This had the potential to be ugly, fortunately instead it was just pretty funny.
During Sunday night's game, Oklahoma City's Lu Dort rotated over to defend Toronto big man Sandro Mamukelashvili on the roll to the rim. When Mamukelashvili got the pass, he pump-faked, and Dort bought it — and ended up jumping on his shoulders.
Classy move by Mamukelashvili to make sure Dort didn't take a hard fall.
Toronto went on to hand Oklahoma City its second straight home loss 103-101, behind 23 from Immanuel Quickley (whose name keeps popping up in trade rumors as the Raptors look for another big man). Mamukelashvili had 10 points in the win.
With the NBA’s trade deadline fast approaching, so is the Lakers’ next chance to reshape their roster in Luka Dončić‘s image.
After an offseason that did little to clarify the team’s long-term outlook, many pointed to this deadline and the upcoming summer as the transactional periods that would officially usher in the team’s new chapter. Whether by choice or necessity.
Five Lakers are currently on expiring deals and three more have player options. Among the few who can decide to spend another year in Los Angeles is Deandre Ayton.
The polarizing former No. 1 overall pick joined the team after reaching a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers at the start of free agency. It was a decision that made sense for both parties.
For Ayton, the Lakers represented a chance for redemption after several years mired in mediocrity. He could be spoon-fed by three of the league’s best creators, play for a club with championship aspirations and be granted a spotlight to earn his next big contract in Los Angeles or elsewhere.
For the Lakers, Ayton addressed their clear need at center following Anthony Davis’ exit. Despite his baggage, Ayton remained talented, maintained off-court ties to Dončić, and most importantly, came at a bargain.
Through 44 games, the union has teetered but mostly been positive. The team sits just a half-game out of the four seed despite a deluge of injuries, with Ayton shoring up the center spot to an adequate level. And yet, little traction has ultimately been made for both sides’ ultimate goals.
Even with improved center play compared to their post-Dončić trade efforts last season, Ayton has not done enough to be seen as a long-term answer down low.
To his credit, Ayton has been one of the league’s most efficient centers on offense. He is currently posting his highest points per shot attempt of his career and is converting 66.2% of his two-point looks (85th percentile among bigs), which is even more impressive given nearly half (49%) of his shot attempts come in the midrange.
He has also benefited greatly from playing alongside Dončić. When the two have shared the floor, Ayton is shooting a tremendous 81% at the rim compared to just 69% when Dončić is on the bench.
While the raw results have been encouraging, there remains stylistic dissonance between the two that raises long-term concerns. Ayton is not the explosive vertical threat who can consistently capitalize on Dončić’s prolific lob throwing and lacks the motor to be a rim-running threat in transition. He also plays at a similar methodical pace to Dončić, which counterintuitively is not ideal for a star who thrives with a level of athletic juice around him.
On defense, Ayton has not been enough of a rim deterrent to help cover up for Dončić and the collective roster’s perimeter struggles.
Teams are currently shooting 71.5% at the rim against the Lakers this season in non-garbage time minutes. That is the second-worst mark in the league.
Although this should not rest solely on Ayton’s shoulders, individually, the positives he offers on that end have been mostly offset by the lapses and wavering effort. He is capable, but should not be expected to be the type of anchor needed to protect a future group built around Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Among the 24 centers who have defended at least 200 shots within six feet this season, Ayton ranks 13th in field-goal percentage allowed according to the league’s tracking data. Not bad, just not good enough.
Barring a dramatic uptick in production or helping lead a deep postseason run, it is looking increasingly more likely that the Lakers may prefer to find a new starting center. The issue is that it may be easier said than done.
The Lakers could be armed with up to $60 million in cap space to address the position. Some free agents the team may be interested in include: Isaiah Hartenstein, Nikola Vucevic, Mitchell Robinson, Robert Williams, Jalen Duren, Mark Williams and Walker Kessler.
While there are enticing options on that list, there are also hurdles in actually signing any. The Thunder, for example, holds a team option on Hartenstein. And Duren, Williams and Kessler are all restricted free agents, meaning their respective teams own the right to match any offer the Lakers may present.
It is not impossible that they can shake one of these names loose from their current situations. But in reality, the Lakers and Williams are probably not a potential fit following their trade debacle, and Duren and Kessler remain too valuable to their current organizations as players — and trade pieces — to be given up for nothing.
There are also question marks hanging over the bigs that the Lakers could sign outright. Vucevic would be an excellent pick-and-pop addition, but his age and defense would be far worse than the team’s current internal options.
Robinson and Williams fit the mold of centers that Dončić historically has meshed well with and possess more defensive talent than Ayton. Both, however, have been plagued by injuries and may make a team like the Lakers nervous about offering lucrative long-term deals.
If the free-agent class proves barren, the Lakers could then ultimately look at trading for their center of the future. And if no deal transpires by the deadline, the team will be equipped with more draft capital in the offseason to put together an attractive package for a center they like. This is where their aforementioned cap space could also prove useful in terms of absorbing a larger salary player in a deal.
As is the case with any road taken, there is the risk of potential opportunity cost. For example, trading for the likes of Bam Adebayo, Jarrett Allen or Ivica Zubac will cost most of, if not all, of the Lakers’ draft assets as well as take a chunk out of their cap space.
They would all make the team better from a positional perspective, but leave them without many resources to shore up the other holes on the roster.
