Selection Sunday is the closing of one book and the opening of another on the college basketball season. For some teams, their hopes of making it in as an at-large potential Cinderella to March Madness are extinguished, while for others, hope springs eternal as they look to become the latest dancing darlings.

Some things are all but set in stone. Michigan, Arizona, and Duke are universally projected to be No. 1 seeds, leaving questions as to which team will join them on the No. 1 seed line: Florida or UConn, two teams that lost their respective conference tournament games on Saturday, March 14.

March Madness bubble watch: Final look at who's in, out of NCAA Tournament bracket

March Madness bubble winners, losers: 1 bid stealer lives, another fades away

Elsewhere, the Atlantic 10 will be a two-bid conference after Dayton upset Josh Schertz, Robbie Avila and Saint Louis in the conference semifinals. Others teams' fates remain up in the air, like Miami (Ohio) — who will be on the bubble after losing its MAC tournament opener following an undefeated regular season — and Auburn, which has great wins to pair against a 16-loss season.

The shape of the bracket will continue to ebb and flow throughout March 15, as conference tournaments come to a close and we figure out the last of the automatic qualifiers.

USA TODAY is following the latest prospective bracket updates live. Follow along below as the selection show creeps ever closer.

What are NET rankings? Quad 1 wins, more in NCAA Tournament bracket seeding

Will Miami Ohio make March Madness? Case for, against RedHawks NCAA bid

Last updated 9:50 a.m., Sunday, March 15.

NCAA Tournament Bracketology: Last four in

• USA TODAY Sports: Texas, Missouri, SMU, Miami (Ohio)
• ESPN: Missouri, Miami (Ohio), SMU, Texas
• CBS Sports: Santa Clara, Missouri, Miami (Ohio), SMU

NCAA Tournament Bracketology: First four out

• USA TODAY Sports: Oklahoma, San Diego State, New Mexico, Auburn
• ESPN: Oklahoma, Auburn, San Diego State, New Mexico
• CBS Sports: Oklahoma, Auburn, San Diego State, California

NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed predictions

• Duke, Michigan, Arizona and Florida

Think you can beat our expert? Join USA TODAY’s Bracket Challenge today!

Ready to win March Madness? Join USA TODAY’s Survivor Pool today!

Bracketology: NCAA Tournament live field projection

March Madness bracketology live updates

Penn playing Yale close for Ivy League bid

Fran McCaffrey and Penn are looking to steal an auto-bid out from under the feet of 24-win Yale, as the Quakers are within three with under 10 minutes to play in the second half. The Ivy League is a one-bid league, so both of these teams are playing for their tournament lives.

March Madness bracket: Updated seeds

Teams in bold have clinched tournament berth.

1. Michigan, Duke, Arizona, Florida
2. UConn, Illinois, Iowa State, Houston
3. Michigan State, Gonzaga, Nebraska, Purdue
4. St. John's, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Virginia
5. Wisconsin, Texas Tech, Alabama, Kansas
6. Tennessee, North Carolina, Louisville, BYU
7. Miami (Fla.), Saint Mary's, Utah State, Kentucky
8. Iowa, Clemson, UCLA, TCU
9. Georgia, Villanova, Saint Louis, Ohio State
10. NC State, UCF, Santa Clara, VCU
11. South Florida, Texas A&M, SMU/Missouri, Texas/Miami (Ohio)
12. Northern Iowa, Yale, Akron, McNeese
13. Hawaii, Hofstra, High Point, Cal Baptist
14. North Dakota State, Troy, Wright State, Idaho
15. Kennesaw State, UMBC, Tennessee State, Queens
16. Siena, Furman, Long Island/Prairie View A&M, Howard/Lehigh

March Madness last four in

Texas, Missouri, SMU, Miami (Ohio).

March Madness first four out

Oklahoma, San Diego State, New Mexico, Auburn.

Who is left on March Madness bubble?

