Jalen Brunson scored 30 points, Mikal Bridges added 22 and the New York Knicks moved within one game of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 with a121-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.
OG Anunoby had 21 points as New York led the entire game. The Knicks were 43 of 77 from the field, including 11 of 28 on 3-pointers. They were also 24 of 27 from the foul line.
The Knicks can wrap up the Eastern Conference Finals and sweep their second straight series with a win on Monday night. New York is the seventh team in NBA history to win at least 10 straight during a postseason run. The last team to do it was the Boston Celtics, who also went on a 10-game run on their way to the 2024 title.
All but one of the Knicks’ wins have been by double digits, with an average margin of victory of 22.5 points.
Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and James Harden added 21 for Cleveland. The Cavaliers were 12 of 41 on 3-pointers and 12 of 19 from the foul line.
New York led 91-82 at the end of the third quarter but put it out reach in the fourth when Landry Shamet made three 3-pointers in a 99-second span to make it 105-94.
The Knicks made their first four shots en route to a 9-1 lead less than two minutes into the game. New York was 12 of 17 from the field in the quarter and was up 37-27 after 12 minutes.
Cleveland rallied and tied it at 50-all on a jumper by Harden before the Knicks countered with a 10-1 run. They went into halftime with a 60-54 advantage.
Brunson had six of his 12 points during an 8-1 run midway through the third quarter as the Knicks extended their lead to 83-70 with 3:41 remaining.
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Jon Metler's expert pick: OG Anunoby Over 14.5 points
Price: -130 at bet365
The Cleveland Cavaliers need to force the ball out of Jalen Brunson’s hands; they can’t let him work in isolation against their perimeter defenders.
When that happens, OG Anunoby finds himself catching passes against a rotating Cavaliers defense that he can attack for easy buckets. This is all about working off Brunson’s gravity and defensive coverage while attacking the space Brunson creates for him.
I also love that this is Anunoby’s third game back for the New York Knicks, and there’s an opportunity for his minutes to ramp up in Game 3.
That’s significant because he’s being priced like a player who will only play low-30s minutes. I price Anunoby at -175 to clear this number, which is why I’m hitting the button.
Jason Logan's expert pick: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes
Price: +125 at bet365
The Knicks offense is a well-oiled machine at this point in the playoffs. With the Cavs blitzing Jalen Brunson, he’s finding open teammates for a ton of assists
Karl-Anthony Towns is taking plenty of 3-point attempts as he continues working out of the high post in the playoffs, dragging Cleveland’s size away from the paint with his outside shooting. That resulted in three made triples in Game 2.
Projection models call for a pair of treys from KAT in another win for New York.
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Knicks moneyline
Price: +115 at bet365
The Knicks are in the midst of a dominant playoff run, winning nine straight games, with eight of those victories coming by double digits. They have clearly been the sharper offensive team in this series, shooting the ball better than Cleveland while consistently controlling points in the paint.
New York has also been excellent away from home, posting a stronger playoff net rating on the road than at MSG. Meanwhile, the Cavs might be running out of gas after playing high-intensity games every other night since April 29 — a stretch of 12 games.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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The New York Knicks extended their Eastern Conference Finals lead to two games in front of a rapturous home crowd (and an equally invested star-studded celebrity row). Now, the series moves to Cleveland for two games in the Cavaliers’ home court beginning with tonight’s Game 3.
Unlike the dramatic fourth-quarter comeback in the series opener, the Knicks took control of a tight game just after halftime in Game 2, using a devastating 18–0 third-quarter run to break open a 53–53 tie and coast to their ninth consecutive postseason win, 109-93.
Josh Hart put in a playoff career-high 26 points with five 3-pointers. He was supported by Jalen Brunson, who shifted into playmaker mode, dishing out a playoff career-high 14 assists to go along with 19 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the interior with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
NBA Eastern Conference Finals: what to know
What: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, Game 3
When: May 23, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Rocket Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
Channel: ABC
Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
Game 4, which will happen no matter the result of tonight’s game, is a Memorial Day matchup set for Monday night.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks start time:
Tonight’s (May 23) Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes ABC (plus every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.
TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE
Sling TV is another affordable way to watch TV live and stream NBA games; its Select plan includes ABC and starts at $19.99/month.
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
The New York Knicks are a runaway subway car in the Eastern Conference finals. The next stop is Rocket Arena for Game 3 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
New York tries to put Cleveland in a 3-0 chokehold on Saturday, and my Knicks vs. Cavaliers predictions aren't standing on the tracks, taking the road team to win with an energetic performance from OG Anunoby.
Here are my latest NBA picks for Saturday, May 23.
Our best Knicks vs Cavaliers SGP for Game 3
SGP leg #1: Knicks moneyline
Homecourt may be the only edge left for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They’re outgunned on offense, outmatched in coaching, and running on fumes compared to a well-rested New York Knicks squad.
That difference is showing in the fourth quarters of both the previous two games. New York has been great on the road in the postseason, going 4-1 SU and ATS as a playoff visitor.
