While seemingly every player in Los Angeles for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game was counting down the minutes until they could hop on a plane, fly somewhere warm and spend a few days on vacation, Paolo Banchero was the opposite.
Banchero was already in the Bahamas, but wished he were inside the Intut Dome. Banchero, who made the All-Star team in his second season but not the past two, opened up about that to Marc Spears of Andscape.
"I looked in the mirror first. Over the All-Star break, I watched a lot of film over the early part of the season. I just wasn't happy with what I put out. Some of that had to do with me being injured and coming back...
"I could've had a better mindset, and that was part of it. But I know I'm an All-Star in this league. My confidence is still the same. It's about being honest with yourself and realizing that you didn't really deserve to be an All-Star, honestly. It's about taking that with a grain of salt and being better in the second half of the season."
Banchero haș been good this season, averaging 22.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and five assists a game (he had similar numbers before the break), with a 56.8 true shooting percentage that is right about league average.
What hurt his All-Star case with the coaches who picked the reserves was that he missed 10 games with a groin strain in December and was just coming out of that as the voters got serious, plus the Magic were 28-25 at the break and not coming close to living up to preseason expectations. The Magic were considered a disappointment, and it was tough for Banchero to overcome that.
Since the All-Star break, Banchero has been healthy and better: 26.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 50.8%.
Orlando appears headed to the play-in as the No. 7 seed in the East, although they have won four in a row, are 7-3 in their last 10 and are 1.5 games out of the No. 6 seed. Still, barring a surprise deep postseason run, changes are expected with the Magic next season. That may well start with coach Jamahl Mosley, who reportedly is at odds with Banchero. Coaches rarely win disputes with a team's star and max player (Bancheros' five-year, $240 million contract kicks in next season). While some around the league question the fit between Banchero and the Magic's other max player, Franz Wagner, Orlando has spent big to bring this group together and may want to give another coach a chance to make it work before making major personnel moves.
For his part, Banchero is all in with this roster, he told Spears.
"I have faith with the guys we have in the locker room. We have a load of talent on this team. We got two NBA All-Star-level players [Wagner and Jalen Suggs] sitting out and coming back from injury. As you see, we're competing with some of the better teams. I've seen it. We've all seen it. There is no reason not to believe, but at the same time, we have to continue to get better and stay hungry.
"We've had two years of experience of losing in the first round. We don't want to taste that again. We're preparing for that."
It’s a light night of NBA action with just six games on the board, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of value to be found in the player prop market.
My favorites for today include OG Anunoby giving Jalen Brunson and KAT some support, and Brandon Miller doing more than just scoring for the Hornets.
Check out those and all my NBA picks for Wednesday, March 11.
The Raps’ are playing their second game in as many nights and will need his playmaking. Quickley is averaging 6.1 assists per game this season, but has that number up 8.8 per contest over his last five games.
The Pels struggle defensively, ranking 26th in defensive rating allow the fourth-most opponent assists per game. IQ has an assists prop sitting at 6.5 and has gone Over that in four of his last five games overall.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Sportsnet, GCSEN
Prop #2: OG Anunoby Over 2.5 threes made
+115 at bet365
If the New York Knicks want to achieve their goals this season, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are going to need more support. OG Anunoby is one of those guys, and right now, he looks up to the task.
Anunoby has found his shooting rhythm, shooting 46% from three-point range on a big 7.1 attempts over his last seven games, and is putting up 19.4 points per game over that stretch.
Tonight, he takes on the not-so-subtly tanking Utah Jazz, who rank 29th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and surrender the most made threes per game.
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MSG, KJZZ
Prop #3: Brandon Miller Over 5.5 rebounds
-105 at bet365
Brandon Miller’s jump in development is a big reason why there is so much buzz around the Charlotte Hornets. And it’s not just because he’s putting up more than 20 points per game.
Miller’s putting in effort all over the floor, including on the glass. He is averaging 5.1 rebounds per game this season and has bumped that up to 8.0 over his last seven games. I’m betting he keeps that up tonight against the Sacramento Kings.
With Domantas Sabonis sidelined, the Kings have little to no presence on the boards. They have the third-worst rebounding rate in the NBA, and Miller has topped this number in five of his last seven games.
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network-New Orleans, FanDuel Sports Network-SC
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INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball during the game against the LA Clippers on February 26, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Clippers Date: March 11th, 2026 Time: 9:30 PM CDT Location: Aspiration Dome Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
It’s a funny thing about ladders.
They take forever to climb. You’re careful with every step. You grip the sides, feel your way upward, and slowly gain ground. But all it takes is the tiniest misstep, one foot slipping, one loose rung, and suddenly you’re tumbling down faster than you ever climbed.
That’s exactly what happened to the Minnesota Timberwolves last night.
After spending the better part of two weeks clawing their way up the Western Conference standings to claim the three seed, the Wolves managed to fall two rungs down the ladder in a single ugly night in Los Angeles. Their loss to the Lakers, punctuated by a disastrous third quarter, sent Minnesota plummeting to the fifth spot in the standings, a reminder of just how fragile life is in the Western Conference playoff race.
And this wasn’t one of those losses where you shrug and say, “Well, Luka had one of those nights.” This was a bad game. Across the board.
The Wolves shot 25 percent from three-point range, which somehow managed to barely eclipse the shooting disaster they put on display against the Orlando Magic on Saturday. Anthony Edwards, who has carried the team offensively for much of the season, had one of his roughest nights of the year, finishing 1-for-10 from deep and getting completely overshadowed by Luka Doncic and, to add insult to injury, Austin Reaves.
But if you’re tempted to pin the whole thing on Edwards, don’t. His teammates didn’t exactly come riding in with cavalry support.