• SMU (ACC)
• VCU (Atlantic 10)
• Indiana (Big Ten)
• Miami (Ohio) (MAC)
• San Diego State (Mountain West)
• New Mexico (Mountain West)
• Auburn (SEC)
• Missouri (SEC)
• Oklahoma (SEC)
• Texas (SEC)
• Texas A&M (SEC)

March Madness automatic bids

Here are the teams that have already clinched automatic berths to the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament by virtue of winning their respective conference championships heading into Selection Sunday:

• America East: Maryland-Baltimore County
• ASUN: Queens
• ACC: Duke
• Big 12: Arizona
• Big East: St. John's
• Big Sky: Idaho
• Big South: High Point
• Big West: Hawaii
• CAA: Hofstra
• Conference USA: Kennesaw State
• Horizon: Wright State
• MAAC: Siena
• MAC: Akron
• MEAC: Howard
• Missouri Valley: Northern Iowa
• Mountain West: Utah State
• NEC: Long Island
• Ohio Valley: Tennessee State
• Patriot: Lehigh
• Southern: Furman
• Southland: McNeese State
• SWAC: Prairie View A&M
• Summit: North Dakota State
• Sun Belt: Troy
• WAC: Cal Baptist
• WCC: Gonzaga

Here are the conferences that have yet to be determined:

All times Eastern

• Ivy League: Penn vs. Yale | noon | ESPN2 (Fubo)
• SEC: Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas | 1 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
• Atlantic 10: Dayton vs. VCU | 1 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)
• American: Wichita State vs. South Florida | 3:15 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
• Big Ten: Michigan vs. Purdue | 3:30 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)

NCAA Tournament bids by conference

• SEC: 10
• Big Ten: 9
• Big 12: 8
• ACC: 8
• Big East: 3
• West Coast: 3
• Atlantic 10: 2
• MAC: 2

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA Tournament bracketology live bracket updates on Selection Sunday

The Milwaukee Bucks complete the second leg of their back-to-back today against the Indiana Pacers (or should I say “Tankers”). Yes, it’s pretty clear what result Indy wants today, so Milwaukee will just need to play semi-competently, and they should get across the line. The Bucks have won all three games in the season series thus far, and can complete the sweep today.

Where We’re At

The Bucks have now lost four straight and eight of their last nine, now 12 games below .500. Down Giannis, yesterday’s game was a tire fire; it featured a season-high 23 turnovers, and as Van pointed out in the rapid recap, there was a 30-14 points-off-turnovers disparity. Just ugly stuff all around. The season can’t end quickly enough.

As I alluded to, the Pacers—who were made to place 1-4 and 10-30 protections on their first-round pick in order to acquire Ivica Zubac—have been doing everything possible to give that pick the best chance of landing 1-4, shall we say. They have not won a single game since the All-Star break. Not one! I mean, this has been one of the most shameless tank jobs I’ve ever seen. A marasse of phantom injuries, illnesses, and unexplained substitution patterns. Maybe the most shameless has been how they’ve handled the aforementioned Zubac, who—before he was traded—was playing for the LA Clippers. However, when he landed in Indy, he mysteriously popped up on the injury report with an “ankle injury,” which he has only just returned from. Hmmm.

Injury Report

Having played yesterday, the Bucks’ injury report will come out at midday. Tyrese Haliburton and Johnny Furphy are out for Indy, while Pascal Siakam is doubtful. The following Pacers are questionable *clears throat*: Quenton Jackson, T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard, Obi Toppin, and Ivica Zubac.

Player to Watch

Ryan Rollins has been much better over the last two games, dropping 22 points and eight assists (on 8/11 shooting) in their last one against Atlanta. Can he make it three straight awesome games?

How To Watch

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. CDT.

I am afraid to write about Alperen Sengun.

This is not an appeal for sympathy. These are certainly not the worst problems I’ve encountered in my life. But, I will say that I have received literal death threats for observing that Alperen Sengun does not play defense very well.

If the internet is a cesspool, that points to broader issues with human nature. Is the internet a place where the confidence of anonymity emboldens people, or is that just a consequence of them taking their masks off?

Ugh.

Anyway, writing about the Houston Rockets necessitates writing about Alperen Sengun. Writing about Alperen Sengun, if you intend on preserving journalistic integrity, requires the occasional use of a critical lens. So here comes a piece that’s critical of Alperen Sengun.

Please don’t (threaten to) shoot the messenger.

Rockets’ best lineup does not feature their best young player

Per CleaningTheGlass, he’s not part of the Rockets’ best 2025-26 lineup.

That would be Clint Capela, Dorian Finney-Smith (yes, that Dorian Finney-Smith), Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard. That group is +38.4 in 154 possessions. That’s not a massive sample size, but it’s consequential enough to talk about.

So what’s going on here?

