Nearly 5,000 men's college basketball players entered the transfer portal this window (4,949 to be exact).
Believe it or not, that's actually down from last season's number of 5,428, which was a five-year high from all three NCAA levels — Division I, II, III.
Per transfer portal data reviewed by USA TODAY Sports this week after the women's and men's windows closed, April 20 and 21, respectively, the overall number of transfers is down, but movement in Power Four conferences increased.
A year after 477 players entered the men’s basketball portal from P-4 programs, that figured climbed this week to 480; the women’s P-4 numbers jumped 10% from 305 to 336.
The ACC led the way in men's and women's basketball with 232 entrants, with the Big 12 close behind at 213.
Among the Power conferences on the men’s side, the numbers were the following:
The women’s side saw total portal entrants down, year over year, from 2,801 to 2,570.
Here's the P-4 breakdown for the women this year:
ACC: 94
Big 12: 86
SEC: 80
Big Ten: 76
No league appeared to be hit any harder, per team, than men’s basketball in the Southern Conference. The 10-team league saw a total of 82 men’s portal entrants this month. It had 76 one year ago.
Broken down further, SoCon teams like The Citadel had 19 players combined enter into the past two basketball portal cycles, while VMI added 18.
Here’s a look at total portal entrants across the past five seasons for both men’s and women’s college basketball:
How many men's college basketball players entered transfer portal? NCAA portal numbers:
2025-26: 4,939 (2,605 D-I)
2024-25: 5,438 (2,754 D-I)
2023-24: 4,343 (2,146 D-I)
2022-23: 3,663 (1,843 D-I)
2021-22: 3,355 (1,788 D-I)
How many women's college basketball players entered transfer portal? NCAA portal numbers:
One guy who would have details: Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg. Someone who knows Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
A letter filed last week, before Sanberg's sentencing on wire fraud charges, stated that Sanberg cooperated with the NBA and its investigators — the law firm of Wachtell Lipton — a story uncovered by Baxter Holmes of ESPN. Sanberg is about to be sentenced in a federal fraud case tied to his running of Aspiration, a now-bankrupt green bank company. From Holmes at ESPN.
David Anders, the Wachtell Lipton attorney leading the NBA's investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the league's salary cap to compensate Kawhi Leonard, said Sanberg sat for two in-person interviews and provided documents and, via his lawyers, "information that was relevant to our investigation," according to an April 17 letter to judge Stephen V. Wilson of the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California.
"In all our dealings with Mr. Sanberg, both directly and through his counsel, he provided information that was consistent with our review of contemporaneous documents and other evidence," Anders wrote. "Mr. Sanberg's cooperation substantially assisted our investigation, including our ability to develop a more complete understanding of key events. At no time during our dealings with Mr. Sanberg and his counsel did they seek, nor did we make, any promises in exchange for his cooperation."
What Sanberg told investigators is not known.
However, the growing sense in league circles has been that the NBA's investigators had found something that more directly connects Ballmer and the Clippers to the charges that it used a $28 million "no-show" endorsement deal with Aspiration to funnel money to Leonard off the official NBA salary cap. With that, heavy punishments could be forthcoming. Those penalties could include a suspension of Ballmer, the loss of multiple draft picks, and a massive fine. While there has been speculation about the possible voiding of the final year of Leonard's contract, that remains more in question as it may not really be much of a punishment for anyone (the Clippers would just fine with his salary off the books as they try to rebuild, and Leonard would just sign a new large contract with another team).
In a five-page letter to the judge that was obtained by ESPN, an attorney for Ballmer said the Clippers owner lost his entire $60 million investment in Aspiration, which declared bankruptcy in 2025, and has faced "immeasurable" harm to his reputation. The Clippers also lost "virtually all of the $300 million sponsorship payments, and more than $20 million held in escrow for additional carbon offset purchases, which were never made and the money not returned," according to the letter, which a source with knowledge of the situation said had been filed in court.
Ballmer also was named in a lawsuit filed by 11 other former Aspiration investors who said the company defrauded them.
Silver has said there is no timeline for when Wachtell will complete its investigation and present its findings to the league.
When the report is complete, Silver alone does not get to decide the next steps under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. When those findings are given to the league, Silver has to decide whether there is enough evidence to bring the case to a neutral arbitrator (appointed and approved by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association). That arbitrator then would review the case and decide whether to grant Silver the authority to punish the Clippers and Leonard, or say there is not enough evidence to do so.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 20: CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during game two of the Eastern Conference first round NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks play the Hawks in Manhatlanta tonight, with flocks of New Yorkers expected to take over.
Don’t get it twisted—Knicks fans in town or not, the folks better get that dub and return home with a 2-2 balance at the very worst, or else.
Here’s the latest from around NYK world.
Mike Brown on if he's noticed anything the Hawks are doing differently to contain Jalen Brunson:
"We gotta keep trying to move him around. Give him different looks throughout the course of the game" pic.twitter.com/Ias0FLgJev
On the late-game execution in Game 2: “We didn’t execute well enough offensively. Starting with me, I didn’t mix it up enough offensively going down the stretch. And then we didn’t mix it up as well as we could have defensively. So there were a few things down the stretch we could’ve done better.”
On the never-ending playoff adjustments: “First of all, anything’s open to discussion offensively, defensively. Maybe changing this defensively. Maybe changing that offensively. I’m comfortable with all of our guys playing, no matter who the five is out there. But at the end of the day, just like offensively and defensively, I mean we changed both of those things halfway through the year. Anything can happen, and when you’re in the playoffs, everything should be on the table. But I do feel comfortable with what we’ve had.”
