Category: NBA

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The Orlando Magic survived the play-in gauntlet, but there are bigger battles ahead as they start their first-round series against the relentless Detroit Pistons tonight.

Orlando is back in action less than 48 hours after clinching the No. 8 seed, and my Magic vs. Pistons predictions and NBA picks favor a fresher Detroit squad, led by Ausar Thompson, who’s built for do-it-all playoff performances.

Magic vs Pistons prediction

Who will win Magic vs Pistons Game 1?

Pistons: When you pair Detroit’s 31-9 home record with Orlando’s draining week of Play-In peril, it’s easy to make the case for Cade Cunningham and Co here. Though the Magic have the personnel for a physical series, they face an uphill task in Game 1, with the Pistons poised for a fast start at Little Caesars Arena.

Magic vs Pistons best bet:  Ausar Thompson Over 17.5 points + rebounds + assists (-105)

Ausar Thompson’s stock went up in the 2025 postseason after a feisty effort guarding Jalen Brunson, and he could hit new heights in these playoffs, especially in an opening matchup that plays to his strengths.

With averages of 9.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 3.1 APG this year, Thompson is already on pace to hit this combo Over as one of the Detroit Pistons’ key engines. He’s gone past this number in five of his past eight contests – and, if anything, his minutes should climb in more meaningful games, with Detroit relying on his grit to combat a Magic team that can do damage on the glass.

Thompson is capable of the occasional scoring outburst — he poured in 39 points across the last two games of last year’s series against the Knicks — and he finished this regular season with 10+ points in three of his final five games.

We’ve also seen more of the third-year wing in a playmaking role lately, and he’s dished 5+ dimes in five of his last eight outings. That could be a secret weapon for the hosts here if the Orlando Magic throw extra defenders at Cade Cunningham on the perimeter.

Thompson posted a 9-11-3 line against Orlando in March, and that feels repeatable in this clash. Don’t be surprised if he has his fingerprints all over Game 1.

Magic vs Pistons same-game parlay

With Thompson making an impact all over the box score, I expect the Pistons to have a clear edge. The Magic’s 19-21 road record doesn’t inspire much confidence that they can halt Detroit’s four-game home winning streak.

Cade Cunningham has looked steady since returning from a collapsed lung, and a double-double is my favorite Cade prop on the board. He’s had 10+ assists in eight of his last 12 contests, and I’m not worried about his scoring after a season where he averaged 23.9 PPG.

Magic vs Pistons SGP

• Ausar Thompson Over 17.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Pistons moneyline
• Cade Cunningham double-double

Our "from downtown" SGP: Rock Fight!

Although this series could be a rock fight at times, that won’t bother defense-first ballplayers like Thompson and Jalen Suggs.

This SGP taps into their contributions at that end of the floor, with Suggs grabbing 17 boards across his last three games and Thompson recording 1+ blocks in six straight contests.

Magic vs Pistons SGP

• Ausar Thompson Over 5.5 rebounds
• Jalen Suggs Over 3.5 rebounds
• Ausar Thompson Over 0.5 blocks
• Pistons -8.5

Magic vs Pistons odds for Game 1

• Spread: Magic +8.5 (-110) | Pistons -8.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Magic +300 | Pistons -380
• Over/Under: Over 219.5 (-110) | Under 219.5 (-110)

Magic vs Pistons betting trend to know

The Magic were 7-14 SU as road underdogs during the regular season. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Pistons.

How to watch Magic vs Pistons Game 1

Magic vs Pistons latest injuries

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The 2026 NBA playoffs have officially tipped off.

The best NBA players showcase their skills and talent through an 82-game regular season, but the playoffs are where legacies are made – or tainted. The postseason is where performance determines who is the star of stars; who will rise to the occasion and who shrinks when the lights are brightest.

With 16 teams left competing for the coveted Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy to be crowned NBA champion, someone will ascend themselves above the rest during the biggest moments with everything on the line.

Here's a ranking of the 10 best available players in these NBA playoffs. The list does not include players who have been considered out for the first round, including Los Angeles Lakers guards Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves.

NBA PLAYOFF PICKS: USA TODAY predictions for every first-round series

The New York Knicks enter the playoffs off a strong season that saw them finish as a top-five offense and top-ten defense. Now, with a championship in their sights, our heroes open their first-round series against a retooled Atlanta Hawks team that has benefited from breakout seasons by Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, veteran scoring from CJ McCollum, and a balanced, defensive-minded rotation. While Atlanta brings pace, shooting, and opportunism, New York’s edge lies in its physicality, rebounding, and late-game shot creation—especially in the hands of Captain Clutch.

Tip-off is 6:00 pm EST on Amazon Prime Video. This is your game thread. This is Peachtree Hoops. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool and enjoy the ride. And go Knicks!

The thought of being back on this stage had Deandre Ayton’s blood boiling.

He quipped that he was ready to do backflips out of excitement because of what was ahead for him and the Lakers. 

That’s how much Ayton is relishing the opportunity to be a part of the NBA playoffs again, with the Lakers playing the Rockets in a first-round series.

“Personally, I’m very excited,” Ayton said recently. “I haven’t played playoff basketball in quite some time.” 

It had been nearly three years since Ayton last played postseason basketball.