Let’s turn to the increasingly fashionable databallr. When Sengun and Sheppard share the floor, they’re +0.2 in 816 minutes. The Rockets shoot 35.1% from deep when they share the floor.

Remove Sengun, add Capela. The Rockets are +14.1 in 467 minutes. The team shoots 40.2% from deep. Hypothesis:

Sheppard plays better with a big man who does the big man stuff.

He shoots better when he’s on the floor with a big man who sets jarring screens. He’s easier to insulate on defense alongside a – here comes the dirtiest word in Rockets fandom – a rim protector.

It’s only a theory. It’s possible that, in more extended minutes, defenses would adjust their coverage. Capela’s total inability to do, well, much of anything other than dunk on the offensive end could prove problematic.

What’s the solution here?

Rockets need more grit from Alperen Sengun

This is not a trade Alperen Sengun piece. Or, at least, that’s not the only solution that will be presented.

It is an “Alperen Sengun needs to play differently” piece. As gifted as he is, he’s not quite prodigious enough to have the Luka Doncic mentality (and realistically, even Luka Doncic needs to change his mentality). He can’t absolve himself from the dirty work if this team is going to succeed.

Last year, Sengun made dramatic strides on defense. He improved so much that he forced me to eat crow. I praised him profusely in public. A wholesale mea culpa. Self-flagellation to the point of deep bruising.

Now, it feels like I’m eating crow again.

Sengun has regressed to “is this guy viable” levels on defense. He needs to get back to his 2024-25 level. If he can’t defend that well while conserving energy for a large offensive role, he’s not worth rostering. Luckily, he did it last year, and he should be able to do it again.

One thing he’s never done is properly screen for his guards. That needs to change. Functionally, the Rockets need Sengun to be basically Sabonis-with-defense. He should be leveraging his high basketball feel to operate as a dribble hand-off hub. His ability to score in isolation should be part of the Rockets’ package as well, but when it’s his primary role, it doesn’t do much to elevate his teammates.

Here’s a simple NBA principle: If you don’t complement your teammates, there is a threshold you need to meet for individual productivity. Sengun isn’t reaching that (exceedingly high) threshold, so he needs to complement his teammates. That means making their life easier on defense and screening for shooters. If he can’t do that, the Rockets may have to have some uncomfortable conversations.

Sorry.

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The Indiana Pacers are trying to shake a 12-game losing streak when they visit Fiserv Forum and the Milwaukee Bucks in an NBA Central Division battle.

With both groups playing fast and loose, my Pacers vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks expect a high-scoring mid-afternoon affair. 

Pacers vs Bucks prediction

Pacers vs Bucks best bet: Over 228.5 (-110)

The Indiana Pacers have lost 12 straight games, but their defense has been the bigger story, allowing nearly 120 points per game and an even worse 125.4 over their last 10 games. 

The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t exactly locking teams down either, giving up 119.4 per game during that same stretch.

Add in the Pacers’ fast pace and a Bucks team playing on no rest, and this game should have plenty of scoring chances. With both teams allowing so many points lately in an up-tempo game, the Over is the play.

Pacers vs Bucks same-game parlay

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to the lineup should fuel a convincing Bucks victory. He scored 31 points Thursday night at Miami, and Indiana's turnstile defense won’t be able or even willing to stop him.

Milwaukee has covered the number in two of its three meetings this season and faces a Pacers team that’s 1-9 ATS in its last 10 and 11-22 against the number as the road team this season.

Pacers vs Bucks SGP

• Over 228.5
• Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 29.5 points
• Bucks -7.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Long-range Giannis

Indiana has struggled to defend the 3-point line, and while Giannis hasn’t made one in his last eight games, he's still been taking the shots. 

He’s attempted at least two threes in four of his previous five games, so the opportunity is there and the price is right (+150) if one finally drops.

Pacers vs Bucks SGP

• Over 228.5
• Myles Turner Over 8.5 points
• Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 0.5 threes
• Bucks -7.5

Pacers vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Pacers +7.5 | Bucks -7.5
• Moneyline: Pacers +150 | Bucks -180
• Over/Under: Over 236 | Under 236

Pacers vs Bucks betting trend to know

The Pacers have gone Over the total in 15 of their last 22 games for +7.3 units and a 30% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Bucks.

