Category: NBA

The Golden State Warriors were dealt a devastating blow with Jimmy Butler tearing his ACL last night, ending his season.

Meanwhile, it’s been a roller coaster season for the Toronto Raptors, so can they take advantage of this matchup while the Dubs try to find their bearings without Butler?

My Raptors vs. Warriors predictions and NBA picks break it all down for Tuesday, January 20.

Raptors vs Warriors prediction

Raptors vs Warriors best bet: Raptors +3.5 (-110)

Both the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors are banged up, but the loss of Jimmy Butler probably makes the Dubs reassess their entire trajectory of this season.

The strength of both teams is defense, with each ranking in the Top 5 in defensive rating. This makes me like the underdog.

Butler's absence, combined with playing the second half of a back-to-back, while getting more than three points with the Raptors as underdogs, is a great spot to back Toronto as the Warriors try to figure out life without Jimmy Buckets.

Raptors vs Warriors same-game parlay

Butler’s first assignment in this game was likely shutting down Brandon Ingram. Ingram is averaging 21.7 points per game this season, and while he’s been in a bit of a slump, this is the perfect opportunity for him to get back on track.

Meanwhile, Immanuel Quickley has had an up-and-down season for the Raptors, but he’s averaging 17.6 points per game over his last 13 and has topped 15.5 points 10 times over that stretch. 

Raptors vs Warriors SGP

• Raptors +3.5
• Brandon Ingram Over 23.5 points
• Immanuel Quickley Over 16.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Picking Up the Slack

Let's add a couple of Warriors who could step up in Jimmy Buckets' absence to the Raptors point scorers we already have.

Raptors vs Warriors SGP

• Brandon Ingram Over 23.5 points
• Immanuel Quickley  Over 16.5 points
• Buddy Hield Over 8.5 points
• Moses Moody Over 11.5 points

Raptors vs Warriors odds

• Spread: Raptors +3.5 (-110) | Warriors -3.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Raptors +135 | Warriors -160
• Over/Under: Over 225 (-110) | Under 225 (-110)

Raptors vs Warriors betting trend to know

The Warriors have only covered the 1H Spread in 18 of their last 45 games for -12.90 Units and a -25% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Warriors.

How to watch Raptors vs Warriors

Raptors vs Warriors latest injuries

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

January 2026 has been a shock for the Washington Wizards. Early in the month, there was speculation that then-Atlanta Hawks guard Trey Young may be a target for Washington and that Young preferred the Wizards. In a matter of days, Young got traded to the Wizards for a relatively low price asset-wise: Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum. So using that line of thinking, a recent piece by Joshua Robbins of The Athletic indicates that New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson could also be a target for Washington considering how quickly the Wizards acquired Young.

The Pelicans, at least on the record, do not intend to trade him. But considering his injury history despite his talent, if the Wizards offer some compensation their way, it’s possible that the Pelicans could listen. Here is an excerpt from Robbins’ piece:

With the Young trade as the template of a low-cost trade for a distressed asset, league sources speculated that New Orleans Pelicans big man Zion Williamson would be someone the Wizards would have to consider if the price is right.

The Pelicans reportedly have told teams they’re not going to trade Williamson, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Derik Queen or Jeremiah Fears. As it pertains to Williamson only, however, league sources expressed skepticism to The Athletic about that report.

League sources said they cannot envision any scenario in which Washington would give up one of its own future first-round picks. But one source speculated that a pick owed to the Wizards, such as the least favorable of the Houston Rockets’ (top-four protected), LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round picks, might satisfy the Pelicans’ goals.

To be crystal clear: The Wizards trading for Williamson appears to be an extreme long shot. But it was mentioned as a possibility by enough league sources that it at least should be mentioned here.

The Wizards made noise early this month by acquiring one of the league’s most potent scorers. So, knowing how quickly that move happened, who knows what could happen with Williamson? Let us know in the comments below.

When the Knicks first started to struggle, fans and analysts were quick to diagnose the problem as fatigue, with a side of some schematic issues, and players just playing badly. But with every passing game, their so-called rough stretch looks less and less like a stretch, and more and more like who they actually are going to be the rest of the way. And in a lot of these losses, they don’t just look tired or like they aren’t executing. They look like a disjointed and dysfunctional team, if you can even call them that. During so many timeouts and blowouts, the players aren’t picking each other up, aren’t coming together, and it’s turned a lot of fans into sleuths and even lip readers.

Yet all of that until recently was just speculation. But after the Knicks’ latest embarrassment, which came in the shape of a beatdown at the hands of the struggling Mavericks, players seemed to finally start voicing a bit more of their opinions on what’s taken place.

Deuce McBride, who’s never been one to shy away from being honest and transparent, talked about how the team has had some underlying issues that were masked with wins earlier in the season, and how the Knicks have gotten way too comfortable while their opponents have been hungrier.

"That's been the main thing over the last 11, teams are coming out more hungrier than us. When you get comfortable, when you've won, I think that's human nature and we have to fight against it"

– Deuce McBride pic.twitter.com/q3pAs2uecq

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 20, 2026

Josh Hart, who is often labeled as the heart of the team and is among the most vocal players on the team, said, “We have to make sure we have a professional mindset to everything. We gotta come in & be locked in. We can’t go into practice & have things said several times; we can’t come out & not execute an ATO.”

