BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA — Both the Celtics and 76ers will be at full strength when they face one another for Game 6 on Thursday night. The Celtics have a completely clean injury and have no players sidelined for the fourth consecutive game.
The Celtics once again have a clean injury report as they look to close out the 76ers in Game 6
The 76ers will also be at full strength; the only player on their injury report is Joel Embiid, who is listed as probable. He will play in his third consecutive game after missing almost three weeks as he recovered from an emergency appendectomy.
Joel Embiid will look to continue his strong play on Thursday
Embiid was phenomenal in Game 5, exploding for 33 points, 18 of which came in the second half. He shot 12 of 23 from the field and 9 of 10 from the line, while also tallying 8 assists and 4 rebounds. In the second half, Embiid made 7 of 10 field goal attempts.
“Give him credit, he played well,” Jayson Tatum said. “He put a lot of pressure on us, especially on the defensive end. We’ll go back and watch the film and make some adjustments and be ready for Game 6.”
Kelly Oubre Jr. was questionable ahead of Game 5 as he deals with an adductor strain, but he was not on the injury report ahead of Game 6. Oubre has been largely tasked with guarding Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but has struggled on the offensive end; he’s averaging 9 points while shooting 38.3% from the field and 15.8% from three in the series.
Celtics-76ers will tip off at 8pm ET on Thursday night at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Luka Doncic is now more than four weeks removed from the Grade 2 hamstring strain he suffered April 2 against the Thunder.
The original unforgiving recovery timeline was four to eight weeks.
A biological boundary to return to sports, and for athletes like Doncic, whose game is defined by quick and sudden stops and starts, recovery can take even longer.
During the Lakers first round series against the Rockets, Doncic was able to ease back into shooting and controlled movement on the court.
However, as Lakers’ head coach J.J. Redick said on Tuesday, Doncic has yet to be upgraded to one-on-one action yet.
In the return-to-play ladder, that step is an important threshold. It’s where actual competition begins.
Austin Reaves recently returned from an oblique injury and he began one-on-one drills roughly a week before he stepped back onto the court.
Luka Doncic is exactly four weeks removed from suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain against the Thunder on April 2. Getty Images
Thankfully for Reaves, he had a clean progression with no setbacks. If Doncic is able to follow that same arc — and that’s a big if — then his timeline could rapidly increase.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, time isn’t on their side.
The Western Conference semifinals are set to begin between May 2 and 4.
A return for Game 1 at this point, especially for a player whose game depends on torque, deceleration, and violent changes of pace, seems unlikely. Depending on when the series begins, Game 2 seems doubtful as well.
If the Lakers want a realistic chance at taking out the defending-champion Thunder, Doncic will have to play a key role in the Western Conference semifinals. Getty Images
But a potential Game 3 back in Los Angeles could be a pivot point.
Provided that Doncic begins one-on-one action soon, and he’s on a similar progression as Reaves was, then closer to the five-week mark seems more plausible.
Until then, the Lakers fragile math equation remains the same.
Continue to win and survive in the postseason so Doncic can come back and make an impact later in the series.
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If Nikola Jokic is as tired as he has looked in this series, he should hardly be faulted. How much cardio work could the Denver Nuggets’ superstar really have done while sidelined with a knee injury for almost all of January?
When Jokic returned on Jan. 30, Jokic went on to play 33 of Denver’s final 34 games — and now he’s faced an exhausting defense five times in 10 days. That would wear anyone down.
Whatever the reason, Jokic hasn't scored more than 27 points in a game in this series, and with his 3-pointer looking rather broken at the moment — 6-of-31, 19.4%, in this series — expecting a scoring barrage from the three-time MVP would be misguided.
SGP leg #2: Nikola Jokic Under 9.5 assists (+105)
Usually, that would spark expectations of more playmaking, but that requires the Nuggets’ role players to rise to the occasion — and they’ve only done that twice in this series, both times at home.
The road atmosphere alone should lower hopes of Denver’s role players and thus dampen Jokic’s assist numbers.
See our full Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 6 preview
Get Douglas Farmer's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions for Game 6.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Stephen Curry #30 celebrates with Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors after Curry had an assist to Payton II in the third quarter of their game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a down year for the Golden State Warriors in 2025-26. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody suffered devastating injuries to their knees. The Jonathan Kuminga situation lingered and festered for nearly a year. Brandin Podziemski alienated Warriors fans with his bravado, inconsistency, and lush, flowing locks. The team lost in a play-in game. And Steph Curry lost his title as Teammate of the Year.
New Orleans Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan has been named the 2025-26 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year.
Presented annually since 2012-13, the award recognizes the player deemed the league’s best teammate, based on selfless play, leadership and commitment to the team. pic.twitter.com/dUi5J6O5Dv
Curry upped his scoring this season to 26.6 PPG but saw declines in rebounds, assists, and teammatery. While he is ineligible for other NBA honors due to the league’s 65-game requirement, that does not extend to the Twyman-Stokes Award. DeAndre Jordan played only 12 games for the New Orleans Pelicans. but he was apparently a great teammate to a 26-56 Pelicans team that relied heavily on two first-round rookies in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Plus, Jordan Poole was on the roster for an entire season and no punches were thrown!
