NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 01, 2026 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jeremy Sochan got revenge and barely had to stand up, as the San Antonio Spurs got humbled and had their 11-game win streak snapped on national TV. It was their first game back at Madison Square Garden since Victor Wembanyama set it on fire in a close, losing effort in last season’s Christmas Day game.
Neither side was shooting well early, yet Wembanyama’s defense set the mood, altering shots and poking balls loose. The Spurs raced out to a 12-point lead within the first eight minutes after pushing the pace and exposing the perimeter, but they loosened up when Wembanyama rested, ending the frame down a point thanks to Jalen Brunson going wild, careless turnovers and fouls.
New York’s avalanche extended to a 29-4 run between the first and second quarters, as the Spurs’ offense fractured. Their first bench points came with six minutes to go in the half, and that showed a faint sign of a heartbeat, which Wemby soon cranked up with a seven-point burst.
They went to intermission down 10 (scoring a season low of 41) with their biggest problems being unable to guard penetration, getting outrebounded, and their ball movement being below par.
The Spurs subsequently got some help in the third quarter with Karl-Anthony Towns picking up two fouls in 93 seconds, and Devin Vassell plus Wemby combining for combining for five baskets, yet they were still sloppy, picking up turnovers and giving up second-chance points. The Spurs even did that thing again: giving their supporters hope off a few minutes of competent play. It included Castle’s hustle reinvigorating them, but their help defense kept getting exposed.
The Knicks followed up taking charge fouls, forcing turnovers and smacking them with more threes, which forced to the Spurs to mix in a zone defense. Wembanyama took a rest early in the period and he came back after the hosts made an extra dent. The Spurs later submitted with fewer than four minutes left.
Observations
The Knicks have some muscle, and they played fearlessly against the team that had the biggest target on its back. They put the most pressure on the ball, were nastier on the glass, and made life difficult in the paint. The Spurs got within striking distance in the second half, but weren’t able to get over the hump. They finished scoring 92.7 points per 100 possessions, good enough for the third percentile, per Cleaning the Glass.
Wembanyama was the only Spur who showed up prepared and scored in double figures in the first half. The others were too willing to go one-on-one or take tough shots, and they defended in third gear. Still, it wasn’t all great for Wemby as he finished with seven turnovers and logged an abysmal 3-point shooting percentage (16.7). Aside from him, Vassell and Castle were the only ones in to score in double figures.
Brunson and Towns are two weak defenders, and the Spurs didn’t put them in screen rolls enough. Consider how Towns cannot guard at the level of the screen, giving the ball handler too much space.
Blocks can be mentally devastating for the player denied because they start attacking less forcefully or stick to the perimeter. Castle boldly attempted a jam, getting stopped by OG Anunoby early, and only took two more shots in the lane by intermission. Then he made four shots in six attempts in the second half.
Jon Gruden has told a great story of Peyton Manning jogging up the sidelines, incredulously asking, “Are you out of your [expletive] mind,” after blitzing him? It’s exactly what raced through my mind when Josh Hart challenged Wemby, getting his shot swatted like a mosquito with a flyswatter.
It was a rough afternoon for Dylan Harper, who picked up two fouls within six minutes by lunging at a 3-point shooter and brushing up on the ball handler after biting on a fake. Still, he’s a rookie, so he gets somewhat of a pass, but De’Aaron Fox gets none. He committed the cardinal sin of fouling Brunson on a 3-point attempt in the fourth quarter, which extended New York’s lead to 21.
This was a statement that they can still compete with — and take command of — the NBA’s best.
Before and during that Cup triumph, the Knicks looked like bona fide contenders.
But too often since that game, the Knicks were concerningly missing that identity — particularly against other supposed contenders.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson reacts after hitting a 3-pointer during a win over the Spurs at MSG on March 1, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Sunday, though, it reemerged.
Brunson, after missing his first three shots from the field, scored the last 11 Knicks points to end the first quarter and they somehow carried a one-point lead into the second quarter.