"We have to make sure we have a professional mindset to everything. We gotta come in & be locked in. We can't go into practice & have things said several times; we can't come out & not execute an ATO…At the end of the day that's the guys that have this jersey on"

– Josh Hart pic.twitter.com/ABTDVyU2yC

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 20, 2026

Hart also spoke candidly about the need to look in the mirror, saying, “We all need to do some soul-searching. Some are looking in the mirror. Right now we’re playing embarrassing basketball. We’re not executing on the offensive end. Defensively, we’ve been abysmal. We’ve been terrible defensively all year”.

"We all need to do some soul-searching. Some looking in the mirror. Right now we're playing embarrassing basketball. We're not executing on the offensive end. Defensively, we've been abysmal. We've been terrible defensively all year"

– Josh Hart pic.twitter.com/o5VO06aWOo

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 20, 2026

The captain, Jalen Brunson, echoed those sentiments and added a sense of urgency and even desperation.

Jalen Brunson on Josh Hart saying the Knicks need to do "soul searching"

"Should've started a couple weeks ago, but we gotta start tomorrow. We've got to figure this out fast" pic.twitter.com/OJ5t2Rp6D9

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 20, 2026

And that was just seconds after looking, and sounding a bit lost when asked about why the team didn’t show up.

And that was after the broadcast caught Brunson trying to rally the guys together and instill that sense of urgency in everyone else.

"At some point we gotta wake up…create some energy for ourselves. They're not gonna give it to us…our own f*king energy…Wake the f*k up…It's up to us…And don't watch the frigging news"

–– AI on what Jalen Brunson said to Knicks during loss to Mavs (incomplete/imperfect) pic.twitter.com/OLVQlvguON

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 20, 2026

The honesty and frustrations didn’t end there as head coach Mike Brown, who has received his own share of criticisms, voiced his frustrations postgame.

"Lock in and do your fucking job"

–– Mike Brownpic.twitter.com/ieIsySWp0X

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 20, 2026

On one side, it’s nice to see a team realize that they are indeed playing not just a bad brand of basketball, but doing so with an overall embarrassing level of effort, energy, and physicality, or lack thereof. On the other hand, it’s frustrating to see them acknowledge it, say the right things, and still do nothing to fix it. And all while that’s going on, this team, maybe more so than any other struggling team, has looked lifeless. We may never find out if this is because of the coaching change, something that happened in the locker room, or if it has to do with players not being happy with their roles. But one thing is for sure. This team is in a dark place. And that’s not just about their recent record or the results.

They look like a group of individuals, and not a team. They don’t look like they enjoy playing with each other, or even being around each other. That’s led to them being much worse than the sum of their parts, and that’s a concern considering the earlier reports that the front office is looking to stick with this core throughout the rest of the season. Because unless something magical happens off the court, and in the lockerroom, the on-court results and process likely won’t change much. And if that’s going to be the case, you can make a strong argument that this team needs a change for the sake of change, even if it means a potential downgrade on paper.

We're officially at the halfway mark of the NBA season, and the league has released its top jersey sellers from the first half of the 2025-26 campaign.

Warriors star Steph Curry leads the pack at midseason as he looks to dethrone Luka Dončić. Last season, the newly acquired Lakers cornerstone became the first player to lead the league in jersey sales not named Curry or LeBron James.

Dončić currently sits second this season with James at fifth. The Lakers are the only team with two players in the top 15.

The lone rookie to crack the top 15, unsurprisingly, is Cooper Flagg. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft is well on his way to winning Rookie of the Year. Recent projections have his odds sitting at about -900, meaning you would have to bet $900 to win $100.

Ironically, Jayson Tatum made the top 15 instead of his counterpart, Jaylen Brown. Both made the top 15 last season, with Tatum finishing at No. 4 and Brown at No. 15. But halfway through the season, Brown has fallen off the leaderboard, despite putting up MVP-type numbers.

Without Tatum, who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, Brown is the fourth-leading scorer in the NBA (29.8 PPG) and has the Celtics sitting second in the East. Tatum, meanwhile, checks in at eighth on this list, ahead of Nikola Jokić, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The full top 15 is as follows:

1. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
3. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
5. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
6. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
8. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
9. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
10. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
11. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
12. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
13. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
14. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
15. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Butler, 36, sustained the injury in the third quarter of the Warriors' 135-112 win over the Miami Heat on Monday.

His agent Bernie Lee confirmed the news in a statement to ESPN, calling it a "gut punch" to Butler and the Warriors team.

After a mixed start to the season, the Warriors have won 12 of their past 16 games and are eighth in the Western Conference, with a record of 25 win and 19 losses.

The top six teams in each conference qualify directly for the play-offs, with the teams ranked seventh to 10th competing in the play-in tournament.

Butler's injury leaves the Warriors facing a decision on how to approach the rest of their season and the market before the trade deadline on 5 February.

Under coach Steve Kerr and with star point guard Stephen Curry, the Warriors have won four NBA titles since 2015 but have been a fading force since their last championship win in 2022.

The Warriors acquired Butler from the Heat in February 2025 to give Curry, 37, a star team-mate to support another championship bid, but must now consider whether to seek further reinforcements or rebuild for the future.

However, Lee is confident six-time All-Star Butler, who is contracted with the Warriors to the end of the 2026-27 season, will bounce back from this injury blow to win his first NBA title.

