MIAMI (AP) — Owen Caissie hit a walk-off, two-run homer to give the Miami Marlins a 4-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday and complete a sweep of their season-opening series.
Javier Sanoja doubled with two outs in the ninth inning against Rockies reliever Victor Vodnik (0-1) before Caissie drilled a change-up from Vodnik over the wall in right field.
In addition to going deep, Caissie doubled twice and batted 5 for 10 over the three-game set.
Sanoja, Otto López and Xavier Edwards had two hits each for the Marlins. Michael Petersen (1-0) got the win, throwing a perfect ninth.
The Rockies struck quickly against Marlins starter Max Meyer on Jordan Beck’s three-run double in the first.
Miami chipped away at the early deficit when López hit an RBI double in the first and Austin Slater added a sacrifice fly in the second.
Rockies starter José Quintana was lifted after 4 1/3 innings and 78 pitches of two-run ball. Quintana gave up four hits, struck out two and walked four.
The 37-year-old Quintana began his 15th season with Sunday’s outing. Quintana pitched for eight previous clubs before Colorado signed him to a free agent deal in the offseason.
Meyer settled down after the first and kept the Rockies scoreless through the remainder of his five-inning outing. He allowed five hits, struck out five and walked two.
Miami’s Deyvison De Los Santos doubled in his first major league at-bat in the second. De Los Santos was recalled from Triple-A Saturday.
Up next
Rockies: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (10-10, 4.64 with Baltimore in 2025) makes his Colorado debut in the opener of a three-game set at Toronto on Monday. Four seasons since his last major league appearance, RHP Cody Ponce will start for the Blue Jays.
Marlins: RHP Chris Paddack (5-12, 5.35 in 2025) will start the opener of a three-game home series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday. RHP Davis Martin (7-10, 4.10) will start for the White Sox.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 12: Derrick White #9, Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics look on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics will be without Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendonitis) and Derrick White (right knee contusion) when they face the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night. Those absences will come on the first night of a back-to-back; the Celtics will visit the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
Jayson Tatum, who was listed as questionable with right Achilles repair management, is available, as is Neemias Queta (right thumb sprain). Nikola Vucevic remains out with a right ring finger fracture he suffered on March 6th.
It’s unclear if either Brown’s or White’s injuries are cause for concern
Brown will miss his second straight game with Achilles tendonitis; Joe Mazzulla said on Friday that he was “a little banged up” and day-to-day. White is likely just taking a rest night with the Celtics playing again on Monday, though he previously missed a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this month with the same knee contusion.
With both players sidelined, Baylor Scheierman will likely remain in the starting lineup. Scheierman started on Friday in place of Brown in the win over the Hawks, his 18th start of the season. He’s averaging 4.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 17.9 minutes per game this season, while shooting 38.5% from three.
In addition, Ron Harper Jr. and Jordan Walsh could see increased minutes with the Celtics shorthanded. Harper Jr. started two games last month when Brown was sidelined, while Walsh is coming off his most extensive run in weeks, having tallied 27 minutes on Friday night.
Queta and Luka Garza will continue to anchor the frontcourt with Vucevic sidelined; Garza has played double-digit minutes in 11 straight games after previously falling out of the rotation after the trade deadline.
For the second time in the past four years, and at the second different program, Dusty May is in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.
This time around, the end of the path to college basketball’s preeminent event came with a little extra personal meaning.
With May’s Michigan team leading Tennessee 92-62 late in their Elite Eight matchup on Sunday, March 29 in Chicago, his son, Charlie, swished a 3-pointer from the corner with 1:02 to cap off a 95-62 victory.
A 6-foot-5 senior, the younger May is in his second season with the Wolverines after transferring over from UCF in 2024 after his father was hired at Michigan. Prior to Sunday’s win, he had scored just four career points and made one career field goal. This season, he has appeared in 18 minutes across seven games.
May’s trey sent the Michigan bench into hysteria, with the team’s biggest stars like Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara celebrating passionately.
“Mayday in Chicago!” CBS play-by-play broadcaster Andrew Catalon said after May splashed the shot.
The win against the Volunteers continued a dominant postseason run for the Wolverines, who have won their four NCAA tournament games by a combined 90 points. Only one of those victories came by fewer than 21 points.
It's the second career Final Four trip for May, who led Florida Atlantic on an improbable run to the national semifinals in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, where the Owls lost on a buzzer-beater to eventual national runner-up San Diego State.
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 28: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns dunks the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on March 28, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The book on Jalen Green when he arrived in Phoenix as part of the Kevin Durant deal was simple. Electric scorer, can get anywhere he wants on the floor, can create his own shot at will. The question has always been consistency. Some nights it flows, some nights it disappears, and in his short time with the Phoenix Suns, we have already seen both sides of that coin.
