The Detroit Pistons opened 2026 the same way they closed 2025 — winning in a variety of ways and anchoring everything with elite defense. Injuries over the past few weeks failed to slow their momentum, and now the Pistons are back to full strength ahead of a tough stretch against Boston, Houston, and Denver to close out the month.
1. Threats in the East?
Opening the floor: who poses the biggest threat to Detroit in the postseason — and can the Pistons capitalize on what many view as a “gap year” in the conference?
Detroit currently holds a 4.5-game lead over Boston, which has cooled off after a scorching December. The Pistons have taken two of three from the Celtics, with all three games decided by single digits. The wild card is Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery — whether he could return at all, and whether Boston would even allow it. The contrasting styles of these teams would make for a fascinating playoff series.
Dec 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) brings the ball up the court against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Then there’s New York. Detroit dismantled the Knicks in their lone meeting so far, but you’d expect a much sharper response in future matchups. Below them, Toronto — whom the Pistons haven’t yet faced — along with Philadelphia, Orlando, and Cleveland all linger as dangerous middle-tier threats in a tightly packed East.
2. Deadline looming
With less than a month until the NBA trade deadline, there’s little consensus among fans or media about how — or even if — Trajan Langdon will approach roster changes.
There seem to be two main schools of thought consuming fans’ minds: swing for a bigger name or stand pat. But there’s also a middle ground Langdon could easily land on, similar to last season’s Dennis Schröder acquisition — a move that paid dividends during Detroit’s strong finish despite a first-round exit.
Detroit needs shooting, but they’ll be careful to add someone who won’t disrupt the culture or identity they’ve built. It’s hard to envision them sacrificing young assets for a moderate upgrade, but could a name like Tobias Harris surface in that type of deal? And what kind of draft capital would Langdon be willing to throw into a deal?
3. Duren back
Jalen Duren returned for the first time since New Year’s Day and immediately made his presence felt, posting 16 points, 18 rebounds, and two blocks — including a momentum-swinging rejection late in the fourth quarter.
Oct 24, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) reacts after making a basket during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
After a roaring start to the season, injuries slowed Duren in December, when his averages dipped to 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, down from November marks of 21.5 and 12.6. Still, it feels far more likely that his early-season production represents the real version of his trajectory rather than a hot stretch.
At just 22 years old, with multiple areas of his game still developing, there’s no clear ceiling on what Duren can become — and that uncertainty will loom large as future contract discussions approach. The Pistons are just happy to have him back at full strength.
Each squad made more than 40% from three, and a trio of players — Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, and Charlotte's LaMelo Ball — knocked down at least five each.
The seven-point Golden State win started a stretch for Charlotte that has seen the Hornets go 7-2 ATS. On the flip side, it started a four-game ATS losing streak for the Warriors, though Golden State has bounced back to win four of its last five ATS.
The Hornets haven't just been winning and covering on the road; they've been bullying teams. In addition to the 124-97 win at NBA-leading OKC, the Hornets won at Chicago by 13.
On this trip, they beat the Lakers 135-117 and dismantled Utah, winning by 55.
Golden State will have Curry available. That was up in the air briefly after he limped away from Thursday's game with a quad contusion.
However, coach Steve Kerr confirmed Curry would be available for Saturday. The only injury issue for Golden State is Gui Santos, who will miss the game with a sprained ankle.
He contributes 11 minutes and 3.7 points per game, so it's not likely to sway things one way or the other.
Hornets vs Warriors same-game parlay
This point's total cutoff inspired a double-take. Yes, Charlotte and Golden State combined for 257 points two weeks ago, and yes, both teams are outstanding three-point shooters.
However, Golden State plays at the No. 18 pace in the league, and Charlotte is even slower, ranking No. 25 in tempo. Neither team will be pushing the ball, and Golden State has only one cutoff higher in its last six games.
Charlotte has had lower cutoffs in three of its last five. That New Year's Eve shootout is fresh in people's minds, and pushing tonight's game total too high creates opportunity.
LaMelo Ball put up 54 three-point attempts in the last four games, making 24. He's taken at least seven threes in 15 straight games and made four or more in 10 of them.
Hornets vs Warriors SGP
Hornets +7
LaMelo Ball Over 3.5 threes
Under 234
Our "from downtown" SGP: Curry no Favor!
Nothing against Curry, who is still the league's premier sharpshooter, but this is another case of the New Year's Eve game swaying people and creating an opportunity.
Curry has made five or more threes just twice in the eight games (he missed one of them) since the last Hornets matchup. Overall, he's done it just four times in his last 14 games, and he's hampered by a quad contusion.
Over/Under: Over 236.5 (-110) | Under 236.5 (-110)
Hornets vs Warriors betting trend to know
The Hornets have hit the moneyline in seven of their last 11 away games. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Warriors.
How to watch Hornets vs Warriors
Location
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE-CHA, NBCSBA
Hornets vs Warriors 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs Date: January 17th, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Location: Frost Bank Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There are losses where you shrug, chalk it up as a schedule loss, and move on. And then there are losses that linger because you know exactly how winnable they were.