The Lakers Beat the Wolves at Their Own Game
Rudy Gobert had a nightmare matchup in the paint, getting outhustled and outworked by Deandre Ayton, who looked like the dominant big man Gobert was supposed to be in this game. For Wolves fans who remember Gobert absolutely demolishing the Lakers’ frontcourt during Game 5 of last year’s playoff series, watching him struggle like that was… unsettling. Naz Reid and Julius Randle didn’t offer much resistance either.
Meanwhile, the Lakers did exactly what good teams do when they smell weakness: they attacked the rim relentlessly. Minnesota’s perimeter defense cracked open again, allowing a parade of drives into the paint. When the Wolves tried to collapse the defense to help, the ball kicked out for open looks.
It was the exact script we’ve seen too often recently. Minnesota struggled to generate quality offense while making it far too easy for their opponent to score. Every Wolves basket felt like climbing uphill. Every Lakers possession felt like a fast break. By the time the dust settled, the Wolves had been run out of the building.
The Most Alarming Stat of the Season
Here’s the number that should make Wolves fans uncomfortable. Against the Lakers, Rockets, and Nuggets, the teams Minnesota is directly competing with in the crowded 3-through-6 standings race, the Wolves are now a combined 1–7 this season.
One win.
Seven losses.
Those aren’t just random defeats. Those are the games that determine tiebreakers. Those are the games that decide playoff seeding. Those are the games you absolutely cannot afford to keep losing if you’re serious about holding the three seed.
And yet Minnesota has consistently dropped them. The Wolves are essentially handing away leverage in the standings while giving their direct competitors the exact advantage they’ll need in April.
That raises an uncomfortable question. If Minnesota can’t beat these teams in the regular season, what happens when they meet them in a seven-game playoff series? Because barring a major collapse, the Wolves will find themselves playing in either the 3 vs. 6 or 4 vs. 5 matchup.
And the teams occupying those spots? Houston. Denver. Los Angeles.
The same teams Minnesota keeps losing to.
The Clippers Are Waiting
After getting embarrassed by the Lakers, the Wolves now face the Clippers on the second night of a back-to-back. If anyone thinks Minnesota is about to waltz into that building and grab an easy bounce-back win, they haven’t been paying attention.
The Clippers have already shown they can beat the Wolves, decisively, earlier this season. Minnesota did manage to get revenge in their most recent matchup in Los Angeles, but that game required a significantly better performance than what the Wolves showed against the Lakers.
If Minnesota plays like they did last night? I will undoubtedly turn into another long evening. So if the Wolves want to salvage this road trip before it spirals into something worse, they need to start by fixing the fundamentals.
Keys to the Game
#1 – Run an Actual Offense
It’s easy to say “the Wolves just need to shoot better.” Shooting in the low 20s from three isn’t going to beat anyone in this league, but the bigger problem is the offense itself.
Against both the Magic and the Lakers, Minnesota’s offensive flow completely disappeared. The ball stuck. Players stood around. Possessions devolved into isolation attempts or rushed threes late in the shot clock.
When things go wrong offensively, the instinct is to ask Anthony Edwards or Julius Randle to throw on the superhero cape and save the day. But that’s not how this team works at its best. Minnesota needs five players engaged in the offense, cutting, moving, swinging the ball, and forcing the defense to rotate. When the Wolves generate high-quality looks, the shots usually fall.
When the offense turns stagnant? The percentages start looking like they did the last two games.
#2 – Reestablish Dominance in the Paint
One of the most surprising elements of the Lakers loss was Minnesota getting beaten on the boards. That simply can’t happen again tonight. The Wolves still have a significant size advantage against the Clippers with Gobert, Randle, and Reid. That trio should control the glass, limit second-chance opportunities, and establish a physical presence in the paint.
Gobert in particular needs to bounce back. If he can protect the rim and dominate the boards the way he did against the Lakers in last year’s playoff series, the entire game flips.
#3 – Fix the Perimeter Defense
Doncic and Reaves absolutely torched Minnesota. Some of that is simply the reality of playing against elite shot creators. But too often the Wolves allowed easy penetration into the paint, which forced the defense to collapse and opened up scoring opportunities all over the floor.
Minnesota needs to rediscover the perimeter defensive identity that defined the team two seasons ago. That means strong containment from players like Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, and Ayo Dosunmu.
And honestly? This might be a game where Jaylen Clark deserves some minutes. Clark’s defensive intensity has been one of the few bright spots when Minnesota has needed energy on the perimeter. With Kyle Anderson now in the rotation, Clark has been pushed deeper down the bench, but in games where opposing guards are cooking, a defensive spark might be exactly what the Wolves need.
#4 – Win the Hustle Plays
When shots aren’t falling, effort becomes the difference. Rebounding. Transition defense. Loose balls. Avoiding careless turnovers. Those are the plays that keep games from spiraling when the offense goes cold.
The Wolves didn’t make enough of those plays against the Lakers. They’ll need to against the Clippers.
#5 – Make the Game Easier
When things start going sideways, the Wolves have a tendency to increase the degree of difficulty instead of simplifying.
That has to stop.
High-efficiency offense should come from players like Gobert finishing around the rim, McDaniels cutting and attacking closeouts, and Edwards driving to the basket to collapse the defense.
Yes, Edwards should continue shooting threes, it’s a core part of his game. But the Wolves also need to get him downhill more often. When he attacks the rim, it bends the defense and creates opportunities for everyone else.
The offense has to return to Wolves Basketball 101.
Time to Re-Grip the Ladder
This road trip got off to the worst possible start. The Wolves slipped from the third seed to the fifth. Denver is creeping closer. The Play-In line isn’t as far away as Minnesota would like.
But here’s the thing. They haven’t fallen off the ladder entirely.