But when he finds it, when he locks into that rhythm, it is something different. It is smooth, it is effortless, it is the kind of scoring that makes you lean forward in your seat a little bit. Against the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, he hit that gear.
31 points in 22 minutes, and it never felt forced. Threes falling, drives collapsing the defense, mid-range shots dropping in stride. It came from everywhere. That is the version of Jalen Green that reminds you why the ceiling is so high, why the flashes keep you believing, why you keep waiting to see if it can become something more consistent over time.
It is fun to watch. It really is. Because it feels a little different from what we have had in Phoenix for a while. A guard who can create his own shot, get downhill whenever he wants, and do it with real burst and athleticism. You probably have to go back to Gerald Green or Jason Richardson to find that kind of pop out of the two slot, and that is more than a decade ago. Having that on the roster adds something. It bends defenses. It pulls help. It creates space for everyone else because when Jalen Green turns the corner, the defense has to react.
But there is another side to it, and we have already seen it.
That same ability can bring a level of confidence that drifts into tough decisions. Shot selection gets a little loose. The moment can turn into a search for the spectacular instead of the simple. You see it on drives where he has a clean path. Instead of finishing quickly, the ball gets cocked back, the play stretches, and suddenly defenders have time to recover.
And it sounds funny to say, but sometimes you want the layup. Two points is two points. Is this the anti-Ayton argument, isn’t it? I can LO to the L about the thought, but it’s true. With Ayton, we pined for aggression at the basket, begging for a dunk. With Green? Just get the ball through the cylinder. This is not about asking him to be something he is not. It is about channeling what he already does into something more efficient. Finish the play, keep the pressure on, make the defense pay. Because when he does that, when he balances the flash with control, that is when it all starts to come together.
So yeah, there are holes in Jalen Green’s game, but that does not erase the potential he brings. The season is closing fast, and when you look ahead, it feels unlikely that the Phoenix Suns are going to rush into any decisions on a player set to make $36 million next season. This is something you let breathe. You gather more data, you see how the market shapes up, and you give yourself more time to evaluate what you truly have.
The path forward is still there. If he tightens the shot selection, if he finds a little more efficiency, it can unlock something real. The tools are obvious. The flashes are not subtle. It is about refining how and when he uses them.
And in the meantime, there is nothing wrong with enjoying it. Nights like Saturday, when he catches fire and everything opens up, that is part of the experience. That is the version of him that can swing a game, that can tilt momentum, that can carry a team for stretches. You take that for what it is. You appreciate it, you recognize what still needs to come along, and you understand that both can exist at the same time.
That is the story with Jalen Green right now. The peaks are real, the questions remain, and somewhere in between is the player he is still becoming.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 27: Alexandre Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 27, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards play the Portland Trail Blazers today. Tip off is at 6 p.m. ET. Go Wizards.
After using an explosive second half to blow out Alabama in the Sweet 16, the No. 1-seeded Wolverines carried over the momentum just two days later in a dominant 95-62 win over No. 6 Tennessee on Sunday, March 29, at the United Center.
Michigan dominated the first half, using a 21-0 run to take control of a game that Tennessee had led 16-14 with 11:22 left in the first half. In just 4:42 of game time, that score changed to a 35-16 lead for the Wolverines.
The win for Michigan advances it to the Final Four next weekend in Indianapolis. But the Wolverines also dominated the game in a nearly historic way. With 1:46 in the game, Michigan held an 92-58 lead. The Wolverines also led by 31 with just under 12 minutes left.
Yaxel Lendeborg subbed out of the game for the final time with the Wolverines ahead by 32 points. The rest of the starters were out of the game with 3:14 remaining.
How dominant was Michigan in the Elite Eight victory? Here’s what you need to know about the largest margin of victories in the Regional Final round of the NCAA Tournament:
Largest margin of victories in Elite 8
On March 14, 1964, Duke dominated Connecticut 101-54 at the Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, North Carolina. The Blue Devils jumped out to a 62-27 first-half lead and never looked back.
Jeff Mullins led Duke with 30 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the win, while four total players finished in double figures.
In 1971, Villanova defeated Penn 90-47 in the Regional Final and in 1965 Princeton took down Providence by 40 points (109-69).
Here’s a look at the biggest blowouts in the NCAA Elite Eight round, according to BetMGM.
CHICAGO – With Tennessee already down by 19, one basket wasn’t going to make a difference. The game was effectively over, and whether Michigan won by 10 or 20, the outcome was still going to be the same.
Michigan coach Dusty May challenged the goaltending call, anyway. The Wolverines weren’t just here to win, they were here to send a message:
They’re the best team in the country, and they’ll steamroll anyone who is in their way.
"It's just people stepping up to the moment," Roddy Gayle Jr. said. "I feel like March brings out the best in people."
Top-seeded Michigan routed sixth-seeded Tennessee 95-62 on Sunday, March 29, to reach the Final Four for the third time since 2013. With apologies to Moritz Wagner and Glenn Robinson III, these Wolverines have the best chance yet to win the school’s first national title since 1989.