"I've known for over 10 years now that Jimmy is going to win a championship before he is done," said Lee. "My belief in that is unwavering."

Like a lot of NBA players, Tyrese Maxey’s pregame routine includes a post-shootaround nap. That nap happens to occur during the 2 p.m. hour, the very time the league was set to announce its starters Monday for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.

So, when the news broke, everyone was excited for him, including rookie teammate VJ Edgecombe, who was blowing up Maxey’s phone.

“I had my alarm set for 2 o’clock,” the rookie said. “I was going to protest if he didn’t make it as a starter. Would’ve been a problem.”

But Maxey didn’t answer.

He was asleep.

“I’m like, ‘why is he calling me?’ And I answered and he’s screaming and showing me the TV,” Maxey said pregame Monday. “Then my mom called me and then I said, ‘listen, I’m going back to sleep. I got work tonight.‘”

That’s a pretty good encapsulation of Maxey. He was grateful and humbled by the honor, but ultimately just wanted to hoop.

And what better way to cap off the day than by helping snap his team’s two-game losing skid with a 113-104 win over the Indiana Pacers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

In his sixth NBA season, Maxey is an All-Star starter. This will also mark the second appearance in the game for the 25-year-old. He’s earned it on the floor, posting career highs across the board in points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks and made threes per game. He earned it from the fan voting, finishing with the fourth-most overall, the second-most in the conference, and the most for an American-born player.

“Thanks, fellow Americans,” Maxey said. “I appreciate y’all, man.”

It wasn’t Maxey’s finest game of the season Monday. The Pacers loaded up on him in a big way through the first three quarters, forcing him to turn defense into offense — and that he did. Maxey recorded 29 points, eight assists and a career-high eight steals.

He’s just the 10th Sixer to ever record at least eight steals in a game. The New Orleans Pelicans’ Herb Jones is the only other player in the NBA to have at least eight steals in a game this season. He also recorded a block and is averaging over a block a game this season. If he finishes the season averaging over a block game, he’d be the first player at 6-foot-2 or shorter to do so in league history (since blocks became an official stat), per Stathead.

It’s just another way Maxey can help his team win games.

“This is kind of how I played in high school,” he said. “I was able to get in the passing lanes, get steals, get some on-ball steals, little strip steals or blocks, whatever they call them. … I just want to make an impact on the defensive end. I feel like I’ve done that this year.”

The hope is no doubt for Edgecombe to be on the receiving end of one of those calls in the not-so-distant future. After a disagreement on the bench went viral last week, both guys sort of laughed the whole thing off. They’re competitive. They want to win. That’s why they’ve bonded so quickly on and off the court.

The rookie has savored the opportunity to play with a like-minded veteran in Maxey.

“His work ethic, his leadership, his character, and obviously his style of play,” Edgecombe said. “He’s an unbelievable player, really special talent, and I get to watch him every day, just go out there and work.”

It feels like just yesterday Maxey was a rookie heaping praise on Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons for making All-Star teams and getting accolades. It’s clear now the torch is being passed.

“That’s a great accomplishment, especially as a starter,” Embiid, the seven-time All-Star, said. “It’s only the beginning. It’s a testament to the work he’s put in, and him taking another step this year. That’s amazing.”

This men’s college basketball season has been a dream for some, and a nightmare for others.

It’s hard to believe, but the 2025-26 regular season is more than halfway done, meaning the race is really heating up to secure a spot in the Big Dance that will begin in two months. It’s not a shock to see the usual suspects like Arizona, Duke, Connecticut and Michigan at the top of the sport.

However, there are some that have surprises — good and bad — that not many saw coming. In the preseason, some teams figured to be fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but have become bonafide contenders that realistically can make a run. On the other side, squads that had reasonable expectations have fallen flat, and are in jeopardy of missing out on March Madness.

Bracketology: : Race for No. 1 seed leads March Madness projection

Let’s examine the biggest surprises and disappointments of the season so far, using the preseason and most recent USA TODAY Sports Bracketology.

NCAA basketball surprises

Nebraska

Arguably the story of the season, it's been a dream ride for the Cornhuskers. They are 18-0, the best start in program history, with impressive wins against Michigan State and Illinois to fuel a 5-0 Quad 1 record and No. 6 NET ranking.

Nebraska wasn’t considered an NCAA tournament team before the season began, but are in position to be a top-four seed come March. That would position them well to get its first NCAA tournament win, the only Power conference team yet to achieve the feat.

Vanderbilt

Predicted to finish 11th in the SEC preseason poll, the Commodores have thrust themselves into the top of the league, far from the bubble spot they started the season in. Vanderbilt started the campaign 16-0, matching its best start ever.

It has lost two straight games, but that shouldn’t spoil what has been a remarkable second season for Mark Byington. Not only is Vanderbilt (16-2, 3-2) poised to get back-to-back tournament appearances for the first time since 2016-17, but could get its best seed ever (No. 3 in 1993).

Virginia

The ACC is vastly better this season, and helping that cause is Virginia. The Cavaliers are road warriors, with all their Quad 1 games so far away from home. It’s impressive since they are 4-1 in the category, including major wins at Texas, Louisville and SMU to boost their top 15 NET ranking.