The Lakers could try to split the difference and target a lower tier of center with one of their picks and find help on the wing with their remaining tools. But they must weigh if a big such as Nic Claxton is that much better than Ayton, considering it may also restrict them from doing other things elsewhere. This is worth noting because the upcoming wing and forward free-agent class is woof, to say the least.
This is ultimately the dilemma Rob Pelinka and the front office will face in the upcoming weeks and in the summer.
Are they better suited to use a similar package they offered previously for Williams to shore up a key position in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future? Or would running it back with a stopgap like Ayton and then using their assets to better construct the rest of the roster be more fruitful?
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 13: Deandre Ayton #5 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 13, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
While not the popular decision, an Ayton reunion may not be the disaster that a large portion of the fanbase may view it as. At least in the short term and assuming the rest of the roster improves.
Despite his flaws, the Lakers have had a slightly positive net rating (+0.3) when Dončić and Ayton have shared the floor. And when you add Reaves to the mix, the trio have perfomed well, posting a net rating of +6.0.
Given his player’s option (only $8.1 million) Ayton also holds a large say in whether he is back. This is not a guarantee he would find himself back in the starting role or exempt him from being traded if he opts to, but considerable dominoes would need to fall for it not to happen.
It also remains to be seen how aggressive the Lakers will still be in looking for a center upgrade. Before the Ayton signing, the front office showed its hand and desperation with the botched Williams trade. Ayton’s play likely has not changed the calculation, but he may have done enough for them to focus their attention and assets elsewhere.
In an ideal world, the Lakers will employ a center who is better than Ayton by next season. A cornerstone that fit around and support Dončić and Reaves into the team’s next era.
But even with a boatload of cap space and several draft picks, finding the right big man may prove difficult for a franchise that has historically gotten them to fall into their laps.
All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social.
The Sixers are in an interesting spot as the trade deadline approaches. They look good enough on certain nights to be a real contender in an Eastern Conference that appears to be wide open.
While their record isn’t stellar, they’re still above .500 and the 2025-26 season has given fans a sliver of hope, both for the current season and that the future might not be super bleak. So, that leaves you with a team that’s probably not good enough to be an aggressive buyer within the next week, but certainly isn’t bad enough to be an obvious seller which leaves Daryl Morey with some decisions to make.
The most obvious decisions for Morey would be to sell off a few of Philly’s veterans who are on expiring contracts and there are three names to discuss here. Quentin Grimes, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre are all set to become free agents this summer. Granted, lumping the 25-year-old Grimes in with these two players in their 30s is oversimplifying things a bit. However, dating back to last offseason when the Sixers and Grimes were seemingly never close to a long-term deal, it has felt like the Houston product has had one foot out the door.
Out of these three players, Drummond is the oldest and being paid the least amount of money for the season, so you would think he is the most likely to be traded. Joel Embiid has shown signs of looking like his old self of late and Adem Bona is a youngster that is playing about as many minutes as Drummond is anyway. The team also officially signed old friend Charles Bassey to a 10-day deal Monday.
That brings us to Oubre, who is the most complicated trade candidate on the roster. While the Sixers are Oubre’s fifth team in a decade of NBA service time, the 30-year-old journeyman wing player has been a constant for Philadelphia in his three seasons with the team. He appeared in 68 games in 2023-24, 60 games last season and could still end up playing in 50-60 games this year if he stays healthy in the second half after a knee injury early in the season. His numbers have been pretty steady in all three seasons as a Sixer, and this season, his 38% three-point field goal percentage is actually up significantly from last year’s 29%.
If there’s a team out there that is more solidified as a contender than Philadelphia is, it may call Morey about Oubre, especially considering an acquiring team would gain Oubre’s Bird rights. Oubre hasn’t played for many contenders in his career, but he feels like a prototypical deadline addition for a contender. For his career, Oubre has appeared in 677 games, starting 328 of them, making for almost exactly a 50-50 split between his time as a starter and a bench player. He’s been a pretty consistent scorer regardless of the team he’s played for and a team with championship aspirations would probably love to add a 15-points-per-game guy that is shooting the ball as well as Oubre is this season.
Whether the Sixers should bite and move on from Oubre is a different conversation. Surely, there’s a price on any player and if another team exceeds the price that Morey and his staff value Oubre at, then no one can blame the Sixers for moving on. But, there’s a lot of value in Oubre remaining in Philadelphia. First off, he can help them win games in the second half, climb in the standings and cement themselves as one of the top six seeds in the East and avoid the play-in tournament.
Secondly, a player like Oubre can certainly help bring Philly’s younger players along. Between Bona, VJ Edgecombe, Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow, the Sixers have four rotation players in their early 20s who are still learning the ropes of life in the NBA. Oubre has been in so many different environments in his 10+ years as a professional, he could certainly help Philly’s younger players feel like they belong.
Lastly, while everyone knows about the money Philadelphia has committed to Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George for the future, there isn’t a lot of money on the books to other players in future seasons. To bring it back to Oubre in comparison to Grimes and Drummond, it feels like a no-brainer that Oubre should be the one out of these three that the Sixers are most interested in singing this summer.
We discussed the presence of Bona making Drummond a bit more expendable. While 2025-26 has not gone according to planned for Jared McCain, one would figure the Sixers still want McCain to be a big part of their future and the departure of Grimes would make it much easier to get McCain more playing time next season. Who’s replacing Oubre if Oubre is gone either at the trade deadline or if he walks in free agency? Philly doesn’t have another plug-and-play wing like Oubre and so keeping him for the rest of the season in hopes of going on a playoff run in the spring probably makes it easier to retain Oubre moving forward.
