Despite Orlando’s Game 1 upset over Detroit, the Pistons remain heavy favorites heading into tonight, trading at 78¢.
Our prediction:Pistons to win
The Detroit Pistons weren’t in “playoff” mode in Game 1, while the Orlando Magic were still sweating from the Play-In Tournament.
Oddsmakers aren’t shying away from the top-seeded squad, with Detroit laying nearly double digits in Game 2. The Pistons even the series at 1-1 on Wednesday.
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You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Pistons -7.5 spread means the Pistons will cover, while "No" means the Magic will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using theCovers odds converter).
Magic vs Pistons spread and total at prediction markets
Outcome
Yes
No
Pistons -7.5
56¢ (-127)
45¢ (+122)
Over 219.5 points
48¢ (+108)
54¢ (-117)
Our predictions:Pistons -7.5 — Yes
Most road teams aim for a split in those first two tilts of a series, and the Magic have already achieved that.
Mix in Orlando’s infuriating inconsistency, and I have a tough time trusting in a repeat performance.
Other Magic vs Pistons prediction markets available
Cade Cunningham 30+ points (Yes: 46¢)
Jalen Suggs 6+ assists (Yes: 53¢)
Ausar Thompson 6+ rebounds (Yes: 44¢)
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Lakers guard Marcus Smart points celebrates after making a three-pointer against the Houston Rockets during Game 2 of their NBA playoff series Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Marcus Smart stepped up to meet Kevin Durant at three-quarters court. The Lakers guard reached and poked the ball away. Instead of letting the lanky, nearly 7-foot Durant corral the loose ball, the 6-3 Smart dove to secure it for himself.
The Crypto.com Arena crowd jumped to its feet.
From the opening minute to the final horn, Smart set the tone for the Lakers on Tuesday, scoring 25 points, draining five threes, to go with seven assists and five steals during the Lakers’ 101-94 Game 2 win over the Houston Rockets. The Lakers take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series to Houston for Game 3 on Friday, when the Lakers will try to end a streak of nine consecutive road playoff losses.
LeBron James, in his record-tying 19th postseason, is the Lakers’ most influential player this postseason. Yet even without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the team is not short on leadership. The Lakers have six players who have played in the NBA Finals, including Smart and center Deandre Ayton.
Lakers guard Marcus Smart celebrates with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves after making a three-pointer during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of their NBA playoff game on Tuesday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
"Being in big moments for those guys is not a new thing,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Smart, he just had a killer game today.”
The playoff stage was all Smart knew when he began his career in Boston. He played in the Eastern Conference finals four times with the Celtics and once in the NBA Finals. The season he was traded to Memphis, the Celtics won the NBA title.
Instead of celebrating Boston’s 18th championship, Smart languished between injuries and irrelevancy. He played only 54 games in two seasons with Memphis and Washington, two teams that were closer to the draft lottery than any home-court playoff advantage. The Wizards bought out his contract last summer.
“I could have been out the league, right?” Smart said. “... So to be able to be back on this stage again, making the plays that I'm making with these guys, with this team, this organization, I'm just grateful.”
Lakers guard Marcus Smart sits on the floor with the basketball after poking it away from Houston forward Kevin Durant during Game 2 of their NBA playoff series Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
As a free agent, Smart expressed a desire to play for a team with true championship aspirations. Although he was entering his 12th NBA season and coming off nagging injuries, the Lakers still saw Smart as an important addition. The analytics still painted the 2022 defensive player of the year as an effective defender and an efficient secondary playmaker.
His leadership, while unquantifiable, could be even more valuable.
Redick met with Smart in San Francisco two weeks ago when the Lakers were coming off a three-game losing streak. They were emotionally drained from losing their two leading scorers to regular-season ending injuries. They looked like a team with no legitimate path forward in the postseason.
Smart was nursing a right ankle contusion that kept him out of nine games. Redick still went to veteran guard to help focus the group.
“Because he has the voice he has, he can help create the belief and the confidence in our group,” Redick said. “And I think he's done that.”
The Lakers won their final three regular-season games to maintain home-court advantage in the first round over the Rockets. Smart returned for the final two games, dishing out 17 assists while the Lakers tried to keep their offense afloat without Doncic and Reaves.
But Smart had only 11 points in the two games and shot two of 12 from three-point range in three games since returning from the ankle injury. He doubled that number of made threes in the first half of Game 2.
“Constantly, my teammates and coaching staff tell me to be aggressive,” Smart said. “Either that's for you or for your teammates, but continue to be aggressive. … I'm a Swiss Army knife, so kind of do a little bit of everything.”
With Smart’s unwavering defensive commitment, the Lakers smothered the Rockets in Game 1 and were just as effective in Game 2 when Durant made his series debut after missing the first game because of a right knee contusion. The 37-year-old future Hall of Famer had 23 points on seven-for-12 shooting, but committed a playoff career-high nine turnovers. Three of Smart’s five steals came against Durant.
LeBron pretended to tell Marcus Smart to slow it down... and then turned on the JETS for the DAGGER dunk. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZismkiTiFb
“He's battle-tested,” James said of Smart. “The guy's been to the Finals, been in multiple playoff games, big games in his career. So, obviously, he's not afraid of the moment.”
The Lakers’ two most experienced players created a signature moment in the final minute with the Lakers leading by five. After a Smart steal, James caught the Rockets’ Tari Eason sleeping on defense at the top of the arc and rushed past him. Smart whipped a one-handed bounce pass to the cutting 41-year-old who finished with a soaring dunk. Center Jaxson Hayes waved his arms toward the delirious crowd. Smart pointed toward James.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after making a three-point basket in the fourth quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
VJ Edgecombe had about as good a start to an NBA career as possible. He started on opening night and played 42 minutes, dropping 34 points on 50% field goal shooting en route to beating a hated rival. Six months later, he had his first big playoff moment in the same building.
He dropped a team-high 30 points, this time on 60% field goal shooting, to help the Sixers pick up a 111-97 victory in Game 2 against the Celtics, tying up the series 1-1 as it comes back to Philly. He broke down the Celtics’ defense and his jumper was lethal as both he and Maxey put Boston’s bigs in pick-and-rolls possession after possession to get them in space.