Still, apparently voters don’t take wins and losses into account with the Teammate of the Year award anymore. They could have lost 56 games without DeAndre Jordan! But we guess the Twyan-Stokes Award doubles as a participation trophy now.
Jordan is extremely well-liked among NBA players, so much that Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant insisted on bringing Jordan along when they signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. Arguably they should have kept him around, since the Irving-Durant-James Harden partnership imploded the season after Jordan left. The three-time All-NBA center is still in the league at age 37 despite averaging 162 points per season the last five years.
He has a long history of displaying strong teammate skills, dating back to his time as the fictional legal guardian for Rapping Baby Damian Lillard and Uncanny Valley Teenage Kevin Love as matriarch of The Hoopers.
The Twyman-Stokes Award is named after Hall of Famers Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes, who were teammates on the Rochester Royals in 1958 when a fall in the final game of the season left Stokes completely paralyzed. Twyman became Stokes’ legal guardian and supported him until his death 12 years later.
Curry won the award last season but wasn’t among the 12 finalists selected by a panel of NBA executives. The players vote on the 12 finalists and Jordan won an incredibly close vote by eight points over three-time teammate of the year Jrue Holiday, who was clearly a victim of voter fatigue. Jeff Green of the Houston Rockets was only 25 points back in third place, probably due to the degree of difficulty he faced in dealing with Durant allegedly trashing his teammates on social media in another burner account scandal.
We’ve seen how much criticism and disrespect motivates Curry. Even now, he’s probably saving critical tweets disparaging his teammating skills and mentally cataloguing all the haters who believe an all-time great player should have more than just one Twyan-Stokes trophy.
He’s going to go back in the lab with a pen and a pad and getting his damn teammate game up. The only question is who those teammates might be.
MINNEAPOLIS , MN - APRIL 25: Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves locks up Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of the Timberwolves' 112-96 win in game four of their NBA Playoffs series at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Date: April 30th, 2026 Time: 8:30 PM CDT Location: Target Center Television Coverage: ESPN
Game 5 was the Wolves’ opportunity to end the argument.
They had Denver on the mat. They had won three straight. They had discovered the recipe: suffocating defense, relentless rim pressure, and enough pace to make Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray look for the oxygen masks that drop from airplane ceilings. Even without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, there was a real belief that Minnesota could walk into Ball Arena and finish the Nuggets off.
And then the wounded animal bit back.
That’s the thing about trying to close out a proud, desperate team with the best player on the planet: they don’t just quietly accept their fate, grab a duffel bag, and head to the Serbian horse stables. Denver came out playing like a team that understood its season was on the line. Ball Arena was rabid. Jaden McDaniels was Public Enemy No. 1. The crowd was ready to boo him every time he touched the ball, breathed, blinked, or maybe even thought about scoring again in the final second.
For the first time in a few games, Denver looked like the team throwing the first real punch. The Wolves didn’t roll over. They didn’t no-show. Minnesota came ready to compete, but the problem was simple: they also came ready to hand Denver the ball like it was a promotional giveaway.
Twenty-five turnovers.
Twenty-five.
You can survive a cold shooting night. You can survive foul trouble. You can survive the other team’s role player having the game of his life. But 25 turnovers in a playoff closeout game on the road against Jokic? That’s like walking into a shark tank wearing a meat suit.
The turnovers didn’t just choke off Minnesota’s offense. They gave Denver exactly what the Wolves had spent the previous three games trying to deny them: easy points, early offense, and the ability to attack before Minnesota could get its half-court defense set. When the Wolves are locked in defensively, they have shown they can turn Denver’s offense into a clogged drain. But if you’re throwing live-ball turnovers into the middle of the floor, suddenly Jokic doesn’t have to solve Gobert in the post. Murray doesn’t have to grind through McDaniels for 18 seconds. Denver doesn’t have to earn anything. They just had to run, finish, and let the building explode.
And then came Spencer Jones, who killed the Wolves from deep, giving Denver the exact supporting punch it had been missing. Minnesota spent so much energy trying to contain Jokic and Murray, and rightly so, but when a role player starts cashing threes like he found a cheat code, the math gets ugly fast.
So now here we are.
Wolves 3, Nuggets 2.
Game 6 at Target Center.
The Wolves are still in control, still holding the lead, and still one win away from the second round. But they are also now staring at the most uncomfortable truth: You do not want to go back to Denver for Game 7 without your superstar.
Yes, the Wolves have done the Game 7-in-Denver thing before. Yes, it ended with one of the greatest wins in franchise history. But that version had its full arsenal. This one is trying to close out Jokic with a backcourt being held together by duct tape, prayer candles, and the memory of Ayo Dosunmu’s 43-point fever dream.
Game 6 is not technically win-or-go-home for Minnesota. It just feels like win-or-start-panicking.
And with that, here are the keys.
1. Defense Has to Be the Anchor Again
Everything good in this series has started with Minnesota’s defense. Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels have been the two biggest reasons the Wolves are even in position to close this thing out. Gobert has battled Jokic as well as anyone on Earth can reasonably battle him, and McDaniels has made Murray’s life miserable when he’s been able to stay on the floor.
