Category: NBA

The Mavericks were 3-1 this past week and moved to 12th place in the West, but are just two games back of 10th. They lost to Denver (118-109) before beating Utah twice (144-122, 138-120) and then traveled to New York, where they dismantled the Knicks (114-97). Max Christie led the team in scoring this with 24 points per game. P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford played in just one of the four games due to ankle injuries and personal reasons. Cooper Flagg missed two games with an ankle sprain as well, while Max Christie missed two with an illness. Kyrie Irving (knee) and Anthony Davis (finger) remain out.   

Grade: A-

The Mavericks had a good week! They lost to a Denver team that got its key pieces (other than Nikola Jokic) back recently, but ran the table after that. Both wins against Utah came in bizarre blowouts, where the Jazz looked like they didn’t care about hiding their attempt to tank. Then, with whiffs of January 25th, 2010, Dallas blew the Knicks out of the water in one of the most shocking wins in recent memory. It was a double-digit spread in the Knicks’ favor, but the game was over by halftime. Max Christie hit six threes in the first half, leading the Mavericks to 75 points and a 28-point halftime lead. It was never close, and the Knicks looked helpless against a Dallas team that had Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse as its only two available centers.

Naji Marshall continues to be incredible. He averaged 20.3 points and 4.3 assists this week and did not cool off, shooting 54.2 percent from the field. Brandon Williams played marvelously, scoring 16.5 points a night in electrifying fashion. A lot of guys, including Dwight Powell, stepped up with regular starters out of the lineup. With games against the Warriors, Lakers, and Bucks this upcoming week, it was good to gain momentum before the schedule toughens up. 

Straight A’s: Jason Kidd

As much as Jason Kidd frustrates fans to no end with his experimental style, the one thing you cannot take away from him is his ability to get guys to play hard. The Mavericks started four different starting lineups in as many games and won their last three by an average of 19 points. Caleb Martin, who averaged less than three points in 47 games for Dallas before this week, looked serviceable in a starting role and even scored 14 points against Utah. The 144 points last Thursday against the Jazz were the 10th most points in franchise history, and they did it with no Cooper Flagg and 10 different guys playing 20-plus minutes. Hell, they signed Jeremiah Robinson-Earl the day of that game, and got 55 solid minutes from him in three subsequent appearances. Dallas’ goal of pairing Flagg with a top-five pick in this upcoming draft is in jeopardy, simply because this team will not lie down while Kidd is at the helm. 

Currently Failing: Jaden Hardy

Unfortunately, it is so over for Jaden Hardy. In three blowout wins this week against Utah and New York, games in which the Mavericks won by 22, 18, and 17 points, Hardy was a team-worst minus-13 and shot 37.9 percent from the floor. He has not played much this season, but with opportunity presenting itself via the injury bug, he completely dropped the ball. Hardy was given the starting nod in chapter one of the series against Utah, and the fact that he did not start the second installment while playing just 17 minutes total in that game should tell you everything you need to know. The following two-minute appearance against the Knicks seems to signal that Kidd is done with the fourth-year guard. I don’t blame him; I have had enough of watching him.

Extra Credit: Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson shooting the ball is a beautiful thing. The beauty increases tenfold when the shots go in, and did they ever this week. Thompson hit 18 of his 38 threes (47.4 percent) and 25 of his 50 shots (50 percent). He went nuclear in the first half of the Saturday matinee against the Jazz, scoring all 23 of his points in just 14 minutes. At times, Thompson plays like he is on his way out of the league. But he still has stretches of greatness in him, and it is a magical thing to witness when it happens. 

The Chicago Bulls will welcome the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers to the United Center tonight, who have won six straight games. 

James Harden's playmaking is at a high level, but my Clippers vs Bulls predictions are eyeing Chicago’s defense to keep him in check. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Tuesday, January 20. 

Clippers vs Bulls prediction

Clippers vs Bulls best bet: James Harden Under 8.5 assists (+102)

Los Angeles Clippers veteran James Harden is showing shades of his old self this season, posting averages of 26.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. While he has cashed the Over in dimes in three of his last four, the Chicago Bulls do a good job of containing opposing guards from facilitating the rock. 

Chicago is allowing fewer than eight assists per contest to point guards and shooting guards. Harden is also averaging just 7.3 dimes on the road, compared to 8.9 at home, and he’s finished Under 8.5 assists in two of his last three away appearances. 

The Beard always makes an impact as a passer, but Chicago will contain his ability to drop dimes here. 

Clippers vs Bulls same-game parlay

Coby White is averaging 18.1 PPG as one of the Bulls’ go-to options. The former UNC standout has played worse at home, though, averaging 16.4 points compared to 20.1 on the road. 