As we said, there could be an offer for Oubre that is too good to pass up. We’re certainly not trying to make it sound like the future of the franchise hinges on if Kelly Oubre sticks around or not. But Oubre has been a consummate professional in his time as a Sixer. He’s at the point in his career where he can be both a mentor to younger players and a remain a key contributor for whatever team he’s playing for. That team should continue to be the Philadelphia 76ers.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors Date: January 26th, 2026 Time: 8:30 PM CST Location: Target Center Television Coverage: Peacock Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There are bad losses, and then there are losses that make you question whether everyone in the building is actually watching the same sport you are. Sunday afternoon against Golden State landed firmly in the second category.
This wasn’t just another mark in the loss column. This was a five-game losing streak crystallized into one ugly, disjointed, borderline alarming performance. Twenty-five turnovers. Sixty percent from the free-throw line. Zero urgency. Zero cohesion. And a team that looked less like a Western Conference contender and more like one killing time until the final buzzer.
That’s what makes this stretch so confounding. You can squint and explain away Houston — no Anthony Edwards, brutal free-throw shooting, still right there late. You can contextualize San Antonio — no Rudy Gobert, one catastrophic defensive quarter, still a furious comeback. Even Utah, as galling as it was, fits into the familiar Wolves genre of “took a bad opponent lightly and paid for it.”
But Chicago at home? Blowing multiple double-digit leads when they knew they couldn’t afford it? And then Sunday afternoon, in a game that was supposed to be about pride, response, and urgency, watching the Wolves casually hand Golden State extra possessions like they were running a giveaway promotion?
That’s where the concern stops being about execution and starts being about engagement.
Because what we’ve seen over the last 10 days isn’t just missed shots or bad breaks. It’s lazy defense. It’s stagnant offense. It’s body language that screams “we’ll figure it out later.” And in the Western Conference, later turns into the play-in faster than you think.
A week ago, Minnesota was flirting with the two seed. Today, they’re buried in seventh, staring up at a standings ladder that’s suddenly a lot steeper than it was supposed to be. The margin for error is gone. The goodwill from early January has evaporated. And if this team is serious about avoiding a first-round meat grinder, or worse, this spiral has to stop immediately.
The good news? They get the rarest gift in the NBA: an immediate do-over. Same floor. Same opponent. Just over 24 hours later.
No excuses. No schedule quirks. No mystery. Just basketball.
So if the Wolves are going to stop the bleeding, here’s exactly how it has to happen.
Keys to the Game
1. Take care of the ball. You cannot win an NBA game turning the ball over 25 times. Sunday was a masterclass in self-sabotage: lazy passes, dribbling into traffic, unforced errors that turned neutral possessions into automatic Warriors points. Those turnovers didn’t just cost points. They killed rhythm, energy, and any chance of sustained pressure. If Minnesota coughs the ball up at anything close to that level again, the result will be the same. This has to be a game where possessions are valued, decisions are quick, and carelessness is treated like the enemy.
2. Find the intensity. The Wolves looked like a team that didn’t want to be there on Sunday. That can’t happen again. Not at this point in the season, not with this much at stake. Golden State may be short-handed, but they’re still organized, still disciplined, and still capable of punishing teams that sleepwalk. Minnesota doesn’t need perfection. It needs effort. Sprinting back. Fighting over screens. Talking on defense. Playing like each possession matters. This team has shown it can flip that switch. The problem is it keeps choosing not to. That choice can’t exist tonight.
3. Hit your free throws and stop giving games away. This has gone from “concerning trend” to “active crisis.” The Wolves are bleeding points at the line every single night, and it’s costing them real games against real competition. Sixty percent from the stripe is unacceptable for a team with this much shooting talent. Those are free points, and Minnesota keeps leaving them on the table. Until that changes, every close game is going to feel uphill. This has to be the night where competence returns at the line, because the math isn’t negotiable.
4. Use your size and win the physical battle. There is no scenario where the Warriors should be outworking Minnesota on the glass. And yet, that’s exactly what happened. When effort drops, size advantages disappear. Gobert, Randle, and Reid need to reassert themselves as the foundation of this team. Finish possessions. Create second chances. Punish mismatches inside. Make Golden State feel the size difference instead of letting them play small, fast, and free. This should be one of Minnesota’s greatest strengths. It has to show up.
5. Ant and Julius have to set the tone — together. Anthony Edwards showed up Sunday. Julius Randle did not. That imbalance can’t exist again. This team goes where those two take it, and leadership right now means more than scoring totals. It means controlling the pace, smart shot selection, and getting teammates involved. It means playing connected basketball instead of trying to rescue possessions individually. Ant doesn’t need to play hero ball. Randle doesn’t need to bully through triple teams. They need to lead — emotionally, stylistically, and competitively. If they do, the rest of the roster follows. If they don’t, nothing else matters.
This is the moment where teams decide who they are.
Minnesota can keep drifting, blaming injuries, lamenting missed opportunities, and telling themselves the season is long, or they can recognize that this stretch is defining them right now. The West isn’t waiting. The standings don’t care about intent. And every loss from here on out carries compound interest.
This second Warriors game isn’t about revenge. It’s about accountability. It’s about professionalism. It’s about proving that the team we saw in early January wasn’t a mirage.