Before Saturday, his last playoff game was 35 months ago while he was with the Suns. He had 14 points and nine rebounds in a loss to the eventual NBA champion Nuggets in Game 5 of the second-round series on May 9, 2023, sitting out the Nuggets’ series-clinching Game 6 victory two days later.

Ayton was traded to the Trail Blazers 4 ½ months later, missing the playoffs during both of his seasons in Portland before joining the Lakers last summer. 

“I love playing this game, and I take great passion [for] playing on both ends of the floor,” Ayton said of what he wants to prove during the playoffs. “I still believe just being a two-way player in this league, that’s truly my second nature, and that’s how I want to be noted as in this league. I can play hard on offense; I can play hard on the defense. So that’s just really my goal, running the floor always, and closing out [possessions] with rebounds and protecting the rim. Just trying to enhance everything I can coming into the playoffs.”

Ayton isn’t the only Laker making their return to postseason play after having to watch from home the last couple of years.

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Marcus Smart, who was consistently in the playoffs to start his career, hadn’t played postseason basketball since his Eastern Conference run with the Celtics in 2023.

Smart appeared in the postseason in each of the first nine years of his career, playing in 108 playoff games for the Celtics, which included five conference finals appearances and the 2022 NBA Finals. 

He’s back in a familiar setting after not playing in postseason basketball with the Grizzlies and Wizards the previous two seasons. 

“It means everything,” Smart said. “It has been a minute, but for me this is where things tend to start going up for me, and my play starts to turn up. I’m very excited to be back in the playoffs. I’m very excited to be on this team and help them do what we can, win some games and go as far as we can go. We don’t know how far that is, but we’re going to go out there and fight until we can’t fight no more, and that’s what I’m very excited about.”

Ayton and Smart played important roles for the Lakers en route to a 53-win season that secured the fourth seed in the West. 

Smart was the Lakers’ best defender, playing in 62 games (54 starts), his most since 2022-23. 

Ayton played in a career-high 72 games, the second most on the Lakers, and shot a career-high 67.1% from the field. 

He got a taste of what Lakers playoff basketball is like as a visitor when his Suns beat the Lakers in six games in the first round of the 2021 playoffs. 

“Especially being on this side of town now, playing in LA when I was on the other side, this place can get pretty loud,” Ayton said.

“Coming out of these practices, [coach] JJ [Redick] gives you so much. And you have to dissect it sometimes, and you’re thinking about the environment, you think about the fans, thinking about the first game as a Laker in the playoffs. So I just try to find some time to catch myself, gather and just relax. I’ve been here before, but I am truly excited. I’m in the purple and gold, and I just want to really just play hard as hell to contribute to wins.”

The Spurs will return to the playoffs after a six-year drought as the second seed, following a surprising and fantastic season. They have looked like a contender, exceeding expectations and eliciting praise from the entire league. Now it’s time to prove that the success from the regular season is sustainable in the playoffs.

The Trail Blazers will be there in the first round to try to play the spoiler after winning their play-in game against the Suns. Portland has proved to be a deep, scrappy team that found a centerpiece in their breakout star, Deni Avdija. They are a massive underdog heading into Game 1, but they are not to be taken lightly despite their flaws.

Let’s take a closer look at what should be a fun series between two teams with vastly different goals and expectations.

San Antonio Spurs

Record: 62-20

Offensive rating: 118.7 (3rd)

Defensive rating: 110.4 (3rd)

Net rating: 8.4 (tied 2nd)

Portland Trail Blazers

Record: 42-40

Offensive rating: 113.1 (21st)

Defensive rating: 113.5 (12th)

Net rating: -0.4 (19th)

The Spurs’ offense will be tested

Portland has built its identity around defense. Despite dealing with multiple absences at different times in the season, they finished in the top half of the league in efficiency on that end and are arguably better than their numbers suggest. Their biggest asset is size. Even their smaller guards, Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday, have impressive wingspans and strength. Their collection of defensive-minded wings is vast. and they are anchored by Donovan Clingan inside, with Robert Williams backing him up. They thrive when they can cause turnovers, which they often achieve by playing a long rotation and pressuring opponents into mistakes.

Unfortunately for the Trail Blazers, they are facing a Spurs team that seems designed to counter their strengths. The Silver and Black have one of the lowest turnover percentages in the league and have several ball handlers they can turn to to relieve the pressure of any specific matchup. They play fast, trying to attack before the defense is established, and normally counter size with speed even in the halfcourt. Their offense is not the most sophisticated, but it doesn’t have to be. Drive-and-kicks and any play involving Wembanyama are normally enough to get them a good look. And they are even feisty on the offensive glass, punishing defenses that overcommit to contesting everything or try to be too aggressive.

There will be key matchups to monitor. In all three regular-season games, the Blazers used Toumani Camara on De’Aaron Fox, even when they had Henderson and Holiday available. Fox got to the paint at will, so they might adjust and try to match his speed with a smaller but quicker defender. Even if they do contain Fox, who torched them this year, the Spurs can turn to Castle to run the show or try to get Deni Avdija, a solid but not outstanding defender, on switches to trigger rotations. The midrange shot and floaters could be deadly against an opponent that often plays drop defense to wall off the rim but doesn’t have switchable bigs.