Friday night in Houston fell squarely into the second category. Not because Minnesota got embarrassed. They didn’t. Not because Kevin Durant did Kevin Durant things. That’s the job description. It was frustrating because the Wolves had the game right there, in their hands, on a night when they were missing Anthony Edwards, and still managed to let it slip away. There’s no shame in losing to one of the West’s best teams when your top-five superstar is out. There is frustration in losing a game you could have stolen because the second half turned into a self-inflicted unraveling.
And the real kicker? Houston was on the second night of a back-to-back, coming off a loss to Oklahoma City the night before. This was supposed to be the “tired legs, heavy shots, Wolves run them off the floor” script. For a half, it looked like that’s exactly where it was headed. Minnesota was locked in defensively with Rudy Gobert swallowing up looks around the rim like Houston had tried to shoot a basketball through a black hole. The Wolves were moving the ball, pushing the pace, turning misses into transition chances, and playing like the grown-up January version of themselves.
Then the second half happened.
The refs turned things into a disjointed, foul-heavy, rhythm-free slog in the third. Minnesota never recovered its rhythm. The ball movement evaporated. The tempo slowed. And the Wolves, who had an opportunity to pressure tired legs, force Houston to chase, and turn this into a track meet, did the exact opposite. They let Houston pack the paint, load up on Julius Randle, swarm him on every bully-ball drive, and choke the oxygen out of the offense.
And look: Randle filled the stat sheet, sure. But he also turned into a black hole in the worst way, forcing looks against multiple defenders, occasionally coughing it up, and leaving everyone else watching instead of participating. It was like the offense got reduced to one guy trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube with boxing gloves on, while everyone else stood around.
The most brutal part? The free throws. Minnesota shot 57% from the line. That’s not “bad for an NBA team,” that’s “bad for a high school team.” The Wolves left 15 points at the stripe. Rudy went 2-for-10. That’s the kind of stat that makes you check the box score twice because you assume you misread it. If Minneosta hits even a third of those misses, you’re talking overtime or a road win you had no business getting without Ant.
So yes, the loss is frustrating. But it also tells you something important: Minnesota can hang with Houston even shorthanded. If Ant plays, that matchup looks very different. If the Wolves simply don’t self-destruct at the line, that game probably swings.
Unfortunately, now there’s no time to sulk. Because the second leg of the Texas two-step is waiting, and it’s the bigger one: Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs, and a rematch that comes with real standings consequences.
After the Houston slip-up, Minnesota is now 1.5 games back of Denver and San Antonio, who are tied for the two/three seeds. There won’t be any standings leapfrogging on Saturday night, but there is a chance to stop the bleeding and close the gap, as well as a very real risk of getting swept through Texas if Anthony Edwards can’t go as he battles his toe infection.
This is where the weekend turns from “slightly annoying” to “could spiral fast if you’re not careful.”
So yeah. Big game. Again.
And with that, here are the keys.
Keys to the Game
#1: Hit your free throws. I cannot believe we’re back here. This is an NBA team fighting for top-three positioning and they’re treating the charity stripe like it’s a haunted house. Minnesota’s free throw ineptitude is not just ugly, it’s actively cost them games against their own conference rivals in OKC and Houston. In two of the biggest measuring-stick games they’ve played, the Wolves have basically spotted the opponent points like they’re donating to a cause. And now they go into San Antonio, potentially without Ant, on the road, against an elite team, and you’re telling me they’re going to win while giving away free points? No. If they shoot like that again, it’s over before the fourth quarter even arrives.
#2: Don’t cower to Wembanyama. Last week, Minnesota started down 16–0 because they looked like they were trying to solve Wembanyama instead of playing basketball. Everything was hesitant. Everything was off-kilter. They weren’t getting their normal looks, and you could feel the intimidation factor creep into the shot selection, like the rim was guarded by a 7’4 French demogorgon. The Wolves can’t do that again. They’ve now had the experience of seeing how the game changes when Victor is on vs. off the floor. They need to use it. Attack with purpose. Don’t settle into the “we’ll just jack threes and hope” offense. And Julius Randle needs to tap into what worked late last game with the bully-ball defense, the physicality, and the “I’m not moving for you” attitude that sent Wembanyama into baby giraffe mode.
#3: Move the ball like the game depends on it — because it kind of does. Houston was a masterclass in what happens when Minnesota’s offense stagnates. The disjointed third quarter killed the rhythm, Randle became the whole offense, and everyone else got iced out. McDaniels and DiVincenzo basically became spectators. That can’t happen again, especially with Wembanyama looming behind every drive like a skyscraper with arms. Whether Ant plays or not, this has to be a team offense. Randle can score, yes, but his superpower is using his gravity to create open threes and easy looks when the defense collapses. If he’s just trying to bully through triple teams for 48 minutes, you’re playing right into San Antonio’s hands.