Ryan Odom has brought some swagger back to Charlottesville in his first season with the Cavaliers, something it’s been lacking for several years. Virginia (16-2, 5-1) is on the path to getting back to March after missing it in 2025 for the second time in four seasons.

Clemson

Another ACC team, Brad Brownell has become an under-the-radar coach who is consistently putting together solid teams at Clemson. After starting the season 7-3, the Tigers have won nine straight, including wins against SMU and Miami to propel its perfect start (6-0) in conference play.

The Tigers (16-3) didn’t start the season in tournament conversation, but are capable of capturing its first ACC crown since 1990. Another March Madness bid would be three-straight, something Clemson hasn’t done since 2008-11.

Villanova

After Villanova struggled to find momentum under previous coach Kevin Neputne, Kevin Willard is bringing back optimism not seen since Jay Wright had the Wildcats as a national power. Villanova did have some tough results against BYU and Michigan, but have handled business everywhere else. Like Clemson, the Wildcats are good on the road.

The Big East feels open after Connecticut, and Villanova (14-4, 5-2) has the inside track to be in the top four of the league. After so many seasons being on the bubble and missing out on Selection Sunday, it feels more certain Villanova will hear its name called for the first time since 2022.

Saint Louis

Not many realize it, but the Atlantic 10 has a great team in Saint Louis. The Billikins are 17-1, the only blemish a one-point loss to Stanford. They have handled nearly every opponent they’ve faced, and made the most of the few opportunities so far with a 2-0 Quad 1 record.

It’s always tough for teams outside the Power conferences to get at-large spots, yet Saint Louis is building a case to be in regardless of what happens. The No. 22 NET ranking is extremely impressive, and could be why the A-10 could get multiple teams in depending on how things shake out.

Miami (Ohio)

The quiet undefeated team in the country, the RedHawks are off to their best start ever at 19-0. While Miami hasn’t played any Quad 1 games and is just 3-0 in Quad 2 games, it’s worth noting a team reaching the middle of January without a blemish.

Even though the RedHawks likely need the MAC title to get in, they are making quite the case to be in regardless. At this rate, Miami could be a single-digit seed.

NCAA basketball disappointments

UCLA

The arrival of transfer Donovan Dent figured to make the Bruins a contender in the Big Ten, but it hasn’t paid off and it’s been a mediocre campaign for UCLA. At 12-6, it doesn’t own any marquee victories and has put up some head-scratching performances in big games, owning a 1-5 record in Quad 1 games.

UCLA opened the season in the conversation for a top-four seed, but instead will be fighting for its tournament life the rest of the way. It makes sense to leave it out of the field now, and the Bruins need a complete turnaround to get out of the bubble.

“Highly disappointed, our inability to play defense. I offer no excuses. Blame me … we’re not going to win meaningful games if we can’t stop the other team.”

Coach Cronin, speaking to the media after UCLA’s loss at Ohio State pic.twitter.com/VLstWSkKon

— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) January 17, 2026

Kentucky

Mark Pope’s second season at his alma mater has been a rocky one, with inconsistently plaguing the season. Kentucky started the season with a rough 5-4 mark that really soured Big Blue Nation, but it has somewhat righted the ship with a 7-2 record since. Still, the Wildcats are 3-5 in Quad 1 games.

Not all hope is lost, but Kentucky (12-6, 3-2) has to find a rhythm to avoid tumbling down toward a potential double-digit seed, something that has happened only once, in 2008. 

St. John’s

There was hope Rick Pitino would be able to replicate last season’s magical run, but some early season duds have ruined the vibes in Queens. The Red Storm (13-5, 6-1) set themselves up with a challenging nonconference schedule and couldn’t capitalize with a 7-4 start. There aren’t notable wins, and the Quad 3 loss to Providence doesn’t help.

The Big East isn’t daunting so there isn’t a real concern for St. John’s tournament stake, but not having a quality resume means there isn’t much wiggle room to move its way up the seed line.

Oregon

The Ducks brought talent back for another promising season, only for it to turn into a disaster. After starting 4-0, Oregon is 4-10, losing badly to high quality teams and falling to teams it was expected to beat. As a result, Oregon is 0-9 in Quad 1 and 2 games, and it doesn’t get much better after it with a 3-1 Quad 3 mark.

It’s one of the biggest disappointments, with Oregon starting the season as a No. 6 seed and now completely out of the tournament conversation. It will take a miracle for the Ducks to get back in. Jackson Shelstad's season-ending injury won't help.

Creighton

Despite losing key veterans, there was a sense Creighton could still be a contender. Instead it’s shown the Bluejays have plenty of work to do. It was a rough 5-5 start with plenty of blowout losses and it hasn’t really improved since; it’s standing at 11-8 with a tough 1-6 Quad 1 record and No. 55 NET ranking.

Like St. John’s, Creighton is still in the top half of the Big East but a loss to Providence showed how vulnerable it is. It will have to go on a solid winning streak or two to stay away from the bubble. 

Missouri

An 8-0 start gave optimism for Missouri, but that quick beginning has been forgotten by going 5-5 since. The opponents got tougher and it hurt the Tigers, with a 2-4 record against Quad 1 opponents, including tough losses to Notre Dame and LSU. The NET rankings of 68 is dangerously low for an at-large candidate.

