Category: NBA

You can add Rick Pitino to the rapidly expanding Knicks bandwagon.

The St. John’s coach sees the possibility of the orange and blue going deep — deeper than the franchise has gone in more than 50 years.

Yes, that includes a championship. The Hall of Famer believes this surging group has that kind of potential.

“I think they have the best nine or 10 players. They may not have the best three, they have the best nine or 10,” Pitino told The Post. “Their bench is excellent, [coach Mike Brown] uses them great. The improvement offensively and defensively in OG [Anunoby], the improvement in Karl-Anthony Towns away from the basket with his passing, [Jalen] Brunson is the most unique player I’ve ever watched in my lifetime.

“I love it. I root for the Knicks like they’re my team. I do think they are championship driven.”

The Knicks are on a stunning run, coming off a conference semifinal sweep of the 76ers — the first time they have swept Philadelphia in the playoffs since Pitino was the coach in 1989.

They have won seven straight playoff games by an average of 26.4 points and are currently the betting favorites to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

Though most experts still see the defending champion Thunder as the favorite, the Knicks are playing just as well.

Since the team tweaked its offensive game plan to run more offense through center Towns — the change happened during the opening-round series against the Hawks — the Knicks have found a higher level. In the postseason, Towns has 66 assists — 40 more than he amassed in the playoffs a year ago.

“They look for each other much better than before,” Pitino said. “If you watch Cleveland and Detroit, you know the ball is going to [Cade] Cunningham or [James] Harden is going to create or the ball is going to be in Donovan [Mitchell’s] hands. Although Brunson is a great scorer, they are sharing the basketball so well that keying on Brunson is not enough to stop this team. Before the Atlanta series, keying on Brunson was the way to stop the Knicks. That’s no longer working because of their ball movement.”

“They went from a one-on-one team to a ball movement, player movement team. They do a lot of different offensive things that are much more pleasing to the eye.”

• CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND KNICKS STATS

Brunson remains the linchpin. The three-time All-Star is enjoying another awesome postseason, averaging 27.4 points and 6.1 assists.

He is shooting a robust 48.5 percent from the field and 40.9 percent on 6.6 attempts from 3-point range. Both are his highest numbers as a Knick in the playoffs.

“How a player that size with that vertical can get off any shot around the basket, he’s got Tiny Archibald in him around the basketball. He has the best midrange game,” Pitino said. “He gets off any shot midrange and he’s become a great 3-point shooter. He’s just an amazing, amazing 6-foot, 2-inch basketball player. Pound for pound, inch for inch, maybe one of the best players I’ve ever seen.”

The next two rounds figure to be tougher. The Knicks opponent in the conference finals has yet to be determined.

The Pistons-Cavaliers series is tied 2-2. If the Knicks get past that round, it will likely be either the Thunder or the Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs to follow.

They wouldn’t have home-court advantage against either of those teams. But with the way the Knicks are currently playing, nobody should scare them.

“The only negative is the home court,” Pitino said. “Outside of that, I think the Knicks have the best team. Now OKC obviously is great, they’re the defending champions. But the Knicks are deep, talented, and the way they are playing offensively — I don’t mean 3-point shooting, I’m talking about the ball movement, player movement — it’s so much better than what I watched in January.”

Victor Wembanyama announced his return early Tuesday night.  

The San Antonio Spurs star, ejected in the second quarter of Game 4 after elbowing Minnesota’s Naz Reid, scored 18 points in the first quarter and finished with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks as the Spurs beat the Timberwolves, 126-97, in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.

He muscled the Spurs to a 3-2 lead in the series with Game 6 Friday in Minneapolis.

He shot 56.3% from the field, was a plus-24 for the game and set the tone that he was making up for missing time early on Tuesday night.

The NBA declined to suspend Wembanyama for the flagrant foul on Sunday. He missed the final 33-plus minutes of Game 4, which was considered sufficient punishment.

With that reprieve, Wembanyama made clear he had no intention of lying low in Game 5 with the series tied 2-2.

With three words, Jason Collins changed everything.

Collins, who died Tuesday at 47 after battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, made history 13 years ago when he penned a piece in Sports Illustrated in which he came out as gay.

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,” Collins wrote in the May 6, 2013 issue of the magazine. With that, he became the first openly gay player in the league.

Collins came out not long after soccer player Robbie Rogers and WNBA star Britney Griner — who had just been selected No. 1 overall in the draft — came out.

