Category: NBA

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Nothing makes a stronger case for a 72-game NBA season with significant draft lottery reform than tonight’s starting lineups for the Indiana Pacers and the Brooklyn Nets.

My Pacers vs. Nets predictions and NBA picks recognize that one of these teams wants to lose more than the other — which is saying something — on Thursday, April 9.

Pacers vs Nets prediction

Pacers vs Nets best bet: Pacers -3 (-110)

The most obsessed of NBA fanatics will struggle to comprehend the lineups from both the Indiana Pacers and the Brooklyn Nets tonight.

It would be quicker to point out recognized players that will start, but that would require faith that the teams will not bench someone late in the afternoon.

Instead, focus on the known factors.

The Pacers have done everything they can to secure a top-four pick in the 2026 NBA draft, a necessity to keep their pick.

Meanwhile, the Nets are fighting with the Jazz and the Kings for top-three lottery odds.

Remember, in the current system, the worst-three records in the NBA yield a 14.0% chance at the No. 1 pick, while the No. 5 team in that conversation has “only” a 10.5% chance.

This loss means something to Brooklyn.

Yes, this is a system that needs to be adjusted, but until it is, one can justifiably and cynically expect the Nets to find a way to lose this game. With a spread within a bucket, that loss is likely to be one ATS as well.

Pacers vs Nets same-game parlay

As the Pacers and Nets have put the finishing touches on their respective tanks, they have both veered toward the Under.

Indiana has surprisingly leaned into its misery this week, inducing two Unders in its last two games, while Brooklyn has been an Under team all season long (cashing 45 in 79 games), including notching Unders in five of its last seven contests.

Pacers vs Nets SGP

• Pacers -3
• Under 224.5
• 1H Under 109

Our "from downtown" SGP: Nets Early, Pacers Late

Consider this a value play.

In a game that is likely to be decided by one team’s stubborn insistence on losing, the lead flipping after halftime should not be worth such an aggressive payout.

Pacers vs Nets SGP

• Pacers -3
• Nets 1H +1.5
• Under 224.5

Pacers vs Nets odds

• Spread: Pacers -3 (-110) | Nets +3 (-110)
• Moneyline: Pacers -155 | Nets +130
• Over/Under: Over 224.5 (-110) | Under 224.5 (-110)

Pacers vs Nets betting trend to know

Indiana was last favored on Feb. 19, marking a stretch of 23 games since then. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Nets.

How to watch Pacers vs Nets

Pacers vs Nets latest injuries

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

Coming off a win against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Spurs battled the Portland Trail Blazers for the last time this season. Due to injuries suffered in the last game, Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle were ruled out. As a result, Dylan Harper and Luke Kornet started in their places. After outscoring the Blazers 32-23 at the end of the first quarter, both teams struggled to shoot from three (aside from Carter Bryant). The Spurs took a 10-point lead into halftime and took a 15-point lead into the fourth. After the Blazers cut the lead down to six late, the Spurs sank the Blazers with a dagger three from De’Aaron Fox. In a defensive and scrappy game, the Spurs ultimately took down the Blazers 112-101.

De’Aaron Fox led the way with 25 points (10-20 FG, 3-6 3PT), seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals. With his backcourt running mate out, Fox took control of the offense to start. His three-point shot looked pure, along with his midrange pull-ups and finishes. He was also quick with the dimes in both the frontcourt and the fastbreaks from the backcourt. As the regular season draws to a close, the Spurs look forward to Fox giving them insurance games like this one from Fox for their postseason run.

Too quick! On the fastbreak, Fox speeds past Deni Avdija for the quick layup to dunk!

Beautiful play! Fox gets his defender in the air, passes it to Harrison Barnes, who passes it back to Fox, who then immediately lobs it to Luke Kornet for the alley-oop slam!

The reverse angle!

Don’t reach! Fox drives and pulls up for the and-one jumper over Kris Murray!

Splashtown! Fox throws a lob pass to Devin Vassell for the three-point splash!

Run the floor! On another fastbreak, Fox drives to the three-point line, gets doubled, and in a flash throws a pass to a cutting Kornet for the open slam!

Keldon Johnson dropped 20 points (8-15 FG, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds, two steals, a block, and an assist. KJ led the charge off the bench and went to work in the paint. No matter who was guarding him, KJ drove and took his time making his presence known to the Blazers’ defensive line. He shot over 50% from the field and got to the free-throw line. He also nearly grabbed double-digit rebounds. This game helps put the finishing touches on a Sixth Man of the Year-type season for KJ.