Speaking of bigs, Victor Wembanyama missed all three games against the Blazers in the regular season, but should thrive in this matchup. Clingan, in particular, should not be able to deal with his agility, and he can draw him out with his range, leaving the back line exposed and the Blazers susceptible to offensive rebounding. Portland has hidden Clingan on non-shooters against stretch bigs, but it might be hard to find somewhere to do so against the Spurs. Castle seems like the better option on paper, but he’s been shooting better and can use his athleticism to attack him. We might see a lot of zone from Tiago Splitter’s team.

Ultimately, it will come down to execution. The Blazers have a lot of long-armed defenders to throw the Spurs’ ball handlers’ way and to punish any distraction or laziness on offense. They have no answer to Wembanyama, but could force others to beat him, so the shooters should be ready to fire away if left open, and San Antonio’s superstar might need to be patient if the entire game plan is geared towards stopping him. The Silver and Black should be able to score, but will need to be under control on every possession against an opponent that only has a chance to make the series competitive if they can rattle them.

Defensively, discipline will be key

While the Blazers can be tricky to deal with on defense, their offense is simply not good enough. Their outside shooting is among the worst in the league, and since they don’t have a true stretch five despite Clingan’s improving range, the paint can be crowded at times. They have some talented shot makers, a star in Avdija, and some momentum after closing the season with several role players shooting better, but it’s incredibly hard to see them scoring consistently against an elite defense like San Antonio’s, provided the Spurs are locked in.

It will be important for the Silver and Black to not fall back into bad habits. The Blazers know their limitations in the half-court and will look to run, even after makes. If the Spurs can limit easy points on the break and force Portland to play against a set defense, they should cruise to the second round. It’s easier said than done, since the Blazers have multiple ball handlers who can push the ball up the floor, including Avdija, who is lethal in space, but San Antonio has been great at preventing fastbreak points this year.

Another area where focus will be required on every possession is the defensive glass. The Spurs led the league in defensive rebounding percentage, but could struggle against an opponent that puts a big emphasis on getting extra possessions. Luke Kornet is not a great defensive rebounder, and Victor Wembanyama can be moved out of the way, so it will take a team effort to limit second-chance opportunities, a key factor for Portland, which finished the season with the fourth-highest offensive rebound percentage in the league and led all teams in second-chance points. Clingan is a specialist and will recover some misses, but San Antonio has to fight for every board.

The engine of the Blazers’ half-court offense is Deni Avdija. He led the league in drives per game and was efficient in those forays to the paint in part because opponents couldn’t stop fouling him, something that Castle, likely his main defender, will have to avoid. Avdija’s combination of size and vision makes him a handful, but he hasn’t faced Wembanyama yet this season, and it will be interesting to see how much challenging the best rim protector in the league affects him. It might push him to do what he seems to prefer on drives: passing. The problem for Portland is that Wemby will likely make lobs impossible, forcing Avdija to spray to the perimeter to questionable shooters.

Beyond the transition buckets, second chance opportunities, and Avdija-generated points, Portland has viable but not consistent weapons. Veterans Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant can still fill it up occasionally, but neither can act as a first option. Scoot Henderson is progressing as a shooter, defender, and shot creator, but at this point, he’s more of a role player than the star many thought he would immediately be. Shaedon Sharpe might drop 30 or take bad shot after bad shot. The Camara-Murray-Thybulle trio will hit some threes, but it doesn’t inspire fear from beyond the arc. The lack of firepower is real.

Prediction: Spurs in 4

The Trail Blazers are likely better than the numbers suggest, but this is a terrible matchup for them. San Antonio is good at preventing what Portland does well on offense, namely getting transition points and offensive rebounds. Avdija, who can shoot but is at his best when he touches the paint, will face a challenge because the Spurs will live with some threes from Clingan if it means Wembanyama gets to shut down the paint. They are deep, but so is San Antonio. Their defense is stout, but Wembanyama presents a riddle they might not be able to solve. They have no significant edge in any area.

A safer bet than a sweep would be to give Portland at least one game, based on the Spurs’ inexperience, Avdija’s brilliance, and the Trail Blazers’ ability to make teams uncomfortable with their defense. The games should likely be close, but in the end, if San Antonio is locked in, they should come out on top in every single one.

The Cavaliers protected home court this afternoon, handily defeating the Raptors 126-113 on the strength of Donovan Mitchell’s and James Harden’s combined 54 points.

The Raptors have been branded as optimistic underdogs in this series. While sweeping Cleveland in the season series 3-0, those losses came early in the season before their acquisition of James Harden, a presence Toronto would feel heavily in today’s game on the road. Going into Rocket Arena, the Raptors had the weight of the country on their shoulders as they sought to steal a first game on the road.

The game was close in the first quarter, with Scottie Barnes looking like every bit of the superstar that he is, knocking down threes and facilitating his teammates, leading the Raptors to an early lead that was quickly caught up to by the Cavs. The connection between James Harden and Jarrett Allen activated early on, scoring with pick and rolls, layups, and three pointers, with Harden showing off his scoring chops and ability to run an offence. Max Struss, off assists, dropped in four points at close range to break a tie and put the Cavaliers up 4, 35-31 at the end of the first quarter.

Toronto and Cleveland traded blows throughout the beginning of the second, with RJ Barrett activating to get thoroughly involved in the offence. Harden continued his onslaught of scoring and assisting, and with a pass to an Evan Mobley dunk, got the lead to seven points, that after a three-pointer from Struss, would be extended to double digits near the end of the quarter.