White has cashed the Under in points in four of his previous five appearances at the United Center, and the Clippers are flourishing as a whole at the moment.

Los Angeles heads into this contest as a +140 underdog on the moneyline, which screams value. The Clips haven’t lost since January 7, and four of their six victories during this unbeaten run have been on the road. 

Clippers vs Bulls SGP

• James Harden Under 8.5 assists
• Coby White Under 18.5 points
• Clippers moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Vooch Struggles From Deep

Nikola Vucevic has cashed the Under in converted triples in four of his last five games

Clippers vs Bulls SGP

• James Harden Under 8.5 assists
• Coby White Under 18.5 points
• Clippers moneyline
• Nikola Vucevic Under 1.5 threes

Clippers vs Bulls odds

• Spread: Clippers +140 | Bulls -165
• Moneyline: Clippers +3.5 (-105) | Bulls -3.5 (-115)
• Over/Under: Over 226 (-110) | Under 226 (-110)

Clippers vs Bulls betting trend to know

The Clippers have hit the 1H Moneyline in 26 of their last 40 games (+14.40 Units / 23% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Bulls.

How to watch Clippers vs Bulls

Clippers vs Bulls latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Cedric Coward was never going to be your average rookie.

Drafted No. 11 overall at 21 years old, Coward’s path to the NBA was anything but conventional. There were no USA Basketball camps, no high profile AAU circuits, no McDonald’s All American games. Instead, his journey ran through Division III Willamette University, then Eastern Washington in the Big Sky, before a short six game stint at Washington State that was cut short by injury.

That unconventional background has not slowed his introduction to the league. If anything, it has accelerated it.

Rather than being eased in, Coward has been thrown straight into the deep end by Memphis, starting games and taking on real responsibility at the defensive end. Night after night, he is asked to guard players with more size, polish, and NBA experience than he had ever previously encountered. And yet, he has handled the challenge with a level of composure that belies his rookie status.

“It’s been great,” Coward said. “I done got my *** busted a couple times, but I’ve also played guys pretty well at the same time. You’re learning multiple things at one time.”

What has separated Coward early is not just that he survives these matchups, but how he impacts them. For a player listed as a shooting guard, his shot blocking stands out immediately. Coward offers a level of rim protection that is rare for his position, rotating from the perimeter to contest at the basket with timing and length rather than reckless gambling.

Head coach Tuomas Iisalo sees that defensive profile as both unusual and foundational.

“He’s a very unique defender for his position,” Iisalo said. “He’s basically a shooting guard or off guard and offers for that position a ton of rim protection, a ton of length, and also defensive rebounding, which is often the importance of that is maybe marginalised.”

That combination shows up in the numbers and on film. Coward is one of only two rookies to post both a positive offensive and defensive Actual EPM, according to Dunks and Threes, alongside VJ Edgecombe. Context matters. He is not being sheltered. He is defending primary options on the perimeter, then sliding into help situations where his length can erase mistakes at the rim.

Those plays are not accidents. They reflect preparation and awareness. Coward studies tendencies, understands angles, and rarely overcommits. He is willing to concede a difficult pull up if it allows him to stay in position to contest the next action at the rim.

Memphis ranks as a top 15 defensive team overall, but the Grizzlies are 4.4 points better defensively when Coward is on the floor. That improvement is not accidental. His presence changes what lineups can attempt defensively, allowing more pressure at the point of attack because there is unexpected rim protection behind it.

Iisalo is careful not to frame Coward’s early success as a finished product.

“Every rookie has a lot to learn,” Iisalo said. “He’s had a lot of early success in the league, but it’s very important to think about like the best years are far ahead. It’s just constant learning and no better way to learn than to be in the deep end. Against great players and just having different type of matchups.”

For Coward, progress is defined less by perfection and more by response.

“I think for me, it’s just always making sure whatever mistake I made, you try not to make the same mistake twice.”

During the third quarter of the NBA London game, Coward was guarding Franz Wagner and pre-empted a screen, momentarily giving up a clean driving lane to the rim. Once he realized the mistake, he did not give up on the play. He recovered to get back into the action with a rear view contest that slowed Wagner’s gather. That split second mattered. It gave Jaren Jackson Jr the time he needed to shift over and protect the rim. Plays like that explain why the trust is already there. Despite his rookie status, Coward has been empowered with one of the most demanding roles on the roster. Guarding elite wings while also serving as a secondary rim protector is rarely a task handed out lightly, yet Memphis has not hesitated.

“To be able to have the opportunity to do that,” Coward said, “and to be able to have the team believe in me to do that, it gives me more faith.”

For a player who arrived without the traditional pedigree, Coward’s early NBA story has been defined by substance over reputation. The learning moments are still coming, sometimes painfully so, but the defensive impact is already real. And for Memphis, that blend of uncommon skill set and long runway may be the most encouraging sign of all.