Five of those points came on a five-point possession, when Brunson drew a flagrant foul on Dylan Harper while taking a 3-pointer — he hit two of three free throws, then after the Knicks kept possession, had an and-one, on Harper again.
Knicks wing Mikal Bridges (25) dunks over the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (1) on March 1, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Then the Knicks opened the second quarter on an 11-0 run — part of 19-0 and 26-2 runs spanning back to the first quarter — to take a 12-point lead before the Spurs called timeout.
That 19-0 run was the longest unanswered run allowed by the Spurs this season.
The Knicks shot 52.2 percent from the field during a red-hot second quarter and entered halftime up 10.
Their lead never went below eight points the rest of the way.
“We started taking the right shots,” coach Mike Brown said. “I told our guys ‘let that thing fly.’ Once we started letting it fly, good things started to happen.”
Mikal Bridges in the third quarter picked up where Brunson, who finished with 24 points, left off in the first half.
He delivered one of his most efficient shooting performances of the year, recording a team-high 25 points.
He went 10-for-17 from the field and 5-for-9 from 3-point range, 14 of those points came in the third quarter as the Knicks largely traded baskets with the Spurs, maintaining their lead.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can score, so sometimes the touches might be limited,” Bridges said. “Just control what I can control, and that’s bringing energy on both ends and trying to make the right read and be aggressive.”
He also had five steals — he picked off Harper’s pass and dunked on the other end midway through the fourth quarter to increase the Knicks lead to 18 points.
Then Bridges picked off De’Aaron Fox’s pass later in the quarter and set up Landry Shamet for a dunk, increasing the lead to 19 points and providing an exclamation point.
“Sometimes, the ball has energy to it,” Josh Hart said of Bridges. “He was able to knock down some of those shots, get involved and then defensively he was able to play the passing lanes, you saw that today. It’s great to really get him going.”
On the other end, it was one of the best defensive showings of the season for the Knicks.
The 89 points were their lowest of the season for the Spurs — six points fewer than their previous low.
Victor Wembanyama, who has delivered some of the best games of his career against the Knicks, finished with 25 points.
But the Knicks didn’t let him wreck the game, as he so often does.
They had Karl-Anthony Towns match up with him on that end to start the game, then amid a big second quarter for Wembanyama, pivoted to having OG Anunoby guard him.
Towns and Anunoby mixed and matched on Wembanyama in the second half.
The Knicks also forced Wembanyama into seven turnovers.
Karl-Anthony Towns reacts after scoring during the Knicks’ win over the Spurs on March 1, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
He only had two points in the fourth quarter.
As a whole, the Knicks held the Spurs to 41.6 percent shooting from the field and 26.5 percent shooting from 3-point range.
“That’s a really good team,” Brown said. “They missed some shots, but I think our weakside defense was really good. For them to shoot 26, 27 percent from 3, our activity on the weakside was really good.”
Towns only took nine shots and finished with 12 points, but he recorded yet another double-double, adding 14 rebounds — five on the offensive glass.
The dynamic young Spurs backcourt of Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell — along with the veteran Fox — have the ability to disrupt opposing ball handlers.
But they hardly bothered Knicks guards Sunday.
Sunday’s Knicks looked like the NBA Cup Knicks.
It was a needed reminder of what this team’s ceiling is when they’re firing on all cylinders.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Rust, Ben Kindel and Justin Brazeau each had a goal and an assist, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-0 on Sunday.
Rickard Rakell and Egor Chinakhov also scored as Pittsburgh improved to 10-1-3 in its last 14 games. Erik Karlsson had two assists, and Arturs Silovs made 22 saves in his first shutout since opening night on Oct. 7 at the New York Rangers.
Vegas goaltender Adin Hill stopped 17 shots. The Golden Knights dropped to 4-7-2 in their last 13 games.
