DETROIT, MI - MAY 7: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Houston Rockets are sitting at home for the second round of the playoffs trying to make sure they don’t suffer the same fate next season.
This could lead to another aggressive offseason where the team scours the trade market. One player that could be on the Rockets’ radar is Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.
“The one thing they (the Rockets) do have, they’ve got assets. They’ve got the 2027 and 2029 Suns picks. They’ve got the 2029 Mavs pick. They’ve got a swap in 2027 with the Brooklyn Nets. They are loaded, and they’ve got their own picks moving forward,” MacMahon said h/t Rockets Wire reporter Ben DuBose.
“So, if they want to make a blockbuster trade… and look, we’ll see what happens with the Cavaliers. If Donovan Mitchell’s available, that is a guy I could see the Rockets being aggressive to go get.“
The Rockets should value the experience of going deep in the playoffs, much like they have with Fred VanVleet and Kevin Durant. Mitchell has won a playoff series in each of the last three years with the Cavs and has 72 playoff games under his belt since 2018, reaching the postseason in all of his nine NBA seasons.
Mitchell’s contract expires at the end of the 2027-28 campaign, so it’s possible the Cavs may look to trade him this offseason if they were to fall short once again and he doesn’t want to sign an extension.
TDS community, what do you think of the idea of trading for Mitchell? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
The Boston Celtics will look to upgrade their roster this offseason after a stunning first-round exit in the 2026 NBA playoffs. During his end-of-season press conference, C’s president of basketball operations Brad Stevens identified one area of the team that needs addressing.
“One of the things that we’ve got to figure out is how to have more of an impact at the rim, and I think we do need to add to our team to do that,” he said. “Everybody plays a role in that, but at the end of (Game 7), (Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel) Embiid is standing at the rim on all those possessions, or a lot of those possessions.”
Boston’s frontcourt was exposed when Embiid returned to the Sixers lineup, and that was among the biggest reasons for its collapse after taking a 3-1 series lead. While Neemias Queta and Luka Garza played significant roles all season long, the Celtics need someone they can count on to anchor their frontcourt when facing tough playoff matchups. Nikola Vucevic wasn’t the answer, and even if he re-signs this summer, it’s worth wondering whether he’d have a major role.
Unfortunately for the C’s, this year’s free agent class of centers leaves plenty to be desired. The good news, though, is that Boston can add an impactful big man via the trade market with the $27.7 million traded player exception (TPE) it gained from the Anfernee Simons/Vucevic trade back in February.
So, what are the top realistic trade options? Here are five big men the Celtics should consider acquiring with their TPE.
Nic Claxton is coming off a down year, but he’d fit what the Celtics need as a versatile defender at the five.
The Celtics have been linked to Claxton in trade rumors before, and it’s easy to see why. The 6-foot-11 center is an above-average defender who can switch and guard anyone on the court at a high level. He consistently averages double digits in points per game while racking up rebounds and blocks.
Claxton is an athletic, versatile rim protector who should be relatively affordable in a deal with the rebuilding Nets. He’s coming off a down season by his standards, but joining a contender could help him return to form.
P.J. Washington is a difference-maker on both ends of the floor.
At 6-foot-8, Washington isn’t the prototypical big man you may have had in mind, but the 27-year-old can play the five when the Celtics go small. Boston would benefit from his versatility, as he can protect the rim as well as switch and hold his own defensively against players of all sizes. Offensively, he’s capable of shooting the 3 and making his presence felt in the post.
Washington is a rell-rounded player who could help the C’s in a wide variety of ways.
Wendell Carter Jr. is an above-average defender and a versatile big man.
The Magic might look to move Carter Jr. to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. If so, the Celtics should give them a call.
Carter Jr. is a rock-solid defender who can also occasionally provide a spark on the offensive end. He isn’t the best rim protector, but he’s a versatile big who excels at switching and can anchor the paint. His play style would work well in Boston.
Daniel Gafford is a traditional center who excels in rim protection.
If the Celtics prefer a more traditional center, Gafford could be their guy. The 27-year-old averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 55 games last season in the first year of his three-year contract extension with Dallas
Gafford is an exceptional rim protector. Offensively, he offers little upside but can do some damage in the paint.
If the C’s are looking for a Kristaps Porzingis-like big man who can shoot the 3 and provide rim protection, they should look elsewhere. If they want an elite presence in the paint, Gafford should be on their list of targets.
Santi Aldama is a jack of all trades with a versatile skill set that would help Boston in a variety of ways.
Aldama checks a lot of boxes for Boston. The 7-footer is only 25, he’s affordable, and he provides value on both ends of the court.
Last season with Memphis, Aldama averaged a career-high 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range. He also notched just under one block and steal per game. The only concern with Aldama is injuries, as he was limited to only 43 games last season.
Too bad those long shots are reserved to the silver screen and not the purple and gold hardwood of Crypto.com Arena.
The Los Angeles Lakers are back in La-La Land buried in a 0-2 series hole to the Oklahoma City Thunder. My Thunder vs. Lakers predictions and same-game parlay for Game 3 doesn’t buy into that Tinsel Town magic, taking OKC to cover on the continued dominance of their big man in the middle, Chet Holmgren.
The Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t got the best from their top star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and honestly haven’t looked dominant in the first two games of this Round 2 series. However, OKC has won the battle over 48 minutes, wearing down a talent-thin Los Angeles Lakers squad to pull away and cover massive spreads in the first two contests.
The 8.5-point spread for Game 3 is just the second time Oklahoma City has laid single digits in the playoffs and OKC seems to have L.A.’s number, boasting a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS mark against the Lakers so far this season.
SGP leg #2: Marcus Smart Over 3.5 assists
Marcus Smart is shooting too much in the first two games of this series. Los Angeles needs the veteran point guard to be just that, prompting extra playmaking from Smart in Game 3.
