The Miami Heat face the Charlotte Hornets in an elimination game on Tuesday in the NBA’s play-in tournament. The winner will face the loser of Wednesday’s game between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers on Friday — with the winner of that game securing the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup with the Detroit Pistons. The loser of Tuesday’s Heat-Hornets game is eliminated and lands in the NBA Draft Lottery.
The Knicks face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Game 1 is set for Saturday, so let's open up the mailbag to answer your postseason questions...
Hart to the bench is a no-brainer. Would rather see Mo or Mitch start, plus they would show more life at the jump. -- @bobtabaske
I’ve been asking people both around the Knicks and with other teams about the Knicks starting lineup, specifically about Josh Hart’s role in it. Based on those conversations and based on what I’ve seen since Hart has been in New York, my answer to the question above is: the Knicks are at their best with Hart in the starting lineup.
Here are some points made by people in the league whose eye/evaluation I trust:
BALL-HANDLING: If you take Hart out of the starting lineup, who is the secondary ball-handler in the starting lineup? Unless you put Jose Alvarado or Tyler Kolek in the starting lineup, you are taking the best secondary ball-handler out of the unit and replacing him with someone who is less adept at operating as a dribbler. Maybe you argue that Miles McBride can adequately replace Hart as a ball-handler while also improving the starting five.
SHOT DISTRIBUTION: Hart doesn’t need to score to impact the game. This is one of the reasons why he’s a good fit for the lineup. If you replace him with McBride or Landry Shamet, how many shot attempts will either player get? Are you hurting yourself by taking shots away from a player who gives you scoring off the bench? That’s the way I see it playing out.
SCREENING: Hart is the best screener in the starting lineup. That is an overlooked part of the game that is pivotal in today’s NBA. As noted above, he doesn’t need the ball to be effective. He doesn’t want the ball, so his play won’t be impacted by his own field-goal attempts. It’s obvious to say that the lineup works well when Hart is hitting his threes (he’s been hitting them at a high level this season). But even if Hart isn’t knocking down threes at a high level, the Knicks can take advantage of defenders playing off Hart by having him set screens when he’s not being guarded. Hart setting a screen in that scenario forces his defender to scramble and can give the Knicks distinct advantages in the half-court.
Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s why I believe Hart should remain in the lineup. As Mike Brown noted in a recent news conference, he did consider changing the lineup at some point later in the season. But he ultimately decided against it. I think it was the right call. If I end up being wrong, feel free to call me out on it.
Do you think the collaboration instilled between the coaching staff (ex. O+D asst’s taking over huddles) has more advantages or disadvantages in the playoffs? -- @luvmyknix
This is a great question and my guess is that it only helps the Knicks. Brown has been receptive to different ideas/perspectives from his staff and others in the organization. He doesn’t make a decision and then stick with it just to prove that he’s right. I think this kind of collaboration has helped the Knicks during the regular season (for example: Hart going from a bench player to starting; defensive adjustments in late January that solidified the Knicks on that end of the floor). I think it will continue to help the Knicks in playoff series where between game adjustments are often the difference between winning and losing.
QUICK HITTERS
Ian, I know you’re not in the business of doing predictions as you often say but I want to know what you think - who will win this series and in how many games?--@KnicksCentral
Hey Alex, I’m taking Knicks in six just to be conservative. I think the Knicks can win this series in five games due, in part, to their advantage at center and the defensive matchups for OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. I don’t think there will be an "easy" win in the series but I think the Knicks will protect leads late. As Brian Windhorst noted on The Putback, I don’t believe they will "kick" any winnable games.
What are chances Brown is asked to leave should NYK suffer an early exit? There should be more HC options as there will likely be more turnover throughout the league compared to last offseason. -- @GateDasinDog
This is pure speculation but I would think significant roster changes are much more likely than another coaching change. Maybe there will be some smaller changes off the court (changing Brown’s assistant coaches? Changing Leon Rose’s front office?). But unless there is a complete disaster, I don’t see Brown getting fired.
If the Knicks played the Thunder in the finals, why would they not match double bigs to start? -- @_the6thman
This is also just speculation on my part, Left , but I think any change to the lineup would be based more on performance than matching up with a specific opponent. You saw Tom Thibodeau change his lineup midway through the Pacers series. That one was based on the shoddy performance of the starters. I think any change during this postseason would be a reaction to poor play rather than tailoring the lineup to an opponent.
The Phoenix Suns face the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA’s play-in tournament on Tuesday. The winner will get the Western Conference’s No. 7 playoff seed and face the No. 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The loser will play the winner of Wednesday’s play-in game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors on Friday — with the winner of that game landing the No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
How to watch Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns
The NBA Play-In Tournament marks the start of the postseason with the Charlotte Hornets hosting the Miami Heat tonight.
Charlotte’s young guns are home favorites versus the Heat, and our same game parlay for the opening Play-In tilt leans into LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel to make a big splash in this big game.
Here are my best Heat vs. Hornets predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, April 14.
Our best Heat vs Hornets SGP for April 14
The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the best two-way teams since the All-Star break, finishing the schedule with an 18-9 SU record. The Hornets also hold down home court when laying points, boasting a 15-6 SU mark on the season.
LaMelo Ball has dished out eight dimes in eight of his last 14 games, including 13 assists in a win over the Miami Heat on March 17. Ball’s player projections sit north of eight assists against a Heat defense that wrapped the year among the worst in the NBA.
Kon Knueppel is often on the scoring end of those Ball assists, thriving in their guard-on-guard high screens. The rookie flamethrower has torched the Heat in all four meetings, putting up 19, 22, 27, and 30 points while shooting 45% from beyond the arc in those games.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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.
The NBA Play-In Tournament seems like a cruel joke on those Western Conference teams battling for the final two seeds. Waiting in Round 1 is either the Thunder or Spurs, which is like asking, “Would you rather wrestle a lion or a tiger?”
The Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns tip off the Play-In tonight, fighting for the No. 7 seed. These Trail Blazers vs. Suns predictions and NBA picks pass on the side and total, and instead poke around for a trio of NBA player props.
Best Trail Blazers vs Suns props
Player
Pick
Dillion Brooks
Over 3.5 rebounds
-140
Toumani Camara
Under 12.5 points
-102
Devin Booker
Over 2.5 threes
+150
Prop #1: Dillon Brooks Over 3.5 rebounds
-140 at bet365
This is a battle of two very strong defensive teams that like to shoot the 3-ball. What doesn’t go in will turn into long rebounding opportunities, and Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks isn’t shy about mixing it up on the glass.