That last part matters.
McDaniels picked up two quick fouls in Game 5, and the whole structure of the game shifted. Suddenly Murray had more room to breathe, and Denver could get into offense without being hounded from baseline to baseline.
That cannot happen Thursday. McDaniels has to be aggressive, but smart. Gobert has to be physical, but disciplined. And the rest of the Wolves have to understand that this cannot be a two-man defensive effort. If Minnesota clamps down on Jokic and Murray but lets Spencer Jones, Tim Hardaway Jr., or some other Nuggets supporting character turn into a folk hero, then what was the point?
The closeouts have to be crisp. The rotations have to be early. The perimeter resistance has to keep Denver from putting Gobert in impossible spots. And most importantly, the Wolves have to protect the rim better than they did in Game 5. Denver got too much in the paint, too many easy chances, too many moments where Minnesota’s defense was reacting instead of dictating.
Without Edwards and DiVincenzo, the Wolves are not built to win a fireworks show. They need to drag Denver back into the mud and make them earn every single point.
2. Stop Punching Yourself in the Face
Twenty-five turnovers is not just bad. It’s disqualifying.
The Wolves could have survived a lot of things in Game 5. They could have survived Denver’s crowd, the officials, even Spencer Jones hitting shots. They could not survive repeatedly handing the Nuggets transition chances like it was a charity event.
The maddening part is that even with all of those self-inflicted wounds, Minnesota was still close enough for long enough to make Denver sweat. The lead ballooned, sure, but there were stretches where you could feel Ball Arena getting nervous. The Wolves cut the margin down. They forced Denver to keep playing. They made the crowd remember that weird things happen when these two teams share a court.
Now imagine if they had just treated the ball like it belonged to them.
That’s the whole Game 6 challenge. Mike Conley, Bones Hyland, Ayo Dosunmu, Julius Randle, and anybody handling the ball has to value possessions. No lazy cross-court passes, dribbling into crowds, casual outlets, or poor decisions that immediately turn into Murray layups or Jokic touchdown passes. This series is hard enough without giving Denver extra possessions.
Minnesota cannot beat itself and beat Denver at the same time.
3. Win the Dirty Work
Denver was the desperate team in Game 5, and it showed. Loose balls found Nuggets hands. Long rebounds bounced Denver’s way. Scrambles tilted toward the team that knew its season was about to end if it didn’t get there first. Those are the plays that don’t always dominate the box score but absolutely shape playoff games.
The Wolves have to match that desperation now. Not because they are facing elimination, but because they should treat Game 6 like they are. That’s the mentality required. Every rebound has to matter. Every deflection has to matter. Every 50-50 ball has to feel like it decides the series.
One offensive rebound can become a Jokic three-point play. One lazy box-out can become a momentum swing. One loose ball can turn into a five-point mini-run.
The Wolves need to be the team that wants those moments more.
4. Keep Your Composure
Let’s be honest: the whistle has been a whole subplot in this series. The Wolves have been battling foul trouble constantly. Reviews have felt like trips through a haunted house where the ending is always somehow worse than expected. Whether it’s the infamous foot-to-knee contact or whatever new interpretation gets invented mid-possession, Minnesota has had to play through more than its share of frustration.
That cannot become the game within the game.
Target Center helps. The crowd will be insane. The energy should tilt Minnesota’s way. But the players still have to stay composed. McDaniels and Gobert especially cannot afford early foul trouble. If either one gets yanked to the bench early, Denver gets breathing room. And giving Denver oxygen right now is how this series gets very uncomfortable very quickly.
The Wolves need to play physical without getting reckless. They need to absorb bad calls without spiraling. They need to make sure frustration doesn’t turn into a technical, a rushed shot, or a defensive lapse.
There is a fine line between intensity and chaos, and Minnesota has to live on the right side of it.
5. Somebody Has to Rise
In Game 4, Ayo Dosunmu answered the bell with one of the great unexpected playoff performances in franchise history. Forty-three points. Five threes.
In Game 5, nobody provided the sequel.
That has to change. Maybe it’s Ayo again. Maybe it’s Jaden McDaniels turning elite defense into aggressive offense and reminding everyone that his mid-range and rim pressure can swing games. Maybe it’s Randle giving Minnesota the full bully-ball, playmaking, glass-crashing version of himself. Maybe it’s Rudy dominating the paint so completely that Denver starts thinking twice about every drive. Maybe it’s Naz finally catching fire and giving the bench the scoring punch it desperately needs. Maybe Bones goes full microwave.
It doesn’t really matter who, but someone has to step forward and say, “Tonight is mine.”
Because without Edwards, this cannot be a passive collective. It has to be a connected team effort with one or two guys willing to seize the night. Denver will bring desperation. Jokic will bring brilliance. Murray will bring shot-making.
The Wolves need an answer.
Finish the Hunt
Nobody in Wolves Nation wants a Game 7.
Nobody wants the plane ride back to Denver. Nobody wants 48 hours of talking themselves into “well, they won there before.” Nobody wants to spend a Saturday night watching Jokic in his building with Minnesota’s season hanging by a thread and Anthony Edwards in street clothes.