That was only the beginning of a historic night for the rookie. Finishing the night with 10 rebounds, he became the youngest player to put up 30 and 10 in a playoff game, passing Magic Johnson, and the first rookie to do so since Tim Duncan in 1998. After the game, Edgecombe shared the podium with Paul George and got to see his mentor react to his feat.
PG to VJ: "You did that?!"
After finding out that his teammate, VJ Edgecombe, became the youngest player in NBA HISTORY to total 30+ PTS and 10+ REB in a postseason game (and first rookie since Tim Duncan to accomplish this feat), PG was nothing but impressed! https://t.co/QVukeXCYubpic.twitter.com/wp3aWUxmLQ
Edgecombe managed to do all of this even after taking a hard fall that forced him to leave the game in the first quarter. He also had to check out early in the third and spend some time on the exercise bike to get ready to play again. Despite that, he capped off his dazzling night by pulling up for a three and drilling it in Payton Pritchard’s face, then giving a wink towards the camera as he went to get back on defense.
This performance perfectly distilled just how much of a shot in the arm Edgecombe has been for this franchise. Not only is he something to show for the wreck that was the 2024-25 season, but he’s shown so many qualities Sixers fans have been begging for in a player.
He’s not just going to try to cook your ass, he’s going to talk shit in the process. The confidence he has in himself is admittedly bordering on delusion.
That’s just the mindset that was needed for the Sixers to bounce back from a dreadful Game 1. They were steamrolled by the Celtics thanks to a putrid shooting performance. Edgecombe missing all five of his threes was a big part of that, but it didn’t stop him from getting up twice as many attempts the next game.
There was also a bit of franchise history made — Edgecombe is the first Sixers rookie to score 30 or more in a playoff game since 1981 when Andrew Toney, aka The Boston Strangler, did it. Edgecombe torturing the Celtics like Toney did once upon a time would only endear him more to Sixers fans.
Edgecombe has shown the type of poise required to bounce back all season, a trait that’s made him look far more seasoned than the average 20-year-old rookie. Everything he’s done this year has shown that as long as the starting backcourt is under contract, the future outlook seems pretty bright. If Edgecombe continues to save his best for the Boston Celtics, it only looks more exciting.
The Oklahoma City Thunder continue the defense of their title tonight as their first-round series continues against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center.
The questions for Phoenix is…how can they win even tonight’s game?
Lets start with a review of Game 1. The MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 25 and the Thunder’s defense limited Phoenix to 35% shooting in a dominant 119-84 victory over the weekend. Chet Holmgren added 16 points and seven boards as everyone played and everyone except Nikola Topic scored for OKC. No starter for the Thunder played more than 29 minutes. Just something to note as Oklahoma City moves on in the postseason and faces teams undoubtedly battling fatigue due to long and intense series in earlier rounds.
More than likely still reeling from being blown out in the series opener, the Suns have to find a way to steal a win on the road. Phoenix will need a massive turnaround from their offense, which struggled immensely to find rhythm. Devin Booker scored 23 points including 2-5 from deep in the loss but even an outsized monster-scoring night from the All-Star alone will not cut it. The Suns must improve their execution on offense which MUST lead to Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green getting more involved in the scoring column. The two combined for 35 points in Game 1 but took 38 shots to get there. Gotta be better there and also on the glass. OKC outrebounded Phoenix 17-8 on the offensive end. With Mark Williams (foot) not expected back for the Suns, gotta find a way. Gotta be better.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Thunder vs. Suns
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: 9:30PM EST
Site: Paycom Center
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Network/Streaming: ESPN
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Game Odds: Thunder vs. Suns
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder (-2100), Phoenix Suns (+1100)
Spread: Thunder -17.5
Total: 215.5 points
This game opened Thunder -19.5 with the Game Total set at 212.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Thunder vs. Suns
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG Luguentz Dort
C Isaiah Hartenstein
SF Jalen Williams
PF Chet Holmgren
Phoenix Suns
PG Devin Booker
SG Jalen Green
SG Jordan Goodwin
PF Oso Ighodaro
SF Dillon Brooks
Injury Report: Thunder vs. Suns
Oklahoma City Thunder
No injuries to report
Phoenix Suns
Mark Williams (foot) is questionable for tonight’s game
Grayson Allen (hamstring) is questionable for tonight’s game
Jordan Goodwin (calf) is questionable for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Thunder vs. Suns
The Thunder are 35-7 at home this season
The Suns are 20-22 on the road this season
The Suns are 47-35-3 ATS this season
OKC is 40-42-1 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 44 of the Thunder’s 83 games this season (44-39)
The OVER has cashed in 38 of the Suns’ 85 games this season (38-47)
OKC is 7-3 ATS in their last ten games against Phoenix
Devin Booker is averaging 27.9 points in the playoffs in his career
Over the course of the Suns’ two Play-In games and Game 1 vs. OKC, Dillon Brooks is averaging 17 points per game
Last postseason, Shea Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 29.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game
Chet Holmgren had 2 blocks in Game 1
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s Thunder and Suns’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Thunder -17.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 215.5
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Apr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) dunks over Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) and guard Scoot Henderson (0) during the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Coming off their first playoff win since 2019, the Spurs battled the Portland Trail Blazers for Game 2 of the opening round. The Spurs started the first quarter on a cold streak, falling behind by as much as 13. Regardless, the Spurs managed to take a one-point lead into the second quarter. Victor Wembanyama suffered a concussion and was ruled out for the rest of the game. The game was tied at halftime, and the Spurs managed to take a one-point lead into the fourth quarter. With 8:33 remaining in the game, the Spurs held a 14-point lead. The Blazers then embarked on a 12-0 run. The Spurs had multiple chances to put the game on ice. Portland outplayed them with Wemby out, and the Blazers held a three-point lead with five seconds remaining. Devin Vassell missed the game-tying three, and the Spurs lost 106-103.
Stephon Castle dropped 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block. Steph led the team in scoring by draining a pair of threes, slashing his way to the basket, and from the free-throw line. He also snuck into the passing lanes and provided playmaking. Unfortunately, Steph’s inexperience in the playoffs showed in the fourth quarter. He missed several shots and turned the ball over multiple times. He will need to step up for Game 3, especially if Wemby is ruled out.
