In the midst of a Knicks beatdown, Mitchell Robinson wanted to administer one of his own.
The Knicks center was ejected in the second quarter of Thursday’s 140-89 massacre for going after Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, and video taken from the stands at State Farm Arena in Atlanta is even more chaotic than what viewers saw on TV.
Robinson tried to fight through anyone and everyone on the court, using every last inch of his 7-foot, 240-pound frame to muscle his way toward Daniel in a scene that did a number on a crowd with a heavy Knicks fan bent.
The alternate angle of this Knicks-Hawks fight is WILD.
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 1, 2026
“Oh my god,” one onlooker said before letting out a scream. “I’m terrified.”
Other simply cheered for some sign of life from a Hawks team on the wrong side of a 72-22 score.
The entanglement with Robinson and Daniel began with 4:39 left in the first half, following OG Anunoby’s free throw that made it a 50-point lead.
Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu tried to separate Robinson from Daniels, with Knicks teammate Jalen Brunson trying to hold his big man back as things moved toward the stands.
One official took a tumble, and Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson isolated Robinson before things went too far and spilled off the court.
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson #23, fighting with Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels #5, in the second quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostKnicks center Mitchell Robinson #23, fighting with Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels #5, in the second quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The brouhaha did not reach the crowd, though. If it had the NBA would be taking a closer look at things, according to The Post’s Stefan Bondy.
That’s a sigh of relief for the Knicks, who can take some solace in knowing the league has one fewer thing to take into account for potential punitive measures.
“It’s tough because when you’re up that big, stuff happens,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “If somebody feels like something that shouldn’t happen to them happened, it’s hard to keep your composure in that moment.
BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 7: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks, AJ Green #20, Andre Jackson Jr. #44 and Dave Joerger of the Milwaukee Bucks talk during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 7, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With apologies to Thanasis and Alex, the final edition of our pop quiz series focuses on the Bucks’ gaggle of off-ball guards/wings to round out the roster. Aside from Ryan, you’d be hard-pressed to say the other four met or exceeded expectations, and at least one fell well short of them. Here’s hoping for better results next here from whichever of this crew remains in Milwaukee.
On the one hand, Green broke Ray Allen’s franchise record for made threes in a single season. On the other, it wasn’t until the Bucks were truly out of the race that Dairy Bird really showed up. Prior to the season’s final month, he shot .417/.407/.810, just 9.7 PPG on 6.9 3PA/game. He averaged 13.0 PPG with .445/.457/.950 on 8.1 3PA/game thereafter, highlighted by a career-high 35 points on April 10th. That’s production the Bucks really could have used in January or early March, as they tried to claw back into the play-in conversation amid Giannis injuries. AJG missed only four games and started 68, but after looking the part in 2024–25, he appears much less like an NBA starting guard today. That has a lot to do with his regression as a defender: the prior two years, he flashed really solid on-ball D, despite struggling a fair bit with team coverage (chalk that up to inexperience, maybe). He provided next to nothing on that end this season, which was a huge disappointment in my eyes. The only strides I really saw him make were as a playmaker: even if 1.9 APG looks like nothing, he had four-plus dimes a dozen times in 2025–26, up from seven the year prior.
I don’t think anyone expected much from Harris, who many speculated would take on the Pat Connaughton break-in-case-of-emergency veteran role. At first, he scarcely played while the team wasn’t ravaged by injuries, but down the stretch, he played even less often, with just 13 appearances and 11 DNPs after February 1st. He too dealt with minor injuries during that span. However, he had several nice games in the first half, usually providing solid perimeter defense even at age 31, plus the occasional three. He hit double figures just once on November 14th. I would say he did what was expected of him as a deeper reserve on a minimum deal. Can’t ask for much anyway.
Ajax keeps hanging on in Milwaukee despite his fewest minutes since his rookie campaign. Believe it or not, this was the first time he shot worse than 37% from deep in a season, and it’s not as if his volume has ever changed. He continues to be a void on offense without showing any of the ball-handling and facilitation acumen he developed on UConn’s 2023 national championship team. So it’s up to him to prove his worth on defense, and he didn’t hang his hat on that either. He fell out of favor with Doc last season, but maybe Taylor Jenkins thinks he can take whatever defensive skills Jackson has left and create an actual NBA player. I’m not betting on it.
Ah, finally something positive. I admit, Ryan deeply unimpressed me last summer league, and also didn’t stand out in limited preseason action. So I was nonplussed by Milwaukee’s decision to ink him on a two-way in late February. Looks like I was wrong about him, as the 27-year-old journeyman (he spent six seasons at three universities!) might just belong after all. Sure, it’s just 11 games, but the shot is definitely there, and he appears to have a bit more variety to his game than Green, the similarly-sized shooter he was naturally compared to. Ryan seriously popped in April with four games over 20+ and was in double-digits for eight of his 11 appearances. His two-way contract continues next season, and who knows, maybe the Bucks found themselves yet another rotation player not taking up a standard roster spot.
I saved the worst for last. GTJ famously started slowly in 2024–25 but, after being benched in early November, was great the remainder of the year, culminating in a sensational Pacers series. He was probably Milwaukee’s second-best player for those five games, so fans were thrilled when he took a Non-Bird raise to stay put last offseason. Once again, he kind of started slowly, but unlike last year, he never broke out of it. His best two-game stretch was probably Milwaukee’s 2-0 start out of the gate, because he shot just 37.4% over his next 19 games, taking us to the end of November. His shooting numbers sank further as we entered 2026, and after the season’s midpoint, he was generally out of the rotation. But a shoutout for 36 points in a loss to the Clippers on March 29th. That came during an eight-game stretch where he averaged 12.8 PPG on .450/.463/.625 shooting. Like Green, where was this when the games actually mattered?