Things began to unravel for the Raptors in the third quarter, as the Cavaliers continued to push their lead into the teens with unrelenting force at the rim and on the perimeter. Up 14, Max Struss hit two threes in a row to push the Cavaliers’ lead to 20, 80-60, as RJ Barrett pushed back, getting to the line, and assisting on a Jamal Shead three. Scottie had a picture-perfect assist to Jakob Poeltl, threading the needle past two defenders to drop the rock off to the big man for an easy bucket at the rim. As the Raptors began to claw their way back into the game, the Cavaliers refused to relinquish their lead, as Donovan Mitchell hit jump shots and free throws to keep the Raptors buried under the 20 point deficit.

The writing was on the wall by the beginning of the fourth, though Jamal Shead and Scottie Barnes did what they could to put up points on the board. Barnes was everywhere, hitting free throws, facilitating, or scoring at the rim. But halfway through the last quarter, the Cavs still led 115-95, with James Harden assisting or scoring to patch up any hole the Raptors made in the Cavaliers’ lead. With two minutes left, the Cavaliers pulled their starters, the death knell on the hardwood, as Trayce Jackson-Davis hit two free throws in garbage time to end the game.

Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 32 points and James Harden all facilitators with 1o assists, Cleveland’s guard combo operating at its maximum efficiency. The Raptors spread minutes across their big men, with Jakob Poeltl, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Sandro Mamukelashvili all playing around 20. The rookie played well in his first postseason game, dropping in 14 points with 4 boards and assists and piece. Brandon Ingram underperformed with 17 points, 7 of them from the charity stripe, however, as RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes shined. Ultimately, the Raptors were out-rebounded and outscored, with the Cavaliers’ backcourt looking unstoppable. The Raptors will play the Cavaliers next on Sunday for their second matchup for this first round series, before heading back home to Scotiabank Arena.

The 6-seeded Atlanta Hawks (0-0) try to steal Game 1 just like they did five years ago tonight in the Garden.

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: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, NY

Start Time: 6:00 PM EDT

TV: N/A

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

Streaming: Prime Video

If any college basketball recruit in the transfer portal is considering the Gonzaga Bulldogs, take a look at the amount of professional talent on basketball’s biggest stage right now. Six Zags who were trained and prepared for the next level within the walls of the McCarthey Athletic Center are now gearing up for the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren

San Antonio Spurs’ Kelly Olynyk

Denver Nuggets’ Julian Strawther

Los Angeles Lakers’ Rui Hachimura

Atlanta Hawks’ Corey Kispert

Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs

Los Angeles Lakers’ Drew Timme isn’t available for the playoff roster as he’s under a two-way contract, splitting his time with the G League’s South Bay Lakers during the 2025-26 season.

As for the reigning NBA champion, Holmgren is coming off an NBA All-Star appearance for the first time in his young career. Most importantly, the 7-1, 23-year-old freak has been healthy and active defensively with that 7-6 wingspan of his.

Through 69 starts, Holmgren averaged 17.1 points on a shooting split of 55.7 percent from the field, 36.2 percent on three-pointers, and 79.2 percent at the charity stripe. His 8.9 rebounds per game rank tied for No. 11 in the NBA, while his 1.9 blocks per game are tied for No. 2.

The 2026 NBA Finals officially start on June 23 on ESPN/ABC.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

It was vintage Kristaps Porzingis. 

He was active. He was everywhere. He helped space the court for Steph Curry’s scoring flurries. He was in the trenches alongside Draymond Green on defense.

A few days before the Warriors were eliminated Friday from the play-in tournament, Porzingis had 20 points (8-for-12 shooting from the field, 3-for-6 from beyond the arc), five rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocked shots in an elimination game against the Clippers on Wednesday, 

He was everything the Warriors hoped he’d be when they acquired him from Atlanta for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline. 

But that version of him came in spurts this season. 

Porzingis only played in 15 of a possible 31 games with the Warriors because of health issues at least partially related to POTS. He hardly shared the court with Curry, who missed 27 straight games because of runner’s knee. 

The 7-foot-2 center will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Warriors hope to re-sign him, though he’d have to take a significant salary cut from the two-year, $60 million extension he signed in Boston in 2023. 

How does he feel about returning to Golden State?

“That’s a good question,” Porzingis told The California Post in an exclusive interview. “I do love my time here, honestly. Not one bad thing I can say about the organization, the team, the teammates. I really love it here, I really do.

“As I said before, I haven’t had a good year. If I had a good year, I think I’d have a more clear picture of what I want to do. Because I’ve had an up-and-down year like this, this is an offseason in my career that I think I’m just going to take a step back, look at the whole picture and then see what’s the best direction for me.”

Things didn’t go as planned for the Warriors this season, either. 

After losing Jimmy Butler to an ACL tear in January, Golden State went all in on trying to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the trade deadline. When it became clear that the Bucks weren’t going to part with their superstar, the Warriors pivoted to Porzingis to try to salvage their season.

When Porzingis is at his best, he’s an All-Star-caliber player who can dominate on both ends of the court with his silky shot and rim protection. But an elongated illness has prevented him from consistently playing to his potential.  

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Porzingis began struggling with illness in his final season with the Celtics in 2024-25. It sapped him of his energy. It depleted his wind. It prevented him from being the dominant player who had averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and nearly two blocks per game as he helped lead the Celtics to a championship in 2024. 