Six years earlier, former NBA player John Amaechi had come out four years after his career ended.

Collins, at that point in his career, had just finished a season with the Wizards, said he was a free agent “literally and figuratively.”

In his essay, Collins, who played one more NBA season for the Nets after his historic news, said he never sought to make history and that his journey in “self-discovery” came over a long journey.

“I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, ‘I’m different.’ If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.

“My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons.”

Then-commissioner David Stern commended Collins for his candor and leadership shortly after he penned the essay in SI.

“As Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and [his twin brother] Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family,” Stern said. “Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.”

In the wake of his statement, Collins, according to the New York Times, said he received a phone call of support from Tim Hardaway, who had previously said he did not like gay people and would not have wanted to be on Amaechi’s team.

He also received praise from others, including then-Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

In 2021, when Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player to come out, Collins, drawing on his on experience, said the NFLer would be impacting more people than he knew.

“He’s helping people across the board, of all ages,” Collins told the Los Angeles Times.

On Tuesday, commissioner Adam Silver commended Collins for his efforts both on and off the court.

“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” Silver said in a statement. “He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.”

Collins played 13 years in the NBA, eight of which were with the Nets.

Just two days after the Philadelphia 76ers were swept out of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the franchise is looking for a new head of basketball operations.

The 76ers fired former president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, the 76ers announced Tuesday, May 12.

Morey spent six seasons with the franchise.

This comes after Philadelphia was overmatched in the second round of the NBA playoffs, losing its four games against the New York Knicks by an average of 22.3 points per game.

Coach Nick Nurse will remain in his role. Bob Myers, the former general manager of the Golden State Warriors who oversaw four NBA championship teams, will lead the search for Morey’s replacement and will oversee basketball operations for Philadelphia in the interim.

“The process will start immediately, and we will be thorough and deliberate in our evaluations,” Myers said Tuesday in a statement. “I believe this is a destination for top talent across the league and look forward to solidifying our infrastructure moving forward.”

Myers is the president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE).

CHICAGO — A.J. Dybantsa loaded up for another jumping attempt, and Cameron Boozer glanced over for a brief moment to watch as one of the players he's competing with to be the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft soared more than 42 inches into the air. Boozer flashed a quick grin at the result, then got ready at the starting line for a shuttle run.

The best prospects in the highly-anticipated 2026 NBA draft class were on the same court together on Tuesday, May 12, running, jumping and shooting together in front of the biggest league decision-makers during the annual NBA Scouting Combine taking place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago this week.

Though the film from actual games will do the heavy lifting for NBA teams evaluating players ahead of the draft on June 23-24, measurements, medical exams and agility drills conducted as part of the combine help differentiate similar prospects. Some players see their stock soar from a strong showing in Chicago. For others, the combine will be a humbling experience that leads to a return to school. The decision trees are more complicated now in the NIL era of college basketball.

Here's a breakdown of some winners and losers from the first two days of the NBA Scouting Combine, when the nearly 120 prospects in attendance went through anthrometric measurements, agility testing and shooting drills:

NBA DRAFT COMBINE: Ranking the top players in scrimmages this week

Jason Collings, the NBA’s first openly gay player, died May 12 after an eight-month battle with stage 4 glioblastoma. He was 47.  

Collins made history in April 2013 when he came out publicly in a Sports Illustrated essay, becoming the first openly gay active athlete in any of the four major North American professional sports leagues. The 13-year NBA veteran played for six franchises and later became an NBA Cares Ambassador.  

Survived by his husband, Brunson Green, his parents, his twin brother Jarron, tributes to Collins poured in from basketball and beyond.  

That included the Human Rights Campaign.

"To call Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today," said HRC president Kelley Robinson. "He came out as gay -- while still playing -- at a time when men's athletes simply did not do that. But as he powerfully demonstrated in his final years in the league and his pot-NBA career, stepping forward as he did boldly changed th conversation. He was and will always be a legend for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are heartbroken to hear of his passing at the young age of 47. Out hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We will keep fighting on in his honor until the day everyone can be who they are on their terms."

NBA commissioner Adam Silver was among the first to pay tribute, praising Collins for his impact both on and off the court.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of NBA Cares Ambassador and former NBA player Jason Collins:

“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community… pic.twitter.com/7mygdEsDCs

— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026

Collins was drafted 18th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, but immediate traded to the Nets, who remembered him on May 12.

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Jason Collins.