Brooks, who averages around 3.5 rebounds, has hauled in 4+ boards in 19 of his last 28 games. That includes four rebounds in a win over Portland on February 3 (as Brooks missed 18 games with a busted hand this winter). He averaged 8.1 rebounding chances during that 28-game span.
He played just 21 minutes in the season finale and has been working his way back into form since returning to the lineup at the end of March. He’ll be a full go for this Play-In contest with projections sitting between 3.4 and 5.0 rebounds.
Prop #2: Toumani Camara Under 12.5 points
-102 at bet365
Portland Trail Blazers guard Toumani Camara is Portland's biggest outside threat, knocking down 2.7 triples per contest. He faces a drum-tight Phoenix perimeter that allows the second-lowest opponent 3-point rate, giving up only 12.2 makes from distance per game.
Camara was especially active from outside during Portland's late-season push, jacking up 6+ shots from beyond the arc in 10 of his final 11 games (8.5 3PA per game). His scoring jumped to 18.2 per contest in that span and dragged up scoring prop totals to as high as 15.5 O/U.
Tonight’s tilt in Phoenix will be played at a slow pace with postseason intensity, and Camara (who was drafted by Phoenix) will absolutely be circled on the Suns’ pregame whiteboard.
He scored six, 12, and 13 points over his three meetings with Phoenix this season, shooting a combined 7-for-24 from outside (29%). Player forecasts range from 10.0 to 13.1 points for Camara tonight, with most models short of his scoring total.
Prop #3: Devin Booker Over 2.5 threes
+150 at bet365
Devin Booker’s 3-point prop is bouncing between a juicy Over 1.5 and Over 2.5, which is paying plus-money.
He hasn’t been the sharpest shooter in the second half of the schedule, firing at a 33.8% clip since the All-Star break and knocking down an average of two triples over his last 13 games.
That said, Booker enters the Play-In well rested and ready to log major minutes after sitting out the final two regular-season outings.
Before that, he was on a scoring tear in his last six showings, averaging almost 32 points and making 2.7 shots from distance with 3+ triples in three of those outings.
Projections for Tuesday have Booker pegged between 2.0 and 2.4 makes from long range. Given the fact he’s Phoenix’s go-to scorer and his propensity to step up to the postseason pressure (averages 2.3 3PM), I’ll grab the higher return on Over 2.5 threes.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!
Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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.
There is no indication Steph Curry is about to retire, but each postseason that passes lessens his chances of another dramatic playoff run, the kind every basketball fan should hope for.
The Golden State Warriors know those are the stakes, hence emphasizing veterans, unlike the Los Angeles Clippers, who are trying to thread the needle of reinvention while starring Kawhi Leonard.
These Warriors vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks default to trusting Golden State’s veterans on Wednesday, April 15.
Our best Warriors vs Clippers SGP for April 15
Steph Curry has been shooting well since he returned from a knee injury, hitting 41.7% of his shots from beyond the arc in four games back in the lineup. And he has been shooting often, taking nine 3-pointers per game.
He has not been setting up his teammates that often, however. That is, to some degree, a negative reflection of this Golden State roster. How often is Curry going to look for Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos?
He's averaged only 3.5 assists in his return, down from an already pedestrian 4.8 on the season before his knee injury.
Instead, Draymond Green is moving the ball. Of course he is. The last few years of Green’s play have hinged entirely on Curry’s availability. With Steph in the lineup, Draymond has hinted at his past excellence.
He has thus averaged 8.3 assists in the three games he and Curry have overlapped in the last week. Setting up Curry may be the last thing Draymond Green is genuinely good for.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 1: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket as Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic defends in the second quarter at the Kia Center on March 1, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Peter Joneleit/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons won 60 games for the third time in team history. That was good enough to lock up the top seed in the East.
That means that play-in tournament results will shape the beginning of the Pistons’ playoff journey. Detroit has not reached these heights in a while, and they did it in the best Eastern Conference play-in bracket to date.
With the season Detroit put up, “fear” is not in their vocabulary. The Pistons would happily take on any of these four teams and aim to destroy them with relentless pressure and a togetherness that has dominated the NBA.
While it is true Detroit will sign up to play anybody and be favored against them in round one, some teams play a more favorable style that Detroit can take advantage of.
Who is the most dangerous potential Pistons first-round matchup?
8 seed Orlando Magic, 45-37
The Orlando Magic were supposed to be one of the top teams in the East after their offseason. The Desmond Bane trade was massive, and Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner were supposed to take leaps. Yet here they are in the play-in for the second straight year. Injuries, tour date shooting, and a backsliding defense put the Magic in this position.
Orlando is supposed to be a gritty team like Detroit, but their defense fell off. The Magic had the 3rd best defense last year. They had solid rim protection, positional size, and a togetherness that held teams in check.
Now the Magic are the 13th-ranked defense. They have lost that elite identity overall, but Orlando is heading into the postseason playing good ball defensively. They have the seventh-best defense over the last two weeks, removing garbage time. Orlando has the second best defensive pedigree among these four teams.
They have not lived up to expectations, but the Magic could put a dent in the questionable Pistons halfcourt offense. When healthy and available, Jalen Suggs is the type of defender that would get under Cade and stay on his hip.
But the Magic offense? That is still a struggle fest.
The addition of Bane has not paid top-tier dividends yet. He played all 82 and shot it efficiently, but the offensive woes in Orlando remain. Banchero has not been able to put it together for long stretches. He has been up and down. His shot selection is still puzzling.
Sometimes I watch and wonder whether he settles so much because he cannot get past defenders consistently. Then he will have a night where the shots are falling, and it’s like, yeah, that is why he keeps shooting (Banchero taking 2s works in Detroit’s favor, hot or not).
To his credit, Banchero has been a playoff riser, and he has shot the ball at an inferno level in the high-stakes game. Teams will still prefer him shooting jumpers over attacking the paint.
Overall, Banchero is much more dangerous when putting his shoulder down and attacking defenders. He is one of the best foul drawers in the league. That chink in his armor is one thing Detroit should be concerned about in this potential matchup.
Franz Wagner is arguably the Magic’s most impactful player, and he is back in the lineup. Wagner has a more free-flowing game than Banchero. Wagner is a more plug-and-play player. He does not need the ball to be impactful; he is a connective passer and a decisive cutter. Wagner has had low moments in the playoffs, but his usual steady play is something to account for. Wagner gets to the line too, so Detroit must be disciplined.
The Pistons destroy teams in the paint on both ends, they get out in transition after forcing turnovers, smother teams defensively, and they foul. They foul a lot.
With Detroit leading the league with 22 personal fouls per game, Banchero and Wagner will look to initiate contact and sit Pistons defenders down. Banchero and Wagner are in the 96th and 95th percentile on shot attempts they were fouled on.
