Category: NBA

It’s been a month and a half since the Cleveland Cavaliers traded for James Harden. So far, the results have pretty good.

The Cavs won their first five games with Harden in the lineup. Since that time, he’s broken a finger, and the team has lost four of their last nine games with him. The Cavs are now 10-4 in games Harden plays.

In that time, Harden is averaging 19.4 points, 7.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game with .480/.436/.808 shooting splits.

The three-ball has boosted Harden’s efficiency. The outside shot will undoubtedly cool off. He’s never shot over 40% from three for a season. The closest he’s gotten was converting 39% of his triples back in the 2011-12 season.

Harden has done a great job of bolstering the offense while adjusting to a secondary role alongside Donovan Mitchell. Harden’s usage rate in Cleveland has been 27.9% (67th percentile). That’s the lowest it’s been since 2023-24, when he first played alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George with the Los Angeles Clippers.

More impressively, Harden has done a great job of fitting into head coach Kenny Atkinson’s offensive system. The Cavs are playing slower with Harden on the court compared to their season-long average, but since he’s come to the team, they’re playing at a slightly faster pace when he’s on the court compared to when he’s off.

Atkinson’s system isn’t built on just playing fast. It’s a movement-based offense that runs a lot of off-ball action. That’s the opposite of Harden’s isolation system, where every player stays perfectly spaced at all times.

The Cavs have done a good job of blending the two. They’ve been able to incorporate a decent amount of off-ball movement around Harden, which has allowed him to showcase how good a passer he is.

As a team, the Cavs have scored 122.7 points per 100 possessions (94th percentile for offensive ratings) when Harden is on the court. An individual player’s offensive rating isn’t usually indicative of how well they’ve performed. In this instance, it shows how well he’s bought into the team’s philosophy, leading to their success.

More importantly, the offense has remained elite no matter which core player he’s been paired with.

Harden has paired incredibly well with Mitchell. He’s allowed Mitchell to keep the reins as a scorer while finding ways to fit in around him. As a result, the Cavs have posted a 128.8 offensive rating with both Mitchell and Harden on the court (99th percentile). This has led to the Cavs outscoring their opponents by 11.3 points per 100 possessions when both are on the floor (94th percentile for net ratings).

The same has been true with Jarrett Allen. The duo has developed an impressive pick-and-roll game, which has led to the Cavs posting a 124.2 offensive rating (97th percentile) and a +8.5 net rating (87th percentile) when both are playing.

Harden’s fit alongside Evan Mobley has looked the most awkward. The duo hasn’t developed great pick-and-roll chemistry yet, which has left the offense feeling clunky at times. However, that clunkiness isn’t reflected in the numbers. The Cavs have still posted a superb 122.1 offensive rating with both on the floor (92nd percentile) and a +9.1 net rating (89th percentile).

As seamless as the fit has been, there are two things that we can clearly knock Harden for.

First, he’s been able to stabilize lineups without Mitchell — which was a big issue before the Harden trade — but those lineups haven’t been too impressive.

Atkinson hasn’t found the right bench combinations to play alongside Harden. There hasn’t been much consistency in those lineups, which makes it difficult to have too strong an opinion as to why they haven’t thrived. This has led to the Cavs outscoring opponents by 1.6 points per 100 possessions (59th percentile for net ratings) when Harden is on the floor without Mitchell.

Secondly, the defense has been rough with Harden.

Opponents are scoring 4.7 more points per 100 possessions with Harden on the floor compared to when he’s off (17th percentile). This is due in part to how little resistance Harden has provided at the point of attack.

The Cavs have tried different ways to cover for Harden defensively, but haven’t found much success in doing so. They’ve experimented with the 3-2 zone with Harden at both the top and the bottom of the zone, but he’s fared poorly in both situations. He doesn’t contain the ball at the top of the zone, and the rotations are too slow when he’s at the bottom.

These issues are amplified when he’s playing alongside Mitchell, who’s been a poor point-of-attack defender in his own right recently.

The defense has been without either Mobley or Allen in most of Harden’s tenure with the team. Harden has only played with both bigs in five of his 14 games. The defense has been exceptional in the brief time he’s shared the floor with both bigs — they’ve posted a 95.4 defensive rating (100th percentile) in 72 minutes together. The issue is that the Cavs play a majority of their minutes with just one of the two bigs on the court, even when both are healthy.

Harden isn’t magically going to become a great defender in his 17th season. However, there are likely better ways to cover for him on that end. The question is whether the Cavaliers can find those before the postseason.

Overall, Harden has fit in well with his teammates. He was brought in to boost their chances of going to the Finals this season and in the next few. Based on the early returns, they’re in a better situation to do that even with him playing through a broken finger.

Harden’s grade for his first month and a half of play: A-

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The Indiana Pacers have some good recent memories at MSG, but don’t count on a repeat for Rick Carlisle’s short-handed squad as they visit the New York Knicks tonight.

Indiana arrives on a 13-game losing streak while tumbling towards maximum lottery odds, so my Pacers vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks see New York running riot here, with OG Anunoby stepping up in the likely absence of Jalen Brunson.

Pacers vs Knicks prediction

Pacers vs Knicks best bet: OG Anunoby Over 22.5 points + rebounds (-125)

OG Anunoby ranks among the NBA’s elite 3-and-D weapons, but he’s much more than a role player – and this combo Over feels like a value pick, with Anunoby nailing it in three of his last four games.

Just look at his numbers this month — OG is averaging 19.2 points per game and shooting 45% from beyond the arc. He dropped 25 points on the Indiana Pacers last week, and there’s a path to more offense with Brunson listed as doubtful.

I see Anunoby chipping in on the boards too, where he’s grabbed 5+ rebounds in six of his past nine outings.

Pacers vs Knicks same-game parlay

The New York Knicks won’t need to get out of first gear to land a victory, and I see Anunoby and Towns doing most of the damage. KAT has finished with 13+ rebounds four times already this month, and New York is 24-9 SU at home this season.

Pacers vs Knicks SGP

• OG Anunoby Over 22.5 points + rebounds
• Knicks moneyline
• Karl-Anthony Towns Over 12.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: New York Minute!

This is a perfect chance for the New York wings to put up big numbers, and I see Bridges joining Anunoby with a strong scoring night.

Plus, Hart will take on more playmaking responsibilities without Brunson on the floor. That should be a winning formula against the slumping Pacers, who are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 contests.