On responding to Game 2 on the road: “They hit us in the mouth the second half [of Game 2], not just the fourth quarter, but the second half, and we have to respond. And like I said, at the end of the day, I don’t know if there are many teams that have gone 16-0 on their run to a championship. So you’ve got to figure out how to win on the road if you expect to be who you want to be anyway.”
On facing adversity: “I don’t know how much of adversity it is. I guess it’s a little bit when you lose. When you lose, you tend to feel it. Like I said before, that’s why it’s good to go through it during the year so you can continue to have belief in the ability to bounce back because you’ve been there and done it. And it’s a little easier to handle when you lose. … So anytime you struggle, especially if you have a resilient group, it could be a good thing. Our group is resilient.”
On the Game 2 lineup struggles: “We weren’t good tonight. But we had opportunities where our starters were in and we were up eight to 10, and Atlanta closed it. So I wouldn’t say that specific lineup caused it.”
On officiating and physicality: “I’m still trying to figure out what’s a bump and what’s not a bump. You see a guy like CJ, he gets a drive and if you chest him, it’s a foul. And I even asked the officials about it — Jalen’s driving and he’s getting the same bump. Now, he’s not as light or as quick as CJ, so the speed might not be the same, but when he’s going, he’s getting hit and he’s getting knocked away from the bucket. So, trying to figure that out a little bit better is something I need to do. But I thought Jalen got to his spots. I thought he could have gotten to the free-throw line a couple more times that sometimes [he didn’t] throughout the course of the game, especially with how aggressive he is. But it is what it is.”
On Game 2 defensive breakdowns: “You gotta give Atlanta credit. We didn’t execute our defense the way that we could have. Or the way we should have, or the way that we have been doing throughout the first six quarters [of the series].”
On Towns’ aggressiveness: “KAT’s a great player. He’s got to impose his will on the game. If he was a young guy, I would need to say something to him. But as a veteran guy, I don’t need to tell him to be aggressive.”
Josh Hart had to put in his Chipotle order for the flight to Atlanta before beginning his availability pic.twitter.com/sYBMZSEVFg
On Brunson’s need to step up his defensive game himself: “We can talk to him. We can do those kinds of things, let him know where to force the ball. But at the end of the day, he has to take pride in it. Just knowing him, I’m sure watching the film, he was probably frustrated at some of the spots CJ was able to get to. … I know the kind of guy he is, the kind of character he is. He’ll be better defensively for us.”
On the team needing to help Brunson defensively: “Defensively, we need him to get stops. And we need to make sure we have his back and are talking to him when he’s on those isolations on CJ or whoever it is. We can talk to him. We can do those kinds of things to let him know where to force the ball or those kinds of things. But at the end of the day, he has to take pride in it. I think that’s just knowing him and watching the film, he was frustrated at some of those spots that CJ was able to get to and those kinds of things. I know the kind of guy he is and character he is and he’ll be better defensively for us.”
On the lack of physicality in Game 2: “I feel like we didn’t have that physicality that we did Game 1 and in the first half [of Game 2]. I think that was the biggest thing. When you lose that physicality, then you allow them to kinda move at their own pace, kinda dictate their offense instead of you dictating it. Just gotta make sure we’re physical, have attention to detail and focus for a full 48.”
On stayed playoff-focused: “That’s why being focused and having attention to detail is so big in the playoffs, because sometimes, it goes away from plays — and it just goes into schemes, it goes into personnel. You gotta be able to react on the fly. When you’re locked in, you have that attention to detail, you’re able to do that pretty seamlessly.”
Jalen Brunson
On succumbing to CJ McCollum: “He was in a great rhythm. I’ve got to disrupt it, make him play on his heels, make him react to me defensively. He was just in a rhythm.”
Mikal Bridges
On the need for helping Brunson defensively: “You’ve got four guys that [are] behind him, that [are] gonna help him. Just know [the] personnel, who we guard and how we guard them, and then do your best to stay in front. You’ve got help behind you.”
"It's not hostile, it's really not that serious. It's just a game. I don't play for Spike Lee's approval, I don't play for Knicks fans' approval, I don't play for anybody's approval. I play for my family, myself, and God."
On whether or not he liked the Brunson matchup: “What do you think? Yeah.”
On the Garden boos and the villain narrative: “It’s just fans booing you or cheering you on. It’s really not that serious. I think when you look at it that way, it’s just a game. It’s fun to compete at the highest level. It’s fun to be recognized by people, but I don’t play for Spike Lee’s approval. I don’t play for Knicks fans’ approval. I don’t play for anybody’s approval. I play for my family, myself and God, so it’s just a game, at the end of the day.”
"Happy for him, he shut that Knicks crowd up – he's going to do the same thing tomorrow night here"
On McCollum’s impact in Game 2: “Happy for him, he shut that Knicks crowd up.”
On what to expect from the Game 3 atmosphere in Atlanta: “Very, very loud. Obviously, you know, Knicks fans are gonna be there as well, but I know ATL faithful will be there as well. Excited for [Thursday] night.”
Iman Shumpert
On Mike Brown’s future if the Knicks fail in the playoffs: “It’s over with. I know how that sounds, but I’m just going off of the Knicks organization. It’s been over with for people who have been going in the proper direction all the time. It’s been going great for some players, and they had to leave. I just know that the organization puts pressure on itself every year, and then to be so close and to have a team that we all feel like should be successful in the playoffs, built for success in the playoffs … I could totally see it happening right away.”
“A lot of people have opinions, and I wasn't perfect — but I tried. I was trying, and I came ready. I came prepared.”
Stephon Marbury has answers for the Knicks and Jalen Brunson — on both sides of the ball.
On Mike Brown’s adjustments for Game 3: “It’s gonna come down to strategy with Mike Brown. It’s gonna come down to structure and strategy with Mike Brown — and I believe he’s going to make the adjustments.”