How to watch Pacers vs Bucks

Pacers vs Bucks latest injuries

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The New York Knicks (43*-25) host the Golden State Warriors (32-34) tonight at Madison Square Garden. Tipoff is at 8 p.m., the game is on NBC. The Knicks are fighting to hold their spot in the East’s top three and remain a game and a half behind Boston, while the Warriors are clinging to a play-in position on the wrong side of .500. Over their last ten games, the Knicks have gone 6-4, while Golden State has won just three.

The teams last met on January 15, 2026, at Chase Center. The Warriors won, 126-113. Jimmy Butler III led everybody with 32 points on 14-for-22 shooting, adding eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Stephen Curry finished with 27 points and a team-high seven assists, while Moses Moody buried seven three-pointers for 21 points. For New York, playing without an injured Jalen Brunson, Deuce McBride and OG Anunoby scored 25 points apiece, and Karl-Anthony Towns grabbed 20 rebounds to go with 17 points.

The Warriors rank 15th in offensive rating and 14th for defense. They score 115.2 points per game on 46% shooting and 36% from deep, rank third in assists and second in steals, but give away the rock more than 15 times per game.

Curry was leading the NBA in three-pointers made per game (4.5) and averaging 27.2 points before going down with right knee pain in late January. Butler tore his ACL on January 19 and is done for the year. In their absence, Brandin Podziemski has averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists over his last 12 starts. Draymond Green averaged 8.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists before his back flared up. Gui Santos has averaged 6.8 points per game and has been given a starting role out of necessity.

Based on their last game against Minnesota, the Warriors’ likely starters tonight are Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton (1.5 SPG), Santos, Will Richard, and maybe Gary Payton II.

The Dubs will be severely depleted against the Knicks. “We’re going through it,” coach Steve Kerr said at NBA.com. “We’re about as beaten up as any team I can ever remember.” Their injury report has Green, Al Horford, Seth Curry, Porzingis, Moody, and Melton all ruled OUT, while Quinten Post is questionable with an ankle sprain. Curry remains sidelined with a knee injury expected to keep him out at least another 10 days, and Butler is out for the season after ACL surgery. 

For New York, Miles McBride remains OUT, while Josh Hart (left knee soreness), Towns (knee), Jeremy Sochan (illness), Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, Ariel Hukporti, and Trey Jemison are all listed as questionable.

Prediction

ESPN gives New York an 82% win probability tonight. That tracks. Given the limited numbers of players available and their lack of Curry and Green, all indications are that they will be pushovers. 

The Knicks, meanwhile, have won two straight unconvincing games against cellar dwellers. New York should blow this open early and let the bench crew ride it home with extended minutes. In recent years, Golden State has had their number, winning seven of their last ten head-to-head meetings, including three straight. New York will snap that streak tonight with a 12-point victory. We’ll forgive you for switching over to the Oscars at halftime.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (43*-25) vs Golden State Warriors (32-34)
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Time: 8 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, NYC
TV: NBC / Peacock
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

* Should be one more, but NBA Cup wins disappear like farts.

I have to admit, I am not much of a cook. Oh, I can keep myself fed and alive all right. I would just be eating a lot of spaghetti a lot of the time. But I am getting better every day. Every time I cook, I learn a little bit more about why this dish should have paprika and that dish should have smoked paprika.

My wife, in contrast, is an excellent cook and has taught me all that I know about cooking. She and I come from different backgrounds, however. She started cooking at a much younger age than I did. My parents didn’t teach me how to cook when I was younger, and I joined the Army after I graduated high school. I said my wedding vows before I ever had a kitchen of my own to learn in.

I have all of the tools I need to become a great cook someday. My vision works well enough to read a cookbook. The internet is full of vast quantities of knowledge that I can lean on. I have a desire to get better and the opportunity to do so. Most importantly, I have an experienced teacher who knows what she is doing. The only reason I am not a great cook already is because of the amount of time I have been cooking.

I submit to you that Khaman Maluach will be a good cook someday. He has all the tools he needs to be great. God sent the game of basketball for people like Khaman Maluach, with a 7’1” height and a 7’7” wingspan. All he needs is time.

This season, he hasn’t gotten much playing time at the NBA level. Before Mark Williams’ foot injury, the only real minutes he got in competitive games were in the G League. Since the Mark Williams injury was announced on March 5th, things have looked…rough for Khaman Maluach. He has had a game with 5 blocks and another with 9 rebounds, but he has also had a game in which, in 15 minutes of game time, he recorded neither a block nor a rebound.