Vegas captain Mark Stone left late in the first period with an undisclosed injury. Penguins defenseman Kris Letang gave Stone a seemingly harmless shove to the left arm with his stick in the neutral zone, though it may have caught him in the gap between his elbow and shoulder pads. Stone grimaced in pain, went down to one knee and skated off.
Kindel, a first-round pick in the 2025 draft who turns 19 on April 19, scored his 15th goal with 5:04 left in the first.
The Penguins grabbed control with three more goals in the second. Rust and Rakell each scored on the power play.
Brazeau made it 5-0 with 5:01 left in the third. It was Brazeau's 16th on the season, extending his career high.
Up next
Both teams play again on Tuesday night. The Golden Knights visit Buffalo, and the Penguins are at Boston.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Tariq Francis scored 19 points and Rutgers, which once led by 20 points in the first half, defeated Maryland 69-65 on Sunday to sweep the season series between the teams.
Rutgers won 68-57 at home against Maryland in the other meeting this season.
Trailing by 19 at halftime, Maryland stormed back early in the second half. Elijah Saunders and Andre Mills hit 3-pointers and the Terrapins added five three throws in a 13-0 run that got them within 45-41 six minutes into the second half.
Maryland took the lead once at 48-47 and the score was tied at 54 with a little under five minutes remaining. Rutgers quickly went back ahead 60-54 and led the rest of the way. The Terrapins were within two points twice in the final half-minute but both times Rutgers delivered at the free-throw line to preserve the win.
Darren Buchanan Jr. scored 14 points and Jamichael Davis had 12 for Rutgers (12-17, 5-13 Big Ten).
Mills had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Saunders had 11 and 14 for Maryland, which had a 50-26 advantage on the boards but had 19 turnovers to six for Rutgers. Solomon Washington had 15 points and four blocks and David Coit scored 10 for the Terps (11-18, 4-14).
Maryland made only 1 of 14 3-pointers and had 14 turnovers in the first half. Rutgers had a 14-0 advantage in points after turnovers, helping the Scarlet Knights take a 39-20 halftime lead. In one eight-minute stretch the Scarlet Knights outscored the Terrapins 18-4.
The Scarlet Knights gained their second road win of the conference season.
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 24: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 24, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
I’ll be in the comments throughout the game sharing my thoughts. Feel free to join in on the conversation and let your voice be heard in the comments below.
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks have signed point guard Ryan Nembhard to a standard NBA contract after he thrived as an undrafted rookie free agent on a two-way deal.
The multiyear agreement announced Sunday fills the roster spot created when the Mavericks waived point guard Tyus Jones, an 11-year veteran who was part of the three-team, nine-player trade that sent 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis from Dallas to Washington.
The Mavericks also filled two openings for two-way contracts by signing guard John Poulakidas and forward Tyler Smith. Dallas waived two-way guard Miles Kelly to make room for both signings.
Nembhard was closing in on the maximum number of games allowed under two-way contracts when the Mavericks turned Jones loose to give him a chance to sign with a contender. Dallas has lost 12 of its past 14 games and is on the way to missing the postseason for the second year in a row.
Nembhard has made 17 starts in 38 appearances for the Mavericks, averaging 6.7 points while leading all rookies at 4.9 assists per game. He became the first undrafted rookie with at least 25 points and 10 assists without committing a turnover, scoring 28 points with 10 assists in a 131-121 victory over Denver on Dec. 1.
Poulakidas started the season with the G League's San Diego Clippers after going undrafted out of Yale.
Smith started this season with Rio Grande Valley in the G League. He previously played one season for the G League Ignite before getting drafted by Milwaukee in 2024. Smith played 23 games as a rookie for the Bucks.
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Jaloni Cambridge scored 33 points, Chance Gray added 21 and No. 13 Ohio State hit a program record 18 3-pointers in a 87-68 win over No. 15 Michigan State on Sunday afternoon in the regular season finale for both teams.
Cambridge shot 12 of 24 from the field and 7 of 12 from beyond the arc, the most she has made from deep all season. Gray shot 7 of 11 from 3-point range.