SGP leg #2: Evan Mobley Over 15.5 points
Evan Mobley should be miffed with his teammates. After exploding for 10 points in the first quarter and posting 14 points at the half, Mobley didn’t get a single shot off in the second half of Game 2.
Cleveland’s offense is at its best when it gets the bigs involved, and Mobley must be a priority in Game 3. Projections sit as high as 18 points on Saturday.
SGP leg #3: OG Anunoby Over 14.5 points
OG Anunoby has been taking it easy in the first two games of the ECF, as he's coming off a hamstring injury in Round 2.
When the going gets tough on the road for the Knicks, OG brings the energy to enemy territory. He’s been huge away from MSG in the playoffs and averages two points more on the road than at home for the year.
Anunoby is forecasted for as many as 17.5 points in Game 3.
Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Knicks vs. Cavaliers predictions for Game 3.
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 27: Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns guards Nicolas Claxton #33 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 27, 2026 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. (Photo by Jeremy Chen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the biggest pressure points facing the Phoenix Suns this offseason is what to do with Mark Williams. He gave Phoenix 60 games this past season and showed exactly why the organization targeted him in the first place. The rim running, the rim deterrence defensively, the athleticism, and the motor. All of those traits were clear positives for a franchise that historically has spent years trying to stabilize the center position.
Restricted free agency is at the doorstep, and with the Suns also trying to retain key pieces from an unexpectedly successful team, Williams becomes one of the more important leverage points of the offseason. His qualifying offer sits at $9.6 million, which on the surface doesn’t feel overwhelming. Once you begin stacking on the other financial realities though (dead money, luxury tax concerns, apron implications), the conversation becomes a lot more complicated.
At $17 million below the luxury tax and $25 million below the first apron, the Suns are walking a financial tightrope with free agents Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin and Williams.
Williams’ durability issues plagued the first three seasons of his career, in which he sat out 116 games because of back, foot and thumb injuries.
In his first season with Phoenix, Williams sat out 10 games because of a stress reaction in his left foot but still played a career-high 60 games. (Because of the foot injury, Williams did not appear in the Suns’ first-round playoff loss.)
Williams ranked in the top 20 in offensive rebounds per game and played a significant role in Phoenix’s jump from 26th to sixth in second-chance points this season. The Suns were plus-8.5 points per 100 possessions when Williams was on the court with Gillespie, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale.
Marks projected Williams at three years and $42 million, stating, “The contract would start at $13 million and increase to $15 million in the third season. The first year is $2 million less than the non-tax midlevel exception.”
I’ll start with this. If he’s viewed nationally as the fifth-best restricted free agent available regardless of position, there’s real value attached to that. Marks also identified the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls as logical fits, which naturally creates the possibility that another team helps drive up his market. That matters for Phoenix.
If the number climbs too high, the Suns could ultimately decide to walk away. Or they could work with another team on a sign-and-trade. A deal in the neighborhood of three years, $42 million honestly feels pretty close to what I expected Williams to land based on last season. The injury concerns will always be part of the equation, and they’re likely the biggest reason he won’t command something even larger. At the same time, for a team trying to balance winning now with eventually increasing Khaman Maluach’s role, this kind of contract makes sense as a bridge.
If Maluach needs more time, you’ve bought yourself a clean three-year runway. If he develops faster than expected, then Williams either becomes valuable depth on a fair contract or a tradable asset you can use to strengthen another area of the roster. From a pure basketball standpoint, I think it’s a very reasonable price. The complication, as always, is financial.
If Phoenix is comfortable paying into the luxury tax, bringing him back at that number feels pretty straightforward. If ownership is serious about avoiding the tax line, then this conversation becomes far more interesting and potentially a lot harder.
That’s really what makes Mark Williams one of the defining offseason decisions for Phoenix. On the floor, the fit makes sense. The timeline makes sense. Even the contract projection feels reasonable when viewed through a basketball lens.
The challenge is that the Suns rarely get to make decisions in a vacuum anymore. Every move connects to three others. Retaining Williams impacts what you can do with Collin Gillespie. It impacts overall roster flexibility. It impacts how aggressively you navigate the margins of the tax and how much patience you can afford with younger players.
That’s why this feels bigger than simply deciding whether Williams is worth $14 million a year. He probably is. The harder question is whether Phoenix can make that commitment and still maintain the roster balance and flexibility needed to keep building on what they started last season.
When you root for a team that isn’t in the playoffs anymore it’s very natural to reminisce on what you used to have. When you root for a team that didn’t make the playoffs at all that kind of thought only comes more quickly. For about three months now I’ve been coasting through this season thinking about the NBA Draft Lottery, and now that we’ve secured the #2 pick in this year’s draft, there’s nothing more we can do except wait. Or at least that’s what normal people would do.