TOO STRONG! KJ drives past Murray and finishes through contact off the glass for the and-one!

Persistence pays off! KJ tries the hook shot over Jrue Holiday, gets his own rebound, and throws up a floater for two!

HUSTLE AND HEART! KJ dives on the loose ball and gives it up to Fox, who then throws it ahead to a wide-open Julian Champagnie, who throws it down!

Carter Bryant dropped a career-high 17 points (5-6 3PT), five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Carter played 25 minutes off the bench and provided the Spurs with the best game of his rookie season. Portland was leaving him open at the three-point line, so Carter was taking what the defense gave him. The result? A career-high five threes on six attempts. He was also active on the boards and dished out several dimes. His bench production, along with KJ’s, allowed the Spurs to completely obliterate Portland’s bench.

GET OUT OF HIS WAY! Carter drives in on former Spur Sidy Cissoko and completely takes him out of the play, which results in a pass to a wide-open Kornet on the dunk!

CART3R! Carter knocks down his fifth three of the game from the corner!

Here’s all five CB threes!

In a scrappy game, the Spurs, while shorthanded, came out on top. Fox showed up and showed out. KJ followed, and CB earned a spot in the playoff rotation according to Mitch Johnson. In his third start, Harper dropped 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. Kornet also dropped 10 points (5-6 FG), six assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block. Despite missing both Castle and Wemby, this team continues to prove how deep they are, and their potential come playoff time is as high as the championship.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs take on the Dallas Mavericks for the final time this season on Friday at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on KENS.

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There's plenty at stake when the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat on Thursday night.

Miami is jockeying for a better play-in position while Toronto tries to hold on to the No. 6 seed and avoid the play-in completely.

This is a rematch from two days ago and my Heat vs. Raptors predictions expect Toronto to win again. Here are my best free NBA picks for this Eastern Conference clash on April 9.

Heat vs Raptors prediction

Heat vs Raptors best bet: Raptors -3.5 (-110)

The Toronto Raptors clobbered the Miami Heat 121-95 on Tuesday. Toronto had a +12 rebounding margin and scored 70 points in the paint, while holding Miami to 36 FG%.

The Heat should shoot better but I don't trust their defense or ability to contest Toronto's length on the glass. They are 26th in the league in ppg allowed (126.3) over the last 15 games and have struggled away from home.

Meanwhile, the Raps are finally at full strength after dealing with key injuries all season. This should be closer than the last game, but Toronto will still win and cover.

Heat vs Raptors same-game parlay

Despite coming off the bench, Jamal Shead has become Toronto's best passer. He has dropped 6+ dimes in eight of his last 10 contests and is averaging 8.3 assists per game over that span.

Raps center Jakob Poeltl is finally healthy and has been scoring at a high efficiency inside. He has cleared 10.5 points in six of his last seven games and dropped 17 points against Miami on Wednesday. 

Heat vs Raptors SGP

• Raptors -3.5
• Jamal Shead Over 5.5 assists
• Jakob Poeltl Over 10.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Raptors Roll

Scottie Barnes is Toronto's best player and he should make the All-Defensive Team for the first time in his career. He had one steal against Miami on Wednesday but had swiped 2+ steals in nine of his previous 10 games. 

Heat vs Raptors SGP

• Raptors -3.5
• Jamal Shead Over 5.5 assists
• Jakob Poeltl Over 10.5 points
• Scottie Barnes Over 1.5 steals

Heat vs Raptors odds

• Spread: Miami +3.5 | Toronto -3.5
• Moneyline: Miami +140 | Toronto -165
• Over/Under: Over 237 | Under 237

Heat vs Raptors betting trend to know

The Heat are 2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS in their last nine games away from home. Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Raptors.

How to watch Heat vs Raptors

Heat vs Raptors latest injuries

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

Jordan Clarkson’s season has been, in an odd way, a microcosm of the New York Knicks’ season that has encapsulated the team and their roller-coaster season.

The former Sixth Man of the Year, his playing time, and quality of play may not have the most direct correlation with when the Knicks’ peaks and valleys have come. But like the Knicks’ season, Clarkson has gone from looking good to bad, to really bad, to good again.

With his recent improved defensive energy, unexpected offensive rebounding, his scoring history, as well as his edge in experience over the likes of Jose Alvarado, Mo Diawara, and Tyler Kolek, he will get the first lick at securing a consistent role off the bench. And you can compile a strong case that he deserves it.