Pacers vs Knicks SGP

• OG Anunoby Over 18.5 points
• Josh Hart Over 6.5 assists
• Mikal Bridges Over 14.5 points
• Knicks -14.5

Pacers vs Knicks odds

• Spread: Pacers +14.5 | Knicks -14.5
• Moneyline: Pacers +600 | Knicks -900
• Over/Under: Over 221.5 | Under 221.5

Pacers vs Knicks betting trend to know

The Pacers are 5-29 SU on the road this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Knicks.

How to watch Pacers vs Knicks

Pacers vs Knicks latest injuries

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

Long before he became an NBA Hall of Famer, Paul Pierce was a senior at Inglewood High School thrilled to be chosen to play in the 1995 McDonald's All-American Game, a nationally televised showcase that has brought together 24 of the best prep players in the country every year since 1978.

The McDonald's all-time scoring record of 30 points had been set in 1981 by (who else?) Michael Jordan a month after his 18th birthday. Fourteen years later, Pierce scored at a blistering pace, yet because someone had stolen his jersey, he played a portion of the game with the name "McCoy" on the back.

Broadcasters credited "McCoy" with several baskets and apparently the scorekeeper couldn't keep track either. In the box score, Pierce was credited with 28 points. In his mind, he was certain he had more than 30.

He painstakingly watched the game tape and, sure enough, he had scored 31 points. Yet the official McDonald's record book didn't recognize it, and Jordan continued to hold the record until Jonathan Bender put up 31 in 1999.

That is just one of the delightful, insightful stories included in the feature-length documentary "Meal Ticket," an exhaustively researched labor of love by co-directors Corey Colvin and Carlton Gerard Sabbs of production company Stony & Yates. The film will premiere Thursday on Prime Video.

Meanwhile, Jordan had his own beef with McDonald's — or at least his mother did. He was not given the John R. Wooden Award as Most Valuable Player in that 1981 game even though he set the scoring record and made shots during the East team's last five possessions, including the winning basket in a 96-95 victory.

Deloris Jordan was not happy. On the elevator leaving the arena, she told broadcaster Billy Packer, "Poor Michael. My poor son Michael. He never gets any recognition. He never gets any respect."

Soon, of course, her son would get his due, first for leading North Carolina to the NCAA title as a freshman — again sinking the winning shot — then for leading the Chicago Bulls to a record six NBA titles in eight years while winning 10 scoring titles. Michael Jordan is widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time.

Produced by Roc Nation, Known Originals and Creative Control, "Meal Ticket" chronicles the 49-year history of the McDonald's All-American Games. Nearly 50 Naismith Hall of Famers were participants, and many reminisce for the documentary.

For most, the showcase was their first time on national television. At 17 or 18 years old, they were fresh-faced, eager and ultra-competitive. Colvin, 41, and Sabbs, 39, dug deep into archives of games and surrounding activities provided by McDonald's and ESPN, and the result is a balanced blend of action footage and fond memories.

Read more:March Madness women's tournament analysis: Teams and players to watch

"We tried to illustrate the parallel between the McDonald's game and the growth of the sport," Colvin said. "I honestly feel it’s a power hidden within the McDonald's game that people haven’t paid attention to. If you want to know where basketball is going, watch the McDonald's game."

Among the key developments was founder Bob Geoghan expanding the event to include girls' basketball, launching a doubleheader format with the boys beginning in 2002 that proved immensely popular.

Two years later, Candace Parker won the annual Slam Dunk Contest, defeating, among others, JR Smith and Josh Smith, both of whom would be NBA first-round picks within months. Parker's achievement was so unlikely that her own brother hung up on her when she called to tell the family, according to the documentary. Just another nugget unearthed by Colvin and Sabbs.

The creative careers of the Chicago South Side products began with directing branded content, and their mentors, directors Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, helped them make a pitch to McDonald's in 2022 for an independent documentary.

Early fears that the fast-food colossus would be overly brand conscious and dictate content were allayed. Mickey D's not only gave the directors the rights to tell the story, but also provided game footage while steering clear of editorial meddling.

"You’d think with McDonald's, they'd be very hands-on to position and push the brand," Sabbs said. "But they were good partners. We were even concerned about the name, 'Meal Ticket,' because it's kind of edgy, a quadruple entendre. Would McDonald's approve it? They stood by us. Nobody micromanaged us. And when they were around, we knew we’d be getting some french fries."

The closest Sabbs and Colvin came to deviating from McDonald's sanitized version of events came when the directors recognized the role Geoghan played in launching the Games. Amateur basketball luminaries Wooden — the legendary former UCLA coach with 10 national championships — Sonny Vaccaro and Sonny Hill were drawn into promoting the Games largely because Geoghan earmarked profits for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The documentary team immersed itself in the 2022 McDonald's All-American Games, shadowing two boys and two girls throughout the weekend. Part of that story was the outpouring of emotion for Geoghan, who died at 87 in February 2022 and was honored at the Games a month later.

"When we were filming in 2022 we saw how deeply everyone respected Bob," Sabbs said. "They did a tribute on the Jumbotron before the game and put a Bob Geoghan jersey and a dozen roses on the seat where he watched games.

"Bob never wanted to get rich off the McDonald's Games. He was a humble guy who some said died penniless. I hope this film helps him and his family get some recognition for what he contributed to basketball. He really ought to be in the Naismith Hall of Fame and I hope that happens."

Geoghan redirected attention to the court and the sheer number of precocious youngsters who went on from the showcase to legendary professional careers. California has produced the most McDonald's players on both the boys' and the girls' teams. And simply considering those who eventually made their marks with the Lakers is staggering.

Read more:Rosters announced for 2026 McDonald's All-American Game

Magic Johnson starred in the first McDonald's game in 1978. James Worthy played alongside Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins and Ralph Sampson the next year. Shaquille O'Neal was MVP in 1989. Kobe Bryant made highlight reel plays in 1996. JJ Redick was 2002 MVP and won the three-point shootout. LeBron James was MVP in 2003.

Bryant and James, of course, were among the elite players to jump straight from the showcase to the NBA, skipping college. Another player who did so, Amar'e Stoudemire, was physically dominant even when sharing the court with other future greats.

"I was a different kind of beast, man," Stoudemire says in the documentary. "I'm not doing a finger roll off the glass move. I'm attacking the basket and I'm shaking the whole backboard. I think from that point on, everyone knew, 'Stoud, he's going to the NBA. He ain't going to college.' By the time we left, I'm sure there were a few screws and hinges that had left the rim."

JR Smith realized he was going to skip college for the NBA after dominating the McDonald's Game in 2004, scoring 25 points on an assortment of dunks and long-range jumpers. He was committed to North Carolina but made no secret that he didn't want to go to school.

