Category: NBA

Many fans wondered if Jordan Goodwin would even make the opening day roster when the team claimed him off waivers after being released by the Los Angeles Lakers. With him returning to the Valley, many speculated about how much of a difference-maker he would truly be. Well, Goodwin saw all of that and proved it where it mattered this season, on the court.

This year, he was recognized for winning the Dan Majerle Hustle award. This is given to a player every year, to recognize their heart, grit, and hard work in getting them to where they are in the rotation. Something that Suns legend and Ring of Honor member Dan Majerle always represented in Phoenix.

Goodwin is very deserving of this crown, as I mentioned, many did not know what he could be for the Suns this year. He was competing with Jared Butler for the final roster spot, and even though Goodwin earned it, there was no set spot in the rotation for him. He had to earn those minutes, and he did that, proving to the fanbase that the return of Goody was going to be a revival.

The guard this season is putting up some nice numbers, averaging 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 37% from three. His ability to showcase his defense prowess and be an effective ball stopper is what makes him highly praised in the valley. This is what made him stand out and get the playing time he sees now.

Goodwin always has that fight in him and never gives up. The hustle this man shows when he touches the court is infectious, and it plays off to the rest of the team. He is always fighting for loose balls, trying to generate a steal, and on some nights, he can get it going from three-point land. This year, Goodwin had a career-high 8 threes against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the one time they beat the team this season.

This type of heart and effort is hard to find in the NBA, and for the Suns, it was vacant from previous teams. Now with Jordan Ott at the helm, things have shaped up differently for the Suns and in a lot better light. A majority of that on the defensive end starts with Goodwin and also ends with him. That is why he is recognized for receiving an award he most certainly deserves. The next on the agenda for Goodwin is a well-deserved long-term contract to stay in the Valley.

The Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls square off again Thursday for Round 2 at Capital One Arena.

Game info

When: Wednesday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass

Injuries: For the Wizards, Tre Johnson (foot) and Jaden Hardy (back) are questionable, while Alex Sarr (toe), Trae Young (quad), Kyshawn George (elbow), Anthony Davis (hand), Tristan Vukcevic (knee), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), and D’Angelo Russell (not with team) are out.

For the Bulls, Josh Giddey (hamstring), Matas Buzelis (illness), and Isaac Okoro (quad) are questionable, while Nick Richards (elbow), Anfernee Simons (wrist), Jalen Smith (calf), Zach Collins (toe), and Noa Essengue (shoulder) are out.

What to watch for

The Wizards are coming off an absolute shellacking at the hands of the Bulls on Tuesday in a matchup that ended 129-98. Washington fell behind by 20 points in the first quarter and never mounted anything remotely resembling a comeback.

One difference coming into the rematch is that the Wiz have since ensured that the team will keep its 2026 first-round pick. There’s a chance Washington will look to pick up one more victory, knowing that the team enters Thursday with a 2.5-game cushion over the Brooklyn Nets and a full game over the Indiana Pacers in the race to the bottom. Perhaps the Wizards will try to appease the basketball gods with a final win.

Will Riley also gets another crack at the Bulls after posting arguably the worst game of his career against Chicago. Washington’s second-half breakout rookie finished with just two points on 1-of-13 shooting. Riley had just come off back-to-back 30-point games.

It's been a good week for Detroit basketball.

The Pistons, for the first time in 19 years, have sewn up the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed in the NBA playoffs. The University of Michigan won its first men's basketball national championship since 1989.

On top of that, there's great news about the status of Pistons star Cade Cunningham.

After missing time after suffering a collapsed lung, Cunningham is expected to make his return Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN's Vincent Goodwill.

Cunningham missed the previous 11 games. He was last active during a March 17 game against the Washington Wizards. Detroit won that game, 130-117, but Cunningham left with his injury after about five minutes of playing time.

The Pistons went 8-3 without Cunningham. Overall, the team has a 13-5 record and has averaged 114.8 points per game without its MVP candidate.

Beloved sports commentator Dick Vitale delivered some bad news on his health on Wednesday, March 8.