There is one stat that is somewhat concerning, though. With just three games left to go in the season,Clarkson is averaging just 3.1 three-point attempts per game right now and is shooting just 33.2% on them. That ranks ninth on the team in attempts and 11th on the team in percentage. And even when you account for minutes and look at his per-36 stats, his shooting attempts still rank eighth among players on the team.

This may not seem like a big deal. And there is a chance that it doesn’t end up hurting the team significantly. But there are a few reasons why it may. First of all, Mike Brown and the Knicks have emphasized upping the three-point attempts this season. Opposing teams will look to take away what the Knicks want to do, so coming by threes may prove to be even more difficult during the postseason.

Secondly, teams will also want to key in on Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns and make others beat them. If, and when Clarkson shares the floor with them, he must look to take threes. If he doesn’t, not only could he end up dribbling into what could be a crowded paint for a contested two, but it will continue to shrink the floor for the two stars that need as much spacing as possible. If Clarkson is even remotely hesitant about taking these attempts, it could make things more difficult for both Brunson and Towns.

There is some hope for Clarkson and the Knicks, though. Despite the less-than-stellar three-point percentage, Clarkson is still shooting 37.1% from three when he’s wide open (closest defender more than 6ft away). And, when he’s had the ball for less than two seconds, he’s shooting 34.8% from three. Neither are elite numbers, but they are still respectable and should be good enough. When teams hedge hard, trap, or double-team Brunson and or Towns, something teams may do more of in the playoffs, Clarkson could get even three-point attempts that are both wide open, and without him having the ball for too long.

The other positive is that Clarkson has been a solid three-point shooter over three of his last four playoff appearances. While those came in 2020-2022, he did shoot a decent 35.3% on 9.2 attempts per 36 minutes in 24 games during that span. And lastly, as you can see from the graph above, Clarkson is shooting 38% from the right corner this season, making 37 of 108 attempts. Surely, both the Knicks and Clarkson have this information, and could look to find more opportunities for him from that side. If that is the case, the veteran scorer could play a pivotal role in a few games off the bench.

But both the percentages and volume are still concerning enough over the 69 regular season games this year that I would keep a close eye on it. And as should be the case for any bench player not named Mitchell Robinson, Deuce McBride, and arguably Landry Shamet, his leash should be kept relatively short. On any given night, Diawara, given his size, defense, athleticism, and willingness to let it fly from three, could provide the Knicks with more of what they need. And while I don’t see it happening, there is even a strong case for Kolek to see some opportunities as well.

Clarkson will start the postseason as the de facto wing off the bench, and I can see why. He’s still capable of pouring in 15+ points on any given night, and we’ve seen bench players come in and change the trajectory of not just a playoff game, but a whole series. He’s one of the few players who could absolutely do that. His ball-handling, self-creation, scoring, cutting, and improved defensive intensity can prove to be key. But fans should hope that Brown, as he’s proven to be over the course of the season, will remain open to change and experimentation. The last thing the Knicks need, and the last thing the fans want, is a repeat situation of the Tom Thibodeau era, where the status quo was sticking with veterans regardless of quality of play, process, or results.

Nearly 11 months after tearing his right Achilles tendon at Madison Square Garden in the playoffs, Jayson Tatum is set to return for Thursday night’s Boston Celtics-New York Knicks matchup.

In a place he’s competed 14 times throughout his career, Tatum underwent his darkest NBA experience. So when asked after Tuesday night’s win over the Charlotte Hornets, whether or not he was looking forward to ripping the band-aid of returning to MSG, Tatum was straightforward.

“Nah, not really,” Tatum told reporters, per CLNS Media.

The last time Tatum took the floor at Madison Square Garden, he was assisted out of the building in a wheelchair in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. He clenched his face with both hands in the players’ tunnel and underwent surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles tendon the following day. From there, Tatum faced nearly a year away from basketball, recovering, regaining strength, and working toward a return to prevent missing an entire season with the Celtics.

Tatum set that goal long before Boston took the floor without him to begin the 2025-26 campaign. On March 6, he made his official return against the Dallas Mavericks. On March 29, against Charlotte, Tatum recorded his first 30-point game, and then three days later, he notched his first triple-double (the fifth of his career) versus the Miami Heat.