Because if the Wolves can’t summon urgency here, at home, against a familiar rival, staring down a six-game skid, then the conversation changes. Permanently.
Volume 5 showcased resurgence, offering hope for the rest of the season. Volume 6 rips that hope out of your chest. Ineptitude, poor leadership, and crushing injury defined the past fortnight, leaving the Bucks—and their fans—reevaluating everything.
@ Nuggets
The. Bucks. Are. In. Denver. And. Struggling. With. The. Altitude. They have to be—it’s the only possible reason they’re down double digits to a Nuggets team without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Cam Johnson, and Christian Braun. And. Time. Is. Running. Out. Giannis senses it too, inhales like he’s about to go free diving, and gets to work. He follows up one pirouette-to-dunk with another. Then, after both sides fail to score for nearly two minutes—in which Giannis somehow doesn’t even get an attempt—he walks into a 19-foot pull-up. Cash; lead down to six.
Four minutes later, after a flurry of baskets that don’t change the deficit, Giannis makes another middy to cut it to four. And, not long after—following a pair of split free throws by Peyton Watson—Giannis gets a steal and looks up to vacant hardwood. Forget penciling this one in, you could carve it in stone; see the finish before it happens—a windmill that rocks the rim so hard it reverberates right back to Wisconsin. But Tim Hardaway Jr. comes out of nowhere to steal it right back and, with it, the last breath of oxygen in the Bucks’ lungs.
Win probability after Giannis’ midrange jumper: 17.9%
Win probability after Hardaway’s steal: 8.9%
vs. Wolves
Early enough in the game for fans to still care—before this was a 30-point blowout and the Bucks still had a chance—Giannis, the greatest player in franchise history and leader of this team, sits down and complains to the officials on the offensive end of the floor after a non-call and then can’t be bothered contesting a Julius Randle three-point attempt on the other end. Randle splashes three but that’s not what’s important here. What is, is the tone the Giannis just set, especially considering he had Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. wide-open in either corner with their hands in the air. It’s no wonder everything goes south from here and the Wolves have an 18-point lead by the end of the quarter, 33 by the final siren. As Big Ju says in Remember the Titans, “Attitude reflects leadership.”
Win probability before the game: 41.4%
Win probability after Randle’s three: 23.3%
@ Spurs
Giannis is a freak to begin, getting to the line at will, dunking, even splashing a three—scoring 14 of the Bucks’ first 17 points and sending Victor Wembanyama to the bench with zero points, two personal fouls, and one very sore knee. It feels like the start of a statement game. But the Spurs machine is starting to run like the one of yesteryear and they hold a close lead halfway into the second. Then it begins. The alien invasion. First, Wemby blocks a Rollins driving layup attempt, then he makes a three on the other end. A possession later, he grabs the carom off a Giannis miss and dribbles full-court into a pull-up three—and suddenly it feels like Independence Day, the White House blowing into smithereens. By the time he’s done in the third quarter—after splashing a turnaround, fadeaway three instead of taking the foot-shorter AJ Green down low—it’s a 25-point Spurs lead. And these Bucks don’t have Russell Casse to save them from the brink of extinction.
Win probability prior to Wemby’s block on Rollins: 25.4%
Win probability after Wemby’s pull-up three: 13.4%
@ Hawks
According to Henry Ford, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” With the Bucks on an embarrassing three-game skid, this wasn’t going to work. Thankfully, Doc Rivers gets the message and opts to utilise Pete Nance, ostensibly giving him Gary Trent Jr.’s minutes, (who ends with a DNP-CD). It’s a move that pays off—the Bucks are down one, 16-17, when Nance first enters the game, but up 12, 90-78, when he last checks out. More specifically, Nance is active from the get-go, reminding the Bucks that to win you’ve got to do the little things—run hard in transition, pass up a good look for a great one, give the second and third efforts—and, if you do these consistently, good things will happen. In the fourth quarter, good things indeed happen for Nance. Amidst a Hawks run that started in the third quarter and got them as close as six after being down by 20, Nance pounces on an errant pass and turns it into a transition layup to give the Bucks breathing room, back up 10. A minute and a half later, he calmly knocks down a catch-and-shoot three-pointer that makes it 14. It should be enough to knock out the Hawks, and although it isn’t, the Bucks hold on. Bigger picture, it should be enough to change Nance’s season—and possibly even his career. Now that’s momentum.
Win probability when Nance enters the game in the first quarter: 44.1%
Win probability after Nance’s three in the fourth: 97.2%
vs. Thunder
The Bucks win a (seemingly) rare tip and get the first possession of their sure-to-be fiery NBA Rivals Week matchup against the… Oklahoma City Thunder? Yeah, the matchup must have confused the Bucks too, as they come out stunned—unable to even get the ball inside the three-point line on the first possession—and starting centre Kyle Kuzma is forced to hoist a closely-guarded three-pointer that predictably clanks off front rim. The second possession is better—the Bucks actually get it inside 23 feet—but the result is the same, another Kuzma bricked three, and then Chet Holmgren shows him how it’s done on the other end. In the blink of an eye, it’s a 21-6 lead for the Thunder, then 26-8—and Ajay Mitchell has more points (12) than the Bucks. By the end of the quarter it’s 38-18 and, somewhere, Kenny Smith is screaming: “It’s over! It’s over, ladies and gentlemen!”