On Atlanta’s screening action: “You know that they’re running a high pick and roll. It’s really like a brush screen, just so you can switch. And it’s slow. Like, it’s like stand there, touch his body, drag him down. And now you’ve gotta switch. And it’s embarrassing if you don’t switch, ‘cause you on the court, on the island, by yourself in the NBA. So you standing there like, ‘Damn.’ I could literally walk real slow and just grab you like, ‘it’s time,’ and that’s the switch. Now, you’ve gotta stomp your feet, slap the ground, and just get ready every time.”
On defensive coverage adjustments: “Jalen will have to get over the screen on C.J.’s hip and push him downhill, then whoever’s man is creating the switch, they’ll stay in the help position to make C.J. pass the ball. Then, the wing man will cheat over to the middle, and the [Knicks’] corner man will have two men: [Atlanta’s] wing man and the corner man. If Jalen blitzes the screen, now if C.J. goes to drive and the help defender is in the blue position, Jalen can switch back to his man. He can switch to the other guy. And that’s how you kill it. Now we’re gonna watch, and we’re gonna see if they’re gonna make that adjustment. Because [Atlanta is] gonna run the same play. They’re gonna do it old-school and make us adjust.”
On Brunson’s need for adjustments: “I feel like Jalen Brunson has to play like Allen Iverson and John Stockton. He has to find the balance. I don’t think it’s a hard transition for him because he’s smart, and he’s astute, and because he’s smart and astute, he’s aware of what happened. Right now, this is the first four years of him being the man where he’s making decisions and he’s going on the court. He’s playing at the highest level and everything is in his hand. And he’s got all of the support. We are going to support him because we believe him and we trust him. We believe that. I believe that.”
On Towns’ need for demanding the ball more: “KAT’s not going to get plays drawn up in this system with Coach Brown. He has to assert himself. He has to demand — he has to demand the ball come his way, man. It’s different when you demand something. When you command it, now it’s like, ‘OK, that’s what we’re doing. We’re going there.’ When he puts his hand up and demands the ball, everybody knows to throw it.”
On what to expect from Brunson in Game 3: “What he takes from [Game 2] and how he grows from that night — that’s him. That’s going to be the truth and true honesty in the next game. It’s not about playing harder or scoring more or not missing any shots. That’s not it. It’s evaluating how they play him. How am I going to play defensively? Am I going to submit and say, look, this is where I need help at? Am I thinking about knowing that I have a weakness right now and now everyone sees it? Everybody in the gym knew it. The whole world sees I can’t defend C.J. McCollum, and I’m gonna have to guard him in the next game. How are we gonna prep? And how are you gonna prepare to play against him?”
On believing he’d dominate in the current NBA: “I try not to compare my era to this era or eras in the past. I know whatever era I played in, I’d be dominant. I was one of the big men who could shoot, but I didn’t shoot a lot of 3s. Michael [Jordan] and I always joke about – He’s like, ‘Man, but you can’t dribble.’ I said – ‘All I need is two dribbles. Two dribbles. That’s it. Two dribbles, I can get from the free-throw line to the hole. So, it doesn’t make a difference what era I’m in. I think I can still dominate.”
All my real hoopers know how impressive this really is 🤯
Boston, MA - April 21: Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey reacts after drawing a foul in the fourth quarter. The Boston Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Does anyone actually think the Sixers are going to beat the Celtics in this first round series after their Game 2 win in Boston? It’s still a long shot and Philadelphia is still a heavy underdog despite having claimed home-court advantage with its resounding victory in Game 2 on Tuesday night. No one’s arguing with the oddsmakers either in this case. Boston is still undoubtedly the better team and perhaps the Celtics just had a bad night and will win the next three games. But, as of this writing, the Celtics have as many wins as the Sixers do in the series. So, we might as well try to come up with a path for Philly while we can, right?
We already got a VJ Edgecombe game on Tuesday night for the Sixers’ first win in the series. Here’s our best guess as to how the Sixers can stun the sports world and win three more games:
The Tyrese Maxey game
Just because it’s obvious, doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Maxey did have 29 points on Tuesday night, but it was a pretty inefficient 29 points on 11-of-28 shooting despite a good night from the three-point line and some clutch buckets down the stretch. I’m going to define a “Maxey game” as at least 40 points and at least six made three-pointers, two benchmarks he failed to hit on Tuesday night.
To be completely honest, Boston is probably pretty happy with the way it has defended Maxey two games into the series. Maxey’s +/- in Game 2 was a +6. That’s not bad for someone who plays as many minutes as Maxey does, but Philly was also a +8 on Tuesday night in the minutes Maxey didn’t play. The Sixers being slightly better without Maxey on the court is probably a bet Boston is willing to make moving forward. In other words, Maxey needs to find another level, however hard that might be for him to do.
The “role players got hot” game
If it feels like a pipedream that the role players of a seven seed could outplay the role players of a two seed, that’s because it probably is. But Philly needs at least one game where a few of its role players catch lightning in a bottle. The most obvious way for this to happen would be for a big shooting night from Kelly Oubre, Quentin Grimes, Paul George (yes, he’s more of a role player at this point), Andre Drummond or Justin Edwards.
Oubre and Grimes have been mainstays in Philadelphia’s rotation and both have shown the ability to score 20-30 points on certain nights. Could the Sixers get a game in which these two make a combined 10-12 three-pointers and finish with a combined 50 points between the two of them? It’s probably the most plausible path to a victory driven by players not named Edgecombe or Maxey.
As for George, the bulk of his positive contributions would probably have to come with defense on Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. Maybe there’s a world in which George locks up one of Boston’s elite wings and the Sixers can grind out a 100-98 kind of victory.