The opportunity is right here. Game 6. Target Center. Home crowd. Series lead. A chance to end the Nuggets’ season and advance to the second round for just the fourth time in franchise history. This is the moment the Wolves have to own.
The Wolves have spent this series proving they can beat Denver. They have the blueprint. They have the defensive answers. They have shown they can drag the Nuggets into uncomfortable places and make the best player in the world look mortal enough.
Now they have to complete the mission.
No moral victories. No noble seven-game loss. No “if onlys…”
Our NBA player prop projections are locked in for Game 5 between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, with the model identifying several high-value spots as Houston battles to keep its season alive.
By comparing the data against current market lines, we’ve pinpointed the strongest edges.
If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Wednesday, April 29.
Rockets vs Lakers computer picks for Game 5
Rockets
Lakers
Thompson o18.5 points -120
James u23.5 points -110
Smith Jr. o6.5 rebounds -141
Ayton u7.5 rebounds -105
Sengun o5.5 assists -125
Hachimura o1.5 3-pointers -105
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Rockets Game 5 computer picks
Amen Thompson Over 18.5 points (-120)
Projection: 19.1 points
Amen Thompson is averaging 24.6 points over his last five games —6.2 above his season average — and with the Houston Rockets in desperation mode, he’s in a strong spot to clear this points prop as he looks to help extend their season.
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Jabari Smith Jr. Over 6.5 rebounds (-141)
Projection: 7.29 rebounds
The Rockets lead the NBA with 15.1 offensive rebounds per game, and in a must-win spot, they’ll need to lean into that strength to generate extra chances.
Jabari Smith Jr. has cleared this line in Games 1 and 4, and Game 5 sets up as another opportunity for him to stay aggressive on the glass.
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Alperen Şengün Over 5.5 assists (-125)
Projection: 5.98 assists
Alperen Şengün is well-positioned to clear 5.5 assists in this elimination Game 5, especially with Houston’s offense expected to run heavily through him.
In win-or-go-home spots, the ball tends to stay in Şengün’s hands as a hub at the elbow and in the post, where he thrives as a facilitator.
His ability to draw double teams from the Lakers creates natural kick-out opportunities, and with Houston likely emphasizing ball movement to generate cleaner looks, the assist chances should be there.
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Lakers Game 5 computer picks
LeBron James Under 23.5 points (-110)
Projection: 22.84 points
The Rockets play at the second-slowest pace in the league, which should limit possessions for the Los Angeles Lakers.
With Austin Reaves expected back, it could ease the offensive burden on LeBron James — something his 41-year-old legs will appreciate.
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Deandre Ayton Under 7.5 rebounds (-105)
Projection: 7.29 rebounds
The Lakers would love to close this series out at home, and that starts with eliminating Houston’s second-chance opportunities; something Deandre Ayton can help control on the glass.
He’s cleared this prop in Games 1 and 4, but with the Rockets having their backs against the wall, expect a stronger push to limit his impact on the boards.
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Rui Hachimura Over 1.5 3-pointers (-120)
Projection: 2.15 3-pointers
The Lakers have been the most efficient three-point shooting team in the league over their last five games, and much of that is thanks to Rui Hachimura’s hot hand this series.
He’s shot 50% or better from deep in every game against Houston — ride the momentum and expect it to continue.
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How to watch Rockets vs Lakers Game 5
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
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ATLANTA (AP) — Authorities announced Wednesday that former Atlanta Hawks finance executive Lester T. Jones Jr. was sentenced to three years and five months in prison for embezzling approximately $3.7 million from the team through fraudulent expense reimbursement requests and misuse of corporate credit cards.
Federal prosecutors said in a court filing in November that Jones, a former Hawks accounting executive, used the money to pay for travel, luxury apparel, jewelry, car expenses and tickets to concerts and sporting events.
Jones pleaded guilty to wire fraud in December.
Jones, 46, worked in the Hawks’ accounting and finance department from March 2016 through June 2025. In his role as senior vice president for finance, beginning in August 2021, he was responsible for the company’s corporate credit card account with American Express and administered the electronic expense reimbursement program.
“Jones turned his dream job as a high-ranking executive for the Atlanta Hawks into an opportunity to steal the team’s funds, purchasing luxury apparel, jewelry, watches, and trips for himself,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement released by the Department of Justice.
“But, for Jones and others who abuse their employers’ trust to embezzle substantial funds, the gravy train’s final destination is federal prison.”
The Hawks had no comment Wednesday on Jones' sentencing.
Marlo Graham, an Atlanta-based special agent, said Jones' case “underscores the significant damage that can be caused by insider threats within an organization.”
“Jones abused his authority and access to embezzle millions, but schemes like this are not immune from detection," Graham said in a statement. "The FBI remains committed to investigating and disrupting financial crimes at every level.”
Prosecutors said Jones embezzled the money by submitting dozens of fraudulent expense reimbursement requests, leading the Hawks to reimburse him for fictitious business expenses. Also, prosecutors said Jones charged personal expenses to corporate credit cards.
