Pistons vs. Bulls Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 07: Paul Reed #7 of the Detroit Pistons tries to drive around Matas Buzelis #14 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on January 07, 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jalen Duren is back, but Jaden Ivey is not. The Detroit Pistons face the Chicago Bulls tonight, and they will see the return of their All-Star big man after serving a two-game suspension for an on-court altercation. Ivey, meanwhile, is out tonight due to knee soreness. It’s a bummer not to see Ivey suit up and play 30-plus minutes, but it is no easy road coming back from a major knee injury. I hope we can see the old, explosive Ivey again soon.

The Pistons are on quite a roll, and star point guard Cade Cunningham is finally getting some legitimate MVP buzz. All it takes is for his 3-pointer to start falling and one stellar showing on the grand stage of Madison Square Garden. Cunningham scored 42 points and hit five 3-pointers in a 126-111 win over the Knicks. It would be fabulous if he didn’t follow that up with a stinker against the Bulls, who have lost 10 of their last 11 games.

Game Vitals

When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -10.5

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (41-13)

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

Chicago Bulls (24-32)

Josh Giddey, Anfernee Simons, Isaac Okoro, Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith

Jayson Tatum addresses speculation over set return date

LOS ANGELES — Jayson Tatum appeared on the floor moments before Celtics practice on Saturday and addressed photos showing him seemingly taking part in team activities in San Francisco. He clarified that he didn’t take part in a practice, and rather participated in an optional workout with several Celtics teammates, including Luka Garza.

Joe Mazzulla would not say whether Tatum, who added that he hasn’t practiced since his Maine session, would practice with the team on Saturday as he continues to progress in his on-court work and overall recovery process.

“He’s just continuing to get better,” Mazzulla said. “Working on his reads and then continuing to hit his checkmarks in the weight room and then in the treatment room as well. The main goal is just making sure he gets 100% healthy and continues to get better and better.”

“It’s just trusting the group that we have around him,” he continued. “And taking it step-by-step. So, just making sure we stick to that as much as we can. He came out of the Maine practice pretty well, and so we’ll continue to see it from there. It just depends as he continues to hit those check marks, whatever they may be.”

The latest comments from Tatum and Mazzulla maintain the secrecy the Celtics and Tatum’s team have operated with through the final stages of his Achilles recovery. Several reports indicated over the past week that Tatum’s still uncertain whether he’ll return or not this year, and despite speculation around an NBC-flexed Celtics start time on March 1 against the Sixers, he said that he does not have a return date in mind at the moment.

Mazzulla said the Celtics hadn’t practiced since Tatum’s Maine Celtics session, which went well. Boston doesn’t have a plan for him to join their actual practice activity other than continuing along his normal progression. That would seemingly indicate that there’s no imminent return expected for the Celtics star in the near future.

“Work out, see how you recover the next day and then you just make a plan from there,” Tatum said. “It was a little five-on-five (on Wednesday). It’s tough to go into detail on every single thing I’m doing every day, but I will say I’m just getting acclimated more and doing little things with some of the guys out there, but it’s all part of rehab and just going with the plan.”

Tatum added that he feels better than he did the previous day, and that’s all he’s focused on at the moment rather than a specific return date. He stressed that it’s important that he put himself in position to have a return be a conversation, and continued stressing he won’t play until he’s 100% and he wouldn’t indicate what percent he’s currently at.

The Celtics arrived at Santa Barbara Prep for practice alongside Tatum, who took some light shots on the court before the session began. He sported a team-issued shirt and sweatpants, put on his sneakers and spoke to the media before the practice closed once it began.

“I feel like I’m beating a dead horse,” Tatum said. “I’m taking it one day at a time. This is something that’s very serious. The injury that I had is just a long journey. For me, it’s just easier to take it one day at a time and see how I progress from there.”

It’s time for Basketball: San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 16: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs and DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings embrace at the end of the game at Frost Bank Center on November 16, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.