Tantalising totals
(1) Green established a new career-best in assists against Miami in November. How many, and what was his previous best?
Click to reveal answer
Eight, topping six from December 2024.
(2) True or false: Jackson also set a career-high in assists this season.
Click to reveal answer
True, on March 23rd.
(3) In 11 games, Ryan topped which three former All-Stars in FG% and 3P%, all of whom played fewer than 20 games?
Click to reveal answer
Trae Young (15 GP), DeJounte Murray (14), and Jayson Tatum (16). He was just 2.3% shy of overtaking Domantas Sabonis (19) in FG%. He also was no more than 3.6 PPG away from all but Tatum.
Atypically advanced
(1) True or false: Trent’s 3PAr (three-point attempt rate) was higher in 2024–25 than in 2025–26.
Click to reveal answer
False: he took a career-high 72.3% of his shots from deep, shattering the previous high from last year at 65.9%
(2) According to Cleaning The Glass, Harris’ assist-to-usage ratio of 1.23 led the team. Whose was higher: Harris’ or James Harden’s?
Click to reveal answer
Harris’. Harden was at 1.11.
Obscure optics
(1) Trent’s notorious plus-minus issues resulted in a -9.2 net rating, per CTG. What two-time All-Star was just 0.2 points per 100 possessions better?
Click to reveal answer
Brandon Ingram. Trent’s net was also better than Isaiah Stewart’s and Bruce Brown’s!
How did you fare? Share your score in the comments, and don’t forget to drop your thoughts along with it—which stat stands out?
Here are some of the latest rumors flying around the league.
Anthony Davis traded again?
At last February's trade deadline, the Washington Wizards made a couple of bold moves to put former All-Stars around their young core, trading for Trae Young and Anthony Davis. With them (and another high draft pick), one could see a path to respectability for the Wizards, who have not made the playoffs the past five years (and only once in the last eight).
However, Davis may not be around for the long haul, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
"I do think there's a good chance that he may end up somewhere else by the time next season starts"@ChrisBHaynes gives the latest on the future of Anthony Davis with the Wizards
Haynes is saying that Davis likely wants to compete at a higher level than the Wizards are expected to next season. Maybe. However, trading him is something else entirely. Davis is a Wizard because the Dallas Mavericks didn't want to pay him — Davis is owed $58.5 million next season with a player option for the following year, and he's looking for an extension. That's a lot of money for a player with a lengthy injury history, with that, the trade market for AD is not exactly going to be robust. Despite the fact that when he has been on the court in recent years, he's looked like the All-NBA version of himself.
Lakers reportedly expected to keep Kennard
Luke Kennard is a free agent this summer. After coming to the Lakers via a trade with Atlanta, he averaged 9 points a game and shot 44.8% from 3-point range — he is the second-best shooter in the league right now. In the playoffs, forced into an expanded role due to the injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, he has averaged 14.4 points and 3 assists a game (although his numbers dropped way off in that series as the Rockets started to focus on him, then Reaves returned, he had just one point in Game 5).
"It is increasingly anticipated leaguewide that the Lakers will want to retain the recently acquired Luke Kennard after his strong first-round series against Houston."
I'm less sure about that. It's certainly possible, but the buzz around the Lakers is that they will only be able to keep one of Kennard or Rui Hachimura, who are both free agents. While there are variables around how this plays out — Does LeBron James return and at what price tag? Is new owner Mark Walter more open to paying the tax? — if the choice is Kennard or Hachimura, look for the Lakers to lean Hachimura, who is a better defender and more versatile because of his size.
Suns to extend Devin Brooks
Devin Brooks helped change the culture in Phoenix. He had a career year and was one of the key reasons the Suns made the playoffs instead of landing in the lottery, where most of us projected them to be before the season.
"The Suns, I'm told, indeed want to secure a long-term stay for Brooks after his role in establishing them as the West's foremost regular season surprise team, but sources say that Phoenix is also mindful of the fact that an extension would kick in for Brooks' age-32 season since there is currently only one season left on his contract in 2026-27 at $21 million. The max extension that Brooks can command is a four-year deal in the $125 million range but the expectation is that a new deal will not reach that upper threshold."
Expect it to get done.
While we're talking Suns, you can end the Devin Booker trade rumors now.
Suns team owner Mat Ishbia said Devin Booker "is not getting traded" when asked about Booker's status.
Peyton Watson emerged as a key part of the Denver Nuggets' rotation this season. Part of the reason the Nuggets are off to Cancun (or Serbia to watch horse races) is because Watson could not play in the postseason due to a hamstring injury. Watson averaged 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, shot 41.1% from 3-point range and played quality defense on the wing this season.
Watson is a restricted free agent this summer and Denver is expected to retain him, but the Lakers, Bulls and Nets are looking at him and considering trying to poach him, Fischer reports at the Stein Line.
Why Watson might be available is that bringing him back — re-signed or matching an offer — sends the Nuggets well above the second tax apron, and this is a team where ownership is allergic to the tax. A team with cap space — the Lakers, Nets and Bulls all have that — could come in with a big offer and dare the Nuggets to match.
What is CJ McCollum’s market?
CJ McCollum boosted his stock in Atlanta, averaging 18.7 points per game and shooting 35.7% from beyond the arc in the regular season, then in the playoffs became the tough shot-maker the Hawks needed, averaging 22.2 points per game, including some clutch buckets.
McCollum also is a free agent. It's unclear whether the Hawks will bring him back, despite how good he was for them. If they end up with the No. 7 or No. 8 pick in the draft (there is a 55.4% chance they do, this is the Pelican's pick that they traded to move up and get Derik Queen), then do they want to pay the veteran guard, too? Here is what John Hollinger wrote at The Athletic.