Elsa Lemilla recorded a double-double for the Buckeyes (24-6, 13-5 Big Ten) with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Kennedy Cambridge put up 10 points.
The Buckeyes had a 15-0 run in the second quarter, putting them up 38-11, and they went into halftime leading 49-26.
The Spartans (22-7, 11-7) were led in scoring by Grace VanSlooten, with 17. Rashunda Jones scored 16 and Ines Sotelo added 11.
Up next
Michigan State: Will be the No. 7 seed in the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis. The Spartans play on Thursday.
Ohio State: Can be the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten tournament with a Minnesota loss against Illinois, or the No. 5 seed if Minnesota wins.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone left his team’s game at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday because of an undisclosed injury.
Penguins defenseman Kris Letang gave Stone a seemingly harmless shove to the left arm with his stick in the neutral zone late in the first period, though it may have caught him in the gap between his elbow and shoulder pads. Stone grimaced in pain, went down to one knee and skated off.
The 33-year-old winger has a history of injuries sidelining him throughout his NHL career over the past decade-plus, including a wrist injury in the fall. He has never played all 82 games in a season since becoming a full-time player in the league with Ottawa in 2014-15.
Stone is the Golden Knights’ second-leading scorer with 60 points in 43 games. He just helped Canada reach the final at the Olympics before losing to the U.S. in overtime.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Elina Aarnisalo scored a career-high 22 points while Nyla Harris had 10 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter to help No. 21 North Carolina beat No. 12 Duke 74-69 on Sunday.
The Tar Heels (25-6, 14-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) denied the Blue Devils (21-8, 16-2) a chance to secure their first outright league regular-season title since 2013. While Duke had already clinched the No. 1 seed for next week’s ACC Tournament, 10th-ranked Louisville can clinch a share of the regular-season crown with a win later Sunday against Notre Dame.
UNC had won 11 of 12 coming in, with the lone loss coming at Duke two weeks ago — a game in which the Blue Devils notably had a 21-0 advantage in free-throw attempts. The Tar Heels repeatedly got to the line in the rematch, going 15 for 18 at the line in the fourth quarter alone and 20 of 27 for the game.
Harris led that effort, hitting all six of her free throws in the fourth quarter while repeatedly drawing whistles in the paint. Aarnisalo hit two free throws at the 3:51 mark for a 61-60 lead that put the Tar Heels ahead for good.
The president of Iran’s soccer federation says he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the United States following the surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment of his country.
“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Mehdi Taj told sports portal Varzesh3 as Iran traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening war prompted by the bombardment.
The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran continued for a second day on Sunday after the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threw the future of the Islamic Republic into uncertainty and raised the risk of regional instability.
Iran has been drawn in Group G at the World Cup and is scheduled to play in Los Angeles – where it faces New Zealand and Belgium on June 15 and 21, respectively – before it plays Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The United States is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11-July 19.
Fans from Iran were already banned from entering the U.S. in the first iteration of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration.
FIFA did not immediately reply to an email from The Associated Press over the current situation regarding Iran’s participation in the World Cup.
The Sacramento Kings have been better but not good enough lately as they visit the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sacramento is just 2-8 in its last 10, but has won two of three and covered three of four. The Lakers, meanwhile, have covered just one of their last five, going 2-3 straight up over that span.
Those strings both end today. My Kings vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 1, look for the Lakers to cover the double-digit spread at home.
Kings vs Lakers prediction
Kings vs Lakers best bet: Lakers -12.5 (-110)
The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t used to being a heavy favorite this season.
This is just their fifth double-digit line as a favorite after going 3-1 against the spread in the previous four. The Sacramento Kings, meanwhile, have covered just two of their last six as a double-digit underdog.
The Kings’ recent hot streak has been built on a soft spot in the schedule.