Win probability prior to the game: 22.3%
Win probability after Holmgren’s three: 18.1% (and by the end of the first it’s just 3.4%)
vs. Nuggets
There’s no altitude this time; the Bucks are at home; still no Jokic, Murray, Johnson, Braun. No Watson too, and Aaron Gordon only plays 16 minutes. Oh, and the Nuggets are cold from three, finishing just 12/41 on the night. Myles Turner is actually on one too—17 points, seven boards, and six blocks. Still, the Bucks go down 23. How could this game possibly get any worse? That’s right, overplay Giannis attempting an all-but-futile comeback only for him to get injured. Then somehow get close enough to actually win—101-100—only for Kuzma to take and miss the game-winner. Franchise burying momentum right there.
Win probability when the Bucks go down by 23: 0.2%
Win probability after Giannis exits with injury: 6.1% (but who cares?)
With Giannis out for the foreseeable future, the focus shifts from Playoffs (well, Play-In) to planning and playing for tomorrow. Who will step up and seize their moment?
This is a pretty straightforward bet: The Indiana Pacers are one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA, so we’re fading them on the glass in tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks’ big man, Onyeka Okongwu, averages 7.9 rebounds per game this season, but that’s up to 8.9 over his last 14 games. Now, he faces an Indiana team that has the third-worst rebounding rate and surrenders the third-most rebounds per game.
Okongwu has topped 8.5 boards eight times over this 14-game stretch, making the plus money on the Over too good to pass up.
The Los Angeles Lakers' defense will eventually be their downfall, but it’s also something we can fade on a nightly basis.
The Lakers rank 25th in both defensive rating and opponent assists per possession, while the Chicago Bulls are among the best teams in the NBA at passing the rock.
That has me targeting Matas Buzelis. He’s averaging 2.0 assists per game, but that’s up to 4.0 over his last five games — dishing out three or more dimes in all five.
The Portland Trail Blazers are playing some great basketball. Their 9-3 record in January is the second-best in the NBA, and Shaedon Sharpe has been a big part of that.
Sharpe is averaging 22 points per game this month and has been on fire from downtown, shooting 40.6% over his last four games.
Tonight, he takes on the Boston Celtics, who are allowing the sixth-most made threes per game. Sharpe has hit three or more in three of his last four, so it’s a great bet to back the Over at this price.
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Good and Pretti were both protesting the presence of immigration officers in Minnesota.
"What is happening in the Twin Cities and the Great North Star State is heartbreaking to witness," Towns wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "These events have cost lives and shaken families -- and we must call for accountability, transparency, and protections for all people. This moment demands that we reflect honestly on what our values truly are. My thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
"I stand with the people of Minnesota."
Towns spent the first nine seasons of his NBA career playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
His reaction came shortly after the NBA Players Association and its executive committee issued a statement following the shooting of Pretti.
The statement read:
"Following the news of yet another fatal shooting in Minneapolis, a city that has been on the forefront of the fight against injustice, NBA players can no longer remain silent.
"Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice.
"The fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.
"The NBPA and its members extend our deepest condolences to the families of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, just as our thoughts remain focused on the safety and well-being of all members of our community."
Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers look to win their second in a row over Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic and fourth straight overall tonight in Cleveland. These teams met Saturday in Orlando. Cleveland won 119-105. They led by seven after 24 minutes and were never really threatened in the second half thanks in large part to Mitchell who scored 27 of his 36 after intermission. In addition, the Cavs shot 44% from deep (15-34).
Although still minus Darius Garland (toe), the Cavs look to finally be rounding into the form most expected to see this season. They have won five of their last six and are now in fifth in the Eastern Conference. They are within one game of the fourth place Knicks and 1.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors who sit in third.
The Magic spent big in trading for Desmond Bane this past summer, but Franz Wagner (ankle) has missed significant stretches of time. The result is a good, but inconsistent team that sits in eighth in the East but just one game behind Philadelphia and the No. 6 spot. Wagner missed the first of this back-to-back against the Cavs and has already been ruled out of tonight’s game as well.
Lets take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Magic at Cavaliers
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Game Odds: Magic at Cavaliers
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
This game opened Cavaliers -4.5 with the Total set at 226.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Magic at Cavaliers
Orlando Magic
PG Anthony Black
SG Jalen Suggs
SF Desmond Bane
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter Jr.
Cleveland Cavaliers
PG Jaylon Tyson
SG Donovan Mitchell
SF Evan Mobley
PF Dean Wade
C Jarrett Allen
Injury Report: Magic at Cavaliers
Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner (ankle) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Cleveland Cavaliers
De’Andre Hunter (knee) is questionable for tonight’s game
Sam Merrill (hand) is questionable for tonight’s game
Darius Garland (toe) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Max Strus (foot) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Magic at Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are 15-11 at home this season
The Magic are 9-11 on the road this season
The Cavaliers are an NBA-worst 17-30 ATS this season
The Magic are not far behind sitting at just 17-27 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 22 of the Magic’s 44 games this season (22-22)
The OVER has cashed in 22 of the Cavaliers’ 47 games this season (22-25)
Donovan Mitchell appears to have found his form. After shooting just 33% from the field in his previous 3 games, the All-Star is 26-55 over his last 2 games (47%).
Jaylon Tyson has dished out exactly 4 assists in each of his last 5 games for the Cavs
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Magic and Cavs’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Cavs -5.5
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 227.5
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Jimmy Butler III is done for the season, and both Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo are set to miss extended time moving forward.