I canvassed a few execs on his likely value during my recent travels, and most seemed to think one or two years at slightly above the midlevel exception was a fair ballpark (i.e., two years and $35 million to $40 million). However, with tanking now verboten [pending the NBA's new rules], a one-year balloon deal from a struggling cap-room team like the Chicago Bulls or Brooklyn Nets can't be ruled out.
McCollum showed this season he still has value in the league, and the veteran is going to help some team out next season. The question is, which one?
Bulls front office
It's sounding more and more like Minnesota's No. 2 man, general manager Matt Lloyd, will get the job, listening to league buzz out of Chicago. However, Michael Scotto at Hoopshype writes that "Atlanta Hawks Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham, and Detroit Pistons Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Dennis Lindsey have garnered palpable buzz within league circles."
Scotto also adds this interesting note: "If the Bulls hire Lloyd as an executive, Timberwolves lead assistant coach Micah Nori would be a strong candidate for Chicago's head coaching vacancy, league sources told HoopsHype."
One other thing about the Minnesota front office: While Dallas might like to chase the Timberwolves' head of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, Minnesota is not expected to give Dallas permission to talk to him, Marc Stein reports at The Stein Line.
The league announced the 73 prospects who received invitations to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, which should provide plenty of helpful data.
Scouts and executives learn official measurements and athletic testing as as how players perform during interviews and scrimmages. But additionally, the invitation list alone lends helpful context to how evaluators around the league view this draft class.
Invitations are sent based on votes from each team in the NBA, who select which players they want to get a closer look at before the draft.
Players who did not receive an invite to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine may still earn their way to participation via the NBA G League Draft Combine, which begins two days before.
Full 2026 NBA Draft Combine List
This list is sorted based on consensus rankings from trusted mock drafts and big boards.
AJ Dybantsa
Darryn Peterson
Cameron Boozer
Caleb Wilson
Keaton Wagler
Darius Acuff Jr.
Kingston Flemings
Mikel Brown Jr.
Brayden Burries
Yaxel Lendeborg
Labaron Philon
Nate Ament
Aday Mara
Hannes Steinbach
Jayden Quaintance
Karim Lopez
Cameron Carr
Bennett Stirtz
Christian Anderson
Koa Peat
Dailyn Swain
Morez Johnson Jr.
Chris Cenac Jr
Amari Allen
Ebuka Okorie
Isaiah Evans
Allen Graves
Joshua Jefferson
Henri Veesaar
Meleek Thomas
Tyler Tanner
Tounde Yessoufou
Tarris Reed Jr.
Zuby Ejiofor
Alex Karaban
Juke Harris
Luigi Suigo
Milan Momcilovic
Rueben Chinyelu
Sergio De Larrea
Ryan Conwell
Braden Smith
Flory Bidunga
Jaden Bradley
Richie Saunders
Trevon Brazile
Bruce Thornton
Malachi Moreno
Baba Miller
Ugonna Onyenso
Billy Richmond III
Izaiyah Nelson
Emanuel Sharp
Keyshawn Hall
Milos Uzan
Ja'Kobi Gillespie
Otega Oweh
Kylan Boswell
Matt Able
Maliq Brown
Jeremy Fears Jr.
Tyler Bilodeau
Tyler Nickel
Nick Martinelli
Dillon Mitchell
Andrej Stojakovic
Felix Okpara
Tobi Lawal
Jack Kayil
John Blackwell
Nick Boyd
Peter Suder
Tobe Awaka
Biggest snubs from 2026 NBA Draft Combine
Collegiate prospects who declared as as early entry candidates or have remaining eligibility have until May 27 to withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft if they wish to play in the NCAA next season. Players who did not receive NBA Draft Combine invitations are more likely to return to college.
SENIORS:
Tamin Lipsey
Rafael Castro
Malik Reneau
Duke Miles
Lamar Wilkerson
Quadir Copeland
Nate Bittle
Jaron Pierre Jr.
Jalen Washington
Robert McCray V
Elijah Mahi
Ernest Udeh Jr.
Jaden Henley
Trey Kaufman-Renn
Tre White
Malique Ewin
Darrion Williams
Josh Omojafo
Cade Tyson
William Kyle III
Oscar Cluff
Kashie Natt
Donovan Dent
Joseph Pinion
Tucker DeVries
Day Day Thomas
B.J. Edwards
Carson Cooper
Tre Carroll
KeShawn Murphy
Jaylin Sellers
Donovan Atwell
AJ Storr
Boopie Miller
Mark Mitchell
Seth Trimble
MJ Collins
Lajae Jones
Anthony Roy
Zach Cleveland
EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES:
Alex Samodurov
Elliot Cadeau
Acaden Lewis
Cruz Davis
Jacob Cofie
Vsevolod Ishchenko
Bassala Bagayoko
Finley Bizjack
Isiah Harwell
Paulius Murauskas
Mohammad Amini
Pavle Bačko
Francesco Ferrari
Keanu Dawes
Colby Garland
Anton Bonke
Eian Elmer
Dennis Parker Jr.
Sebastian Rancik
Aiden Tobiason
Rowan Brumbaugh
Kennard Davis
Gabe Dynes
Shane Blakeney
LeJuan Watts
Bryson Tucker
When is the 2026 NBA Draft Combine?
The 2026 NBA Draft Combine is held in Chicago at Wintrust Arena and Marriott Marquis.
The NBA G League Combine is from May 8 until May 10. The NBA Draft Combine is May 10 until May 17.
Five-on-five scrimmages typically broadcast on ESPN on Wednesday and Thursday.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Alperen Sengun (28) of Rockets in action against LeBron James (23) of Lakers during the NBA playoffs game 5 between Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets at the Crypto.com Arena on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
You can’t fake desperate.