#4: Win the non-Wemby minutes like it’s a separate game inside the game. This was the biggest tell last time: the Wolves looked like two different teams depending on whether Wembanyama was on the floor. When he sat, Minnesota’s offense suddenly breathed again. Spacing improved, driving lanes opened, and the Spurs’ defense looked human. The Wolves have to treat those non-Wemby minutes like a hunting license. Attack immediately. Push the pace. Go on runs. Make it hurt when he rests. They’ve used this receipe before against Denver with Jokic. Survive the star minutes, dominate the bench minutes, and steal the game in the margins.
#5: Naz Reid has to be the spark plug again. Naz was a beast from deep against Houston, one of the only guys keeping the offense from fully dying when the rhythm disappeared. If Ant can’t go, Naz becomes even more important as a scorer, as a spacing weapon, and now, increasingly, as a defender. His defensive effort has legitimately stepped up over this January stretch. Randle will draw bodies. Rudy will get his easy looks and offensive boards. But Naz is the guy who can bend a defense with quick threes and inside-out scoring, especially against lineups where San Antonio’s secondary defenders are vulnerable.
#6: Keep your emotions in check. These teams got chippy last weekend. Rudy picked up the flagrant that pushed him over the limit and got him suspended. That’s not just a “whoops.” That’s a real consequence. Now you’re heading into a high-stakes rematch, coming off a frustrating loss where the refs already turned one quarter into a whistle-fest, and emotions could be running hot. Minnesota cannot get baited. They cannot give away free throws, techs, or foul trouble minutes. And they certainly do not need Gobert sniffing another flagrant situation. Play tough. Play physical. Play smart.
The Finish
Here’s the truth: this is the kind of game that tells you whether Minnesota’s January reinvention is real, or whether it’s just a hot stretch that collapses the second the margin tightens.
Because yeah, it’s hard to see the Wolves stealing a road back-to-back against a team as talented as San Antonio without Anthony Edwards. That’s just math. That’s just reality. But this is also the NBA, where weird stuff happens every night and the team with the sharper edge wins more games than the team with the prettier roster.
Minnesota already proved last week they can come back from the dead against these guys — down 19, staring at the abyss, and somehow winning 104–103 by executing like a real contender. That wasn’t luck. That was poise. That was grown-up basketball. That was Julius Randle bodying Wembanyama and Ant hitting another “I own this moment” shot.
Now they have to do it again, on the road, with less margin, more fatigue, and a whole lot more pressure.
If they hit free throws. If they move the ball. If they win the non-Wemby minutes. If they don’t melt down emotionally. If Naz gives them juice. If Julius balances bully ball with facilitation instead of turning into a black hole…
They can absolutely punch San Antonio in the mouth and make them prove they can take it.
And if the Wolves somehow pull this off without Ant? That’s not just a win.
That’s a statement about who they are — and who they’re becoming.
SHEFFIELD, England (AP) — Nika Egadze of Georgia will head to next month's Winter Olympics as the European figure skating champion after a dominant win by nearly 17 points on Saturday.
Skating last after rivals made mistakes, Egadze needed only to avoid glaring errors to secure gold but delivered a personal-best free skate, landing four high-scoring quadruple jumps and scoring 181.72 points for a total of 273.
Egadze dived onto the ice and slid on his chest to cheers from the crowd as he left after the skate.
“When I came to the ice it was a little bit shaky,” Egadze said. “I just remembered the words of my coaches, I just need to enjoy the moment.”
It was the second gold medal of the championships for the former Soviet nation of Georgia after Egadze's friends Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava won the pairs on Thursday.
Matteo Rizzo took the silver for Italy on 256.37, his fourth career medal at the European championships.
Georgii Reshtenko of the Czech Republic had never placed higher than ninth at a major championships but smashed his personal best with 238.27 for a surprise bronze, beating defending champion Lukas Britschgi of Switzerland into fourth.
Estonian brothers Aleksandr and Mihhail Selevko were second and third behind Egadze following Thursday's short program but both fell in the free skate and dropped to fifth and sixth overall as they failed to match fellow Estonian Niina Petrokina's win in the women's competition.
The championships conclude with the free dance in the ice dance later Saturday.
Christian Koloko has found a new landing spot in the NBA.
The former Arizona Wildcats big man has signed on with the Atlanta Hawks on a two-way contract. Koloko became available after the Memphis Grizzlies didn’t resign him following the expiration of a second 10-day contract.
Koloko will be hoping for a longer stay with Atlanta after starting the year with the Los Angeles Lakers, then playing a short stint with Memphis. In 13 games this season, Koloko is averaging 2.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 15.5 minutes.
Koloko joins a 20-23 Hawks team that is contention for a playoff spot midway through the season despite trading away star point guard Trae Young to Washington earlier this month. Koloko will compete with Onyeka Okongwu, Mouhamed Geuye and Asa Newell for minutes at the center position.
Atlanta is the fourth NBA team Koloko has played for, after starting his career with the Toronto Raptors. Toronto drafted Koloko 33rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Koloko was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Pac-12 Most Improved Player of the Year in his final year at Arizona.
The New York Knicks will look to snap a two-game losing streak as they host the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
Phoenix is also on a two-game skid, but has been playing well for bettors as of late, and I’m taking it to cover again in my Suns vs. Knicks predictions below.