The Spurs have never won both games in the Moody Center series that’s been played in Austin the last four years, and they have a great chance to do it tonight, after blowing out the Suns on Thursday night 121-94. The Suns were without their emotional leader Dillon Brooks due to a league suspension and lost Devin Booker in the first half with hip soreness, and the Spurs took advantage, taking a huge lead in the second half and resting their starters for most of the fourth quarter. The Kings have the worst record in the NBA, and shut down Damontas Sabonis for the rest of the season as he’s getting surgery on his knee for a meniscus tear that wouldn’t heal on its own. Zach Levine and new acquisition De’Andre Hunter are also out for the season, and ethical tanking seems to be fully deployed in central California. The roster for the Kings is now Demar DeRozan, Russ Westbrook, and a bunch of young guys. Two of those guys are Maxime Raynaud, who has been playing well recently, and Keegan Murray, who is turning into a very effective power forward in the league. Westbrook and DeRozan will definitely be in the hall of fame, but they’re a bit past their prime as players. The thing is that they’re still good enough to cause the Spurs issues if they do not play with the kind of effort and commitment that they brought against the Suns. It would be advantageous for the Silver and Black to put this game away early so they could rest players late in the game, because the Spurs will be heading out on the road again for a key contest against Cade Cunningham and the Eastern Conference leading Pistons on Monday night.

The Spurs can make this game less stressful if they take control early and take a big lead at the half. Neither DeRozan or Westbrook are great three point shooters, and Victor should be able to limit their offense when he’s in the game by creating a no-shooting zone in the paint. The team needs to be focused and not look forward to Monday night, because that kind of thinking can lead to a bad Saturday night. It will be interesting to see whether Castle ends up defending DeMar or Russ, because either matchup will be fun to watch. It will be either DeMar’s crafty moves or Russell’s quickness and strength, and each one will provide unique challenges for Castle as he prepares his game for playoff basketball. It’s going to be fun to watch, let’s GOO SPURS!!

Game Prediction:

Matthew McConaughey will show up in the announcer booth, and will make the call of the game as he screams “alright, alright, alright!” as Victor Wembanyama dunks the ball.

San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings (Austin)
February 21, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Streaming: NBA League Pass
TV: KENS5
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

Denkey, Hagglund score late to lead Cincinnati 2-0 past Atlanta United in season opener

Kévin Denkey and Nick Hagglund scored late goals to lead FC Cincinnati to a 2-0 win over Atlanta United FC in an MLS regular season opener for both teams on Saturday.

In the 80th minute, Denkey received an assist from Ender Echenique, faking out goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos before finishing with his left foot between a pair of defenders.

Hagglund doubled their tally with a header from a Bryan Ramírez corner in the 90th minute. Hagglund suffered two broken ribs and a collapsed lung against Atlanta in on May 25 last year, missing more than two months.

Cincinnati lost 2025 MVP finalist Evander due to a hamstring injury 13 minutes into the game. He was replaced by Gerardo Valenzuela.

Denkey missed a golden chance in the 56th minute. After a turnover from center back Juan Berrocal fell to Denkey, he had a one-on-one chance with Hoyos, but hit the outside of the right post.

It was the first game for Atlanta United manager Gerardo “Tato” Martino, the former Argentina and Barcelona manager who most recently managed Inter Miami from 2023-24 and coached Lionel Messi at all three stops.

___

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Evans scores 21 points and keys Oregon's 59-second, 7-0 run to stun USC 71-70

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kwame Evans Jr. scored 21 points and Oregon's 7-0 run in the last 59 seconds helped the Ducks steal a 71-70 win over USC on Saturday.

Nate Bittle scored 14 points to go with 11 rebounds and four steals. His two foul shots with 10 seconds left were Oregon's go-ahead points. Takai Simpkins scored 12 and Drew Carter 11 for the Ducks (10-17, 3-13 Big Ten).

Chad Baker-Mazara scored 21 points before fouling out, Ezra Ausar scored 15 points to go with 11 rebounds before fouling out, and Alijah Arenas had 13 for the Trojans (18-9, 7-9 Big Ten).

With Baker-Mazara and Ausar on the bench, Arenas attempted to split defenders before Oregon's Dezdrick Lindsay swiped the ball and threw it into the front court as time expired.

Jacob Cofie made 1 of 2 foul shots to give USC a 70-64 lead with 1:10 left. Evans responded with a layup and drew Ausar's fifth foul to reduce Oregon's deficit to four.

Evans missed the foul shot, and in a scramble for the ball, Oregon's Carter threw it out to Evans who buried a 3 to make it 70-69. Arenas missed his shot attempt and Kam Woods missed the follow-up tip-in before Bittle collected the rebound.

Out of a timeout, Bittle caught a lob pass in the lane before getting fouled by Baker-Mazara — his fifth — and made the game's final points.

Oregon has won its last four road games at USC.

Up Next

Oregon: Hosts 24th-ranked Wisconsin on Wednesday.

USC: Will make the 30-minute cross-town jaunt to Westwood to face UCLA on Tuesday.