TOUGH BUCKET. Steph drives on Scoot Henderson and gets the tough bucket to go!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 17 points, four assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Fox started the game with his share of buckets and provided dimes throughout. Fox also showed his swiping abilities with two steals. Like Steph, Fox also faltered in the fourth. The usual midrange jumpers and floaters were not hitting nylon. With the possibility of Wemby out for Game 3, Fox will need to have a big scoring game to keep the Blazers at bay.
Middy! Fox speeds into the paint and drains the tough jumper over Donovan Clingan!
Devin Vassell dropped a double-double: 16 points and 12 rebounds to go along with three steals, two assists, and a block. Dev cashed in on jumpers and crashed the boards on both ends. He was also solid defensively with solid contests alongside his four stocks. Like Fox, he shot 37% from the field and missed several key shots down the stretch. Dev will look to continue to be an x-factor for this team for Game 3.
Dev dime! Dev drops off the pass to Kornet in the dunker spot, and he finishes with a poster!
All in all, this game was lost due to a lack of execution in the fourth quarter. The silver and black kept making both forced and unforced errors, and were ice cold in the last five minutes of the game. Wemby is in concussion protocol and will be re-evaluated for a clearer idea of his status for Games 3 and 4. Harrison Barnes and Dylan Harper also suffered injuries, but they do not appear to be serious. Nonetheless, the team needs to prepare to play without Wemby, and they all need to step up before the series gets out of hand.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
Game 3 is in Portland this Friday at 9:30 P.M. (CST) on Prime Video.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket while guarded by Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter of a game at TD Garden on April 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
#1 – A great start
The first minutes of Game 2 looked a lot like Game 1, as the Celtics exposed the Sixers’ defense with smart ball movement and a fierce offense. As always, they targeted the weakest defender and used the strengths of the Jays to get to the rim and break the defensive shell.
Out of the 11 made field goals in the first quarter, 8 were assisted. As the Celtics kept looking for mismatches, the Sixers sent help, and Jayson Tatum exposed it with his court vision. Note also on this play the smart screen from Neemias Queta, which makes the closeout on Sam Hauser almost impossible.
What really stood out in the first quarter was the Celtics’ willingness to play fast and not give the Sixers time to set their defense. But that is way easier when the Sixers are missing a lot of their threes—which, as we’ll see, wasn’t the case for the rest of the game.
The difference compared to the start of the game was obvious, and the play-by-play showed it well. Boston weren’t able to force misses from the Sixers, and the rebounding wasn’t as elite as it was in the first minutes. Then, the offense slowed down, and the Sixers were able to take away the paint from Boston.
After cutting the lead to 2 (91-89) game went as followed :
JT contested 3 miss Maxey 3 DW open corner miss Maxey 3 Timeout BOS Turnover BOS Drummond putback Turnover BOS Oubre 3 Timeout BOS
In the last quarter, the Celtics took only three shots in the paint. They made all of them, but the problem came from outside shooting. In the last 12 minutes, their jump-shot efficiency dropped, with only two makes on 19 attempts.
But the Celtics not only didn’t shoot in the paint, they also weren’t able to generate paint touches that could create good looks. On this miss from Derrick White, it is pretty clear that the Celtics are trying to create a mismatch, but PG understands that this is bait to give space to White, and he closes out pretty well.
The offense being static and slow in the last quarter is also due to the inability to make stops on defense. The Sixers went crazy from three and reminded us of previous Game 2s…
#3 – The Game 2 old demons
Back in 2024, the Celtics dominated the Heat in a five-game series. But, like last night, the first round was tied after two games, as the Miami shooters went crazy from deep while Boston struggled offensively against the zone.
The Sixers didn’t use the same zone defense approach as the Heat last night, but the shooting definitely helped them steal this game from the Celtics. Could this be a sign? If the Celtics end up beating the Sixers 4–1, this might resonate even louder, suggesting that this 2026 team could be following the path of the 2024 team.
#4 – Couldn’t capitalize on rebounding
Entering the series, the Celtics knew they could rely on offensive rebounding when shots weren’t falling. With awful scoring efficiency last night (below 40% FG), the Celtics were aggressive on the offensive boards and collected 18 offensive rebounds.
But they couldn’t make the most of it.
Per cleaningtheglass.com, the Celtics scored only 0.8 points per possession on putback situations, far below their season average (1.16). On 18 offensive rebounds, this gap creates a big difference. The Celtics scored around 14 points on putbacks when it should have been more than 20.
In close games like this, especially when shots don’t fall, you must be more efficient on second chances.
#5 – Sixers better hedge defense
So what changed between the two games? It was more about execution than tactical changes from the Sixers. They kept playing that hedge coverage on the pick-and-roll to apply pressure and force the ball out of the ball handler’s hands, but they were more disciplined.
The third defender was much more active in the passing lanes to disrupt actions, and there was more presence in the paint. Overall, the Celtics had more problems getting inside against this improved execution.
Nonetheless, this coverage also creates a lot of open shots that the Celtics weren’t able to convert last night. If the Sixers keep going with that defensive principle, the Celtics still have a good chance to take the next game just by making the shots they usually make.
On the other end, the Sixers punished the Celtics’ drop coverage with smart empty pick-and-rolls to remove potential help and find good spots for their ball handlers. The quickness and touch of both Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe were hard to deal with.
Drop coverage is a great approach to take away the rim, but the Sixers’ pull-up ability might be too strong to rely on it repeatedly. On top of that, they did a good job placing shooters one pass away from the action to punish the Celtics’ stunts.
However, it is worth noting that the drop coverage was still very efficient at protecting the rim, with one of the lowest rim frequencies and efficiencies of the season for the Sixers. However, rim pressure wasn’t the biggest issue.
#7 – Couldn’t deal with Maxey pull-ups
The Celtics were able to cut it to a two-point game, but this is when Maxey really raised his level and put the game away for the Sixers. As we saw, the drop coverage gives him space for pull-ups.
The young guard is used to these situations, with more than five attempts per game at 34% efficiency—and it showed last night. Here, he tricked White into the screen, rejected it, and found space to pull up in rhythm.