Replacement options for the trio make an appearance in this week’s column, but there are no shortage of quality adds around the Association.
Here are the top fantasy basketball waiver wire adds for Week 15.
→ Check out a three-game NBA slate on Peacock on Monday night! The Magic and the Cavs will tip off at 7 p.m. ET before the Trail Blazers visit the Magic at 8 p.m. ET and the Warriors and Timberwolves square off at 9:30 p.m. ET.
1. Cam Spencer
2. Max Christie
3. Jalen Smith
4. Saddiq Bey
5. Jock Landale
6. Sam Hauser
7. Jaylon Tyson
8. Bub Carrington
9. Kelly Oubre Jr.
10. Sandro Mamukelashvili
11. Dylan Cardwell
12. Jarace Walker
13. Bobby Portis
14. Brandin Podziemski
15. Kyle Kuzma
Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans (31 percent rostered)
Bey has offered fantasy managers top-10 production over the last week, averaging 26.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.3 triples across 31.3 minutes. He’s posted 20+ points in three straight games and at least one steal in four straight. He continues to offer a spark on both ends of the court for New Orleans, and he should see meaningful rotational minutes for the foreseeable future.
"Just trusting in God man. I am just grateful to be out here. I was thinking about it this morning how grateful I am to be playing these games... Every possession, every game, I am trying to make the most of it and make God proud"
Tyson was the featured pick in last week’s Waiver Wire column, and he rewarded fantasy managers with another string of strong performances. In six straight starts, Tyson has averaged 19.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.2 triples across 32.5 minutes. Keep rolling with him until his production drops off.
Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers (29 percent rostered)
Oubre Jr. has started four straight games, and he’s been productive while running with the first unit. Across his last four, Oubre Jr. has averaged 19.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers across 36.8 minutes. Even with Philadelphia at full strength, Oubre Jr.’s role looks secure.
Spencer has played well over his last eight games overall, posting averages of 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.1 treys across 26.4 minutes. Spencer is nearly a 50/40/90 shooter in that span, offering strong production in assists, three-pointers and shooting percentages. In 11 starts, Spencer has averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 2.1 triples across 30.5 minutes, and he could be locked into Memphis’ first unit for the foreseeable future with Ja Morant sidelined. Spencer has plenty of upside and the chance for increased opportunities.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Toronto Raptors (28 percent rostered)
Jakob Poeltl continues to miss time with a lingering back injury, and Collin Murray-Boyles has missed time recently due to a thumb issue. Mamu has started three straight games, and in that span, he’s averaged 18 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a pair of triples across 33 minutes.
Max Christie, Dallas Mavericks (26 percent rostered)
Christie is ranked 13th in per-game fantasy value over the last week, posting averages of 23.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 5.0 triples across 33 minutes in four games. He’s racked up 20+ points and 3+ triples in all four, staying hot after returning from a two-game absence. Christie has started 12 straight games, and he appears entrenched as a starter for the shorthanded Mavericks.
Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls (25 percent rostered)
Chicago has gotten strong production from Smith lately, as he’s averaged 13.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.1 triples across 28.1 minutes. He’s started four straight and five of seven, and Smith’s playing time and place in the starting lineup isn’t dependent on Nikola Vucevic’s availability.
Landale has provided fifth-round fantasy value over the last week. In that span, he’s averaged 19.3 points, 10 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 triples across 27.7 minutes. Zach Edey (ankle) is still on the shelf, and Santi Aldama is dealing with a knee injury, which gives Landale plenty of runway for meaningful minutes moving forward.
Since joining the starting lineup, Hauser has posted 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 3.9 triples across 28.5 minutes. In that span, he’s been electric from beyond the arc while shooting 50.9% from the field. Fantasy managers can pick him up for elite three-point production, efficient shooting and low turnovers.
Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks (19 percent rostered)
Kuz and Bobby Portis (36%) should pick up the slack while Giannis Antetokounmpo is sidelined, though it’s unclear who will be the bigger beneficiary. Portis has provided monster production sans Giannis throughout his Bucks tenure, but Kuzma’s presence certainly puts a damper on Portis’ upside. Both are in consideration to be added, but Kuzma is more widely available.
Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards (15 percent rostered)
Carrington has logged 35.4 minutes per game across his last nine outings and 37 minutes across his last five (all starts). Over his last five as a starter, Carrington has averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks and 3.4 triples. He should stay locked into the starting lineup until Trae Young makes his Wizards debut.
De’Anthony Melton, Golden State Warriors (13 percent rostered)
Jimmy Butler III is done for the season, and Melton and Brandin Podziemski (39%) should see increased playing time moving forward. Podz has started three straight since Butler III went down, but both he and Melton have enough upside to be viable in 12-team leagues.
Cardwell has provided top-30 per-game fantasy value over the last week, averaging 4.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.5 blocked shots while shooting 81.8% from the floor. The backup big man has seen a steady increase in playing time as of late, and the flailing Kings should be motivated to get him some additional minutes moving forward.
Walker has averaged 22.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 3.0 triples across 30 minutes. He went off for a career-high 26 points on Friday against the Thunder, replacing Jay Huff in the starting lineup. Huff has logged 18 total minutes over the Pacers’ last two games. It remains to be seen if Walker’s minutes will stay steady moving forward, but he’s worth a speculative add after two strong performances.