___

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Preview: Wizards host Hornets on Sunday

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 24: Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball while guarded by Moussa Diabate #14 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on January 24, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards host the Charlotte Hornets tomorrow night. Let’s get to the preview

Game info

When: Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. ET

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

How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass

Injuries: For the Wizards, Trae Young (knee, quad), Anthony Davis (hand, groin), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), Alex Sarr (hamstring), and D’Angelo Russell (not with team) are out.

For the Hornets, Liam McNeely and Coby White are out. Grant Williams is day-to-day.

What to watch for

The Wizards are looking to win their third straight game, this time against their Southeast Division foes in Charlotte. The Hornets have lose three of their last four games but had a recent nine game winning streak and are 26-31 heading into tomorrow’s game.

With the immediate Washington area under a winter weather advisory and a winter storm warning in some of the surrounding suburbs, do not expect this game to be postponed tomorrow. It is rare for NBA games to be postponed due to snow unless there are blizzard or near such conditions. The Washington area is not expected to get the worst effects. The northeast United States is expected to get such conditions, but all the northeast USA teams (Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics) and the Toronto Raptors are on the road in cities not affected by the storm.

Agbim, Yessoufou help Baylor end four-game skid with 73-68 victory over Arizona State

WACO, Texas (AP) — Obi Agbim and Tounde Yessoufou scored 16 points apiece to propel Baylor to a 73-68 victory over Arizona State on Saturday, ending the Bears' four-game skid.

Agbim made 6 of 8 shots and hit three of his four 3-pointers in the final five minutes to help the Bears (14-13, 4-10 Big 12 Conference) prevail. Yessoufou hit 6 of 14 shots with two 3-pointers. Isaac Williams totaled 14 points and five assists, while Cameron Carr scored 13 with four assists.

Anthony “Pig” Johnson had 20 points to pace the Sun Devils (14-13, 5-9). He made 6 of 11 shots and 8 of 10 free throws off the bench. Maurice Odum added 13 points, and Massamba Diop and reserve Allen Mukeba each scored 10.

Odum hit a 3-pointer and Johnson made four free throws in a span of 27 seconds to put the Sun Devils up 35-27 with three minutes left in the first half and the eight-point advantage held at halftime, 40-32.

Michael Rataj buried a 3-pointer and Williams hit a jumper to cap a 14-4 run to begin the second half as Baylor took a 46-44 lead. It was a one-possession game until Odum hit from distance to put the Sun Devils up 57-53 with 7:50 remaining.

Agbim's 3-pointer gave Baylor a 60-59 lead with five minutes left. Carr hit a jumper and Agbim added another 3 to push the lead to five with 2:31 to go. Johnson made four free throws and Odum scored off a Johnson steal to cut it to 68-67, but Agbim answered with another 3 and Baylor held on.

Up next

Baylor: Hosts No. 4 Arizona on Tuesday.

Arizona State: At TCU on Tuesday.

___

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Rockets back in action versus Knicks

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 19: Tari Eason #17 and Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets celebrate after a play during the second half of a basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on February 19, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks

February 21, 2026

Location: Madison Square Garden — New York, NY

TV: ABC

Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790

Online: Rockets App, SCHN+

Time: 7:30pm pm CST

Probable Starting Lineups

Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunnoby, Karl-Anthony Towns

Jermaine O'Neal Jr. scores 16 in SMU's 94-70 win over Boston College

DALLAS (AP) — Jermaine O'Neal Jr. scored 16 points, Samet Yigitoglu and BJ Edwards both added 15 in SMU's 94-70 win over Boston College on Saturday.

Jaden Toombs and Jaron Pierre Jr. put up 13 points each for the Mustangs (19-8, 8-6 Atlantic Coast Conference). Boopie Miller finished with 11 points and a team-leading seven assists.

SMU finished the first half on an 11-0 run, capped by a buzzer-beater 3-pointer by Pierre Jr. to go up 40-36 headed into the break. The Mustangs pulled away with a 14-0 run in the second half, finishing the final frame outscoring Boston College by 20.

Fred Payne led the Eagles (9-18, 2-12) with 20 points. Jason Asemota and Boden Kapke both added 10 in Boston College's eighth-straight loss.

The Mustangs shot 56% from the field compared to the Eagles' 33%.

Up next

Boston College hosts Wake Forest on Tuesday.

SMU visits California on Wednesday.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Colorado rides big start, big finish to 83-69 win over Oklahoma State

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Bangot Dak scored 17 points, Barrington Hargress added 16, and Colorado defeated Oklahoma State 83-69 on Saturday, giving the Buffaloes their third straight home win.