As he checked box after box, taking steps toward getting acclimated while also delivering impactful minutes, Tatum knew the time would come to re-take the floor at Madison Square Garden.

Admittedly, Tatum hasn’t been able to remove it from his mind entirely.

“Yeah, I’ve thought about it,” he said. “I’m not thrilled to go back and play there. The last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me. Obviously, I knew at some point I would have to get over that hurdle and play there again.”

Tatum added: “It’s part of it. I decided to come back and play.”

The long-awaited return hasn’t been flawless. Tatum missed a wide-open tomahawk dunk against the Mavericks in his first game back, and his field-goal (41.9) and 3-point (33.8) percentages, so far, are beneath his career averages of 45.8 and 36.9 percent. His 8-of-15 shooting against Charlotte on Tuesday night marked just the third time Tatum has managed to shoot over 50 percent in a game.

Still, it hasn’t negatively impacted the Celtics, who are 13-2 with Tatum this season.

If Boston defeats New York on Thursday night, the win would officially clinch the No. 2 seed for the Celtics. So there are stakes involved in what should be a playoff-like environment at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have won their last five home games, including seven of their last 10. They’ve already beaten Boston twice in three previous meetings, meaning the Celtics could put their regular-season series with New York to rest with a 2-2 split in the finale.

Boston has gone 11-2 over its last 13 games, reinforcing its status as a threat to come out of the East and return to the NBA Finals for the third time in five seasons. It’s been 12 weeks since they overtook the Knicks for the No. 2 seed and held it. With three games left, Tatum and the Celtics understand the importance of maintaining that momentum entering the playoffs.

That’s what’s allowed them to keep their No. 2 seed for 12 straight weeks, and what’ll ultimately help them once they draw their first-round opponent officially.

“Just ramping up at the right time,” Tatum said. “Knowing that post All-Star break is pivotal for teams really trying to compete for a championship. And you want to be physically feeling your best as a unit, playing well together, clicking on all cylinders. And this year is no different. We’ve been playing extremely well going into the playoffs up to this point, and knowing that we’ve got a few games left to feel really good about ourselves and then find out who we’re going to play.”

Tatum could play a major role for the Celtics, who have ruled out Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendinitis) and listed Derrick White and Neemias Queta as questionable for the marquee matchup.

He opened up during Thursday’s shootaround about the emotions of walking back into Madison Square Garden, now healthy and fresh off playing a season-high 39 minutes two days ago.

“Nervousness, anxiousness, all the things you probably would expect as a basketball player,” Tatum told reporters. “But it’s another game.”

Update, 8:41 p.m.: The Sixers announced Joel Embiid has successfully underwent an appendectomy.

Update, 6:30 p.m.: We’ve learned Joel Embiid is currently in surgery.

There are wide ranges for athletes missing time after appendicitis. The most recent NBA player to undergo surgery for it is OG Anunoby, then a member of the Toronto Raptors, back in 2019. The outlook doesn’t seem great for a return this season.

This probably rules Embiid out for play-in games next week, which the Sixers are likely to play in at this point. If they somehow manage to be in a first-round series and keep it competitive, maybe there’s a chance of an Embiid return, but would that even be worth it?

Just another brutal break for the big fella.

Update, 3:30 p.m.: Only the Sixers.

The team announced that Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery in Houston this afternoon.

Here’s hoping everything turns out OK for Embiid and he can return for whatever the postseason looks like for the Sixers.

Of all the things the Sixers could least afford to happen ahead of their most important game of the season, Joel Embiid being ruled out is probably at the top.

The star center has officially been ruled out with an illness against the Houston Rockets, according to the 1:15 p.m. injury report.

Just last week, there was a great deal of drama as Embiid was dealing with an illness and missed shootaround in D.C. before the team took on the Wizards. The Sixers ruled him out while Embiid took to social media to claim the team was holding him out when he was ready to play. He also said after the team’s loss to the Heat in Miami last week that he played through an illness.

He came back for the Sixers’ win over the Minnesota Timberwolves that Friday and voiced his displeasure postgame with being made to sit out the win over Washington:

“I was pissed off. I wanted to play basketball. I wasn’t allowed to play basketball, so I think this is more of a question for Daryl Morey and whoever makes the decisions. Going into Miami, I was pretty sick, but I understood how important the game was and I still want to go out there and give us a chance to try to do something. … Felt a little better going into Washington. Definitely much better than I felt against Miami. Woke up [Wednesday], didn’t sleep until like 5 or 6 in the morning, with that, I couldn’t make it to shootaround. And then after that I found out online that I wasn’t playing that night. So, that kind of caught me off guard and that pissed me off. But then again, I guess they make the decisions, so it doesn’t matter what I think or not. I just got to follow. So, to answer your question, it’s more of a question for Daryl and them. I don’t know what’s going on. I just want to play basketball.”