Since then, Porzingis has had to play around his symptoms. He’ll stack a few good games and then be sidelined for a cluster of contests. Rinse and repeat. The constant starting and stopping is an enormous challenge considering the paramount importance of rhythm in basketball. 

“It’s been a little bit of the story of my career,” Porzingis told The Post. “A lot of my career, I felt like this is bothering me or that. I’m not able to play at 100%. But honestly, as a basketball player, you rarely do. There’s always something for everybody. 

“But I’ve definitely had this feeling a lot of times. How do I get into a good rhythm because I’ve been out? Because of that, I’m pretty good at jumping right back in and getting into a decent rhythm right away. And also, just staying mentally in the game. Once I get the opportunity to play again, I’m ready to go. I’ve gotten so good at it that it’s very natural for me to just jump back in and be in a rhythm.”

It’s a skill he had to hone. 

Porzingis only played 17 games for the Hawks this season before being traded to Golden State. Last season, he only played 42 games for the Celtics. 

During his introductory news conference with the Warriors on Feb. 7, Porzingis was optimistic he’d be able to remain on the floor. “I’m confident that I will,” he said at the time. But he played in about half of the team’s contests, averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in a career-low 23.7 minutes per game. 

Still, the Warriors liked what they saw. 

“Kristaps was fantastic,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Friday after the Warriors lost their second play-in game to the Suns, 111-96, as Porzingis struggled with ankle soreness. “He changed our team. The dynamic of having that floor spacing and shot-blocking.”

Porzingis knows he’s capable of so much more. 

“Honestly, I’m still working my way back into being in great, great shape,” he said. 

He was excellent in flashes, such as when he had 30 points on 8-for-13 shooting, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks against the Wizards on March 16. But his illness and Curry’s injury prevented the team from developing any momentum as Golden State fell to 10th in the West without Butler. 

Now, the Warriors have a lot of questions. Will Kerr return as head coach? WIll Curry sign a contract extension this offseason? Will Green or Butler be traded? Will they land a superstar this summer? Is this the end of the dynasty?

Amid that dizzying set of queries is another: What will Porzingis do?

At this moment, he’s clearly not sure. 

But at least for one game, he was reminded of what he’s capable of doing and who the Warriors could be with him on the court. 

On Wednesday, Porzingis shined alongside Curry’s 35 points and Green’s lockdown defense on Kawhi Leonard. The three of them were in sync. They were stars. The Warriors looked like champions for one night, a thrilling moment of joy for a team that suffered an endless series of blows this season.

For Porzingis, it was a huge relief. 

He knows what he can do. And he made sure everyone else saw it, too. 

“[Wednesday] honestly was a big step forward for me,” Porzingis told The Post. “To have a game like this, it means a lot. To pull it out of somewhere, and it was there. Definitely a big step in the right direction.”

A three-time NBA champion foresees a Knicks implosion after hearing “rumblings” of a fractured team. 

Danny Green, the Long Island product and former Spurs forward, explained in an ESPN media conference call Friday why he has retracted his prediction of the Knicks winning the East. 

“Simply because the fact that the Knicks this year, especially late in the season, they looked very up-and-down,” said Green, an ESPN analyst. “They looked like they were disconnected. The chemistry wasn’t there. 

“There are rumblings about some guys don’t like Mike Brown or work with the coaches. There are rumblings that some guys are feeling they’re not getting touches or there’s over usage of Jalen Brunson. That seems to me like a team that could self-implode.” 

Green, who was a teammate with OG Anunoby on the 2019 championship Raptors, now envisions the Knicks falling in the second round to the Celtics, though that would go against the results of last year’s playoffs. His reasoning is a difference in chemistry — the Celtics have it, Green said, and the Knicks don’t after replacing Tom Thibodeau with Brown. 

“[The Knicks] have all the talent, they have all the tools, they have everything, and they were going to beat Boston [last year], regardless of whether Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles or not,” said Green — who won titles with the Spurs, Raptors and Lakers. “But just this year with the coaching change, they seem a little bit more disconnected at the wrong time of year.” 

Green didn’t cite specifics, but there were instances during the season when Brown and Karl-Anthony Towns, in particular, didn’t seem to be operating on the same page. And though the Knicks offense ranked fourth in the NBA this season, four of the five starters — outside of Brunson — experienced declines in points and shot attempts per game. 

That happened after reports in the summer of players upset about undefined roles under Thibodeau. 

Charles Oakley, the former All-Star power forward who attended the previous Knicks-Hawks game a couple of weeks ago in Atlanta, also sees something is off with his former team. 

“Last year, it was right there for the Knicks. It was dinner on the table and they went somewhere else like Popeyes,” Oakley said this week on ‘The Bottom Line Sports Show,’ hosted by Gerald Brown and Rick Mahorn. “They got the talent and they’re still fighting within themselves. They don’t really know their roles. And they really don’t really know — KAT and Brunson, that’s their team. OG, Bridges and Hart, use like the fork and knife.” 

Still, the Knicks won two more games than last season and finished with 12 wins in their final 16 games. As the third seed Saturday, they hosted the No. 6 Hawks in Game 1 of the first round. If anything, the surprise this season wasn’t about the Knicks underwhelming — they finished around their projected win total — but rather the Celtics and Pistons busting through ceilings. 

Green dismissed the Pistons and picked the Celtics over New York because of chemistry differences. 