I’ll lump Drummond and Edwards in together as the final two role players that could really make a difference for Philly in this series. Edwards has played about 20 minutes a night off the bench for the Sixers in this series and certainly plays with a lot of effort and can score at all three levels on occasion. Drummond was two rebounds shy of a double-double on Tuesday night and knocked down another triple in the Game 2 victory. Maybe there’s a game in which Drummond can have 13 and 10 and Edwards can score 15 points in a variety of ways and make a more serious impact on the series.
There’s different ingredients to this kind of win, and Philly doesn’t need all of them to come together in order to steal a second win in this series, but could enough of them come to light on one night in order for the Sixers to get closer to the second round?
The Joel Embiid Game
OK, we’re saving the best for last. Spare me from all of the “The Sixers don’t even need Embiid anymore!” takes. Does more greatness from Edgecombe and Maxey mean more than winning the series in a lot of ways even though those two outcomes could be tied together? It certainly does and, yes, the future of the franchise being tied to the two guards is very important. Being able to move forward with such a foundation in place would be quite the narrative shift from where this franchise was one year ago. But why does that suddenly mean ditching Embiid at the same time?
Of course, Embiid’s contract is extremely expensive and even the biggest Embiid fans would probably understand getting off his contract in a future offseason if it is to happen. But what if there’s still a world in which Embiid can be dominant, and it just doesn’t happen every night? Suddenly that would be OK if Maxey and Edgecombe are driving the car most nights. All of a sudden Embiid could be a passenger! Heck, for years it felt like Embiid was driving his own car with no passengers aboard. Shouldn’t we all welcome a world in which Embiid can just show up and be his old self once or twice in a playoff series instead of it needing to happen every night for the Sixers to have a chance?
There are the obvious unknowns about where the big man is in his recovery from an appendectomy, but I don’t think we should be looking to sell every last penny of the Joel Embiid stock that we own either. This doesn’t have to be so black and white. For as long as Embiid is on the Sixers, let’s get behind him and hope for a night in which he can turn back the clock. If he can dress at all in this series and give us one vintage Embiid game, then maybe the Sixers do have a chance to do the unthinkable here.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!
Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Knicks Game 3 computer picks
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes (+135)
Projection: 1.61 threes
Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best shooting big men in NBA history, and his ability to stretch the floor will be needed against the Atlanta Hawks.
Our model sees this as a +EV play, and we're getting plus money for a line KAT has hit in both games of this series.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Towns Now at bet365!/span
Mikal Bridges Over 12.5 points (-105)
Projection: 13.67 points
Mikal Bridges is one of the streakiest shooters in the league, but his volume and play time alone make this bet enticing. Bridges possesses coveted 3-and-D capabilities, which kept him on the floor for 37 minutes in Game 2.
He'll be asked to play heavy minutes again, and with a volume of eight to 12 shots, he can get Over this number.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet bridges Now at bet365!/span
Jalen Brunson Under 26.5 points (-115)
Projection: 24.58 points
Make no mistake, Jalen Brunson's 29 points in Game 2 were not impressive. It took him 26 shots to get there, and his ill-advised "hero shots" in the fourth quarter hurt the New York Knicks more than they helped them.
Brunson is an excellent facilitator and will need to get the rest of his team involved if he hopes to keep up with Atlanta.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet brunson Now at bet365!/span
Hawks Game 3 computer picks
Onyeka Okongwu Over 2.5 assists (+115)
Projection: 2.82 assists
Onyeka Okongwu isn't setting the world on fire with his playmaking, but this is an obtainable number. The Hawks are the best offensive rebounding team at home over the last 10 games, and second-chance opportunities will lead to more chances of assists for the Atlanta big man.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet okongwu Now at bet365!/span
Dyson Daniels Over 4.5 assists (-130)
Projection: 5.83 assists
Dyson Daniels has had a hard time scoring, but he's still an excellent facilitator. Before a rough Game 2, Daniels eclipsed this assist total in three straight.
Daniels' inability to shoot will force the Hawks to make him act as the playmaker for his teammates, leading to plenty of dimes.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet daniels Now at bet365!/span
Jonathan Kuminga Over 12.5 points (-120)
Projection: 14.05 points
Jonathan Kuminga was a beast off the bench for Atlanta in Game 3, recording 19 points in 34 minutes of action. He's earned the playing time, and he'll be asked to score the rock early and often when he gets on the floor.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet kuminga Now at bet365!/span
How to watch Knicks vs Hawks Game 3
Location
State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Date
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jalen Williams' injury-plagued regular season has followed him to the playoffs.
Williams checked himself out of the Thunder's eventual Game 2 win over the Suns in the third quarter, grabbing his left hamstring. Williams missed a contested transition layup, and as soon as he landed, he grabbed his leg. Williams quickly checked himself out of the game and did not return.
"We think he aggravated his left hamstring," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said postgame. "We'll take a look at it in the next couple of days, and we'll update you guys when appropriate...
"Any assumption about time missed is this hypothetical at this point, so I'm not going to comment on that."
It's been a rough season for Williams — an All-NBA player a season ago during the Thunder's championship run — who played in just 33 games for the team in this campaign. Williams missed the first 19 games of the season recovering from offseason right wrist surgery. Then he was out for 30 more games during the season due to a right hamstring injury (the opposite of the leg he injured Wednesday).
When he did play this season, Williams averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game, but it took a while to find his shot again. In Game 1 of the series against the Suns, he scored 22 points on 9-for-15 shooting in an Oklahoma City win.
The Thunder took a 2-0 lead Wednesday night with a 120-107 victory. The series now heads to Phoenix for Game 3.
Despite being the home team, the Atlanta Hawks are slight underdogs at 49¢, while the Knicks have a 52% chance of stealing a game on the road.