Colorado didn't allow a field goal in a 5 1/2-minute stretch early in the first half and the Buffaloes led 25-8 eight minutes into the game. Colorado made five 3-pointers in that opening stretch.

Scoring runs of 9-0 and 6-0 helped Oklahoma State get within 42-34 at halftime.

Christian Coleman and Isaiah Coleman combined for an 8-0 run that drew the Cowboys within 45-44 early in the second half and they went ahead 48-47 four minutes into the period. But Oklahoma State never went ahead by more than a point and Colorado used a 15-4 run to rebuild a double-digit lead, 68-57.

The lead reached 15 points on a 3-pointer by Alon Michaeli with 3 1/2 minutes remaining and 16 points when Isaiah Johnson converted a layup with 1:50 to go.

The Cowboys missed their last 10 shots.

Parsa Fallah scored 14 points and Christian Coleman and Vyctorius Miller added 11 points each for Oklahoma State, which has lost five straight.

Michaeli had 12 points off the bench for Colorado (15-12, 5-9 Big 12). Sebastian Rancik grabbed 10 rebounds and Hargress had eight assists.

The Cowboys (16-11, 4-10) fell to 0-10 when scoring less than 81 points. They are 16-1 when scoring at least 81.

Up next

Oklahoma State: West Virginia visits on Tuesday.

Colorado: Kansas State visits on Wednesday.

___

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Wilkinson scores 19 points as Georgia rallies to beat Texas 91-80

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Jeremiah Wilkinson scored 19 points off the bench, and Georgia used a late run to defeat Texas 91-80 on Saturday, ending a three-game home losing streak

The Bulldogs (19-8, 7-7 SEC) shot 60% overall, 11 of 20 from 3-point range, and led 45-35 at halftime. Marcus Millender added 15 points and five assists, Somtochukwu Cyril and Kanon Catchings each scored 13 and Blue Cain finished with 12 points and five assists.

Texas (17-10, 8-6) rallied in the second half behind Matas Vokietaitis, who finished with 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and Dailyn Swain, who added 21 points. Jordan Pope scored 17 for the Longhorns, who shot 57% overall and 6 of 12 from 3-point range.

Texas tied the game at 67-all on a step-back 3-pointer by Pope with 7:37 remaining.

Justin Abson started a Georgia run with a dunk, and a three-point play by Cain capped a 10-2 surge that pushed the lead to 77-69 with 5:26 left. The Bulldogs later extended the margin to 87-75 on a Catchings 3-pointer with 2:04 remaining and never let Texas get closer than eight the rest of the way.

The Bulldogs and Longhorns split their season series after Texas beat Georgia 87-67 on Jan. 24.

Up Next

Texas: Hosts No. 12 Florida on Wednesday.

Georgia: Plays Wednesday at No. 19 Vanderbilt.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Rockets vs Knicks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The standings may not show it, but the Houston Rockets are stumbling these days.

Although the New York Knicks may look like peers, they are actually far more trustworthy.

These Rockets vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks trust the home team on Saturday, February 21.

Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden, with the game airing on ABC.

Rockets vs Knicks prediction

Rockets vs Knicks best bet: Knicks -3.5 (-105)

It is not just that the Houston Rockets have gone 3-10 against the spread in the last month. It is also that they have fallen short of bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 9.1 points in those 10 ATS losses.

That is not terribly surprising once realizing Houston’s offensive rating in the last month has been No. 22 in the NBA, down from No. 4 before Jan. 21. When your offense slips by 8.3 points per 100 possessions, woes are going to follow.

Rockets vs Knicks same-game parlay

Kevin Durant may have poured in 35 points in his first game following the All-Star Break, but he fell short of this points prop in five of eight before the break, part of why the Rockets have cashed 10 Unders in 13 games in the last month.

Rockets vs Knicks SGP

  • Knicks -3.5
  • Kevin Durant Under 24.5 points
  • Under 219

Our "from downtown" SGP: KAT Boards

While New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns has struggled to shoot lately, he has continued to pile up rebounds, grabbing double-digit boards in 10 straight games and hitting this prop in nine of them.

Rockets vs Knicks SGP

  • Knicks -3.5
  • Knicks 1H -1.5
  • Kevin Durant Under 24.5 points
  • Under 219
  • Karl-Anthony Towns Over 10.5 rebounds

Rockets vs Knicks odds

  • Spread: Rockets +3.5 (-110) | Knicks -3.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Rockets +135 | Knicks -160
  • Over/Under: Over 219 (-110) | Under 219 (-110)

Rockets vs Knicks betting trend to know

Houston is 1-7 ATS in its last eight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Knicks.