We are seeing why Jordan Ott hasn’t had confidence in him to get real minutes in real games before he was required to. But before you go smashing the “He’s a bust!” button, let’s look at some other rookies in recent memory that got almost no playing time in their rookie years but went on to be productive players.

Ivica Zubac

I know this might sound crazy, but I think Ivica Zubac is a great comparison for Khaman Maluach, and could be the best outcome for the Suns’ young center. Zubac was a 19-year-old rookie among a cast of young players who were yet to establish themselves as fixtures in the NBA. Much like Maluach, his per-36 numbers as a rookie made him look like he could be a productive center with enough minutes, but the eye test told you that he had a way to go.

I think if Maluach was getting the sixteen minutes per game that Zubac got in his rookie year, their numbers may look almost identical. Fortunately for Suns fans, Maluach is playing on a better team than Zubac was in 2017, leaving fewer minutes open for the development of teenage prospects.

Today, Zubac is a really solid starting center. He was second team all-defense in 2024-2025 and was traded to the Indiana Pacers to be their Myles Turner replacement next year as they attempt to go back to the NBA Finals.

The per-36 numbers for these two are even more interesting. Maluach averages 11.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per-36. In his rookie year, Zubac averaged 16.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Maluach isn’t as polished a scorer as Zubac was in his rookie year, but it can be argued that he already does the dirty work better.

I like Zubac a lot. I would love to have him on my favorite team. If Maluach becomes Zubac, I will be ecstatic with his development. It is worth noting that Maluach is just a little bit bigger than Zubac and has displayed more athleticism. I believe this can lead to a higher defensive upside than the Pacers center has.

Rudy Gobert

I invite you to join me in la-la land as I compare the Phoenix Suns’ struggling rookie center with one of the greatest defensive centers in NBA history. But I ask you, why shouldn’t I? Look at the rookie numbers for Rudy Gobert compared to Maluach:

Now, I cannot say I was locked into Utah Jazz games in 2014, as I was busy trying to pass eighth-grade algebra. But what I will say is that Rudy Gobert is no special athlete, and in his rookie year, nobody would have guessed he would go on to win four DPOYs. Everyone knows that he is completely deficient on offense, and the Timberwolves star has never jumped out of any gym. 

What has made Rudy Gobert great is the fact that he is 7’ 1” and in the right place at the right time. Gobert is smart and has been used well by his coaches. When you marry these two ideas, you get a massive obstacle positioned in the right place to deter a lot of shots.

Gobert came into the league at 21 years old. By the time Maluach is 21 years old, I think he can be as good as 21 year old Gobert. I think he will probably be better. He might already be better.

The per-36 comparison is interesting here as well. As a reminder, Maluach averages 11.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per-36. Gobert averaged 8.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks. That puts rookie Maluach between Zubac and Gobert. Man Man is a better defensive player than Zubac, but a little worse on the offensive end. Compared to Gobert, he is a little better on offense but a little worse on defense.

Jordan Ott is a great coach. If Maluach works hard to learn as much as he can, if he continues to build his body up, and if his coaching staff continues to be really good at their jobs, Khaman Maluach has all the tools he needs to be Rudy Gobert.

Reed Sheppard

I want to leave you with the example that inspired my optimism about Maluach. Reed Sheppard is an odd comparison, I know. Two more different players may be hard to find. Sheppard is a small point guard. Maluach is a massive center. The only real comparison is that they were both top-10 picks (Sheppard went #3 to Houston) who didn’t have inspiring rookie seasons.

In fact, Reed Sheppard’s rookie year was a disaster. In a season where the Rockets put themselves back on the map in the post-Harden era, Sheppard could be found in the G-League or watching from the bench. When he did get in the game, it didn’t look good. An abysmal 35.1% shooting percentage is not what you want to see out of a rookie guard.

But this season, things changed. Sheppard is averaging 13.4 points and 3.2 assists on 42.8%/38.8%/80.5% splits. Is that a breakout star? No. Is it a 21-year-old finding his footing and turning into a viable NBA player? Yes.

This is the sort of sophomore season I am hoping to see out of Maluach. Maybe someday he will be a star, but next season I just want to see a viable backup center.

Khaman Maluach

Maluach has played great in the G-League this season. Does that mean he will turn into Rudy Gobert or Ivica Zubac? Of course not. He cannot pass the NBA test in the G-League, but failing in the G-League would’ve told us that he wasn’t ready for the NBA test.