Upon returning to the hotel after the game, Smith began running through the halls, yelling, "I'm going to the league!"

This year's Games will take place March 31 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The West boys' roster will include Southern California products Brandon McCoy Jr. and Maximo Adams from Sierra Canyon, Christian Collins from St. John Bosco and Jason Crowe Jr. from Inglewood. Jerzy Robinson from Sierra Canyon and Cydnee Bryant from Corona Centennial will play in the girls' game.

Even with NIL money seeping into players' bank accounts, Sabbs and Colvin haven't noticed a change in how the best of the best approach the McDonald's All-American Games.

"All you hear are these stories from all-star games that the players don’t care anymore because there's too much easy money," Colvin said. "But these guys are competing, playing defense, diving on the floor. The McDonald's Games are still a precursor for where the game is going, from elevating the girls to NIL, and we hope that comes across in the film."

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder aim to push their winning streak to nine when they tip off against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center tonight.

All eyes will be on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and deservedly so, but I’ve got my eye on a Chet Holmgren prop in my Thunder vs. Magic predictions & NBA picks for Tuesday, March 17.

Thunder vs Magic prediction

Thunder vs Magic best bet: Chet Holmgren Over 8.5 rebounds (-112)

The Oklahoma City Thunder are undefeated since returning from the All-Star break, in large part thanks to the work of Chet Holmgren.

The OKC center has averaged 10.9 boards per game since the break – eighth-most in the NBA.

Holmgren has collected Over 8.5 rebounds in seven of his last eight outings, so we’re getting good value tonight.

The Orlando Magic are a middle-of-the-pack rebounding team, ranking 15th in boards per game (43.8), and starting center Wendell Carter Jr. is no match for the 7-foot-1 Holmgren.

Thunder vs Magic same-game parlay

Holmgren hasn’t just been a monster on the glass; he’s also scored Over 16.5 points in three of his last five games while averaging 18.8 ppg through that span.

The Thunder are also 5-0 in their last five games vs. the Magic and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings.

Thunder vs Magic SGP

• Chet Holmgren Over 8.5 rebounds
• Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points
• Thunder moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: All hands on deck for Magic

The Thunder may be on a nine-game run, but they’ve only covered the spread once in their last eight contests. The Magic, meanwhile, are 4-2 ATS in their last six.

It’ll take a full team effort to keep this one close, but Paolo Banchero (25.6 ppg), Desmond Bane (22.8 ppg), Tristan da Silva (15.3 ppg), and Jett Howard (8.8 ppg) are each scoring well above their season average this month.

Thunder vs Magic SGP

• Magic +9.5
• Paolo Banchero Over 20.5 points
• Desmond Bane Over 18.5 points
• Tristan da Silva Over 11.5 points
• Jett Howard Over 5.5 points

Thunder vs Magic odds

• Spread: Oklahoma City 9.5 (-110) | Orlando +9.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Oklahoma City -450 | Orlando +350
• Over/Under: Over 223 (-110) | Under 223 (-110)

Thunder vs Magic betting trend to know

The Thunder have hit the 1H Moneyline in 17 of their last 21 away games (+11.45 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Magic.

How to watch Thunder vs Magic

Thunder vs Magic latest injuries

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

Need help filling out your March Madness bracket?

We had 10 members of the USA TODAY Sports staff fill out brackets using our Bracket Challenge game, presented by AutoZone.

Here's a look at some of the takeaways from their predictions, including most popular upset and most likely Final Four teams.

March Madness printable bracket: Fill out your picks for NCAA Tournament pools

March Madness Cinderella predictions: VCU, Akron top NCAA Tournament upset picks

Most predicted March Madness first round upset

• Santa Clara over Kentucky was picked eight times (80%).
• VCU over North Carolina was picked seven times (70%).
• South Florida over Louisville was picked six times (60%).

Upset alert: Ranking 8 most likely March Madness first round upsets

Our boldest first round upset pick

Matt Hayes' bracket is go big or go home. He has seven double-digit seeds winning first round games.

He's got your typical 5-12 upsets, going with High Point to beat Wisconsin and McNeese beating Vanderbilt in the first round.

But he wasn't done. His prediction of 14-seed Wright State beating 3-seed Virginia in the Midwest Region was our boldest take.

Our biggest Sweet 16 surprise

• 12-seed Akron was picked to reach the Sweet 16 twice in the Midwest Region (Eddie Timanus and Jordan Mendoza are bullish on the Zips).
• 12-seed McNeese got a vote for the Sweet 16 from Matt Hayes. He picked the Cowboys to beat Vanderbilt and then Nebraska in the South Region.
• Craig Meyer has 11-seed Texas winning Tuesday night's play-in game vs. NC State, then beating 6-seed BYU in Round 1 and shocking 3-seed Gonzaga in the second round before losing to Purdue.
• 10-seed UCLA got some hometown cooking from Jordan Mendoza, one of our L.A.-based reporters. He picks the Bruins to knock off 2-seed UConn in the second round of the East Region.

Think you can beat our expert? Join USA TODAY’s Bracket Challenge today!

Ready to win March Madness? Join USA TODAY’s Survivor Pool today!

BYU predictions split opinions

• Blake Toppmeyer has BYU making the Elite Eight and beating former WCC foe Gonzaga in Round 2.
• Paul Myerberg and Craig Meyer have BYU losing in the first round to the Texas/NC State play-in game winner.

Dark horse Final Four prediction

• For the most part, there were no real surprises in our Final Four picks. Jordan Mendoza and Eddie Timanus went chalk, hoping to match last year's all-1-seed Final Four. The highest-seeded team picked by our staff to reach the Final Four was 5-seed St. John's, who Paul Myerberg picked to win the loaded East Region.

Most popular Final Four predictions

• Arizona to win the West Region was picked eight times (80%).
• Duke, Michigan and Florida were each picked six times to win their respective regions (60%).
• Arkansas got two votes to win the West Region. Brent Schrotenboer and Craig Meyer are buying stock in John Calipari, and more likely Darius Acuff Jr.
• Three teams got one vote. In addition to Paul's St. John's pick, Craig Meyer has UConn winning the East and John Brice predicts Illinois will win the South.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness upset predictions, Final Four picks for 2026 NCAA bracket

Ok so let me walk you through how this night went for me and see if it tracks similarly for you.

I turn on my TV at 7:00 because I forgot it was a road game.

False start. That’s OK. We can recover from this. We’ll be fine.