He’s already dished out five and seven assists in the opening two games of this series and passing on shots and generating more potential assists will see him top four or more dimes for the seventh time in nine postseason games Saturday.
SGP leg #3: Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points
The Lakers don’t have the size or versatility in their frontcourt to properly counter Chet Holmgren.
With the Lakers focused on flustering SGA, Holmgren is getting plenty of space to operate down low and is killing the Lakers whenever he steps outside the arc. He’s scored 22 and 24 points so far in this Round 2 set and his Game 3 models all sit above this modest total of 16.5 points for Saturday night.
Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Thunder vs Lakers predictions for Game 3.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks is helped to his feet by Mikal Bridges #25 and Jalen Brunson #11 during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 06, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I enter tonight’s game more calm and serene than any other game this postseason. And I don’t particularly think I’m the only Knicks fan who feels that way. For many, the last 36 hours involved being an involuntary passenger on a roller coaster ride of emotions.
After seeing the Knicks win an ugly and gritty Game 2, the win almost felt meaningless due to the large void left by the uncertainty surrounding OG Anunoby’s injury. His suffering a significant injury would be a gutshot to fans, and a death sentence for a Knicks championship run.
Following hours and hours of refreshing social media feeds, trying not to have PTSD from Anunoby’s hamstring injury in 2024, and role-playing as an orthopedic doctor, fans let out a collective sigh of relief when reports started surfacing that Anunoby’s hamstring strain was mild and that he was just day-to-day.
Because fans, for the most part, were expecting the worst, his diagnosis feels like a bullet dodged, making tonight’s game against the 76ers somehow feel less dire. That being said, it’s still a road playoff game against a desperate and hungry rival looking to claw itself back into the series. A loss tonight means a little less room for error moving forward, while also giving Philadelphia a bit more confidence and momentum. Meanwhile, a win tonight would buy them, and more specifically, Anunoby, more time.
While the weight and emotions going into the game may feel different, the significance of the game doesn’t change. Nick Nurse and the 76ers will continue to change some things up. They’ll likely be better prepared to deal with the aggressive trapping of Tyrese Maxey. They’ll also likely double down on pressuring Jalen Brunson now with OG Anunoby out. And as backup point guard Kyle Lowry mentioned, they’ll make sure to pressure Karl-Anthony Towns more on the perimeter.
Unlike the fans, though, the Knicks likely aren’t going into this game as though they have multiple lives. While human nature may take over and give them at least a slight sense of relief, these Knicks have displayed more sense of urgency and focus since their Game 3 loss to the Hawks in the last round. From Brunson, Towns, and Mikal Bridges, who have been playing incredibly well, to bench players Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Jose Alvarado, along with the now probable Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson, this team should come into the game ready to compete.
Whether they win or not is still up in the air, but they have the depth, offensive firepower, and defense to defeat what is still a fatigued and very thin 76ers team.
Prediction
If Joel Embiid is out again tonight, which I suspect will be the case with the Knicks being sans Anunoby, I expect another close back-and-forth affair between these two teams. I do think the 76ers will come up hot, much like they did in Game 1. They’ll be back home, knowing they are a loss away from going down 3-0, and will also know that the Knicks are wounded, missing one of, if not, their best postseason performers.
But this battle-tested Knicks have been like roaches, and I mean that in the most endearing way someone can use that word. Even when they look tired, or out of sorts, or are just not executing well, they have a remarkable tendency to always give themselves a chance. They’ve got the will and the grit that cannot be quantified by counting stats or analytics. And I think that bodes well for them tonight in a game where things may not go their way. But unlike the last time Anunoby missed a postseason game with a hamstring injury, this team also has depth.
McBride, Shamet, Clarkson, Robinson, and even Mo Diawara have all had huge moments for this team this season and have won multiple games. Replacing Anunoby with one player will be impossible. But they might just be able to recreate him in the aggregate (yes, that was a Moneyballreference).
Knicks win: 105–102
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (2-0) vs Philadelphia 76ers (0-2) Date: Friday, May 8, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM ET Place: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA TV: Prime Video Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Veteran point guard Marcus Smart served as a finger in the dam for the Los Angeles Lakers when Austin Reaves was out of the lineup.
Now that Reaves is back and rolling, Smart should be taking a step back in terms of his shooting activity. That hasn’t been the case.
Our Thunder vs. Lakers predictions believe that if L.A. is going to climb out of a 0-2 hole versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, it needs less shooting and more playmaking from Smart.
My NBA picks like Smart to top his assist prop in Game 3 on Saturday, May 9.
Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with the game airing on ABC.
Thunder vs Lakers Game 3 prediction
Who will win Thunder vs Lakers Game 3?
Thunder: At this point, it looks like L.A. is running out of options. Los Angeles has done a great job limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but the Thunder are extremely deep and getting great production from the other starters, along with the bench.
When everything is added up over 48 minutes, the Lakers come up short. Oklahoma City has taken L.A.’s best shots and still managed to cover those massive spreads. They’ll stiffen up on defense with the series hitting the road, especially after giving up 52 points in the paint in Game 2.
The Thunder will take a commanding 3-0 series lead tonight.
Thunder vs Lakers best bet: Marcus Smart Over 3.5 assists (-115)
When Austin Reaves was out, Marcus Smart filled that scoring role. And when Reaves returned at the end of Round 1, naturally, Smart’s shots slimmed.
Through two games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, however, Smart is a collective 8-for-28 from the field. He’s not who the Los Angeles Lakers need shooting the ball.
Rather, the Lakers need Smart to set up Reaves, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura.
Smart has dished out five and seven assists so far and has recorded four or more dimes in six of eight playoff outings. Yet, his assist total for Game 3 sits at 3.5 O/U.