We don’t have many details, but Tony Jones of The Athletic had this:

With the Sixers vying for the sixth seed and final guaranteed playoff spot, the team really needed to be at full strength against a good Houston squad. Instead, they’ll have to figure out how to contain Rockets big man Alperen Sengun and the rest of the Rockets without Embiid.

A loss Thursday doesn’t guarantee the Sixers will be a play-in team, but things will not be looking good.

NBA general managers and scouts are heading home from the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament with plenty to think about after three weeks of incredible action on the court. Now they have to figure out which March Madness performances are indicators of future greatness and which are more of a mirage.

The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Houston's Chris Cenac Jr.  is expected to go in the first round after officially declaring on Thursday. Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the Forward-Center's draft night will play out.

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For those hoping to get an up close look at LeBron James — and hopefully Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — during the NBA playoffs, the Lakers are offering a ‘new premium experience.’

Revealed on Thursday morning, the Lakers front office announced a second-row of courtside seating will be made available during the postseason.

According to the press release, floor seats at games have been sold out for nearly 50 years.

“The new on-floor seating features premium hospitality, including in-seat food and beverage service, VIP club access and a seamless, elevated experience from the moment guests enter the arena.”

Courtside tickets for Lakers game typically cost between $4,000-$10,000 per seat depending on the day of the week and the matchup. For the postseason, that cost can range from $20,000-$40,000, again dependent on the game and matchup.

Lakers are expanding their courtside seating for the playoffs: pic.twitter.com/bII023V98y

— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) April 9, 2026

Beginning with the Showtime Lakers in 1979, courtside seats at The Forum and the famed and then-named Staples Center were some of the must-have tickets in all of sports entertainment. Courtside tickets at Crypto.com Arena are widely considered one of the best vantage points in all of the NBA considering the amount of star power who typically attend Lakers games.

Jack Nicholson is the most famous Lakers fan, consistently seen courtside since the 1970s, although his appearances lately have dropped off. Denzel Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ice Cube, Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Justin Bieber, Eddie Murphy and Dustin Hoffman are other celebrities who are consistently seen courtside at games.

Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led that ‘Showtime” era, which was followed by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal winning three straight titles from 2000-2002. Bryant then became the main attraction before retiring in 2016 — which led to the next generation of stars. James and Anthony Davis combined with a title in 2020, before the team’s current iteration and its new Big 3 of James, Doncic and Reaves.

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Have you ever seen a sudden sequel to a so-so movie pop up and thought, “Who the hell thought that was a good idea?”

Well, that’s tonight’s tilt between the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls. It’s the “Grown Ups 2” of bad basketball games.

These Eastern Conference flops play for the second time in three days, following Chicago’s 31-point blasting of Washington on Tuesday.

And just like so many of these “straight to video” sequels, the cast is loaded with unknown talents. Both rosters are running thin with several starters shut down or sitting out Thursday.

That brings us to Guerschon Yabusele. 

Our Bulls vs. Wizards predictions go deep into Chicago’s depth chart and like the journeyman forward to make the most of this mess. My NBA picks take Guerschon to top his rebounding total tonight.

Bulls vs Wizards prediction

Bulls vs Wizards best bet: Guerschon Yabusele Over 6.5 rebounds (-140)

If you don’t know who Guerschon Yabusele is, don’t sweat it. Most folks don’t.

The 6-foot-7 forward has been around the world – literally – playing hoops since being drafted by Boston in 2016. He finally cracked the NBA with Philadelphia last year and was barely getting minutes with New York this season before being traded to the Chicago Bulls in February.

Since then, he’s been mainstay of a bad Bulls team. Yabusele has played the role of reserve center, averaging around 25 minutes for the past two months. But with Chicago’s rotation in shambles, the 30-year-old Frenchman is getting increased action.

He’s averaging almost 28 minutes and putting up 11.4 points and six rebounds in his past five outings. Yabusele’s rebounding chances jumped to 13.6 per game in that stretch, up from 11.0 in his first 19 games with Chicago.