The Rockets have had their season on the line in the last two games, and they’ve played like it. Houston dominated in a blowout win in Game 4 and then came to LA and won a close contest in Game 5.
Now, entering Game 6, it’s the Lakers who have to feel a bit nervous. A 3-0 lead has now shriveled away, and if Los Angeles doesn’t win, then we’ll have a Game 7 and the Lakers would be flirting with the most embarrassing series loss in the history of the sport.
Everyone, including the players, is well aware of the severity of the situation.
“We got to play desperate,” Marcus Smart said after the Game 5 loss. “Every possession matters for us and we really got to literally go out there and be ready to die. That was it. When I was on the other end, that was our motto…We have to be the desperate team. We know they’re going to come in in their place and be very desperate, very confident and we gotta be able to have to be able to respond in a good way with it.”
Despite how dire things have been for the Lakers, they still have the advantage in this series. They need to win just one game and the Rockets need two victories to end things. LA needs to use that advantage and channel the same desperation and urgency the Rockets have been playing with and get this series over with.
“We got to play like our backs against the wall, right, Smart said. “We knew this was going to be a tough series. I think everybody knew that and it’s turned out to be exactly what we expected. Now the fun begins.”
Smart might have a different view on what’s fun than Lakers fans do, but let’s hope he can have his fun and win this game and the Lakers can spend the rest of the weekend preparing for a second-round series against the Thunder.
While there can clearly be frustration that a sweep has turned into a tight series, at this point, all that matters is getting to that fourth win over the Rockets.
“We don’t have a lot of time to dwell on it,” LeBron James said. “I mean, you can give yourself tonight, a little bit tomorrow, but sh-t, once we get on that plane and head down to Houston, we got to forget about it and understand what we’re going for. It’s going to be even harder, man. Like every game is harder. It’s so hard to close out a team in the postseason to win a series and this is our first time doing it as a unit. We’ll see what we got.”
The time is now for the Lakers to raise their intensity and be the team that closes out their opponent.
The last time Los Angeles has done this was in 2023, so we’ll see if this iteration of the Lakers has what it takes to finish the job.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 04: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates with Dillon Brooks #3 after Booker put up the game-winning three-point shot during the final moments of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 04, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Thunder 108-105. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The season is over, and with it comes a clearer perspective on who this team is, what it accomplished, and how the hierarchy settles. That naturally leads to one of the more enjoyable exercises we do at the beginning and end of every season.
SunsRank.
It is the process of building out the roster and figuring out who the best players are. It is subjective by design, and that is what makes it work. What stands out every time is the shift, where we started, where we landed, and how much can change over the course of a season.
In years past, it was a straight list. Rank them one through however many and call it a day. This season, the approach evolved. It became tier-based. Group the players first, define the buckets, then sort within them. It is cleaner, easier to digest, and creates better conversations. A compartmentalized approach that allows everyone to weigh in on where players belong within the structure that fits their impact.
So, utilizing the same logic that we did at the beginning of the season, here are the four tiers that players on the Phoenix Suns fall into:
Tier 1: The Cornerstones
These are the players the franchise rests on, the names etched into the season’s story before the first tip. They set the tone, and if the Suns succeed, it’s because these players delivered.
Tier 2: The Pillars
Not quite cornerstones, but strong enough to hold weight. These are the stabilizers, the players who give structure to the roster. If they rise, the ceiling rises.
Tier 3: The Wild Cards
Players who could swing the season one way or another. Their roles aren’t fixed, their impact is unpredictable, and that volatility makes them fascinating.
Tier 4: The Depth Pieces
The supporting cast. The ones who fill minutes, plug gaps, and sometimes win a game or two that no one expects. They may not grab headlines, but every season leans on players like these.
Where did we land before the season began? Based on results from the community and our writing team, here is where the Preseason SunsRank 2025-26 landed:
#
BRIGHT SIDE COMMUNITY RANK
BRIGHT SIDE WRITERS CONSENSUS RANK
1
Devin Booker
Devin Booker
2
Jalen Green
Jalen Green
3
Mark Williams
Dillon Brooks
4
Dillon Brooks
Mark Williams
5
Ryan Dunn
Grayson Allen
6
Grayson Allen
Ryan Dunn
7
Royce O’Neale
Royce O’Neale
8
Collin Gillespie
Collin Gillespie
9
Nigel Hayes-Davis
Nick Richards
10
Oso Ighodaro
Oso Ighodaro
11
Rasheer Fleming
Nigel Hayes-Davis
12
Khaman Maluach
Khaman Maluach
13
Koby Brea
Jordan Goodwin
14
Nick Richards
Rasheer Fleming
15
Jordan Goodwin
Koby Brea
16
Jared Butler
Isaiah Livers
17
Isaiah Livers
Jared Butler
18
CJ Huntley
CJ Huntley
Wow. Looking back at that list is wild, isn’t it? Early-season perception drove much of where players landed. The Bright Side community had Jordan Goodwin 15th. The writers had him 13th. It will be fascinating to see where he ends up after this exercise. And we sure did overvalue NHD, didn’t we?
Now comes the fun part. This is where you go through the roster, in alphabetical order by last name, and decide who belongs in which tier. Drop your thoughts in the comments. Who was easy? Who gave you trouble? Who sits right on that line? Because there are a few that live there.
Once we have the tiers set, we move to the next phase. Ranking within them. That is how SunsRank takes shape, building toward a full 1 through 18 when you include the two-way players. It is a process. It is a conversation. It is a thought exercise I look forward to every time, because defining “best” is never universal. Everyone values something different. What drives you? Leadership, production, or impact on winning? Price for value paid, cultural significance, or grit? There are many factors and how to define who is better than who.
Our writing team is working through their rankings behind the scenes as well. Once it is complete, we will share everything, just like we always do. Transparency matters. If something stands out, we will have our writers explain their thought process. And we expect the same from you in the comments.