Playing well in the G doesn’t mean everything, but it does mean something. Remember, Collin “Russell Westbrook” Gillespie once averaged 21 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds in the G-League.

Maluach can turn into a great player. Development doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some guys come into the league and dominate immediately. Others, like the three guys discussed, need a little more time. Give Maluach that time and watch as he grows.

He’ll figure out which dish needs paprika.

March Madness will be officially underway in just a few hours when the full 68-team NCAA Tournament bracket is released.

There are a handful of teams that are considered "locks" for the 68-team field that will get underway on Tuesday, March 17 with the first set of First Four games in Dayton. There are also a handful of teams that have already secured their spot in the field by way of winning their respective conference tournaments.

But as the countdown to the Selection Sunday bracket reveal show on CBS at 6 p.m. ET continues to tick down, there are some final bracket prognostications and debates ongoing about the bubble, which perhaps is as loaded as ever from past years.

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Though one never knows what exactly takes place in these conversations, especially those a part of the selection committee, one can almost be certain that NET rankings and Quad 1 records will be brought up at some point during them.

But what exactly are quadrant wins, and how do they impact the NET rankings?

Here's what you need to know about the NCAA's NET rankings and more ahead of Selection Sunday:

What is the NET? Explaining NCAA ranking system

Created ahead of the 2018-19 men's basketball season by the NCAA, the NET rankings system is a data-driven sorting system used by the selection committee when evaluating teams' resumes for the 68-team field. It's widely considered the most important statistical tool in helping the committee make its decisions, but it also isn't the only thing they use.

It is first released in December and then is updated throughout the year. It resets each college basketball season, just as teams construct their rosters on a year-to-year basis, and does not include any past information or statistics.

There are two key factors that the NCAA uses in NET rankings:

• Team Value Index: A results-based measure that rewards teams for beating quality opponents, with extra weight given to road and neutral-site wins.
• Adjusted Net Efficiency: The difference between a team's offensive efficiency (points per possession) and defensive efficiency (opponents' points per possession), adjusted for opponent strength and game location.

There are three key factors not used in NET rankings: Game Date, Winning Percentage, and Scoring Margin. While scoring margin isn't factored into a team's NET rankings, their per-possession efficiency is. This means that teams benefit most from maximizing offensive efficiency and maximizing defensive efficiency.

In addition, a road win weighs more than a neutral site win for teams, while neutral site wins hold more weight than home wins for teams with their NET rankings. This, of course, all factors into a team's Quad 1 (Quad 2, Quad 3, and Quad 4) record.

REQUIRED READING: When does March Madness start? 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament schedule, dates

What is a Quad 1 win?

A Quad 1 win is the crown jewel, prized possession for college basketball teams to secure over the season, as it impacts their NET rankings and projected NCAA Tournament seeding.

It is defined by location and opponent rank (not necessarily at the time of the game): a game at home vs. a team ranked 1-30 in the NET, a game at a neutral site vs. a team ranked 1-50, and a game on the road vs. a team ranked 1-75 in the NET.

As the case is for the other quadrants, Quad 1 games and records are flexible throughout the season.

Quad wins system explained

Perhaps the biggest sorting tool in the NET is a team's record vs. Quad 1 opponents. The better a team's record in Quad 1 games, the better the odds are for a team to make the 68-team field. On the other hand, if a team loses to a Quad 3 or a Quad 4 opponent, especially late in the season, that can be detrimental to their NCAA resume.

But what determines a Quad 1 game from a Quad 2 or a Quad 4? Well, two factors ultimately determine that for wins and losses:

1. The opponent's ranking in the NET
2. Whether a team faced their opponent at home, on the road or at a neutral site

Here is a breakdown of what differentiates a victory from a Quad 1 through Quad 4 win in men's college basketball per NCAA.com:

• Quadrant 1: Home 1-30, Neutral 1-50, Away 1-75
• Quadrant 2: Home 31-75, Neutral 51-100, Away 76-135
• Quadrant 3: Home 76-160, Neutral 101-200, Away 135-240
• Quadrant 4: Home 161-353, Neutral 201-353, Away 241-353

There is also some flexibility in Quad wins, depending on how the season a team's record against Quad 1 opponents — just like Quad 2, Quad 3 and Quad 4 opponents — can also change throughout the season. For example, if a team beats a Quad 2 team in January but that team becomes a Quad 1 team heading into the postseason, that becomes a Quad 1 win for that team. Similarly, if a Quad 1 team drops to a Quad 2 team or lower, that win would be removed from their Quad 1 record.