They’re still hanging on.
Now it’s time to stabilize, grab the next rung, and start climbing again.
Because if the Wolves slip one more time, the fall could get a lot steeper.
Another day, another piece of unfortunate Sixers injury news.
The Sixers announced Wednesday that an MRI on Kelly Oubre Jr. revealed the 30-year-old wing suffered a sprain of the lateral collateral ligament in his left elbow. He’ll be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks.
Oubre hurt the elbow during the Sixers’ win Tuesday night over the Grizzlies and wore a wrap around it postgame. He logged a team-high 38 minutes and scored a season-high 30 points.
Johni Broome (right knee meniscus surgery recovery)
The team also listed Adem Bona as questionable with back soreness.
Oubre was out from mid-November to early January after suffering a left knee LCL sprain. He’s played an important role for a Sixers team light on wing depth and averaged 14.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals over 41 games.
In the short term, two-way contract player Dalen Terry and 22-year-old Justin Edwards may very well be in line for increased minutes on the wing. Terry closed out the Memphis game and had a solid night, posting five points on 2-for-3 shooting, four assists and two rebounds.
The New York Knicks head to Utah looking to bounce back from a tough start to their west coast trip.
New York dropped back-to-back games in Los Angeles, completing a stretch where they played 12 playoff contenders in 16 games.
Now, the Knicks get to play just their fourth opponent with a losing record since February 4. My Knicks vs. Jazz predictions & NBA picks look for New York to get a cover on Wednesday, March 11.
Knicks vs Jazz prediction
Knicks vs Jazz best bet: Knicks -14.5 (-110)
The New York Knicks will relish the chance to play the outmanned Jazz.New York has played more games against .700 teams (4) than sub .500 teams (3) over the last 16. The Utah Jazz has played three losing foes in the last five, producing the 4-1 ATS record that has them as a trendy upset pick here.
This will be just New York’s fourth game this season with a point spread this large. They’re 3-0 ATS, winning by an average of 28.7 points. Utah has two 30-point losses in the five games where they’ve been this large an underdog, going 3-2 ATS.
Knicks vs Jazz same-game parlay
The Knicks play at the No. 24 pace in the NBA, the Jazz at No. 5. Something’s got to give. Utah has played just five games this season with an Over/Under cutoff this low. New York has gone Under in four of their last five with a cutoff this high.
Mikal Bridges has struggled with consistency scoring this season and appears to be taking on more of a “glue” role in recent games. He’s played fewer than 30 minutes and taken fewer than 10 shots in each of the last three games—both are his longest streaks of the season.
Meanwhile, his rebounding and assist rates are both up. It may only be a temporary change, but it should last at least another game.
Knicks vs Jazz SGP
Knicks -14.5
Under 229.5 points
Mikal Bridges Over 3.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Rebounds aplenty for Knickerbockers
Utah has been outrebounded on the year and is slightly below average on both the offensive and defensive boards. That’s what makes the Knicks’ rebounding props so odd. Whatever the reason, there are bargains to be had.
OG Anunoby has pulled down 21 boards in the last three games. He’s been below five just once in the last six games.
Karl-Anthony Towns has had 12 or more in each of the last seven, averaging 13.9 over that span. Neither is a lock to hit their over, but they’re definitely priced right with both in plus odds.
Knicks vs Jazz SGP
Knicks -14.5
Mikal Bridges Over 3.5 assists
OG Anunoby Over 5.5 rebounds
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 12.5 rebounds
Knicks vs Jazz odds
Spread: New York -14.5 (-110) | Utah +14.5 (-110)
Moneyline: New York -1000 | Utah +650
Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-110) | Under 229.5 (-110)
Knicks vs Jazz betting trend to know
New York and Utah have gone under in seven of their last 10 head-to-head matchups. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Jazz.
How to watch Knicks vs Jazz
Location
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Date
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
MSG Sportsnet, KJZZ 14
Knicks vs Jazz latest injuries
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The men's college basketball postseason tournament will unveil its field Monday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. ET, USA TODAY Sports confirms. The bracket will be announced on the FS1 show "First Things First" with Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes. Fox Sports analysts LaPhonso Ellis and Danny Perkins will join the program as part of the reveal.
Introduced in 2025, the College Basketball Crown is a postseason tournament in Las Vegas for teams that don't make the NCAA Tournament, with name, image and likeness prizes as its major selling point. The inaugural field featured 16 teams, capped by Nebraska beating Central Florida in the final.
As a result, the Cornhuskers received a $300,000 prize pool for winning the tournament, while the Knights got $100,000 as the runner-up. Semifinalists Boise State and Villanova each got $50,000 for their respective finishes.
Nebraska used that Crown run as a springboard into the 2025-26 season, which saw the Huskers finish second in the Big Ten regular season.
The 2026 edition will remain in Las Vegas, but with a smaller field of just eight teams. It will have the top two teams from the Big Ten, Big 12 and Big East that didn't receive an NCAA Tournament bid, as well as two wild card selections determined by its committee.
By having automatic spots from the three conferences, the Crown hopes to avoid a growing issue in the sport where teams turn down postseason invitations after missing March Madness. Not getting the chance to win a national championship usually means players hit the transfer portal, leaving rosters in doubt of whether it will have suitable lineups to play with.
EDITOR'S NOTE: When Kobe Bryant scored 81 points for the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 22, 2006, against the Toronto Raptors, it was the second-most points scored by a player in NBA history. The record was set by Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points on March 2, 1962, against the New York Knicks. Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo scored 83 points Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards to pass Bryant on the list of most points scored in an NBA game. The Associated Press is republishing its story from Bryant's historic performance:
___
By JOHN NADEL
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant kept shooting, from all over the court and from every angle.