Yabusele snatched six rebounds against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday and his projections for this rematch sit between 6.2 and 9.0 boards with most models above the rebounding total of 6.5 O/U.

What’s more, Yabusele has added motivation to pack the stats in these final games. He declined a player option from the Bulls last week to chase a new contract in free agency.
 
A couple matchups with the Wizards will go a long way in securing that bag, at least for his rebounding output. Washington is the worst team at cleaning the glass, giving up a league-high 56.7 rebounds per game, and their current lineup doesn’t go bigger than 6-foot-9.

Bulls vs Wizards same-game parlay

The Bulls bounced the Wizards by 31 points earlier this week and have at least shown some fight down the stretch of the schedule, going 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games.

Tre Jones dished out nine dimes in the win over Washington and with Josh Giddey out, he’s become the primary playmaker for Chicago. His projections sit at 7+ assists against a Wizards defense allowing a 74% assist-to-FGM rate the past three games.

Bulls vs Wizards SGP

• Bulls -6.5
• Guerschon Yabusele Over 6.5 rebounds
• Tre Jones Over 6.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: The French Connection

Guerschon Yabusele is betting on himself during these closing games, trying to score a new deal in free agency this offseason and avoid going back to Europe. Projections sit as high as 13.8 points and nine rebounds for the Frenchman.

Bulls vs Wizards SGP

• Bulls -6.5
• Over 248.5
• Guerschon Yabusele Over 9.5 points
• Guerschon Yabusele Over 6.5 rebounds

Bulls vs Wizards odds

• Spread: Chicago -6.5 | Washington +6.5
• Moneyline: Chicago -260 | Washington +210
• Over/Under: Over 248.5 | Under 248.5

Bulls vs Wizards betting trend to know

The Washington Wizards have gone Over the total in 26 of their last 40 games (+10.60 Units/24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Wizards.

How to watch Bulls vs Wizards

Bulls vs Wizards latest injuries

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

Social media can be a toxic place, even if you stick to sports like me. Facebook doesn’t police propaganda or fake news, and I can’t tell you how many people in the Spurs Facebook group fall for these fake posts. Twitter X is a tad bit better at rooting that stuff out, but the attitude can be worse, especially if you’re on the “For You” timeline instead of “Following”, and you get a bunch of extra stuff. For me, if I stray away from “Following”, my timeline gets flooded with Longhorn, Thunder and Canadian (?) fans who are just out to troll. I’m also willing to bet 60% of the Thunder accounts are bots. So many of them use anime as their profile photos, strange font and usernames that make zero sense, and they post similar or identical stuff, especially hating on Victor Wembanyama.

However, even if I stick to just my “Following” timeline, which is primarily Spurs and Texas A&M stuff, it’s not always sunshine and roses, even during these happy times. One characteristic of the Spurs fanbase (and every other, to be fair) is there always needs to be a fall guy when things aren’t perfect, and this season, that has largely been De’Aaron Fox. Of course, I knew this would be the case the instant he signed a max contract extension this offseason, which to be sure will make fans expect the best from you each and every night and bring more scrutiny.

That being said, sometimes I’m not sure fans consider the role he’s playing. Despite being their highest paid player (for now), he’s not the Spurs’ number one option, and yet some fans still seem to expect him to put up numbers like he is. I see posts of his Sacramento days asking, “what happened to this version of Fox?” The answer is simple: NOTHING! He’s right here, doing exactly what he did there, just in a smaller sample size because he’s usually playing next to a certain generational talent that has GOAT potential, as well as two other young guards with ceilings at least as high as his. Wouldn’t you be mad if he was hogging the ball from Wemby, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper? Of course, you would, so you can’t have it both ways.

When Wemby is playing or someone else is hot, Fox rightfully plays the role of facilitator while picking his spots within the flow of the offense, as well as stepping up in crunch time. He has been perfect in that role for the Spurs, filling the gap of play-making point guard and clutch time player they had been missing in recent years. When Wemby doesn’t play is when Sacramento Fox shows up, averaging about 7 more points per game and carrying the team on his back, just like he did last night against the Portland Trail Blazers, where the Spurs were also missing Castle, and Harper wasn’t having his finest night.