For me and my undiagnosed AuDHD my mind can only go back in time until we officially have one of Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, or Cam Boozer on our roster. Once the draft and free agency are over I’ll be locked into what we can accomplish next season, but for now I’m thinking about the guys who aren’t here to be a part of our come up. I’ve thought about it long and hard and I now have my all-time starting 5 from Utah Jazz players who were pretty good: not Hall of Famers, not All-Stars, not even very good. Just pretty good. Be sure to tell us who you’d pick in your Starting 5, but without further ado, let’s go back to a simpler time.
Point Guard: Ricky Rubio
If you know me as a basketball fan, you will know that my favorite archetypes of players are facilitators, and in my mind Ricky Rubio was one of the best. Sure, he never lived up to hype he had coming into the league, and he was never able to justify selecting him over Steph Curry, but having a 12 year career when you’re only true skill is slinging the rock is pretty solid. He was only in Utah for two seasons but was able to give us 12 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds a night on fairly decent shooting splits.
He’s actually the catalyst for this entire article; I was scrolling Twitter and ran across a Ricky Rubio highlight reel and I couldn’t help but smile. He may have never been the point guard, but he’ll always be my point guard. I couldn’t tell you how sad I was to see him retire from the NBA, but they say to not cry because it’s over, and to smile because it happened.
Shooting Guard: DeShawn Stevenson
We’ve got a major throwback for this entry. It would be understandable if you forgot, or even didn’t know at all, that Stevenson played for the Jazz. It was a different time; we just started a new millennium, a gallon of gas was around $1.50, and NBADraft.net just announced to the entire world that Stevenson’s NBA comp was THE Michael Jeffrey Jordan.
Suffice it to say he never lived up that standard, and his three and a half season in Utah weren’t any indication that he would become anything more than his 6 points per game average, but every now and then he would display something just special enough to think that he could turn things around. In his last 54 games for the Jazzmen he averaged a career high 11.4 points per game before he was traded to the Orlando Magic.
I’m not sure why I have such an affinity for him, really. I followed his career in Washington, I was excited to see him be a part of the NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks squad in 2011, and I was even rooting for him during his time in Ice Cube’s Big 3 league. By all metrics I shouldn’t care about a player with averages like his, but you can’t help who you love.
Small Forward: Joe Johnson
Yes, I do mean old man Joe Johnson. I can hear a lot of people SCREAMING at me to have Andrei Kirilenko or Joe Ingles here, and while they were certainly great players, they were much more than just role players. I’m not exactly sure what the word for a player between role player and star is, but both of them would be in that category. Some people may also be yelling at me because Iso Joe is a 7x All-Star, but when he made his way to Salt Lake City he was four years removed from All-Star status and 35 years old, so I think this selection is more than acceptable.
To quote the late great Bill Russell: “this game has always been , and will always be, about buckets.” In the case of Joe Johnson, he was able to score with the best of them. Roughly 5000 people in human history have played in the NBA and only 56 of them have ever scored more than 20,000 points; Iso Joe is one of those elite. His midrange game was always a lethal weapon for him to use, but once he got to Utah he was able to really display his post work a lot more; really a refined repertoire for someone in his position. Much like DeShawn Stevenson, I’ve always loved Joe Johnson and I’m happy to say that he’s still killing it in the Big 3 league. Johnson is one of those players who could really hoop until he’s 60, and I hope I get to witness that entire playing career.
Power Forward: Derrick Favors
This biggest knock on Derrick Favors’ entire career is that he was born about 15 years too late. For his particular skillset, being a very good post player, he would have been a multi-time All-Star if he was playing in the 80’s or 90’s. Unfortunately for him he was drafted in the 2010 NBA Draft, and just as he was entering his prime as a player, the NBA was starting to move towards a more perimeter centric philosophy thanks to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Despite the fact that he wasn’t able to mold his game with the league, he was still very effective within his niche skillset.
He and Greg Monroe both share the unique distinction of being born just a tad too late to thrive in the NBA. During Favors’ decade in Utah he had only 5 seasons averaging more than 10 points per game, but overall was very solid. If that doesn’t scream “Hall of Pretty Good,” I don’t know what will.
Center: Hassan Whiteside
In a similar story to Derrick Favors, the NBA just pasted Hassan Whiteside by. Utah was Whiteside’s last stop in his NBA career, and while his averages for a backup center were more than respectable, the NBA had fully moved into a perimeter centric offense and Whiteside, to say the least, was not equipped for that role. He was still able to secure 5 rebounds and block 1.6 shots per game during the 2021-2022 season, but with limited to no offensive bag he was phased out of the league.
This may seem like a weird selection to some people, but if I am anything, it is a homer. I grew up in West Virginia, and if you ever played for West Virginia University or Marshall, there is a great chance that I will support you until my last breath. I was actually able to be in attendance for a game between WVU and Marshall at the Charleston Civic Center where Whiteside put up 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks and ever since then I was drawn to him as a basketball player. It was a pleasure to see him play in the league, and it was an extra nice treat to see him finish his career in Utah.