Then, on the next play, Maxey uses his speed to get into the action quickly before the defense is set. Because of that, White is too far to contest the pull-up, and Maxey creates a pocket to shoot.
Then, Maxey showed his improvements as a playmaker. He tricked Derrick White and Nikola Vucevic into thinking he was going right for another pull-up. But this time, he rejected the screen again and drove into a completely open paint.
In the clutch, Maxey did what the Celtics couldn’t: get into the paint and make threes.
#8 – How to defend PG?
The Sixers also used PG as a creator, and this could be another problem for the Celtics to solve. To start the game, he got a couple of post-up opportunities to get going from mid-range.
Once Payton Pritchard entered the game, he became a clear target in the post, as the Celtics guard can’t hold his ground against such a big wing. This forces rotations and creates space for the Sixers.
It will be interesting to see how the defensive approach evolves and who gets more minutes over the next few games—especially Baylor Scheierman.
#9 – More Baylor?
It is quite surprising to see only 11 minutes for Scheierman, considering what he can bring. He struggled a bit against VJ Edgecombe navigating screens, but so did Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard. Unlike them, however, he is less likely to be targeted as a mismatch while still providing spacing and connectivity.
With the quick guards and big wings the Sixers have, I would like to see more of him on the floor, both for what he brings offensively and defensively.
#10 – Beat on the turnovers
We mentioned before the series that this Sixers team was one of the best in the league at limiting turnovers while also being among the elite in defensive playmaking. We saw it last night, as they forced four more turnovers, and these extra possessions helped extend the gap over the course of the game.
The Celtics will have to be more disciplined offensively so the Sixers cannot turn defense into offense and generate easy baskets.
SAN ANTONIO, TX -APRIL 21: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs holds his head after falling to the court against the Portland Trailblazers in the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on April 21, 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 terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In the playoffs, one play can chance the outlook of an entire series. For the San Antonio Spurs, that play was Victor Wembanyama smacking his face against the hardwood after tripping over Jrue Holiday. Wembanyama would play just 12 minutes in Game Two, and is now in concussion protocols, meaning he could miss more games.
The Spurs didn’t get blown away without Wembanyama. In fact, they built a 14-point fourth-quarter lead without him. However, a breakdown of late-game offense led to a 106-103 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 2. With the series tied at 1-1, the Spurs will head to Portland looking to reclaim home court advantage. The margins without Wembanyama are slim. FanDuel has the Spurs as a -120 favorite in Game Three. The Spurs will need the supporting cast to play even better in Portland if they don’t want to go down 2-1.
It was a mixed bag from San Antonio’s supporting cast on Tuesday. They’ll be the main focus for Game Two’s player grades. As a quick reminder, these 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 has to be graded on his 12 minutes of play, and not the impact his injury had on the team. The Blazers were doing a lot to deny him from getting the ball in the first half. They sniffed out the Spurs usual flex screens and dribble handoffs to get him the ball. When Wembanyama is back, San Antonio needs to get creative with how they get him the ball. The Spurs desperately need him if they want to win this series.
Fox looked good for the majority of the game. He disappeared late in the game when San Antonio needed him most. The Spurs insisted on spamming dribble handoffs at the top of the key with Fox and Vassell, which the Blazers obviously knew was coming. They jumped everything and blew up the action, causing the Spurs offense to completely break down. Part of the blame for the bad late-game offense is on the coaching staff for a lack of creative offensive sets, and the other part falls on the Spurs guards for failing to create separation like they had earlier in the game.
A large part of the offensive load now falls on Fox’s shoulders. He has proven in the past that he can rise to the occasion. Whether or not he can do it against Portland could decide the series.
Castle missed some key shots late, including an air-balled mid-range jumper that would have tied the game. He still seems to be forcing it a bit offensively. Castle is at his best when he’s able to get downhill and either score with power around the rim or get fouled. He got to the free throw line five times in Game Two, but only converted two free throws. It’s become clear that Portland’s strategy for guarding him with a big is working, as it’s keeping him out of the paint fairly consistently. The Spurs have to find a counter.
He’s doing a lot of work defensively trying to stay in front of Deni Advija, and held him to just 14 points in Game Two. Without Wembanyama roaming the paint, his role on the defensive end becomes even more important.
Champagnie once again hit some big shots. He attacked the rim for a contested layup and hit some big threes. He was in foul trouble for most of the game, finishing with 5 fouls. Champagnie has bene playing decent defense, but the Blazers are definitely hunting him on that end. They brought him into the action late trying to attack him in the half court.
Vassell continues to be one of the Spurs’ best offensive players in the series. He maynnot have hit a three on Tuesday, but he is getting to his spots in the mid-range and hitting some tough shots. He was a major reason the team was able to build that big fourth-quarter lead. Vassell grabbed a ton of tough boards but missed the most important one, letting Jrue Holiday get around him for the go ahead put-back late in the game. Vassell was a few inches away from an A+ grade. His game-tying three-point attempt was oh-so-close to going down.
Harper looked much more confident in Game Two. He and Scoot Henderson were going at each other all game long, and talking smack while doing it. He showed great poise knocking down paint jumpers over the top of the Blazers’ bigs. He still is making a few too many rookie mistakes, including an odd double dribble while switching hands on a floater late in the game. He’s going to have the Scoot assignment when he is in the game, and the Spurs need to pick up his defensive effort to slow him down.
Kornet now becomes a key player in this series. Without Wembanyama, he’s the Spurs’ only playable big man. He did exactly what San Antonio needed him to do on Tuesday. There wasn’t a huge drop-off when Wembanyama went out. In fact, the Spurs played better with Kornet on the floor. He stood his ground around the rim and was active on the glass, grabbing 5 offensive boards.
Strategically, Kornet’s starting changes a lot for Portland. They can’t just put a big man on Castle and have him sag into the paint, because Kornet will hurt him inside and on the offensive glass. The real question becomes what the Spurs do to back him up.
Barnes also exited the game with an injury late. It’s been reported that he will be back for Game 3. The Spurs will need all of the big bodies they can get without Wembanyama. San Antonio looked more under control with Barnes in the game. He made some smart decisions, including following his own shot and getting fouled after an offensive board. Now the Spurs just need him to hit some outside shots.