Read on to see my full analysis of tonight’s game and get my free NBA picks for Saturday, January 17.
Suns vs Knicks prediction
Suns vs Knicks best bet: Suns +3.5 (-110)
The New York Knicks are currently suffering through their worst stretch of the season, having lost seven of their last nine games. New York hasn’t been playing well at all on defense lately, giving up 119.0 ppg over that nine-game stretch.
That would be concerning enough in general, but the Knicks have also been without Jalen Brunson for nearly the entirety of the last two games, and their star is questionable again tonight with a sprained ankle.
The Phoenix Suns have had its own injury issues to deal with, as Devin Booker also missed Thursday’s game against the Miami Heat with his own sprained ankle. Like Brunson, Booker remains questionable for Saturday’s game.
But unlike the Knicks, the Suns are playing well on the defensive end right now. The Suns are allowing just 112.0 ppg to opponents on the year, and have limited seven of their last eight opponents to under 110 points. That has coincided with a span in which they have covered the spread in seven of eight games as well.
New York hasn’t been able to figure out its defensive problems, and they will struggle to keep up against Phoenix’s defense with or without Brunson in the lineup. I’m not quite bold enough to pick the Suns to win outright, but I do love the visitors to cover tonight.
Suns vs Knicks same-game parlay
The Suns have been playing well defensively and finishing with notably low totals as of late, hitting the Under in six of their last seven games, so I’ll add the Under to my SGP tonight.
I’m also backing Dillon Brooks to hit his scoring total, as he’s gone for 21+ points in three of his last five games and may get a bit more usage than normal with Devin Booker still listed as questionable with an ankle sprain.
Suns vs Knicks SGP
Suns +3.5
Under 225.5
Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: The Brooks takeover
Brooks may only be averaging 3.3 rebounds per game this season, but he’s collected four or more in five of his last seven games, making him a solid pick to hit the Over in a longshot SGP tonight.
Suns vs Knicks SGP
Suns +3.5
Under 225.5
Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 points
Dillon Brooks Over 3.5 rebounds
Suns vs Knicks odds
Spread: Phoenix +3.5 (-115) | New York -3.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Phoenix +135 | New York -160
Over/Under: Over 225 (-110) | Under 225 (-110)
Suns vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Suns have gone 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Knicks.
How to watch Suns vs Knicks
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBA TV
Suns vs Knicks 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The Oklahoma City Thunder may have lapsed into cruise control briefly, but the defending champs have their swagger back as they visit the Miami Heat tonight – and that’s bad news for the rest of the league.
OKC brings a five-game win streak to South Beach, and my Thunder vs. Heat predictions point to the visitors’ bench grinding down a Miami team that will be shorthanded in the backcourt.
Take a closer look at this January 17 matchup with my free NBA picks and betting tips.
Thunder vs Heat prediction
Thunder vs Heat best bet: Ajay Mitchell Over 12.5 points (+100)
After a quieter December, Mitchell has found this rhythm again this month, and I love the Over on his points prop tonight against the Miami Heat. He’s averaging 14.8 PPG so far in 2026 and finished with 17 points on Thursday against the Houston Rockets.
The visitors’ second unit feels like the X-factor here, and Mitchell is the one dynamic bucket-getter in that group. He’s also shown a willingness to be more aggressive on the road, where his scoring jumps to 15.2 PPG, with a 37% mark from 3-point range.
The Miami defense represents a favorable matchup, too. The hosts rank in the bottom third of the NBA in points allowed per game (117.8), and they’ve coughed up 119+ points in five straight contests.
Mitchell has gone past this number in four of his last five outings, and he poured in 16 points on 8-for-15 shooting in last weekend’s win over the Heat. He’s poised to have a similar impact in this rematch, and the absence of Miami’s Davion Mitchell leaves the hosts without much bite on the perimeter to bother the OKC guards.
Thunder vs Heat same-game parlay
The Heat’s 14-7 mark at Kaseya Center looks persuasive here until you remember that the Thunder are 15-4 on the road. OKC covered the spread in statement wins over the Spurs and Rockets this week, while Miami has lost four of its past five contests and has injury doubts around Tyler Herro. I’m laying the points in this SGP.
I’ll double down on the Thunder bench with the Over on Cason Wallace's points tally. Wallace hasn’t chipped in with much scoring this month, but he drilled a pair of 3-pointers in consecutive games. He’s also a candidate for easy transition baskets against the fast-paced Heat.
Thunder vs Heat SGP
Ajay Mitchell Over 12.5 points
Thunder -10.5
Cason Wallace Over 6.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Bam turns provider
Bam Adebayo has dished 4+ dimes in three straight games, including the Heat’s loss in OKC last Sunday. Look for a further uptick in his playmaking if Herro is ruled out, with Bam operating as a steady passing hub at the top of the key.
Thunder vs Heat SGP
Ajay Mitchell Over 12.5 points
Thunder -10.5
Cason Wallace Over 6.5 points
Bam Adebayo Over 3.5 assists
Thunder vs Heat odds
Spread: Thunder -10.5 | Heat +10.5
Moneyline: Thunder -450 | Heat +350
Over/Under: Over 233.5 | Under 233.5
Thunder vs Heat betting trend to know
The Thunder have won each of the last five meetings with the Heat. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Heat.