Nostalgia is one hell of a drug, and it is one that I am addicted too. As we look forward to the NBA Draft it’s nice to remember where we came from. I look back at some of these years that the aforementioned players were here and remind myself that we’re onto better things. As we’re approaching the actual draft there will be A TON of draft coverage from everyone here at SLC Dunk so be on the look out for that!
Who would be in your all-time starting five? Do you think you have the most unique taste in Jazzmen role players? Sound off in the comments below!
Cleveland sports fans are getting severe deja vu with the Cavs down 0-2. But with the series shifting back to their home floor, it's time for Cleveland to dig deep ... again.
Ahead of tonight's Game 3 clash with the New York Knicks, our NBA player prop projections have locked onto the highest-value betting angles on the market.
By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.
If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Saturday, May 23.
Knicks vs Cavaliers computer picks for Game 3
Knicks
Cavaliers
Hart u12.5 points -105
Harden o18.5 points -105
Towns o11.5 rebounds -112
Mitchell o3.5 assists -165
Bridges o12.5 points -105
Mobley o8.5 rebounds -105
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Knicks Game 3 computer picks
Josh Hart Under 12.5 points (-105)
Projection: 10.70 points
Josh Hart made the Cleveland Cavaliers pay for sleeping on him in Game 2, dropping a massive 26 points while the Cavs focused on Jalen Brunson. Cleveland won't dare him to beat them again in Game 3. Expect a much more disciplined defensive effort from the Cavs tonight, making the Under on Hart's points prop the smart play.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet hart Now at bet365!/span
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds (-112)
Projection: 11.77 rebounds
Karl-Anthony Towns is in his bag right now. The New York Knicks' big man has cleared the way in the paint with back-to-back double-doubles, pulling down exactly 13 boards in both Games 1 and 2. Expect him to spearhead the rebounding effort for New York again tonight.
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Mikal Bridges Over 12.5 points (-105)
Projection: 13.62 points
While it may seem obvious, Mikal Bridges' points prop presents immense value tonight. With Cleveland’s defense heavily focused on trapping Jalen Brunson and adjusting to contain Josh Hart after his Game 2 outburst, Bridges is bound to see plenty of open looks.
Having already cleared this line in Games 1 and 2 with 18- and 19-point performances, he is in a prime position to stay hot tonight.
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Cavaliers Game 3 computer picks
James Harden Over 18.5 points (-105)
Projection: 20.05 points
The word of the day for James Harden is simple: more. The Cavaliers desperately need him to elevate his game in every facet.
While he put up 15 and 18 points in Games 1 and 2, it clearly hasn't been enough to match a red-hot Knicks squad. Harden has been far too quiet, and it's time for him to pump up the volume to prevent Cleveland from sliding into a familiar, inescapable postseason hole.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet harden Now at bet365!/span
Donovan Mitchell Over 3.5 assists (-165)
Projection: 4.78 assists
New York's defensive game plan starts and ends with making life miserable for Donovan Mitchell. With the Knicks doing everything they can to bottle up his scoring, Mitchell will have to lean heavily into his playmaking to keep Cleveland afloat.
He hasn't cleared his assist prop yet in this series, but the Knicks' suffocating pressure is going to force the ball out of his hands and right into a cashable Over for his assist line.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet mitchell Now at bet365!/span
Evan Mobley Over 8.5 rebounds (-105)
Projection: 8.56
Don’t let a single bad outing scare you off Evan Mobley tonight. While the Knicks limited him to just six rebounds in Game 2, Mobley has otherwise been a cash machine on the boards this postseason.
Back on his home floor, expect the Cavs' big man to play with renewed aggression underneath, making the Over on his rebounding prop a fantastic bounce-back target.
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How to watch Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 3
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
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The Houston Rockets have a major offseason ahead. Amen Thompson and Tari Eason are both up for contract extensions, and reports have come out that Fred VanVleet may get his contract restructured, and this is not counting them having Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams back next year.
Fred and Adams will obviously both be returning from injuries, so it is safe to say there will be some regression. Vanvleet is coming off an ACL tear, but since he is not exactly known for his high flying play, so thankfully we don’t have to worry too much about an athletic regression, but with him and Reed being our only high volume respected three point shooters any type of regression is a cause for concern esspecially since last season the Rockets were at a severe mathematical disadvantage every night since they only averaged 31.5 three-point attempts each game.
Enter the Dallas Mavericks, who are now in year two of the post-Luka Doncic rebuild era, and have veteran point guard Kyrie Irving. With Kyrie near the end of his career, it is unclear if he will want to stick around to watch a rebuild in Dallas, and that makes the latest reporting on the Kyrie Irving front, according to Brandon Robinson, also known as Scoop B, the Rockets have interest in Irving.
“Furthermore, the Houston Rockets are also actively monitoring Irving’s availability, ready to spark a bidding war.”
Additonally ESPN’s Shams Charania also reported that multiple contending teams are interested in Irving and are keeping tabs on the Dallas Mavericks, following the ouster of Jason Kidd as head coach, which was preceded by the hire of Masai Ujiri as the Mavericks’ vice president and decision maker.