Jason spent eight seasons in a Nets uniform, helping define an era of our franchise and playing a vital role on our back-to-back Eastern Conference championship teams in 2002 and 2003. He was a constant in our locker… pic.twitter.com/mN9KUyJ8oK

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 13, 2026

Jason Kidd was teammates and then coached Collins.

This one hurts. Jason Collins was a pioneer. He had courage like you've never seen. He was an incredible teammate. And having him in Brooklyn at the start of my coaching journey meant so much. Those who knew him were blessed to call him a friend. You are already missed my… pic.twitter.com/gG2jWoGRIF

— Jason Kidd (@RealJasonKidd) May 12, 2026

Collins played just part of the 2012-13 season with the Boston Celtics, but they were the first team to pay tribute to him.

Jason Collins was a beloved member of the Celtics family. He was a pioneer in the NBA and professional sports, and we are grateful to have felt his impact in Boston.

May he rest in peace 💚 pic.twitter.com/AG3Uh04Zxj

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 12, 2026

Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, has died after a battle with brain cancer, his family and the NBA announced Tuesday. He was 47 years old.

Collins was drafted with the 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, and played in 13 seasons with the Nets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks, Celtics, and Wizards.

Collins' bravery in coming out in the middle of his career made him one of the most influential players in the league. He was largely praised for the decision and helped move the league in a more progressive direction.

The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves paused Tuesday night before Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series to honor the memory of Brandon Clarke and Jason Collins. 

The Memphis Grizzlies forward died Monday at the age of 29 and Collins, the first openly gay player in NBA history, died at 47 after a battle with glioblastoma, his family announced Tuesday.

The Spurs held a moment of silence for Brandon Clarke and Jason Collins.

(📺NBC) pic.twitter.com/BBEnteyh7m

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 13, 2026

Clarke, who played his entire seven-year NBA career in Memphis, was remembered across the league Tuesday after the team and his agency announced his death. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called him “a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.” Patrick Beverley posted “NBA is a brotherhood.” Bradley Beal wrote “RIP B Clarke.” Teams from Philadelphia to Cleveland to Washington offered condolences on social media.  

Clarke's death is being investigated as a possible overdose, NBC4 Los Angeles reports, after drug paraphernalia was found at the Los Angeles home where he was staying.

The 76ers are making a significant change at the top.

President of basketball operations Daryl Morey is now out of the organization, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday night. Morey met with owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer, and the decision was made to go in another direction.

ESPN added that Nick Nurse will remain as the team’s head coach.

The move comes two days after Philadelphia’s season ended with a whimper in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Knicks in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

The 76ers lost all but one game by double figures and lost Sunday’s Game 4 by 30 points.

Morey took over as Philadelphia’s president in November 2020 after a 13-year run as general manager of the Rockets.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Daryl personally and professionally, and I’m grateful for his contributions over the last six seasons,” Josh Harris said in a statement after the change. “After speaking with Daryl, we determined that it was time for a fresh start.”

With the shakeup, the 76ers will now be on the hunt —which will be led by former Warriors exec and current president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Bob Myers — for someone to lead their front office as free agency and the NBA draft approach.

Philadelphia held a 270-212 overall regular season record over six seasons reached the postseason five times under Morey’s stewardship, but it could never get past the Eastern Conference semifinals.

There were plenty of highs, including Joel Embiid winning MVP for 2022-23 and 2025 No. 3 overall draft pick VJ Edgecombe finishing this season third in the Rookie of the Year voting.

But Embiid and Paul George, important parts to Philadelphia’s core, played in just 38 and 37 games, respectively, this season as the team finished seventh in the East. The 76ers overcame a 3-1 deficit to get past the Celtics in the first round but mostly looked overmatched by the Knicks in round 2.

Morey’s tenure wasn’t controversy-free, and things got tense in the summer of 2023 when then-76ers star James Harden, who had also played under Morey in Houston and came to Philly from the Nets in the Ben Simmons swap, called the president a “liar” and requested a trade out of Philadelphia.

“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said in a video.“Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”

Harden’s wish was eventually granted in November when he was shipped to the Clippers in a four-team deal.

Whoever takes over the reins will have key decisions to make, including whether to keep stalwart Kelly Oubre Jr.

The Phoenix Suns have numerous decisions ahead of them this upcoming offseason, with multiple restricted free agents, unrestricted free agents, and players who hold value on the trade market. The following chapter in this series will examine those decisions, as our writing team presents both a point and a counterpoint for each one.