How to watch Thunder vs Heat
Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN
Thunder vs Heat 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The best thing about the Sacramento Kings is that the Wizards can say, “At least we’re not the Sacramento Kings.”
Yes, the Kings beat the Wizards, 128-115 last night. It was their 12th victory of the year — just two more than the Wizards. But Sacramento has been bad while also being the league’s third oldest team (weighted for minutes). The Wizards at bad and young, which means they can still peddle hope. The Kings don’t even have that.
Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington played a solid game in the team’s loss to the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings have no hope of being good with their current roster. They need to sell off their veterans for young players and draft picks. Their challenge is similar to where Washington was when Michael Winger and Will Dawkins took the helm — the older guys are pretty good with limitations and flaws, but their contracts are out of line with their production.
Their biggest challenge is the poor leadership of their owner Vivek Ranadive, which is something that likely won’t be rectified until he sells the team.
The game itself was at least somewhat entertaining. The Kings went on a 19-0 run to close the first quarter with a 19-point advantage. The teams played more or less even the rest of the way — the Wizards closing the gap to under five points a couple times in the second half. Each time, Sacramento responded with a run of their own to expand the margin.
It’s hard to overstate how bad Washington’s defense was in this one. The Kings entered the game with the league’s second worst offense, and with a generous helping of open and wide-open shots, posted a 128 offensive rating (points per possession x 100). That’s 18 points above their season average, and more than 12 points above league average.
The Kings achieved this absurd efficiency despite committing 18 turnovers and shooting just 19-30 on free throws. They connected on 15-31 (48.4%) from three-point range and posted an effective field goal percentage of 67.3%.
Russell Westbrook, a career 30.8% three-point shooter, shot 6-9 from deep, which boosted his three-point percentage this season to 35.7%.
Overall, the Wizards got decent production from their starting group (missing Khris Middleton and Bilal Coulibaly). Their bench — with the exception of Malaki Branham, who played probably the best game of his career — was a disaster.
Thoughts & Observations
Credit to head coach Brian Keefe for some tank-tastic lineup choices. For several (disastrous) minutes, he had a group out there that include AJ Johnson, Will Riley, Jamir Watkins, and Marvin Bagley III. I think the fifth was Bub Carrington. That grouping meant they had no one who could threaten the defense or lead an effective offense.
The Wizards were -22 in Johnson’s 11 minutes of action.
They were -19 in 22 minutes with Riley on the floor.
Carrington played 38 minutes and took just four shots, but was still productive overall with 9 assists and 2 steals.
Carrington has an odd mix of attributes. He’s 6-4 and rebounds at a level that suggests good size, strength, athleticism and competitiveness. He defends like a small, slow, weak guy — bigger players score at will when he defends in the post, quicker players drive with little resistance, his closeout are ineffective. He rarely drives, generates paint touches or gets shots at the rim, but is still an above-average playmaker. He’s shot well from deep, but has been astonishingly bad converting the few inside shots he gets.
While I liked seeing Justin Champagnie in the starting lineup, and his overall production was decent, I thought his defensive work was subpar — especially early in the game.
Four Factors
Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).
The four factors are measured by:
eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORS
WIZARDS
KINGS
LGAVG
eFG%
55.0%
67.3%
54.4%
OREB%
17.5%
30.8%
26.2%
TOV%
11.0%
18.0%
12.8%
FTM/FGA
0.178
0.235
0.212
PACE
100
99.7
ORTG
115
128
115.7
Stats & Metrics
PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).
PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.
POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.
ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is 115.1. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.
USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%.
ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.
+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 114, the league — on average — would produced 22.8 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -2.8.
Players are sorted by total production in the game.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these two flawed-but-feisty Western Conference also-rans. Dallas won Game 3 of the season series just two days ago in a 144–122 blowout behind Klay Thompson’s 26 points and an unexpected 3-point deluge. Utah leads the season series 2–1, but both wins came at home — one in overtime, one in a 116–114 squeaker.
Both teams are missing key frontcourt pieces, but Dallas is especially decimated. Dereck Lively and AD are out. Gafford and Flagg are both doubtful. And Kyrie still hasn’t returned from knee surgery. That leaves the Mavs trying to scrape together a frontcourt from Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and a prayer that Max Christie has gotten over the recent illness.
The Jazz, for their part, are now missing Markkanen, Kessler, and Niang — leaving Brice Sensabaugh and Keyonte George to carry much of the load.