The game starts when? 9:00? P.M.? That can’t be right. Wow. Pacific Standard Time, eh? We’re still doing that? I thought we voted to end PST just like we did Daylight Saving Time. Wait, we’re still doing that? I swear, this country has to get its act together.

Alright. 9:00. Here we go.

Spurs–Clippers. Last time we played it was one of the highlights of the season and I can’t wait to see what kind of fireworks we have in store tonight. Should be electric.

Kawhi’s out, eh? Shocking. Dylan’s still out? Bummer. And Kornet? Bummer. Well. Alright. Still might be fun.

Oh shoot, the game started already.

Let’s see. Peacock. Peacock. Where is Peacock?

No, I don’t want to watch Ted. Or Hamnet. Or Love Island All-Stars (it always gets boring near the end anyway).

Ok. Spurs–Clippers. Here we go.

WE’RE DOWN HOW MUCH?

I don’t need to watch this. This is… this is a throwaway game. We’re missing guys. They’re missing guys. It’s Monday night. It’s late. I’m just going to call it a night and see what happened in the morning.

Ok, nice dunk though Devin. I see you. I’m still going to bed though.

Alright, well. De’Aaron, that was nice. Steph, that was very nice.

Maybe…

Yeah, maybe we see how this plays out.

STEPH STEAL & SLAM 🏰🍪

📺 @KENS5, @NBAonNBCpic.twitter.com/j9xS60pk2A

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 17, 2026

---

The funny thing is, the Spurs had already started climbing back into the game while I was busy trying to convince myself to go to bed. And that’s kind of become their thing this year. Games get weird, momentum swings around, and they just calmly work their way back into it.

Stephon Castle was flying around for offensive rebounds and putbacks, and before long the Clippers’ 17–3 start had quietly started to fade. Wemby started controlling things defensively and almost effortlessly asserting himself on offense. Devin Vassell found space and knocked down a couple shots. Fox started getting downhill and bending the defense the way he does. The Spurs started getting stops, the pace flipped, and suddenly the whole thing felt different. By the time Jordan McLaughlin hit a three to tie it early in the second quarter, the entire game had reset.

And honestly, that kind of swing doesn’t even feel unusual anymore.

One thing that’s really stood out to me this year is that across the NBA, no lead feels particularly safe. It doesn’t matter who you are or who you’re playing. Twenty point leads happen all the time, and twenty point comebacks seem to happen just as often.

I don’t know if it’s because scoring is completely off the rails or because defense is now more of a suggestion than a requirement. Maybe the rules are too soft. Or too hard? Look, I honestly don’t know.

What I do know is that a quick 10-point lead doesn’t even register with me anymore when the Spurs have it. That’s nothing. That can disappear during a bathroom break.

For some reason that logic never applies when the Spurs are down, though. That still feels catastrophic. Just one of life’s little mysteries, I guess.

I’m fine. I’m actually the normal amount of anxious for a guy my age. Why do you ask?

The Spurs handled their business in this game. Even when it felt like they weren’t going to. Even when things got a little wobbly down the stretch and it briefly seemed like Darius Garland might have invented a floater that could somehow arc just high enough to evade Wemby’s outstretched arms enough times to pull the Clippers back into it.

But the Spurs were good. They were solid. They got the job done.

I don’t know if I give them enough credit for being professional like that. We talk all the time about their youth and inexperience, as if it’s a defining trait that’s inseparable from who they are. But for all that talk, they don’t really play like it.

They have their ups and downs. Stretches where things aren’t working the way they should. That part can absolutely be chalked up to youth and inexperience.

The key part, though, is what happens next.

They don’t spin out. They don’t let the rough stretch become the whole story. They just attack it like a problem that needs to be solved. A puzzle to figure out.

There’s a steely resolve when they hit a roadblock instead of panic.

I have no idea how or if this will play out in the playoffs. Every single person even tangentially associated with having an opinion on basketball is so quick to fall over themselves and breathlessly explain to you how “the playoffs are a completely different animal.” The intensity is different. The stakes are higher. The lights are brighter. All that jazz. I’m as guilty of doing this as anyone!

The truth is that I don’t know. Frankly, I don’t remember. It’s been a long time since the Spurs were in the playoffs and an even longer time since they were in there with a team full of guys who hadn’t been there before. I don’t know how any of this works anymore. I don’t know what any of these guys are capable of.

I know it will be different, and I know that they know it. They’re getting it from all sides just like we are. It’s not the last test they have to pass, but it certainly is the next one.

“They don’t have enough experience though”. That’s the story on this team. That’s the line you hear over and over again. The playoffs are different. The intensity is different. The stakes are higher. The lights are brighter. Remember?

But when I think about what this team has spent the entire season doing, I’m not sure the word “experience” means quite what people think it does. Because every night it feels like they’re running into something new. A weird game. A bad stretch. A matchup problem. A moment where things stop working the way they’re supposed to.

And every night they treat it the same way.

They slow down. They look at it. They start figuring it out.

They treat it like a puzzle.

The playoffs are a completely different test. It will expose things this team hasn’t seen yet.

But if experience is really just learning how to solve the problems in front of you, then this team has been getting plenty of it all year.

And so far, when these Spurs run into a problem, they don’t panic.

They solve it.

---

Takeaways

• 50 wins feels pretty good. What was our over/under for wins? like, 43? 50 is pretty good! I find this acceptable!
• I feel like I could come in here after every single game and just make the whole thing about how much I enjoy watching Stephon Castle play basketball. I love the way he moves. He sort of lopes down the court with this really tall posture, like he’s almost teetering forward when he runs, and it creates this constant feeling that something unexpected might happen. He’s explosive, but not in the same way De’Aaron Fox is explosive. Fox is lightning fast. Castle is more like… sudden. Once he decides to go, everything just starts happening quickly. I realize I’m kind of spinning out trying to explain this, but he’s just an aesthetically pleasing basketball player to watch. The movements are fun. The chaos feels intentional. I saw someone on Twitter say he’s a consistent three point shot away from being Dwyane Wade and I nearly passed out.

THIS STEPHON CASTLE MOVE WAS INSANE!