Irving, who will turn 35 at the end of the 2026–2027 campaign, is recovering from an ACL tear that held him out for much of the 2025–2026 campaign, which was essentially a disastrous year for Dallas.
From a contractual standpoint, Irving has a $39.5 million guaranteed year left in 2026–2027, followed by a $42 million player option in 2027–2028. He will undoubtedly wash his hands of the transaction for long-term security.
When Irving last played in 2024–2025, he averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 47.3 percent from the field, 40.1 percent from beyond the arc (on 7.2 attempts), and 91.6 percent from the foul line. These stats were good enough to earn Irving another All-Star selection.
However, after looking at the contracts, the trade doesn’t make much sense to me. Just from a contract perspective, I am unsure how a trade would work with Fred VanVleet’s essential no-trade clause. Additonally with Houston being capped at the first appron and Dallas being capped at the second appron, it makes a deal even more difficult.
However, I am curious to hear what you all think do you like the idea of a Kyrie trade? What would your proposed trade package be? Let me know, and as always, be sure to check back at The Dream Shake for all your Houston Rockets news needs.
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 1: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors looks on after winning the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The reality of being the only Canadian team in the NBA is one of highs and lows for the Toronto Raptors. It means having the entire country (except *maybe* Vancouver) united to cheer for the team, and the spirit of an entire nation behind the squad.
It also means a gulf between the Raptors and the rest of the American teams, that can feel bigger than the 49th Parallel. This is something becomes even more pronounced in perception of players by those south of the border. All this to say, that it’s a travesty that Scottie Barnes did not make it onto the All-Defensive First Team, ending up on the Second Team with 130 total points.
All-Defensive First Team
Victor Wembanyama (200 points)
Chet Holmgren (190 points)
Ausar Thompson (166 points)
Rudy Gobert (151 points)
Derrick White (146 points)
All-Defensive Second Team
Scottie Barnes (130 points)
Cason Wallace (94 points)
Bam Adebayo (71 points)
OG Anunoby (67 points)
Dyson Daniels (50 points)
Barnes was 17 points short of First Team honours, and it’s got me scratching my head as to what exactly voters were thinking. Only two Canada-based sportswriters voted in last year’s awards races, drowned in a sea of American perspectives, and it’s likely to be a similar ratio for this year. And while the Raptors have been one of the league’s most prominent teams of the 21st century, the legacy and fanbase of the Boston Celtics is almost incomparable in size, thus lending to the likelihood of some implicit bias.
Derrick White had a very solid defensive season, especially with Jayson Tatum out, as the Celtics’ guard posted a career high in both steals and blocks. But, considering that Scottie Barnes was playing much of the season without his starting centre and served as the defensive anchor for his squad, their responsibilities are by no means comparable. The Celtics finished as second in the Eastern Conference, no mean feat, but White was playing alongside 29-7-5 Jaylen Brown as the offensive centrepiece, while Scottie took on some serious offensive responsibilities in addition to balancing his defensive role, making the latter performance all the more impressive.
Barnes had his own thoughts on the awards, taking the snub good-naturedly, making a commitment to another season of hard work.
The importance of having a good defensive centre cannot be understated, and Ausar Thompson winning the steals title makes 4 out of 5 of the First Team’s awards relatively hard to dispute. But, Scottie Barnes not taking that fifth spot is a grave error for the voting population, and very likely another chapter in the book of writing off the Raptors.
The Cleveland Cavaliers went down 0-2 to the Detroit Pistons on the road in the conference semifinals before winning Games 3 and 4 at home and ultimately stealing the series in seven.
Cleveland will look to repeat that pattern in the Eastern Conference Finals, and my Knicks vs. Cavaliers props dig into the best value plays for this pivotal contest, giving you my best NBA picks for Saturday, May 23.
The Cleveland Cavaliers strategy to ignore Josh Hart backfired in Game 2, as Hart went off for 26 points. After that outburst, Hart will see more defensive attention, leading to less pressure on Bridges.
Over his last seven games, 31.9% of Mikal Bridges’ shot attempts have been “open,” with defenders 4-6 feet away, and 15.9% have been “wide open,” with defenders 6+ feet away.
Bridges is shooting a blistering 68.3% on 11.7 shots per game in that span, yet he could see even more open looks. I’m willing to bet this one up to 15.5.
Game 3 Prop #2: Donovan Mitchell Over 2.5 threes
-155 at bet365
The New York Knicks interior defense has ceded just 40.2 paint points across the team’s nine-game win streak. As a result, opponents have focused on outside shots and attempted the fourth-most three-pointers (37.1).
Donovan Mitchell is just 11-of-38 from deep over his last five games, but nearly a third of those shots were “open” or “wide open.”
Shot quality has been favorable, and Mitchell has shot 36.8% from deep at home compared to 27.5% on the road this postseason. Mitchell can improve when he returns to Rocket Arena, and I’ll climb the ladder to 3.5 triples.