🏀 Fixture, Odds and Injuries
Utah Jazz (14–27, 5–15 Away) @ Dallas Mavericks (16–26, 12–11 Home) 📍 American Airlines Center — Dallas, TX 🕓 4:10 PM CST, Jan 17 📺 KFAA-TV / NBA App
📊 DraftKings Odds (as of 8:00 AM CST) UTA +3.5 (−110) | o241.5 (−112) | ML +136 DAL −3.5 (−110) | u241.5 (−108) | ML −162
🩻 Injury Report Highlights Mavericks: Cooper Flagg (ankle) — Doubtful Daniel Gafford (ankle) — Doubtful Dereck Lively II — Out (foot surgery) Kyrie Irving — Out (knee) Anthony Davis — Out (hand) P.J. Washington — Probable Max Christie — Probable Jazz: Lauri Markkanen — Out Walker Kessler — Out Georges Niang — Out
Side and Total Leans
Despite a thinned-out roster, Dallas is laying -3.5 at home. That reflects recent form (including Monday’s 22-point win) and ESPN’s matchup predictor, which gives the Mavericks a 70.7% win probability. But that number is inflated by names who are either out or doubtful tonight.
Over/Under at 241.5 still feels steep given how many primary options are out — particularly with Cooper Flagg (18.8 PPG, 47.8 FG%) listed as doubtful. Without his scoring and tempo, the Mavs may struggle to keep pace with their own previous explosion. The only caveat would be another outburst of a showcase vibe from Klay Thompson.
🧠 Lean: Jazz +3.5 🧠 Lean: Under 241.5
If Flagg and Gafford both sit, and Dallas can’t get out in transition, expect a grindier version of Wednesday’s track meet. If you were of the mind that the Jazz would refuse to win this game under any circumstances, taking Dallas is defensible. At this point, both teams are slowly morphing into the final tank-y form. It is just tough to see the Mavericks winning again, given the tumbleweeds rolling through the lineup.
Player Props
Naji Marshall o18.5 Points (−106) Marshall has been one of Dallas’ steadiest contributors during the injury purge — scoring 22 or better in his last three efforts. With Cooper Flagg likely out again and PJ Washington managing an ankle, Marshall’s mid-post game and slashing lanes remain live against a Jazz team that is not in try-hard mode on defense. There’s room here for a clean 7-of-13 with free throws on top.
Brice Sensabaugh o18.5 Points (−106) With Lauri Markkanen out again, Sensabaugh has taken the scoring reins for Utah — notching 27 points Thursday on a hyper-efficient 10-of-15 from the floor. He’s hit 26+ in three of his last four, and even with Max Christie returning for Dallas, the matchup remains juicy. Christie is expected to take on primary wing defense responsibilities but is just returning from illness, and may not have full lateral burst or game legs yet. Sensabaugh’s blend of strength and footwork could still carve up this thinned Mavs perimeter.
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL will honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. by displaying “Choose Love” in the end zones and on helmet decals for all divisional round playoff games this weekend.
“Choose Love” and “It Takes All of Us” will appear on opposite end zones at the Super Bowl next month. Host teams will select the end zone stencils for the conference championship games.
“Dr. King’s message continues to guide how we show up in meaningful moments across the league,” said Anna Isaacson, SVP of social responsibility for the NFL. "'Choose Love’ has become an important and widely embraced message for our teams because it reflects the values Dr. King championed — dignity, empathy, and a commitment to our shared humanity. Bringing it forward in the Divisional Round and again at Super Bowl LX reflects that continued relevance.”
“Choose Love” was first introduced in 2022 when the Bills adopted it as a unifying message for their community after a shooting in Buffalo. NFL teams have widely embraced the stencil, and it was featured at the Super Bowl last year following an attack in New Orleans.
The NFL has used on-field social justice messaging for the past six seasons. Teams featured an end zone message of their choice at each home game throughout the season, selecting from four options: “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” “Choose Love” or “Inspire Change.” “It Takes All of Us” was stenciled in the opposite end zone for all games.
The Boston Celtics hit the road tonight for a matchup with the new-look Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Jaylen Brown continues to torch his opponents, but his total is too high for my liking. I’ll explain in my Celtics vs. Hawks predictions why I see value in the Under.
Read more in my NBA picks for Saturday, January 17.
Celtics vs Hawks prediction
Celtics vs Hawks best bet: Jaylen Brown Under 30.5 points (-112)
Jaylen Brown is having an All-Star campaign for the Jayson Tatum-less Boston Celtics. The guard is averaging 29.4 PPG, which ranks fifth in the Association.
This is undoubtedly the best season of his career, and it’s clear that a bigger role without Tatum is bringing out the best in him.
However, Brown’s total is set at 30.5 this evening, and given his recent numbers, the Under makes the most sense here for a best bet. The former California Golden Bear has cashed the Under in points in three straight, and in four of his last five.
Brown has 27 points in each of the last two games, which is still remarkable. But, he’s only hit Over 30 points twice in January across seven contests.
Celtics vs Hawks same-game parlay
Onyeka Okongwu has developed into a very nice piece for the Atlanta Hawks over the years, and he’s averaging 16.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per night. The USC product is coming off a 26-point performance on Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
He’s hit the Over in points in three of his last five appearances, and Okongwu also finished with 15 points in one of those games as well. He’s averaging 15.4 PPG at home this season.
Derrick White is never afraid to chuck up triples. After all, he’s averaging 3.1 makes on 9.5 attempts for a 32.8% clip. Not the most efficient, and White has hit the Under in triples in six of eight games in January.