Johnson hasn’t made the same impact he did in the regular season. Where is the paint scoring we’ve seen all year? He’s getting to the rim, just struggling to finish. There seems to be a tentativeness from Johnson on both ends that didn’t exist earlier in the year. The Spurs need more aggression from KJ, especially now that they could be without their best offensive player.
Bryant played well in his 12 minutes. His role is now crucial to the Spurs’ chances in this series. He is San Antonio’s de facto backup big man, since Mason Plumlee and Bismack Biyombo have not proven to be able to provide much value off the bench. Bryant spaces the floor and provides excellent energy as a small-ball 5. The problem is… he’s not a center. Especially not on a playoff team. Portland is going to go right at Bryant in small-ball lineups. It’s a tough position for Bryant to be in, but so far, he has risen to the challenge.
Grade: B+
Inactives: Harrison Ingram, David Jones-Garcia, Emanuel Miller
The Detroit Pistons will try to even their first-round playoff series in Game 2 against the Orlando Magic. Paolo Banchero scored 23 points as Orlando took Game 1 in Detroit. The over/under for Game 2 is set at 218.5, with Detroit favored by 8.5 points on the spread.
Moneyline: Detroit Pistons -400 (76.6%) / Orlando Magic +310 (23.4%)
Over/Under: 218.5
Series schedule
Game 1:Magic 112, Pistons 101 Game 2: Wed., April 22, at Detroit (7 p.m., ESPN) Game 3: Sat., April 25, at Orlando (1 p.m., Peacock) Game 4: Mon. April 27, at Orlando (time and network TBD) *Game 5: Wed., April 29, at Detroit (time and network TBD) *Game 6: Fri., May 1, at Orlando (time and network TBD) *Game 7: Sun., May 3, at Detroit (time and network TBD)
A playoff series is never easy for the Knicks. The team hasn’t played in a series that went fewer than six games since the 2023 first round against the Cleveland Cavaliers. After blowing a 12-point fourth quarter lead in a 107-106 Game 2 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, that streak has a good chance of continuing. And the Knicks have a variety of issues to address.
With the series tied, 1-1, New York will be in Atlanta for Game 3 on Thursday night.
Here are the keys to the game...
Stagger-less
Head coach Mike Brown’s decision to not stagger Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson has proven to be a fatal mistake through two games. Units with four bench players and starter OG Anunoby were passable during the first game, but Monday night’s loss was a different story.
In Game 2, lineups without Towns and Brunson played 11 minutes and 22 seconds together. That’s too long in a playoff game to not have an offensive initiator or a player capable of bending the defense. The Knicks have been outscored by 13.5 points per 100 possessions in 20 minutes with both of their All-Stars on the bench, according to PBP Stats.
Though it didn’t seem like Brown felt the decision to not stagger the minutes of his two stars greatly affected New York’s loss, continuing this strategy would be a critical mistake. The Knicks were already burned once with the decision. Trotting out lineups at this point without either Towns or Brunson would be borderline malpractice.
Less involved
In two years with the Knicks, the number one storyline for Towns has been the inability of the offense to function when the All-Star center is defended by a wing. Towns scored 18 points on just 12 shots in Game 2. He was limited to just two shot attempts in the fourth quarter.
Apr 18, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is guarded by Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first quarter of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
There were several times Towns wasn’t involved in the offense, as wings like Dyson Daniels and Jonathan Kuminga guarded him throughout the game. When Towns isn’t involved, New York’s offense bogs down and leans too much on Brunson. On nights when Brunson is flourishing, it can work, but the Knicks’ All-Star guard was 10-for-26 from the field on Monday night.
As mentioned before, this was supposed to be the series for Towns to thrive. The Hawks are extremely small, playing just one traditional center in Onyeka Okongwu. New York should allow Towns to initiate more of the offense at the top of the key, where he can excel as a passer in off-ball split cut actions.
Vintage performer
New York has largely done a good defensive job in the first two games on the Hawks. Atlanta’s top two regular season scorers -- Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker -- were held to a combined 26 points on 9-for-24 shooting.
But 13-year veteran CJ McCollum picked up the slack, torching the Knicks for 32 points in Game 2.
The 34-year old guard has been defended by Brunson for much of the series. Even when the Knicks have moved Brunson to another player, Atlanta has worked to get the Knicks point guard switched on him over and over again. The Knicks waited too late to throw a trap McCollum’s way in Game 2, and by the middle of the second half, he caught fire.
McCollum also scored 26 points in Game 1. His tight handle and ability to pull up in the midrange makes him a tough player to defend.
Marcus Smart’s assignment in Game 2 of the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets was as challenging as it gets.
Guard Kevin Durant, the greatest scorer of all-time.
What was going through his mind?
“Oh s–t,” Smart told the California Post, chuckling. “Literally, oh s–t.”
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart and Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant chase down a loose ball in the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Smart responded by transforming into a gnat that Durant couldn’t swat. He pestered him. He swarmed him. He made his life miserable.
He held Durant to 23 points, including just three points on 1-for-5 shooting in the second half of the Lakers’ 101-94 win over the Rockets. Durant, who was returning from a right knee injury, committed nine turnovers.
“Oh s–t worked out,” Smart told the California Post. “…He just makes me better as a defender. He tests me as a defender.”
Smart didn’t just get an “A” on that assignment. He was the best version of himself. He was a ball of energy. He was a sharpshooter. He was a paint attacker. He was a leader.
He had the second-most points of anyone on the court behind LeBron James (28), finishing with 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field, including going 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. He also had seven assists, five steals and one blocked shot.
“Smart, he just had a killer game today,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
Marcus Smart of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets during the first half of Game Two of the NBA Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Getty Images
Funny enough, when the Lakers’ season was swirling the drain after Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) suffered injuries that could sideline them 4-6 weeks, Redick turned to Smart.
“We had a conversation in San Francisco,” Redick said. “I’m not going to share with you the details, but the biggest thing was just, because he has the voice he has, he can help create the belief and the confidence in our group.”
Redick tasked Smart with the impossible: Convince a disheartened team that they had a shot in the playoffs without their top two scorers.
Smart took that responsibility seriously.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, second from left, celebrates along with team members on the bench after scoring during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) AP
Ever since the Lakers acquired him in July on a two-year, $11 million deal following a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards, he was hellbent on resuscitating his career.