Banchero can be 4-16 from the field but best believe he will shoot at least 10 free throws to bring up his point total. He is a handful when he is not forcing jumpers.
Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Paul Reed, Javonte Green, and probably even Cade Cunningham would see some Banchero minutes, and they would need to stay focused on cutting off driving lanes so Banchero can settle for tough pull-up 2s.
Banchero is very willing to settle, but if you do not cut him off, he will get you in foul trouble. If Detroit stays disciplined, it could be the first team to make Banchero look like his regular-season self in the playoffs.
Tristan Da Silva is one of Orlando’s better shooters who will be on top of the shooters’ scouting report, along with Bane. Orlando has talent in their big 3, but they have not been able to put it together all year. It is tough to imagine they flip the script against a Pistons squad that has been on a string since November. The Pistons’ halfcourt concerns should not show its head as much against an up-and-down Magic defense.
Orlando sells out to protect the 3-point line rather than holding down the paint. The points in the paint leaders in Detroit are licking their chops seeing that type of philosophy.
On the danger scale, Orlando gets a 4/10. You cannot be arrogant, thinking this time will bend the knee because Detroit won 60 games. Banchero has shown up in the playoffs, and Wagner and Bane are great players. That said, this special defense and deep unit in Motown would be too much for Orlando.
7 seed Philadelphia 76ers, 45-37
Philly was the most dangerous team when I initially started this process. Joel Embiid has not broken through in the playoffs, but he is so much to deal with. He is not a player you willingly sign up to play, even with his checkered playoff history. Healthy Embiid with a 28-PPG scorer and Paul George by his side makes Philly a top-heavy unit. Embiid is not healthy again, though.
Embiid just had surgery for appendicitis. There is no timetable for his return. It sucks that a talented big like him cannot stay healthy for an extended period of time. It is difficult to be confident in the 76ers when their best player is a question mark.
For pockets of this season, Tyrese Maxey emerged as the guy. His play (28 PPG – #5) was so strong that it would make one think maybe Philly will be okay without Embiid. Time will tell if that is true, but that would not be the case against the Pistons.
Detroit smothers anyone, but small guards get it worse. Without the Embiid safety valve, Maxey would constantly see a crowd of junkyard defenders.
There is talent around Maxey, though it is a far cry from being next to Embiid. Paul George is playing his best ball in years after returning from a 25-game suspension. George looks rejuvenated. His 39-point effort on April 1 looked like the old PG. Detroit has matchups for him as well. Ron Holland, Green, and others can all make George struggle. Those same defenders will make it hard on VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes.
Grimes and Edgecombe are Philly’s microwave guys. They go through ebbs and flows but can torch you randomly. Grimes is a solid finisher, while Edgecombe has made five or more 3s seven times this year. The wings in Detroit will not allow it to be easy for those two.
Philly does not turn the ball over often. They rank sixth in turnover percentage. That is against everybody, though. Everybody is not Detroit. Philly was not as safe with the rock on the April 4 loss to Detroit.
That was just one game, but the Pistons do that to everybody. Philly does not have the manpower to handle that pressure, even with a healthy Embiid. He has battled with turnovers his whole playoff career.
Nick Nurse is a championship-winning coach. Some question if he is still operating at that level. He does not maximize movement shooters (see Jared McCain). But Nurse was seen as an in-game adjustment wizard in Toronto. That was a while ago.
The culture and buy-in JB Bickerstaff has established in Detroit makes it hard to easily give Nurse the coaching advantage due to playoff success from the late 2010s. Bickerstaff has outcoached Nurse this season.
With Embiid’s health in the air, who is going to contain Duren? Duren would be a lot for Embiid himself. Adem Bona has put together a good year, but he will be in for a rude awakening if he is the one guarding Duren in round one. Andre Drummond would not fare much better.
The 76ers would have the top-end talent advantage if Embiid were 100 percent. He is not. Philly is not better offensively or defensively. They do not have a deeper bench. One could argue that Detroit has the better coach.
There is not much working in Philly’s favor in a potential match-up with the Pistons. Philly gets to the line a lot. With how handsy and active Detroit is, foul trouble is a potential problem against most teams. It pays that the Pistons are deep.
Philly and Orlando face off in the seven/eight play-in game. The winner clinches the seventh seed and takes on the Boston Celtics in round one. Interestingly, the more dangerous teams are the lower seeds in the play-in tournament. Detroit would be favored against Miami or Charlotte, but they bring some clear advantages.
10 seed Miami Heat, 43-39
Erik Spoelstra has turned water into wine a few times. The Miami Heat overachieved in 2020 and 2023. Granted, Jimmy Butler turned into a top-five player, and random role players popped off during these runs. One could argue that it is elite coaching that empowered those players to have career moments. Spo has proven he can make in-game and series adjustments.
Miami’s advantages over Detroit come down to coaching and experience. JB Bickerstaff should win Coach of the Year (Joe Mazulla is great, but this is JB’s), but he is not a proven playoff coach like Spo. Cade and company have not won a playoff series yet, either, while Bam Adebayo was the No. 2 option on those overachieving Heat squads. Experience and coaching will always be relevant, but Detroit has the talent on its side. On both sides of the ball.
The Heat does not have an elite playmaker who sets the table for himself and others, but that has not stopped them from having the 11th-ranked half-court offense. Tyler Herro and Norman Powell are snipers. Davion Mitchell and Kel’el Ware shot the rock with confidence all year.
The Heat’s no-pick-and-roll offense resulted in more success than last year’s offense. Jamie Jaquez Jr. has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of this new offense. He thrives driving to the paint and has more space now. Ball movement can open up lanes when teams cannot fly around with precision (Detroit can).
Though Miami has had some success relative to where they were last year, it is difficult to visualize a team having playoff success running virtually zero PnRs when the game slows down in the playoffs.
The Heat also play with the fastest pace, which contributes to their 120 points per game. But again, things slow down in the playoffs. We will see if Miami tinkers with its playstyle. First, they must win two straight on the road to even make the playoffs.
Miami banks on ball movement and attacking closeouts. The Pistons have the defensive personnel to stick with the Heat. That could limit the Heat’s offense. If the Heat cannot get a team in scramble mode, it is tough for them to attack in space.
On the other side, the Heat have a battle tested defense that would probably have the best scheme for Detroit. We have seen teams push the “put two on Cade and live with the results” button. New York did some of that in the playoffs last year. The Heat have the personnel to do this as well. Andrew Wiggins is rangy, Pelle Larsson is in the NBA to defend and bring energy, Dru Smith and Davion Mitchell are constant pests, and Adebayo covers the whole thing. This team has the best shot of “exposing” the Pistons halfcourt concerns.