Fox finished with 25 points on 10-20 shooting, including 3-6 from three, as well as 7 assists and 5 rebounds. Sure, he had a case of butter fingers with 4 turnovers, but so did seemingly everyone else on both teams, who combined for 31 of them. It was just one of those nights in the turnover department, but tell me honestly, did you have a great feeling coming into this game? The Spurs with nothing to play for and down two of their three best players against a Blazers team with everything on the line that had already beaten them once without Wemby this season felt iffy. I knew a win was certainly possible, but it ended up being easier than expected, and that was in no small part thanks to Fox stepping up into that role when called upon. There’s a reason he’s a nominee for Teammate of the Year: he has not only filled his role perfectly, but has also been an amazing mentor to the Spurs young guards while sacrificing stats and status in the process.

I didn’t exactly come in here expecting to write a Fox Appreciation post, but this is the beauty of What we Learned: you just start writing what the game made you think about, and it becomes something entirely unique from the normal game coverage I’m used to writing.

Takeaways

• On one hand, I’m thrilled the Spurs are no longer beholden to small ball when Wemby either sits or is out due to the lack of a back-up center. That being said, they have been treating it that way lately when Kornet is either out or starting, and to be honest, it hasn’t been bad in no small part thanks to the physicality of Carter Bryant. His strength and athleticism allows him to guard the post and grab rebounds without being pushed around, but the added bonus is when you get offense out of him. Last night, he reminded us that he can also be their long-term answer at power forward with a career high 17 points on 5-6 shooting from three. You could point out that he was simply hot and the Blazers made the decision to leave him open, but what a leap he has had from the beginning of the season to now. Folks were saying he would be raw to to start the season but give him until January or February, and they couldn’t have been more right.
• How good is Harper that it feels like he had a “meh” game while putting up 16 points on 6-14 shooting, 1-2 from three, along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks? Maybe it felt worse than it was because it was his least impressive game as a starter and, like Fox, he had a case of the butter fingers with an uncharacteristic four turnovers, but regardless, you know you’re reaching a high tier when this type of performance is merely okay.
• I’ve said this multiple times this season, but I’m just so happy for Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson. ESPN made sure to give them their flowers during the broadcast last night, and I’m going to do the same. While not on the same level as Fox as a player, they too have accepted a reduced role for the betterment of the team, and they fill it perfectly. While it wasn’t Vassell’s most efficient shooting night last night, with 14 points just 2-7 from three, he made up for it by being a rebound machine. He grabbed some insane boards against one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the league and continues to be a steadying presence, never getting too high or low. As for KJ, while I don’t know what has recently changed that suddenly shot him to the favorite for 6th Man of the Year (at least according to Vegas, I’m skeptical of the voters), he still showed why he’s had a case all season with 20 points on 8-15 shooting and joined Vassell to lead the team in rebounds with 8, 4 of which were on offense. They aren’t the stars of this team, but they’re the heart and soul, and the Spurs wouldn’t be where they are without them.

Appendicitis yet another chapter with Embiid's absurd injury misfortune originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The absurd extent of Joel Embiid’s health misfortune is impossible to exaggerate. 

The latest addition to the Sixers’ star big man’s extensive injury history is that he’s been diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery Thursday afternoon in Houston. Needless to say, he won’t play Thursday night in the Sixers’ important meeting with the Rockets. There’s no timeline yet for his potential return.

The Sixers’ immediate concern is that Embiid’s surgery goes smoothly and he feels like himself again soon. Assuming that happens, he’d still be well within his rights to ponder if he’s cursed. Last time the Sixers were in the postseason, Embiid played through Bell’s palsy. Other playoff health troubles include multiple orbital fractures and a torn meniscus.

As far as life without Embiid, the Sixers have gotten many reps. He’s been much healthier this year than last but has still only played in 38 games, averaging 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists. 

Both common sense and the numbers point to the Sixers having many more challenges when Embiid’s absent. According to Cleaning the Glass, the team’s net rating has been 10.0 points better with Embiid on the floor compared to off it this season. Second-year center Adem Bona and veteran Andre Drummond are the next men up. Even at their best, neither has close to Embiid’s immense two-way impact. 

The Sixers will hope Paul George can remain aggressive, efficient and healthy post-suspension. To fare well without Embiid, they’ll need George and Tyrese Maxey to play like superstars. They’ll also need their role players to be solid, perhaps even outstanding on occasion. Maybe a player or two outside of the current rotation like Jabari Walker will get some chances in the short term. 

As Sixers head coach Nick Nurse highlighted often last season, he became accustomed to on-the-fly adjustments during his days coaching overseas and in the G League. He’ll have to crumple up his primary game plan and find savvy solutions that are nowhere near Plan A. 