The former Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 had atrophied into irrelevance amid two injury-riddled seasons with the Grizzlies and Wizards.
This was his chance to turn things around.
“Coming into this season, with all the doubts that everybody had about me, then our two best players go down and everyone’s looking around, like, ‘What are we going to do?” Smart told the California Post. “For JJ to say, ‘We have a guy over here that can make plays for us, that can take up some of that slack and we’re going to use him,’ that speaks volumes about the work that I’ve been putting in, the trust that they have in me and the trust that this team built.”
Smart convinced his teammates they could win. And on Tuesday, he demonstrated what unbridled effort looks like on both ends of the court.
He boxed up Durant. And he unleashed himself.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart reacts after a three-point basket in the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Smart’s journey to this moment was winding.
Back in January 2018, he nearly lost use of his right hand after punching a picture frame following missing a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Celtics in a 108-107 loss to the Lakers.
Then, after helping carry the Celtics to the playoffs in all nine of his seasons with the team, including the 2022 Finals, he was dealt to Memphis in 2023 as part of a three-team deal for Kristaps Porzingis.
That sent his career into a tailspin alongside floundering franchises.
When he was at his nadir, the Lakers came calling. Doncic wanted to team up with him. Redick was also intrigued by the 32-year-old after playing against him in the playoffs and then closely studying his impact during the 2022 Finals when the now-coach served as a television analyst.
“It’s easy to write somebody off as being older or not being as good,” Redick said. “But all of the analytics defensively, the analytics as a secondary playmaker, they were all really favorable. So, we felt really comfortable bringing him on board.”
Marcus Smart of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
It was a smart gamble.
He has thrived in Los Angeles. He’s the cornerstone of the team’s defense. He was a finalist for the Teammate of the Year Award.
And with the Lakers’ backs seemingly against the wall in the first round of the playoffs, he has shined.
“I mean, he’s battle-tested,” James said. “The guy’s been to the Finals, been in multiple playoff games, big games in his career. So, obviously, he’s not afraid of the moment. He’s always been assigned some of the best players that ever played this game in his career. So, to have someone like that, you know, it just brings a lot [of] composure to our team as well.”
Things have turned around for Smart.
He’s showing what he can do. He’s reminding everyone he’s an elite defender. And he’s savoring every moment of it.
When asked what this opportunity means to him, he flashed a wide grin.
“Everything,” he told the California Post. “I thank God everyday for it. This is a dream. This is my dream. This is how I take care of my family. This is something that I love to do. It’s my safe space when things are going haywire for me in my regular life.
“And to be able to say, I have another chance to go out here and redeem myself is the best feeling you can have.”
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 27: Kevin Porter Jr. #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Fiserv Forum on February 27, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pop quiz one focused on Giannis Antetokounmpo, while pop quiz two featured Ryan Rollins. Up next is the most divisive Buck, Kevin “Sakuta” Porter Jr.
Porter ended last season on such a tear that Jon Horst waived and stretched Damian Lillard’s contract to sign Myles Turner and hand him the keys—and I wrote a screenplay about it! Everything looked good early too. Porter was officially named starting point guard in late November, and through the first nine minutes of opening night he already had 10 points, two assists, and a steal. Then, in what would end up being a harbinger of things to come for both Porter and the Bucks, he rolled an ankle stepping on Bobby Portis’ foot that caused him to miss several games. Things only got worse for KPJ when he sustained a meniscus injury during on-court return-to-play training that kept him sidelined for another four weeks. Still, I was so convinced that this was his “rebirth” season that I doubled down and wrote anotherscreenplay in preparation for his return.
When he did return, KPJ’s play vindicated my efforts; the Bucks immediately snapped a seven-game losing streak and Porter started posting monster stat lines—thirty-point nights, triple-doubles, nearing the league lead in steals. However, as has been the case throughout his career, his play didn’t always translate to wins, with the Bucks hovering around .500 until he was forced out yet again, this time with knee swelling. His return from this was much more successful from a winning standpoint—the Bucks went 7-2 as Porter put up 21.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 7.9 APG, and 2.7 SPG—but it didn’t last long. The Bucks spiralled and Porter underwent season-ending knee surgery, leaving him to spend the off-season rehabbing and mulling over his player option for 2026–27.
Tantalising totals
(1) Porter finished with nine double-digit assist performances in just 38total games. How many did the rest of the team have combined?
Click to reveal answer
Nine (Rollins 4, Giannis 2, Dieng 2, Sims 1).
(2) Porter led the Bucks with two triple-doubles on the season. Against which Eastern Conference teams did he achieve these?
Click to reveal answer
Boston (18, 10, 13) and Orlando (18, 10, 11). Both wins.
(3) Porter hit 35/92 three-pointers (38%) in his first 19 games of the season. How many did he hit in his final 19 games?
Click to reveal answer
11/51 (22%).
Atypically advanced
(1) True or false: Despite being maligned for over-dribbling and shooting, Porter had a higher assist-to-usage ratio than Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Devin Booker, and Donovan Mitchell.
Click to reveal answer
True, 1.21 compared to Holiday’s 1.18, White’s 0.94, Booker’s 0.89, and Mitchell’s 0.80.
(2) True or false: Porter’s true shooting percentage this season (56.7%) was a career high?
Click to reveal answer
True, besting his previous career-high of 56.5% in 2021-22.
Obscure optics
(1) Planning for this season, the Bucks put a lot of stock in last season’s Porter-Trent-Green-Giannis-Portis five-man lineup, which finished with a +56.0 net rating. Substituting Portis for Turner, this lineup was again highly successful, finishing with a +42.9 net rating. How many total minutes did they play together: 17, 55, 99, or 174?
Click to reveal answer
17 (technically, 16.42).
How did you fare? Share your score in the comments, and don’t forget to drop your thoughts along with it—which stat stands out?
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 05: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics (left) and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics embrace during introductions prior to a game against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on April 05, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — For many Celtics fans, Tuesday’s Game 2 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers might feel like a catatrasophe.
But for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, it’s part of the difficult journey that is the NBA playoffs, a journey they both know quite well as they begin their 9th playoff run as teammates.