On the heels of an NBA All-Star starter snub, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers head into the altitude to face the Denver Nuggets tonight.

On Monday, James found out that he will not be in the starting lineup for the league’s annual showcase for the first time in his 23-year career. 

Just how will “The King” respond?

My Lakers vs. Nuggets predictions paint a big game for James, but maybe not in the way you think.

Here are my best NBA picks for January 20.

Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, with the game airing on NBC. 

Lakers vs Nuggets prediction

Lakers vs Nuggets best bet: LeBron James Over 12.5 rebounds + assists (-120)

LeBron James has no problem doing the little things that win basketball games.

Through nine games this month, James has beefed up his assist and rebound rates significantly, averaging 7.6 in both stat categories in January. 

His rebounding chances have increased from 8.6 to 10.9 in that span, while LeBron's potential assists have grown from 10.7 in the first three months to 13.6 in January.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has blown through his combo prop market in those nine contests, eclipsing his rebounds + assists total in seven of those games. 

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets are walking wounded at the moment. Nikola Jokic is the most significant loss, especially when it comes to keeping opponents off the glass, as Denver has allowed nearly eight more rebounds per game since Dec. 29. 

Standouts like Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, and backup center Jonas Valanciunas are also out or playing through injuries tonight.

LeBron's projections range from 12.4 rebounds + assists to 14.7 combined. My number sits closer to 14 boards + dimes for the "King", which makes the Over 12.5 on this combo prop playable even at -145.

Lakers vs Nuggets same-game parlay

The Nuggets have run into some rotten teams lately, picking up wins over Milwaukee, New Orleans, Dallas, and Washington. Los Angeles is a step up.

James is averaging both 7.6 assists and 7.6 rebounds over the last nine games.

Luka Doncic can inflict damage from downtown, especially with the Nuggets having to help inside with an undersized interior.

Lakers vs Nuggets SGP

• Lakers moneyline
• LeBron James Over 12.5 rebounds + assists
• Luka Doncic Over 3.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Hollywood Knights

Los Angeles is getting healthier while Denver’s lineup limps into Tuesday.

James has gone Over his rebounds + assist prop in seven of his last nine games.

Luka’s projections lean toward four makes from deep against Denver.

The Nuggets' defense has taken a step back without Jokic, which is saying something.

Lakers vs Nuggets SGP

• Lakers moneyline
• LeBron James Over 12.5 rebounds + assists
• Luka Doncic Over 3.5 threes
• Luka Doncic Over 3.5 threes

Lakers vs Nuggets odds

• Spread: Lakers -1.5 (-110) | Nuggets +1.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Lakers -125 | Nuggets +105
• Over/Under: Over 227.5 (-110) | Under 227.5 (-110)

Lakers vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Nuggets are 27-16 to the Over/Under this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Nuggets.

How to watch Lakers vs Nuggets

Lakers vs Nuggets latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

A new record price has been paid for a Stephen Curry jersey.

Curry’s jersey from Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals, the only one he wore in the Warriors' title-clinching victory in Boston, sold for $2.45 million in a private sale that was announced over the weekend. Curry scored 34 points in the game and won his only NBA Finals MVP.

The jersey was previously sold in 2022 by Barry Meisel of Meigray for $1.7 million. Meisel confirmed to cllct the initial sale was conducted through the Meigray Golden State Warriors game-worn program.

The new price paid is the highest ever for a Curry gamer, besting the previous record of $1.758 million paid last year for the second game of the star’s career in which he scored the first 3-pointer of his career.

The most expensive Curry card ever sold fetched $1.08 million, making this jersey the most valuable Curry-related piece of memorabilia to sell publicly.

The buyer was represented by Curio Advisor and wishes to remain anonymous.

"With this Curry jersey, there’s already a precedent established for his high-end market, so we can use previous comparable sales times his market multiple to find valuations that are comfortable for both parties," Curio Advisor's Bradley Calleja said. "There’s more buy-side demand in sports memorabilia right now than I’ve ever seen, especially with items of the highest quality.

"We’ve also never had more engagement from institutions, investment funds and even countries that are looking to expand their portfolios to include not just blue-chip art, but game-worn memorabilia. Pieces like this are timeless, and sit at the confluence of authenticity, scarcity and virality."

Want more stories like this? Subscribe to the cllct newsletter and follow cllct on X and Instagram.

Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.

By Raphielle Johnson, Rotoworld.com

Follow Rotoworld Basketball on X for the latest news around the NBA!