“Originally at the beginning of the year, I had the Knicks,” he said. “The Knicks probably had the highest expectation, the most pressure on them. They made it to the Eastern Conference finals last year. Indiana dropped out with injuries. Boston had dropped down with injuries but came back, and they’ve been playing well even without Jayson Tatum for most of the year. 

“Detroit is good. They’re just young and inexperienced. That’s why I couldn’t give the edge to Detroit. Boston and New York have to face each other in that second round at some point. The winner of that matchup is the one that’s going to get to the Finals. Right now, I’m giving the edge to Boston, even though the Knicks have played well against Boston.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers defended their home floor in Game 1 of their first round series against the Toronto Raptors.

Let’s go over today’s winners, because there were no losers.

WINNER – Pace

Controlling the tempo was a point of emphasis for the Cavaliers entering this series. Toronto is one of the deadlier transition teams in the league, while Cleveland was just a middling transition defense throughout the regular season. Naturally, this was a cause for concern.

Cleveland kept the Raptors at bay in the first half. They only allowed one point in transition during the opening quarters by hustling back on defense and forcing the game into a half-court setting. The Cavs also benefitted from drawing a load of fouls, attempting 17 free throws in the first half, and making it harder for Toronto to push off rebounds.

“You tell a group that’s hungry to win, ‘this is what we need to do to win the game,’ and I think they lock in,” said Kenny Atkinson of his group after the game.

This carried deep into the second half, where the Raptors remained stuck in the mud as Cleveland grew its lead. The Cavs kept the game slow and pummeled them 52-36 in the paint. Toronto finished with just 3 fastbreak points.

Closing the door on what should be Toronto’s biggest advantage in this series is a testament to Kenny Atkinson’s game plan and the players for bringing it to life. If they can continue to win on the margins, they’ll go on to win the series.

WINNER – Pick and Roll

One result of slowing the game down is that it forces you to dig deeper into your offensive bag. For the Cavs, a slower game set in the halfcourt meant the world was theirs. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, especially, dominated in that regard.

We’ve seen Harden’s mastery in the pick-and-roll for more than a decade at this point. It turns out, he’s still going at running that action even in a classic ‘07 Cavs jersey. He worked the Raptors in pick-and-roll, coming up with an answer to any problem he was presented. Harden scored either with his step-back jumper or by getting into the lane with his floater. If the Raps blitzed the ball or overcommitted on his drives, he’d quickly zap the ball to a teammate.

That’s the Beard’s special.

“He’s firing darts to shooters,” said Atkinson. “I’d love to see the passes he threw to Max… he’s almost like a quarterback, super accurate, just kind of picking them apart with short passes and then he hits the long ones every once in a while.”

Mitchell, meanwhile, took more of an all-gas, no breaks approach. He put relentless pressure on the basket, slicing into the paint and taking advantage of the Raptors lack of rim protection. When he’s doing that and his three-point shot is falling? Good luck.

The Cavs’ backcourt combined for 54 points and 14 assists.

WINNER – Max Strus

The playoffs are where stars shine brightest. But make no mistake, this environment has always been ripe for big performances from role players, too.

Max Strus fits that bill.

Strus started the game by using his gravity to attack poor closeouts and get to the rim. It’s always good to see someone who was previously considered a three-point specialist then use that skill against the defense to find new opportunities. Strus darted to the basket for numerous layups in the first half, including a buzzer-beating layup to close the first quarter.

“He’s a dog,” said James Harden. “Whether he makes shots or misses shots, he’s more impactful to our team in ways that probably don’t show up in the stat sheet.”

From there, Strus was loose.

We saw more of what you’d expect from Strus as the game went on. A three-pointer in the first half got the ball rolling. That carried over into the second half, where he nailed three more. Strus ended the game 8-10 from the floor, scoring a playoff career-high 24 points and giving Cleveland a massive boost off the bench.

“When you look at how he works, he practices individually for the big moments,” said Atkinson after the game. “We needed his gravity today, I think it turned the game for us offensively, and that got us our separation.”

A Scarlet Knight in Boston’s Rotation

For Ron Harper Jr., the journey has been about patience, growth, and finding his role on a championship-caliber roster. After grinding his way into the league, Harper has carved out a role with the Celtics as a versatile wing—someone who can defend multiple positions, space the floor, and provide energy off the bench.

Boston enters the playoffs as one of the Eastern Conference’s premier contenders, built around elite two-way play and postseason experience. With Jayson Tatum back from injury, the Celtics clinched the second seed in the Eastern Conference and will look to return to their championship pedigree. While Harper isn’t the focal point, his value shows up in the margins—rotational minutes, defensive assignments, and timely shooting. On a team with championship aspirations, those details matter.

The Celtics’ playoff outlook is simple: they’re in it to contend for another title. Depth pieces like Harper often swing key moments in long series, and his ability to stay ready could be the difference in tight games. For Rutgers fans, seeing a former Scarlet Knight trusted in meaningful playoff minutes is a testament to both his development and the program he came from.

Dylan Harper’s Arrival in San Antonio

While Ron’s role is about contributing to a contender, Dylan Harper represents something different: the future.

The Spurs have been building toward this moment, and Harper’s stellar rookie season after being drafted second overall has been a major step in that process. As a young guard with size, poise, and playmaking instincts, he’s already shown flashes of becoming a cornerstone piece. His ability to control tempo, attack downhill, and create for others has added another layer to San Antonio’s evolving identity.