Game 3 Prop #3: Evan Mobley Over 3.5 assists
+105 at bet365
Among centers averaging at least 30 minutes in the playoffs, Evan Mobley ranks fifth in assist percentage (25.4) and seventh in usage (18.8).
Cleveland has struggled to move the ball, assisting on just 57.8% of made baskets, but Mobley has consistently gotten teammates involved with four dimes per tilt.
Cleveland is 6-3 when the big man dishes 4+, and Cleveland’s offense averaged 8.1 more points in those contests.
This is a favorable line that I’ll bet up to 4.5, as Cleveland should emphasize ball movement to get better looks against New York’s stiff defense.
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The New York Knicks can move to the brink of the NBA Finals with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks won the first two games in New York. Games 3 and 4 will be in Cleveland. The Cavaliers are favored at home by 2.5 points. The over/under is 214.5.
How to watch New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Moneyline: Cleveland Cavaliers -131 (54.5%) / New York Knicks +111 (45.5%)
Over/Under: 214.5
Series schedule, results
Game 1: Knicks 115, Cavaliers 104 (OT) Game 2:Knicks 109, Cavaliers 93 Game 3: New York at Cleveland (Saturday May 23, 8 p.m. ET, ABC) Game 4: New York at Cleveland (Monday May 25, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN) Game 5: Cleveland at New York (Wednesday May 27, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)* Game 6: New York at Cleveland (Friday May 29, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)* Game 7: Cleveland at New York (Sunday May 31, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)*
After surviving a dramatic double-overtime battle in Game 1, the San Antonio Spurs have dropped back-to-back contests and now face a 2-1 series deficit entering Game 4.
Depth and fatigue could prove pivotal in Game 4, and my Thunder vs. Spurs predictions and NBA picks expect the visiting team to earn a third straight victory.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight!
Thunder vs Spurs Game 4 prediction
Who will win Thunder vs Spurs Game 4?
Thunder: Through 11 playoff games, the Oklahoma City Thunder lead the Association in bench minutes at 101.1, accounting for 41.3% of the team’s playing time. Through 14 games, the San Antonio Spurs’ bench has accounted for just 32.8% of team minutes. The Spurs’ bench simply doesn’t have the depth to compete, and backup big man Luke Kornet has been a dreadful -37 when on the court, leading to advantages for a Thunder rotation that can switch Kornet onto smaller players and take advantage of outside shooting. The Thunder are deeper and well-rested, and the scariest part is that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t scored more than 30 points in a game yet this series.
Thunder vs Spurs best bet: Thunder moneyline (+110)
The disparity in bench numbers has been jarring, as the Thunder have gotten 61 points and 121.6 minutes per game from their reserves, compared to just 21.3 points and 60.4 minutes for the Spurs.
Victor Wembanyama has averaged 41.7 minutes, and giving him a break isn’t viable. The Spurs are +21 with him on the floor and -38 when he’s on the bench.
With Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox nursing injuries, and Wemby forced into big minutes, fatigue will be critical. I priced this line at -140, so I’m thrilled to get it early at +110.
OKC’s defense forced Wembanyama outside the paint in Games 2 and 3. He attempted 25 shots and two three-pointers in Game 1 but combined for 31 shots and 12 triples over his last two. The Spurs need to adjust and get him more paint touches to utilize his size and create kickout opportunities. This is a strong value play at plus-money.
Part of San Antonio’s adjustment has to be more bench minutes. Keldon Johnson scored 20.4 points per 36 minutes while shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc this season. I’ll bet this one up to 9.5.
Thunder vs Spurs SGP
Thunder moneyline
Victor Wembanyama Under 1.5 threes
Keldon Johnson Over 8.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Bench mob!
The Spurs have gotten torched from beyond the arc in this series. San Antonio has given up 15.7 triples on 39.5% shooting. Most concerning is that 12.7 of the Thunder’s 15.7 makes have been “wide open,” with defenders more than six feet away.
All of Jaylin Williams, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace have knocked down 2+ triples in at least two straight games. The trio are already key reserves, but they will benefit further from Jalen Williams’ injury by taking on increased shot volume.
Thunder vs Spurs SGP
Jaylin Williams Over 1.5 threes
Alex Caruso Over 1.5 threes
Cason Wallace 1.5 threes
Thunder vs Spurs odds for Game 4
Spread: Oklahoma City +1.5 (-105) | San Antonio -1.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Oklahoma City +110 | San Antonio -130
Over/Under: Over 218 (-110) | Under 218 (-110)
Thunder vs Spurs betting trend to know
The Thunder have cashed the moneyline in 25 of their last 30 games for +16.40 units and a 8% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Spurs.
How to watch Thunder vs Spurs Game 4
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Thunder vs Spurs latest injuries
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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 22: Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs gestures in front of Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 22, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the first time in the Western Conference Finals, the San Antonio Spurs trail the Oklahoma City Thunder. After a wild Game One victory, the Spurs lost two straight, including a 123-108 loss at home in Game Three. It was a game defined by the Thunder’s dominance. San Antonio started the game on a 15-0 run, and managed to lose the game by 15, a 30-point swing for OKC.