In a span of two days, Michigan humbled the country’s top offensive team and the SEC’s best defensive team, and the Wolverines barely broke a sweat in doing so. They’ve scored 90 or more points and shot 50% or better in each of their NCAA Tournament games, and the 33-point win over Tennessee was the biggest blowout of the weekend.
And if Yaxel Lendeborg isn’t the player of the year, he’s for sure the player of March.
Lendeborg tagged Tennessee for 27 points, his third game with 23 or more, and 10 of those came during a 23-2 run in the first half that effectively sealed the game. He’s making a career’s worth of highlights every game, including his tip-in layup off his own missed 3-pointer with 11:57 left to play against Tennessee.
The Wolverines are not a one-man team, however. Four other players finished in double figures and two others were only a bucket away. Elliot Cadeau had double-digit assists (10) for the fifth time this season.
Whatever those hiccups Michigan had in the Big Ten tournament, where they struggled against Ohio State and Wisconsin before losing to Purdue in the title game, they are long gone. Michigan is rolling, and good luck to anyone who faces them.
Michigan plays fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in the Final Four in Indianapolis on Friday night, April 3.
"When this group got together, we all wanted to make it the national championship and win it," Lendeborg said. "We worked tirelessly on making sure that our mental was right, not just physical. And we all trust each other. We play hard for each other. We make extra plays for each other. We're going to do whatever we want for each other.
"So just being able to make it this far and continuing to want to get more, it means a lot."
Michigan is only two seasons removed from a team that lost 24 games. While quick turnarounds are more doable now with the transfer portal, building chemistry when there's a new coach and new players presents its own challenges.
Add in being thrust into the spotlight as a national title contender a month into the season, and Michigan very easily could have gone sideways.
"The most difficult part is that everyone starts getting so much more attention, advice. Literally everything they get more of," May said. "It's difficult not to make it about you because the people you're talking to are making it about you.
"There's just a lot of distracting information," May added. "And if you're not mature and you're not connected as a group and you're not willing to be held accountable by the staff and each other, then it's not going to work. Once it creeps in it's almost impossible to weed it out. So our guys never let it in.
"They stayed the course and stayed about each other. And that's ultimately why we're here," May said. "We weren't a super team, but these guys became super teammates."
Though Michigan’s Fab Five never won an NCAA title, they changed college basketball with their outsized personalities, baggy shorts and black socks. These Wolverines aren't going to have that kind of influence, but they’ve got a similar brand of fun.
Lendeborg is as goofy as he is good, and Gayle isn’t far behind. They all love to hype each other up — when Lendeborg said Will Tschetter deserved a shout out for his toughness, Nimari Burnett woofed in response — and their tightknit chemistry isn't forced.
They might be stealing people's souls, but they're having a blast doing it.
"That's our main thing. We say before every game to just go out there and have fun," Cadeau said. "We're not worrying about our stats, not worrying about the scoreboard."
Michigan cruised through the regular season, not losing a single Big Ten road game. Its two losses, to Wisconsin in January and Duke in late February, were by a combined eight points. They spent time at No. 1 and were never ranked lower than third after Dec. 1.
But the Wolverines didn't have their usual swagger in the Big Ten tournament. When they lost to Purdue in the title game, it wasn't even that big a surprise.
It also might have been the best thing for them.
"Watching another team cut down the nets, feeling that was something that we didn't want to feel again," Gayle said.
Message received.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
The New York Knicks are being slightly undervalued on the road, even against an elite opponent like the Oklahoma City Thunder.
New York played OKC tight the last time these teams met, and my Knicks vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 29, expect another close game tonight at Paycom Center.
Knicks vs Thunder prediction
Knicks vs Thunder best bet: Knicks +8.5 (-110)
The New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder both come into tonight’s game playing well, with New York having a seven-game winning streak before losing on Thursday, while OKC has won 13 of its last 14 contests. Both still have a lot to play for in the race for top seeds in their respective contests, and both teams are relatively healthy heading into tonight’s matchup.
That’s all to say that we’re going to get the best of both sides tonight. In the case of these teams, that means tough defense that makes every possession into a battle. The Thunder have arguably the best defense in the NBA, allowing 107.7 ppg with a league-best 104.6 defensive efficiency, but the Knicks aren’t far behind, giving up just 110.5 ppg themselves.
That showed in the first meeting between these teams, when OKC fought its way to a 103-100 victory in New York. And with two defenses playing this well, it will be hard for either team to put together big runs or pull away from the other.
As well as the Thunder have been playing, they haven’t been dominating the way their backers need lately. OKC has covered in only three of its last 14 games overall, with two of those covers coming against overmatched opponents in the 76ers and Nets.