Through a statement from ESPN PR, Vitale announced that he received bad news after going through a series of routine tests last week. The iconic college basketball personality revealed that there were some "abnormalities" found.

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“While I feel great physically and sharp mentally, I heard from my doctors that the latest tests (which included a PET scan, then a CAT scan with two MRIs) showed some abnormalities,” Vitale said in a statement shared by ESPN. “They are recommending some additional testing to determine next steps. I'm hoping for the best and we will see what the roadmap looks like after an upcoming biopsy.

“As always, I plan to remain as active as ever and fight as hard as can be.”

A health update from @DickieV that he asked me to share pic.twitter.com/N7W6UzLfVX

— Josh Krulewitz (@jksports) April 8, 2026

Vitale, 86, was declared cancer-free last year and made his return to broadcasting. Last month he called a First Four game between North Carolina State and Texas, with Charles Barkley, the first time the two called a game together.

“I'm still doing games,” Vitale told USA TODAY Sports in March. “It's a miracle. It's absolutely a miracle. I get emotional about it sometimes.”

Since 2021, Vitale has battled with cancer when he was diagnosed with melanoma and lymphoma. He was then diagnosed with vocal cord cancer in 2023. He made an emotional return to ESPN, broadcasting games, last February.

Here's a look at the full statement on his health:

Full Dick Vitale statement on health

“Like countless others, each time I go for any kind of test, I am a nervous wreck,” Vitale said. “The latest example is my scans last week. The anxiousness you feel about the uncertainty is off the charts. You just never know what’s next, and it can be surprising or scary.

“While I feel great physically and sharp mentally, I heard from my doctors that the latest tests [which included a PET scan, then a CAT scan, and then two MRIs] showed some abnormalities.”

“They are recommending some additional testing to determine next steps. I’m hoping for the best, and we will see what the roadmap looks like after an upcoming biopsy,” Vital added.

“As always, I plan to remain as active as ever and fight as hard as can be.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dick Vitale announces new health update after routine tests

No ice cream tonight. Under the weather, end of a long season, and somehow still scanning lines at tipoff time — that’s dedication. The Dallas Mavericks (25-54) close out their final back-to-back set in Phoenix against the Suns (43-35), both teams playing on one night’s rest. Dallas just dropped 116-103 to the Clippers on Tuesday. Phoenix lost to Houston 119-105. Neither team is operating at full capacity, but the Suns have something to play for — the Clippers are two games back of them for seventh in the West, and Phoenix would very much like to avoid the play-in. Dallas would very much like to go home.

Let’s scan the lines in search of value.

🏀 Fixture: Dallas Mavericks (25-54) @ Phoenix Suns (43-35) 📍 Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, AZ 🕙 9:00 PM CST, Wednesday, April 8, 2026 📺 KFAA Channel 29 / MavsTV / NBA League Pass

📊 DraftKings Snapshot (as of 5:05 PM CST) Spread: PHX -12.5 (-105) | DAL +12.5 (-115) Total: 233.5 (O -110 / U -110) Moneyline: PHX -650 | DAL +470

📉 Game Side Lean: Dallas +12.5

Twelve and a half points is a lot to ask on a back-to-back, even against a 25-win team. Phoenix is motivated — the playoff seeding race is real — but motivated and covering a big number are two different things, especially on one night’s rest against a Dallas team that refuses to quit. The Mavs have a 16-27 record in clutch games this season. They don’t mail it in. Gafford, Marshall, Klay, and PJ are all doubtful, which is a real frontcourt concern, but Flagg is probable and this number feels generous. Take the points.

🔮 Total Lean: Over 233.5

Both teams on a back-to-back usually means sloppy defense and tired legs — neither ingredient that leads to a grind-it-out defensive battle. Phoenix wants to run, Flagg wants to score, and Dallas’s depleted roster means Phoenix gets easy looks inside all night. Points are the path of least resistance here.

🎯 Player Props We Like

Cooper Flagg Over 28.5 Points (-106) Flagg had 25 on 9-of-25 shooting against the Clippers Tuesday — not his best night, but he’s been filling the stat sheet regardless. With Marshall and PJ both doubtful, the offense runs entirely through him. Phoenix has a seeding race to worry about and will game-plan accordingly, but when your supporting cast is this thin, Flagg gets the ball on every meaningful possession. The number is high but the usage is undeniable. Back the rookie.