Among the personal expenses: approximately $80,000 in overseas travel to the Bahamas and Thailand, $99,800 in apparel at Saks Fifth Avenue, a $115,795.01 diamond ring, $21,888.90 in Omega watches, and over $160,000 in tickets to concerts and other events.
Down 3-2 in the series, the Denver Nuggets still enter Game 6 as favorites — a shift driven largely by Minnesota’s backcourt injuries in Game 4.
With that context, these Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks expect the Timberwolves to empty the tank at home against Nikola Jokic and company on Thursday, April 30.
UPDATE: Added who will win section for tonight's game.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction
Who will win Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 6?
Timberwolves: Minnesota may have gone into Denver to win a Game 7 just two years ago, but this isn’t 2024.
Why not take care of business at home? Why not reward home fans?
And more pressing, why not throw every wrinkle and adjustment at the Nuggets now rather than wait for a Game 7?
The added day between Games 5 and 6 should work in the Timberwolves’ favor, with a more experienced coaching staff and a more variable lineup getting an extra day to adjust after the Game 5 loss.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves best bet: Nikola Jokic Under 29.5 points (-112)
At the very least, Denver Nuggets’ superstar Nikola Jokic has looked tired in this series. He found more space inside in Game 5 and had his first efficient game of the series, yet Jokic still scored only 27 points.
And that is not because he played significantly fewer minutes. For someone so upset about a last-second layup in Game 4, Jokic still made a show of trying to embarrass a Minnesota Timberwolves’ rookie in the final seconds of Game 5.
Jokic played more than 37 minutes, and his 27 points stand out — especially since that’s his high-water mark in this series.
Credit Rudy Gobert. He has matched Jokic’s physicality and minutes this series, making the Serbian’s life miserable.
The Timberwolves should play their most aggressive defense of the series in Game 6. It’s stronger with Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo on the floor, but it can still hold up without them.
And even if it doesn’t show up, there hasn't been any evidence that Jokic has the energy to post a 30-point masterpiece the way he so often has in the past.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
There is distinct logic in expecting the Nuggets’ role players to come up short on the road, thus turning a few potential Jokic assists into nothing but missed shots.
Such missed shots should help Minnesota’s transition game, which needs to be a key piece of the Timberwolves’ offense.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves SGP
Nikola Jokic Under 29.5 points
Nikola Jokic Under 9.5 assists
Timberwolves +5.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Timberwolves prevail
This is the Timberwolves’ best chance, and do not underestimate their ability to adjust.
That is the hallmark of any team enjoying postseason success in the modern NBA, and Minnesota reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the last two springs. Some adjustments were clearly made.
If this week’s adjustment catches the Nuggets off guard, that should yield a Timberwolves win. In particular, keep an eye out for Terrence Shannon Jr. getting downhill or Minnesota trying to play a four-out lineup around Julius Randle to capitalize on his ability to draw multiple defenders and find an open shooter.
Over/Under: Over 225.5 (-110) | Under 225.5 (-110)
Nuggets vs Timberwolves betting trend to know
Denver has fallen short of its team total in four of the five games in this series. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 6
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Nuggets vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Orlando Magic during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 16, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For the first time in years, the Brooklyn Nets will be doing double-duty in the summer, adding three games at the Sacramento-based California Classic in early July to their already scheduled minimum of five games at the Las Vegas Summer League.
The announcement came via Tweet from the Nets official account…
The Classic is co-sponsored by the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. In addition to the three games the Nets will play at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, three other games involving three other teams will be played at Chase Center in San Francisco. Classic games are normally carried on NBA TV.
The news re the California Classic means the Nets will play a minimum of eight games between July 4, the beginning of the California Classic and July 19, the end of the Vegas Summer League. Following the close of the Classic, they will travel to Vegas and play a minimum of five games in Vegas. That schedule could be extended by a couple of more games depending on how far the Nets advance in the championship round.
The Nets decision was based in large part on just how many of their roster players are young. The roster this past season was the league’s youngest in the last 20 years, per Sean Marks. By season’s end included five first round picks — an NBA record — who can be expected to play in one or both leagues, depending on health. Egor Demin missed the last month of the season due to increased plantar fasciitis in his left foot. At the time, the Nets said Dëmin is expected to be a “full participant in the summer development program.”
In addition, Brooklyn played three undrafted players at one point or another in the season: Chaney Johnson, Grant Nelson and Malachi Smith. Also, as of the moment, the team has three first draft picks in June: a lottery pick somewhere between No. 1 and No. 7 as well as second rounders at Nos. 33 and 43. The double schedule will permit the team to get extended looks at all of them.
The Vegas games, which normally take place the first week of July, will also be getting a later start, giving the Nets the opportunity to play in both leagues. In the past, the Nets played in two leagues, either in Orlando or Salt Lake City.
The Summer League games will come during a particularly hectic time for NBA teams in late June and early July. The NBA Draft takes place over two nights on June 23 and 24 at Barclays Center. Teams can begin contacting free agents on July 1 and will be permitted to sign them five days later. It is also the most active time for trades.
The Boston Celtics head back to the City of Brotherly Love with a chance to shut the door on the Philadelphia 76ers.