The two wins have come against sub-.400 teams, Memphis and Dallas. Sacramento’s last win over a team with a winning record was Jan. 14, 20 games ago.
The Lakers, meanwhile, will be playing their first losing team in the last five.
Kings vs Lakers same-game parlay
The Lakers and Kings both play in the bottom half of the league in tempo. Los Angeles has gone Under in three of its last four. Sacramento has been going Over lately, but it's been playing fast-paced Dallas and Memphis. Even San Antonio, another recent Over, plays at a faster pace.
Luka Doncic has had games of 38 and 41 points in his five contests since returning from injury. He’s made 10 of his last 20 from three and is facing the NBA’s No. 22 perimeter defense.
Kings vs Lakers SGP
Lakers -12.5
Under 233
Luka Doncic Over 32.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Deep Trouble
LeBron James has topped 20 in three of the last four and will be ready to put on a show in prime time.
Doncic is 24-for-51 from three in the five games since returning. He’s topped four made threes in four of the five.
Kennard had seven 3-point attempts in his last game, his high since joining the Lakers. He’s also topped 20 minutes of playing time in his last two, as the team incorporates him more into the offense.
Kings vs Lakers SGP
Lakers -12.5
LeBron James Over 20.5 points
Luka Doncic Over 3.5 made threes
Luke Kennard Over 1.5 made threes
Kings vs Lakers odds
Spread: Kings +12.5 (-110) | Lakers -12.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Kings +525 | Lakers -750
Over/Under: Over 233 (-110) | Under 233 (-110)
Kings vs Lakers betting trend to know
The Sacramento Kings have hit the Team Total Under in 31 of their last 50 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Lakers.
How to watch Kings vs Lakers
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports California, Spectrum SportsNet
Kings vs Lakers latest injuries
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PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 26: Royce O'Neale #00 and Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns high five after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 26, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center 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
Week 19 for the Phoenix Suns is a reminder of the exercise of restraint. Because at times, it’s hard to restrain from the frustration that you feel when you watch a basketball team become inert on offense. Watching the Suns operate and stall without Devin Booker can be frustrating. A team without the edge that Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin inject into every passing lane and loose ball feels like watching The NeverEnding Story. Because it can feel like the Nothing is destroying our world.
There are possessions when the offense is competent. The ball finds a side, swings to the corner, touches the paint, and kicks back out. For a moment, you see Fantasia in full color. We witnessed this on the possession that sunk the Lakers, where Grayson Allen penetrated, kicked it to Collin Gillespie, who found Royce O’Neale for the game-winner.
ROYCE O'NEALE HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE SUNS 🚨
It’s artistic when the rhythm breathes and the spacing makes sense. You can almost hear Falkor circling overhead, our very own luck dragon energy filling the building.
Then the Nothing creeps in.
You see it in the pump fakes. You see it in the extra dribble that leads nowhere. You see it when a player catches, pauses, scans, and finds no doorway. There is no Childlike Empress whispering a path forward. The shot clock ticks with the same dread as Artax sinking into the Swamp of Sadness. You scream at the screen to keep moving, to keep believing, to refuse to let the mud take another trip.
These are stretches where the offense dissolves into fog. Three, four, five trips in a row where the Suns cannot score, where imagination evaporates, and the floor shrinks. We experienced this plenty this past week.
The Suns were up 41-30 against Boston with 6:41 left in the second quarter. They did not score again until the 2:36 mark, and that was on a trio of free throws by Grayson Allen after being fouled. It wasn’t until 1:06 left in the quarter that they scored another field goal. 5:35 of Nothing. In the same game, they made their 7th three-pointer at that same mark, the 6:41 mark in the second. Their next three-point make came with 1:24 left in the third quarter. In between? Nothing…
Shift the Laker game. Phoenix came out hot, going up 17-9 with 6:50 left in the first. Before you could tweet out your favorite Ayton/Capela joke, the offense stalled, and by the 4:22 mark they were down 21-17. Closing out the third was similar, as Phoenix held a 10-point lead with 4:56 left, up 45-35. They would be outscored 14-4 to end the quarter. A whole lotta Nothing.