Oso Ighodaro Double-Double (+584) Here’s the fun one. Ighodaro is a 23-year-old Suns forward averaging 6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds this season, but Dallas is showing up tonight without most of their functional frontcourt. Gafford and Marshall both doubtful. That’s a lot of interior real estate up for grabs. Ighodaro had 8 points and 5 rebounds in 19 minutes against Houston yesterday — he’s close. At +584, you don’t need this to hit often for it to be worth the look. It’s the kind of prop that cashes quietly and makes you feel like a genius.

💡 Summary: Dallas +12.5 for a team that won’t go quietly. Over 233.5 on tired legs and thin defenses. Flagg carrying a depleted roster over his number, and Oso Ighodaro doing something interesting with all that frontcourt space. Four picks.

Another look at a likely first-round playoff opponent as the Atlanta Hawks (45-34) travel to Cleveland to spar with the Cavaliers (50-29) and lock up a playoff spot.

Jock Landale (ankle sprain) has been ruled out.

Starting lineup:

• G CJ McCollum
• G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
• F Dyson Daniels
• F Jalen Johnson
• C Onyeka Okongwu

Please join in the comments below as you follow along.

Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen

Location: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH

Start Time: 7:00 PM EDT

TV: ESPN

Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)

Streaming: WatchESPN, Fubo (out of market), NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)

The Detroit Pistons might get Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart back, with both being game time decision, according to head coach JB Bickerstaff. Does anything else really matter? Other things of note, I suppose, is that the Bucks have given up on everything resembling dignity, per their injury report and their head coach’s musing about how much he misses spending time with his grandchildren. The point spread is at Pistons -20.5. Feels like it might be an undercount unless Detroit is completely unserious.

To be more precise, Cade, Kevin Huerter, and Isaiah Stewart are all listed as questionable. But ESPN’s Vince Goodwill has sources that indicate Cunningham is likely to give it a go. If Cade plays the rest of the season, he will be at 64 games. That would be one short of the threshold for awards consideration. Could Cunningham explore a special exception, similar to what Luka Doncic and his agents have floated recently?

The Milwaukee report is far more bleak and definitive. Giannis Antetokounmpo is out. Kyle Kuzma is out. Kevin Porter Jr. is out. Bobby Portis is out. Myles Turner is out. Hope is out.

Game Vitals

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -20.5

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (57-22)

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Milwaukee Bucks (31-48)

Ryan Rollins, Gary Trent, Osumane Dieng, Pete Nance, Jericho Sims

NEW YORK CITY — The Celtics could be shorthanded when they face the New York Knicks on Tuesday night. Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendinitis), Sam Hauser (low back spasm), Neemias Queta (right toe sprain), and Derrick White (right knee contusion) are all questionable to play. The Celtics are on the first night of a back-to-back, with a game against the New Orleans Pelicans back at TD Garden on Friday.

Jayson Tatum will lace up at Madison Square Garden for the first time since he ruptured his Achilles there last May.

“I’m not like, thrilled, to go back and play there,” Tatum said on Tuesday night. “Last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me.”

Still, he opted to play on Thursday in New York to get that first game back out of the way.

“Obviously, I knew at some point I would have to get over that hurdle and play there again. So, it’s going to have to be this Thursday. But it’s not like I’m thrilled about it. But it’s part of it. I decided to come back and play, so I’m not necessarily skipping certain games. I can’t play back-to-backs right now, but I decided to come back and play, so it’s just another game on the schedule.”

If the Celtics actually end up sitting four starters, it’s likely that players like Nikola Vucevic, Luka Garza, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez, and Ron Harper Jr will all see increased opportunities.

How the Celtics, Knicks stack up

The Celtics are 1-2 against the Knicks this season, but have the upper hand in the conference standings. The Celtics (54-25) have a three-game lead over the Knicks (51-28) for the No. 2 seed.

The Knicks won by double-digits in New York and February, while the Celtics pulled away with a 6-point win in December. But all of those games were played without Tatum, who returned last month from a 10-month-long absence.