The Spurs are among the top teams in the West, only behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the standings, and San Antonio beat OKC three times in the regular season. With an otherworldly athlete in Victor Wembanyama at center and a dangerous guard lineup including De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, Harper’s role becomes easier off the bench as a dynamic playmaker who can make a difference when the team needs it the most.

Playoff Outlooks For The Celtics and Spurs

Boston opens the postseason tomorrow at 1 PM as they host the Philadelphia 76ers, rekindling a familiar rivalry in the Atlantic Division. Should they advance, they will likely face the New York Knicks in the second round, a rematch of New York’s thrilling elimination of the Celtics in six games last year.

Otherwise, the Celtics will play another familiar foe in the Atlanta Hawks, with the two sides last facing each other in the playoffs in 2023. If Boston makes it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, their most likely opponent would be an upstart in the Detroit Pistons, as Cade Cunningham’s team has won 60 games this season, including three victories over New York and the Celtics this season. However, the experience the C’s possess could be critical in a seven-game postseason series, which the young Pistons are lacking despite their talent.

San Antonio opens the playoffs against the Trail Blazers tomorrow at 9 PM at home as they look to make their deepest postseason run in quite some time. Should they advance, a second-round series against the winner of the Nuggets and Timberwolves is looming.

In a crowded Western Conference, the Thunder and Spurs have been a notch above everyone else, so a conference finals matchup between the sides would be the series that NBA fans would truly enjoy seeing, and the series could even serve as the de facto NBA Finals, much like the Warriors-Rockets series of the past.

The Bigger Picture

As the playoffs unfold, the spotlight in this area will naturally be on the Knicks, Sixers, and other local and national brands. But for the Rutgers faithful, there’s another storyline worth following: two Scarlet Knights, two different journeys, and one shared foundation—making their mark when the lights are brightest.

And in a league defined by legacy, the Harper name is only getting stronger.

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Two NBA icons are at the center of the final first-round playoff series to tip off today.

Lebron James and the No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Durant’s No. 5 Houston Rockets will meet in the best-of-seven first round series, but both teams will be without a few key pieces.

Both Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) remain out for the Lakers after sustaining injuries in the same loss against Oklahoma City on April 2. Though it’s possible either could return at some point during the series, they have both been ruled out for tonight’s Game 1.

Durant is listed as a game-time decision for the Rockets tonight after appearing on the injury report with a right knee contusion.

In the regular season, Los Angeles won two of three meetings with Houston, most recently in March.

Game 2 of the Rockets-Lakers playoff series is set for Monday, April 20.

Rockets vs. Lakers start time:

Game 1 of the Hawks vs. Knicks playoff series tips off tonight (April 18) at 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET tonight, April 18.

How to watch Rockets vs. Lakers for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the Lakers game for free.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes ABC (plus almost every other channel you’ll need for the NBA playoffs). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $49.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.

Sling TV is another affordable way to stream NBA games; its Select plan includes ABC and starts at $19.99/month.

Rockets-Lakers first round playoff schedule

• Game 1: April 18, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 2: April 21, 10:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Game 3: April 24, 8 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
• Game 4: April 26, 9:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Game 5: April 29*
• Game 6: May 1*
• Game 7: May 3*

* if necessary

NBA Playoffs key dates:

• April 18: NBA Playoffs First Round begins
• June 3: Game 1 of the NBA Finals

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

The Lakers have had a history with many teams, including this year’s matchup in the Rockets.

One might not think the Lakers and Rockets have any history together, but there is one surprising link between the two franchises.

Pat Riley.

Drafted by the San Diego Rockets in the 1967 NBA draft as the seventh pick in the first round, Riley stayed with the team for the first three years of their existence. The Rockets would remain in San Diego for one more season before moving to Houston in the 1971-72 season.

Of note, in the Houston Rockets’ initial season, the head coach was Tex Winter, the architect of the triangle offense.

Riley would join the Los Angeles Lakers in 1970 and remained with the franchise until the start of the 1975-1976 season, when he was traded to the Phoenix Suns. He would retire as a player that season and then join the Lakers’ broadcast team in 1977 and the rest was history

Let’s have a look back at the history of these two franchises in the postseason

1981 First Round

In this matchup, Riley was the assistant coach for Paul Westhead. This was the early Showtime era with second-year Magic Johnson and an eleventh-year Kareem Abdul-Jabbar fresh off the NBA championship. On the Houston side, Del Harris was the head coach.

Game 1 was close as the starting 5 combined for 97 points. Magic led with 26 points, Norm Nixon had 22 and Cap had 21. Malone led all players with 38 points, 23 rebounds. 4 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. The final score was 111-107 in favor of Houston.

Game 2 went better for the Lakers as they tied the series. The Lakers made a lineup change, starting Michael Cooper. Norm, Magic, Wilks, and Cap were happy with Cooper’s defensive focus joining the starting 5. Magic scored 15 points with 18 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals. Kareem, Nixon, and Wilkes all had at least 20 points.

Game 3 was a nailbiter and a defensive clinic for both teams. It was a back-and-forth game with the Lakers running their Showtime transition offense and the Rockets utilizing their strength inside with Malone.