Monday's nine-game NBA slate ended on a sour note, as the Golden State Warriors' win over the Miami Heat came at a high cost. Star forward Jimmy Butler injured his right knee during the third quarter and did not return. The team's worst fears would be realized in the hours that followed, with it being reported that Butler would miss the rest of the regular season with a torn ACL.

Replacing a player of Butler's caliber is not easy, and it's going to take more than one player to pick up the slack. Through 38 games, he averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.8 3-pointers in 31.1 minutes, shooting 51.9% from the field and 86.4% from the foul line. That production was good for top-25 per-game value in nine-cat formats, something that only one other Warriors player (Stephen Curry) can claim at this point in the season.

The Warriors do have some low-rostered players whose names will be called in the coming weeks. Here's a look at the fantasy fallout from Butler's injury.

→ Watch the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock: The Spurs take on the Rockets at 8 p.m. ET before the Lakers and Nuggets tip off at 10 p.m. ET. Both games are available on Peacock. Check your local listings for the NBC game in your area.

2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Top 200 Rankings: Warriors lose Jimmy Butler to torn ACL

With Butler’s season-ending injury, fantasy managers are forced to pivot after the loss of a top-25 player.

Who will replace Butler in the starting lineup?

The last time Butler missed a game, on Jan. 17 against the Hornets, rookie Will Richard (6% rostered on Yahoo) was inserted into the starting lineup. In 31 minutes, he accounted for 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and one 3-pointer, shooting 5-of-12 from the field. Richard has started 15 games this season, averaging 8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 3-pointers in 22.6 minutes. There are better options than Richard for fantasy managers to choose from, even if he is Steve Kerr's choice to fill the void in the starting lineup.

Which players should fantasy managers target?

Brandin Podziemski (36% rostered) is at the top of this list, and he had his most productive night of the season on Monday. In 30 minutes off the bench, he tallied a season-high 24 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and three 3-pointers, shooting 9-of-19 from the field. Even if he isn't moved into the starting lineup, Podziemski's scoring ability takes on added importance in the aftermath of Butler's injury.

Moses Moody (17%) has been a fixture in the starting lineup since mid-December, and he'll have additional opportunities to contribute regardless of who is named the fifth starter. And experienced fantasy managers know not to sleep on De'Anthony Melton (10%), who can be a fantasy standout when healthy. The concern for him is availability, as back-to-backs have been off the table since his return from an ACL tear suffered early last season. Melton did not play against the Heat, but his ability to fill a stat sheet can make him a league-winner down the stretch, as long as he's able to stay healthy.

Some may be wondering about where this leaves Jonathan Kuminga (17%), who began the season as a starter but has not appeared in a game since Dec. 18. Also, he reportedly requested a trade not long after becoming eligible for a move on Jan. 15. While Kerr said during his postgame availability that Kuminga would be ready if his name were called, his most significant value in accounting for Butler's absence will likely be via trade.

If last Wednesday night’s loss to the lowly Sacramento Kings didn’t make you pull out your hair, scream, shake your head, and or contemplate how much you believe in this team for the rest of the season, than chances are, the loss to the Warriors, Suns, or the embarrassing loss at home to a 17-26 Mavericks team did. For nearly a month now, the Knicks, yes, the same Knicks that were labeled as favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, have looked closer to the worst team in the league than even a good one.

That’s led to the front office being tasked with two major questions. One, do they think that there are personnel issues, or do they think that the team, as currently constructed, is good enough, and that they are just in the middle of a rough patch? And two, if they do think there are some personnel issues, then are there moves out there that are both realistic, and can help remedy whatever issues that they have diagnosed.

Regardless of the front office’s view, the answer to the first question is a clear yes. Whether fans like it or not, the team is flawed. Few teams are perfect, but the Knicks’ talented roster has clear, exploitable weaknesses. They have only one point-of-attack defender in Deuce McBride, who, despite his development, is still undersized and can’t play full games. Besides Jalen Brunson, they lack real ball handlers, resulting in poor shot creation. The bench, though occasionally effective, remains inconsistent.

The Knicks are considering trading Karl-Anthony Towns and have discussed potential deals with the Magic, Hornets, and Grizzlies, per @StevePopper

(h/t @RealGM ) pic.twitter.com/1gApuXnoYL

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 20, 2026

The second question, unfortunately, is one that we cannot answer. Fans can speculate, but they are left to social media and media outlets. And even then, they seem not to be able to come to a full agreement for much of the season. Throughout this turbulent season, fans have heard about the possibility of the Knicks moving on from Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as players like Mitchell Robinson and the aforementioned McBride. Whether Towns is involved in a deal for a certain Greek superstar or not, it seems that his defense has struggled, paired with what has now become one of his worst offensive seasons in a very long time, making Towns a likely trade candidate.