“That’s a good team over there,” Tatum said. “The NBA is hard. Bunch of guys over there that are prideful and obviously wanted to come out and play better, and that was to be expected, and you got to give them credit. They did.”
After a 32-point Game 1 win, it appeared that the Celtics were in control of the series, and that the three-point shooting gap between the two teams would be difficult to close.
But in Game 2, things flipped. Philadelphia shot 19-39 (48.7%) from three and the Celtics shot just 13-50 (26%) from beyond the arc. And, Boston got outworked, a rarity this season.
“I just thought they out-competed us tonight,” Brown said. “I think our intensity level could have been better. Defensively, we could have been better. We died on some screens. We just got to be better. It’s the playoffs. They got ball players over there, and they came to play. Any given night, you could lose a game if you don’t come out with the right mindset.”
Despite that, Brown was relatively upbeat at the podium after the 111-97 loss. There have been losses this season after which the Celtics’ star was overwhelmingly frustrated; this was not one of them.
Why was that?
“I trust our group,” Brown said. “We’ve grown a lot over the course of the season. Obviously, this is the ultimate test, playing in the playoffs, and we got players who have gotten better and developed, and we’re gonna rely on them. I trust them to come out, make those plays, and contribute to the game. We just got to continue to have the right mentality, have each other’s back, just breathe.”
That unflappable sentiment was shared by Jayson Tatum, too. Tatum, who returned from an Achilles rupture six weeks ago, has a renewed perspective on what it means to even be in this position.
“I’m feeling good,” Tatum said. “Sounds cliche, but man, I’m back in the playoffs, and for me, it’s a win every day that I get to come back from what happened last May, and been able to play at this level for the last month. And, obviously going to continue to get better, but I get to walk out the court with my own two feet. And, as long as I do that every day, I win a little bit.”
Losing undoubtedly sucks. But, Tatum said he’s processing this type of adversity a little bit differently in the context of his injury.
“Especially since it’s just so fresh,” Tatum said. “And that’s not to say — obviously, frustrated after a loss. I wish I would have played better, wish we would have played better.”
But, even irregardless of the Achilles tear, Tatum has learned not to overreact to losses in the playoffs. En route to the 2024 title, the Celtics lost Game 2 at home twice — in the first round to the Miami Heat and in the second round to the Cleveland Cavaliers — and they went on to win both series in five games.
“Even before getting injured, I think just being through it so many times, the playoffs is a roller coaster,” Tatum said. “And I think what I’ve learned throughout my 9 years in the playoffs is just stay even-keeled throughout, right? And I think the team that sticks together and does that from an emotional standpoint will be fine.”
Tatum and Brown have played in 117 playoff games together. Only once — last Spring — has their season ended before the Eastern Conference Finals.
They’re going to need more from their supporting cast. Derrick White (3-12 FG), Payton Pritchard (2-8 FG), and Sam Hauser (2-8 FG) all struggled in Game 2. The Celtics’ trio of sharpshooters combined for 42.7 points per game during the regular season, but just 18 combined points in Tuesday’s loss.
Brown said the team will continue to work to get them going.
“Just keep finding them,” he said. “Keep trusting them. I thought Sam and Payton both got good looks tonight. Both got some open shots. That’s what we want. So continue to trust that process. But just continue to play Celtics basketball — it starts on defense, and then getting down and running. I think it also leads to the type of energy that we need. So we trust Payton, we trust Sam, we trust Baylor, we trust all of those guys to come in and impact the game. So, we just got to continue to stay consistent with that, and we’ll be okay.
They knew going back to Philadelphia won’t be easy; the 76ers have the momentum, home-court advantage, and much less to lose.
But, they’ve been in these kinds of high pressure situations many times before, and most of the time, they’ve responded.
“It’s gonna be a journey,” Brown said. “It’s gonna be some ups and some downs, but I’m looking forward to it with my guys.
Apr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle (4) in an attempt to tie the game at the end of the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
This game started off bad when Portland jumped to a 15-4 lead, became terrible when Wemby went down with a concussion, softened somewhat when the Spurs led by double digits in the fourth, and then landed like bad egg salad when they squandered that lead in the final minutes. Let’s be blunt: the Spurs are better than the Blazers even in the absence of Victor, as they proved earlier this year and for a big chunk of playing time in this game. However, this iteration of San Antonio is sorely lacking in playoff experience, and that absolutely showed down the stretch. Having said all of this, last night’s game did produce some interesting (albeit often disappointing) box score stats, and I hope you all will take solace in reviewing the highlights:
Note: Now that we’ve moved into the postseason, the reference period used for grading changes from the set of regular season games since 2012-2013 to the set of postseason games since 2012-2013. Unless otherwise noted below, this set DOES include play-in games. As of the end of April 21, 2026, this group include 1,135 games.
Factors that decided the game
Portland held minor edges in offensive boards (+3) and turnovers (-2), but these advantages had a minimal effect on offensive opportunity. In fact, while the Blazers did have three more field goal attempts, they also fouled the Spurs more often and at worse times, resulting in a FTA margin of +5 for San Antonio.
Unfortunately, the Silver and Black logged a disappointing free throw percentage of 71.43%, leaving eight crucial points on the table.
Given that San Antonio did outscore Portland by three at the charity stripe, the game ultimately was decided from the field. Interestingly, both teams made exactly 38 shots, meaning that the Spurs actually held a small edge in FG% (+1.49 percentage points).
However, the Blazers leaned much more heavily into shooting from distance, with a 3PA margin of +14. The Spurs’ terrible efficiency from three also gave Portland a +5.04 percentage-point edge in 3P%. Taken together, these forces generated a +6 3PM differential for the Blazers, resulting in Portland outscoring San Antonio by six from the field.
Rare Box Score Stats
There were quite a lot of steals and blocks in this game, and they were really unevenly distributed. In fact, this was just the eighth playoff games since 2012-2013 in which the winning team had a block differential of +6 or more while having a steal differential of -5 or less (that’s a frequency of once in every 142 games).
In the 1,135 playoff games since 2012-2013, this was just the 11th time that a team won while notching FGM and FTM differentials as bad or worse than +0 and -3, respectively.