Quality opponents like the Knicks have been able to stay in games against the Thunder, and that’s exactly what I’m expecting tonight. I’m taking New York to cover.
Knicks vs Thunder same-game parlay
This game features two of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and we’ve already seen them play once this year, resulting in a game total of 203 points.
I’m taking the Under for my SGP, and I think it’s a good straight bet as well. Let’s round out the SGP by backing Karl-Anthony Towns to pick up Over 17.5 points, a total he’s hit in four of his last five games overall.
Knicks vs Thunder SGP
Knicks +8.5
Under 223.5
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Double-double trouble
Both sides have serious double-double threats in this game, and I’m targeting one from each lineup for this parlay. First, KAT has been a consistent double-double machine for the Knicks, picking up five in his last six games.
Chet Holmgren isn’t far behind for the Thunder, with 23 double-doubles on the season. I’ll round things out by taking OG Anunoby to hit at least three shots from beyond the arc tonight, as he’s coming off back-to-back games where he made five threes in each.
Knicks vs Thunder SGP
Knicks +8.5
Karl-Anthony Towns to record a double-double
Chet Holmgren to record a double-double
OG Anunoby Over 2.5 threes
Knicks vs Thunder odds
Spread: Knicks +8.5 | Thunder -8.5
Moneyline: Knicks +280 | Thunder -360
Over/Under: Over 223.5 | Under 223.5
Knicks vs Thunder betting trend to know
The Thunder have covered in just three of their last 14 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Thunder.
How to watch Knicks vs Thunder
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Knicks vs Thunder latest injuries
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TORONTO (AP) — Izzy Daniel had a goal and an assist and the Vancouver Goldeneyes snapped a two-game skid with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Sceptres on Sunday.
Hannah Miller and Mannon McMahon also scored for Vancouver. Sarah Nurse had two assists.
Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 25 shots.
Blayre Turnbull scored twice for Toronto, while Elaine Chuli made 26 saves.
Turnbull put a rebound from a Renata Fast shot past Maschmeyer just 2:31 into the contest.
Three former Sceptres connected on the Goldeneyes’ response at 7:55. Miller put home a rebound on a shot from the slot by Daniel, who took a pass from Nurse.
Daniel put Vancouver ahead just 35 seconds into the second period. Off an initial miss on a tip on a Nurse shot, Daniel tucked in her own rebound.
Turnbull netted her second of the game on the power play when she took a pass from Daryl Watts by the goal line, spun and her backhand went in off the skate of Claire Thompson at 8:09 of the middle frame.
McMahon restored Vancouver’s lead with a tip-in off a Sophie Jaques shot on the power play at 8:54.
Turnbull’s power-play goal was Toronto’s first since a 6-4 loss to Seattle on Jan. 20. The Sceptres had gone 0 for 15 since, including 0 for 12 in seven games after the Olympic break.
Up next
Sceptres: Visit Calgary to take on the Ottawa Charge as part of the Takeover Tour on Wednesday.
Goldeneyes: Visit the Montreal Victoire on Wednesday.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 20: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at Target Center on February 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Mavericks 122-111. 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 Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks Date: March 30th, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM CDT Location: American Airlines Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There are games in the NBA where you squint at the injury report, notice the early tip, and quietly tell yourself that it might just not be your day. Saturday’s contest against Detroit had all the makings of one of those games, and for the Minnesota Timberwolves, it pretty much played out exactly that way.
For the Wolves, it was no Anthony Edwards, no Ayo Dosunmu, and to round things out, no Jaden McDaniels after the injury he picked up late in that chaos-fueled Houston game. Three core pieces. Gone.
On the other side, the Detroit Pistons, the Eastern Conference’s top team, were missing their own engine in Cade Cunningham. So in theory, this game could’ve been a competitive “who has more left in the tank?” grind-it-out afternoon game. Instead, it turned into something much simpler.
Minnesota just didn’t have enough.
The Moment the Game Slipped—and Never Came Back
The Wolves actually started this one the right way. The defensive energy was there early. Rotations were sharp enough. They hung around, traded punches, and for a brief stretch, it looked like they might be able to piece together one of those undermanned, “everyone chips in” performances that they’d been stringing together over the past week.
And then Rudy Gobert subbed out.
That was it. That was the hinge point.
Because the second he hit the bench, the defensive resistance, everything that had been holding this thing together, just evaporated. Driving lanes opened up. The rim stopped feeling protected. Detroit got comfortable, and once they got comfortable, they started building a lead that never really felt in danger again.
The Offense: When the Shots Don’t Fall, There’s No Plan B
Let’s be honest about what this game really came down to: the Wolves couldn’t hit anything.
They finished shooting 32% from the field, went 9-for-43 from three (21%), and scored 87 total points.
In the third quarter, they managed just four made field goals. Four. That’s not an offensive slump. That’s an offensive blackout.