If you want a stat that sums up a lot of the game, it’s this one: OKC’s bench outscored San Antonio’s bench by 53 points (76-23). When Victor Wembanyama sat out, the Thunder went on huge runs. Even with him in the game, Oklahoma City’s bench was able to score from outside. Meanwhile, the Spurs couldn’t find any consistent offense as they continue to deal with injuries to key players like De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper.
The Spurs enter Game Four needing to win a game to prevent the Thunder from taking a 3-1 series lead. San Antonio is -126 favorites on FanDuel to defend home court and tie the series at 2-2 in Game Four. They’ll need to find a way to score against Oklahoma City’s swarming defense and get contributions from their bench to stay in the series.
Before looking ahead to Game Four, let’s grade the performances from Game Three. As a quick reminder, player grades are based on each player’s on-court performance, going beyond just the stat sheet. A “B” grade represents the average performance for an individual. If a player logs fewer than 5 minutes or plays only in garbage time, their grade will be incomplete.
Wembanyama continues to be the Spurs’ most consistent offensive threat in this series. However, since the Thunder decided to guard him with a big man, Wembanyama has struggled to reach the scoring heights we saw in Game One. He’s being forced to hurt the Thunder on the perimeter, where he isn’t nearly as effective. He keeps getting pushed further and further away from the hoop and is stuck taking some tough shots.
Defensively, Wembanyama has to stick to what makes him great. Too many times, he is being pulled onto the perimeter to contest Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s mid-range jumpers. While he’s away from the paint, the Thunder can find lanes for drives or kickout angles for threes. It’s also limiting Wemby’s impact on the boards, as he grabbed just four rebounds in the loss.
You have to hand it to Fox for playing through what appears to be a significant ankle injury. He went down in the third quarter, and it looked like it might be the last time we see him in the game. But he gutted it out and came back into the game, clearly hampered.
Fox is giving them some nice offensive juice off the dribble, getting into the paint with speed and creatively finishing around the Thunder’s defense. The problem is he didn’t make a lot of his outside shots, which OKC dared him to take, and he turned the ball over four times. If he can play smart with the ball, push the pace, and make some outside shots, the Spurs will have a better chance to win Game Four.
It looked like Castle struggled to adjust to Fox returning to the lineup. He corrected his turnover issue, but his offense was way off, making just one shot in the game. Defensively, he looks like he may be letting his emotions get the best of him. He is clearly frustrated with the officiating and is fed up with SGA’s ability to get to the free-throw line. He’s fouling too much and complaining about most of the foul calls. Castle is the Spurs’ most physical player, and he’s paying for it a bit with how he guards. He’ll have to play smarter defense if San Antonio wants a chance to win the series.
Not only was Champagnie struggling to hit threes, but he missed several defensive rotations. Champagnie would often overhelp off a shooter to help Wembanyama in the paint (he’s the Defensive Player of the Year and doesn’t need help) or sell out to stop a Gilgeous-Alexander drive and leave a player wide open for a kickout. The Spurs need him to make open shots, and they can’t afford major defensive mistakes. The margins in this series are razor-thin and those miscues will snowball as they did in Game Three.
Vassell was arguably the most impactful Spur in Game Three. His shooting was always there when the Spurs needed it, and he was excellent defensively. He’s risen to the moment in this series in a way that makes him look like an untouchable part of the Spurs’ core moving forward.
I also appreciated Vassell sticking up for Castle when he got fouled hard in transition two times in a row. San Antonio has to fight back a bit against some of the physicality they are seeing from OKC.
Harper looks like he is really struggling through an injury, even more than Fox. He doesn’t have the same level of explosion that he had in the first game of the series. That led to a pretty meh night from the rookie, who was inefficient scoring the ball, and didn’t make a huge impact defensively. Harper’s strength and athleticism give the Spurs an advantage in the backcourt. If those attributes are severely hampered by his injury, it’s hard to see them winning this series.
Johnson was borderline unplayable in Game Three. He provided no offense, and he continues to be a liability defensively. It feels like we’ve been saying the same things about KJ all playoffs. San Antonio needs his fire and energy to emerge. In a “must-win” Game Four, maybe we see Johnson return to his Sixth Man of the Year form.
Kornet is in a tough position backing up Wembanyama. When he’s in the game without him, the Thunder are attacking the rim every chance they get. It’s not so much that Kornet is a bad rim defender; it’s just that Wembanyama is so good that it’s almost like a lid has been removed from the rim when he exits the game. That said, Kornet has to hold his ground better to give the Spurs a chance. Wembanyama is already playing more minutes in this series than he has in his entire career.
Grade: D
Harrison Barnes
3 minutes, 0-for-1 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, +2
Barnes hasn’t gotten much run in this series, but I wonder if he may get an increase in minutes moving forward. The Spurs need another shooter and someone who can create some offense on the wing. Barnes has regressed quickly this season and hasn’t shown the ability to be a strong rotational piece in quite some time. But these are desperate times for San Antonio, and Barnes has shown some of the skill set that they need against OKC.