NET rankings on Selection Sunday

Here's a list of the top 16 teams in the country per the NCAA's NET rankings, which theoretically should result in the teams that will be seeded 1-4 in their respective regions come the bracket reveal show on Selection Sunday:

Ranking reflective of games through Saturday, March 14

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

Best Quad 1 records entering Selection Sunday

Duke leads the country with 16 Quad 1 wins this season. Here's a breakdown of which teams in the country have the best Quad 1 records entering Selection Sunday, per the NCAA:

Records reflective of games through Friday, March 14:

• 1. Duke: 16-2
• T2. Michigan: 15-2
• T2. Arizona: 15-2
• 4. Florida: 12-5
• 5. Houston: 10-5
• T6. Kansas: 9-9
• T6. Purdue: 9-8
• T6. Michigan State: 9-6
• T6. Nebraska: 9-6
• T6. Vanderbilt: 9-6

What time is Selection Sunday?

• Date: Sunday, March 15
• Time: 6 p.m. ET

The full 68-team bracket for the men's NCAA Tournament will be revealed at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 15, assuming there are no outstanding conference tournament games still taking place.

The Spurs have been active this past week on Instagram. Between Jaylen Brown’s ejection, losing to the Nuggets, the team photo shoot, and then knotting up the series with the Charlotte Hornets, the Silver & Black have also been posting a lot from their player interview series.

This installment asks the guys what day they with to relive if they could repeat any from their childhood.

Devin Vassell took a laid back approach and determined he’d enjoy kicking it with his friends during the time in his life he referred to as “simpler.”

Victor Wembanyama, the consummate competitor, chose a day when he was eleven and won a big tournament.

Jordan McLaughlin was nostalgic for his birthday, and in particular the parties his parents threw for him.

Keldon Johnson also took a familial approach and could see himself riding bikes or playing outdoors basketball with his brothers.

The Spurs went 5-1 on their homestand and now head out for two back-to-back games in California. First up, the Clippers on Monday night followed by the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday evening.

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

#1 – Aiming for weaknesses

Entering the game, the Washington Wizards were 26th at limiting shots at the rim and last at protecting the defensive rebound. So the Celtics just went for the paint and made sure they put pressure on the Wizards’ defensive frontcourt.

Overall, by the end, the Celtics created 19 more possessions thanks to offensive rebounds. Like Joe Mazzulla said after the game, you don’t want to rely only on offensive rebounds, but it must be controlled, especially on a night where the jump shots weren’t going in.

#2 – Neemias Queta eruption to get going

To start things off nicely, Queta decided to roll over the entire Wizards defense. He grabbed a lot of offensive rebounds and scored from putback situations, but the Celtics coaching staff also made sure to draw plays for him. Here, a Spain pick-and-roll where Sam Hauser sets the back-screen that blocks Alex Sarr. With Derrick White and Jayson Tatum in each corner, Queta has all the space he needs to finish at the rim.

It felt like he was always placed in the right position at the right time. On this beautiful drive and dish from Jaylen Brown, he arrives with perfect timing to place his layup. He also showed that he has developed a nice touch on the floater.

Like often, the space he was able to use was created by his ability to screen and roll. On that possession, he understands that the Wizards are switching and puts his defender on his back to have a better chance to catch the ball on the roll. Then he used the size advantage to dominate at the rim.

#3 – 12 minutes to put the Wizards away

Looking back at the game, it felt like the Celtics were largely in control entering the 4th quarter. The 20-point lead felt natural, but in reality the Celtics only dominated the 2nd quarter – but it was enough.

They started the second quarter with an interesting play that involved four different players, with a first movement starting with Payton Pritchard on the ball, then a second movement starting with Derrick White running toward the ball and Luka Garza.

This movement around the three-point line created chaos and space so the Celtics could once again attack the rim. During that stretch, the Celtics also dominated on defense, leading to a lot of transitions. This gave us some great highlights like this spin move from Queta, who was unstoppable last night.

This great momentum over those 12 minutes was enough to remain in control in the second half despite losing it 59 to 47.

#4 – Balanced scoring

There were questions about the Celtics’ balance with the return of Jayson Tatum. Last night’s game was a great display that there is enough room for everyone on a winning team.