Saturday's projections lean toward four assists from Smart.
COVERS INTEL: Marcus Smart is actually second on the team in touches in Round 2, ahead of LeBron James. He’s generated 12 dimes from 16 potential assists vs. OKC and is averaging 5.6 assists on 9.8 potential assists per game for the playoffs.
Thunder vs Lakers Game 3 same-game parlay
Game 3 will be just the second time the Thunder have been single-digit favorites in the postseason. Despite covering big piles of chalk at home, OKC didn’t look dominant in those wins. Instead, Oklahoma City slowly drifted away from the Lakers.
Los Angeles’ frustrations are starting to boil over, and we’ve seen OKC crush a much stronger version of this L.A. team at times in the regular season. I like them to cover the modest -8.5 in La-La Land on Saturday.
Chet Holmgren is the MVP for this series. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commanding extra attention from Los Angeles’ defense, Holmgren has stepped up with efforts of 22 and 24 points in the opening two games.
The Lakers don’t have the size or versatility to counter the 7-footer, especially when he steps out and knocks down perimeter shots. Chet is projected for 17+ points in Game 3.
Thunder vs Lakers SGP
Thunder -8.5
Marcus Smart Over 3.5 assists
Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Holmgren, Again and Again
I bet this same SGP in Game 2, and the Thunder’s 7-footer came up a winner, scoring 22 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and blocking two shots in OKC’s one-sided win.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Holmgren is a huge problem for this L.A. interior and is projected for 17+ points, 9.5 rebounds, and two swats in Game 3. Let’s run it back, big fella.
Thunder vs Lakers SGP
Thunder -8.5
Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points
Chet Holmgren Over 8.5 rebounds
Chet Holmgren Over 1.5 blocks
Thunder vs Lakers odds for Game 3
Spread: Thunder -8.5 (-110) | Lakers +8.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Thunder -390 | Lakers +380
Over/Under: Over 212 (-110) | Under 212 (-110)
Thunder vs Lakers betting trend to know
The Thunder are a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS versus the Lakers this season, including an 8-1 SU/ATS record against L.A. over the past two years. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Lakers.
How to watch Thunder vs Lakers Game 3
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
Thunder vs Lakers latest injuries
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There was a period in the late 2010s through the early 2020s when the front offices of every contender were asking, "Can we get P.J. Tucker?" He brought grit and toughness, at 6'5" he could defend bigger forwards (and even some centers) in the post, and on corner 3s he was automatic. There was a reason the Milwaukee Bucks traded for him in the middle of the 2020-21 season, the year they won a title.
Tucker officially announced his retirement after a 14-year NBA career in an Instagram post.
Former #Sixers forward PJ Tucker announces his retirement on Instagram. He played 78 games for Philadelphia averaging 3.5 points and 4.0 rebounds and doing the little things to help them win games. pic.twitter.com/GFbePJMZ11
"20 years being my job but 40 plus years of not being able to fathom doing anything other than it. So here's to retiring from the NBA… because I will NEVER stop ballin."
Tucker's is a story of perseverance. He was drafted in the second round in 2006 by Toronto, out of Texas, and spent most of his rookie season with the Raptors, but they waived him in March and he couldn't catch on with another NBA team. He played in the G League before taking his game overseas, playing in Israel, Ukraine, Greece, Italy and Germany. However, he kept steadily improving, finding his game and his role, and in 2012, the Phoenix Suns brought him back to the NBA, where he stuck. In his 14 NBA seasons Tucker played for Toronto, Phoenix, Houston, Milwaukee, Miami, Philadelphia, LA Clippers and New York. He went on to play 866 NBA games.
His impact on the court far exceeded his career counting stats of 6.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 09: Jordan Clarkson #00 of the New York Knicks during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 09, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Knicks 112-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Due diligence. That’s part of the administrative side of the offseason game, and that’s what we’re doing as we walk through the free agent landscape this summer. Maybe this is something you skim past and never think about again. Maybe it becomes useful ammo at a cocktail party when another fan starts talking about how badly they want Devin Booker. You can counter with one of the names from this list of free agent shooting guards.
Quite honestly, the Phoenix Suns don’t need another shooting guard. They’re already investing $93.4 million into that position next season. Unless they become desperate for the 14th or 15th guy on the bench to fill that specific role, a lot of the names below don’t carry much appeal.
We’re still going to look at them because that’s the point of this exercise. Position by position, working through the market and laying out who is available this offseason. Without further ado, here is the list of unrestricted free agents at the shooting guard position, per Spotrac.
Player
Age
YOE
Prev Team
Prev AAV
Type
C.J. McCollum
34.6
12
ATL
$32,000,000
UFA / Bird
Anfernee Simons
26.8
7
CHI
$25,000,000
UFA / Bird
Norman Powell
32.9
10
MIA
$18,000,000
UFA / Bird
Kevin Huerter
27.7
7
DET
$16,250,000
UFA / Bird
Matisse Thybulle
29.2
6
POR
$11,025,000
UFA / Bird
Luke Kennard
29.8
8
LAL
$11,000,000
UFA / Non-Bird
Quentin Grimes
25.9
4
PHI
$8,741,209
UFA / Bird
Jett Howard
22.6
2
ORL
$5,793,195
UFA / Bird
Jordan Clarkson
33.9
11
NYK
$3,634,153
UFA / Non-Bird
Garrett Temple
39.9
15
TOR
$3,634,153
UFA / Bird
Tim Hardaway Jr.
34.1
12
DEN
$3,634,153
UFA / Non-Bird
Landry Shamet
29.1
7
NYK
$3,080,921
UFA / Bird
Josh Okogie
27.7
7
HOU
$3,080,921
UFA / Non-Bird
Bruce Brown Jr.