By halftime, he had 26 points — not a bad tally for most players. By the end of the game, he had put up the second-highest total in NBA history.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ star scored a staggering 81 points Sunday night against the Toronto Raptors in a 122-104 win. Only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game stands ahead of him.
“It just happened, man,” Bryant said. “It really hasn’t, like, set in for me. It’s about the ‘W,’ that’s why I turned it on. It turned into something special.
“To sit here and say I grasp what happened, that would be lying. Not even in my dreams.”
The NBA’s leading scorer left to a standing ovation with 4.2 seconds remaining, having shot 28-of-46 from the floor, including 7-of-13 from 3-point range and 18-of-20 from the foul line.
With the fans at Staples Center chanting “MVP! MVP!” Bryant made two free throws with 43.4 seconds remaining for his final points. He scored 27 points in the third quarter, 28 in the fourth.
“It feels great to put on a great show here,” he said.
Chamberlain scored 100 points for Philadelphia against the New York Knicks at Hershey, Pa., on March 2, 1962, making 36-of-63 from the field and 28-of-32 from the foul line while playing all 48 minutes.
Chamberlain had 59 points in the second half — the only player with more points in a half than Bryant’s 55 after halftime in this game.
Chamberlain’s second-highest total was 78 against the Lakers in three overtimes on Dec. 8, 1961.
Elgin Baylor held the previous franchise record of 71 points at New York on Nov. 15, 1960. Lakers assistant Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, saw that game, too.
“Elgin’s game was an incredible performance, also. I don’t think there’s any comparison. Elgin did it without 3-point lines. His game was attacking the hoop and hitting jumpers inside 20 feet. Kobe’s range is unreal, and he does it his way,” Abdul-Jabbar said.
“It was a real treat. His ability to shoot from long range and also attack the hoop, split the defense and get in close for opportunities near the basket is unique. He’s made a niche for himself and he deserves it.”
Michael Jordan’s career high was 69 points, and only four players had ever scored more than 70 — Chamberlain, Baylor, David Thompson and David Robinson.
The 27-year-old Bryant made it five. His previous career high was 62 points during a 112-90 victory over Dallas last month — he sat out the fourth quarter because of the one-sided nature of the game.
“I was just determined. I was just locked in, tuned into what was going on out there,” Bryant said. “These points tonight mattered. We needed them. The points I put in the basket were instrumental. It means a lot more.”
Bryant raised his scoring average to an NBA-leading 35.9 points this season.
“I never imagined I would see history like that,” said Devean George, a teammate of Bryant’s with the Lakers for 6 1/2 seasons. “I can’t tell you where that came from. He just kept attacking, attacking, attacking — every time he got the ball.”
Bryant played nearly 42 minutes, going the entire second half until being lifted by coach Phil Jackson.
Jackson coached Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s and the Lakers, with Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, to three more titles, from 2000-02.
“That was something to behold,” Jackson said. “It was another level. I’ve seen some remarkable games, but I’ve never seen one like that before.”
Bryant’s performance came on the same night the NBA had its highest-scoring game in 11 years when Seattle beat Phoenix 152-149 in two overtimes. The last 300-point game in the league came when Dallas beat Houston 156-147 in two overtimes on April 11, 1995, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
“You’re sitting and watching, and it’s like a miracle unfolding in front of your eyes and you can’t accept it,” Lakers owner Jerry Buss said. “Somehow, the brain won’t work. The easiest way to look at it is everybody remembers every 50-point game they ever saw. He had 55 in the second half.”
Lamar Odom’s 3-pointer with 7:04 remaining gave the Lakers a 100-93 lead, and Bryant scored 30 seconds later to give him 61 points and his team a nine-point advantage. The Raptors didn’t pose a serious threat after that.
Bryant scored all but 15 of the Lakers’ 42 points in the third quarter, shooting 11-of-15 including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Six of his points came during a 12-0 run to finish the period, giving Los Angeles a 91-85 lead.
The Lakers outscored the Raptors 38-14 to finish the third quarter to go ahead for good. They trailed by as many as 18 points early in the period, angering Bryant.
“He was ticked off,” Odom said.
When asked what Bryant said at that stage, Odom replied: “Nothing. That’s when it’s bad.”
Bryant scored 51 points after the Raptors took a 71-53 lead. It was 63-49 at halftime.
“The thing about him that is most amazing is that he is relentless,” Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said. “We played man-to-man, box-in-one and zone. We tried to put smaller guys on him to deny him the ball.
“I saw that game he had against Dallas where he scored 62, what more can you say?”
Smush Parker added 13 points and Chris Mihm had 12 points and six rebounds for the Lakers.
Mike James led Toronto with 26 points and 10 assists. Chris Bosh added 18 points and eight rebounds and Jalen Rose scored 17 points for the Raptors.
Notes: Bryant scored a season-low 11 points in the Lakers’ 102-91 victory over the Raptors in Toronto last month. He had 14 in the first quarter of this game. ... Bryant has led the Lakers in scoring in the last 21 games in which he’s played. He is averaging 45.5 points in 10 games since sitting out a two-game suspension. ... Toronto C Rafael Araujo, who has made 30 starts this season, missed his second straight game and third of the season because of a sore right shoulder. ... Bryant made his first five foul shots before missing late in the second quarter, snapping his streak of consecutive made free throws at 62. Michael Williams made an NBA-record 93 straight for Minnesota in 1993. ... Bryant received a technical foul with 10:44 left — shortly after being accidentally struck above the right eye.
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 7: Danny Wolf #2 and Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrate after winning the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 10: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball during the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 10, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
All good things must come to an end, and in this case, that might not be the worst thing.
With a chance to build a three-game win streak on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons, the Brooklyn Nets instead got smacked around, falling 138-100.