Nobody took more than 20 shots, but six players scored at least 15 points and seven attempted eight field goals or more. There were also eight players with multiple assists, showing that the ball moves and everyone is involved.

But the scoring wasn’t only balanced player-wise. The Celtics also showed a very versatile performance in terms of shooting profile: 19 field goals made at the rim, 10 from the mid-range, and 12 beyond the line.

With the jump shots not falling, the Celtics didn’t get stuck in the mud and adapted. They were able to score a lot from putback situations, turning misses into new possessions, like Baylor Scheierman and his seven missed shots but four offensive rebounds.

#5 – Baylor feel was showing

Scheierman is among those players where you can see the game slowing down for him, so he is often a step ahead. This play with Sam Hauser is a great example of that feel for the game. He looks like he got caught, but he knows where Sam is located and finds him without even looking at him beforehand.

His feel is obvious on a highlight like this one but can be seen in less flashy situations too. His understanding of the game makes him a very good offensive rebounder. As the Celtics wanted to dominate that aspect of the game, they relied on him to put pressure on his matchup anytime a shot was triggered by one of his teammates.

It’s not a surprise that he keeps being the player with the most minutes behind the core six-man rotation late in the season.

#6 – Off-ball Tatum is a win-win

To get back to his final form, Jayson will need time, but his influence on a defense structure is already back. When he is off the ball, the defense still feels his gravity, which gives great space to his teammates. But it also gives him more speed. While he is getting back in shape and learning how to trust his legs again, having him off the ball to start the play can benefit him and make him a bigger threat.

On top of the speed, having him off the ball is a great way to optimize his shooting threat. When he doesn’t have the rock, the defense still keeps an eye on him. And as soon as he receives the ball, there are immediate collapses because the threat couldn’t be greater than Jayson Tatum with the rock and space.

On the play above, as soon as the basketball touches his hands, two defenders run to him, leaving White in the corner, and JT doesn’t hesitate for a second to swing the ball. A great example of why Tatum isn’t breaking the Celtics’ balance – he brings even more gravity and more connectivity to exploit defensive mistakes.

Of course, we want Tatum to play his isolation, but the impact he already has on the court when he doesn’t have the ball is back to elite – leading to great possessions for the team.

#7 – Tatum and Queta relationship

Speaking of Tatum, his relationship with Queta in the pick-and-roll has been growing through these first four games. And this might be a key to the Celtics’ success this season. When the offense was stuck last year, the Celtics didn’t hesitate to spam Tatum and Kornet pick-and-rolls. They could be doing the same this year with Queta.

The quality of Queta’s screens and his ability to play as a hub on offense offer a lot of possibilities for the Celtics to build around this duo.

On top of the benefits for them, this also creates great opportunities for the three other players around them, like here on that White triple.

It’s the same play that gave a layup to Queta, but this time the defense put more bodies in the paint, leading to a pass to Hauser. Tre Johnson rotates and that leaves White open in the corner. This is all caused by the pick-and-roll led by Tatum and Queta.

#8 – Could Tristan Vukčević be an interesting pick-up?

If there is one thing we learned over the last year, it is that the Celtics can turn a center on a two-way contract into a starter on a competitive team – and after watching this last game, I wonder if Tristan Vukčević could be the next one.

He has been in and out of the rotation for the Wizards over the last three years but could bring some interesting upside to the Celtics’ interior rotation. He has a great touch and we know how much Brad Stevens loves a center who can shoot.

Thoughts on the Serbian center?

#9 – There is always room to be better

I might be overthinking here but aren’t there always ways to improve, even in a game where you had a 30-point lead? Well, looking at last night’s game there is an area where the Celtics should have been better: transition defense.

The Wizards had a 1.63 points-per-possession efficiency in transition and this could be costly against better teams. While this might be due to a lack of seriousness because of the quality of the opponent, it could also happen against more competitive teams. With players crashing the offensive glass, there can be some lapses in the defense when the tagging-up isn’t well coordinated.

Could be worth monitoring against better teams coming to town over the next few weeks.

#10 – Some French influence in Boston?

Before the game, Joe Mazzulla talked about his meeting with Guillaume Vizade, Le Mans Basket head coach. They met back in France this summer and Mazzulla said he learned from the time they spent together. Could France have an influence on the Celtics’ new playstyle? More on that soon…