It’s like Gmork informing Atreyu, “It’s the emptiness that’s left. It’s like a despair, destroying this world”.
The Rock Biter stands there in your mind, looking down at his massive hands and wondering why they could not hold onto what mattered. The Suns find themselves staring at empty trips that feel heavier than they should, because you know a functional offense – even an average one- swings the outcome.
Thankfully, this is not a never ending story. Reinforcements are coming. Booker will walk back into the lineup with that calm command, bending coverages and restoring order. Goodwin will bring the pressure and the pace. Brooks will eventually return with that restless edge that refuses to let a game drift into apathy.
Fantasia is bruised right now, not gone. The Nothing feels large in the moment, suffocating and relentless, yet it feeds on doubt. When the creators return, when belief returns, the ball will move with purpose again. And these stagnant stretches will shrink back into the shadows where they belong.
And therein lies the paradox of Week 19. Doubt starts creeping in, and like Atreyu at the edge of the Nothing, you have to fight it. You know the circumstances that led to those empty stretches where the offense disappears. You hoped the foundation of the talent would be strong enough to carry it through, but reality keeps tapping you on the shoulder.
The frustration is valid. So is the understanding that this team is nowhere near whole.
That is what you walk away with from Week 19. An understanding that the talent, the rotations, and whatever conclusions you want to draw are largely moot right now. This is a week you log, label, and file away. This is what happens when injuries pile up. You do not extract lessons from it. You put it in the cabinet and move on. And hey, we beat the Lakers. And that is something.
Week 19 Record: 1-1
vs. Boston Celtics, L, 97-81
Possession Differential: +3.8
Turnover Differential: 0
Offensive Rebounding Differential: +8
This is the game where I began writing about the similarities between the Suns and The Nothing. Because being in the building, which sounded like TD Garden, there were prolonged stretches of Nothing.
vs. Los Angeles Lakers, W, 113-110
Possession Differential: -1.2
Turnover Differential: 0
Offensive Rebounding Differential: -13
…and the Suns totally redeem themselves. Any day you beat LA is a good one. And given the recent struggles of the team, this made for a great one.
Inside the Possession Game
Weekly Possession Differential: +0.5
Weekly Turnover Differential: 0
Offensive Rebounding Differential: -8
Year-to-Date Over/Under .500: +8
You want a graph? You got it!
As I stated above, there is no deep-seated analysis required for Week 19. When you understand how banged up this team has been, there is only so much you can reasonably extract from it.
You can scan the numbers and walk away recognizing that, even during those inert offensive stretches, some foundational elements held. Because if Week 19 is about anything, it is about foundation. It is about Jordan Ott being tested. It is about seeing how transferable his schemes are when key pieces are missing.
There were positives.
An 11.6 turnover percentage, second best in the league this week. Despite that prolonged stretch in Boston when the rim felt sealed shut, they still shot 39.5% from three on the week, seventh best in the NBA. The process did not completely erode.
Then there is the other side, and it is not pretty.
28th in rebounding. Last in the NBA at 13.5 free throw attempts per game. Last with a 41.1% rebounding percentage. 25th with a 58% assist percentage. 26th in steals at 6.5 per game. Those numbers paint a different picture. One where physicality dips. One where pressure wanes. If there is a concern to file away, it is this. How much of Jordan Ott’s system holds when primary players are unavailable? How much is plug and play, and how much is talent-dependent?
Although even that has to be weighed properly. How realistic is it to expect seamless execution when your core pieces are out? There is only so much a scheme can do when the bodies running it change nightly.
Week 20 Preview
Week 19 gave you two games. That was it. Now the calendar flips to March and the sprint begins. Week 20 brings four games in six nights.