How to watch Rockets vs Knicks

LocationMadison Square Garden, New York, NY
DateSaturday, February 21, 2026
Tip-off8:30 p.m. ET
TVABC

Rockets vs Knicks latest injuries

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Why restricted free agency could be key for Lakers this offseason

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 20: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball as Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets defends during the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on January 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Tanner Pearson/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On paper, the Lakers are poised for a huge summer of spending. Through multiple transaction windows, the Lakers have planned for the summer of 2027 as the time when they strike big.

The problem with their plan, and one they currently have entirely predicted, is that the unrestricted free agency class is rather underwhelming. It doesn’t mean the Lakers can’t still build a contender, but it does mean the simplest path to do so won’t likely be one they can take.

What, then, will free agency look like for the Lakers this summer? Let’s dive into that and more with our mailbag this week.

OldSchoolBaller
Who are the best and most likely free agents this coming offseason?

Technically, the two biggest likely unrestricted free agents will be two Lakers in LeBron James and Austin Reaves. After that, the free agency class pretty quickly takes a nose dive.

First, let’s look at the most notable potential unrestricted free agents:

  • Isaiah Hartenstein — Team option
  • Andrew Wiggins — Player option
  • John Collins — Unrestricted
  • Norman Powell — Unrestricted
  • Lu Dort — Team option
  • Quentin Grimes — Unrestricted
  • Ayo Dosunmu — Unrestricted

This isn’t even a particularly exhaustive list or one with much thought on the Lakers’ needs, but more of an example of how few real game-changing free agents there will be.

Excluded from this were Trae Young (player option), James Harden (player option) and Kristaps Porzingis (unrestricted), but for various fairly obvious reasons, I don’t think the Lakers are going to be an option there.

The far more intriguing crop of players are the restricted free agents:

  • Jaden Ivey
  • Bennedict Mathurin
  • Ousmane Dieng
  • Jalen Duren
  • Mark Williams
  • Walker Kessler
  • Peyton Watson

Restricted free agency has taken on an odd form under the new CBA. Last summer, we saw how little interest teams had in signing them, leading to long standoffs between the incumbent team and the player.

The Lakers’ unique position, though, could allow them to sign at least one of these players and still be spenders in free agency elsewhere. It won’t tie up their cap space entirely to send out an offer sheet. And with so much cap room, they could put together some really big offer sheets that will make it tough for teams to match.

It wouldn’t be a surprise, then, to see the Lakers moving aggressively from the start of free agency to sign one of these players and start the clock on the incumbent teams to match the offer once the moratorium ends.


Kilgary
It’s crazy we don’t have a definitive answer for this yet. With just 28 games left in the season: Who should be in our starting lineup? We saw zero success with AR+Luka+LeBron+Rui all starting (no one quick enough to defend the POA) BUT that was with JJ’s “switch everything” defense. What if they started out in zone? JJ has been experimenting with a lot of different zone looks to wallpaper over our slow footed stars. Would we be better off with our best offensive players in the starting lineup and starting out in zone or with some defenders and starting out in our “switch everything” defense?
  • Zone starters: Austin, Luka, Rui, LeBron, Deandre
  • Switch starters: Marcus, Austin, Luka, LeBron, Deandre

While I understand the sentiment, I think there are a couple of reasons to push back.

For one, you’re telegraphing what type of defense you’re going to play based on your starting lineup and if there’s anything coaches hate to do, it’s telegraph things based on starting lineups.

There is also a bit of a misconception about the zone defense the Lakers are using. It’s not something they go to for a long string of possessions in a row because NBA offenses and players are too sophisticated and smart for that to work.

The Lakers will employ their zone defense for a couple of possessions and then go back to the man-to-man. Think of it in baseball as a pitcher having different pitches. If they keep throwing a changeup (zone defense), then eventually the batter is going to see it coming and bad things will happen.

But if he can mix in that changeup with a fastball (man-to-man) and maybe even some other stuff like a curve (blitzing the ballhandler, as they did against the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard), then they may have enough. The zone defense is part of a greater scheme defensively and one they’re going to use with about every lineup they have because they aren’t good enough defensively to just have one look.