The Celtics and the Knicks have had two of the league’s best offenses this season — the Celtics have the NBA’s second-best offensive rating (119.9) and the Knicks have the league’s third-best offense (118.8).

Both have also been top ten defenses; the Celtics have the NBA’s fourth-best defense (111.7 rating), and the Knicks have the NBA’s 8th-best defense (112.3).

Celtics-Knicks tips off at 7:30pm ET.

Even national champions get star struck.

UCLA women’s basketball team center Lauren Betts was seen in a social media video on Tuesday night nearly losing her mind following an encounter with LeBron James.

The newly crowned champ was at Crypto.com Arena to be honored by the Los Angeles Lakers for her and her team’s triumphant NCAA tournament victory over South Carolina, and at one point, she and James had an interaction that left her speechless.

“Guys, guys, guys, guys,” said Betts, who appeared to be fighting back tears. “LeBron made eye contact with me. F–king LeBron James!”

James did not play in the Lakers’ matchup with the Thunder due to left foot injury management, but Betts clearly didn’t mind not being able to watch him on the court.

It’s the latest cool chapter for Betts in what’s been a whirlwind week.

lauren betts after meeting lebron james : pic.twitter.com/PAwNZ1OQYB

— amaia ☆ (@bettsandpieces) April 8, 2026

Following the Bruins’ title win in Phoenix, the NCAA tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and her teammates received a hero’s welcome at their campus in Westwood and also appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

They’re slated to hit the Clippers’ game against the Thunder at Intuit Dome later Wednesday as well.

Seems the spoils truly do go to the victor.

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Who: Phoenix Suns (43-36) vs. Dallas Mavericks (25-54)

When: 7:00pm Arizona Time

Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona

Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports

Listen: KMVP 98.7

The Suns are coming off one of their most physical and emotional games of the season against the Houston Rockets in a late-night fourth-quarter collapse. It was the first time every player from last summer’s blockbuster trade got to play, and the energy between the two teams was at playoff intensity. The Suns led 84-81 to start the fourth quarter, but could not withstand the Rockets’ physicality and talent to highlight yet another poor Suns fourth-quarter performance.

The Mavericks will not bring in the same level of playoff intensity into the final regular-season game in the Mortgage Matchup Center. They are 25-54 and have booked their offseason travel plans; all they need to do is go through the motions three more times. Meanwhile, the Suns are solidly in the play-in as the seventh seed in the West and only need one more win to ensure their position. The Suns won the first two games of this three-game regular season series and are looking to sweep another Western Conference bottom dweller this regular season. 

Probable Starters

Injury Report

Suns

• Haywood Highsmith — OUT (Knee Injury Management)

Mavericks

• Cooper Flagg — PROBABLE — Left Wrist)
• Dereck Lively II — OUT (Foot Surgery)
• Kyrie Irving — OUT (Knee Surgery)
• PJ Washington — DOUBTFUL (Elbow Soreness)
• Caleb Martin — DOUBTFUL (Heel)
• Naji Marshall — DOUBTFUL (Left Hip Contusion)
• Daniel Gafford — DOUBTFUL (Shoulder)

What to Watch For

The player to watch this game is Rookie of the Year frontrunner Cooper Flagg, who has been sensational for the Mavericks. He is the engine of everything they do. Flagg recently scored 51 points in a game against the Magic, becoming the youngest player to score over 50 in an NBA game. He followed up that performance with 45 points against the Lakers in his next performance. He will be the most exciting player on the floor to watch, and the player at the top of the Suns’ scouting report.

The last time these two teams matched up, the Suns dominated the game early.  They led by as much as 31 in the second quarter before the Mavericks inched their way back into the game, scoring in transition and getting to the free-throw line. The Mavericks shot 42 free throws compared to the Suns’ meager nine attempts. The Mavericks also outscored the Suns 27-10 in fastbreak points, with the majority coming in the second half against a Suns team that let off the gas too much.

Now that the Suns are back to full strength with Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks back in the lineup and a few games under their belt, the Suns need to build continuity and fast. Can the Suns get back to their maniacal effort and focus on defense, or will their sloppy, casual play over the last month continue to show itself?