It wasn’t like they weren’t getting looks. This wasn’t Detroit suffocating them into submission on every possession. Minnesota had decent opportunities. Open threes. Clean catch-and-shoot chances. Looks that, on most nights, at least some of these guys knock down.
Instead?
Naz Reid: 0-for-7
Bones Highland: 2-for-9
Mike Conley Jr.: 1-for-5
Julius Randle: 0-for-3 from deep
That’s the game right there.
This is a team that, for better or worse, lives and dies by the three. When it’s falling, the offense opens up, the pace quickens, everything feels connected. When it’s not? You get what we saw on Saturday with stagnation, frustration, and a slow bleed that turns into a double-digit deficit before you even realize it.
At 21%, they weren’t just cold. They were DOA.
And Then the Little Things Started Adding Up
If the shooting was the headline, everything else was the supporting evidence.
They missed nine free throws, continuing a trend that’s quietly becoming a real problem. They got outrebounded 52–38, including getting pushed around on second chances. They turned it over enough to matter, but, here’s the twist, Detroit turned it over 19 times… and Minnesota still couldn’t capitalize.
That’s the part that sticks with you.
The Pistons gave them chances. Real ones. Sloppy passes, careless possessions, the kind of miscues that usually open the door for a comeback. And every time the door cracked open, Minnesota just… didn’t walk through it.
That’s what happens when your offense is that out of rhythm. You can’t string together stops and scores. You can’t build momentum. You just kind of tread water… until you realize you’re drowning.
Perspective Check: This One Wasn’t the End of the World
If you zoom out for a second, this loss isn’t the disaster it feels like in the moment. If you told anyone before this stretch that included Boston, Houston, Detroit, all without Edwards, that Minnesota would go 2–1, people would’ve signed up for that immediately. Especially given how things looked after that California road trip when the defense disappeared and the identity went with it.
They beat Boston. They survived Houston in one of the wildest games of the season. Those wins matter.
Saturday? That was the tax you pay for being short-handed, for playing your third high-intensity game in a row, for asking too much from a roster that’s already stretched thin.
It was still frustrating, still ugly, but not season-defining.
Dallas and the Games You Can’t Afford to Blow
Now comes the part of the schedule that’s less forgiving. Next up: the Dallas Mavericks, then a quick rematch in Detroit, followed by the second night of a back-to-back in Philly against the 76ers. Suddenly, the margin for error is right back where it always is in the West… basically nonexistent.
Minnesota is sitting just a game and a half behind Denver for the four seed. They don’t own the tiebreaker. They’re still jockeying with Houston. And if they want home court, these are the games you have to bank.
Not the Boston game. Not the Houston game.
The Dallas game.
The “bottom of the standings” game that looks easy on paper and turns into a problem if you don’t take it seriously.
Keys to the Game
1. Maintain the Defensive Identity
The blueprint is already there. They beat Boston and Houston by leaning into defense withconnected rotations, physical perimeter play, and Gobert anchoring everything. That doesn’t change just because Dallas isn’t a top-tier opponent.
If anything, it becomes more important. Because the Wolves’ worst habit this season has been that “flip the switch later” mentality. Against Dallas, there can’t be a later. They need to set the tone early, lock in defensively, and never let the game drift into that danger zone where effort becomes optional.
2. Hit Your Threes
This one feels obvious, but after Detroit, it has to be said.
You cannot shoot 21% from three and expect to beat anyone in this league. The looks were there. They just didn’t fall. That has to normalize.
Getting Edwards, McDaniels, or Dosunmu would go a long way. Those are three of your most reliable shooters. Their presence alone changes spacing, changes confidence, changes everything. But regardless of who plays, this team has to rediscover its shooting rhythm. Because when the threes fall, the entire offense opens up.
3. Win the Glass
Against Detroit, the Wolves got outworked, out-hustled, and paid for it. Against Dallas, that can’t happen again. Gobert, Randle, Reid need to clean the glass, eliminate second chances and turn rebounds into putbacks. If you’re bigger, you have to play like it.
4. Julius Randle Has to Be the Guy
Let’s not dance around it. Eleven points on 2-for-13 shooting isn’t going to cut it.
Randle has to be the offensive engine. That means attacking, getting downhill, living in the paint, and, just as importantly, facilitating. When he draws attention and kicks out, this offense becomes dangerous.
Saturday was a dud.
Monday can’t be.
5. Stay Focused, No Matter Who’s Available
Maybe Edwards plays. Maybe he doesn’t. Same with Dosunmu. Same with McDaniels.
It doesn’t matter.
The Wolves have the talent advantage in this matchup. But we’ve seen this story before. Minnesota has games where they assume that’s enough, where the urgency dips, and where the opponent hangs around just long enough to make things uncomfortable.
This has to be a professional win.
Jump on them early. Stay disciplined. Don’t let it become a fourth-quarter coin flip. Because in the West, those are the games that come back to haunt you.