29.7
7
DEN
$3,080,921
UFA / Non-Bird
Amir Coffey
28.8
6
PHX
$2,874,436
UFA / Non-Bird
Javonte Green
32.8
6
DET
$2,874,436
UFA / Non-Bird
Seth Curry
35.7
12
GSW
$2,777,830
UFA / Non-Bird
Blake Wesley
23.1
3
POR
$2,378,870
UFA / Non-Bird
Bryce McGowens
23.4
3
NOP
$2,081,293
UFA / Non-Bird
Cameron Thomas
24.5
4
MIL
$905,366
UFA / Non-Bird
Well, that was an underwhelming list, wasn’t it? As underwhelming as a Schlitz, ammiright?
Anybody above the Jordan Clarkson line probably isn’t even worth considering. Most of those players are attached to teams that hold their Bird rights, and if those organizations want to keep investing in them, they will. There is no need for the Phoenix Suns to invest more roster capital at this position, and if they do, it should be for a veteran minimum contracted player.
Side note: I didn’t realize Clarkson was almost 34.
Once you get below that Clarkson line, you start seeing names that make a little more sense. Is that Landry Shamet?! Our old friend Josh Okogie? And hey, the man who bet on himself, Cam Thomas. Should’ve taken the RFA extension offer from the Nets, buddy.
Amir Coffey feels like the obvious target for the Suns to bring back. They traded for him because of the versatility, the ability to hit the three, and the defensive flexibility. Spotrac lists him as a shooting guard; he’s really more of a wing defender. I’d expect Phoenix to bring him back for depth and continuity purposes. Outside of that, there really aren’t many players on this list that feel like realistic targets. The Suns already have plenty of guard depth.
We’ll move on to the small forwards next. Is there anybody here that interests you? Let us know in the comments below.
Two games in four days in Oklahoma City have the Lakers quickly trailing 2-0 in the series, a daunting deficit, considering the opponent they are facing and the fact that history is not on their side. The team that wins the first two of a series advances 92% of the time.
Building on Game 1, Game 2 followed a similar script. LA kept it close while holding the reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to another modest night. OKC’s shot-making took over in the fourth to take another double-digit win.
An important change between the two games came by way of Austin Reaves’ play. In just his fourth game back from a Grade 2 oblique strain, he found his offensive rhythm for a Lakers team in critical need of it.
After a nightmare Game 1 on Tuesday where Reaves finished 3-16 from the field for eight points, he surpassed that total in the first half on Thursday with 13. He ended the night putting up 31 points on 10-16 from the field and six assists, surpassing his previous playoff career high of 23.
Reaves’ first two shots had shades of the previous matchups, overpenetrating and getting blocked by stingy rim protectors in Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. He eventually settled into his offense, finding rhythm and patience in the pick-and-roll.
The Thunder play drop coverage with their bigs, while their guards aggressively chase the offensive playmaker over the screen. One of the shots available against that defense is the pull-up in the mid-range.
Watch below as the Lakers run their Spain action — the big man screening on the ball receives a back screen from an off-ball player. Luke Kennard, setting the Spain screen, ghosts while Jaxson Hayes rolls hard to the rim.
Reaves navigates around the screen and gets the foul on Cason Wallace with the basket.
To address some of the issues, the Lakers made one key adjustment by running more actions with LeBron James as the main screener. It not only took one of their elite defensive bigs out of the on-ball action, but got LeBron going downhill while involving their two best players in the play.
Watch below as they run the action at the top of the key with shooters spaced and a big man in the dunker spot. Reaves comes around the LeBron screen, whose roll forces Hartenstein to tag and opens Hayes for the floater to put the Lakers up a point at the half.
They ran it again to start the third quarter, getting Reaves downhill for his patented floater.
Reaves and LeBron combined for half of the Lakers’ points and assists but had eight of the 20 turnovers.
Another key shot necessary against this coverage is the pull-up 3-pointer. Watch as Reaves comes off the screen from Deandre Ayton with the big man dropped back. He takes advantage of the open space and knocks down the shot.
Coming into this game, Reaves was just two for his last 17 before hitting 3-6 on Thursday.
“I thought he did a good job touching the paint,” head coach J.J Redick said postgame. “Those touch shots were there tonight. Got some good looks from three. Played a solid game. Obviously, he had five turnovers, but everyone in our team had turnovers.”
While there are no moral victories in the playoffs, nothing short of a win was more important than getting Reaves’ offense going as the series shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4. The Thunder won the first two battles, but the Lakers are hoping to win the war by finally getting their star guard back on track.
While the NBA Playoffs might be unpredictable to the masses, BetMGM bettors are wallowing in money following several six-figure wins on Thursday.
According to BetMGM’s John Ewing, more than $700,000 was claimed in select spread bets from yesterday’s playoff matchups.
Key Takeaways
BetMGM reported a series of nine ascending spread bets, all worth at least $20,000, on Thursday.
The largest individual payout was $110,000 for a $100,000 wager on the Pistons at -4.5 (+110).
The Thunder have a 62% implied chance to win the championship.
At least one bettor put their money where their mouth was, supporting the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of their ongoing series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The first in the series of bets was headlined by a $100,000 wager on the Pistons to cover a 4.5-point spread at +110 odds. The full breakdown is shown below.
$50,000 on Pistons +1.5 (-190) $35,000 on Pistons -1.5 (-150) $20,000 on Pistons -2.5 (-130) $20,000 on Pistons -3.5 (-102) $100,000 on Pistons -4.5 (+110)
The user’s confidence paid off as the Pistons stormed ahead to a 2-0 series lead. Cade Cunnignham dropped 25 points and 10 rebounds in the winning effort, while Donovan Mitchell’s 31 points and six rebounds weren’t enough to overcome a 10-point disaster by James Harden.