Appreciate you taking the time to be part of it. Let’s begin SunsRank.
What is it about competitors from Philadelphia always going the distance?
The Philadelphia 76ers have followed the blueprint of Rocky Balboa, storming back to force a Game 7 clash with the Boston Celtics.
After trailing 3-1 in this opening-round series, the Sixers have rallied behind a defensive resurgence, with Kelly Oubre Jr. leading the way through his relentless energy and effort.
While he’s been key in slowing down Boston’s top weapons, Oubre has also shown he can make his presence felt on the offensive end.
Our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions like Philly’s forward to produce, and my NBA picks are taking Oubre to go Over a short points prop Saturday.
UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win.
76ers vs Celtics prediction
Who will win 76ers vs Celtics Game 7?
76ers: After laying double digits in its first three home games, Boston is a way smaller home favorite for Game 7. That spread is anchored by Jayson Tatum’s tender calf, with the Celtics’ superstar officially ruled out for tonight.
Boston has a bad habit of sticking to the plan, and that’s not working. The 76ers have the momentum and mentality to keep this game closer than oddsmakers expect, and if Boston stays cold from deep, it’s over.
76ers vs Celtics best bet: Kelly Oubre Over 9.5 points (+100)
Defense is Kelly Oubre's calling card, but after a solid offensive start to the series, he disappeared in Games 4 and 5.
His usage is modest to begin with, yet dropped from 16.4% in the opening three games — scoring 10, 12, and 17 points respectively — to just 8.6% in Games 4 and 5. That resulted in a total of only six points on 2-for-11 combined shooting.
Oubre did find his way back into the offense in Game 6. His usage surged back to 17% and led to a 6-for-11 performance for 14 points.
Oubre was active off the ball and benefited from extra attention being thrown at Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Boston sent double teams at the 7-footer, opening up space in the dunker's spot for Oubre to cut to the rim. He was also able to get inside as a ball handler on high-screen action.
With Embiid serving as the biggest problem for the Boston Celtics defense, we could see Boston adjust its matchups and use bigger bodies like Neemias Queta or Nikola Vucevic to mind the 6-foot-8 Oubre.
From there, Oubre can face up and take those plodding players off the dribble or make them pay from outside, should those centers stay home.
His projections for Game 7 sit between 12.5 and 13 points. Oubre has scored 10 or more points in eight of his last 10 games and 11 of his last 16 outings since returning from an elbow injury at the end of March.
76ers vs Celtics same-game parlay
The Sixers have found another gear on defense and have done an excellent job of keeping the Celtics away from the offensive glass, limiting Boston to one bad shot per possession. The Celtics refuse to adjust their offensive approach, and that will keep this closer than oddsmakers expect.
Joel Embiid has been a game-changer against a soft Boston interior. The Celtics are having to throw extra bodies at the 76ers' big man, and he’s done a great job hitting cutters and finding shooters on kickouts. He's dished out 22 total assists on 30 potential assists the past three games.
76ers vs Celtics SGP
76ers +7.5
Kelly Oubre Over 9.5 points
Joel Embiid Over 4.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Oubre is A-OK
Kelly Oubre is one of the best two-way players in this series. He’s projected for as many as 13 points and seven rebounds in Game 7.
He's swatted at least one shot in three of the past four games, including two blocks in Game 6. If Philly is going to cover this spread, Oubre will have a big part in it.
76ers vs Celtics SGP
76ers +7.5
Kelly Oubre Over 9.5 points
Kelly Oubre Over 5.5 rebounds
Kelly Oubre Over 0.5 blocks
76ers vs Celtics odds for Game 7
Spread: 76ers +7.5 (-110) | Celtics -7.5 (-110)
Moneyline: 76ers +235 | Celtics -290
Over/Under: Over 206.5 (-110) | Under 206.5 (-110)
76ers vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Philadelphia 76ers have produced a 16-27 Over/Under record (63% Unders) as underdogs this season, including an 8-15 O/U mark when getting six points or more. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Celtics.
How to watch 76ers vs Celtics Game 7
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
76ers vs Celtics latest injuries
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Knicks fans were especially thankful for actress, Anne Hathaway after New York's historic win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series Thursday night.
Knicks fans were especially thankful for actress Anne Hathaway after New York’s historic win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series Thursday night.
Hathaway, a diehard Knicks fan and a Celebrity Row staple at Madison Square Garden, sent some good juju to the team during a Wednesday night appearance on “The Tonight Show,” telling host Jimmy Fallon that she “considered wearing an OG [Anunoby] jersey” on the show.
The star Knicks forward went off the next night, scoring 29 points in New York’s 140-89 series-clinching win. He also had seven rebounds and four steals in 27 minutes of action at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
It’s unclear if Anunoby caught Hathaway’s remark, but some chalked it up to the actress igniting a fire in the NBA champ.
“Thank you Anne Hathaway for unlocking the demon inside of OG Anunoby,” one fan wrote in an X post, including a clip of Hathaway on the late night show.
Anne Hathaway on “The Tonight Show” on April 29, 2026. X
“Huge Thank You to Anne Hathaway for turning OG Anunoby into a god,” another added.
Hathaway — promoting her new movie, “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which features a cameo from Knicks center Karl Anthony Towns — wore a pocket handkerchief that was Knicks’ blue and orange.
Knicks faithful noticed an uptick in Towns’ player stats since the sequel movie premiered last week in New York.
Karl-Anthony Towns since The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere
—17.3 ppg —13.0 rpg —7.5 apg —7th + 8th triple-doubles in Knicks playoff history —3.6 blocks+steals/game —62.1 eFG% —74.0 true shooting% —OffRTG 130.1, DefRTG 94.7 (+35.4 netRTG) —plus/minus of +84 in 125 minutes https://t.co/N99GAf9xEs
Towns had triple-doubles in Games 4 and 6, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on Thursday.