Things snapped back to reality, and despite the brief burst, this is still a team that has lost 11 of its last 13 games and owns the third-worst record in the NBA.
While Brooklyn has managed to pull off a few head-scratching wins throughout the season, there’s no hiding this team’s place among the league’s bottom tier and its tendency to revert to the mean.
Now sitting at 17-48 and holding the fourth slot in the lottery standings, NetsDaily breaks down a few takeaways from the past few days of Nets basketball.
A True No. 1 Keeps Teams Afloat
When the role players aren’t rolling and Michael Porter Jr.’s rather questionable shot selection isn’t falling, a true No. 1 option would keep things steady on nights when the lights haven’t come on.
A star player doesn’t just provide offensive firepower. It gives a team a standard, a constant reminder of the best possible outcome when everything goes right.
Whether it comes by way of the draft, trade, or free agency, one player alone won’t completely reverse course in the standings. But don’t expect to see as many 38-point blowouts if Brooklyn finds that centerpiece.
Having a clear No. 1 option also creates safety valves and two-man games that lead to a more well-rounded offense.
On nights like this one, when a player like Bam Adebayo — not even Miami’s primary scoring option — can put up a generational 83-point scoring performance, the Nets’ lack of a dependable go-to scorer becomes glaring.
Rookies Showing What We’re Waiting For
Following this team would feel far bleaker without the promise of improvement, but many of the ingredients are already on the table.
On Tuesday, rookie point guard Ben Saraf delivered one of his most well-rounded performances of the season, scoring 10 points on perfect shooting while adding six assists against just two turnovers.
“Ben will always fight. He’s a competitor,” said Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez. “Sometimes you have to be challenged to fight and come back harder, and he always does that.”
With the season winding down, Saraf may have left the most to be desired among Brooklyn’s NBA-record five first-round picks. That said, earning five starts as a rookie while averaging five points and 2.8 assists per game is nothing to scoff at for a No. 26 overall pick.
After being called up from the G League ahead of Monday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, Drake Powell returned to Brooklyn with two solid outings of his own, scoring nine points Monday and 10 more on Tuesday.
With his efficiency dipping late in that stretch, Brooklyn sent Powell back to the G League so he could work through the slump and regain his rhythm without the pressure of nightly NBA minutes. If the early returns are any indication, the reset may have been exactly what he needed.
While rookie point guard Nolan Traoré finished Tuesday with just two points, he continues to flash enough potential to be viewed as a promising playmaker for the future.
During Monday’s win over Memphis, he scored 17 points on 66.7% shooting while adding four assists and committing just one turnover.
In his case, the talent is obvious to anyone watching. It’s simply a matter of adjusting to the NBA pace and occasionally remembering to slow down and take a breath.
A True No. 1 Defender Is Needed
Just as much as the Nets are starving for a reliable offensive anchor, they also need a No. 1 option on the defensive end.
As players like Cade Cunningham and Luka Dončić continue to define the modern NBA with their combination of size, fluidity, and strength, Brooklyn will need someone capable of slowing them down.
As athletically gifted as Nic Claxton is, his best work comes in and around the paint, and asking him to venture too far from it wouldn’t be the best use of the team’s pieces
Brooklyn’s best bet on the current roster may be Powell, who has shown a willingness to defend and a knack for understanding the intricacies of being a stopper.
With some added physical development in the offseason, he could grow into a reliable defender capable of guarding positions one through four and giving head coach Jordi Fernández some breathing room when facing elite offensive talent.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s sports and youth minister said it's “not possible” for the country to take part in the World Cup after the United States killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in its ongoing war.
Iran was expected to take part in the World Cup that will be held across North America in June, but Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that his country’s soccer team players are not safe in the U.S., according to a video of the interview posted Tuesday.
“Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran — they have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people — definitely it’s not possible for us to take part in the World Cup,” he said.
Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said “I really don’t care” if Iran takes part in the 48-nation tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he met with Trump on Tuesday night “to discuss the status of preparations” for the tournament and received assurances that Iran would be permitted to come to the U.S.
Mar 6, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) looks on before the first half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
It has been a solid run lately for the Phoenix Suns as they work through the schedule following the All-Star break and move toward a spot in either the Play-In or the postseason. The team is 4–1 over its last five games. You can certainly point to the level of competition during that stretch, although when you consider the injuries and the increase in minutes for young players, what Phoenix has done deserves some credit.
A month ago this team was not rolling out lineups featuring Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, Haywood Highsmith, and Amir Coffey. Those combinations simply did not exist. Head coach Jordan Ott has pulled the right levers with those players, placing them into the rotation in moments where they can succeed, and that has helped fuel this recent stretch. Make no mistake, though. The biggest driver behind this run is not the flashiest storyline, although it might be the most reliable one.
Devin Booker is back.
His return following the injury has steadied the ship for Phoenix and helped spark this stretch that now includes a three-game winning streak. Booker does not always deliver the loudest highlights. He is not drilling a deep three and signaling for defenders to fall asleep. He is not launching himself toward the rim for poster dunks or pointing toward the floor after breaking an ankle like his teammate Jalen Green might.
Book? He simply attacks the mid-range and puts the ball in the basket. For a team that spent much of February struggling to score consistently, watching Booker operate again has been a welcome sight.
Something else has started to happen since Booker returned to the lineup. His efficiency is slowly climbing back to where you expect it to be. It has been one of the season’s most interesting paradoxes. Devin Booker has experienced a down year relative to scoring, three-point percentage, and overall efficiency. Yet the team has continued to win games.