In the closing minutes, it was the Lakers’ defense that helped pick up a few extra possessions. Magic had a chance late to win the game, but after a fancy behind-the-back dribble to his left hand, his shot ended up being short. The Rockets won this series 2-1 and went on to face the Celtics in the NBA Finals.

1986 Western Conference Finals

Once again, the Rockets faced the champion Lakers. Houston was running the Twin Towers lineup of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. The Lakers had solidified their starting five with Magic, Byron Scott, James Worthy, Kurt Rambis and Kareem.

Game 1 would be one of Magic Johnson’s greatest games as he finished with 26 points, 7 rebounds, 18 assists and 3 steals.

Game 2 would be a bounce-back game for the Rockets with the play of Sampson and Olajuwon taking over. Both would have double-doubles, Sampson with 24 points and 16 rebounds and Hakeem with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Game 3 is when Hakeem took over, scoring 40 points with 12 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 46 minutes of play. Kareem was going at Hakeem in a duel for the ages.

Hakeem would go on to win this game to push the Rockets up 2-1. He took over Game 4 as well to push the series nearly out of reach.

Game 5 was the Lakers’ last chance to come back in the series. Midway through the game, a fight led to Hakeem and Kupkak getting ejected. The game, though, would be remembered for an improbable game-winner from Sampson to eliminate the Lakers.

Once again, the Rockets would make the Finals where they would once again face the Celtics and lose in 6 games.

1990 Western Conference First Round

Lots of things happened since the 1986 series between the two. Sampson was not there and it would be a few more years before Hakeem got a championship team around him.

In Game 1, James Worthy took over the game and scored 34 points with 11 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks to lead LA to a win. Game 2 was the Sleepy Floyd game as he scored 27 points as Houston won.

The last two games were not a contest. The Lakers took care of business to close out the first round.

1991 Western Conference First Round

This was the beginning of a new era for Lakers.

The Lakers had a balanced approach to Game 1 and everyone scored in double figures en route to a 94-92 Lakers win, the closest game in the series.

Game 1 was emblematic of how the series would go as the Lakers would win the series in a 3-0 sweep before eventually losing to Jordan’s Bulls in the Finals.

1996 Western Conference First Round

After retiring, Magic would eventually return with this being his final season. There would be quite the clash Magic and Nick Van Exel, negatively impacting the chemistry heading into the playoffs.

The Lakers would face the defending champion Rockets in the first round. Unfortunately, the Lakers were unable to beat the champions. Houston would win the series 3-1.

1999 Western Conference First Round

In the last year before Phil Jackson, the Lakers faced the Rockets in the first round. Del Harris would only last 12 games to start the season. Bill Bertka would go 1-0. Kurt Rambis would go 24-13 to finish out the regular season.

Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher and Shaquille O’Neal would be in their third year together. With the Bulls dynasty having concluded, the Rockets had morphed from the Hakeem- and Clyde Drexler-led teams to the Hakeem, Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen Big 3.

In Game 1, the Lakers won on a pair of Kobe free throws in the final seconds. Game 2 saw Houston’s bench of Sam Mack, Brint Price, Othella Harrington carry the Rockets, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Lakers won handily, 110-98. In Houston, the Rockets came back to win Game 3 behind Pippen and Barkley, who each had at least 30 points.

Glen Rice would sit and Rick Fox would take his place in the starting 5 for Game 4, which would be all about the stars. Shaq would dominate Hakeem with 37 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. Kobe would join Shaq with 24 points, 6 boards, 8 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks as the Lakers would go on to eventually win the series.

2004 Western Conference First Round

The Lakers were en route to the Finals with Shaq, Kobe, Gary Payton and Karl Malone — with Ime Udoka on the bench — while the Rockets were entering a new era with Yao Ming, Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley.

Throuout the series, it would be a different star showing out for each team. Game 1, it was Shaq with 20 points, 17 boards, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Game 2, it was Kobe with 36 points and Yao with 21

Game 3, it was more balanced for both teams with Shaq and Kobe leading the Lakers with 25 and 21, respectively. Game 4, it was Malone had 30 points. Game 5 was closed out by Kobe with 31 points.

2009 Western Conference Semi-Finals

Kobe and Pau were on the heels of a Finals appearance in the previous year versus the Celtics.

This is probably the closest series between the two franchises just because of how hard it was to score and the intense defense on both sides. Four of the seven games would have final scores below 100 points.

Game 1 set the tone with the defense. Kobe would be battling flu-like symptoms but managed to still score 32 points in a losing effort. Game 2 would go better for the Lakers as they scored above 100 points, resulting in a win. LA would score north of 100 three times in the series and won all three games.

Game 7 turned out to be the lowest-scoring game of the series, but LA still came away with the win.

2020 Western Conference Semi-Finals

The first of two Lebron James-Rockets series. In the bubble, this would be a clash of styles with the Rockets going micro-ball and speedy defense while the Lakers were huge inside.

In Game 1, it was JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard struggled as the Rockets won. Frank Vogel called for a change in Game 2, turning to Markieff Morris in a more prominent role as LA bounced back. By Game 4, Markieff would start, as the Lakers won the final four games to take the series in five.

Coaches tie the Rockets and Lakers together throughout their history, from Riley, Harris and Winter.

This year, will Houston have a problem or will the Lakers be in too deep for their own good?

All playoff history for A Dip in the Lake is from landofbasketball.com