Mark Williams is fresh off an impressive season in Phoenix. I don’t want this piece to be confused with me taking that for granted. In a vacuum, he exceeded expectations in terms of on-court production and, more importantly, in games played. That said, the way it ended was a reminder of the risk involved in extending this relationship.

We all saw it during the stretch run: the same injury worries that plagued Mark Williams in Charlotte haven’t disappeared. While the talent is undeniable, being available is a skill. If the deal is right, I’m not entirely opposed to a reunion at a discounted price, but even then, the best course of action may be to move on.

John Voita put together a great piece highlighting the case to bring him back, linked below.

The Depth Chart

The acquisition of Mark Williams came moments after the Suns drafted Khaman Maluach, a move that initially left many confused in the moment. A team that had almost no depth at center suddenly had plenty, creating a built-in succession plan.

Based on how things unfolded, it was probably for the best to slow-play Maluach. The potential is there, but Phoenix understood he was a multi-year project. They may not get the ROI on a top-10 pick for Khaman until his rookie deal is up, but the upside is so tantalizing it’s worth it. Also, keep in mind that in addition to Maluach, you have Ironman Oso Ighodaro, who played in all 82 games for the Suns last season.

Oso Ighodaro: Ighodaro played all 82 games this season, providing twitchy athleticism and secondary playmaking that keep the offense from becoming stagnant. He certainly had some struggles early in the year, but his development into an eventual staple in the Suns’ rotation was a sight to behold.

Khaman Maluach: At just 20 years old next season, Maluach has already shown high-intensity flashes in limited minutes, including a dominant 5-block and 18-point performance against the Thunder. He is 7’2″ and possesses perimeter-switching ability upside, along with elite rim protection. He still has plenty to figure out, but there is a strong chance he becomes a defensive force in the next couple of seasons.

Between Oso and Khaman, life after Mark may not be as rough as one may think on the surface. Finding capable backup centers is not difficult, whether via FA, the draft, or trade. With two capable young bigs on cheap, rookie-scale contracts, paying a premium for a third center is a luxury a “fragile” contender can no longer afford in today’s NBA.

It all simply comes down to what Phoenix’s goal is this offseason.

The “Availability” Tax

The question with Williams has always been the same: can he stay healthy?

While he appeared in a career-high 60 games this year, the back half of the season was a stark reminder of the risks. Williams missed the entire postseason with foot issues, leaving a gaping hole when the games mattered most. Is that constant worry something you want to live with on a long-term basis?

In an era where the salary cap strategy is tightening, the Suns cannot afford to anchor a large chunk of their cap to a player who has yet to prove he can survive a full NBA calendar. If a team like Brooklyn or Toronto is willing to offer upwards of $18 million to $20 million annually, the Suns should leverage that interest into a sign-and-trade rather than matching.

Extract whatever value you can out of a sign-and-trade (assuming there are multiple suitors) and move on. Now, if Phoenix can get him at a more reasonable rate, then the discussion shifts. His market dictates how this entire process goes down, and it’s too early to tell what that looks like entirely.

As mentioned previously, capable backup bigs are among the easiest assets to find through free agency, trade, or even the draft. It’s all about asset allocation, his value, and risk management.

1. Resource Allocation: Matching a high offer for Williams could limit the team’s ability to fix other exposed areas of the roster.
2. Trade Value: Currently, Williams’ value is still high based on his per-game efficient production of 11.7 points and 8.5 rebounds, along with him still being just 24 years old.
3. Risk Management: Selling high now avoids the risk of his value cratering if the injuries persist next season.

Closing Thought

The Suns need to prioritize availability and cap flexibility this summer. We have the youthful bigs in Maluach and Ighodaro to bridge the gap and provide the athleticism this roster desperately needs. It’s time to move on from the Mark Williams experiment before the next breakdown turns a tradable asset into an immovable contract if the price isn’t right. Williams had a strong season overall, but the risk may be just too much for him to return.

As Gambo notes, there is still a strong chance he returns, so his contract negotiation will be a storyline to follow closely in the early summer.

Daryl Morey’s tenure in Philadelphia has come to an end.

After six seasons as the Sixers’ president of basketball operations, Morey will no longer have that post after meeting with owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer on Tuesday. ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to report the news.

Head coach Nick Nurse will be back for his fourth season and Bob Myers, the former Golden State Warriors’ executive who is the president of sports for HBSE, will lead the team’s search for a new president of basketball operations.