The Bottom Line: This Is About Banking Wins, Not Making Statements
The Wolves aren’t chasing style points right now. They’re chasing positioning.
Denver’s remainig schedule isn’t easy with two games against San Antonio and a battle with OKC. There’s an opportunity to gain ground, but only if Minnesota does its part.
That means beating Dallas. That means not letting a bad shooting night turn into a bad week. That means stacking the wins you’re supposed to stack.
Because home court in the first round, something this franchise has only had three times in its history, is right there.
Not guaranteed. Not gifted.
But there.
And after everything this team has been through over the past two weeks, the question isn’t whether they’re capable of climbing back up the ladder.
It’s whether they’re disciplined enough to stay on it.
Tennessee forward Jaylen Carey was given a dead-ball contact technical foul with fewer than 15 minutes remaining after he intentionally slammed his shoulder into the shoulder of Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. after a jump ball.
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 29, 2026
Johnson had been jawing with Volunteers guard Amari Evans after both went after a rebound, but the two had already appeared to have been separated by teammates when Carey entered the fray.
Carey was given a technical foul after an official review. It was his fourth foul for the game. Michigan had already built a commanding 30-point lead at the time of the incident.
Mar 27, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans
March 29, 2026
Location: Smoothie King Center — New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME Sports Talk 790
Online: Rockets App, SCHN+
Time: 6:00pm
Probable Starting Lineups
Rockets: Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, Jeremiah Fears, Saddiq Bey, Zion Williamson, Herb Jones
Feb 25, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (20) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
It appears the Cleveland Cavaliers will deal with injuries from start to finish this season. The team announced that both Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade will remain in Cleveland while the Cavs leave for their final West Coast road trip.
Tyson suffered a bone bruise in his left great toe on March 19 against the Chicago Bulls. He hasn’t played in a game since.
“He’s still not there,” said Kenny Atkinson on Tyson’s game availability before the Cavaliers played the Miami Heat on Friday. “But he did play a small set of games this morning, three-on-three and stuff, so that’s good news.”
Meanwhile, Wade went down with an ankle injury during his pre-game warm-up on Wednesday. Wade injured himself landing on a ball boy. There is no clear timeline for when Wade will return to action.
Cleveland will play three teams in the West next week. They play the Utah Jazz at 9 PM tomorrow before heading to Hollywood for their final regular-season game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. On Thursday, they conclude their trip with a 10 PM game versus the Golden State Warriors.
The Cavs will return home on Sunday as they host the Indiana Pacers. From there, we only have four games before the end of the regular season.
If you’re paying attention to the standings, Cleveland is sitting fairly comfortably in fourth place of the Eastern Conference. They are two games behind the New York Knicks for third, and 4.5 games ahead of the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks for fifth.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 4: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics shoots a three point basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 4, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Boston Celtics (49-24) at Charlotte Hornets (39-34) Sunday, March 29, 2026 6:00 PM ET Regular Season Game #74 Road Game #37 TV: NBCSB, FDSN, NBA-LP Radio: Sirius XM, 98.5 Sports Hub, WFNZ 92.7 Spectrum Center
The Celtics visit the Charlotte Hornets for the 2nd of 3 meetings this season. The Hornets won the first game 118-89 in Boston on March 4. They will meet for the final time in Boston on April 7. The Celtics are 81-47 overall all time against Charlotte and they are 38-26 in games played on the road. The Hornets are playing on the second night of back to back games after hosting Philadelphia on Saturday night. They are 10-4 in the second of back to back games. The Celtics are playing in the first of back to back games and will play at Atlanta on Monday.
The Hornets are one of the hottest teams in the league right now. Since January 1, Charlotte has a 28-12 record and they own the #1 net rating in the NBA at 11.5. Over that span, Charlotte’s offense ranks #1 in the NBA with an offensive rating of 121.1 and their defense ranks #6 with a defensive rating of 109.5. The Hornets also rank #1 in rebounding percentage (55.2%) and in second-chance points (18.9) per game since Jan. 1. Charlotte’s starting lineup has the highest point differential (+30.4) of any five-man lineup in the NBA.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 4.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1.5 games ahead of 3rd place New York, 3.5 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 8 games ahead of 5th place Toronto, 8.5 games ahead of 6th place Atlanta, and 7th place Philadelphia. The Celtics are 30-14 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 23-13 on the road and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.
The Hornets are 10th in the East, 15 games behind 1st place Detroit, 2 games behind 6th place Atlanta and 7th place Philadelphia, and they are half a game behind 8th place Orlando and 9th place Miami. They are 9.5 games ahead of 11th place Milwaukee. They are 23-22 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 19-17 at home and 7-3 in their last 10 games. After winning 5 straight games, they lost their last game to the 76ers.