📺 Peacock pic.twitter.com/xt61W98nbK

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) March 17, 2026

• It was nice to see the Spurs figure out a way to win without shooting particularly well from three. Obviously I’d prefer them to shoot well from three, but come playoff time that’s the kind of thing that tends to wax and wane a little. So: how to succeed in business without hitting many threes. Step one is you’ve got to grab somewhere in the vicinity of a million rebounds. Absolutely pound the boards. The Spurs did that. They were aggressive, especially on the offensive glass, and it never really felt like they were wasting possessions even when the shots weren’t falling. Step two is you put the clamps on defensively. (This is admittedly a little easier when Kawhi isn’t playing, but still. Odds are pretty decent that on any given night Kawhi won’t be playing.) If you can’t score, then they sure as hell better not be scoring either. Basketball is actually pretty simple when you think about it. As always, my door is open for any NBA consultancy opportunities.
• Hi! This is Charlie’s anxiety talking now. For some reason the Clippers feel kind of spooky to me as a playoff matchup and I would simply prefer that we not do that. I know we’ve won these two games against them, but they play us really hard. They’re well coached, they’re disciplined, and they just seem to do a lot of things well. I don’t know. I don’t like the Kawhi storyline being something we have to hear about constantly. I would prefer to simply not experience that. That said, I could probably talk myself into every single possible matchup feeling spooky if you gave me enough time, so please feel free to disregard Charlie’s anxiety. Please feel free to disregard Charlie altogether, he really is just kinda making this up as he goes along.

---

WWL Post Game Press Conference

– Ok, so it seemed like you were about to do one of those old school running diaries here and then just bailed halfway through. Can you walk us through that decision?

– Yeah, sure. I mean, sometimes you sit down to write and you know your angle. You watched the game, it all made sense, you were in the flow and felt it coming together, and the only step left is pen to paper. Other times… nothing.

– And this was one of the nothing times?

– Yeah, for sure. The game ended so late last night and I really felt like I’d just find it in the morning. Then, sure enough, I sat down in front of a blank WordPress doc and it was crickets.

– So the running diary bit was maybe a way in?

– Yeah. There are a couple tricks like that in the arsenal that are really just a ploy to start writing. Get anything on the page. It’s stupid, but sometimes literally typing out what happened in the game can kickstart something. I don’t know. The biggest enemy of writing is not writing, so sometimes the only answer is to write.

– Of course. So then it seems like you eventually found what you wanted to talk about, but you kept part of the diary bit. I’m not sure I understand that.

– Well, see, I kept it because I had already written it and didn’t want to erase it.

– Sure.

– I thought it was good! I always enjoy poking at Peacock as a streaming service. I thought the thing about dropping into the game down 17–3 was funny. The daylight savings bit?? That’s good stuff! And I really did forget that the game didn’t start until 9. Jokes aside, if I didn’t have to write about it I absolutely would’ve bailed. I don’t know, it felt like a pretty accurate portrayal of the watching experience and I wanted to keep it.

Makes sense. But you didn’t feel like doing it for the whole game?

– I think if you’re going to go full Bill Simmons and run back a Game Watchalong Diary, you have to commit from the beginning. If you want to do it well, you have to go into the game taking notes, workshopping jokes, feeling it in the moment. It’s really hard to fake that. People can tell.

– I’m glad you’ve got some integrity about it.

– I have nothing if not that.

The Celtics and the Suns met last night, and beyond the game itself, it was a good snapshot of how both teams have evolved over the past year. Not long ago, neither team was particularly effective on the offensive glass. Boston finished 18th in offensive rebound rate last season, Phoenix 26th. This year, both are among the best in the league, ranking 5th and 6th respectively, which says a lot about how intentional that shift has been.

That evolution didn’t happen in a vacuum. Both teams went through an eventful summer and lost a significant part of their offensive creation, forcing them to find other ways to generate an edge. Instead of relying purely on shot-making, they leaned into the possession battle — creating extra chances through offensive rebounds and limiting wasted possessions.

Joe Mazzulla vs. Jordan Ott: two perspectives on the possession battle.

Here's what Jordan Ott said about the Celtics and the Suns possession battle different approaches before the game.

And then, Joe Mazzulla thoughts of the Suns approach for last night game.

(@CelticsCLNS) pic.twitter.com/OoCUtUnNYf

— Azad (@azmatlanba) March 17, 2026

When talking with Suns assistant Jordan Ott before the game, what stood out was how differently both teams approach that same objective. The common ground is obvious with offensive rebounding, but the real gap shows up in turnover management. Phoenix has completely changed its defensive profile, going from one of the worst teams in the league at forcing turnovers last season (28th in opponent turnover rate) to one of the best this year (3rd). Boston hasn’t followed that same path and still ranks in the lower third in that category, around 22nd.

However, the Celtics compensate for that on the other end. They are one of the best teams in the league at taking care of the ball, with a turnover rate around 12.5%, second overall, while the Suns are significantly higher at about 14.5%. As Ott explained, that difference has a direct impact on how the Celtics defend. Because they rarely give the ball away, they force opponents to operate more in the half court, naturally reducing transition opportunities and giving Boston a more stable defensive base.

That contrast was visible throughout the game. The Suns leaned heavily into pressure, trying to disrupt ball-handlers and speed up decisions, while also making a clear effort to control the glass after being exposed in that area in the previous matchup in Phoenix. Their approach was aggressive and physical, designed to create the extra possessions they rely on.

Boston answered in a different way. The Celtics didn’t try to match that chaos but instead leaned into their structure, spacing the floor properly and moving the ball to break the pressure. Jaylen Brown was at the center of that, repeatedly attacking downhill with space and finishing with 41 points and 21 free throw attempts. Around him, the ball kept moving, forcing the defense to shift and eventually opening up clean advantages.

That approach translated directly into production, with Boston posting a 79.5% assist rate, their highest of the season. It was less about forcing the issue and more about letting the offense breathe until the right option appeared.

In the end, both teams are chasing the same goal — winning the possession battle — but through very different levers. Phoenix looks to create chaos and generate turnovers, while Boston prioritizes control and limits mistakes. Last night didn’t show who executed better but highlighted two distinct ways of building an edge when pure talent alone isn’t enough.

The Detroit Pistons will square off with the Washington Wizards in back-to-back games. Detroit looks to improve its road record as Washington hosts the matchups.

Detroit remains the one seed in the Eastern Conference after an uneven last 10 games. They are 3.5 games over on the Boston Celtics, who are getting healthier.

With 15 games remaining in the regular season, Detroit controls its own path to the top seed and homecourt advantage throughout the East side of the bracket. Take care of the Wizards to keep the separation.

Game Vitals

Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

When: 7:00 PM

Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit

Odds: Pistons (-17.5)

Analysis

Homecourt should be something the Pistons strive to keep. They are a young, energetic, chaotic group that thrives on punishing opponents. Detroit isn’t a high-powered offensive group with loads of playoff experience.

When you are behind the eight-ball offensively and a lesser-experienced group, leaning on your fans in the postseason is a needed advantage. Homecourt advantage doesn’t guarantee playoff success, but it’s not easy for opponents to play in front of a ruckus Detroit crowd.