Our prediction:Knicks to win
New York let Game 2 get away with turnovers and missed free throws, sparking Atlanta’s rally from 12 points down entering the fourth quarter. The Knicks can’t give the Hawks hope. They’ve done a good job checking Atlanta’s top scorers and will clean up their mess in Game 3.
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 Knicks/Hawks!
Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/336/kalshi.svg" alt="Kalshi" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
*Eligible to ALL states + DC, (excluding Nevada)
More Knicks vs Hawks prediction markets
You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Knicks vs. Hawks 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 Knicks -1.5 spread means the Knicks will cover, while "No" means the Hawks 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).
Knicks vs Hawks spread and total at prediction markets
Outcome
Yes
No
Knicks -1.5
49¢ (+104)
52¢ (-108)
Over 216.5 points
50¢ (+100)
51¢ (-104)
Our predictions:Knicks -1.5 — Yes and Over 216.5 points — No
The Knicks will cut down on their mistakes in Game 3 and win by at least a bucket. Both games have gone Under tonight's total, and both teams will do enough on D to stay Under 216.5 points.
Other Knicks vs Hawks prediction markets available
Jalen Brunson 30+ points (Yes: 36¢)
Josh Hart 8+ rebounds (Yes: 62¢)
Karl-Anthony Towns (Yes: 42¢)
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 Hawks 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 Knicks vs Hawks 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.
Amen Thompson’s third season was one to remember, as it saw Thompson take on a larger offensive role. ESPN revealed earlier this week that the Houston guard/forward collected a few second-place votes for Defensive Player of the Year, with the San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembenyama winning the award unanimously.
Thompson has received mixed reviews for his offensive development, but has made his mark on the defensive side, even though some numbers show he has slipped this year. Elite, 6-foot-7, nearly 7 feet wide, in pursuit of stopping a tough shot at multiple spots. Whether putting down the fast guards or going up against bigger wingers, Thompson’s level of defensive versatility has evolved to a point where he can guard just about anyone on the court.
What makes him different from most is not just the physical tools on display, but the instincts. Thompson has shown a natural gift for timing passing lane disturbances, rotating as a help defender, and contending with shots without fouling. His anticipation is sometimes such that you get a defensive rebound and a transition opportunity, or that the defense turns into offense in a way that sparks the Rockets.
Houston has an impressive defensive depth when Thompson is on the floor, and his ability to guard one through four has also freed up the coaching staff when it comes to playing matchups. Effort plays — loose balls and chases and late-clock stops — have become part of his nightly contributions.
His defensive stats are a little down overall from last season, even if his steals reached a career-high of 1.5 . Blocks were down to his rookie levels of 0.6, his defensive rating of 114 was the worst of his career, as was his defensive box plus-minus of +1.0. However, his defensive stats being down can be attributed to his increased responsibility on the offensive side of the basketball, and the Amen at point guard “experiment”.
Nonetheless, Thompson is still considered a good defender, and his final tally of 8th place in the voting illustrates that even in a “down year”, Thompson can still perform at a top level.
If this does mark the end of Kerr's tenure, it would be the first time the Warriors were in search of a head coach since May 2014, when they let go of Mark Jackson three days after losing to the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games in the first round of the playoffs. Kerr was hired eight days after Jackson was fired.
Should Kerr and the Warriors decide to not continue into a 13th season together, Golden State's coaching carousel begins ... and there are a number of ideal candidates.
Here are coaches the Warriors could look at if Kerr isn't brought back:
Potential Warriors coaching candidates
There are a number of coaches whose names will be thrown in the hat if Kerr doesn't return. Here's who could appear in the conversation:
Terry Stotts
Stotts is currently the Warriors' lead assistant coach. He is familiar with the guys, having coached in Golden State since 2024. He finished a Jan. 5 game as head coach against the Clippers after Kerr was ejected. Stotts was last a head coach with the Portland Trail Blazers from 2012 to 2021. They were a perennial playoff team, and made a Western Conference finals appearance in 2019, where they lost to Kerr's Warriors.
Jerry Stackhouse
Stackhouse, another Warriors assistant coach since 2024, would seemingly be a candidate to succeed Kerr as Warriors coach. Stackhouse hasn't been a head coach in the NBA, but was the head coach at Vanderbilt prior to joining Golden State, from 2019 to 2024. Stackhouse was a two-time All-Star in 18 NBA seasons. He can relate to every player, from stars to role players.
Mike Brown
We're not going to fill this list completely with former Warriors assistant coaches. And Brown is currently the head coach of the New York Knicks, who are in a playoff series with the Atlanta Hawks. The Warriors probably aren't thinking about him right now, and Brown definitely isn't thinking of the Warriors. Plus, Brown was hired just last summer on a four-year, $40 million deal. So, you can probably cross Brown's name off the list ... unless he's shockingly fired.
Doc Rivers
Newly elected Hall of Fame coach Doc Rivers recently told Andscape's Marc J. Spears it was his decision to step down from his head coaching position with the Milwaukee Bucks and that he's probably coached his last game. However, the championship-winning, veteran coach's name is always in conversations. If the conversation shifted towards him coaching future Hall of Famers like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, he'd have to consider, right?
Tiago Splitter
Keep an eye on what Splitter has done with Portland. He was named interim head coach following head coach Chauncey Billups' arrest as part of a federal investigation into an allegedly rigged high-stakes poker scheme. Splitter coached the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record and they're in a battle with the No. 2-seed San Antonio Spurs, with the series tied at 1. There's been some interesting reporting about Splitter and new Blazers owner Tom Dundon, though.
ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that Splitter is "trying to be a pro" even as Dundon is reportedly shopping for head coaches to potentially replace Splitter. Dundon supposedly offered Splitter the Blazers head coaching position, but reportedly lowballed Splitter. Maybe Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy can persuade Splitter to join Golden State if Portland doesn't work out.