Bryant isn’t quite ready for a series like this. He can’t put the ball on the deck in a meaningful way, and he fouls way too much to be impactful defensively. All the youthful energy in the world isn’t enough to make up for some of those shortcomings against a great OKC team.
Grade: C-
Jordan McLaughlin
2 minutes, 1 rebound, 1 assist, +/- 0
McLaughlin went from being in the rotation in Game Two to playing in garbage time in Game Three.
Grade:Incomplete
Lindy Waters III
2 minutes, +/- 0
Waters got some cardio in for two minutes at the end of the game, but didn’t make an impact.
Grade:Incomplete
Bismack Biyombo
2 minutes, +/- 0
Biyombo touched the floor against his former team, but didn’t do much.
With 8:01 left in Game 6 and the Timberwolves trailing the Spurs by 33, Minnesota coach Chris Finch threw in the towel and pulled his starters. When that happened, Anthony Edwards did something in-game usually reserved for postgame: he walked over and dapped up the Spurs players, congratulating them on their win.
That drew an instant backlash from former players and fans who didn't like the fact he did that during the game, including Dirk Nowitzki and Udonis Haslem on the NBA on Prime postgame show.
"As a leader I would not have walked down there and shook their hands ... with 8 mins left."
UD on Anthony Edwards shaking the Spurs' hands in the middle of the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/1BjxFjmqUx
"Yes, eight minutes in the game, but we're not going back in the game," Edwards said. "When you win a playoff series, everybody's celebrating at the end of the game, so they're gonna be smiling while I'm pissed off, and we just lost. "So I was just like, 'S***, let me go and congratulate these boys, because I ain't trying to be kiking with you all after you all whooped my a**.'"
Edwards then said his real preference would have been not to congratulate the Spurs (or any team that beats him) at all.
"Then what would they have been saying about me? That would have been a whole other conversation," Edwards said.
Edwards is an intense competitor who had to take away from that series what everyone else watching — including Minnesota management — saw in those six games: San Antonio was a flat-out better roster and team, and the Spurs are still very young and just getting better. That would frustrate anyone.
At the end of the day, if it didn't bother Edwards' current teammates, then it doesn't matter. If it did bother them, a couple of veteran team leaders need to have a conversation with Edwards during the offseason in a calm setting, and then everyone can move on. Ultimately, this is great sports talk show content that will not matter in the Timberwolves locker room next season.
Ahead of Saturday's pivotal Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 between the Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges said team's mindset is to continue "playing desperate" despite their 2-0 lead in the series.
"We got to execute at a high level, have that desperation that we had in Philly and Atlanta," Towns said. "We just got to, obviously, shoot the ball well."
"We just got to keep playing desperate," Bridges added. "I know it's easier for the team that's down 0-2 to play more desperate, but that can't be us. Keep doing what we've been doing. All playoffs, just staying desperate no matter what the situation is. To us, it's 0-0."
While New York has won the first two games of the Conference Finals by a combined margin of 27 points, the contests have been closer than meets the eye. The Knicks trailed by 22 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1 before Jalen Brunson went on a scoring tear to force OT and steal the win, and they were down again after the first quarter of Game 2, but dominated the second and third quarters to earn the 16-point victory.
One of the keys to the Knicks' first-round and semifinal series wins over the Hawks and 76ers was Towns quarterbacking the offense. After going down 2-1 in the first-round matchup against Atlanta, Towns averaged 8.6 assists and posted two triple-doubles over the final three games. His assist numbers continued to guide the team against the Sixers, averaging 7.5 assists per night in the four-game sweep.
With Cleveland having a bit more size to match up better defensively against Towns, New York's style of play has changed. Brunson is back in charge of the offense, dishing out six assists in Games 1 and another 14 dimes in Game 2. Luckily that change in playing style does not bother Towns, as the former No. 1 overall pick made it clear he'll do "whatever it takes" to help New York win.
"I've always said I'm willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to impact winning and help this team win," Towns said. "That's the blessing of our group. We have multiple ways and systems that we can utilize to help us get the win. And I've been happy because we continue to win, so there's nothing to be sad about."
Towns was asked if he thinks that lack of selfishness helps makes the Knicks' offense more dangerous, saying it shows the team's character and allows for them to be great.
"I think that the guys in the locker room, the characters, they speak so highly on the court and off the court, is what makes us special," Towns said.
For New York to continue its pursuit of reaching the NBA Finals, Towns said the team needs to keep trusting each other and displaying their "cohesiveness."
"At the end of the day, regardless if we're home or away, it's about us executing and being disciplined in our gameplan. So that's the most important thing," Towns said.
Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals tips off at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
"We got to execute at a high level, have that desperation that we had in Philly and Atlanta"
Karl-Anthony Towns talks about the keys to success for the Knicks ahead of tonight's Game 3 in Cleveland: pic.twitter.com/qwQAgJhfuq
Anunoby o14.5 points
Cavaliers
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