Key to a Suns Win

The Suns have to defend, specifically without fouling. The Mavericks cannot score effectively in the half-court, so transition defense will be the biggest factor in the Suns gaining a decisive win. If the Suns get back in transition, it will be difficult for a poor shooting Mavericks team to score against an engaged defense. Getting back in transition will also put the Suns in the best position to defend without fouling.

The Suns have to avoid the emotional hangover from an intense loss against the Rockets and show up with a high level of focus to get what should be a decisive win against the Mavericks. If the Suns drop this game against the Mavericks, the Clippers will be nipping at their heels for that crucial 7-seed.

Prediction

The Suns beat the Mavericks.

Suns 118, Mavs 106

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Our NBA player prop projections have been hard at work crunching the numbers for tonight's key Western Conference clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Before you finalize your Thunder vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, April 8, see what our computer has to say about Jalen Williams, Derrick Jones Jr, and more.

Thunder vs Clippers computer picks for April 8

Thunder	Clippers
Williams o15.5 points  -120	Jones Jr. o7.5 points  -112
Holmgren o14.5 points -130	Dunn o5.5 points -111
SGA o3.5 rebounds  -150	Leonard u27.5 points  -120

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Thunder computer picks

Jalen Williams Over 15.5 points (-120)

Projection: 17.4 points

This is our computer's top-rated Oklahoma City Thunder player prop for tonight, clocking in with a 17.9% EV edge.

Jalen Williams has hit 16+ points in five of his last eight overall, and his ability to get to the foul line can help him here.

"This year, opposing starting PFs have attempted 4.1 free throws per game (9th-highest in the NBA) vs. the LA Clippers, succeeding in their efforts to get to the free-throw line."

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Williams Now at bet365!/span

Chet Holmgren Over 14.5 points (-130)

Projection: 15.4 points

Chet Holmgren has reached the 15-point plateau in six of his last 10 and 13 of his last 20 overall. He's cleared this line in five of his last six on the road, including a 15-piece vs. the Lakers last night.

The system sees Holmgren hitting the Over once more tonight, with projections at an 11.4% EV edge.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Holmgren Now at bet365!/span

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 3.5 rebounds (-150)

Projection: 4.3 rebounds

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is known more for his scoring than his rebounding, but our computer sees SGA pulling in at least four boards tonight, making this a three-star play.

Gilgeous-Alexander takes on a Los Angeles Clippers defense that's allowed the sixth-most rebounds to opposing point guards this season.

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Clippers computer picks

Derrick Jones Jr. Over 7.5 points (-112)

Projection: 9.3 points

Our computer's top pick for tonight with a 22.6% EV edge is Derrick Jones Jr. Over 7.5 points. His scoring projection is 9.3 points, well above his posted line, due to his projected foul shot total.

"This year when [the Clippers] are at home, the opposing team's starting PFs have attempted 4.9 foul shots per game (7th-most in the league) vs. the Thunder, easily managing to get to the foul line."

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Kris Dunn Over 5.5 points (-111)

Projection: 7.0 points

Our system sees Kris Dunn clearing a very low scoring bar tonight, and doing so rather easily. There's a 21% EV edge associated with this prop.

The Clippers are the sixth-highest scoring offense in the league over the last 25 games, and opportunities should be there vs. a traveling Thunder team that just played last night.

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Kawhi Leonard Under 27.5 points (-120)

Projection: 25.5 points

Kawhi Leonard's production is decreasing slightly as the season wears on. He's fallen below 27.5 points in six of his last 10 overall, and our computer believes he'll come up two full points shy tonight, making this a four-star wager.

"Opposing team's starting SFs have averaged 25.5% on threes (2nd-weakest in the NBA) vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder, branding this as a tough matchup. The LA Clippers have played at the 3rd-slowest pace-of-play in the league this year."

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How to watch Thunder vs Clippers tonight

Location	Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Date	Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Tip-off	10:00 p.m. ET
TV	FDSN Oklahoma, FDSN Southern California

Not intended for use in MA.
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