See a lot of attention on the trade stuff at the bottom of this column— which i still think is unlikely to happen. As noted, Knicks not openly shopping and anything outside of Giannis downgrades talent. Lots of other issues to fix without breaking up roster. https://t.co/86gb2y0D1x

— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) January 20, 2026

Steve Popper of Newsday Sports said yesterday there were “whispers around the league” about New York possibly moving Towns. He added, “His name surfaced when Bucks & Knicks discussed the chance of a Giannis deal, but now league sources said that talks have involved other teams including Memphis, Orlando & Charlotte.”

That certainly must’ve raised the eyebrows of some Knicks fans, especially as the fanbase has slowly, but very surely, started to turn against the big man. But Popper also reiterated earlier this morning that he doesn’t think a trade is likely, and that the team isn’t openly shopping anybody.

That sentiment was backed up by Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, who spoke about how the Knicks are not looking to move any of their core guys and are planning to ride the season out with the group. He did make sure to include the fact that this doesn’t mean they aren’t speaking to teams. New York will still do their due diligence as they often have, and in a league that just saw superstar Luka Doncic traded away less than 12 months ago, you can never say never.

But much to the dismay of most Knicks fans, it’s looking more and more likely that this team won’t be making any substantial changes this season.

After each game, Brew Hoop evaluates each Buck’s individual performance with a letter grade. At this season’s 25% mark, we decided to check the Bucks’ grades as a progress report, but now that we have hit the halfway point, it’s time to see how the grades turned out since last check. Below are the players’ first-quarter averages, current averages, their most common grades, and their highs and lows. You will probably notice an unfortunate trend.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

• Q1 average: A-
• Current average: B+
• Most common grade: A (nine games)
• Best grade: A+, October 26 (Cavaliers) and November 17 (Cavaliers)
• Lowest grade: D, January 15 (Spurs)

Myles Turner

• Q1 average: B-
• Current average: C+
• Most common grade: B- (six games)
• Best grade: A, November 7 (Bulls), December 29 (Hornets)
• Lowest grade: F, January 15 (Spurs)

Ryan Rollins

• Q1 average: B+
• Current average: B
• Most common grade: B (eleven games)
• Best grade: A+, October 28 (Knicks) and 30 (Warriors), December 27 (Bulls)
• Lowest grade: D-, January 15 (Spurs)

Kevin Porter Jr

• Q1 average: Incomplete
• Current average: B-
• Most common grade: A, A-, and B+ (three games)
• Best grade: A+, December 6 (Pistons)
• Lowest grade: F, January 15 (Spurs)

AJ Green

• Q1 average: B-
• Current average: C+
• Most common grade: B (eight games)
• Best grade: A, October 26 (Cavaliers), November 29 (Nets), December 3 (Pistons)
• Lowest grade: F, December 21 (Timberwolves), January 4 (Kings) and 15 (Spurs

Gary Trent Jr.

• Q1 average: C+
• Current average: C
• Most common grade: C+ (six games)
• Best grade: B+, October 22 (Wizards) and 24 (Raptors), November 1 (Kings) and 26 (Heat)
• Lowest grade: F, October 26 (Cavaliers), December 21 (Timberwolves), January 2 (Hornets) and 15 (Spurs)

Bobby Portis

• Q1 average: C+
• Current average: C+
• Most common grade: B+ (five games)
• Best grade: A, November 24 (Blazers)
• Lowest grade: D, October 22 (Wizards), November 28 (Knicks), January 15 (Spurs)

Kyle Kuzma

• Q1 average: B
• Current average: C+
• Most common grade: B+ (four games)
• Best grade: A+, November 14 (Hornets)
• Lowest grade: F, November 15 (Lakers), January 13 (Timberwolves)

Jericho Sims

• Q1 average: C+
• Current average: C+
• Most common grade: C and C+ (two games each)
• Best grade: A+, December 3 (Pistons)
• Lowest grade: D, November 24 (Blazers)

Gary Harris

• Q1 average: B-
• Current average: C+
• Most common grade: C (four games)
• Best grade: A-, November 14 (Hornets), January 7 (Warriors)
• Lowest grade: C, November 20 (Sixers) and 26 (Heat)

Doc Rivers

• Q1 average: B-
• Current average C
• Most common grade: C (five games)
• Best grade: A, October 30 (Warriors), November 7 (Bulls)
• Lowest grade: F, December 14 (Nets), January 13 (Timberwolves) and 15 (Spurs)

The following received incompletes due to injury and/or lack of playing time in quarter 2: Amir Coffey, Andre Jackson Jr., Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo, Pete Nance, Taurean Prince, and Cole Anthony.