The $225,000 in total spread bets that were submitted resulted in a $419,641.58 payout, or $194,641.58 in profit.
A little over two hours after the Pistons wagers were reported, Ewing shared that another $190,000 in Thunder tickets had been accepted. Once again, the bold bettor was on the money.
A bettor at @BetMGM wagered $190,000 on the @okcthunder to cover in Game 2:
$100,000 on Thunder -9.5 (-230) $50,000 on Thunder -11.5 (-165) $20,000 on Thunder -12.5 (-145) $20,000 on Thunder -13.5 (-140)
The Thunder logged their second straight 18-point victory over the Lakers as three OKC members scored at least 20 points. Austin Reaves had 31 points in a losing effort scarred by controversial refereeing decisions.
PrizePicks, who is a OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE NBA is calling out the refs for helping the Oklahoma City Thunder
The winning bets produced a $291,860.10 payout and $101,860.10 in profit.
Altogether, BetMGM paid $711,501.68 total and $296,501.68 in profit to the holder(s) of the tickets. It is unclear if the bets were placed by the same or different individuals.
Tracking the NBA playoff odds
Both the Pistons and Lakers were favored to win Games 1 and 2 at home. With both now up 2-0, they are unsurprisingly huge favorites to close out their series and advance to the Conference Finals.
The Thunder were the largest second-round favorites in the playoff bracket. They are now -10000 (99% implied chance) in odds to advance, while the Lakers are +1800 (5.3% chance).
The Pistons are a much longer -450, comparatively speaking, although they still have a 81.8% chance to advance. The Cavaliers are +340 (22.7% chance).
Elsewhere around the league, the San Antonio Spurs are -4.5 favorites entering Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves with their series tied, 1-1. They’re also -325 (76.5% chance) to win the series despite dropping Game 1 as a 10.5-point favorite at home. The Timberwolves are +250 (28.6% chance) to win the series.
The Knicks, the second-largest favorite of the second round with -1200 series odds (7.7% chance), are 1.5-point underdogs in a road Game 3 on Friday night. Joel Embiid, who played in Game 1 but missed Game 2, is questionable.
NBA Finals odds picture
BetMGM has the Thunder leading NBA Finals odds at -165 (62.3% chance). The Spurs (+325), Knicks (+800), and Pistons (+1500) are the only teams with odds shorter than +5000.
While the Thunder are the clear-cut favorites, they still face a tall task getting out of the Western Conference. They are 6-0 against the Lakers across the regular and postseason, but they were only 2-2 against the Timberwolves and 1-4 against the Spurs.
Health concerns that had Darryn Peterson yo-yoing in and out of the Kansas lineup last season may have cost him being the No. 1 pick (that and a strong AJ Dybantsa season). Of particular concern were the early exits due to a mysterious cramping issue — several times during the season, Peterson checked himself out of games early due to cramping. Including against Dybantsa and BYU.
"I'd never taken it before [going to college]," Peterson said. "But after the season I took two weeks off and they did tests which showed my baseline level was already high. So, they said when I dosed [a process of increasing a dose over time to create maximum benefit at the beginning of taking a supplement], it must've made the levels unsafe."
Creatine is a popular supplement of a naturally occurring amino acid, with research finding it can help add and maintain muscle mass, improve performance in high-level athletes, and support injury prevention and recovery. There is anecdotal evidence that very high levels of creatine (often with some dehydration) can lead to cramping, but studies have not yet verified that.
Peterson talked with ESPN about being hospitalized in September with intense full-body cramping during a particularly strenuous preseason workout — and that experience had him concerned all season about a repeat of that moment.
It's not an accident that Peterson, by nature a reserved person, spoke publicly in the run-up to the draft, trying to address a major concern about him. Scouts and front office personnel have told NBC Sports they were not overly concerned about Peterson's health issues, but all said they wanted to see the results of the medical evaluations that will take place at the NBA Draft Combine in a couple of weeks.
Peterson, a 6'5" combo guard, is seen by scouts as an elite shot creator and finisher who averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds a game, shooting 32.8% from 3-point range. What scouts said they really wanted to see from him was whether his explosive first step and quickness were back to what they remembered from his final season in high school.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 19: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder sits on the bench between the third and fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Paycom Center on December 19, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are plenty of things that didn’t go LA’s way in this contest. The Lakers had far too many turnovers with 21, multiple bench players didn’t give the team much, and Deandre Ayton struggled, scoring just three points in 27 minutes of play.
However, after the loss, Lakers head coach JJ Redick focused on a stretch in the third quarter when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat and the Thunder went on a game-defining run.
“I talked about it a little bit yesterday, them being +9 in the non-Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) minutes and then in the second half, we just got blitzed. 32-14 [run], seven turnovers, they shot 14 free throws during that stretch. We’ll look at lineups, we’ll look at everything. Try to figure out how to be better in those minutes.”
After SGA’s reckless foul on Austin Reaves was deemed a flagrant, he was at foul No. 4 and was forced to sit. Reaves took three free throws and knocked them all down to give LA a five-point lead, their largest advantage of the night.
Instead of the Lakers taking advantage of OKC playing without their best player, it was the Thunder who went on a run.
Lugentz Dort knocked down a three, Chet Holmgren had an emphatic dunk, and when Jared McCain came into the game, he was an injection of offense, scoring eight points in five minutes.
A five-point Lakers lead turned into a 13-point deficit. In the fourth, SGA checked back in and had a double-digit advantage in hand. And when you put MVP in that kind of position in his house, he’s going to win.
As Redick mentioned, they will have to look at these non-SGA minutes and figure out how to win them. The Lakers have done a great job of limiting Shai, but role players like McCain are looking like stars against LA.