Why? The biggest reason is the way Booker has leaned into facilitation and his overall gravity as a player. He has used his scoring ability to create opportunities for everyone else. Defenses collapse toward him, the ball swings, and teammates find clean looks. Booker is averaging 6.1 assists per game, and players around him are producing some of the best seasons of their careers. That shift has changed the structure of the offense. Booker does not need to score 30 points every night for the Suns to win.
That was one of the concerns entering the season. There was a belief that Phoenix might rely too heavily on Booker’s scoring burden. If that happened, the wear and tear over the course of the season could break him down and drag the offense with it. Instead, the opposite occurred. Even with the efficiency dip, the team continued to succeed.
And now Booker is starting to look like Booker again.
Over the last five games, he is averaging 26.6 points while shooting 42% from the field, 39% from three, and 94% from the free throw line. He is also averaging 5.8 assists during that stretch. He has four consecutive games scoring 25+ points.
The three-point shot, in particular, is beginning to rebound. Before this five-game run, Booker was sitting at 30.8% from deep. After going 16-of-41 from beyond the arc over the last five games, that number has climbed to 32%. It is slowly inching its way back toward his career average of 35.2%. And if that trend continues, the offense around him becomes even more dangerous.
As the team prepares for whatever the postseason holds, Devin Booker is starting to regain the efficiency that has defined his game. The timing could not be better. For much of the season, the team carried some of the weight created by his inefficiencies. Now the pendulum is swinging the other direction. Booker is returning the favor by looking more like the version of himself that Suns fans have grown accustomed to watching.
The mid-range assassin. The player who can halt a scoring run with a calm pull-up from fifteen feet. The player who slows the game down when things begin to spiral. One possession, one jumper, momentum changes.
It quiets a lot of the noise that has surrounded his season. Even before this recent stretch, he was putting together an All-Star-level campaign. This run only strengthens that case. If he stays healthy and plays every remaining game, there is a real path where he finds himself back in the All-NBA conversation. But more importantly, the level rises on what the Suns could be once the postseason arrives.
SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 10: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs jokes with Ron Harper Jr. #13 of the Boston Celtics at the end of the game at Frost Bank Center on March 10, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The vibe was off from the start in this one. It almost felt like there had been too much buildup for it. Too much momentum for it not to go a little sideways.
“Two title contenders squaring off!”
“Possible Finals preview!”
“Jayson Tatum continuing his incredible return!”
“Wembanyama making an MVP push!”
“The two hottest teams in the league on NBC Coast-to-Coast Tuesday!”
And then, of course, what are we all talking about this morning? That’s right. Bam Adebayo dropping 83 on the Wizards. Sure!
It’s not that Spurs vs. Celtics was a bad game. It was actually pretty entertaining once everything settled in. It just felt… off. Like watching two dance partners who couldn’t quite decide who was leading. Everything just a little bit out of step.
I was antsy the whole time watching this. More concerned with how everything looked and what it meant than what was actually happening on the court. It’s like I can feel the eyes of people outside our specific fan Circle of Trust now trained on the Spurs, trying to figure out what the deal is. Trying to poke holes in the plan. Trying to take the air out of it.
Every time we missed a shot or turned the ball over I kept alternating between a feeling somewhere between slight panic and mortification. Boys, how could you embarrass me like this? We have company! I just cleaned in here! Please stop missing corner threes in front of Mike Tirico.
And before you start with me, just trust me: I understand that I’m being ridiculous. This is not a cool or groovy way to watch sports. It’s not a cool or groovy way to do anything.
The Spurs are in the middle of one of the most fun stretches of basketball we’ve seen in almost a decade. The vibes around this team are basically perfect. The ball is flying around. Victor Wembanyama is somehow exceeding expectations. The young guys are growing up in real time. If you sat down in October and tried to draw up the exact emotional temperature you’d want around the team right now, it would look almost exactly like this.
And yet there I was the whole night, sitting on the couch sweaty and nervous. I was mad when Jaylen Brown got ejected because of what it might mean for the narrative if they lost to a shorthanded Celtics team at home. I was frustrated we were tied at the half. I was annoyed at how many threes we were taking.
The threes were going in and I was annoyed about it. What even is that, you guys?
I mean, the Spurs won this game. By a lot! Against a really good team! And I’m sitting here spilling my guts about how miserable I was the whole time. Stupid!
But I also have a suspicion I’m not alone in this. Like most things in sports, it taps into something a little deeper in the human condition. That strange feeling of finally getting the thing you’ve been begging for and immediately wondering what’s wrong with it is familiar to anyone who’s been around the block a few times. One day you look around and realize you’re standing in a beautiful house with a beautiful wife and you may ask yourself, well… how did I get here?
Same as it ever was.
It’s just such an easy trap to fall into. You spend all of high school trying to get into college and then you’re there. Now what? You spend all of college worrying about trying to get a job and then you get one. Now what? You spend months training for a marathon and then you cross the finish line. Now what?
I think we might just be bad at enjoying things in the moment. The planning, the chase, the hunt… that’s what drives us. That’s what gives the whole thing meaning. Actually sitting there with what we’ve got feels strange. Lazy, almost. Like if we stop swimming for even a second we might sink.
It doesn’t seem particularly healthy.
I don’t think the Spurs are guilty of it, even if the guy writing this clearly is. A very lovable, if not relatable, thing about this team right now is that they really do seem to be living in the moment. They’re staying within themselves. They’re focused on each game as it comes and taking it in stride. They’re having fun out there.
You watch them after the game, all of them peer-pressuring Mason Plumlee into doing the drum thing, and suddenly everything else feels kind of silly. All the stress. All the anxiety. All the little narrative traps my brain spent the night worrying about.
It’s just noise. Mostly self-generated.
The Spurs, meanwhile, just went out and beat the Celtics. Seemed like they had fun, too.
Probably should give that a try.