Knicks guard Mikal Bridges added 24 points in the team’s largest win in a playoff game in franchise history.
OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during Round One Game 6 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NBAE via Getty Images
Hathaway and Anunoby have viral history.
In 2024, Anunoby nearly crashed into Hathaway while she was sitting courtside during a game at Madison Square Garden.
She later thanked him in an Instagram video, saying, “I’ve always wanted that to happen.”
Fallon played the clip while rehashing the moment with Hathaway on the show Wednesday.
The home team continued its dominance in the series as Cleveland won Game 5, 125-120. The Cavaliers were led by James Harden who lead the team in points (23), rebounds (9), and assists (5).
Cleveland holds a 3-2 series lead as they enter Game 6 in Toronto. The Cavaliers have the second-best offensive net rating at home this postseason and the third-worst on the road. Cleveland is shooting 28.2% from three in Toronto in the playoffs and are third-worst in turnovers per game (20.0) away from home. The Raptors are shooting 68.4% from the free throw line at home, which ranks worst of the entire playoff field.
Toronto won by 22 and 4 points during its home contests in Games 3 and 4. Toronto has been led in scoring every game by either Scottie Barnes or RJ Barrett — and both double doubled in Game 5's loss. The Raptors can force a Game 7 in Cleveland on Sunday with a home win tonight.
Let’s take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Raptors vs. Cavaliers
Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
Time: 7:40 PM EST
Site: Scotiabank Arena
City: Cleveland, OH
Network/Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Cavaliers vs. Raptors
The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Cleveland Cavaliers (-192), Toronto Raptors (+160)
Spread: Cavaliers -4.5
Total: 218.5 points
This game spread opened with Cleveland favored by 3.5 points and the Game Total set at 219.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Cavaliers vs. Raptors
Toronto Raptors
PG Ja’Kobe Walter
SG Brandon Ingram
SF RJ Barrett
PF Scottie Barnes
C Jakob Poeltl
Cleveland Cavaliers
PG James Harden
SG Donovan Mitchell
SF Dean Wade
PF Evan Mobley
C Jarrett Allen
Injury Report: Raptors vs. Cavaliers
Toronto Raptors
Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) has been declared OUT of for the remainder of the first round series
Cleveland Cavaliers
None
Important stats, trends and insights: Raptors vs. Cavaliers
Cleveland is the worst in the NBA ATS at 35-52
Cleveland is 44-43 to the Under
Cleveland is 17-26 ATS as the road team, ranking fifth-worst
Cleveland is 9-21 ATS as a road favorite, ranking fifth-worst
Toronto is 52-35 to the Under, ranking third-best
Toronto is 24-19 to the Under at home
Toronto is 45-42 ATS and 23-20 ATS at home
Toronto is 8-6 ATS and 6-8 on the ML
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday’s Raptors and Cavaliers’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning toward a play on the Cavaliers Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cavaliers -4.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 218.5
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The Lakers are 10-4 SU and ATS in their last 14 games as underdogs, and the Rockets are trading at 61¢ to take this series to the brink.
Our prediction:Lakers to win
"The Rockets have rallied, but Reaves’ return in Game 5 gives L.A. an extra attacker, and he’ll look much sharper in Game 6 after shaking off the rust."
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More Lakers vs Rockets prediction markets
You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Lakers vs. Rockets at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.
You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Rockets -X.X spread means the Rockets will cover, while "No" means the Lakers will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using theCovers odds converter).
Lakers vs Rockets spread and total at prediction markets
Outcome
Yes
No
Rockets -2.5
55¢ (-122)
47¢ (+113)
Over 203.5 points
54¢ (-117)
47¢ (+113)
Our predictions:Rockets -2.5 — No
"The Lakers will clean up their play with sharper shooting and fewer turnovers. Those miscues have gifted Houston 48 total points across the past two outings. The Rockets have capitalized on those mistakes for easy buckets, but they struggle when forced into a half-court game."
Other Lakers vs Rockets prediction markets available
LeBron James 20+ points (Yes: 66¢)
Alperen Sengun 6+ assists (Yes: 59¢)
Deandre Ayton 10+ rebounds (Yes: 41¢)
What is Kalshi and how does it work?
Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts," which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Rockets win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.
How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?
In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.
Why should I wager on Lakers vs Rockets at Kalshi?
Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:
Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 20: James Harden #1 talks with Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena on April 20, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite the Cleveland Cavaliers walking away from Game 5 with a 3-2 series lead, they still haven’t fully instilled confidence as a bona fide contender. In many ways, Cleveland’s wins have felt more tied to Toronto’s limitations and mistakes than the Cavaliers consistently imposing their own identity and style of basketball over extended stretches of play.
The clearest example of Cleveland playing “their brand of basketball” came in the second half of Game 5. But even that performance came with important context: Toronto was without Brandon Ingram and relying on a clearly limited Scottie Barnes.
That makes Game 6 especially important for Cleveland’s postseason outlook. The key question isn’t simply whether the Cavaliers can close out the series, but whether that second-half surge in Game 5 reflected the team discovering a sustainable level of play without Donovan Mitchell, or if it was merely the product of a compromised Toronto roster.
To Cleveland’s credit, the Eastern Conference as a whole has hardly looked dominant in the first round. Detroit has pushed Orlando to the brink, while Boston and Philadelphia are going to Game 7. Because of that, the Cavaliers still have a viable playoff path if they can establish some consistency moving forward.