After letting a series-clinching win slip at home, Boston won’t be taking any chances in Game 6 on Thursday.
The Celtics have long been one of the NBA’s best “bounce-back” teams, but they’ll likely need a lift from super-sub Payton Pritchard if they’re going to close things out and move on to Round 2.
The Boston Celtics’ flash freeze in the second half saw them blow a 13-point lead in Game 5, sending the series back to Philly. The Celtics seem to do their best work on the road and boast one of the most impressive records when coming off a loss.
This season, Boston is 21-6 SU and 18-9 ATS off a loss and 60-13 SU and 51-22 ATS (70%) in those spots over the past three years.
SGP leg #2: Payton Pritchard Over 13.5 points
Payton Pritchard continues to produce off the pine for Boston, be it points, assists, or rebounds. He had a monster 32-point performance in his last trip to Philadelphia and scored 2.5 more points per game as a visitor on the season.
The Celtics guard is shooting 51% over the last three outings, and player projections call for 15+ points from Pritchard on Thursday night.
Maxey connected for 17 total 3-pointers over the last five games, and with Philadelphia’s game script having the Sixers fighting from behind, he’ll be extra active from outside if the Celtics start to pull away.
Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Celtics vs 76ers predictions for Game 6.
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Amid an up-and-down opening round for the Boston Celtics, Payton Pritchard has been the one constant.
The reserve guard has delivered the team’s most reliable production against the Philadelphia 76ers—no small feat alongside stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Through five games, Pritchard is stuffing the stat sheet with averages of 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Our Celtics vs. 76ers predictions expect the dynamic sixth man to keep setting the tone on Thursday.
My NBA picks take Pritchard to put up points in Game 6.
UPDATE: Added who will win & lotto same-game parlay.
Celtics vs 76ers prediction
Who will win Celtics vs 76ers Game 6?
Celtics: The Celtics let an opportunity to wrap up this Round 1 series slip away with awful fourth quarter in Game 5. Boston goes back to Philadelphia with the pressure mounting.
The Celtics are one of the best bounce-back teams in the NBA. They’re 21-6 SU and 18-9 ATS off a loss this year and 60-13 SU and 51-22 ATS (70%) off a loss over the past three seasons.
Celtics vs 76ers best bet: Payton Pritchard Over 13.5 points (-112)
It seemed no member of the Boston Celtics was immune to whatever ailment impacted the team’s shooting in the second half of Game 6. The Celtics were outscored 63-40 by the Philadelphia 76ers in the final 24 minutes on Tuesday.
Payton Pritchard struggled in the second half, but his stat line was glowing compared to some of the Celtics’ other standouts. He finished the game with 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting in just 26 minutes off the bench, including 1-for-5 from beyond the arc.
When asked about his team’s struggles at home, Pritchard told the media, “I can’t really put my finger on it, but honestly, it feels like we've been better on the road.”
That’s true, at least for Pritchard. This season, he averaged 18.3 points per game as a visitor compared to 15.8 ppg at TD Garden, while shooting identical field-goal rates. His best effort in this series was a 32-point explosion at Philadelphia in Game 5.
Pritchard is picking up the slack, not just left by stars like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum but also the rest of the Celtics’ support staff. Derrick White is broken, and Sam Hauser is ineffective, leaving key minutes to fall to Pritchard.
He’s a collective 22-for-43 from the field the past three games (51%), and with Game 6 expected to be the tightest of the series (Boston -5.5), game script says he’ll log his standard of 32+ minutes.
Player projections are positive for Pritchard as well, with models ranging from 14.9 to 15.3 points in a crucial contest for the Celtics.
Celtics vs 76ers same-game parlay
The Celtics’ struggles aren’t deep rooted. They simply live by the three and die by the three. Boston was in command but got passive, and that led to cold shooting in the home stretch of Game 5. I expect the C’s to come out swinging and make good on a 70% ATS win rate off a loss over the past three seasons.
Tyrese Maxey won’t roll over for Boston at home. And with the game script calling for the Sixers to fight from behind, he’ll try to play catch-up from outside the arc. He’s made three or more triples in each of the past four games in this series.
Celtics vs 76ers SGP
Celtics -5.5
Payton Pritchard Over 13.5 points
Tyrese Maxey Over 2.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: The Other Guys
After struggling all season, the Celtics’ “Other Guys” finally get going in Game 6. White finds his touch, Hauser helps out, and Pritchard silences the always-friendly Philly fans with a high-octane effort that pushes the final past this short Over/Under total.
Celtics vs 76ers SGP
Celtics -5.5
Over 212.5
Payton Pritchard Over 13.5 points
Derrick White Over 11.5 points
Sam Hauser Over 6.5 points
Celtics vs 76ers odds for Game 6
Spread: Celtics -5.5 | 76ers +5.5
Moneyline: Celtics -245 | 76ers +200
Over/Under: Over 212.5 | Under 212.5
Celtics vs 76ers betting trend to know
The Boston Celtics are 60-13 SU and 51-22 ATS (70%) off a loss over the past three seasons. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. 76ers.