After completing a 3 game home stand, The Celtics are on the road for a 4 game trip that begins with this game in Charlotte and will go through Atlanta, Miami and Milwaukee. They will then play two games at home against Toronto and Charlotte before one game on the road at New York. They will finish the season with 2 games at home against New Orleans and Orlando.
This game is the 7th and final game of a 7 game home stand for Charlotte. After this game they will hit the road for one game at Brooklyn before returning home to host Phoenix and Indiana. Then they are on the road once again to play at Minnesota and the final game against the Celtics at Boston. Next they have one game at home against Detroit and will finish the season at New York.
For the Celtics, Nicola Vucevic remains out after surgery to stabilize a fracture in his right ring finger. After starting on Friday’s injury report but playing in the game, Derrick White (knee) is out and Neemias Queta (thumb) is probable for this game. Jayson Tatum is available after originally being listed as questionable for injury management. Jaylen Brown is out once again after missing Friday’s game due to tendinitis in his left Achilles.
I am guessing that Baylor Scheierman will start in place of Jaylen Brown once again. Since Tatum is playing in this game he will likely sit out Monday’s game. With Derrick White listed as out, I’m guessing that Payton Pritchard will start in his place. For Charlotte, Tidjaane Salaun listed as out with a calf injury and Grant Williams is listed as out due to an illness.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Payton Pritchard vs LaMelo Ball
Celtics Reserves Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Jordan Walsh Max Shulga Charles Bassey (10-Day) 2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Injuries/Out Nikola Vucevic (finger) out Neemias Queta (thumb) probable Derrick White (knee) out Jaylen Brown (Achilles) out Jayson Tatum (Achilles) available
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Hornets Reserves Sion James Josh Green Ryan Kalkbrenner Pat Connaughton Tre Mann Liam McNeeley Coby White
2-Way Players Tosan Evbuomwan Antonio Reeves PJ Hall Injuries/Out Tidjane Salaun (calf) out Grant Williams (illness) out
Head Coach Charles Lee
Key Matchups Jaylen Brown vs Brandon Miller Miller is averaging 20.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He’s shooting 43.3% from the field and 38.8% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals while shooting 61.5% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. He is a good 3 point shooter and so the Celtics have to stay with him on the perimeter.
Derrick White vs LaMelo Ball Ball is averaging 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He is shooting 40.7% from the field and 37.0% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting 41.2% from the field and 40.0% from beyond the arc. He is quick and always a threat to steal the ball.
Honorable Mention Sam Hauser vs Kon Knueppel Knueppel is averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He is shooting 48.9% from the field and 43.8% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. He leads the league in 3 pointers made with 253.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense is always the key to winning. The Celtics are 4th the league with a defensive rating of 111.5. The Hornets are 12th in the league with a defensive rating of 113.5. The Hornets are 5th with an offensive rating of 118.3 while the Celtics are 2nd with an offensive rating of 119.3. The Celtics are capable of playing lock down defense but there are times when they lose focus and allow their opponents to score way too easily. They need to continue to make defense a priority and play lock down defense in this game against a very good offensive team.
Rebound – Rebounding is important to give the Celtics extra possessions and to limit possessions for their opponents. Rebounding takes effort and the Celtics need to give extra effort to beat the Hornets to rebounds. The Celtics are 4th with 46.5 rebounds per game and the Hornets are 5th with 46.2 rebounds per game. The Hornets are 2nd with 17.6 second chance points per game and the Celtics need to limit those for the Hornets by putting more effort into grabbing rebounds.
3 Point Shooting – The Celtics are 3rd in the league, averaging 42.2 three pointers per game. The Hornets are 2nd, shooting 42.8 threes per game. The Celtics are shooting 36.1% as a team from beyond the arc (11th) while the Hornets are shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc (3rd). The Celtics make 15.2 threes a game (3rd) while the Hornets make 16.3 thees a game (1st). The Celtics need to work to get open and move the ball to find the best shots. If the 3’s aren’t falling, they need to take the ball inside. And they need to defend the perimeter or the Hornets will bury them in threes. In the Celtics March 4 loss to the Hornets, the Celtics shot just 27.8% on 3’s while allowing the Hornets to shoot 38.8% from beyond the arc. They have to do better both on offense and defense in this game if they hope to win.
Move the Ball – The Celtics are tough to beat when they keep the ball moving and find the open man but when one player over dribbles and lapses into hero ball, they falter. The Celtics are 30-0 when they have more assists than their opponent but just 17-22 when they have fewer assists than their opponent. Keep the ball moving and don’t lapse into hero ball, whether in the first quarter or the 4th quarter. They have to make careful passes and not turn the ball over because in the first game between these two teams, the Celtics turned the ball over 15 times and they have to do better this time.