A familiar frustration for Cavaliers fans is that this roster never truly had the benefit of continuity throughout the regular season. Because of injuries and lineup instability, Cleveland has essentially been forced to troubleshoot in real time during this series, experimenting with combinations deep into the postseason to determine what actually works. The challenge with postseason lineup data is that the sample sizes are so small that it becomes difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from it.
Without a reliable regular-season foundation to lean on, the Cavaliers have been adjusting game by game — and at times quarter by quarter. That’s what made the second half of Game 5 so intriguing. Cleveland leaned more heavily into interior play, trusted offensive movement, and played with a level of freedom that had largely been absent earlier in the series.
When the Cavaliers avoid letting the rigidity of postseason basketball hijack the natural flow of their offense, they look far more dynamic. In previous seasons, there is almost no scenario where Dennis Schröder takes over a pivotal fourth quarter while Donovan Mitchell comfortably plays off the ball as more of a spectator. Likewise, Evan Mobley confidently stepping into no-hesitation threes late in a high-leverage game signals a level of offensive trust and adaptability that Cleveland has not consistently shown in past playoff runs.
There are legitimate signs of evolution and meaningful change within this team. The question now is whether that second-half breakthrough was simply a one-game solution against a depleted Raptors team, or if it can become a legitimate blueprint for how Cleveland wants to play moving forward.
That’s why so much weight falls on Game 6. It’s less about fearing a potential Game 7 against Toronto and more about what another loss would represent: a team that still lacks a clear understanding of itself and remains unable to consistently execute the identity it wants to play with.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 28: Jaylen Brown #7, Derrick White #9, and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics look on during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers 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
Over the last five quarters of this series, I haven’t recognized this version of the Celtics. While there have been flashes, they haven’t consistently looked like the team that got them here.
So far in these playoffs, Boston has the third-highest isolation frequency among playoff teams. For a roster built around depth and decision-making, that feels wrong. When they’re at their best, the offense starts with paint touches, forces rotations, and moves into second and third options. In this series, too many possessions have flattened out. One matchup targeted early, four teammates spaced and stationary.
Against Philadelphia, that simplifies their job defensively. The other four defenders don’t have to rotate. They can stay home, conserve energy, and stay organized. That energy shows up on the other end.
You can see it in the shot profile. The Celtics are taking 53% of their shots from three, the highest rate of any team in the playoffs, and averaging seven more attempts per game than the next closest team, Oklahoma City.
The volume isn’t new. It’s a big reason Banner 18 is hanging in TD Garden. But the way those shots are being created feels different.
Earlier in the year, those looks came after the defense had already shifted. Paint touch, kickout, extra pass. In this series, too many of them are coming earlier in the clock, without forcing that initial rotation. And even when the looks are there, they haven’t consistently fallen. Boston is shooting 41.9% on wide-open shots in the playoffs, defined as no defender within six feet.
That combination puts more heat and pressure on each individual possession.
The defensive activity isn’t there
The defensive numbers tell a similar story.
The Celtics are last among playoff teams in deflections per game, and the gap is significant. They’re averaging roughly six fewer deflections per game than Minnesota, which ranks second to last. That same six-deflection gap exists between Minnesota and Orlando, which ranks second overall in these playoffs.
During the regular season, Boston averaged 15.2 deflections per game. That level of activity disrupted actions early and forced teams into late-clock decisions. That hasn’t carried over. Without consistent pressure, Philadelphia has been able to initiate offense cleanly. Entry passes are easier. Actions start on time. The Celtics aren’t forcing the same level of hesitation.
It shows up on the perimeter as well. Boston is last in the playoffs in contested three-point attempts per game after finishing eighth in the regular season. Philadelphia has flipped that, ranking first after being middle of the pack.
Those numbers match what the possessions look like. The Sixers are closing harder and getting into bodies. The Celtics haven’t created the same level of disruption.
Game 6 showed how small edges add up
Game 6 was a series of small advantages that all leaned the same way.
Philadelphia finished with seven more shot attempts. Boston generated almost no second chances, finishing with one offensive rebound on 20 missed shots. Over the first five games, they had rebounded 37 percent of their misses. In Game 6, that dropped to five percent.
That’s a swing in possessions that’s hard to overcome.
The individual numbers reflect it, too. Derrick White finished as a minus-25. Jaylen Brown was a minus-24. I don’t look at +/- as the be-all and end-all stat, but it does indicate that these subpar stretches added up over the course of the night.
From the Celtics’ perspective, the explanation wasn’t complicated.
Payton Pritchard described the situation simply afterward, saying the momentum doesn’t carry the same weight in a Game 7 setting. “It means nothing. It’s one game,” he said. “It’s like the NCAA Tournament — gotta win one or go home. So it’s the only thing on our mind.”
Jaylen Brown echoed that framing, focusing less on what’s already happened and more on what shows up next. “Game 7 is a game amongst itself,” he said. “The rest of the series doesn’t matter. It’s gonna be who’s gonna show up on that day and be a better performing team.”
There’s also an understanding internally that the issues aren’t hard to identify.
“There’s definitely some stuff I see that I can improve,” Brown said.
Even Joe Mazzulla’s decision late in Game 6, one that drew some outside reaction, reflected the same underlying belief in the group. He pointed back to what the team has been all season. “All year we’ve had 14–15 guys be able to impact winning,” he said. “Just wanted to give the game a different look.”
That idea, that the solutions are already on the roster and already part of their identity, is consistent with what the numbers are showing.
Game 7 is about getting back to Celtics basketball
A win on Saturday won’t require the invention of a new system or a massive adjustment that goes against their true identity.
The version of the Celtics that won all year played through the paint first. They trusted the next pass. They created advantages through movement and patience. Defensively, they were active, getting hands on the ball and forcing teams out of rhythm. That version just hasn’t been consistent enough in this series.