Clearly, they haven’t found a balance between slowing down OKC’s superstar while not letting other players take over the game.
Still, there’s time. This series is 2-0, but it’s first to four. With the Lakers coming back home to LA, Redick has to tinker with his lineups so he can concoct a winning formula. so that the next time his team is in an advantageous situation, they can capitalize on it.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 27: Labaron Philon #0 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates a three point basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 27, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We are officially at the six-week mark from the NBA Draft, and this weekend will be one of the biggest hinge points of the entire offseason. After the draft lottery, teams will be able to shape their boards and start the wheeling and dealing that is sure to come. Before that is decided on Sunday, we decided to run one final pre-lottery mock draft for your Dallas Mavericks. Here’s how it went.
1. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP) – Darryn Peterson (G, Kansas)
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Yes, this is indeed the pick that the Mavericks lost via coinflip. Yes, if this were to happen, I would turn into the Joker. Peterson immediately injects some juice into a guard room that desperately needs some revitalization.
2. Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa (F, BYU)
Even dropping to second, the Wizards are able to select a player who is at the top of many draft boards. AJ is the type of volume scorer that will help deliver Washington some juice next to Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
3. Indiana Pacers – Cam Boozer (F, Duke)
Indiana gets to land the player they were after all along at third overall. Boozer is the type of high floor player that Indiana would covet on a team that is looking to win immediately.
4. Golden State Warriors – Caleb Wilson (F, North Carolina)
Let the conspiracy theories begin! If the Dubs were to jump here, drafting Wilson is like drafting a Draymond Green starter pack, just way more wholesome and a much better athlete.
After drafting five (!!!) players in the first-round last year, the Nets still have no one worth building around. Enter Wagler, who is the best lead guard in the class. Head coach Jordi Fernandez should have a great time working with him.
6. Utah Jazz – Mikel Brown Jr. (G, Louisville)
This was either going to be Brown Jr. or Flemings, but we’re going to give them Mikel here due to some real upside that is available here. Brown Jr. could easily be one of the three or four best players in the class if he medically clears, with a special combination of size and skill.
7. Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff (G, Arkansas)
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I get the sense that Acuff is at the top of the Kings board regardless, so landing him at seven is just some extra value on the pick.
If there’s a team here that could do something funky, it’s Memphis, whose front office is known to be a bit different in their process. However, Flemings is too good to pass up in our opinion.
From here on through pick 18, be on trade alert. Most of these teams have multiple first round picks, and many of them do not necessarily need to take two players. The wheeling and dealing should start here.
9. Dallas Mavericks – Labaron Philon (G, Alabama)
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Falling outside the top eight is a real disappointment for the Mavericks, as there is a pretty good tier drop from Flemings to whoever is next. Philon played in a pro-style system at Alabama, so he is very familiar with the pace and space game. However, if this were to happen, I’d be trying to trade back a few spots and pick up an asset, as Philon should still be available later in the lottery.
10. Chicago Bulls – Aday Mara (C, Michigan)
If anyone can crack the top eight here, I think it could be Mara. Mara is a force on the interior, deterring shots and drives in a way that no one else could in college. He also has a nice touch and great playmaking chops offensively, which will help drive his value.
Burries is such a solid option for a Bucks team that will look to stabilize itself under Taylor Jenkins. This is a player who shot 56% on two’s, nearly 40% from deep and was an unbelievable rebounder for a guard. Burries will be in play for Dallas as well.
The Thunder don’t necessarily have a huge need as of yet, but if you peek around the corner you can see the potential roster turnover coming. OKC will likely not pay Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort, and drafting Yaxel will immediately provide them a replacement option.
13. Miami Heat – Dailyn Swain (F, Texas)
There are many needs for this Heat team, but finding serviceable forward play should be towards the top of the list. Swain is an excellent slasher who showed some shot making upside at Texas.
14. Charlotte Hornets – Jayden Quaintance (C, Kentucky)
If healthy, JQ is one of the best prospects in this class. Landing in Charlotte with a medical staff that has been able to get LaMelo Ball healthy would be a big win for Quaintance, who played just four games this year.
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR) – Nate Ament (F, Tennessee)
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After landing Mara earlier, the Bulls continue to bolster their front court by taking a big swing on Ament. Prior to the season, Ament was a top five talent. That’s still in there somewhere, it’ll just be up to the Bulls to get it out of him.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX) – Allen Graves (F, Santa Clara)
Graves is an advanced stats demon, making him a likely favorite among a very analytical Grizzlies front office. The sweet shooting big would be a great get for Memphis.
If we drafted Hartenstein’s replacement with Yaxel, this is Lu Dort’s replacement. Carr is a very good offensive player with solid defensive chops. He’ll get groomed nicely in OKC.
18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL) – Bennett Stirtz (G, Iowa)
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Charlotte could use a steady hand both with and behind LaMelo Ball, and Stirtz would be that. He is a floor general with some additional self-creation pop. Stirtz was excellent at the rim, shooting 72% in the restricted area this season.
19. Toronto Raptors – Hannes Steinbach (F/C, Washington)
After pushing Cleveland to seven games, the Raptors can examine where they need to go from here. The fatal flaw in that series, beyond injuries to Ingram and Quickley, was the center spot. Collin Murray-Boyles was awesome, but they had nothing beyond him. Steinbach would immediately provide help on the glass and some offensive pop.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL) – Morez Johnson Jr. (F, Michigan)
This was either going to be Morez or Karim Lopez, but we will give the Spurs a Michigan man. Johnson was excellent for the Wolverines, playing alongside Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg. He’ll use that to play alongside Wembanyama, which would create a truly terrifying front court.