Tiago Splitter discussed a contract during the season but the salary presented to him to was far below a standard NBA head coaching salary, per @ramonashelburne
The Trail Blazers are now looking for candidates to replace him next season while they are tied 1-1 in the Playoffs pic.twitter.com/G7BACG6iRl
Golden coached at the University of San Francisco for three seasons before leaving for Florida and reportedly has a relationship with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and his family.
Andre Iguodala
Iguodala is a former Warrior who won four championships with the franchise and was named the 2015 Finals MVP. He's been an All-Star and played a veteran role mentoring young guys, especially during the Warriors' 2022 championship run, which birthed an iconic meme during the NBA Finals in a teaching moment with Andrew Wiggins.
Coach Iguodala was not playing with Andrew Wiggins 😅
Although it would be fun and would make a good story, realistically Iguodala isn't high on the list ... or maybe even on the list, according to The SF Standard's Tim Kawakami, who called Iguodala his "outside-the-envelope candidate."
Mark Jackson
Nostalgia alone is enough to keep Jackson's name circulating among Warriors coaching rumors. He helped pioneer the Warriors' run over a decade ago. Now that their run appears to be over, a reunion may seem fitting, but probably won't happen.
Billy Donovan
Donovan is on the market. He's a veteran coach who's worked with stars before and has a history of developing young talent, having won two national championships at Florida in 2006 and 2007. The Chicago Bulls announced on April 21 that Donovan would be stepping down as Bulls coach. What's next? Could it be the Bay Area?
There are now three coaching vacancies in the NBA: Billy Donovan is stepping down from his Bulls post.
Chicago will join Milwaukee and New Orleans in conducting a coaching search.
The Bulls also have one of the league’s two front office vacancies alongside Dallas. pic.twitter.com/pclwydGHqk
Nori is currently a Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach. He has been adorned for how he connects with superstars and his bravado during in-game interviews. In Minnesota, he's connected with Anthony Edwards. In his previous stop, Denver, he was tight with Nikola Jokic. With his ability to connect with others, a first-time head coaching position could be in his future.
Chris Quinn
Quinn is the longest tenured Miami Heat assistant coach. He's been in the role since 2015, where he's helped the Heat form one of the best player development systems. It seems natural Quinn would wait to succeed Erik Spoelstra, but what if that opportunity doesn't come and one does with the Warriors? Why wouldn't Quinn go for his first top job?
Sean Sweeney
Sweeney has developed a repertoire of having success in scouting and developing talent with the San Antonio Spurs. He also brings Finals experience, having been an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks during their run in 2024. A leap from assistant coach to head coach would be daunting for Sweeney, but who wouldn't welcome the challenge?
Johnnie Bryant
Bryant is an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was a candidate for the Cavs coaching job before Kenny Atkinson was hired. He was a candidate for the Phoenix Suns before they opted for Jordan Ott. Bryant has been high on many lists, so if the Warriors are serious about not bringing Kerr back, expect Bryant's name to surface as a candidate.
The Suns’ star player fumed after being assessed a third-quarter technical foul that confused everyone, including the broadcasters, in Phoenix’s 120-107 Game 2 loss to the Thunder to fall into a 2-0 series hole.
Booker attempted to save the ball from going out of bounds and appeared to be given a technical foul for hitting Oklahoma City’s Jaylin Williams with the ball in the process.
Devin Booker blasted referee James Williams and the NBA league office for poor officating. NBAE via Getty Images
Booker claimed that the Thunder’s Alex Caruso influenced the ref into assessing the technical.
“It’s definitely something that has to be looked at. I heard Caruso tell them to call the tech and he ended up doing it,” Booker told reporters after the game. “In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James [Williams] was terrible tonight, through and through. It’s bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport. People are going to start viewing this as the WWE if they’re not held responsible.”
Caruso could be seen yelling something toward the referees, while motioning for a technical foul call.
The ESPN broadcast team was baffled by the decision to assess Booker with a technical foul.
“They’re just calling it on that? Booker was trying to save it, and because of how he saved the ball, it hit Jay Williams. They’re calling a technical foul on that? He’s just trying to save the ball,” Dave Pasch said.
“Why is that a tech?” analyst Doris Burke added.
James Williams did a terrible job on Wednesday night, according to Devin Booker. NBAE via Getty Images
“I know I haven’t won a championship in this league, but I have been in it for 11 years now, so to get to this point to be treated like that, for me to even be saying something out loud, it’s bad,” Booker said. “It’s my first time in 11 years but it’s needed. Whatever, I get fined for it, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from.”
Teammate Dillon Brooks told reporters “they should be interviewing the officials” and not the players, which reporters are not allowed to do aside from a pool reporter in certain situations.
Typically, an assessment of the officiating comes out after each game, though one was not available at the time of writing.
Devin Booker receives a technical foul trying to save the ball from going out of bounds.
Social media has been ablaze with controversy regarding the refereeing in the game.
The Thunder — the No. 1 seed in the West and the defending NBA champs — have shot 48 free throws in the series compared to 40 for the Suns.
One social media post called out Chet Holmgren for getting a favorable whistle as he got a Suns defender to jump in the air on a pump fake, though the whistle was arguably unwarranted due to what the user described as Holmgren’s wildly “unnatural shooting motion,” which would negate the defensive foul.
Holmgren induced the foul call, but Booker was not given the same favor earlier in the game.
Ringer founder Bill Simmons previously said the “ludicrous” tactics are “ruining the NBA product” and “not basketball,” a point Celtics star Jaylen Brown recently echoed.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2026 at TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We’re trying something different on the blog. We’re going to highlight posts on The Feed that we think are worth calling out. Sometimes that will mean that they are well thought out. Sometimes it will just be a topic to discuss (like the one below). This isn’t meant to be a popularity contest, but it does highlight and reward participation on The Feed.