The half court offense concerns have been there all year for Detroit. As of late, the team has improved from there and the shooting is making a difference. Detroit has a top 10 halfcourt offense since April 1. Some of those games came without Cade. This is a team with insane depth.
If the Pistons shooters continue to make shots, doubling Cade becomes less effective because he make any pass in the book.
Putting two on Cade also opens up Duren who would have an opportunity to outplay one of the best defensive bigs in the league should Detroit face Miami.
Cade and this version of Duren are potentially the best players in a series with the Heat. Adebayo is one of the best defenders in the game. He is versatile and should at least make second-team All Defense this season.
On offense, Adebayo has the shot diet of a wing. His shots from the rim have steadily dropped over the years. That is killing Adebayo’s efficiency. Cade is a no-brainer, but Duren has clearly been better than Adebayo this season. Duren outplaying Adebayo in the playoffs would be massive.
Miami has the coaching advantage, but that has not always been enough to make up for the talent gap (see 2021 round one vs Milwaukee).
Miami’s danger scale rating would be a 5/10. They do not have the offensive firepower to shoot through Detroit. Defensively, Miami will be prepared, but Detroit loves those ugly, drawn-out defensive battles. The Pistons live for that. Spo would have the Heat ready to play, but the Pistons are deep and well-coached. They would be ready too.
9 seed Charlotte Hornets, 44-38
If the season started in January, these Hornets would have home court in the playoffs. The Hornets are 33-16 since the new year. For the full season, they are fifth in offense and seventh in point differential.
All in all, the Hornets are an elite offensive unit that is a lot better than their record suggests. Their turnovers could be their death sentence against a pick-6 Pistons team, but the Hornets are the goods.
LaMelo Ball leads the top-flight offense. Throughout Ball’s career, He has been singled out due to questionable pass and shot selection. Some thought he was too fancy, but there was always magic in his madness. It is on full display now that he is healthy and playing alongside teammates who attract attention.
Kon Knueppel Bball-Index’s 3PT shot quality is a D. The lower the grade, the less open the shot is. Knueppel is a rookie every team in the league glues to because he led the league in 3-point makes, shooting a staggering 42.5 percent from deep. He was first in 3s, and Ball was second. Ball spreading it around, and the Hornets’ accuracy from deep makes them a legit threat for anybody.
The Hornets have the second-highest 3-point rate with garbage time removed, only trailing the Golden State Warriors. 45 percent of Charlotte’s shots come from 3. Unlike GSW, the Hornets are one of the most accurate teams from distance.
Knueppel, Ball, Brandon Miller, Grant Williams, and Coby White all garner attention from 3 and can all attack closeouts. If Detroit did not have multiple defenders who could switch screens and chase without a hiccup, the Hornets would shoot right through them.
The paint battle is a non-negotiable for Detroit in a potential Charlotte matchup. The Pistons are third in offensive rebound percentage, while the Hornets do not give up many offensive rebounds. It would be a battle between the melee participants from earlier this season.
Moussa Diabaté is arguably the best pound-for-pound offensive rebounder in the league. He loves snagging boards and kicking it out for Hornets trey balls.
Duren and Isaiah Stewart have to take that edge away from Diabaté. The Hornets’ offense is too explosive to give them multiple opportunities to succeed. Miles Bridges is in the front court with Diabaté. He is not a premier offensive rebounder, but he is a big body you have to box out.
Grant Williams is one of the Hornets’ backup bigs, and he can play. We have seen him drill seven 3s in a Game 7 (2022 Celtics vs Bucks). That is another gritty shooter Detroit will not leave open.
You cannot leave many Hornets players open, but they are not a lockdown team with brilliant individual defenders. Charles Lee has had his guys on a string, but we will see how his guys handle being hunted in the playoffs. Can Ball hold up with constant planned attacks? What about Knueppel? He has been good, but the playoffs and regular season could not be more different.
The Cade and Duren PNR could have a ton of success against this Hornets team. Those beeline drives off Duren screens and the lob to Duren on the roll could be Detroit’s bread and butter.
Charlotte’s defense has been solid, but they still give up more shots at the rim than average. Detroit lives in the paint and could beat Charlotte up inside.
3 is worth more than 2, and this series could paint that picture very clearly, but Detroit has a special defense that could make the Hornets play their style of play. Neither team is crazy experienced, but this Detroit group did go through trials and tribulations last year together.
The Hornets have a superior offense, while Detroit has more than enough scrappers to chase and hound Hornets creators/shooters. This would be a competitive series and could go the ugly way if Charlotte went berserk from deep. The Hornets have some Jameis Winston in them. They can throw for 5,000 yards but also lead the league in picks.
Ball is solid with the rock, as his turnover percentage is in the 63rd percentile among point guards. Charlotte as a whole turns it over like you get points for it. Every starter would be liable to give it to the Pistons besides Ball and Bridges.
Being turnover-prone against these Pistons is like a nail in the coffin because they force turnovers with the best of them. Ausar led the league in steals, Holland and Green were some of the best bench thieves, and Reed’s hands are super sticky. Even Kevin Huerter is in on the action so far in Detroit. The inexperienced Hornets already turn it over a lot, and Detroit would look to intensify that.
The Hornets have a superior offense, but I would predict that the Pistons’ defense could contain the Hornets. Detroit’s paint presence on both sides of the ball could wear down the thin Hornets. Detroit has the best player in the series by a good margin, so that always helps. Cade will be on a mission to earn those playoff stripes.
Charlotte is the most dangerous of the four play-in teams. Detroit sent a message to the Hornets during the last week of the regular season. The Hornets have been a great team in the second half of the year, but the Pistons are still a step above. This potential first-round series would be a hard-fought 6-game series if I were a betting man. The Pistons’ defense, paint presence, and relentless pressure could crack the volatile Hornets.
Stats via Cleaning The Glass, Bball-Index, PivotFade, NBA.com, and Basketball-Reference
The drama in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament should be at a fever pitch, with Steve Ballmer’s arena going against Steph Curry.
There may be other names involved when the Golden State Warriors face the Los Angeles Clippers tonight, but all eyes will be on the Dubs' superstar point guard.
My Warriors vs. Clippers predictions and these NBA picks trust Curry on Wednesday, April 15.
Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, with the game airing on Prime Video.
Warriors vs Clippers prediction
Who will win Warriors vs Clippers?
Warriors:I won’t do it. I will not bet against Steph Curry when his season is on the line. No one expects Golden State to go on some magical run this postseason, but a win or two to spark the NBA’s interest this week? That is reasonable.