With the 22nd hardest schedule remaining, Detroit has a clear path to stay No. 1. The Celtics have the eighth hardest schedule and ground to make up to catch Detroit. In reality, you still have to play and win the games no matter who’s on the schedule.

Detroit might have gotten a look at the Wizards with Trae Young, but he exited last night’s game with a right quad contusion. One would think Young could bring some offensive juice to the Wizards when they are trying to compete.

Washington will be without Kyshawn George and Anthony Davis. Those two will be integral pieces for them moving forward. Alex Sarr may be their most intriguing piece, but he hasn’t played 25 minutes in a game since early February. It’s hard to gauge how much he’ll play on a nightly basis due to Washington having its eyes set on the draft.

Detroit isn’t fully whole with Isaiah Stewart out with a calf strain. Ausar Thompson being back in the lineup is major, but losing Stew is a huge loss. They’ll need him healthy and sharp for the postseason.

Games against the Grizzlies, Nets, and now Wizards are opportunities for the others to get going. It’s common knowledge how teams will defend Cade Cunningham in the playoffs. Teams are going to attempt to force others to beat them by throwing multiple bodies at Cade consistently, so the others will have opportunities to take advantage.

Tobias Harris did in the Toronto Raptors L. Those corner 3s can swing the momentum in a playoff game. The shooters need to provide more. Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter can bounce back against a Wizards team that allows guys to build confidence.

Before the snipers in Detroit start flowing, the Pistons need to do what got them here. Toronto out-hustled Detroit in the last outing. Dominating on the glass and on the paint are staples in Detroit’s success this year. Get back to doing what got you here and continue the homecourt quest.

Lineups

Detroit Pistons (48-19): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Washington Wizards (16-51): Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Will Riley, Julian Reese

Question of the day

What would the guard rotation look like if it were up to you?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Suns fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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It is one of those conversations that keeps popping up everywhere around the Phoenix Suns ecosystem. In text threads between fans. In the comment section on Bright Side. In those casual basketball debates that happen around the proverbial office water cooler.

What should the Phoenix Suns do at the power forward position?

It is a question that has followed this team all season long, and it started last summer while the roster was still being assembled. The reason is simple. The Suns do not have a traditional power forward in terms of size. That conversation began months ago. When training camp approached, the debate centered around two names. Royce O’Neale, who stands 6’6” according to Basketball Reference, and Ryan Dunn, the 6’7” sophomore out of Virginia. 

The argument for Royce was easy to understand. He spaces the floor. He understands the system. He brings veteran stability to the lineup. The argument for Dunn leaned in a different direction. He is longer. More defensively inclined. Slightly taller. The type of player who could bring energy and length to a position that traditionally demands both.

That is where the conversation began. It has been the ongoing conversation all season long. And when the Suns lose a game where size becomes the deciding factor, it is the first place people look. The power forward spot. It becomes the easy explanation. The logical one, too. A team with limited size runs into a bigger lineup, the paint starts to feel crowded, rebounds slip away, and suddenly the conversation circles back to the same question: Is there an opportunity to improve that position?

Now we are late in the basketball calendar. The Suns are entering the homestretch with less than a month remaining in the regular season. At this stage of the year, drastic changes are something most teams try to avoid. Rotations have rhythm, players understand their roles, and you do not usually start pulling major levers unless you absolutely have to.

But a new element has quietly entered the discussion. Rasheer Fleming.

The Suns second round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has begun to carve out real minutes, and more importantly, he has begun to make those minutes matter. When a young player starts producing, it changes the tone of the conversation. Suddenly, the theoretical future becomes something you can see on the floor. And that is why the power forward debate has picked up a little more steam lately. Rasheer Fleming brings something different to the conversation.

He has the size that people have been talking about all season. At 6’9”, he naturally fits the physical profile of a modern power forward. He is long, sporting that condor-ish 7’5” wingspan, and he can stretch the floor with his three-point shot. He has the ability to affect plays defensively in ways that Royce O’Neale simply cannot. The weak side blocks. The length contesting at the rim. The kind of defensive moments that make you pause and say, okay, there is something here.

So the conversation evolves. And honestly, it is a fun one to have. Who should start at the power forward position for the Phoenix Suns?

Should it remain Royce O’Neale, the veteran who spaces the floor, understands the system, and has been a steady part of the lineup all season? Should Rasheer Fleming step into that role and give the Suns the size that people have been asking for since October? Or should Ryan Dunn get another opportunity, seeing as he is still a sophomore, and there is real value in learning what you have in a young player before making long-term decisions?

That is the question on the table. And it is the subject of today’s Suns Reacts.

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The shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers head to Ball Arena to face the Denver Nuggets, who will look to get back on track following an overtime loss to the Lakers on Sunday.

Jamal Murray struggled to find his shot in his last game, but my 76ers vs Nuggets predictions call for him to bounce back and dominate Philly.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this cross-conference showdown on Tuesday, March 17.

76ers vs Nuggets prediction

76ers vs Nuggets best bet: Jamal Murray Over 24.5 points (-112)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray had a brutal showing against the Lakers, finishing with just five points on 1 of 14 shooting.

In eight games prior, he averaged 29.9 points and scored 25+ six times. He's averaging a career-best 25.1 points per game, and he’s scored 25+ in 30 of 63 games.

Injuries have taken their toll on the Philadelphia 76ers, and over the last 10 games, the Sixers rank 22nd in defensive rating (116.4).

With so many key players sidelined, Philly lacks depth, size, and the quality defenders needed to slow Murray.

76ers vs Nuggets same-game parlay

Over the last 10 games, the Philadelphia 76ers have surrendered 15.5 triples on 36.6% shooting. Murray is knocking down a career-best 3.1 triples at a 42.4% clip, and he should find his rhythm from beyond the arc at home.

In addition to his career-best scoring average, Murray is dishing a career-high 7.1 dimes. He's handed out seven assists in 33 of 63 contests, and he's gone for at least 25 points and seven assists 15 times. Philadelphia has allowed the seventh-most assists per game this season.

76ers vs Nuggets SGP

• Jamal Murray Over 24.5 points
• Jamal Murray Over 2.5 made threes
• Jamal Murray Over 6.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Someone's Gotta Score!

The 76ers will be without four of their Top-5 scorers with all of Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. sidelined. Someone’s got to pick up the scoring slack for Philly.

Quentin Grimes has averaged better than 23 points across his last six games, scoring 21+ four times, including each of his last two. Justin Edwards has started three straight games, and he’s scored 12, 19, and 28 points while running with the first unit.