Unsurprisingly, Milwaukee’s declining performance over the last several weeks affected these grades. Almost all the players—except Bobby Portis—saw their average drop, with Kuzma seeing the largest drop from a B to C+. Giannis, Ryan Rollins, and Bobby are the only main rotational players to not receive an F grade this season, and Gary Trent Jr. is still hoping for his first A.

Some of the worst games of the season, like losses against Brooklyn, Minnesota, and San Antonio, really hurt the averages with plenty of D or F grades. Doc Rivers saw his average drop from a B- to a C, and given his uninspiring coaching, he will likely continue a downward trend. In January alone, Doc averages a 1.62 GPA, which would put him closer to the C- range. Rivers will be on an IEP until further notice.

It’s a “Texas-sized” showdown when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Houston Rockets tonight.

As we know, everything is bigger in the Lone Star State, including San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama, who is a tower of power, especially on the boards. 

My Spurs vs. Rockets predictions expect the 7-foot-4 Frenchman to wipe the glass clean. Here are my best NBA picks for January 20.

Spurs vs Rockets prediction

Spurs vs Rockets best bet: Victor Wembanyama Over 8.5 Rebounds (-140)

The cleanly-shaven Victor Wembanyama is a stat sheet stuffer, especially now that he’s back in the swing of things after an injury-shortened December. 

Along with his offensive performances, Wemby has snatched rebounding efforts of nine, 10, and 10 during the San Antonio Spurs’ three-game winning streak. However, all three results stayed below his rebounding totals of 10.5 O/U.

Tonight’s matchup with the Houston Rockets sees that rebounding total dip to as low as 8.5 O/U against a Houston team that ranks among the top rebounding squads in the NBA. While the Rockets do a fine job cleaning the glass, this adjustment is much too large.

Wembanyama’s recent tallies come despite a decrease in rebounding chance (14.3 per game last three vs. 16.6 on the season), with San Antonio’s sharp shooting limiting his impact on the offensive glass. 

This will be the second of back-to-back games for the Spurs, taking those heavy legs on the road where their shooting success drops from 49% at home to 45.8% as a visitor. Houston presents plenty of pushback, sitting seventh in advanced defensive rating and checking opponents to 45.5% shooting at home (seventh lowest). 

In his only matchup with the Rockets this season, Wembanyama recorded eight boards on 14 rebounding chances. Houston had burly center Steven Adams in action for that meeting as well as forward Tari Eason (a combined 14.6 rebounds per game). Adams is out, and Eason is questionable tonight.

Player projections for this game list Wembanyama’s rebounding totals between nine and 12.2, with my number coming out to 10.2 rebounds. That should have the Over 8.5 rebounds priced around -180 instead of the -140 at bet365.

Spurs vs Rockets same-game parlay

Wembanyama has secured nine or more boards in three straight games, and his work on the glass is vital to stopping the Rockets.

Kevin Durant will benefit from plenty of kickouts, as the Houston runs into Wemby inside and hits KD for open looks.

The Spurs are playing the second of back-to-back games and don’t shoot well on the road. Meanwhile, the Rockets play at a plodding pace and feature a very stingy defense at home.

Spurs vs Rockets SGP

• Victor Wembanyama Over 8.5 rebounds
• Kevin Durant Over 2.5 threes
• Under 220.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Texas Takedown

Houston is a step up for the Spurs, who have beaten up on some bad teams during this streak.

Spurs vs Rockets SGP

• Rockets -3.5
• Victor Wembanyama Over 8.5 rebounds
• Kevin Durant Over 2.5 threes
• Under 220.5

Spurs vs Rockets odds

• Spread: Spurs +4 (-110) | Rockets -4 (-110)
• Moneyline: Spurs +140 | Rockets -165
• Over/Under: Over 219.5 (-110) | Under 219.5 (-110)

Spurs vs Rockets betting trend to know

San Antonio is 4-7 Over/Under as a road underdog this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Rockets.

How to watch Spurs vs Rockets

Spurs vs Rockets latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The first half of the 2025-26 season is history, and the Wizards season has at times inspired hope, frustration, and laughter. There have been puzzling moments (like Kyshawn George trying to force James Harden to go left — TWICE in the final minutes of a close game) and some exciting ones as well (like Alex Sarr emerging as one of the game’s better rim protectors).

At 10-32, the Wizards have the NBA’s third worst winning percentage (the New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers are percentage points ahead behind). They‘re 14th in the East, 8.5 games out of the play-in, and they have the league’s worst scoring differential adjusted for strength of schedule or not.

As I’ve written previously, scoring margin is the best measure of relative team strength. Adjusted for opponent quality, the Wizards are -10.8 per game this season. That’s a whopping 2.6 points per game worse than the 29th ranked Sacramento Kings.