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN) – Ebuka Okorie (G, Stanford)
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Okorie has been a favorite of draft twitter for a while now. He is a bit small at 6’2”, but the man is an absolute microwave. This added pop would help Cade Cunningham in a major way, allowing another creator on the floor that has to be respected. Detroit is also uniquely created to cover for a small guard with their defensive structure.
The Sixers are able to take a guy at 22 who has lottery potential. That’s good value for a team that desperately needs help on the wing.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland) – Chris Cenac Jr. (F, Houston)
After selecting Darryn Peterson first overall, Atlanta gets to bolster their front court with a tenacious rebounder in Cenac. A lineup that includes Jalen Johnson, Cenac and Onyeka Okongwu is awfully scary!
24. New York Knicks – Meleek Thomas (G, Arkansas)
The Knicks guard room is truly terrible, so taking Thomas here is a good get. Playing next to Acuff, he’s already shown he can play nicely off of a small guard. He can use that to play off of Brunson.
25. Los Angeles Lakers – Tarris Reed Jr. (C, UConn)
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The Lakers desperately need athleticism, which Tarris can certainly provide. This is a very smart player that has already played in a pro system with Hurley.
26. Denver Nuggets – Koa Peat (F, Arizona)
So, you’re scared by Aaron Gordon not being able to play in games that matter? Well, why not draft the closest thing to him in Peat. Koa is an unreal athlete that just needs to hone his skill a bit, and playing next to Jokic while learning from AG is a good start in doing that.
27. Boston Celtics – Luigi Suigo (C, Spain/Mega Superbet)
Boston needs a big and are just arrogant enough to reach on Luigi, who is a 7’4” mountain of a man. If he doesn’t go pro, expect to see him in college next year.
Tanner is one of my favorite players in the class. While sitting at just 6’0” tall, Tanner is a great on-ball initiator who has no issues creating for others or getting his own buckets. Minnesota has a glaring guard need, and this helps fix that.
Cleveland is a confounding situation, as the Harden and Mitchell duo finds itself down 0-2 to Detroit. We’ll give them Tounde, who is a great defender that has untapped potential on the offensive end.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is scheduled for Sunday, May 10 at 3 p.m. ET, and the results could have a massive impact on the balance of power across the league for years to come.
There are a lot of teams that already have playoff-caliber rosters that are in the lottery, headlined by the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who own the Los Angeles Clippers’ lottery pick.
The 2026 draft class is also considered very strong, with a couple potential franchise players at the top.
The Boston Celtics are not in the lottery, even though some people expected them to be in it before the season. The C’s greatly exceeded regular season expectations before blowing a 3-1 lead and losing their first-round playoff series to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Let’s look at some of the ways the draft lottery could impact the Celtics even though they don’t own one of the 14 picks.
Pacers could add star player to championship core
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Tyrese Haliburton didn’t play this season as he rehabbed an Achilles injury.
The Pacers went through a “gap year” in 2025-26 due to Tyrese Haliburton missing the entire season while recovering from an Achilles tear in Game 7 of last year’s NBA Finals. Indiana has a strong core led by Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Ivica Zubac and Andrew Nembhard. This group came within one victory of a championship last year and played the Celtics tough in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Pacers finished with the second-worst record this season, giving them an opportunity to add an elite young player to that aforementioned core of veterans.
But they actually don’t even have an amazing chance to keep their own first-round pick. That’s because when they acquired Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers in February, Indiana sent L.A. its 2026 first-rounder protected for picks No. 1 through No. 4, and No. 10 through No. 30.
There’s a 52 percent chance the Pacers land a top-four pick and a 48 percent chance it slides down to No. 5 or No. 6 and goes to the Clippers.
The Pacers should be a top contender in the East next season if Haliburton is close to the player he was before his Achilles injury. But if they get a top-four pick, the Pacers could be a legit title threat for the foreseeable future, and that obviously would not be a good scenario for the Celtics.
It would benefit Boston and the other top teams in the East if the Pacers fell outside the top four and were forced to give up their lottery pick to the Clippers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo trade implications
If you’re a fan who wants the Celtics to trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, there are a couple teams you don’t want to win the lottery.
The Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat have been speculated as potential Antetokounmpo trade destinations in the past, and both teams are in the lottery this year. The Warriors have a 9.41 percent chance of a top-four pick but only a 2.0 percent chance to win the lottery. The Heat have a 4.78 percent chance of a top-four pick and a 1.0 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick. Safe to say, both teams need a miracle to jump up in the lottery.
The Bucks don’t control their own first-round pick, but there is a chance they could still get a top-four selection. Milwaukee gets the least favorable of its own pick and the New Orleans Pelicans’ pick, with the better one going to the Atlanta Hawks. If both the Bucks’ and Pelicans’ picks end up in the top-four, then Milwaukee would have a high lottery pick, which it could use to surround Antetokounmpo with a talented young rookie or package in a trade for a veteran player.
Now, the odds of both the Bucks’ and Pelicans’ picks both jumping into the top four are pretty slim, but it is at least possible.
Speaking of the Hawks, they have been thrown into mock trade proposals as a potential third team in an Antetokounmpo deal. Many of these mock trades include the Hawks trading the Pelicans’ pick and getting a star in return. But if the Hawks win the lottery, how much incentive would they have to trade that pick? Why not just take A.J. Dybantsa or Cameron Boozer and keep building on the success the franchise enjoyed this past season? If the Hawks added a Dybantsa or Boozer type of player, they could be a threat to win the East next season, which wouldn’t be good for the C’s.
So, to recap, any Celtics fan that wants Antetokounmpo should be rooting for the Warriors, Heat, Pelicans and Bucks picks to not end up in the top four.
Best-case scenario for Celtics?