Missouri hasn’t given a solid case to be a tournament-worthy team, and it needs to stockpile wins so it can jump up the NET. Dennis Gates is in danger of missing the tournament again.

Marquette

Perhaps there is no team in a worse position than Marquette. There was a chance the newcomers could keep the Golden Eagles afloat, but the season appears to be washed. They have lost nine of their past 10 and at 6-13 with an 0-11 Quad 1 and 2 record, there’s a near-zero chance it gets in the field.

By the end of it, Shaka Smart may be on the hot seat, as this is set to be the first time he misses the tournament at Marquette. 

Memphis

Penny Hardaway’s best season is on track to be followed up with one of his toughest, with the exodus of talent that left Memphis very evident. It started 4-7, with nearly every loss to tournament-caliber teams. The Tigers are 1-7 against Quad 1 and 2 teams, and the No. 108 NET ranking is a bad mark.

Memphis has started its American Conference play off well but that won’t get in the good graces of the selection committee, with not many quality opportunities left. It’ll be the automatic bid or bust for the Tigers.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA basketball biggest surprises, disappointments so far this season

The dust has settled on the regular season series between Boston and Detroit right at the midway point in the season, culminating in a 104-103 Pistons win that came down to the final possession. 

After four games, we have a pretty clear idea of what to expect of this matchup between the Eastern Conference’s two best teams. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this series alone, it’s that Detroit has maintained a clear identity in J.B. Bickerstaff’s second year in charge. 

They’re nasty, physical and a genuine pain to deal with. The Pistons have no problem turning a game into a drudgerous affair, in fact I think they prefer it that way. With that style comes a playoff-like intensity in every game they play. Although in the case of Boston specifically, things don’t exactly appear to be all Kumbaya. 

Dust-up here between Isaiah Stewart and Jaylen Brown

Refs reviewing pic.twitter.com/ZSC6vZW5tr

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) January 20, 2026

Jaylen Brown hit Isaiah Stewart with his own emote after double techs 😭💀 pic.twitter.com/2208ijvWlf

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 16, 2025

But that playoff intensity is important because as it stands, these two teams have a real chance of seeing each other in some capacity in the postseason, and we have a pretty clear idea of what that hypothetical series would look like if the season ended today. 

In some ways, this matchup gives strong hints of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, who took the Celtics to seven games with a centerpiece star, a physically imposing big man and a collection of role players built to make life a living hell on opposing offenses. When Duncan Robinson signed his three-year contract to join the Pistons, it was meant to be that the Pistons’ transformation from a confusing amalgamation of players with no clear fit into a team with an identity built for a seven-game series was all but solidified. 

Outside of the 3-1 series record, the raw head-to-head numbers tell us a compelling story. When these two teams play, it consistently comes down to the wire, and we’ve gathered a few observations that are worth highlighting if these two ever see each other again this spring. 

Jaylen Brown can (and will) carry the load   

Jaylen Brown has been a downhill force in this four-game series, averaging 35 points on 44/34.5/72 splits. In this most recent loss, Brown was often the sole source of offense in the first half, before things opened up for Sam Hauser and Anfernee Simons in the third quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, Brown aggressively sought his spots, right down to the very last possession, one that generated a fadeaway jumper at the elbow that had a chance of bouncing in. 

Considering the score differential of this series is a tight +11 in favor of Detroit, we’ve seen a heavy dose of clutch minutes between these two teams. If there is any semblance of playoff-like basketball in a regular season setting, it’s within those 5-under-5 opportunities. 

In the case of the Celtics, that means a lot of Jaylen Brown isolations. Regardless of what they throw his way, Brown attacks with brute force and finishes in pirouette form. It’s a fascinating collision of elite-level attacking against elite-level defensive pressure. 

Brown holds a 43% usage rate against the Pistons, higher than his 36% usage for the season (for reference, he is second in the league behind Luka Doncic in usage, who is at 38%). 39% of his field goal attempts against Detroit came off possessions where he had 3-6 dribbles, and 24.5% were off seven or more dribbles before firing. 

In the majority of his late-game chances with the ball, Brown is seal hunting. 

Specifically, he’s Duncan-hunting. The two are well-acquainted from years of Miami/Boston battles, and this year has been no different, with Brown consistently seeking that mismatch switch. In total, Brown has matched up with Robinson for a grand total of 5:04 in four games, and he’s scored 32 points on 56.5% shooting from the field and 67% from three. 

To put that in perspective, his 32 points on Robinson is the most he’s scored on any one matchup so far this season, even more than Tobias Harris, who has guarded Brown more than anyone to this point with 28:47 matchup minutes where Brown has scored 31 points on 30% efficiency. 

All this to say, Brown wants to attack this hard-nosed defense head-on. He’s taken no less than 25 shots in this series with a great deal of success, but that activity can also come at the cost of offensive flow. 

Clearly, Brown takes on the challenge to win these game, and he knows he can score against this team, but it does open up some hints of Brown’s past tunnel vision. Detroit, especially with Robinson matched up, has no problems collapsing its help, and last night Brown’s four turnovers were the most on the team (although to his credit, just one happened in the fourth quarter). 

Who’s on Cade? 