Takeaways
A thing I do against my better judgment is listen to Tim Bontemps on The Hoop Collective wring his hands about Victor Wembanyama’s shot profile. He has this whole thing where he’s very against the idea of Vic taking a high volume of threes. In Bontemps’ ideal world, Wembanyama is finishing at the rim, living in the paint, and generally filling his diet with higher-percentage looks instead of bombing away from the perimeter. I get annoyed when he goes on these rants largely because… I kind of agree with him. Part of it is that my brain still can’t fully wrap itself around the concept of someone that tall playing like a guard. And part of it is just a very simple instinct that kicks in whenever I watch him float around the three-point line: yo man, you’re seven-foot-four. Go dunk it, brother. Please trust that I do not enjoy agreeing with Tim Bontemps on this.
Last night was a weird test case for those of us in the “maybe fewer threes?” camp. Of Wembanyama’s twenty shot attempts, fifteen of them were from beyond the arc. Fifteen! That’s almost the exact shot profile Bontemps is so annoying about. The good news is that he made eight of them. The problem is that he made eight of them. What am I supposed to do with that? It’s undeniably cool when he’s raining threes like that, but I also can’t quite shake the feeling that we’re getting away with something. Like the basketball gods are quietly watching this happen and making a note for later. Because without a doubt, there are going to be playoff teams that are perfectly happy to let him launch from out there and live with the consequences.
I think, overall, Vic’s game last night didn’t really feel like it was built on him just “falling back” or “settling” for threes all night. A lot of those looks came within the flow of the offense. Catch-and-shoot opportunities, pick-and-pop actions, that sort of thing. The Celtics were clearly trying to keep him out of the paint, and the Spurs were more than happy to let him drift out and punish that choice. He also got to the line a bunch, so it’s not like he was allergic to attacking the basket when the opportunity was there. I don’t know. Look, these are good problems to have. Maybe I should stop worrying about it. How about that?
De’Aaron Fox is, somehow, quietly just out here steering this whole operation along. He’s kind of perfect for what the Spurs need, isn’t he? He doesn’t seem to want or need the spotlight. He can pour it in when necessary, but he’s just as comfortable orchestrating things and keeping the whole machine running smoothly. He’s poised, he doesn’t make many mistakes, and he’s constantly plugging little holes all over the floor. I’m honestly a little flabbergasted at how cleanly this has worked out. Think about all the hundreds of names that were floated over the last couple of years for players the Spurs absolutely had to pair with Wembanyama in order to not squander his potential. And somehow the guy who fits like a glove is De’Aaron Fox. Fancy that.
I don’t know if it’s just because he’s left handed, but there’s an angle on some of Fox’s three point shots that almost looks like he’s spinning a curveball into the basket. The thing gets to the rim and just like whips down. It’s bizarre and kind of gives me a little jump every time.
The only thing I have to say about Jaylen Brown’s ejection is:
Keldon Johnson was PERFECTLY IN SYNC with the official who ejected Jaylen Brown lmaooo
– Have you ever been ejected from something you were writing?
– Oh sure, I get tossed all the time?
– Wait, really? Like you got two technicals and had to stop writing?
– For sure. Happens more than you’d think. I’ll be in the middle of making a truly excellent point and some ref will come barging into my office blowing his whistle and shouting something like, “PASSIVE VOICE!” And of course I can’t just let that slide, so I get right in his face and say, “You think THAT was passive voice? That? Are you serious? THAT’S THE LEAST PASSIVE THING I’VE EVER SAID! IF YOU WANT PASSIVE, I’LL GIVE YOU PASSIVE.”
– Ok. And that…helps?
– Almost never, the refs hate when you get in their face like that.
– Does someone usually have to hold you back?
– Yeah, PTR has security teams on the bench that come out. Sometimes Marilyn has to step in, calm things down, tell me to go take a breather, and then she finishes my… ahem… discussion. It’s all part of the game.
– What happens when you get tossed though? Does someone else finish the column?
-Yeah, we’ll bring someone off the bench. Usually it’s pretty seamless. But if you’ve ever been reading something I wrote and thought, “not his best work,” you can probably assume a biased ref with an agenda sent me to the locker room early.
The Denver Nuggets host the Houston Rockets tonight as Western Conference powerhouses do battle for the fourth and final time this season.
Kevin Durant has been electric on the road this season, and my Rockets vs Nuggets predictions expect him to shine offensively.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this heavyweight bout on Wednesday, March 11.
Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, with the game airing on ESPN.
Rockets vs Nuggets prediction
Rockets vs Nuggets best bet: Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points (-112)
Kevin Durant is scoring just 24.1 points per game at home, but he’s been excellent on the road, dropping 27.9 ppg outside of Houston. He’s been particularly effective across his last six road games, averaging 31.7 points and scoring 25+ five times.
Durant has scored at least 25 points in 21 of 31 road games, and he reached that mark in each of his two games at Ball Arena this season. In a matchup that should feature plenty of scoring, I expect KD to be effective on offense and keep his team competitive on the road.
Rockets vs Nuggets same-game parlay
The Denver Nuggets are just 4-6 ATS across their last 10 games overall. Denver is 14-16 ATS at home and 10-12 as the home favorite. The Houston Rockets have covered the spread in six of seven games as the road underdog. Houston is 1-2 straight up against Denver this season, but both losses were by 3 points.
The Nuggets have hit the Over more than any other team in the Association, doing so in 41 of 65 games. Denver is 16-14 to the over at home, and Houston is 18-16 to the Over on the road. Both teams are close to full strength, and offense won't be in short supply.
Rockets vs Nuggets SGP
Durant Over 24.5 points
Rockets +6
Over 230.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Jokic does it all
Nikola Jokic leads the Association with 24 triple-doubles in 49 games, reaching that statistical milestone in 13 of 23 matchups at home. He's posted a triple-double in eight of his last 14 games, including two of his last three.