It starts in Sacramento. Tuesday night. 9:00pm on NBC. Nine. PM. Who signed off on that? I am not sure that game needs the national spotlight. Then again, listen to me sounding high and mighty. How did the Kings land an NBC slot? Sacramento enters Sunday at 14-47. They have won two of their last 19. They score the second fewest points in the NBA and allow the third most. It is the definition of a game you have to win. And yes, I am staying true to character by complaining about a 9:00pm tip. Damn you, 9:00pm start!!!
Phoenix comes home Thursday to face the Chicago Bulls. Chicago reshuffled at the deadline and did not win a single game in February. They were 24-25 after beating Miami on January 31. They are now 24-36. This is also the return of Nick Richards. In eight games off the bench, he is averaging 9 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Friday night brings New Orleans to town. The Suns beat them on back-to-back nights earlier this season in New Orleans. They also handled them by 23 in early November, so Phoenix holds a 3-0 edge in the season series. The Pelicans sit at 19-42 entering Sunday. They are not tanking, however. Atlanta owns their first round pick, and it is unprotected. There is no incentive to fade. Expect effort.
The week closes against Charlotte. They are quietly one of the more entertaining League Pass teams out there. LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller. That trio can stress any defense. This is the kind of matchup where you wish Dillon Brooks were available to gum it up. Charlotte enters Sunday at 30-31, riding a four-game winning streak, even if the competition has not been elite. They have the fifth-best offense in the league. They can score in waves.
Four games. Six nights. A mix of must-win, revenge, and trap potential. The sprint has officially begun.
Neither team has been great defensively: the Grizzlies are allowing 117.9 points per game, while the Pacers are giving up 119.5.
Indiana has allowed 130+ points in each of its last four games, and Memphis has done so in two of four. The Pacers have hit the Over in four straight, while the Grizzlies have done the same in four of five.
Grizzlies vs Pacers same-game parlay
While both teams are struggling mightily, I’ve seen a little more fight out of the Grizzlies, who should snag a road win against a Pacers team that has lost five straight. GG Jackson II will lead the charge, as he’s taken advantage of his increased playing time to score 17+ points and hit at least two shots from deep in four of his last six games.
Grizzlies vs Pacers SGP
Grizzlies moneyline
GG Jackson II Over 15.5 points
GG Jackson II Over 1.5 made threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Good Game, Jackson
For my longshot SGP, I’ll start with my total and moneyline picks as a strong base. Let’s then back Jackson to clear his PRA total, which he’s gone Over in four of his last six games. I also love Taylor Hendricks to pick up at least one block, as he’s done this in each of his last four contests.
Grizzlies vs Pacers SGP
Over 238
Grizzlies moneyline
GG Jackson II Over 24.5 points + rebounds + assists
Taylor Hendricks Over 0.5 blocks
Grizzlies vs Pacers odds
Spread: Grizzlies +1 (-110) | Pacers -1 (-110)
Moneyline: Grizzlies -105 | Pacers -115
Over/Under: Over 238 (-110) | Under 238 (-110)
Grizzlies vs Pacers betting trend to know
The Over is 10-2 in Memphis’ last 12 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Pacers.
How to watch Grizzlies vs Pacers
Location
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Tip-off
5:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE Memphis, FDSN Indiana
Grizzlies vs Pacers latest injuries
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The New Orleans Pelicans will look to extend their win streak to five games tonight when they head to the Intuit Dome to take on the LA Clippers.
Saddiq Bey has been a jack of all trades for New Orleans of late, and I predict that he’ll fill the box score again in my Pelicans vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 1.
Pelicans vs Clippers prediction
Pelicans vs Clippers best bet: Saddiq Bey Over 8.5 rebounds + assists (+110)
The New Orleans Pelicans are dealing with several injuries to key players, with Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, and Dejounte Murray likely out tonight.
That leaves the ball in the hands of Saddiq Bey, who’s stepped up admirably over the past couple of months.
Bey averaged a combined 10 assists and rebounds per game in February, notching Over 8.5 in four of his last six outings.