More sincerely, the Clippers backed into the postseason in a worrying way. Twice in the last two weeks, they had clear chances to hold onto a spot in the preferred half of the Play-In Tournament, instead losing twice outright to Portland.
Win either of those games, both obvious opportunities, and the Clippers’ postseason hopes look much brighter. Dropping the ball then inspires no faith now.
Warriors vs Clippers best bet: Steph Curry Over 4.5 threes (+125)
Do you really want to bet against Steph Curry in a single-elimination moment? Sure, some of you are too young to remember the Davidson run in March of 2008, but everyone saw the 2024 Olympics gold medal game against France, right?
You want to bet against that?
Obviously, sportsbooks have raised this 3-pointer prop because they recognize just how lethal Curry can be, but that now means we get plus-money odds on the Golden State Warriors’ superstar doing what he does best.
Worry not that he has been back for only four games since his knee injury. Curry shot 5-for-10 from deep in his first game back, part of shooting 15-for-36 (41.7%) from beyond the arc in those four games.
And the Los Angeles Clippers are only middling defending against 3-pointers, ranking No. 16 in both opponent 3-pointer frequency and percentage made since James Harden left the rotation. Recognize, No. 16 in the NBA at this point of the season is actually a massive worry.
This may be the end of the Warriors’ relevancy in the Curry era, ending not with a “Bang!” but with a whimper, but rest assured, Curry will go down firing.
Warriors vs Clippers same-game parlay
Curry’s ball movement has been a bit slow since his return. Then again, this roster never really allowed Curry to move the ball much, averaging just 4.8 assists before he missed two months with a knee injury. Dropping to 3.5 assists per game in the last four is not terribly glaring in that context.
Draymond Green has been moving the ball, however. He's played in three of Curry’s four games back, averaging 8.3 assists in those three games. There may be a sample size worry in that thought, but if anyone is going to excel with Curry’s return, it is Green.
Warriors vs Clippers SGP
Steph Curry Over 4.5 threes
Steph Curry Under 4.5 assists
Draymond Green Over 5.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: One last ride!
For one more night, perhaps one last night, two of the three key pieces to this Warriors dynasty can rekindle those memories. No “Wall” will bother Curry or Green.
They have faced Kawhi Leonard countless times before, and with veterans like Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis now their running mates, Golden State as a whole should embrace this road atmosphere.
Warriors vs Clippers SGP
Steph Curry Over 4.5 threes
Steph Curry Under 4.5 assists
Draymond Green Over 5.5 assists
Warriors moneyline
Warriors vs Clippers odds
Spread: Warriors +5 (-110) | Clippers -5 (-110)
Moneyline: Warriors +165 | Clippers -200
Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)
Warriors vs Clippers betting trend to know
All four matchups between these two teams went Under their totals this season and by an average of 17.25 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Clippers.
How to watch Warriors vs Clippers
Location
Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Date
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Warriors vs Clippers 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.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 12: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers is introduced before a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The shirt was white, the sweater blue and the tie spiffy. Diamond studs sparkled in both of VJ Edgecombe’s earlobes, and he wore Gucci sunglasses. Indoors. At night.
Impressive as the ensemble was, Tyrese Maxey was thinking more about the calendar than he was clothing as his backcourt partner strutted across the Sixers’ locker room Sunday night, after they beat Milwaukee in the final game of Edgecombe’s first NBA regular season.
Rather, Maxey was mulling what lies ahead – play-in purgatory against Orlando on Wednesday night. And, possibly, the playoffs beyond.
He was thinking, too, about the season Edgecombe has fashioned. How he unveiled a 34-point effort in his very first game, in Boston, and from that point on tailored his game to fit the team’s needs.
Defense and athleticism? Sure, everybody knew the Bimini native would provide those things when the Sixers made him the third overall pick last June. But ball-handling and shot creation? They were a bonus. And clutch scoring? From a guy who doesn’t turn 21 until July? Double bonus.
So as Edgecombe neared the pack of reporters that had gathered at the far side of the room, Maxey made an announcement.
“He ain’t a rookie no more,” he hollered.
Not that he ever looked like one, no matter his attire. As veteran center Andre Drummond said, Edgecombe’s belief in himself was evident from the “first game, first practice, the day he walked in.”
“He walked in like, ‘I’m here,’” Drummond added.
And he never wavered. He finished with averages of exactly 16 points a game, as well as just under six rebounds and just over four assists. His shooting numbers – .438/.354/.818 – were acceptable, and figure to get better in the years ahead.
Edgecombe won’t win Rookie of the Year – that honor will surely go to one of two Dookies, the Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg or the Hornets’ Kon Knueppel – but there’s little doubt he will be a big part of the team’s future.
“It’s amazing what VJ has done this past season,” Drummond said, and again he mentioned the rookie’s self-assurance.
“Maybe it’s just the generation of kids that are coming up now,” the 32-year-old said, “because I could say that for all the guys in the draft. They just have this confidence and swag that they play with.”
Kids these days, amirite?
Drummond broke in at age 19 with the Pistons, in 2012-13. Though he averaged nearly eight points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes a night that season, he remembers being “timid” – that he was “trying to figure out how to fit in and how to make it work.”
“And then with these guys now it’s just like, ‘It’s my show’ – like, ‘I’m here to take over,’” Drummond said. “And it’s pretty dope to see what VJ has done this year, and the games he’s won for us and just his confidence, man. I’ve got to speak on the confidence. It’s insane, and I love that for him. It was there right away.”
Nick Nurse clearly believed in Edgecombe as well, seeing as he used him 35 minutes a night over the 75 games the rookie was available, equaling the league’s 10th-highest rate. (Maxey led the NBA at 38 minutes a game.)
And hey, that was fine with Edgecombe.
“Not one complaint,” he said. “Sometimes I used to get mad when I had to come off the court, but now I realize it’s for the best.”
He made the most of his time, improving so much as a ball-handler that he now jokes he is “PG1” – i.e., the team’s No. 1 point guard, ahead of Maxey. He also shone in clutch situations, shooting 58.7 percent when the spread was five points or fewer in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime.
That came as a surprise to Nurse, as did Edgecombe’s “ability to go get a basket with the shot clock winding down, or just when we need a bucket to keep the scoreboard moving, or make one in the fourth quarter.”
“I think he had all the other stuff kind of coming out of the gates … the defense, the rebounding, the shot-blocking, all those kinds of things,” the coach added.
While it was not readily apparent, Edgecombe did say there was something of an adjustment period, that it took until midseason for the game to slow down for him.
“I ain’t gonna sit and act like it took me two games,” he said. “Nah, it took (until) about halfway through. I mean, even now, it’s still kind of slowing down.”