Cameron Payne has averaged 15.2 points across his last five games with Maxey sidelined, and he’s scored 11+ four times in that span. Dominick Barlow has been a starter for most of the season, but he’s been more productive on offense as of late, scoring 10+ in four straight contests.

76ers vs Nuggets SGP

• Quentin Grimes Over 20.5 points
• Justin Edwards Over 12.5 points
• Cameron Payne Over 10.5 points
• Dominick Barlow Over 10.5 points

76ers vs Nuggets odds

• Spread: 76ers +15.5 (-110) | Nuggets -15.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: 76ers +700 | Nuggets -1100
• Over/Under: Over 236 (-110) | Under 236 (-110)

76ers vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Denver Nuggets have hit the Game Total Over in 32 of their last 50 games (+12.20 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Nuggets.

How to watch 76ers vs Nuggets

76ers vs Nuggets latest injuries

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BOSTON — Jaylen Brown always knew he could do this.

In July, on the last day of his annual educational camp for Boston youth — the Bridge program — I spoke with the Celtics star.

The team had just lost Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to trades and Al Horford and Luke Kornet to free agency. Jayson Tatum was on crutches, and for the first time in years, the feeling around basketball in Boston was somber.

In that lengthy conversation, Brown shared how, over the years, he sometimes took a back seat, something he felt most players of his caliber in the NBA haven’t had to do. But, as he stressed multiple times, he was okay with it: it was all in pursuit of a championship, the thing that was most important to him in the world.

“I’m extremely grateful that we won a championship,” Brown said then. “I’m extremely grateful that we’ve been able to have success, and that’s what it’s about.”

But, when it came down to leading a Celtics roster devoid of superstars for the very first time, Brown had no doubt that he was up for the challenge.

We sat across a round table at the MIT building where the Bridge camp was based. Dozens of high school students filed out as the day’s sessions concluded; some gave Brown a fist bump on their way out, others a wave.

After the room emptied, Brown cleared his throat and unexpectedly broached the topic of the year ahead.

“I feel like I’m very talented,” he said. “I’m one of the talented people in this league, on this planet, I feel like. I’m looking forward to showing the world more.”

What would more look like?

I wasn’t even sure.

The Celtics star already had a Finals MVP under his belt, a Second Team All-NBA selection, and four All-Star appearances. He’d averaged at least 20 points per game for six consecutive seasons, while often taking on the Celtics’ most difficult defensive assignments.

As my mind wandered, I took note of how he had phrased that sentence: “I’m one of the talented people in this league.”

He skipped over the word most, likely an intentional choice, but though he omitted it, it still hung in the air, framing our conversation. Brown didn’t need to say it for me to know exactly what he meant.

It was clear as day that Brown had long felt like he was one of the world’s best basketball players, even coming off a season in which his shooting numbers substantially declined as he played through a partially torn meniscus. So, though outside expectations around the Celtics lowered, Brown was eager to show everyone else what he already knew to be true.

Not everyone believed.

The conversation around the 2025-2026 Celtics season was framed around the organization taking a “gap year” with Jayson Tatum sidelined. The word “tanking” came up for the first time in over a decade. Even the most optimistic fans struggled to envision how the Celtics could again find themselves near the top of the Eastern Conference, let alone be one of the NBA’s best teams.

But, just like he said he would, Brown has pridefully steered the ship. On the season, he is averaging 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists — all career-highs. His shooting numbers across the board are up from last year, and his 79.2% clip from the free-throw line is the best mark of his career. He’s locked down some of the league’s top stars, taken over in the clutch, and set a franchise record for most consecutive 30+ point games (9).

Brown has tallied six 40+ point games this season, the latest coming on Monday night in a 120-112 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Once again, he was the best player on the floor, outdueling another one of the NBA’s brightest stars. That’s something he’s done countless times in a season filled with masterclass performances.

As MVP chants echoed across a raucous TD Garden, Brown erupted for 18 fourth-quarter points, finishing the night with 41 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.

“It’s pretty cool, not gonna lie,” Brown said on Monday night. “It’s pretty awesome to be at my this point in my career and be able to get that love from the fans.”

This year, Brown was named an All-Star starter for the first time in his career. He also earned his first Player of the Month selection, collecting the award for his strong play in January. Those accolades aren’t what drive him, but they indicate the outside world sees what he’s long felt: he’s among the best players in all of basketball.

What has driven Jaylen Brown’s career season?

Most players don’t make a leap at age 29, but Jaylen Brown is now a proven exception.

“I’ve always felt like I could be one of the top players in the world, given the opportunity,” Brown said Monday. “And I feel like I got to display that this season.”

One major factor behind this leap is that this season, Brown has overwhelmingly been the Celtics’ primary creator for the first time.

“I’ve been able to be in this in a role where I’ve been able to control things, and everybody’s kind of playing off me,” Brown said. “I’ve been in those roles seldom over the years, but this year, for an extended amount of time, I’ve been able to be in that position.”

To viewers at home, the difference between being the primary creator and the secondary creator might not look as stark as it feels. But, for Brown — a player who sometimes very clearly enters a flow state on the offensive end— it’s night and day.

“People are going to have their critiques and their criticism, but it’s just a completely different flow when people play off you, or when you play off others,” he said. “It’s two completely different things. For people watching the game, you just think, like, ‘just roll the ball out, and everything’s supposed to work great. Players are all supposed to fit together.’ It doesn’t always work like that. Sometimes, you got to take a backseat, or sometimes you got to play more off-ball. So, everything shifts.”

Asked Jaylen Brown if he feels like he’s been able to improve individually this season:

“For sure. And I've been able to be in this in a role where I'd be able to kind of control things, and everybody's kind of playing off me. I've been in those roles seldom over the years, but… pic.twitter.com/5vJtxWJDMm

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 17, 2026

“I’ve been able to play at my own pace. And I’ve been able to control my own destiny.”

Still, as well as things have gone, he feels like he has a lot of room to grow.

“I feel like even now, over the last couple of games, I’ve adjusted my game,” he said. “And I’m still continuing to get better in my playmaking ability, seeing the floor, taking my time, all of that stuff is still continuing to improve.”

Brown’s offensive production may soon take a hit — and that’s okay

With Jayson Tatum back in the lineup, he’ll once again share the floor with his co-star. Brown is candid: accepting that his role will change as a result takes humility, and isn’t always easy.

But he understands that what’s at stake is a championship.

“JT is extremely important to us for what we want to do,” Brown said. “Obviously, I’m having a great season, but then I have to just think: what’s the big picture?”