Today’s Feed post of the day focuses on Derrick White.
These, of course, are all valid concerns. If the Celtics’ 3rd most impactful player can’t hit his shots, then defenses are going to start treating him differently, which could gum up the works for the rest of the team in a trickle down sort of way.
In general I trust Derrick White in just about anything. If he never hits another outside shot, he would still be valuable on the court for many reasons. But shooting is a huge part of the modern NBA and this team in particular.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Feel free to respond either on this post or on the original topic. And if you haven’t already, sign up for an account and participate in the conversation!
The Phoenix Suns already have a tall task in trying to knock off the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round of this year's playoffs.
Star guard Devin Booker says the referees are making it even more difficult.
The normally reserved Booker was hit with a technical foul in the third quarter of the Suns' 120-107 loss in Game 2 of their series on Wednesday, April 22, for complaining about the officiating.
"It's definitely something that has to be looked at," Booker told reporters after the game. "I heard (the Thunder's Alex) Caruso tell them to call the tech and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven't called a ref out by name, but James (Williams) was terrible tonight."
Booker was particularly upset with a sequence in the second quarter in which he was called for an offensive foul on a drive to the basket, then on the next possession, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drew a foul on a Suns defender on an eerily similar play.
"Whatever I get fined for, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from," Booker said.
OKC is a great team—they don’t need special treatment.
Booker is far from the first to raise the issue of officials' calls favoring the Thunder, and reigning league MVP Gilgeous-Alexander in particular.
"He a little frail, and that's what the refs are going to call," said Suns forward Dillon Brooks, who fouled out of Game 2 with 25 seconds remaining.
"Like, I used to watch this back when Michael Jordan was playing or whoever else, when LeBron was younger. This is physical basketball. I don't get why all the dropping and the falling and the flopping and the flailing and all this stuff is allowed when we get to the playoffs."
Last month, New York Knicks coach Mike Brown issued a similar complaint.
"SGA, he’s a tough cover," Brown told reporters after the Knicks' loss to the Thunder on March 4. "And he does a great job of convincing the referees – probably better than anybody in the league – that he’s getting hit."
Gilgeous-Alexander brushed off the criticism as the top-seeded Thunder took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
"I can't control what Dillon or anybody else on the other side is going to complain about," the Thunder star said after scoring a game-high 37 points and making all nine of his free throw attempts. "All I can do is try to go out there and win basketball games for my team."
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 22: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns were looking to bounce back in Game 2 in Oklahoma City, and while a 13-point loss does not scream “bounce back,” it kind of was. The adjustments showed up. The competitiveness showed up. It looked more like a real game.
The first change was obvious. Pace. Phoenix pushed it. That matters against the Oklahoma City Thunder, because living in the half-court against that defense is a tough way to survive. They are too connected, too disruptive, and too quick on closeouts. When the Suns played faster, moving the ball after makes and misses, it created cleaner looks. It worked, especially in the first half.
The third quarter hurt. Oklahoma City came out of the locker room and took control, outscoring Phoenix 35-20. The aggression ramped up, the game tilted, and the lead pushed to 22. It felt like it could get away from them.
Then the fourth happened. For the first time in a while, the Suns dictated something late. Pace. Physicality. Energy. They fought back and cut it to nine. Dillon Brooks set the tone with his aggression, and Devin Booker followed. Jalen Green tried to find it, but could not, going 1-of-6 in the quarter. Khaman Maluach played the entire fourth, and that is something worth circling moving forward.
More than anything, the Suns showed fight again. The kind that defined them early in the season. The kind that had faded in the final two months of the season. It showed up when it mattered most, and it reminded you of what this group can look like when they lean into their identity. Outscoring OKC 30-20 in the fourth was something.
They head back to Phoenix for Game 3 feeling better about where they are. Whether that turns into a win is another question. But for a night, it felt like the Suns again.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Wow. How bad was Game 1? Rasheer Fleming played 7:34 minutes of garbage time. He went 3-of-3 from the field, scoring 9 points in his postseason debut. And that was enough, with over 200 votes, to easily win the Bright Side Baller of the Game. I think that alone tells you where this fan base is.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 86 (Game 2) against the Thunder. Here are your nominees:
Eleven years ago, Eric Martin cringed as he watched LeBron James dismantle the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals with a 37-point triple-double in overtime.
The 42-year-old retired sales executive, who’s a Golden State Warriors fan, fired off a tweet from his couch in his home in Phoenix.
“Lebron is 30, this f–kery won’t go on for much longer, thank god,” he wrote from his X account, @urkle91.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James gestures after scoring during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) AP
That tweet has become a viral sensation, having more than a decade-long shelf life.
Superstars have retweeted it.
It has been repurposed to include players in other sports, such as Shohei Ohtani and Patrick Mahomes. It has been viewed millions of times.
It even reached James himself.
“I saw that Tweet throughout all of my 30s,” James said on the “New Heights” podcast. “Want to know what’s funny? When I turned 40, the same f–king guy said, ‘LeBron turned 40, this f–kery won’t go on much longer.’
“He’s going to be real upset when I turn 50.”
The man responsible for one of the most infamous tweets in NBA history has understandably had twinges of regret.
“There are many times I considered deleting the tweet,” Martin said with a laugh. “He was 30. And then 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 — and there was just no regression in sight.”
Eric Martin
Now, things have only gotten worse for Martin.
The 41-year-old James, who’s the only NBA player to reach season 23, is trying to lead a Lakers team without Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) past Kevin Durant and the Rockets in their first-round playoff series.
How’s it going?