Kilgary
Second question: is there anyone left in the buyout market who would be worth waiving Kleber for? I’ll fully acknowledge that Maxi has contributed to winning 4 games this season. But that means he didn’t really contribute (or actively hurt our chances) in his 25 other games. I personally believe the bad outweighs the good and would rather have someone else hold the 15th roster spot. We can afford another vet minimum contract starting on February 26th. I was hoping we’d have a shot at Highsmith, but he’s off the board. Is there anyone else like Matisse Thybulle or even one of our 2-way guys like Timme who is worth taking a chance on over keeping Maxi on the roster as an emergency big?

I think there’s very, very little chance they move on from Maxi Kleber before the end of the season. Barring something drastic, this is the roster for the rest of the season.

Considering the recent games Deandre Ayton has missed with a knee injury lately and Jaxson Hayes’ potential to tackle a mascot at a moment’s notice, I don’t think the Lakers are in a position to cut bait on their third-string center.

I also think there’s value in being a respected veteran teammate on the bench. The team loves Kleber and he’s answered the bell when he’s asked in some big moments. I’m not sure there’d be a great reaction internally or externally to waiving him just before the playoffs, especially with a buyout market void of any real impact players and no two-way guys worth signing to a standard deal for the playoffs.

This isn’t like last season when Jordan Goodwin was securely in the rotation as the season ended. Drew Timme had a moment, as has Nick Smith Jr., but neither guy is worth cutting Kleber for.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Mills scores 21 to lead Maryland to 64-60 win over Washington

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Andre Mills scored 21 points to lead Maryland to a 64-60 win over Washington on Saturday.

Mills was only 7 of 18 from the floor, but 3 of 6 from behind the arc with five assists. He was coming off a career-high 39 points against Northwestern on Wednesday and scored 10 of the Terrapins' final 13 points over the last 6:24 of the game.

Solomon Washington’s 11-point, 14-rebound double-double buoyed the Terrapins (11-16, 4-12 Big Ten), while Elijah Saunders had 12 points and five rebounds.

Maryland held a 34-32 lead at halftime, flipping a game-high eight-point deficit into a lead with a 9-0 run starting at the 14:07 mark. They closed the game with a 13-6 run to retake and hold onto the lead.

The Terrapins had advantages in rebounding and on second-chance points, with 36-23 and 16-2 margins, respectively. While the Huskies shot 46 percent from the field (24-for-52) to 40 percent (23-for-57) for the Terrapins, the Terrapins made five more 3-pointers, and shot 43 percent behind the arc.

Zoom Diallo scored 19 points on 8 of 13 from the field to go with five assists for the Huskies (13-14, 5-11). Hannes Steinbach had 14 points and Wesley Yates III added 12.

Up next

Washington will continue its trip to the East Coast with a visit to Rutgers on Tuesday.

Maryland will face No. 9 Nebraska on the road on Wednesday.

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Atwell, Anderson lead No. 13 Texas Tech in 1st game without Toppin to a 100-72 win over K-State

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Donovan Atwell had 26 points with six 3-pointers, Christian Anderson scored 21 and No. 13 Texas Tech beat Kansas State 100-72 on Saturday in the first game for the Red Raiders since standout post JT Toppin's season-ending knee injury.

Texas Tech (20-7, 10-4 Big 12) maintained a double-digit lead after making nine consecutive shots, including three 3s in a row by Atwell, during a 26-10 run in just under seven minutes for a 40-20 lead with 6:20 left in the first half.

Anderson, who also had nine assists, scored 16 of his points after halftime, when LeJuan Watts had 13 of his 19.

The Red Raiders reached 20 wins for the third season in a row. The school record is four, with coach Bob Knight from 2001-02 to 2004-05.

PJ Haggerty had 17 points and Nate Johnson 15 points for Kansas State (11-16, 2-12), which was playing its second game since a coaching change. The Wildcats beat Baylor 90-74 at home Tuesday, two days after coach Jerome Tang was fired.

The Wildcats led only twice at Tech, when Johnson made their first two shots of the game, a 3 and then a jumper that made it 5-3.

Toppin, the preseason AP All-America selection, averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds a game while having 16 double-doubles before tearing the ACL in his right knee in a 72-67 loss at Arizona State on Tuesday night. He sat at the end of the Tech bench Saturday.

Sophomore forward Luke Bamgboye, a 6-foot-11 transfer from VCU, made his fifth start for the Red Raiders, his first since Dec. 7. He scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting while also having six rebounds and three blocked shots in 21 minutes.

Up next

Kansas State visits Colorado on Wednesday night.

Texas Tech hosts Cincinnati on Tuesday night.

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