The most ideal lottery outcome for the Celtics is likely one of the bottom teams in the Western Conference winning the lottery. They’re obviously not in the same conference as the Celtics and probably wouldn’t be a threat to trade for Antetokounmpo.
The Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings both have the second-best lottery odds at 14 percent each. The Memphis Grizzlies are next at 9.5 percent.
The OKC factor
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder could add another impact player via the lottery.
If the Celtics are going to be a title contender in the short term, they might have to go through the Oklahoma City Thunder at some point. The defending champs are loaded with high-end talent at every position, including 2024-25 league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
OKC, as currently constructed, could be the best team in the league for three to five more years. The scary part of that is the Thunder could potentially add another top-tier player to their already stacked roster by winning the 2026 lottery.
The Thunder own the Los Angeles Clippers’ unprotected 2026 first-round pick as part of the Paul George trade in 2019. It is the gift that keeps on giving for the Thunder.
There is a 7.11 percent chance of that pick jumping into the top four and a 1.5 percent chance it ends up No. 1 overall. Those odds aren’t great, but remember, the Mavericks won the lottery last year with just a 1.8 percent chance.
Madison Square Garden Sports fell short of Wall Street’s expectations when it reported third-quarter earnings on Friday, sending the stock, which trades under the ticker MSGS, down about 0.8% to just below $330 per share by midday.
The parent company of the New York Knicks and Rangers posted revenue of $432.2 million for the three-month period ending on March 31, a 2% improvement year-over-year. Meanwhile, MSG Sports generated a $2 million operating profit, down $32.3 million from Q3 2025. The company also reports an adjusted income measure that excludes depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensations and other factors, which landed at $10.3 million this quarter, falling $26.6 million.
On the revenue side, MSG Sports narrowly beat the $429.7 million forecasted by analysts, according to equity research firm StreetInsider. But the company landed well below the expected earnings per share with a profit of 66 cents, instead posting a loss of 83 cents.
While the Knicks and Rangers played a combined five fewer regular-season games at the Garden compared to the third quarter of last fiscal year, MSG Sports said per-game revenues for tickets, suites, sponsorship, food and beverage, and merchandise sales all increased year-over-year. The company also benefited from a rise in national media rights fees from the NBA, which signed an 11-year, $76 billion package of deals that kicked in this season.
In addition to the Knicks and the Rangers, MSG Sports owns the development affiliates of each franchise—the Westchester Knicks of the G-League and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack—and operates its training center in Greenburgh, N.Y.
According to Sportico, the Knicks are the third-most valuable franchise in the NBA at $9.85 billion, and the Rangers rank No. 2 in the NHL at $3.65 billion. That puts the collective value of the assets at an enterprise value of $13.5 billion, far surpassing the sub-$8 billion market capitalization of the NYSE-traded stock.
In fact, MSG Sports announced in February that its board of directors unanimously approved a plan to explore splitting the Knicks and Rangers into separate business entities. The goal, the company said, would be to give investors an easier path to evaluating each team’s balance sheet and upside, as well as more flexibility with finances.
No decision has been announced thus far, but because of a new tax rule for publicly traded companies coming in 2027, an uncoupled version of MSG Sports could owe the government an additional $75 million each year.
In the meantime, even with the Rangers failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs, MSG Sports can boost its fourth quarter and fiscal year as the Knicks push through the postseason. The team is currently up 2-0 in a second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, with Game 3 set for Friday.
After the final buzzer of the Lakers' Game 2 loss in Oklahoma City, Austin Reaves could be seen in an animated discussion with the officials, expressing frustration about how the game was called despite his 31 points.
Reaves wasn't alone. After the game, a number of Lakers players, as well as coach JJ Redick, expressed frustration with the officiating.
"I sarcastically said the other day, they're the most disruptive team without fouling," Redick said of the Thunder. "I mean, they have a few guys that foul on every possession... They're hard enough to play. They're hard enough to play, you've got to be able to just call them if they foul, and they do foul."
Redick, who picked up a technical in the first quarter for yelling at official Ben Taylor about a perceived missed call, then went on to say this crew, as well as others, do a poor job officiating LeBron James, who had 23 points and six assists in the loss.
"LeBron has the worst whistle of any star player I've ever seen," Redick said. "I mean, I've been with him two years now. The smaller guys, because they can be theatric, they typically draw more fouls, and the bigger players that are built like LeBron, it's hard for them. He gets clobbered. He got clobbered again tonight a bunch."
Reaves had confronted crew chief John Goble after the game, and it stemmed from Goble yelling at Reaves during a center-court jump ball (off an overturned call) with 5:34 left and the Lakers trying to mount a comeback. Reaves quote via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
"I felt like I was respectful to all of them all night. I mean, there's a million times in the past I've said way worse stuff..." Reaves said. "At the end of the day, we're grown men. And I just didn't feel like he needed to yell in my face like that. I told him that. I wasn't disrespectful. I told him if I did that to him first, I would have got a tech. I feel like the only reason I didn't get a tech is because he knew he was in the wrong. So, yeah, I just felt disrespected."
As for the Thunder, video circulated online of them watching Reaves talk to the officials postgame, looking amused. They have heard it all before and know it's often complaints borne out of frustration at not being able to beat them. The Thunder are up 2-0, and Game 2 felt like a game where the Lakers had a chance to steal one on the road, only to have OKC finally start to hit its 3-pointers and pull away in the end.
Game 3 is Saturday night in Los Angeles and you can be sure Lakers fans are going to let the referees know how they feel.
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COVERS INTEL: Marcus Smart is actually second on the team in touches in Round 2, ahead of LeBron James. He’s generated 12 dimes from 16 potential assists vs. OKC and is averaging 5.6 assists on 9.8 potential assists per game for the playoffs.
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