Keeping his team confident and focused is also an awfully tough task for Nurse. Even with Embiid available, the Sixers were in a position where they needed quite a bit to go their way to avoid the NBA’s play-in tournament, and then to spring an upset in Round 1 of the playoffs.

The Sixers do have ways they could manage big wins without Embiid, but there’s no question their outlook has darkened with yet another health woe for their cornerstone center. 

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Despite being one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, Steve Kerr has been a controversial topic among online segments of the Golden State Warriors fanbase ever since he agreed to take the job 12 years ago.

Since then, he’s led the Warriors to four championships, six NBA Finals appearances, and the greatest regular season in NBA history, while overseeing Steph Curry’s rise from All-Star to all-time great. But there have been quips from the fanbase, mainly about Kerr’s Curry-centric offensive system, and his struggles with developing young, raw talent like Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman.

All good things run their course, and that will happen for Kerr at some point. But will it be this summer? The Warriors coach is about to see his contract expire, and there haven’t been any reports of working on a new contract. Even though there’s occasionally been some tension between Kerr and owner Joe Lacob, the simple fact is that Kerr has an open invite to coach the Warriors for as long as Curry is on the roster. Curry very openly does not want to play for any other coach … but of course, it takes two to tango, and Kerr will have to make the decision.

So we’re asking Warriors fans: do you want to see Kerr return next year? Or would you prefer he call it quits, and the organization can bring in a new face?

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It is possible to have an NBA game in the final week of the season where both teams care and have incentive to win.

It may be rare, but that is very much the case tonight with the Boston Celtics heading to face the New York Knicks with hopes of clinching the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

My Celtics vs. Knicks predictions and these NBA picks are glad to consider legitimate rotations in a game with real stakes on Thursday, April 9.

Celtics vs Knicks prediction

Celtics vs Knicks best bet: Jaylen Brown Over 26.5 points (-115)

While the Boston Celtics are just about locked in as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks could technically still catch them. That would require the Celtics to lose out and the Knicks to finish 3-0, but neither thought is impossible.

So, for once this week, both teams may play genuine basketball with their actual rotations.

Perhaps more earnestly, New York has to worry about Cleveland snagging the No. 3 seed, and Boston has to continue reintegrating Jayson Tatum into the lineup. His 15 games thus far have been quite impressive, but the Celtics should want even more consistency before the playoffs.

It very well may be Tatum is firmly the No. 2 option for Boston all spring behind Jaylen Brown. Brown’s 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season deserve more praise. He took a team expected to meander and has it firmly in the No. 2 spot in the East. Brown gave Tatum reason to return, and that made the Celtics the Eastern Conference favorites (+165 at bet365).

Brown has cleared this prop in eight of his last 10 games, both exceptions coming by merely the hook.That kind of production should be immune to New York’s slowed pace, particularly since Boston works at nearly as slow a tempo by default.

Celtics vs Knicks same-game parlay

What Jayson Tatum is doing is somewhat absurd. This is not to take away from his recovery or subsequent production. But he is shooting just 41.9% from the field and 33.8% from deep, while averaging 21.6 points. He has cleared this prop only three times in his 15 games back.

Tatum is, understandably, more focused on rebounds and assists than points currently, which should serve to further boost Brown.

Taking this first-half Under is entirely an acknowledgement that these are the two slowest teams in the NBA.

Celtics vs Knicks SGP

• Jaylen Brown Over 26.5 points
• Jayson Tatum Under 24.5 points
• First Half Under 111.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Tatum's Intentional Choices

This may look absurd, but realize Tatum has cashed this exact same-game parlay once in his last three games and came a point away from doing so an additional time in his last four games.

He is not driving with abandon. Instead, he is pulling up from deep, albeit with inconsistent results, while looking to impact the game beyond scoring.

Celtics vs Knicks SGP

• Jayson Tatum Under 24.5 points
• Jayson Tatum Over 3.5 3-pointers
• Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
• Jayson Tatum Over 5.5 assists

Celtics vs Knicks odds

• Spread: Boston +4.5 | New York -4.5
• Moneyline: Boston +155 | New York -185
• Over/Under: Over 216.5 | Under 216.5

Celtics vs Knicks betting trend to know

Boston has gone 10-5 against the spread this season with Jayson Tatum in the lineup. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Knicks.

How to watch Celtics vs Knicks

Celtics vs Knicks latest injuries

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