But he never did. The Bucks’ coaches showed video clips of each of the Sixers in their locker room before Sunday’s game, and the captions under Edgecombe’s highlights were reflective of his nature: “Sprinting in transition. … Aggressive in transition. …. DHO (i.e., dribble handoff) attack – trying to get downhill. … Physical finisher. … ISO (i.e., isolation) – physical. … Crashing the glass.”
He shot a tepid 4-for-11 from the floor while scoring nine points in the 126-106 victory, but handed out 11 assists while turning the ball over just once. And his overall late-season production has been impressive. He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month after averaging 18.9 points a game in March, including his two biggest scoring games of the season, a 38-pointer against Sacramento on March 19 and a 35-pointer against Oklahoma City four days later.
All of which made him wonder about the commonly held notion that rookies hit the so-called wall at this time of year.
“I’m not too sure where the rookie wall is,” he said. “Maybe someone can explain it to me. Obviously the season had its ups and downs. I’ve had my ups and downs. We’re human. I just try to keep building daily, just to make sure I’m bringing my best foot forward every night.”
No doubt he has some fine shoes to wear while doing so. Because it seems abundantly clear that VJ Edgecombe is all dressed up and has someplace to go. Someplace that nobody else might have envisioned, but a place he sees very clearly through those Gucci sunglasses.
“It’s pretty cool going against a top-75 guy like that, first ballot Hall of Famer,” Garland said. “It will be cool just to compete with a guy like that. The skill and the ability that he has, that affected me and the way that I play.”
Garland is averaging 18.8 points and 6.7 assists per game, filling some of the void left after James Harden was dealt to Cleveland.
“It’s super cool to see that on the other end, Garland continued. It’s gonna be fun. Any time you play against a top-75 guy like that or a first ballot Hall-of-Famer or someone that you’re inspired by or looked up to and watched when you’re growing up, it’s always super cool to go against him and go at him a little bit. I’m super excited about that, but my main goal is trying to win the game, so that’s all that matters to me.”
Garland was a former first-round pick for the Cavaliers and helped get Cleveland back on the map as a true contender before being traded to Los Angeles. Curry responded to Garland’s comments with nothing but gratitude.
“It’s surreal that you’re this deep into your career and you have that influence,” Curry responded. “He was a guy when he first showed up in Cleveland that you knew was gonna be a problem in the league just because of his skillset, his composure, obviously his speed.
The 38-year-old will do his best to keep up with Garland’s speed on Wednesday night in a win-or-go-home scenario.
“He’s just a gamer. I know he’s been dealing with some injuries early in the year and over the course of his career,” Curry added. “But when he’s out there, he’s always a threat. It’s great to see him continue to grow, and even in a new setting, continuing to figure it out.”
No matter the outcome of Wednesday’s play-in game, there is no love lost between these two elite point guards.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 19: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons smiles and laughs against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena on January 19, 2026 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. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When I was home sick from school as a kid, a common tradition in our house was watching Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. In one of the movie’s most notable moments, Matthew Broderick speaks directly to the audience and says, “Life moves pretty fast, and if you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it.” I can’t help but think, as the Detroit Pistons wrap up a historic 60-win season, that it’s easy to get caught up in what’s next and forget to savor the beauty of the present. As this amazing team gears up for a postseason run, and the eyes of fans turn to the play-in tournament to scout for the best matchups, I sense fans overlooking the moment itself. Certainly, there’s time and reason to worry about these things, but let’s not soon forget where we were as a franchise and fanbase just two seasons ago.
Like many, I grew up watching the “Goin’ to Work” iteration of the Pistons. As they won 50-plus games year after year, it almost became easier to focus on their shortcomings rather than their triumphs. So instead of appreciating their run of six consecutive conference finals appearances, I often found myself disappointed that they only won one finals, or lamenting their lack of offense and star power in the playoffs. Of course, for about the next 20 years, we became painfully aware of how much we had taken Ben Wallace and co.’s success for granted. As the 2010s dragged into the 2020s, there was little to no hope for a once-proud franchise. And in the bargaining stage of grief, I vowed to never take for granted the Pistons playing meaningful basketball again, if and when that ever happened. Heck, I was desperate enough to just settle for seeing the team represented in the All-Star Game.
Fast forward to this season, where the team came out of the gates fast and never let up. But even as the wins mounted despite injuries and suspensions to key players, there seemed to be a large section of the NBA media, and Pistons fans alike, who remained skeptical. Much of the year, the narrative around this team was focused on the holes in the roster rather than what was going right. Questions such as “does this group have enough shooting?” or “Who is going to score come playoffs other than Cade?” constantly swirled around the team, no matter how much success they had. And that’s peculiar, because just two years ago, the organization was huddling up to make decisions on the futures of Monty Williams and Troy Weaver. Now, instead of focusing on Cade Cunningham officially stamping his name amongst the best in the game, admiring Jalen Duren’s rise to All-NBA caliber player, or marveling at this team’s embrace of the rugged, defense-first mentality of Pistons championship teams of the past, we instead wondered if the team had enough shooting or shot creation. How are fans making the same mistake again? Listen, I get it, these are real questions that will soon have answers. But I see fans again overlooking the team’s success, as they did when it was contending for titles in the Palace of Auburn Hills.
This is supposed to be the fun part.
The team is still on the rise. They are still a year away from becoming accountable to real playoff expectations. Young teams rarely go unscathed in the postseason, and the Pistons may be no exception. Or maybe they will be. They have a fantastic young core that they don’t yet have to consolidate. The East is relatively weak at the top. The roster is fully healthy for the first time in months. Maybe Daniss Jenkins will prove to be the secondary creator that we hoped Jaden Ivey would be. Maybe Duncan Robinson will hold up defensively in crunch time. Maybe Duren and Ausar Thompson will build on their playoff synergy from last year. Maybe not. If they flame out in April or May, so be it. Collecting battle scars is part of the climb for most championship teams. But don’t forget to first, even if for just a moment, enjoy where we are. There is not a single Pistons fan who wouldn’t have signed up to take their chances in the playoffs with a gritty, overachieving, yet potentially flawed roster just two short years ago.
The expectations, they’re coming. The scrutiny of the roster is coming too, like a freight train. The calls to mortgage the future for the present, they’re on the horizon. Depending on what happens beginning Sunday, much will be written one way or another. But that’s for a later day. In the meantime, don’t forget to stop and look around. Your Detroit Pistons are the one seed in the Eastern Conference, inconceivable just 18 months ago. Don’t miss the chance to savor this moment before things get hard.