Other options:Brandin Podziemski (39%), Bobby Portis (36%), Tari Eason (34%), Julian Champagnie (25%), Malik Monk (22%), Moussa Diabate (18%), Mitchell Robinson (12%), Simone Fontecchio (11%), Justin Champagnie (7%)
Warriors vs Timberwolves best bet: Anthony Edwards Under 30.5 points (-120)
The Minnesota Timberwolves were mired in an offensive funk Sunday. Anthony Edwards shot 13-for-20 from the floor while the rest of the Timberwolves combined to go just 17-for-59 (29%).
The loss extended Minnesota’s slide to five games and has the media questioning the T-Wolves’ focus with the All-Star break about two weeks away. Edwards made no excuses and called out his team for their lack of effort.
The second of back-to-back outings is tough enough when you’re not facing a defense as sound as the Golden State Warriors.
Golden State sits sixth in advanced defensive rating, and if Minnesota is going to bounce back, it will need a team effort — not just a solo show from Ant.
He’s tried to carry the team during this losing streak, averaging more than 36 points in his last four games since missing two outings due to a foot injury. But based on projections, this is a solid “buyback” spot on the Under for his scoring output.
Monday’s player models top out at 28.4 points from Edwards, with forecasts as low as 25.8. My number boils down to 27.4 points from the Minny superstar, which should have the Under 30.5 points priced closer to -200.
Warriors vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Curry went 3-for-10 from beyond the arc in only 28 minutes last night. Given his usual playing time, he’s projected for five triples.
Gobert logged only 24 minutes on Sunday, but he can beat up an undersized Golden State frontcourt.
Warriors vs Timberwolves SGP
Anthony Edwards Under 30.5 points
Stephen Curry Over 4.5 threes
Rudy Gobert Over 9.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Warriors, Come Out And Play...
Edwards tries to kick start his team's struggling offense, with projections calling for four or more assists.
Minnesota is 6-4 straight up at home when coming off a loss, but just 3-7 against the spread in those bounce-back spots. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Warriors vs Timberwolves
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Monday, January 26, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Warriors vs Timberwolves 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The U.S. team released its 232-athlete roster for the Milan Cortina Olympics on Monday and it includes Lindsey Vonn and bobsledders Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor, who are among the seven Americans making their fifth trip to the games.
Other five-timers are hockey player Hilary Knight, figure skater Evan Bates and snowboarders Faye Thelen and Nick Baumgartner.
Meyers Taylor leads a group of 33 returning medalists. She has won three silver medals and two bronze while Humphries has taken three gold. Mikaela Shiffrin and Chloe Kim have two golds each.
The team consists of 117 men and 115 women ranging in age from 15 (freeskier Abby Winterberger) to 54 (curler Rich Ruohonen).
The opening ceremony is set for Feb. 6 in Milan, with some competition beginning Feb. 4.
These will be the most spread-out Olympics in history, with Milan serving as a home base for hockey, figure skating and speedskating and Cortina and a handful of other mountain clusters hosting skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, sliding sports and the new Olympic sport of ski mountaineering. ___
The Pistons may have dropped a tight contest against a strong Houston Rockets team, but they are still sitting alone at the top of the Eastern Conference. With the trade deadline right around the corner, Wes and Blake break down that loss to the Rockets and what it might mean for the playoffs to come. How should the team counter the Rockets’ defensive strategy? How often will Cade see that defense? They also dive into a mock trade deadline that Wes was fortunate enough to participate in, hosted by the Bird Rights Podcast. What trades were these fake Pistons able to make? What do we think about the value of those deals and how the roster fits together in that scenario? Finally, the guys answer the big question… would this team be better with Malik Beasley than they are with Duncan Robinson?
We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode!
Want to hear your voice on the Pindown? Call (313) 355-2717 and leave your question as a voicemail! The guys will play your message and answer your question on that week’s episode! All we ask is that you keep your questions to under 45 seconds.
The Portland Trail Blazers hit the road this evening to face Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden.
Shaedon Sharpe is showing out lately, and I’m eyeing him to keep it rolling in my Trail Blazers vs Celtics predictions and NBA picks below.
Trail Blazers vs Celtics prediction
Trail Blazers vs Celtics best bet: Shaedon Sharpe Over 21.5 points (-115)
Shaedon Sharpe showed promise from Day 1 for the Portland Trail Blazers, but he’s really stepped it up in Year 5. The Canadian guard is averaging a career-best 21.9 points across 42 games. Sharpe is one of Portland’s best players, and he continues to prove it on a nightly basis.
The former Kentucky standout has cashed the Over in points in four of his last five appearances, and even though he did cash the Under in his most recent contest, Sharpe still finished with 21 points.
Sharpe is averaging 21.9 ppg on the road, and he already balled out earlier in the campaign against the Boston Celtics, dropping 26 points. Sharpe is playing with boatloads of confidence, and he’ll bring his best again tonight.
Trail Blazers vs Celtics same-game parlay
Payton Pritchard has taken on a bigger role this season without Jayson Tatum around, averaging a career-high 16.7 ppg. He's cashed the Over in two of his last four games and three of his last five at home.
Sam Hauser is a sniper from deep, draining 2.7 triples on 6.6 attempts for a 40.7% clip. The 28-year-old has cashed the Over in five of his last six.