Barring a complete second half meltdown, the Wizards are out of “worst ever” historical status. Their adjusted scoring margin is 11th worst all-time, which is an improvement from last season when they were third worst. Ever. They remain on course for the worst two-year run — at least in terms of scoring margin — in NBA history.

The Measuring Stick

Here’s where the Wizards currently rank in the various key stats of team strength (where they ranked at the last update, which was Jan. 13, is in parentheses):

• Offensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions): 28 (27)
• Defensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions): 29 (29)

The departures of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert have — at least temporarily — reduced Washington’s offensive efficiency. Kispert’s impact is less because he missed much of the season with injuries. Trading McCollum is more consequential because of his ability to create good shots and to make tough ones. Plus, his experience helped the team stay somewhat organized.

With McCollum gone, the young guys have to figure things out on their own, which at this point is probably a good thing for their long-term development. Call it a short-term quarter step back in hopes of taking a couple giant steps forward.

Offensive Four Factors

• eFG%: 23 (21)
• Offensive Rebounding Percentage: 19 (20)
• Turnover Rate: 26 (26)
• Free Throws Made/Field Goal Attempts: 27 (26)

Since the McCollum trade, the Wizards have shot worse and committed more turnovers. They’re also getting to the free throw line a bit less.

Defensive Four Factors

• eFG%: 22 (23)
• Defensive Rebounding Percentage: 30 (30)
• Turnover Rate: 28 (28)
• Free Throws Made/Field Goal Attempts: 21 (15)

They’re still last in defensive rebounding, but the actual percentage has gone up to 71.0% — it was 70.0% just a few games ago. They’re still almost two percentage points from 29th. As I wrote after a recent game, the defensive results aren’t good, but the coaching staff is implementing a good defensive scheme, and we’re seeing the predictable growing pains.

Player Production Average

Below is a table with updated results from the Player Production Average (PPA) metric so far this season. PPA is an overall rating metric I developed that credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, play-making, defending) and debits them for things that hurt the cause (missed shots, turnovers, fouls, ineffective defense). PPA is similar to other linear weight rating metrics such as John Hollinger’s PER, David Berri’s Wins Produced, Kevin Pelton’s VORP, and the granddaddy of them all, Dave Heeren’s TENDEX.

PPA weighs a player’s performance per possession against that of his competitors season by season. While PPA falls into the category of a linear weight metric, the values for statistical categories float a bit season-to-season based on league performance.

PPA is pace neutral, accounts for defense, and includes a “degree of difficulty” factor based on the level of competition a player faces while on the floor. Beginning with the 2019-20 season, I added a position/role adjustment designed to reflect how roles and on-court positioning affect individual abilities to produce certain stats.

Inputs include:

• on-court team defensive rating
• points
• rebounds (offensive and defensive weighed differently)
• assists
• steals
• blocks
• shot attempts
• turnovers
• personal fouls
• starts
• minutes

In the table below, I’ve included each player’s PPA last time, currently (through games played Jan. 19 — game 42), as well as games played and minutes per game. The Garbage Time Brigade has their own section.

In the table below, LAST = the player’s PPA when I last ran an update, which was through games played Jan. 7, 2026.

PLAYER	GAMES	MPG	LAST	PPA
Alex Sarr	33	27.8	157	145
Marvin Bagley III	36	19.3	108	104
Justin Champagnie	40	18.5	99	96
Kyshawn George	33	31.2	89	94
Bilal Coulibaly	25	26.6	83	81
Tre Johnson	35	24.7	79	80
Khris Middleton	29	24.3	83	78
Malaki Branham	24	9.6	42	56
Bub Carrington	42	28.3	47	51
Cam Whitmore	21	16.9	49	49
Tristan Vukcevic	30	11.4	43	46
Will Riley	34	13.8	43	34
AJ Johnson	23	7.1	-7	-13
DEPARTED	GAMES	MPG	PPA	PPA
CJ McCollum	35	30.9	121	121
Corey Kispert	19	19.5	78	78
GTB	GAMES	MPG	PPA	PPA
Anthony Gill	19	3.8	56	48
Jamir Watkins	17	13.4	37	29
Sharife Cooper	4	2.5	-66	-66

2026 All-Star Ballot

Below is a table showing my picks right now for this year’s All-Star game based on a mix of stats and watching too many games.