The Celtics have done an overall pretty good job on Cade Cunningham, who had his worst outing against Boston on Monday after shooting 4-of-17 for 16 points. Half of his scoring output came from the free throw line, where he went 8-of-10, and a lot of credit should go to Jaylen Brown and Jordan Walsh, who spent the bulk of the time guarding him, holding the All-Star starter to a combined four points on 2-of-9 shooting. 

But Cunningham, like a true superstar, is more than just a bucket-getter. Even in an off-night, Cunningham still dished out 14 assists without a single turnover to his name, while having three stocks on the other end. 

The challenge is not in just holding Cade from catching fire as a scorer, it’s in stymieing his entire flow. To completely stifle Cunningham is to stifle the entire foundation upon which the Pistons offense is built. That’s a huge task. That’d be like attempting to remove the entire engine of a Ford F-150 with someone already behind the wheel. 

But in Boston’s collection of wing defenders, who’s been the most successful attempting it? The aforementioned Walsh and Brown may be the best answers. 

Walsh is third in matchup minutes against Cunningham this season, behind Dyson Daniels and Davion Mitchell, and he’s been up to the challenge. His defense against Cade in Boston’s win on Nov. 26 was a major factor in that clutch closeout, and in total, he’s held him to 17 points, five assists and four turnovers on 31% shooting in three games.

In nine total minutes this series, Brown has held Cunningham to 2-of-10 shooting for five points with five assists, and just one shooting foul. 

Cade has found ways to consistently attack his own mismatches to get to his 29-point average in his four Boston matchups, generating the most success against Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. White rarely found himself guarding Cunningham last night, in fact it was on just three partial possessions, but in their four games, Cunningham’s 20 shot attempts against White are the second most he’s taken against any player, and he’s shooting 50% on those looks. 

To help on Cade is to sell out on the notion that he’ll make the right read, but to a player you’d rather live with beating you. That was the case last night, and Cunningham assisted on four Robinson threes and 11 of Tobias Harris’ team-high 25 points. Cunningham plays winning basketball in this Detroit ecosystem, and it’s a fun challenge to consider the pros and cons of the many approaches you can have to dealing with his offensive gravity. 

Detroit puts Boston’s rebounding outlook into greater focus 

Even as Boston’s emphasis on defensive rebounding has turned that issue from glaring to middle of the road, this matchup in particular really shows just how far apart Boston’s 16th-ranked defensive rebounding is from Detroit’s fourth-best offensive board-crashing. 

The Celtics are not alone in this dilemma. The Pistons average 13 offensive rebounds a game, led by Jalen Duren’s four per outing, which is third best in the league behind Steven Adams and Donovan Clingan. 

So it’s not just a Celtics issue, yet the Celtics do in fact struggle especially hard against this specific matchup. Detroit’s 15.3 offensive rebounds per game against Boston is well above their season average, and in total, they’ve won the collective rebounding battle 191-164. 

It’s worth noting the Celtics have progressively gotten better in this department these last two matchups, even winning the glass battle 45-41 on Monday thanks to a 14-9 offensive rebounding difference headlined by a combined nine offensive boards between Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, but it is still an issue this matchup presents. In a series that drags out to six or seven games, the chances of low-scoring slugfests only rise, and the team that can create more second chance opportunities through their rebounding and paint scoring will have the advantage. 

The Pistons and Celtics are both top-10 teams in second-chance points (Celtics are third, Pistons sixth), but where the interior scoring differs is in overall points in the paint, which Detroit is second in with 58.3 compared to Boston’s 28th-ranked 44 points inside. 

There’s no debate that Luka Garza and Neemias Queta are generally good rebounding and interior bigs, but is this the kind of conference matchup that Brad Stevens looks at and identifies as proof of additional frontcourt assistance? Do they stand firm and await the return of Jayson Tatum, one of the league’s best rebounding forwards who’s averaged double-doubles in each of the past three postseasons? 

Only time will tell, but the battle on the boards has been a huge element to this regular season series, and it’s only amplified once you hit a series format. 

---

The Celtics have three months and 40 games left before any real conversations about this matchup possibility begin to take shape. It makes this a bizarre conversation to even be thinking about by mid-January, yet we’ve got four legitimately entertaining games’ worth of film we can unpack from the Eastern Conference’s two best teams in case they do ultimately meet come playoff time.

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that he owes Indiana Gov. Mike Braun some key lime pie and stone crabs for losing a bet after Indiana's 27-21 win over Miami earned the college football team the national championship.

DeSantis said at a news conference on nursing education that he will be sending the key lime pie, as well as stone crabs from the famous Miami Beach eatery, Joe's Stone Crab, to the Indiana governor due to his losing wager on the Miami Hurricanes at the hands of the Indiana Hoosiers Monday night in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The Florida governor said he had been promised sugar cream pie, also known as Hoosier pie, and pork tenderloin from the Indiana governor if Miami had won.

DeSantis joked that it might be quicker just to drop off the pie and stone crabs at Marco Island, a barrier island on Florida's southwest coast which is popular with Midwestern vacationers and snowbirds this time of year.

“You know, honestly, half of Indiana is in Marco Island this time of year,” DeSantis said. “Can I just bring this stuff to Marco Island? It would be a lot easier for us.”

College football has officially wrapped up, so it’s a great day to dive into NBA action with seven games on the board and a full slate of NBA player props.

I’ve found my three favorite NBA picks for the day, including Anthony Edwards lighting up the Jazz and Domantas Sabonis finding his form in a matchup against the Heat.