In fact, he’s averaging 2.5 makes this month for a 26% clip. White isn’t shooting the rock with much confidence lately – he’ll stay under four treys tonight.
Celtics vs Hawks SGP
Jaylen Brown Under 30.5 points
Onyeka Okongwu Over 15.5 points
Derrick White Under 3.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Queta crashes the glass
The Hawks are allowing 15 rebounds per game to centers, and Neemias Queta has cashed the Over in three of his last six outings.
Celtics vs Hawks SGP
Jaylen Brown Under 30.5 points
Onyeka Okongwu Over 15.5 points
Derrick White Under 3.5 threes
Neemias Queta Over 9.5 rebounds
Celtics vs Hawks odds
Spread: Boston -3.5 (-110) | Atlanta +3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Boston +135 | Atlanta -160
Over/Under: Over 230 (-110) | Under 230 (-110)
Celtics vs Hawks betting trend to know
The Boston Celtics have hit the Moneyline in 32 of their last 45 away games (+11.45 Units / 9% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Hawks.
How to watch Celtics vs Hawks
Location
State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSB, FDSN SE-ATL
Celtics vs Hawks latest injuries
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The Dallas Mavericks will look to sweep a 2-game home set Saturday when they meet the Utah Jazz again.
Dallas dropped a season high in a 144-122 victory Thursday and enters this as 4.5-point favorites in the NBA odds.
My Jazz vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks have the scoring binge settling down, with these teams settling in Under a monster line on Saturday, January 17.
Jazz vs Mavericks prediction
Jazz vs Mavericks best bet: Under 241.5 (-110)
The Dallas Mavericks are not a high-powered offensive machine, averaging just 113.6 points per game (23rd), but the Utah Jazz certainly made them look good.
The Jazz are the NBA’s worst defensive team, allowing an incredible 127.4 points per game, which enables teams to shoot a league-high 49.3% against them, including 37.6% from 3-point range, the second-worst mark in the league.
A lot of things just went right to have Dallas ring up 144 points, including hitting 19-for-46 from 3-point range, a 41.3% clip, from a team that ranks dead last in 3-point shooting at 33.8%, while also converting 17 Utah turnovers into 30 points.
This is a team that still won’t likely have Cooper Flagg (ankle) back in the lineup, as he’s listed as doubtful, along with big man Daniel Gafford (ankle). They’ll be joining Anthony Davis (hand) on the sideline.
The good news is that both Max Christie (illness) and P.J. Washington (ankle) are probable after missing the last meeting.
Utah will still be without its best player, as Lauri Markkanen (illness) has already been ruled out. That didn’t slow down the Jazz scoring machine, currently sixth in the NBA, from putting up points.
Over has cashed in two of the last three, but Dallas and Utah have gone Under the total in seven of the previous nine.
The Mavericks have also gone Under in six of their last eight. While there will still be a bunch of points, I think the track meet of buckets slows down here.
Jazz vs Mavericks same-game parlay
I think it goes from heat check to reality check for Brice Sensabaugh. A guy who’s averaging 11.8 points just had 27 against Dallas, and he’s scored 26 or more in three of four games, including 43 against Chicago. Consider that in his previous 30 games, he has cracked 19 points just three times.
Klay Thompson is on a mini-heater, hitting at least six triples in every other game over his last six. But he’s been lights out vs Utah, drilling at least three money balls in five straight games against the Jazz.
Jazz vs Mavericks SGP
Under 241.5 points
Sensabaugh Under 18.5 points
Thompson Over 2.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Thompson stays hot
Isaiah Collier dropped 12 dimes against the Mavs last game, and has had at least eight assists in three of his last four, and in both games against Dallas this season.
Dwight Powell has grabbed eight or more boards just once in his last five games. Even on a team without many of its big men, Dallas’ team collective rebounding effort should keep Powell’s numbers down.
Jazz vs Mavericks SGP
Under 241.5 points
Sensabaugh Under 18.5 points
Thompson Over 2.5 threes
Collier Over 7.5 assists
Powell Under 7.5 rebounds
Jazz vs Mavericks odds
Spread: Jazz +3.5 | Mavericks -3.5
Moneyline: Jazz +140 | Mavericks -165
Over/Under: Over 241.5 | Under 241.5
Jazz vs Mavericks betting trend to know
The Mavericks have won each of their last eight home games against the Jazz. Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Mavericks.
How to watch Jazz vs Mavericks
Location
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
5:00 p.m. ET
TV
KJZZ, KFAA
Jazz vs Mavericks latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Nacho Elvira will head into the final day of the Dubai Invitational with a two-shot lead after a 3-under 68 in Saturday's third round, while Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also remained in contention.
Elvira started the day tied for the lead with Lowry and started slowly with six pars and a bogey on the seventh, but birdies on the ninth, 10th, 13th and 17th meant he pulled away with an 8-under total of 205.
Lowry is in a three-way tie for second with Marcus Armitage and Dylan Fritelli, who recorded the best round of the day with 65.
McIlroy is one shot further back in fifth after making three birdies on the back nine for a 68.