EAST	WEST
Giannis Antetokounmpo	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Donovan Mitchell	Nikola Jokic
Tyrese Maxey	Kawhi Leonard
Jalen Duren	Stephen Curry
Jalen Johnson	Luka Doncic
Michael Porter Jr.	Jamal Murray
Cade Cunningham	Anthony Edwards
Jalen Brunson	Victor Wembanyama
Jaylen Brown	Chet Holmgren
Josh Giddey	LeBron James
Norman Powell	Kevin Durant
Scottie Barnes	Deni Avdija

• I paid no attention to position because apparently All-Star has now joined All-NBA as positionless.
• I also paid no attention to the U.S. vs. International aspect of this year’s festivities. On a quick eyeballing of the lists, I see at least eight international players, which is the minimum required.
• I’m not sure if Deni Avdija will actually make the team. He’s playing really well, and there are a lot of good vibes out there about him. In my view, he’s in an arguable group with maybe 6-10 other guys.
• MVP is a two-man race, assuming Jokic can get to the stupid 65-game requirement. SGA’s PPA is 299 (the only player to crack 300 was Stephen Curry, who did it once). Jokic is at 288. Giannis is third at 257.
• LeBron James isn’t on my list because of his status as the game’s elder statesman. His PPA is 182 this season, which is excellent. If I was to drop an old guy for someone playing a little better, it would be Kevin Durant.
• I wanted very much to find a spot for Jimmy Butler, who’s having an excellent season, but I couldn’t see giving two spots to the Golden State Warriors.

The gravitational pull of the NBA’s play-in tournament is calling out to the Toronto Raptors. And it may be too late to escape its reach if the Raptors can’t salvage the four games that remain in their west coast road trip. 

The Raptors (25-19) are currently one game ahead of the seventh-seeded Orlando Magic and only hold a four-game advantage over the 11th-place Chicago Bulls. Toronto doesn’t have a great history of coming back from its trip out west with a winning record. It’s realistic for this team, especially as they continue to navigate through their injuries, to experience a downward spiral in the Eastern Conference by the end of their business trip. 

The challenges remain relentless, with the next hurdle in the gauntlet being the Golden State Warriors. 

Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. EST on Sportsnet for Canadian viewers. 

Here are three storylines to consider ahead of the contest. 

Three-point woes

The Raptors’ inability to knock down shots from beyond-the-arc is hurting them. While it’s always been a concern when trying to construct a roster around Scottie Barnes, the need for shooters has become especially important since the acquisition of Brandon Ingram. 

Golden State is averaging 16.2 three-pointers (1st) on 36.5 per cent efficiency (10th) this season. It’s important that Toronto breaks out of its shooting slump to help neutralize the home-run ball.

Teams have traditionally gone to zone against the Raptors over the last few years. But it’s shockingly embarrassing how often soft coverages have been deployed in the last month. Opponents don’t respect Toronto’s perimeter shooting and the stats support their reasoning. 

The Raptors rank last in the league in three-point efficiency at 33.6 per cent. Since Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic replaced Nick Nurse, the team has finished in the bottom percentile from the perimeter. They shot 34.8 per cent last season (23rd) and 34.7 per cent in 2023-24 (27th). 

After going 6-for-37 (16 per cent) against the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 12, the Raptors are 28-for-93 (30.1 per cent) over the last three games. 

Expect the Warriors to go into zone anytime the Raptors’ offence looks like it’s gaining confidence. 

Warriors eager to come out and play

Since their dramatic 141-127 overtime loss to the Raptors on Dec. 28, the Warriors are 9-3. They have also won their last four games by an average of 19.5 points. 

Jimmy Butler’s season ended when he tore his ACL against the Miami Heat on Jan. 20. Stephen Curry continues to serve as the game-breaking engine of the Warriors’ offence, but Butler (alongside Draymond Green) has alternated with contributing memorable performances. In Butler’s absence, the team’s auxiliary pieces need to step up. Fortunately for Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, they’ve been an integral reason for their recent good fortunes.

Brandin Podziemski is averaging 16.6 points on a blistering 67.8 per cent shooting during the Golden State’s three-game win streak. He’s also contributing 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals in this stretch. Podziemski hasn’t scorched the net like this since mid-December, when he finished six straight contests with double-digit scoring. 

Moses Moody is also finally realizing the potential the Warriors saw when the organization drafted him with the 14th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft. Moody is averaging 15.6 points per game over the last three contests. He’s having a career-season in points (10.6), three-point percentage (39.2 per cent), steals (0.9) and blocks (0.6). Moody’s production as a three-and-d type of wing has helped offset Buddy Hield’s inconsistency and the drama of Jonathan Kuminga. 

CMB down

While Jakob Poeltl (back) and RJ Barrett (ankle) are expected to miss the game, it’s Collin Murray-Boyles’ inclusion on the injury report that might be the most significant narrative thread. 

Murray-Boyles’ defensive prowess for a rookie is abnormal. On the surface, his six-foot-seven frame and non-elite athleticism don’t look threatening for someone moonlighting as a centre. But for a team without a true big man in its lineup, his intimidating presence and defensive genius are what have held this team together, particularly during the offence’s cold stretches.