Best NBA player props today

Prop #1: Anthony Edwards Over 3.5 threes

-110 at bet365

The Utah Jazz defense is bad enough as it is. Now, they’re playing the second half of a back-to-back and must try to contain Anthony Edwards.

The Minnesota Timberwolves star is putting up 29.6 points per game while shooting a ridiculous 41.8% from 3-point range. He now faces a Jazz team that’s dead last in defensive rating, and their perimeter defense is a big problem.

Utah surrenders the most 3-point attempts per game while allowing the second-highest opponent 3-point shooting percentage. Edwards has hit 4+ threes in five of his last six games, and he'll do it again tonight.

• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FDSN-North, KJZZ

Prop #2: Domantas Sabonis to record a double-double

+150 at bet365

Domantas Sabonis is still getting back up to speed after missing two months with a knee injury. Still, I’m betting we get a classic Sabonis performance when the Sacramento Kings host the Miami Heat.

The Heat are, of course, one of my favorite fades when it comes to rebounds. Their high pace and volume of shooting result in a lot of rebounds, and they surrender the second-most rebounds per game.

Sabonis has a rebounding total of 8.5, but instead of taking the Over, let’s back the big man to record his first double-double since his return.

• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FDSN-Sun, NBCS-California

Prop #3: Immanuel Quickley Over 15.5 points

-125 at bet365

The Golden State Warriors were dealt a huge blow with Jimmy Butler tearing his ACL. The Warriors lose one of their best defenders, and they already allow opposing point guards to shoot the sixth-highest percentage from beyond the arc this season.

Immanuel Quickley has had an up-and-down season for the Toronto Raptors, but he’s averaging 17.6 points per game over his last 13 games and has topped 15.5 points 10 times over that stretch. 

He'll take advantage of this matchup as the Dubs try to find their bearings without Butler.

• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Sportsnet, NBCS-Bay Area

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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

Coming off a dramatic win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Spurs concluded their 3-game homestand by taking on the Utah Jazz. The Spurs started hot, outscoring the Jazz 34-26 in the first quarter. The Jazz cut the deficit to four at halftime, but the Spurs dominated the third quarter. They outscored the Jazz 35-23 and carried a 16-point lead into the fourth. The Spurs’ lead reached 24 at one point, and they shut down any chance at a Jazz comeback. Thanks to hot shooting and solid defense, the Spurs won 123-110.

Victor Wembanyama dropped a double-double: 33 points (7-12 3PT) and 10 rebounds to go along with two blocks, two steals, and an assist. Vic was en fuego from three and converted all six of his free throws. After draining nine combined threes against the Bucks and the Timberwolves, Vic dropped a season-high seven threes against the Jazz alone. Since shaving his head, the Spurs are 3-0, and Wemby is averaging 31.3 points per game, 9.7 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 55% field goal shooting, 59% three-point shooting, and 87% free-throw shooting. Not bad for a first-time all-star starter.

The stove is warm… Vic drains the open three in transition! Guard up Jusuf Nurkic!

VIC ON A HOT START 🔥

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/EBoRxnZLWt

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 19, 2026

THE STOVE IS BURNING! Vic and Fox run the pick and fade, and Vic is left wide open for another three!

CAN'T MISS 🎯

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/xQhy4gVGbg

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 19, 2026

Just throw it up there! HB leads the fastbreak and lobs it up to Wemby who slams it down!

OOOOOP THERE IT IS ‼️

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/chDYM28ScC

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 19, 2026

Stephon Castle dropped 18 points, eight assists, two rebounds, and a block. After struggling to draw fouls in the first half, Steph’s determination to stay aggressive rewarded him with whistles, and he drained seven of 10 free throws. He also drained tough and contested mid-range jumpers. The turnovers were once again a problem, but Steph still managed to toss lobs and bounce passes for eight dimes. After covering Keyonte George, his next assignment will either be Amen Thompson or possibly even Kevin Durant.

AREA 51 ALERT! Steph crosses half court and immediately lobs to Wemby, who jams it home!

Area 51 taking flight 🛸

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/D7yaUrHcgm

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 19, 2026

Another Steph lob! After the Fox swipe, Steph leads the 3 on 1 fastbreak by lobbing it up for a Julian Champagnie jam! Julian finished with 13 points and four rebounds!

This sequence >>>

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/NGWgjeSDb4

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 19, 2026

THREE LOBS FOR STEPH! Steph finds the cutting Luke Kornet who finishes the lob! Luke filled the stat sheet with seven points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and a steal!

Luuuuuke 😄

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/T4GSW9gj92

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 19, 2026

Dylan Harper dropped 15 points (6-7 FG), five assists, three rebounds, a steal, and a block. Dyl shot a career-high 85.7% from the field, and he cashed in his points from the midrange, from a three, and from slashing to the cup. These last four games from Dyl have shown what he is capable of on a nightly basis. It is a welcome sight after his cold stretch.

Spurs Ball Movement! Dyl drives in, fakes the shot, and bounces it to Luke under the basket for the slam all in one motion!

Dylan 🤝 Luke

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/ujb5A7awvD

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 19, 2026

ROOKIE POSTER! Dyl skies to the rim and posterizes Nurkic! The rook also stares him down after the play!