While the Los Angeles Clippers will likely clamp down Bey to try and limit his own scoring, the Pelicans guard will be able to dish off and create offense through his teammates.
Pelicans vs Clippers same-game parlay
If Bey is the guy for the Pelicans, then Kawhi Leonard is definitely the guy for the Clippers.
Leonard has recorded two straight games with 30+ points and should have no problem running it up again vs. the fifth-worst defense in the NBA.
Pelicans vs Clippers SGP
Saddiq Bey Over 8.5 assists and rebounds
Kawhi Leonard Over 28.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Eclipsing their total
The Clippers are in the middle of a three-game skid, but should be able to turn it around and run up the score tonight vs. a banged-up Pelicans squad.
Bennedict Mathurin has looked good since joining LA last month, with 21.3 ppg over his first five contests.
Brook Lopez has also recorded Over 9.5 points in three of his last five games.
Pelicans vs Clippers SGP
Clippers -9
Kawhi Leonard Over 28.5 points
Bennedict Mathurin Over 19.5 points
Brook Lopez Over 9.5 points
Pelicans vs Clippers odds
Spread: Pelicans +9 | Clippers -9
Moneyline: Pelicans +280 | Clippers -361
Over/Under: Over 222.5 | Under 222.5
Pelicans vs Clippers betting trend to know
The Clippers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Clippers.
How to watch Pelicans vs Clippers
Location
Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Date
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
Pelicans+, FDSN SoCal
Pelicans vs Clippers latest injuries
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The Lakers (35-24) will face another opponent in their division on Sunday when they take on the Sacramento Kings (14-47) at home. This is the last time these two teams will square off this season.
The Lakers snapped what felt like their worst losing streak of the season on Saturday in the best way possible by putting together a dominant performance against Golden State. Sure, the Warriors were down two of their best players, but this win felt like a much-needed morale boost. It was also a reminder of what this Lakers team looks like when it’s playing like its best self.
Now, the question is: was the victory simply an anomaly or are the Lakers back to their winning ways? Because the team that we saw prior to this victory over the Warriors was the worst version we’ve seen all season and it’s important that they don’t appear again, especially at this time of the year. We could get our answer as early as Sunday’s game against the Kings, who will enter this contest with the rest advantage.
The Kings are currently the worst team in the league. Not only have they lost eight out of their last 10 games, but they recently snapped a 16-game losing streak, the worst in franchise history. They’re so down bad that they currently rank 28th in the league on both offense and defense.
Frankly speaking, losing to the Kings would be such a shame simply because they’ve only won 14 games this season and have already defeated the Lakers once. Yes, Los Angeles will be on the second night of a back-to-back, but this is a game they must get, especially since they dropped multiple winnable games over the last week.
For that to happen, it would be nice to see another team-effort performance from the purple and gold. There’s no need for Luka Dončić and LeBron James to go above and beyond for this one considering the Kings’ putrid defense. It would be ideal to see everyone contribute in the scoring department. The Lakers should feast inside the paint, which the Kings don’t really defend well.
Speaking of defense, the L.A. will not have to worry about containing Sacramento’s best scorer in Zach LaVine since he won’t be playing in this one due to injury. The same goes with Domantas Sabonis. So it’s really about making sure DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook don’t play extraordinarily well.
After a horrible week that saw them lose three straight games, the Lakers have the chance to bounce back by winning two in a row. A win on Sunday will also improve their record against a Pacific Division opponent, which could come in handy when playoff seedings get sorted a month from now. Let’s see if the Lakers can capitalize against the Kings on Sunday.
Notes and Updates
Since the Lakers are on a back-to-back, the injury report for this game has yet to be released.
For the Kings, expect Zach LaVine (finger surgery), Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair), Keegan Murray (left ankle sprain), De’Andre Hunter (left eye repair), Dylan Cardwell (left ankle sprain) to be out.
The Lakers are currently 7-7 against Pacific Division teams this season.