Rockets vs Nuggets SGP
Durant Over 24.5 points
Rockets +6
Over 231.5
Jokic triple-double
Rockets vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Rockets +6 | Nuggets -6
Moneyline: Rockets +195 | Nuggets -240
Over/Under: Over 231.5 | Under 231.5
Rockets vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Denver Nuggets have hit the Game Total Over in 33 of their last 50 games (+14.30 Units / 26% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Rockets vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Rockets vs Nuggets 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.
"In the fourth quarter, it turned into not a real basketball game," Wizards coach Brian Keefe said after his team let Bam walk all over them. "They obviously kept him in the game, and there was a lot of foul calls, 16 free throws in the fourth quarter... He still got some free throws 40 feet from the rim. Can't explain some of those calls, but that's all I've got to say on that."
"I walked in [the Lakers coach's office] and I saw the score. He was at the free throw line, and I saw the score, and they've been playing great basketball lately, and I said to my coaching staff, 'He's rolling'" Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "They all kind of looked at each other. They're like, Are you kidding? Right now? I was like, 'No, what's up? They're like, they're 36 and 28 or wherever they are. They're getting ready to be 37 and 28,' and they're like, 'No, Bam has 77' and I was like, huh? And I watched the last three minutes, and that was a different type of basketball."
Other people were sticking up for Bam, or just congratulating him.
Loved every minute of Bam’s 83. The absurd possessions. The home broadcast raving about his unselfishness when he made a pass. Spo’s ridiculous challenge. Fouling up 20+ to stop the clock. The bombs from 3. Washington fouling a different player so Bam wouldn’t get the shot. The…
The Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings go to battle this evening at the Golden 1 Center, with tip-off scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
Sacramento has found a rhythm lately, and my Hornets vs. Kings predictions are eyeing them to keep this one competitive.
Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, March 11.
Hornets vs Kings prediction
Hornets vs Kings best bet: Kings +12.5 (-110)
The Sacramento Kings are one of the worst teams in the Association at 16-50. However, they’ve captured back-to-back victories against the Bulls and Pacers – the worst squad from the Eastern Conference.
Needless to say, they covered in both of those games. Even in the two losses before this short win streak, the Kings still covered spreads similar to tonight’s line, keeping things competitive against the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns.
Most importantly, Sacramento has won three consecutive meetings with Charlotte. It’s a no-brainer to take the ATS tonight.
Hornets vs Kings same-game parlay
Russell Westbrook has been a bright spot in Sacramento’s disappointing campaign. The veteran is averaging 15.5 ppg, and 17.6 points per night in March.
The future Hall of Famer has hit the Over in two of his previous three games, dropping 23 in Sunday’s win over Chicago. He also scored 16 on Tuesday against Indy. Russ is averaging 16.2 ppg at home compared to 14.6 on the road.
Maxime Raynaud did his part on Tuesday as well, dropping 18 points. That was after the 22-year-old erupted for 26 points against the Bulls over the weekend.
He’s cashed the Over in points in four of five contests in March, and three of those outings have been at the Golden 1 Center.
Hornets vs Kings SGP
Kings +12.5
Russell Westbrook Over 16.5 points
Maxime Raynaud Over 13.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Kings putting up points
Sacramento has scored 125 and 130 points across their last two meetings with the Charlotte Hornets, and they’ve cashed the Over in team total in three straight overall.
Hornets vs Kings SGP
Kings +12.5
Russell Westbrook Over 16.5 points
Maxime Raynaud Over 13.5 points
Kings Over 106.5 points
Hornets vs Kings odds
Spread: Charlotte -12.5 (-110) | Sacramento +12.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Charlotte -700 | Sacramento +500
Over/Under: Over 224.5 (-110) | Under 224.5 (-110)
Hornets vs Kings betting trend to know
The Sacramento Kings have hit the Moneyline in 8 of their last 21 games at home (+7.95 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Kings.
How to watch Hornets vs Kings
Location
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Date
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE Charlotte, NBC Sports California
Hornets vs Kings 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.
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 8: Jaylon Tyson #20 and Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the introductions against the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavaliers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
This week’s survey about the Cleveland Cavaliers is simple. Which role player is most important for the playoffs?
For purposes of this discussion, we’re going to label anyone who isn’t in the new core four of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen as a role player. The options listed below are Dennis Schroder, Jaylon Tyson, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, or others.
There are good arguments for all of these players.
First, Schroder’s ball handling and playmaking have been extremely important with the second unit. Opponents have had a difficult time keeping pace with the Cavs when he’s playing well. Last season, a lack of play initiators was one of their biggest issues against the Indiana Pacers. Schroder can help in that capacity.
Next, Tyson, at his size, can provide things that few others can on the roster. His ability to playmake in the short roll and knock down threes would be incredibly valuable in a playoff context, especially if the Cavs played a wing-heavy team like the Boston Celtics.
Merrill can be one of the most disruptive off-ball players in the league. His shot can truly break defenses, which is extremely helpful in the playoffs when half-court offenses can bog down.
Wade provides something that few others on the roster can. He’s an extremely versatile defender who can shift between guarding all five positions on the court, depending on the matchup. That’s incredibly valuable. However, he needs to be able to provide something offensively to be playable in the postseason.
Lastly, I included the option of other. This basically encompasses Keon Ellis, Max Strus, Craig Porter Jr., Thomas Bryant, Larry Nance Jr., and Nae’Qwan Tomlin.
So, which role player is most important in the playoffs?
Let us know what you think in the survey and comments below!
Immanuel Quickley
OG Anunoby
Brandon Miller