X-Factors On The Road and Fatigue – The Celtics are facing the distractions of travel and a hostile crowd and they can’t allow those distractions to take away from their focus on the game. The Hornets are finishing up a 7 game home stand so no travel for them for quite a while. However, they are playing on the second night of back to back games. They are very good in back to back games, going 10-4 this season, but fatigue could affect them down the stretch,.
Injuries – The Celtics have 4 of their 5 starters listed on the injury report. It goes without saying that with even one of them out, it would make this game tougher. With the Celtics playing in another game on Monday, it is likely that one, or more, will sit out this game. With one and a half game lead on the Knicks, who are playing in OKC, the Celtics can afford to be cautious with their stars and rest them for one of the back to back games.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently. Some call it tight and call every bit of contact while others allow more physical play. Some favor the home team while others call both sides evenly. The Celtics have to adjust to the way the refs are calling the game and not allow no calls and bad calls to affect their focus on playing the game.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 26: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks fouls Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets in the second half during their game at Spectrum Center on March 26, 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
With the regular season winding down and fewer than 10 games in most teams’ schedules, here’s the latest and second-to-last entry of the Standing Watch series.
All playoff teams are already locked in, mind you, but there’s still some seed-shuffling left to play out during the final games of play, starting with Sunday’s matchup between the Knicks and the Thunder, with both teams—one more realistically than the other, is fair to say—still having a shot at locking home-court advantage on their side of the bracket.
March 29th
To kick things off today, root for the Heat to beat the Pacers. Miami is currently the ninth seed, and finding a way to kick Philadelphia down to the No. 9 or No. 10 seed so the Knicks can avoid playing them in the first round would likely be ideal.
An hour after that game tips off, the Raptors host the Magic. And as I stated last week, regardless of where the Knicks end up placing, their best matchup is against the Raptors. Going forward, until further notice, fans should root for whatever outcome most likely results in that. For today’s matchup, go with the Magic.
The third game, outside of the Knicks’ own game, that has standings implications in the Eastern Conference today is the one between the Hornets and Celtics. This could end up being a potential first-round matchup. If you want the Knicks to come away with the second seed, root for the Hornets. If you want the Knicks to remain the third seed, which is starting to look more and more like the smarter decision, root for the Celtics.
March 30th
The Heat and 76ers matchup in a big game to start off the night. Pull for the Heat for the reason mentioned above. The Celtics vs. Hawks game is a bit complicated, as a Celtics win makes it less likely for the Raptors to fall to the sixth seed, but a Hawks win would also put the Knicks one game closer to moving up to the second seed. Decide at your own risk, but truthfully, there is no clear option here.
A bit later on, the Cavaliers take on the Jazz. Hope that the Jazz can somehow come away with a win to keep the Cavaliers at bay. And finish off the night by cheering against the Pistons, although the ship of the Knicks ever getting to the first-seed looks like it’s already starting to sail away.
March 31st
The Suns vs. Magic game is the first one of the night. Like some other games this week, I don’t think there’s a clear way to go on who to go with in this one. Orlando is likely one of the few teams I don’t really feel strongly about either way. If you think their experience and physicality match up better against the Knicks than the Raptors, Hawks, 76ers, Heat, or Hornets, root for the Suns. If you think their lack of shooting would make them an easier playoff opponent, root for them.
In the Hornets vs. Nets game, root for, and I know this sounds crazy, the Nets. Not only could it impact their lottery odds, keeping the very hot Hornets in the 9th vs. 10th matchup likely behooves the Knicks. And in the Raptors vs. Pistons game, I hope for the Pistons to win to improve the odds of a Knicks vs. Raptors first-round matchup.
April 1st
The night begins with what should be a close, fun Hawks vs. Magic game. Root for whoever you think would be an easier matchup for the Knicks, and root against whoever you think is a tougher matchup for the Pistons and Celtics.
In the 76ers vs. Wizards game, take on the tough task of rooting for the Wizards to pull off the upset, as that would help in the “push the 76ers to lower play-in bracket” movement. Then, while you’re doing that, root for the Heat against the Celtics. Again, I don’t think the Knicks moving up to the third seed actually does them much good, and a Heat win would also help them push the 76ers down. And cap off the night with another unenjoyable task of rooting for the Kings against the Raptors.
April 2nd
With Detroit and the first-seed realistically out of reach, short and simple night here. Phoenix continues its East Coast road trip with a game against Charlotte. Hope for a Suns victory to help prevent the Hornets from catching up to the seventh or eighth seed.
April 3rd
Begin the night by cheering for a Timberwolves win over the 76ers in what should be a good game. While that’s taking place, the Pacers will take on the Hornets, so root for the Pacers to pull off the upset in that one. And while the Knicks are hosting the Bulls, there are a few more games of interest.
When the Bucks take on the Celtics, root for Boston so they keep the second seed. In the Raptors vs. Grizzlies game, I hope for a surprise Grizzlies win, and finish off the week by going with a Magic win over the Mavericks.