Beautiful Celtics ball movement leads to the Luka Garza bucket, that's 51 bench points for the C's pic.twitter.com/r9xSpjcsr4
Whatever the Denver Nuggets are going to look like next season, they can't just run it back again and expect better results. After winning the NBA title in 2023, the Nuggets have not advanced past the second round of the playoffs, and on Thursday night, a shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves team eliminated them in the first round.
Whatever that team looks like, Nikola Jokic wants to be part of it. Here's his quote, via Anthony Slater of ESPN.
"I still want to be a Nugget forever."
Jokic is extension-eligible this summer. He is under contract for $59 million for next season, with a $62.8 million player option for the season after that. Jokic was directly asked if he would sign an extension this offseason. His response:
"I still want to be a Nugget forever."
Jokic averaged 25.8 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game against Minnesota, nearly a triple-double. However, his 19.4% shooting from 3-point range and poor defense in the series were issues. That said, he's still a top-three player in the world, still an absolute franchise cornerstone.
Jokic's future is not in question, but a lot of other things are. Denver's moves last offseason — trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson, locking up Christian Braun, bringing back Bruce Brown — combined with a healthy Jamal Murray led to the best offense in the league and a 54-win season (that's one more win than their championship season). However, for the third year in a row, regular-season success did not translate into playoff success, and the Nuggets need to address that.
A post by former Nuggets coach George Karl seemed to hit the nail on the head.
Championship windows open and close faster than ever in the NBA.
Denver's list of offseason issues starts with the fact that this team enters the summer already over the tax and first apron, and they are flirting with the second one. This is for an ownership group considered allergic to the tax (although they paid it the three seasons before this one). Along with that, the Nuggets' priorities are:
• A Jokic extension. Expect that to get done, Denver will offer the max and he will sign it. Jokic is not going anywhere.
• Re-sign Peyton Watson. He's a restricted free agent, but one the Lakers, Bulls and other teams are reportedly eyeing as someone they may try to poach. The Nuggets have the right to match any offer. That said, re-signing or matching an offer for Watson is going to be hard to do without moving above the second tax apron. There had been speculation in some circles that the Nuggets would not match a big offer from another team, but after he was clearly missed while out injured in these playoffs, can Denver afford not to match?
• Re-signing free agents. Do the Nuggets bring back Tim Hardaway Jr., who finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting and was critical for them this season? Also hitting the free agent market are Bruce Brown and Spencer Jones.
• Cameron Johnson extension? Do the Nuggets want to extend the deal of the two-way wing, set to make $23.1 million next season? If so, at what number?
There are bigger picture questions, too. Aaron Gordon is critical to this team's success. How can they lighten his load to keep him healthy? How do they add depth to the roster? Is David Adelman the right long-term coach? (Note, Jokic stuck up for Addelman after the Nuggets were eliminated.) It's going to be difficult to make trades because Denver has no first-round picks it can move in a deal.
It's going to be an interesting summer in Denver. The one sure thing is that Nikola Jokic isn't going anywhere.
Finishing the regular season with the No. 1 seed in the East, the Pistons are trading at 61¢ to stave off elimination and force a Game 7 back in the Motor City.
Our prediction:Magic to win
"Orlando entered the 2025-26 season seen by some as a possible Eastern Conference contender. Then injuries and frustrations knocked the Magic into the Play-In Tournament, while the Pistons surged to the top of the East. But perhaps this series represents a return to priors. And if so, Orlando should prevail in Game 6."
Sign up now using our exclusive Kalshi promo code 'COVERS' and get a $10 trading bonus after you trade $10 on any other event contracts — including Pistons/Magic!
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More Pistons vs Magic prediction markets
You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Pistons vs. Magic at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.
You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Pistons -4.5 spread means the Pistons will cover, while "No" means the Magic will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using theCovers odds converter).
Pistons vs Magic spread and total at prediction markets
Outcome
Yes
No
Pistons -4.5
48¢ (+108)
54¢ (-117)
Over 211.5 points
47¢ (+113)
54¢ (-117)
Our predictions:Pistons -4.5 — No
"Orlando is 4-1 against the spread in this series, exceeding bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 7.1 points."
Other Pistons vs Magic prediction markets available
Paulo Banchero 25+ points (Yes: 46¢)
Desmond Bane 4+ threes (Yes: 25¢)
Jalen Duren 10+ rebounds (Yes: 45¢)
What is Kalshi and how does it work?
Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts," which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Magic win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.
How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?
In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.
Why should I wager on Pistons vs Magic at Kalshi?
Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:
Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.
Three former Kentucky Wildcats have received invites to the NBA Combine.
Malachi Moreno, Otega Oweh, and Jayden Quaintance are among 73 players who have been invited to the combine this year to work out in front of NBA scouts and front-office personnel.
The player most Kentucky fans will be watching closely is Moreno. Moreno has been penciled in as a returning starter and key piece for this Kentucky team next season, but if he impresses NBA personnel in the pre-draft process, those plans may not seem as solid as originally thought.
Moreno could benefit from another year in college as he continues to get stronger and improve his game, but no doubt fans will be keeping an eye on him in the pre-draft process.
The NBA announced 73 players have been invited to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. Additionally, a select number of standout players from the NBA G League Draft Combine will be invited to participate in the NBA Draft Combine following the event. Below are the current 73 players listed pic.twitter.com/9kB4ChXFeo
There are a couple of other names of interest to Kentucky fans that have been invited to the combine.
Santa Clara forward Allen Graves, Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic, and Baylor forward Tounde Yessoufou were all invited to the combine. Those three players also entered the transfer portal, and are considered possibilities to return to college, although recent reports have indicated Yessoufou plans to remain in the draft.
It’s more likely than not that all three remain in the draft, but if any of those three decide to return to college, they will be highly coveted players in the transfer portal.