Elvira's only previous wins on the European tour came at the Cazoo Open in 2021 and the Soudal Open in 2024.
The Dubai Invitational is held every other year. Two years ago, Tommy Fleetwood benefited from two huge errors on the back nine from McIlroy to win the tournament following a back-and-forth final-round duel. Fleetwood was tied for 20th on even par Saturday.
Next week sees the Dubai Desert Classic, which McIlroy has won four times. He has also won the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai three times.
The NBA trade deadline is three weeks away, leaving plenty of time for movement and speculation among the 30 teams in the league.
The trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks served as the biggest trade in the days leading up to the 2025 deadline. While 2026 has already seen the Atlanta Hawks trade away Trae Young, both were drafted early in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft before being traded for each other.
Guard Trae Young may not be the only point guard moved before the deadline. Here’s who else could be on the move.
Point guard market
Ja Morant could be on the move from Memphis, with his career stalling in recent years. Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Sacramento Kings could be a team to watch, as long as it doesn’t "involve giving the Grizzlies any significant draft capital."
The Minnesota Timberwolves could be in the market to add a point guard, according to an ESPN report, but it remains to be seen if that happens and who those potential candidates could be.
The Timberwolves would be expected to move on from one of their key players to make a notable trade happen due to the lack of “tradable first-round picks” available for the franchise.
What could the Warriors do?
Jonathan Kuminga made his intentions clear earlier this week with his demand for a trade. The Golden State Warriors make the most of the situation and bring in a player who may be better suited for them in the process.
ESPN's Kevin Pelton believes Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. could be a player Golden State could consider. Porter has a $38 million salary, but would add another long-range shooter with size to the lineup. The Warriors would likely have to send a player over, such as Moses Moody, to make that deal come together.
Who else is in the market for Porter? ESPN's Zach Kram believes Porter could also be a major upgrade for the Detroit Pistons, who remain a contender at the top of the Eastern Conference.
There will always be the consideration of Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded away by the Milwaukee Bucks. Whether it will actually happen remains to be seen.
"I'm just not sure who the team is that would be willing to go all-in right now for him," a scout told ESPN's Jamal Collier regarding Antetokounmpo. "Teams are looking to hold onto their cards until the summer."
The Los Angeles Lakers have dropped four of their last five games, but they’ll be shorthanded tonight as they search for a win against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Both teams are playing the first legs of back-to-back sets, and my Lakers vs. Trail Blazers predictions expect a low-scoring game, with young center Donovan Clingan active on the glass.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this showdown at Moda Center on Saturday, January 17.
Lakers vs Trail Blazers prediction
Lakers vs Trail Blazers best bet: Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds (+100)
Donovan Clingan is pulling down a career-high 10.7 boards per game this season, but he's averaged 11.9 rebounds across his last eight games. In that span, Clingan has secured 12+ rebounds five times, including 12 in his last game out.
Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes are both questionable, giving Clingan a favorable matchup against a banged-up Los Angeles Lakers frontcourt. The Lakers will be without their two leading scorers. The Portland Trail Blazers will likely be missing its top scorer and will potentially be without its second-leading scorer.
I’m expecting a low-scoring game and plenty of missed shots from two banged-up rosters. That should lead to ample rebounding opportunities for the second-year man out of UConn.
Clingan has averaged 11.2 rebounds per game at home compared to 10.2 on the road. Given his favorable matchup at Moda Center, I’ll take the Over at even money.
Lakers vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay
Austin Reaves is still out, and Luka Doncic will sit out Saturday, too. With so much offensive firepower on the sideline, someone else will need to step up for the Lakers.
Jake LaRavia has averaged 14.1 points across his last nine games as a starter, and he scored at least 16 points five times in that span, including two straight.
Without its two leading scorers, Los Angeles will struggle to score points in this one. Likewise, Portland is expected to be without leading scorer Deni Avdija, and second-leading scorer Jerami Grant is questionable.
The Lakers have hit the Under in six of their last 10, and the Blazers have gone Under in seven of 10.
Lakers vs Trail Blazers SGP
Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds
Jake LaRavia Over 15.5 points
Under 223.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: James Dishes
King James is dishing just 6.9 assists per game this season, and he's recorded nine or more in just six of 22 appearances.
I'll take my chances on the Over with plus-money odds as Luka Doncic is sidelined. Doncic is averaging 8.7 assists per game, and with him out of action, LeBron James should be the team's primary facilitator tonight.
Lakers vs Trail Blazers SGP
Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds
Jake LaRavia Over 15.5 points
Under 223.5
LeBron James Over 8.5 assists
Lakers vs Trail Blazers odds
Spread: Los Angeles +3.5 (-110) | Portland -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Los Angeles +135 | Portland -160
Over/Under: Over 223.5 (-110) | Under 223.5 (-110)
Lakers vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know
The Portland Trail Blazers have hit the Moneyline in 24 of their last 40 games at home (+15.15 Units / 29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Trail Blazers.
How to watch Lakers vs Trail Blazers
Location
Moda Center, Portland, OR
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBA TV
Lakers vs Trail Blazers 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