Though OG Anunobyis an integral piece of the Knicks' lineup on both ends of the floor, defensive versatility remains his calling card.
The defensive demon can check opponents one-on-one, but he’s also a quality help defender. Anunoby’s two-way ability will be crucial to New York’s first round matchup with the Atlanta Hawks, making him an X-factor for the series.
Anunoby is coming off another strong regular season. In 67 games, the 6-7 forward averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
Though he’s not one of New York’s two All-Stars on the roster, Anunoby might be the club’s most impactful player. When he’s on the floor, the Knicks are an elite team. When he sits, they're good, but not great. That’s been the case for the past few years since the Knicks acquired the forward in a 2023 trade from the Raptors.
This season, New York had a plus-9.2 net rating in the 2,224 minutes that Anunoby played. That number plummeted to plus-3.5 with him on the bench.
A candidate for the NBA’s all-defensive team this season, expect Anunoby to be all over the floor on that end. In New York’s 108-105 win against the Hawks last week, Anunoby started the game defending Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu as New York hid Karl-Anthony Towns on guard Dyson Daniels.
It allowed him to impact the game as a help defender. When Anunoby played with the bench early in the second quarter, he guarded the Hawks' leading scorer, Jalen Johnson. The Hawks don’t have a traditional point guard and play four-to-five players who are listed from 6-5 to 6-8, so Anunoby has multiple players he can be assigned to check throughout the series.
Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, and CJ McCollum / Imagn Images/Envato Elements/SNY Treated Image
Keeping Johnson in check will be a priority for the entire Knicks lineup. A 6-8 All-Star forward, he led Atlanta in scoring, rebounds, and assists this season. He has the handle to manipulate the defense and take slower defenders on the drive. If opponents switch smaller players on him, he can bully them in the paint.
Even if Anunoby isn’t guarding Johnson for the entirety of each game, his help defense and secondary rim protection will be important to slowing down the Hawks offense.
Offensive simplicity
The Hawks have been one of the best teams in the league lately, going 20-6 after the All-Star break. Defense has been where they have excelled the most, allowing just 108.6 points per 100 possessions, the second-best figure in the NBA during that time.
On offense, Anunoby should keep the game simple like he has for most of this season. Of his 804 field goal attempts this season, 443 of them (55 percent) came without a dribble, according to NBA Stats. It’s where he’s effective as a cutter and three-point shooter from the corners.
Though he’s capable on straight line drives, Anunoby is better when he doesn’t have to put the ball on the floor. In New York’s win last week, the Hawks switched on many of the off-ball screen actions the Knicks set. They often run split actions with Towns as the playmaker at the top of the key. It has created confusion for the defense at times and easier scoring opportunities for players like Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges.
Anunoby should be able to find opportunities on dives to the rim, and if the Hawks switch a smaller player on to him like CJ McCollum, there’s opportunities to attack.
Anunoby is a star in his role with the Knicks and that star should shine bright as he impacts both ends of the floor in the opening round.
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 03: Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Moda Center on February 03, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns now await the Portland Trail Blazers tonight in Downtown Phoenix.
This is who most Suns fans wanted in this game, but as the old saying goes: “Be careful what you wish for.” Avoiding Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers is great, but as we all know, getting what you wish for isn’t always a blessing in the NBA. The Portland Trail Blazers are a sneaky, deep, and athletic team. I do not expect the Suns to take them lightly.
Phoenix finished the regular season 45-37, good for the 7th seed. Portland finished a few games behind them at 42-40, which locked them into the 8th seed thanks to a tiebreaker over the Clippers.
1) Recent History: Means Nothing
The Suns won 2 of 3 games against Portland this season, with their lone loss coming in a game where they didn’t have Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Grayson Allen. They scored 77 points in that game. Phoenix blew them out by 17 in the opening meeting and won by five in the 2nd contest.
Last 10 Games
Suns — 5-5 (W1)
Blazers — 7-3 (W3)
We can throw all of that out the window now. None of it matters. As we saw in the 2024 series against Minnesota, the Suns swept them in the regular season only to get swept in the playoffs. These regular-season matchups don’t mean much. By the time the playoffs roll around, teams are typically much different versions of themselves.
2) Injury Report: Positive News
We’ve all seen it by now, and the injury report looked like a never-ending CVS receipt. It’s common this time of year for “injuries” to occur out of thin air as teams prepare for the playoffs, especially in the final days of the season.
The updated report shows some GREAT news! Grayson Allen is the only one who appears on the injury report for Phoenix. That does not mean they’re out of the woods by any means, as this is the time of year players will often play through nagging injuries. Here’s to hoping they are all as close to 100% as they can be.
Grayson Allen (left hamstring soreness) is listed as questionable for the Suns tomorrow against the Blazers.
One key matchup that will not draw as many headlines will be the big man matchup between Mark Williams and Donovan Clingan. Phoenix also has Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach (unlikely the rook gets burn in a playoff setting) to throw at Portland’s big man if they need bodies or Williams finds himself in foul trouble.
Apr 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) celebrates with Devin Booker (1) against the Houston Rockets in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Portland is a bottom-4 defense against centers this season. This is where I would love to see a “Book-Mark” duo thrive in the P&R, forcing the Blazers to make tough decisions in their defensive rotations. Phoenix must take advantage of and hunt mismatches in the halfcourt.
Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams vs. Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro. Let’s get it.
4) Playoff Play-In Book
We’ve seen the levels that Devin Booker is capable of reaching in important games. They’re going to need that version of him in a single-game elimination environment.
He’s entering the contest healthy and playing some of his best basketball of the season. Phoenix’s offense hums when he is in rhythm without forcing it, which means his teammates are going to need to knock down shots to keep Portland’s defense honest. Portland will do everything it can to throw that rhythm off and disrupt him.
Jrue Holiday has experience guarding Booker in big moments (too soon), and the Blazers have size and athleticism across the board to make it tough for him. As long as Book plays under control and within the flow of the offense, I expect a big game out of him.
Whether it’s by dropping 30+ points (efficiently) or through his playmaking chops and gravity for everyone else… we need a vintage Booker performance in this one.
5) Role Players at home
This is what swings games. Which role players will rise to the occasion? Historically speaking, role players always tend to play better at home come playoff time. Could it be a Royce O’Neale game that propels Phoenix? Will Jordan Goodwin’s chaotic energy lift them when they need it most? Or will it be a Collin Gillespie masterclass? Oh, and PLEASE DO NOT BE AFRAID TO PLAY RASHEER FLEMING IN THIS ONE. Sorry for the Jae Crowder all-caps moment, just had to emphasize it.