Even though he finished with just 18 points, Castle was the Spurs’ leading scorer. This is not a great recipe for success, as there have only been 74 playoff games dating all the way back to 1996-1997 in which the winning team’s leading scorer register a point total at least this low. Furthermore, this event has become increasingly rare over time, with the last occurrence prior to last night being in 2021.
What are Team Graded Box Scores?
Very briefly, these box scores grade winner-loser differentials for basic box score statistics, with the grade being based on the winning team’s differential relative to other NBA winners during a defined reference period. Think of it like a report card for understanding how a given winner performed relative to other winners. The reference period used runs from the start of the 2012-2013 season to the latest date of play, including only games in the same season category (i.e., regular season and playoff games are not compared to each other).
Data Source: The underlying data used to create these box scores was collected from Basketball Reference. In all cases, the data are collected the morning after the game is played. Although rare, postgame statistical revisions after data collection do occur and may affect the results after the fact.
The positive spin: Boston dropped early round Game 2s against both Miami and Cleveland in 2024, then finished both series in five games en route to Banner 18.
The harsh reality: The Celtics shot themselves in the foot throughout Tuesday’s loss and activated a Sixers team that ought to feel confident as the series shifts back to Philadelphia.
The Celtics have some obvious defensive issues to shore up after watching “VJ Maxx” get way too comfortable on the parquet. But here are five more things the Celtics might need to tidy up ahead of Game 3 in Philly on Friday night:
The one that sticks in our mind was late first quarter, with the 76ers already walking down an early double-digit deficit, when Payton Pritchard got trapped above the 3-point line.
Maxey looked like a cornerback jumping a comeback route when he peeled off from Derrick White and jumped in front of Pritchard’s haphazard pitch intended for Nikola Vucevic. Maxey waltzed in for a dunk that made it a one-possession game.
The Celtics finished with six live-ball turnovers leading to nine points. They had 13 turnovers overall leading to 15 points. None of those numbers are egregiously bad, but when the offense is sputtering and every possession feels important, the Celtics certainly complicated their lives.
The other turnover that’s hard to forget came after the Celtics crawled within two with 6:25 to play in the fourth. The Garden got playoff loud only for Maxey to get free for consecutive pull-up 3-pointers.
Coming out of a timeout with a chance to steady themselves, Tatum threw another haphazard pass to a cutting Neemias Queta that Edgecombe easily picked off.
2. Eliminate backbreaking second-chance points
Despite Tatum’s late-game giveaway, the Celtics got back and set in the aftermath … only for Maxey to accelerate past Pritchard and Queta to elevate for a leaning layup while Tatum and Jaylen Brown watched.
The ball kissed off the glass too hard, but despite three green jerseys under the basket, it was Andre Drummond who swooped in with the tip-in that pushed Philly’s lead to 10 with 4:36 to play.
The 76ers turned 11 offensive rebounds into 19 second-chance points. Yet again, that’s not an egregious number, and the Celtics actually won the second-chance battle (18 offensive rebounds for 22 points).
But those second-chance points felt like momentum-sappers each time the Celtics couldn’t limit the Sixers to one shot. And all the attention that Maxey drew allowed Drummond and Edgecombe (seven combined offensive rebounds) to feast on the offensive glass.
3. Stay attached to shooters
The Sixers shot 32.2 percent on pull-up 3s during the regular season, so the Celtics will live with some of the shots that Maxey and Edgecombe knocked down off the dribble. (That number jumped to 42.9 percent for Game 2). It’s the 3-pointers where Boston defenders strayed a bit too far that Boston needs to clean up.
Quentin Grimes got a quality look when Pritchard wandered to help on Maxey in the first quarter, then got another wide-open catch-and-shoot opportunity when Sam Hauser went to help Pritchard in isolation against Paul George.
Baylor Scheierman got caught flat-footed when Drummond zipped a cross-court pass to Edgecombe for a corner 3 midway through the second quarter.
Too many times the Sixers got a great look when the Celtics were scrambling an extra defender in Maxey’s direction, and Boston has to be more disciplined in those moments.
During the regular season, Payton Pritchard ranked second on the Celtics with 11.9 drives per game. White was fourth at 7.5 per game. In Game 2, the duo combined for seven drives total, per NBA tracking.
Yes, both players have to be better knocking down shots. White has been in a season-long shooting funk, and it’d be nice to get that 3-point percentage back at previous playoff levels.
Things undeniably get tougher when White, Pritchard, and Hauser combine to go 4 for 22 on triples like they did in Game 2. The Celtics as a whole went 9-for-40 (22.5 percent) on open or better 3-pointers (4+ feet of space) in Game 2, per NBA tracking.
But good things happen when White and Pritchard attack the basket. Queta, who was a beast in the teams’ final regular-season meeting while largely subsisting on offensive rebounds and alley-oops, gets activated too when Boston’s guards commit to driving the ball.
Boston’s offense felt bogged down for much of Game 2 as the team settled for perimeter shots. Even when Pritchard did drive, he felt oddly hesitant instead of muscling room to finish like he normally does.
The Celtics logged just 14 total minutes of center-less play after Tatum’s return in March. Lineup combinations with Tatum/Brown/White/Pritchard + any wing were outscored by seven points in that limited sample.
The question lingers: Could the Celtics go small with Tatum at the five and sustain against a team like Philadelphia?
The Celtics went small for a whopping one possession in Game 1 (and a got a bucket out of it). Going small might put a tremendous amount of stress on Tatum to joust with the likes of Drummond and Adem Bona, but it’s an intriguing curveball that Boston might need to explore at times in non-Queta minutes.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) and Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) battle for the loose ball as Houston calls a time out during the fourth quarter of game two in an NBA playoff game at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
In Tuesday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 111-97; Mason Plumlee and the San Antonio Spurs fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 106-103, while Luke Kennard helped lead JJ Redick’s Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-94 win over the Houston Rockets.
Tatum just missed a triple-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists in Boston’s loss.
For his part, Kennard had another outstanding game filling in for Luka Doncic with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Plumlee, however, got a DNP.
On Wednesday, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter will lead Orlando against Trajan Langdon’s Pistons, while Jared McCain and OKC face off against Mark Williams, Grayson Allen, and Khaman Maluach.