How to watch Celtics vs 76ers Game 6
Location
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSN/Peacock
Celtics vs 76ers latest injuries
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks drives against Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
ESPN’s Shams Charania breaks down the NBA’s proposed lottery reform aimed at preventing tanking.
Draymond Green has always taken pride in his defensive mastery with the Golden State Warriors, down to the smallest details. His impact on that end has been generational—and it’s clearly rubbed off on others, including former teammate Jonathan Kuminga.
Now with the Atlanta Hawks, Kuminga made a heads-up defensive play in Game 2 of the team’s First Round Playoff series against the New York Knicks and gave Green a shoutout afterward.
Jonathan Kuminga on nudging NAW into position to stop Jalen Brunson:
“I’m gonna give my praise to Draymond. Growing up around him, watching him.. I’d seen him do that so many times… And he’s one of the best at doing things like that.”
“I love [Jonathan Kuminga] to death. That’s my young fella and to see him out there doing what he’s doing defensively, playing his role on the offensive end, it’s a beautiful sight to see. I know what he’s capable of, and he’s capable of giving you more on the offensive end, but he’s playing his role. I think as the series goes on, he’s going to give you more on the offensive end. But even watching that last play in Game 3, where he guarded the guy, switched, stopped it, chased the guy over, knocked the ball away, ran it, like what can you do when a guy is doing that?”
Kuminga has flashed two-way impact throughout the first-round series against the Knicks. In Atlanta’s two wins, he totaled 40 points on 16-of-26 shooting from the field, three steals, and two blocks to showcase how effective he can be when everything clicks.
However, consistency—much like during his time with the Warriors—hasn’t always been there. He’s struggled from deep in the Hawks’ last two losses, shooting a combined 1-of-11 from three in Games 5 and 6 while scoring 10 and 13 points, respectively.
Still, Green doesn’t seem too concerned as the Hawks now face a 3-2 series deficit. He believes Kuminga will eventually bounce back—if not now, then next season with a full training camp under his belt.
“He’s been in Atlanta for three months, so the offensive role will grow. When you get a training camp under your belt, the offensive role will grow. But he’s doing what he has to do to stay on the floor, and I love to see it.”
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Wednesday, April 29th:
Kerr did some of his best work when the Warriors were most compromised by injury. His overall record is impressive in ways both overt and subtle. latent. More on that later.
Group 2, which seems smaller in number but is particularly vocal in the disaffected chamber of social media, has decided Kerr – who presided over teams that reached the NBA Finals in each of his first five seasons – has lost his touch or, worse, forgotten how to coach. Therefore, it is time for CEO Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy to recruit a replacement for Golden State. Someone they believe is more evolved in the ways of the NBA.
Jimmy Butler III 2027 first-round pick (lottery-protected) 2032 first-round pick
The Warriors have been connected more to Leonard than any other team in recent months, and for good reason. After Butler tore his ACL in January, the Warriors need a Plan B if they want to try to reopen their competitive window while 38-year-old Stephen Curry is still playing at an All-Star level.
Leonard would be a strong fit as a Butler replacement, with even higher upside after the best regular season of his career. The salaries of the two stars match well enough that no other player would need to be included in this deal.
The Hawks were a slightly better-than-average offensive team in the regular season, but they have scored an efficient 119.6 points per 100 possessions (sixth best) as they won 19 of their final 24 games.
In this series, they’ve scored just 106.9 per 100, the second worst mark for any team not involved in the Detroit-Orlando car crash. In four of the five games, the Hawks have scored well below league-average efficiency.
Some of that is some poor shooting from open 3-point shooters. The Knicks haven’t been perfect defensively.
But they’ve been very good. The Hawks had some success attacking Brunson down the stretch of Game 2, but Towns has passed the test. In fact, he had two terrific defensive plays against the Hawks’ two biggest offensive threats on Tuesday.
Instead, the proposal would expand the lottery to include 16 teams, comprising the 10 teams that miss the Play-In Tournament, the two losers of each conference’s 7-8 play-in matchup, and the four 9-10 seeds. Rather than giving the most lottery balls to the worst teams, the system would instead most heavily favor teams with the 4th through 10th worst records in the league.
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to an apparent injury during the second period of a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on March 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Back in 2021, the Lakers were deep into their title defense when LeBron James suffered an injury that changed the trajectory of not just that season, but the career of their superstar.
Los Angeles was hosting Atlanta when Solomon Hill dove headfirst at LeBron’s legs. Every Lakers fan likely remembers what happened next as LeBron crumpled to the ground and missed the next 21 games. By the time he returned, the Lakers had gone from contenders to a play-in team before ultimately losing to the Suns in the opening round of the playoffs.
That play involving Hill will haunt Lakers fans for decades to come, especially after LeBron admitted to Dave McMenamin of ESPN that he has never truly physically recovered.
“My foot and my ankle ain’t been the same since. Ever since that injury, I’ve been fighting uphill to get it back to normal. But it’s been a little blah ever since. What could have been, for sure. I was playing some of the best basketball of my career up until that point and leading this franchise in the right direction and then something like that happens, a high ankle sprain, and there’s nothing you can do about that.”