Harris and Myers, who will both speak at a press conference Thursday at 4 p.m., released statements on Morey:

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Daryl personally and professionally, and I’m grateful for his contributions over the last six seasons,” Harris said. “After speaking with Daryl, we determined that it was time for a fresh start. Bob Myers will lead the process of identifying a new leader and I believe his experience in constructing four NBA championship teams will be a valuable resource to our organization.

“To our fans, your frustration and disappointment are understandable and warranted. We have fallen well short of our own expectations and failed to deliver in the way this city deserves. That bothers me deeply and I have confidence in Bob to establish a path forward for our franchise.”

“I know how much the 76ers mean to the City of Philadelphia, and it’s important we find the right leader to shape the future of this team,” Myers said. “The process will start immediately, and we will be thorough and deliberate in our evaluations. I believe this is a destination for top talent across the league and look forward to solidifying our infrastructure moving forward.”

Morey’s time with the Sixers started on a terrific note. He was hired ahead of the 2020-21 season, inheriting a very flawed roster which featured Al Horford and Josh Richardson. During the 2020 NBA Draft, Morey flipped both players and turned them into Danny Green and Seth Curry. He also drafted Tyrese Maxey at pick No. 21 and made two sold selections in the second round in Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed.

The regular season was a resounding success, with Doc Rivers leading the group to the East’s top seed. We unfortunately know how that ended with the team losing to the Atlanta Hawks in seven games. Ben Simmons, who was in trade rumors for James Harden earlier in the season, struggled mightily during the playoffs. Both Rivers and Joel Embiid made postgame comments that didn’t sit well with Simmons, ultimately leading to a holdout.

While many in Philadelphia grew antsy as Morey held on to Simmons to begin the 2021-22 campaign, it worked out well with the team finally acquiring Harden from the Brooklyn Nets. Harden showed some lingering effects from a previous hamstring issue and Embiid suffered yet another orbital bone fracture in the first round. The Sixers lost to the Miami Heat in six games in the second round.

Arguably the best team Morey assembled here and the one that came the closest to finally getting over the second-round hump was in 2022-23. With Harden here the entire season and Maxey coming into his own, the team was one of the hottest in the NBA entering postseason play. After sweeping the Brooklyn Nets, they went up against the rival Boston Celtics. Again, it was another series that ended in disappointment as the team blew a 3-2 series lead, getting crushed in Game 7 in Boston.

Morey made the decision to move on from Rivers and hire Nurse. In that offseason, we got another holdout as Harden and Morey’s relationship soured to an irredeemable degree. To start the 2023-24 season, the Sixers looked almost unstoppable with Embiid somehow outplaying his MVP pace and Maxey well on his way to earning the league’s Most Improved Player award. The team was beset by another Embiid meniscus tear and beaten by the New York Knicks in six games in the first round.

In trading Harden, Morey began his boldest strategy while running the Sixers. All the players he took back in the trade with the LA Clippers were on expiring contracts. Morey’s plan was to keep his books clean for the offseason so the team could offer a big-time free agent a max contract. That player wound up being Paul George. Morey also signed Embiid to a three-year max extension and gave Maxey a new max deal.

We don’t need to rehash the 2024-25 season — living through it was enough. The only good to come out of it was the emergence of rookie Jared McCain and the team tanking to close the season, which allowed them to select VJ Edgecombe third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The Sixers bounced back this season, with both Embiid and George playing more and at a much higher level. Maxey took an All-NBA leap and Edgecombe finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. Despite pulling off an improbable comeback from a 3-1 deficit and finally knocking off the hated Celtics in the playoffs, the Sixers were totally out of gas in the second round and were swept by the Knicks.

What might’ve been the last straw for Morey was the trade deadline. He traded McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for draft compensation and made no corresponding moves to help the current roster. His comments about “selling high” on McCain have become a bit of national punchline as McCain has thrived in OKC. This was also after Embiid called out ownership and the front office about ducking below the luxury tax at previous deadlines. It was clear Nurse didn’t have the necessary depth to compete with the Knicks and the team’s stars were exhausted and banged up.

Now, we await the list of candidates that will trickle out as the team searches for a new leader.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

Star guards are providing the central narratives for this Eastern Conference clash. The Detroit Pistons will go as far as Cade Cunningham takes them, while Clevland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell is pushing with all his might to avoid the postseason reputation that plagues his bearded backcourt partner.