OH MY ROOOOOK PT. 1 🤯🤯🤯

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/Bf0o66zHRI

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 20, 2026

De’Aaron Fox dropped 14 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals. D-Fox was efficient from the field and led the offense with either Steph or Dyl. Most of all, he was excellent defensively. He swiped a season-high four steals by pickpocketing whoever drove into the paint and interrupting the passing lanes. Thanks to the rest of the supporting cast, D-Fox attempted just 11 shots, but made six of them. It will be exciting to see if he is named an all-star reserve on February 1st.

Carter Bryant dropped a career-high 11 points (4-5 FG), three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. In just fourteen minutes, Carter was efficient from the field and made solid defensive plays. He also finally secured a dunk and decided to add an alley-oop slam as a bonus. The rookie impressed Spurs fans and the coaching staff, and it might convince Mitch Johnson to give him more playing time as the season carries on.

FINALLY! After many missed dunks throughout the season, the Spurs’ ball movement results in Luke finding Carter open under the basket for a converted slam dunk!

Watch for the Carter dunk, stay for the Luke celebration 🤩

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/sBkwgi9YSW

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 19, 2026

ANOTHER ROOKIE JAM! After the steal, D-Fox leads the fastbreak and lobs it up to a trailing Carter, who slams it home with two hands!

OH MY ROOOOOK PT. 2 🤯🤯🤯

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/sUJNIeKMQp

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 20, 2026

Harrison Barnes dropped 10 points, four assists, a rebound, and a block. HB was solid on drives to the cup and made hustle plays that most 33-year-olds usually don’t make. After a long, cold stretch of games, this homestand has been a welcoming reminder of who HB has been for this team: A solid veteran who stretches the floor.

HB BLOCK ➡️ HB BUCKET

📺 @FanDuelSN_SWpic.twitter.com/60VNAsAWF6

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 19, 2026

All in all, this was a great way to close out the three-game homestand. An injured version of the Jazz team that defeated the silver and black in late December can still score with the best. However, the Spurs’ 21 stocks and sixteen threes proved to be the difference. Both rookies also finished in double figures and showed flashes of their true potential. This team faces a quick turnaround in a familiar I-10 rivalry foe, and this time the silver and black will mostly be at full strength.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs go on the road to battle the Houston Rockets on a SEGABABA at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on NBC/Peacock/FDSN-SW.

The All-Star break is creeping up, with the league’s best and brightest set to descend on Southern California and the Intuit Dome on February 15. As for the format, your guess is as good as mine. Something involving USA versus the World, or some other experimental twist the league cooked up in a boardroom. The details are still fuzzy for me, which somehow feels very on brand for the event at this point.

What was not surprising at all was the list of starters. Devin Booker was not on it. When the league made things official yesterday, his name was nowhere to be found.

Devin Booker finish in 2026 NBA West All-Star starter vote (50% fans, 25% current players, 25% media).

9th players, 12th media, 16th fans.

Top 5 West starters. NBA head coaches pick reserves.

NBC/Peacock announce reserves Feb. 1 at 4 p.m. MT before Sunday Night Basketball… pic.twitter.com/F49IR7mp0J

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 19, 2026

And honestly, that tracks.

Booker is not the type of player who racks up a massive fan vote by bouncing from franchise to franchise. You can be annoyed that he pulled in only 418,652 fan votes, sure. If everyone in the greater Phoenix area, roughly 5.19 million people, clicked his name one time, he would have walked in as a starter. That is not how this works, and I am fine with that.

I do not ever expect him to be voted in as a starter. Not in a conference loaded with former MVPs and international stars who carry the weight of entire countries behind them. We have seen this movie before. The Yao Ming years taught us that lesson loud and clear. If you are an international player, the fan vote is going to lean your way.

To the league’s credit, they have tried to balance the popularity contest. Starters are now decided by 50% fan vote, 25% player vote, and 25% media vote. It helps. It does not change the reality. Booker has never been about the pageantry. He has always been about the work.

And that is where this conversation gets interesting.

Booker finished 16th in fan voting in the West, but 9th in player vote and 12th with the media. That tells you a lot. For one, this is a brutal field. The Western Conference is stacked, and sorting through fringe All-Stars is not an easy job for anyone. Devin Booker lives right in that space this season.

I still believe he should represent the Suns. The All-Star Game is not only about raw numbers. It is about stories. About freezing a season in time and remembering what mattered when you look back years later. And the Suns are one of the best stories in the league. Full stop.

That said, this is not a classic Devin Booker statistical year. We have covered that ground. His value shows up in the margins, in how he impacts winning beyond the box score. But when you stack that against other fringe cases, like Jamal Murray doing what he is doing in Denver, especially without Jokic, it becomes a real debate. Not disrespectful. Not dismissive. Just complicated.

The player vote is the part that really jumps out to me. It is the reminder that your favorite player’s favorite player is Devin Booker. He is a hooper’s hooper. The guys who actually play this game respect what he does and how he goes about it. That is why he landed 9th in the Western Conference among players.

Now we wait for the rest of the picture. The All-Star reserves will be revealed at 4 p.m. Arizona time on February 1, with the remainder of the roster announced on NBC and Peacock. That is when we find out whether Booker gets his spot.

And for anyone keeping score at home, Dillon Brooks finished 21st in the player vote and 24th in the fan vote.

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