We shall see. Either way, Phoenix will need everyone to pitch in. Portland has a deep team as well, so the bench units, even if they aren’t tapped into as much as the regular season, will be vital in this one. If Phoenix’s role guys get outplayed by Portland on their own floor, the margin for error for Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green shrinks dramatically offensively.
So, who will it be tonight? Shoot your shot in the comments.
Apr 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) is greeted by his teammates as Flagg leaves the game against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The 2025–26 Mavericks season didn’t just fall short of expectations. It unraveled almost immediately, forcing everyone involved to confront how fragile the foundation really was. This was a team that entered the year expecting to compete right away, expecting to be playing meaningful basketball deep into April, and instead looked disjointed from the opening week. That early loss to Washington in Game 2 wasn’t just a bad night. It felt like the first real crack. From there, it didn’t take long for the fanbase, and honestly, the organization, to realize that what Nico Harrison had envisioned was not a bold retool but a complete miscalculation. The roster lacked cohesion, the identity wasn’t there, and the “plan” never materialized. By early November, ownership made the move they almost had to make, firing Harrison after a 3–8 start, not just to change direction, but to signal accountability. It was less about fixing the team overnight and more about admitting that the path they had taken after the Finals run had gone completely off course.
From that point on, the season was defined by instability. Injuries hit key players at multiple points, forcing constant lineup changes and eliminating any chance at continuity. At the same time, trade rumors swirled around several core pieces, casting a cloud that never really lifted. On the court, that instability showed up in the way Dallas played. Jason Kidd’s “free-flow” offense was supposed to provide flexibility, and in some ways it did. It allowed players to step in and out without a rigid system breaking down. But the downside became obvious. A roster filled with players who all needed similar touches and operated in similar areas of the floor struggled to define roles. Possessions often felt random. Some nights it clicked for stretches, but more often it resulted in stagnant offense, missed shots, and a team that never developed a consistent rhythm.
The trade deadline was the moment when everything finally shifted from confusion to clarity. The Mavericks pivoted hard. Moving off the Anthony Davis centerpiece of the original Doncic deal, prioritizing draft capital, and embracing a long-term view weren’t just roster adjustments. It was the organization fully acknowledging what this season had become. More importantly, it allowed them to center everything around Cooper Flagg. With that shift, roles began to make more sense. The offense, while still inconsistent, became more purposeful because it finally had a focal point. Instead of trying to spread responsibility across a flawed roster, the Mavericks leaned into their one undeniable strength. Flagg became the engine. And for the first time all season, the basketball started to look somewhat coherent.
And that’s ultimately what this season will be remembered for. Not the losses. Not the dysfunction. But the emergence of Cooper Flagg. As the youngest player in the NBA, he didn’t just show flashes. He developed in real time into a primary creator and offensive hub. By April, he was averaging over 21 points and 5 assists, handling point guard responsibilities, and showing a level of composure that is rare even among elite prospects. His growth as a playmaker stood out the most. Early in the year, he was reacting. By the end, he was dictating. He got more comfortable getting to his spots, reading defenses, and managing possessions under pressure. His ability to shift between forward and guard roles, play through contact, and maintain production against high-level defenses speaks to both his physical and mental development. Coaches trusted him more. Teammates relied on him more. And he responded every time. The combination of skill, feel, and mentality has already pushed him into legitimate Rookie of the Year territory, and more importantly, into the conversation as a future superstar.
That’s why, despite everything, there is still a clear sense of direction. Even ownership sees it. The organization openly acknowledged that this season was “really difficult,” but emphasized that having a generational talent like Flagg provides an extraordinary opportunity to reshape the franchise. That optimism is real, but it doesn’t hide the urgency. Dumont also made it clear that this is an extremely important offseason and that the Mavericks have “a lot of work to do.” And that might be the most important takeaway. The hard part isn’t identifying the centerpiece. It’s building everything else around him correctly.
That process starts at the top. Dallas still needs to hire a president of basketball operations, someone who can establish a real identity, build a functional roster, and create a culture that this team clearly lacked throughout the year. This hire is not just about basketball decisions. It’s about direction. It’s about finally aligning the front office, coaching staff, and roster around a single vision.
From there, the decisions only get more complicated. The Mavericks have to nail their draft pick. With where they are, there’s no room for error. That player has to complement Flagg, whether that means adding guard creation, perimeter defense, or shooting. Then there’s Kyrie Irving. His presence represents both opportunity and uncertainty. Does he fit the timeline of a team building around a 19-year-old? Can he elevate this group, or does his timeline conflict with where the franchise is headed? The same questions apply, in different ways, to veterans like Klay Thompson and P.J. Washington. These are productive players, but the Mavericks have to decide whether they are part of the next version of this team or assets that can be used to reshape it.
And beyond the roster, the scope of this offseason is even larger. Ownership is exploring major infrastructure decisions, including a new arena and entertainment district that could define the franchise’s future for decades. That matters because it reflects the scale of what’s happening. This is not just a rebuild on the court. It’s a full reset of the organization’s identity, from leadership to roster to long-term vision.
That’s what makes this season so strange to evaluate. It began with expectations of immediate contention and ended with one of the most disappointing records in recent franchise history. But buried inside all of that failure is something that changes everything. The Mavericks found their cornerstone.
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 12: Leonard Miller #11 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket against Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at American Airlines Center on April 12, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This video is an attempt to put Cooper Flagg’s rookie season in context, and it makes some interesting points, particularly statistically.
The narrator compliments Kon Knueppel, but argues that Flagg’s season has been on a completely different level. He compares his rookie season to what LeBron James did in his first year in the league, and argues that Flagg’s is more impressive.
Various people appear here, including Kevin Durant, Colin Cowherd, and Charles Barkley, who is enormously impressed. Check out these comments he made about Flagg:
“I’ve said this before. Kobe was great later. McGrady, Garnett—the only player I had ever seen who was ready for the NBA right out of high school has been LeBron James until now. LeBron came in day one… to see a teenager play this well, uh, is incredible, man. Plain and simple.”
“He, as a teenager, coming into the league to be that ready. To be that ready. And he is ready. But the funny thing is the thing that makes him ready is he went 20 for 29… He is a great [volume shooter] only when he’s shooting well and he doesn’t take bad shots. That’s what I [was] impressed about more. His defensive effort is probably elite as well, but his shot selection takes him to another level.”
Flagg’s season is over now, and we get to see where he goes from here. His coach, Jason Kidd, had very brief advice for him: rest. Let your body heal up.
Flagg did have a spectacular season, but he carried a huge burden for Dallas, and Kidd is right.
Knowing Flagg, though, he’ll take a few days and get back in the gym.
Dillion Brooks
Toumani Camara