Even at the time, the dive Hill took was considered reckless by many. Lakers players Dennis Schröder and Montrezl Harrell both said it was postgame, and Hill had to defend himself.
Dennis Schröder said it was an “unnecessary play” for Solomon Hill to dive into LeBron’s right leg the way he did.
Dirty or not, the impact has been significant, as it’s been years later and LeBron still doesn’t feel the same. Since then, LeBron has sustained additional injuries, making it impossible to be fully healthy.
LeBron avoiding that injury from Hill’s dive is one of the “what ifs” of his career. Perhaps had that not happened, he would’ve kept a bit more of his burst and subsequent injuries to his right foot might have been avoided.
Luckily, it hasn’t stopped James from having a long and successful career, but it’s still frustrating to hear that such a reckless dive continues to impact his game to this day.
Boston, MA - April 28: Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown loses control of the ball while he is defended by Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes in the fourth quarter. The Boston Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Betting on himself this season didn’t go nearly as well as Quentin Grimes may have hoped. A tumultuous restricted free agency saw him return to the Sixers on only the $6 million dollar qualifying offer in hopes of scoring a better deal the following offseason.
He started well, averaging 17 points per game, shooting 44.8% from the field and 36.9% from three through the first month of the season. Since Dec. 1, though, those numbers dropped to 12.2 points per game and, crucially, a 31% three-point percentage.
His start to the playoffs looked similar. After a great five games in March with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George all out, Grimes again looked like he was struggling to scale down into becoming a helpful complementary player. While he made 50% of his threes in the first three games of the Sixers round one series against Boston, he was only taking two a game as the Celtics’ bench exponentially outscored the Sixers’.
It didn’t prevent them from being blown out in Game 4, but Grimes taking seven shot attempts, his most of the series, ended up being a step in the right direction. He followed up the 12-point performance in Game 4 by dropping 18 off the bench in Game 5.
He did so by shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range. Not only did every single one of those feel like huge momentum shifts, but Grimes made the most important play of the game immediately after sinking one.
Embiid had kicked out to him out of the post. He drilled the three from the break to give the Sixers a six-point lead, their highest of the night to that point. Right after burying that he read the pass coming to Jaylen Brown and poked it down the court, nearly stealing it. Brown was able to secure the loose ball was down the other end of the floor, but Grimes stayed right in his face, forcing him to use the remainder of the shot clock to get the ball back into the half court. Brown got off a midrange pull-up, but with Grimes in his face the entire time the ball clanked off the rim and the Sixers got another stop to help build their lead.
The Celtics would only score three more points the rest of the game, missing their last 14 field goals of the night.
Not only was that the biggest play of the Sixers’ entire season, but it highlights two things about the Quentin Grimes experience. The first is why watching him on a nightly basis can be frustrating at times. The second, though, is why can be present value to a team even when he’s struggling offensively.
Grimes hasn’t shot it nearly as well or as frequently as anyone would have hoped. His decision making as a ball handler is frustrating at times — he averaged the second-highest turnover rate of his career this season, per Cleaning the Glass.
Even when he’s struggling with these things his effort is there on defense more often than not. Being strong, quick and on the bigger side for a guard allows him to take on some of the most important assignments, like guarding Jaylen Brown for stretches of games.
There have been plenty of games this year where Grimes couldn’t buy a shot, but needed to close out games because of how much the Sixers needed his defense. It worked out really well for both Grimes and the Sixers that in Game 5 they didn’t have to choose between one or the other.
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Raptors Game 5 computer picks
Ja'Kobe Walter Over 7.5 points (-110)
Projection: 9.16 points
Ja'Kobe Walter was held scoreless in the last two games but played much better in Cleveland, where he scored 21 points in the first two games. He also cleared this number in four of five games to finish the regular season.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet WALTER Now at bet365!/span
RJ Barrett Over 19.5 points (-110)
Projection: 21.9 points
RJ Barrett's 18 points in Game 4 were his lowest scoring output of the series after scoring 24, 22, and 33 in the first three games. His projection of nearly 22 points tonight aligns with how he played the first two games in Cleveland.
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Collin Murray-Boyles Under 6.5 rebounds (+115)
Projection: 6.0 rebounds
Collin Murray-Boyles has gone Over his rebounding total in three straight games, but tonight's total sits at 6.5 rebounds after closing at 4.5 and 5.5 the first four games of this series. Now's the time to back the other side.
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Cavaliers Game 5 computer picks
Donovan Mitchell Over 4.5 assists (+100)
Projection: 5.4 assists
Donovan Mitchell had just six assists in Games 3 and 4 in Toronto, but logged nine across the first two games at home and went over this number in Game 2. His projection calls for 5.4 tonight, and the +100 price makes it that much easier to hit the button.
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Dean Wade Over 4.5 points (-130)
Projection: 6.13 points
Dean Wade has cleared this low bar in three of four games in this series and logged a playoff-high seven points in Game 4.
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Donovan Mitchell Under 27.5 points (-105)
Projection: 25.8 points
This is a big number for a guy who scored just 35 across two games in Toronto and lost his offensive rhythm entirely. Even if he's much better in Game 5, this projection gives us a ton of room to cash the Under.
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How to watch Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 5
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
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