And, just like he told me back in July, as much as he feels confident in his own abilities, individual accolades aren’t what drive him.

“I always put the team first and what the bigger picture is first,” Brown said.

Only 14 games remain in the Celtics’ season. They currently sit at 45-23, good for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Already, they’re the betting odds favorites to come out of the East.

But Brown still feels like his team has another gear it can reach.

“Everybody has to be patient,” he said. “This is not the best version you’re watching right now.”

NBA fans may want to take heed of that warning — because Jaylen Brown has been right before.

With just 13 games left to go in the regular season, it’s go time for the New York Knicks. The boys in orange and blue have won their last three outings, and after a lengthy west coast road trip, should be excited to stick around the eastern time zone for their next few games.

As the playoffs become more and more in focus, it’s imperative that the Knicks are playing the best ball towards the end of the year. You want to be peaking at the right time. Brunson, Towns, and Anunoby have all been playing up to their standards. Mitchell Robinson has been attacking the glass hard. The bench has had a lot of different contributors as of late.

The most noticeable absence from that list, of course, is Mikal Bridges. And what a glaring absence it is.

Over his last six games, Bridges is averaging 6.5 points per outing. 

That’s not a typo. Soak it up. 6.5 points. That’s nearly a first-rounder given up per point at that rate. Are we serious?

No Mikal Bridges down the stretch in the 4th. No matter where you stand on it, it’s a massive problem that a guy the franchise emptied the clip for has been benched multiple times in crunch time this season.

— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) March 16, 2026

Bridges, shooting 32% from the floor and 21% from three over that span, has been playing just over 26 minutes per night over the same period of time. He’s been benched in the fourth quarter multiple times. While he still delivers a steadying presence on the defensive end, the man who once averaged over twenty points per game has now turned into an offensive afterthought.

Last season, Mikal Bridges became the first player in NBA history to log more than 3,000 minutes and attempt fewer than 125 free throws.

This season, Bridges is on pace to finish with fewer than 100 FT attempts.

— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) March 10, 2026

In general, it’s indicative of a season-long regression. Bridges’ average points have decreased from 17.6 to 14.8 between his two years as a Knick – still very solid, but for the blockbuster price New York paid for him, they just had to be expecting more. He has little to no aggression with the ball in his hands, and when the fadeaway jumpers aren’t falling, things get ugly fast.

Remember, Bridges was hailed as the missing piece when New York traded for him. He was the last of the Nova Knicks, destined to become a part of Madison Square Garden lore and propel the Knicks into championship contention.

Yes, New York may be viewed as a contender, but the reality of the situation is that it’s not because Bridges came in and elevated the level of play.

After last year’s playoffs, we’ve seen Bridges show up in the biggest of moments while under immense scrutiny. I’ll take any opportunity I can get to link these.

MIKAL BRIDGES STEAL TO SEAL GAME 1 FOR THE KNICKS!!

20-POINT COMEBACK COMPLETE ✅ pic.twitter.com/us3Nq0Dykx

— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2025

CLUTCH DEFENSE FROM MIKAL BRIDGES TO SEAL THE GAME AGAIN 😱 pic.twitter.com/2tSlC48DXj

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 8, 2025

You could argue that the two plays above made the trade worth it alone. I don’t know if you’d be right, but you certainly could argue it, and I certainly would have to smile as I imagined the first two games of the Knicks-Celtics series last year. Bridges is a dog. He has it in him. We all know it. However – and most importantly – if this year’s Knicks want to win a championship, they’ll need Bridges to at least revert to the levels he played at last postseason to go on a true run.

The fate of New York may be in his hands, and a championship push might ultimately be dependent on which version of Mikal Bridges shows up in the playoffs. He has thirteen more games to figure it out before we see for ourselves.

They’re back at it again. Thankfully, for the fourth and final time this season, the Knicks (44*-25) will face the Pacers (15-53). Just two games ago, New York had to extert more effort than expected to knock of these cellar dwellers in Indiana. Tonight, they take the floor at Madison Square Garden in the first of seven remaining regular season home games.

Over their last 10 games, the Knicks have gone 7-3. The Pacers have lost 13 straight.

In their last meeting, on March 13, 2026, the Knicks won 101-92. Jalen Brunson led New York with 29 points and nine assists, while Mitchell Robinson hauled down a career-high 22 boards and OG Anunoby added 25 points. Jarace Walker led the Pacers with 18 points and nine rebounds.

The Pacers have had a dismal season defined by poor efficiency on both ends. Their offensive rating is last in the league and their defensive rating rates 25th. They average 111.2 points per game (27th in the league) and rank in the bottom 10 for wins, points allowed, field goal percentage, and net rating.

The best player on the Pacers is Pascal Siakam, who averages 24 points per game and shoots 36.2% from three while adding 6.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He’s missed four straight games, though, and Indiana might be inclined to shut him down for the remainder of the campaign. Andrew Nembhard contributes 17 points and leads the team with 7.3 assists per game. Bennedict Mathurin provides scoring punch at 17.8 points per game with 37.2% from downtown in limited appearances.[Editor’s Note: D’oh.] Aaron Nesmith adds 13.5 points and solid defense.

The Pacers are already without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) and Johnny Furphy (ACL) for the season, and could be even more shorthanded Tuesday with Pascal Siakam (doubtful) and a long list of rotation players—McConnell, Nembhard, Nesmith, Toppin, Zubac, Sheppard, Jackson, and Potter—listed as questionable. For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson is listed as a game-time decision as he’s managing an ankle sprain and neck pain. And I have my suspicions about Landry Shamet’s neck.

Prediction

Quoth Vermont Knicks Fan, “I call BS on the Pacers injury report.” Indeed. It’s Indiana’s special duty to make our lives miserable every time they face the Knicks, and tonight will be no exception. ESPN.com gives the Knicks an 87% chance of winning, but if I were a betting man, I’d count on the Hoosiers to cover the spread.

Coach Mike Brown should rest Brunson. We’ll need Cap’s gas tank as full as possible when the playoffs start, and this would be a prime opportunity for the other point guards on the bench (Tyler Kolek, Jose Alvarado) to show what they can do. We don’t doubt that the Knicks will win, given that the Pacers focused on tanking. It just might not feel like a sure thing until midway through the fourth. The Kolek Game? The Diawara Game? The McCullar Game? Carpe diem, gents. Knicks by 12.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (44*-25) vs Indiana Pacers (15-53)
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, NYC
TV: MSG Network
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

* Should be one more, but NBA Cup wins lurk in the shadows