The Lakers have a 2-0 lead and James has been the star of the series.
In Game 1, James had 19 points, a game-high 13 assists, eight rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot. In Game 2, he had a game-high 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
“It’s kinda like pie in my face,” Martin said.
Since turning 30, James has won two championships, made 11 All-Star teams, 11 All-NBA Teams and he became the league’s all-time leading scorer. He has had 80 of his 155 playoff games in which he had a 25/5/5 line since turning 30, more such performances than Michael Jordan had his entire postseason career (73). Last season, the 40-year-old was sixth in MVP voting.
Martin is reminded of James’ stunning longevity everyday.
“Anytime he has a good game, people retweet the comment,” he said. “Every single game. I look at my mentions, I look at my notifications, and it’s just people clowning the tweet. Every. Single. Game.
“It’s a shrine for people now.”
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Getty Images
Martin’s tweet actually went unnoticed for years.
Then, during the 2017 NBA Finals, Martin was trash-talking James on X when he pissed off the wrong Cleveland Cavaliers fan, who went digging through his past tweets and unearthed that gem with a retweet.
The tweet was then reposted by the X account “Freezing Cold Takes” which has over 600,000 followers.
A viral sensation was born.
Over the years, the flame just kept being fanned.
By 2018, the tweet was all over the internet. Martin realized the extent of its reach when his son’s and daughter’s friends started seeing it on Instagram and saying, “Isn’t that your dad’s page?”
Things only got worse from there.
After James had a 47-point, 10-rebound and nine-assist performance on his 38th birthday on Dec. 30, 2022, the Instagram page House of Highlights (which has 51 million followers) posted the tweet alongside a photo of James pointing and laughing.
James then reposted it on his Instagram (which has 156 million followers), adding a bunch of emojis of a face crying with laughter.
“It just took off,” Martin said. “It just went to another level. Every six months, I’d see another publication just retweet, retweet, retweet.”
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
For Martin, things reached a screeching point when James led the Lakers past his Warriors in the second round of the 2023 playoffs.
“I’ve never seen so many notifications before on my phone,” Martin said. “It damn-near malfunctioned.”
Martin, however, decided to get in on the joke 10 years later, posting on X, “Lebron is 40, this f–kery won’t go on for much longer, thank god,” That tweet has 3.3 million views.
Martin can laugh at everything now, even though his social media has been accosted by James’ fans.
He just has one wish going forward.
He doesn’t want the Lakers to beat the Rockets.
“If they do beat them, it’s just going to make the noise around LeBron even louder, which I dread,” he said with a laugh.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 18: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks over Jakob Poeltl #19 of the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 18, 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
INDEPENDENCE — The Toronto Raptors made their first major lineup adjustment of the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers when they decided to bench their typical starting center, Jakob Poeltl, for the entire second half in Game 2. Instead, they opted to go small with the 6’7” Collin Murray-Boyles and the 6’9” Sandro Mamukelashvili nominally playing the five.
After Game 2, Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković said that the idea behind going smaller was to provide a different look defensively. “We wanted to be able to switch more in the pick-and-roll.”
That idea made sense, but didn’t work out well for Toronto.
Instead of feasting on Poeltl in the pick-and-roll, the Cavs were able to attack and hunt out mismatches by forcing switches on screens. This was seen most clearly in how James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley all attacked Brandon Ingram whenever matched up against him. And without a center, there wasn’t additional help defense waiting to bail Ingram out.
Despite Cleveland’s success, Jarrett Allen wasn’t able to take advantage of Toronto’s smaller front line. He registered just four points in the second half and wasn’t included in the team’s closing lineup despite being guarded by a much smaller RJ Barrett.
Despite not making an impact as a scorer, head coach Kenny Atkinson liked what he saw from Allen.
“These are the little sacrifices you have to make,” Atkinson said after practice on Wednesday. “Obviously, we got to reward him if they’re going to go small and get him down on the mismatches, but he sacrificed himself with screening.”
Atkinson said that he wants to keep Allen in the dunker’s spot against some of these smaller lineups. This would allow him to clean up missed shots and potentially finish lobs if the help defense steps up.
“I give him a 10-out-of-10 in terms of understanding that and then sacrificing for the squad,” Atkinson said. “After I watched the film, [I realized] this guy is way more impactful than even I think. His impact is monumental for the team.”
It’ll be interesting to see if the Cavs can get Allen more involved against these smaller lineups.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can find the awesome Cavs’ Starter jacket HERE. Homage’s entire Cavs collection can be found HERE.
Despite not helping Toronto’s defense, going smaller did jump-start the offense.
“[It] probably increases their transition offensive rate,” Atkinson said. “They’re going to double down on their speed.”
“It makes them space the floor a little more and makes them play faster,” Max Strus said. “It’s a new thing that we’re gonna have to figure out, and I think we did some things to prepare for it today.”
The Cavs came into this series talking about needing to keep the Raptors from running in the open court. They’ve succeeded at that front in the first two games of the series, and will need to do so again if they want to steal a game in Toronto or potentially end the series there.
Going smaller hasn’t produced considerably better results for Toronto. They’re just 0.5 points per 100 possessions better with Poeltl off the court, and have registered a -12.5 net rating. That isn’t going to get it done.
Even though benching Poeltl may be the best move for the Raptors, it isn’t going to close the talent gap that we’ve seen through the first two games, at least not on its own. They need better performances from their best players — mainly Brandon Ingram — and hope that the Cavs’ stars cool off.
Despite how stress-free the first two games have been, the Cavs aren’t taking anything for granted as the series shifts north of the border.
“The series hasn’t even started yet until you go on the road,” Strus said. “So we got to come in with an aggressive mindset, just like we treated games one and two, and play our best basketball.”
Knicks
Hawks