This Cavaliers vs. Pistons same-game parlay and NBA picks put faith in Mitchell in Game 5 on Wednesday, May 13.

It's all part of our full Cavaliers vs. Pistons predictions.

Our best Cavaliers vs Pistons SGP for Game 5

SGP leg #1: Donovan Mitchell Over 27.5 points (-105)

Donovan Mitchell is not shooting well from distance, a woeful 30.8% from beyond the arc in this series despite taking nearly 10 3-pointers per game. But he knows the Cleveland Cavaliers’ offense depends on him.

So he has cleared this points prop in each of the last three games, taking 23.3 shots per game compared to just 20.0 field-goal attempts per game in the regular season.

Mitchell may not be scoring efficiently, but he is shooting with such volume that this prop should come home for a fourth straight game. I dove further on this pick in my Cavaliers vs. Pistons prediction for Game 5.

SGP leg #2: Donovan Mitchell Under 3.5 assists (-105)

No one on the Cavaliers’ roster is exactly excelling. Credit the Detroit Pistons. They have one of the best defenses in the NBA, perhaps behind only the Thunders’ and the Spurs’. That is, very obviously, rather elite company.

So Donovan Mitchell is not moving the ball much. He has cleared this modest prop just once this series, averaging 2.75 assists per game. As long as Mitchell is shooting as often as he currently is, do not expect his assists to begin piling up.

SGP leg #3: Over 212.5 (-110)

Detroit’s defense is very good. It is not perfect. And given enough time, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden were always going to crack that defense.

They did in Games 3 and 4.

This series may continue to yo-yo, but expect the offenses to begin finding more of a groove as more time passes.

Covers NBA betting tools

• NBA odds
• NBA picks
• NBA player props
• Best NBA betting sites
• Today’s NBA matchups

See our full Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 5 preview

Get Douglas Farmer's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Cavaliers vs Pistons predictions for Game 5.

More Covers NBA Playoff content

NBA Championship odds

Stay up-to-date with the latest NBA Championship odds for each remaining team, as well as NBA title splits, betting trends, and the previous list of teams that have won the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

NBA Finals MVP odds

See what the current line movement and updates are in the NBA Finals MVP odds race, along with Finals MVP betting trends, favorite analysis, and recent superstars to receive this award.

Live NBA Playoff bracket

Never lose track of where each series sits with our live NBA Playoff bracket, as well as the updated prices for each team to win their respective series — round by round. 

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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 rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites, especially sites of the opposing team. Be polite and don’t insult your hosts.

After a contentious game on Mother’s Day, the Timberwolves bring their weird combination of basketbrawl and acting class to San Antonio, as they attempt to do anything but play basketball to win a playoff series.^* The strategy of bumping, grabbing, and pushing the Spurs star players paid a huge dividend on Sunday as Victor Wembanyama lost his temper and struck out and elbowed Naz Reid with his free arm while Jaden McDaniels was pulling on his other arm with both hands. Victor will need to do a better job of controlling his emotions tonight, while the referees will need to do a better job of controlling the game to keep things from once again spiraling out of control.

The Spurs played well in Wemby’s absence, maintaining a lead for most of the second half until Anthony Edwards took control in the fourth quarter by taking advantage of the Spurs lack of rim protection to score at will. The Spurs will need Wembanyama to be fresh late in the game today to contain Edwards, who is getting stronger by the game, and to take care of some of the other antics that Chris Finch likes to roll out to play mind games on the opponents. The Spurs need to get past all of that and play ball, and they should be fine, as they are the more talented team.

De’Aaron Fox is questionable with an ankle that was injured when Ayo Dosunmu dove at his legs when Fox grabbed a rebound in Sunday’s game, so the Silver and Black may have to rely on Harper and Castle tonight, which should be fine as long as they don’t get into foul trouble. Harper is also listed as questionable with knee soreness, but hopefully he will play as he’s been having a very productive series so far. Luke Kornet played his best game of the series on Sunday, and he’ll be needed again tonight to hold down the game when Wemby rests. Coach Mitch will be tested again tonight as he tries to keep his team from thrown off kilter by the Timberwolves’ shenanigans. Keldon Johnson has been bothered by Minnesota’s length, and he needs to hit some outside shots to open up his drives to the basket. This game is pretty much a must win game for the Spurs, because you don’t want to go back to the Target Center for an elimination game, unless it’s an elimination game for the Wolves. GO SPURS GO!