While the Blazers are holding opponents to a 27.6% clip from beyond the arc across their last three games, Hauser is feeling it right now from 3-point territory. He’s averaging exactly 2.5 makes at home as well for a 42% clip.
Trail Blazers vs Celtics SGP
Shaedon Sharpe Over 21.5 points
Payton Pritchard Over 15.5 points
Sam Hauser Over 2.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Over and Out
Jrue Holiday is averaging 7.1 dimes per contest, and he’s cashed the Over in back-to-back outings.
Trail Blazers vs Celtics SGP
Shaedon Sharpe Over 21.5 points
Payton Pritchard Over 15.5 points
Sam Hauser Over 2.5 threes
Jrue Holiday Over 5.5 assists
Trail Blazers vs Celtics odds
Spread: Trail Blazers +8.5 | Celtics -8.5
Moneyline: Trail Blazers +260 | Celtics -330
Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5
Trail Blazers vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Trail Blazers have won 14 of their last 21 games for +13.25 units and a 49% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Celtics.
How to watch Trail Blazers vs Celtics
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Monday, January 26, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Trail Blazers vs Celtics 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Pacers vs Hawks best bet: Andrew Nembhard Over 7.5 assists (-112)
Andrew Nembhard has had to take on a larger role in 2025-26 with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined, and while the Indiana Pacers are struggling, he’s played well.
From a playmaking standpoint, the Gonzaga product is averaging an impressive 7.3 assists per game. That ranks eighth in the entire Association.
Nembhard has cashed the Over in dimes in three of his last four appearances, and he just registered 11 assists on Friday evening against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Atlanta Hawks are nowhere near OKC in terms of defense, and they’re Top 10 in most assists allowed. Atlanta is also considered an easier matchup for point guards, allowing 9.24 dimes per contest to the position.
He’ll cook as a facilitator this afternoon.
Pacers vs Hawks same-game parlay
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is having a career year for the Hawks. However, the guard hasn’t been at his best lately, cashing the Under in points in four of his last five.
NAW has scored just 24 points combined across his last two appearances, and he’s cashed the Under in two of his previous three outings on home court as well.
Corey Kispert has given the Hawks more shooting since coming over in the Trae Young trade, and he’s been draining triples lately. The ex-Gonzaga star has cashed the Over in three of his last four appearances.
Pacers vs Hawks SGP
Andrew Nembhard Over 7.5 assists
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Under 19.5 points
Corey Kispert Over 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Long ball delivers
Pascal Siakam has cashed the Over in treys in five consecutive appearances, and he’s averaging 2.4 makes on the road.
Pacers vs Hawks SGP
Andrew Nembhard Over 7.5 assists
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Under 19.5 points
Corey Kispert Over 1.5 threes
Pascal Siakam Over 1.5 threes
Pacers vs Hawks odds
Spread: Pacers +5.5 | Hawks -5.5
Moneyline: Pacers +180 | Hawks -220
Over/Under: Over 233.5 | Under 233.5
Pacers vs Hawks betting trend to know
The Indiana Pacers have hit the game total Under in 32 of their last 50 games (+12.20 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Hawks.
How to watch Pacers vs Hawks
Location
State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Date
Monday, January 26, 2026
Tip-off
1:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN-IN, FDSN SE-ATL
Pacers vs Hawks 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
For about 12 minutes, it looked like the San Antonio Spurs were going to pull off a big comeback against the New Orleans Pelicans. After going down 20 points in the third quarter, the Spurs came all the way back to take a 5-point lead with 5 minutes to go in the game. San Antonio couldn’t sustain the lead as New Orleans came away with a 104-95 upset victory.
The Spurs’ comeback started midway through the third quarter when Mitch Johnson subbed out his five starters for a bench lineup that included rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant. The two first-year players immediately brought energy and helped the team get back in the game. Bryant has looked great in his last few outings. He’s been confident and aggressive in his minutes. Bryant had 6 points on a pair of threes in his 7 minutes.
Harper did what he does best – get downhill and make things happen in the open court. He had 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench. They aren’t eye-popping stats, but he provided a real spark when the team needed it.
Harper has caught a few defenders off guard this season with his bounce. At 6-6, he has the size to finish over the top in transition, even if he isn’t a high-flying athlete.
The game was Devin Vassell’s first in a month. He did exactly what you’d expect with 13 points off the bench. Vassell knocked down shots and gave the Spurs another floor-spacer from deep. It’s nice to know that a skip pass to the corner is going to fall into the hands of a shooter like Vassell.
Vassell’s tough shot-making ability will be a huge help for the Spurs as they enter the second half of the season. Vassell knocked down a few contested shots on Sunday night, including this tough mid-range jumper off the baseline out-of-bounds play.
Victor Wembanyama got in on the highlight action despite a relatively quiet night. Wemby had 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks. This poster slam over Derrick Queen was Blake Griffen-esque. Just a big man throwing the ball into the basket through contact.
This sequence included some classic Wembanyama defense. He just had to go straight up against the smaller Yves Missi. He blocks him twice to stop the Pelicans’ big man from a sure layup.
We got a rare Area 51 sighting on Sunday night. It’s been a while since these two have found each other in the half-court, but here Stephon Castle draws two defenders and then finds the big man for the lob.
Next, San Antonio will travel to Houston for a rematch with the Rockets on Wednesday night. Catch the full game highlights from Sunday’s game below.
Onyeka Okongwu
Matas Buzelis 
Shaedon Sharpe
Raphielle Johnson