* Homer hyperbole—mostly.

Game Prediction:

Chris Finch is ejected from the game after he tries to throw an banana peel on the court in Stephon Castle’s path.

San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves, Second Round, Game 5
May 12, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Streaming: Peacock
TV: NBC
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

With Sixers seeking Morey's replacement, here's what will be on new leader's plate  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Daryl Morey’s first draft night with the Sixers is a great illustration of how rapidly things can change in the NBA.

Back in 2020, Morey selected Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed. He traded away Al Horford and Josh Richardson, acquired Danny Green and Seth Curry, and set the Sixers up nicely for an Eastern Conference-best 49-23 regular season.

We’ll see what sort of transformation Morey’s replacement has in mind. 

The Sixers announced Tuesday night that Morey is out as the franchise’s president of basketball operations. Bob Myers will “lead the process of identifying a new leader of basketball operations and oversee the department in the interim,” the team said in a press release. There will surely be some urgency with the NBA draft set for June 23 and June 24. Free agency will begin the next week. 

As far as the roster-construction task ahead, there’s multiple massive positives. Tyrese Maxey is a 25-year-old superstar lead guard and VJ Edgecombe just had a fantastic rookie season alongside him. Joel Embiid and Paul George each played integral parts in the Sixers’ historic comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against the Celtics in Round 1 of the playoffs.

Even with the age, injury and contract concerns surrounding George and Embiid, it’s a strong group. All options should be on the table for whoever steps into Morey’s shoes, but the Sixers’ situation would not appear automatically hopeless if the team built around the same foursome. 

“With the hesitation that in the NBA, things happen, we have some players who are as close to untouchable as you might have in this league in Tyrese, Joel, VJ, Paul,” Morey said on Feb. 6. “We like our core. We really think it’s a very good core.” 

Of course, the long-term commitments to George and Embiid have serious downsides. Embiid’s optimistic about his left knee, but the 32-year-old big man’s norm has been a strange storm of injuries. George turned 36 during the playoffs and most late-30s NBA players are decidedly past their primes. 

Going a bit further down the Sixers’ roster, there is not a ton to like. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes were the two other Sixers to average over 13 minutes in the postseason. Both will be unrestricted free agents this offseason. After them, Andre Drummond, Adem Bona, Dominick Barlow and Justin Edwards were the only players to get any time in head coach Nick Nurse’s playoff rotation. 

“We feel like we’re a deep team,” Morey said in February. “Again, people might not agree, but we do feel like a deep team. In fact, there are many people who are writing that we’re a deep team, so it wasn’t just our opinion. I do think Nick … is using our players in an optimal way to win games. You for sure always want more good players than bad players. We still have two roster spots. … So we’ll continue to look to add in that marketplace as well, but we do feel like we’re a deep team.”

The Sixers sent second-year sharpshooting guard Jared McCain to the Thunder at the trade deadline and did not make any dramatic upgrades with their open roster slots. They converted Barlow and Jabari Walker from two-way contracts to standard NBA deals. Dalen Terry also got a standard spot by the end of the year. Morey signed Cameron Payne post-deadline but waived the veteran guard after he suffered a late-season hamstring injury.

In recent years, Morey’s Sixers were often inferior in the long-range shooting department. They finished the 2025-26 season ranked 23rd in both three-point frequency and three-point accuracy, according to Cleaning the Glass. Defensive rebounding also jumps out as a major roster weakness. 

The Sixers did nothing to address any of those holes at the deadline and the Knicks exposed them with a second-round series sweep over an exhausted, overmatched team. In addition to the trade market and free agency this summer, the Sixers own the 22nd overall pick in the draft via the McCain trade.

The team has remained unable to advance beyond the second round of the playoffs during managing partner Josh Harris and co-managing partner David Blitzer’s run at the top of the organization. Sixers fans have had plenty of valid sources of displeasure since Harris and his ownership group bought the team in 2011.

Notably, Embiid went out of his way before the deadline to comment on the Sixers “ducking the (luxury) tax the past couple of years.”

With Morey out and his replacement pending, that storyline certainly hasn’t disappeared.

“I understand the perception,” Morey said at what wound up being his final Sixers press conference. “I hope to defeat it by finding a deal that I can go to ownership and say, ‘We think this move is the right move to do for that and create those apron issues,’ but I haven’t been able to recommend that move yet.”