Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) falls to the court after missing a shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden
PHILADELPHIA — Game 3 was too soon for OG Anunoby.
Despite the Knicks’ optimism that his injury is minor, Anunoby was out for their clash against the 76ers Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. He had been listed as questionable heading into the game.
Anunoby suffered a right hamstring strain during the Knicks’ 108-102 Game 2 win on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. But imaging revealed that it is a “very minor” strain, The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported, and he is truly considered day-to-day with confidence he should not miss much time.
The Knicks had to play at least one game without him, however. Miles McBride was elevated into the starting lineup in his place.
Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) falls to the court after missing a shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
“Obviously things change a little bit,” Josh Hart said before Game 3. “He’s a great defensive player. So it just means guys that are playing are going to have to step up, cover for each other.”
The Knicks would not elaborate on whether Anunoby is able to run or what he is actually able to do on the court.
“We just have to go out and try to do our job, whatever our job is,” coach Mike Brown said before Game 3. “Nobody has to do anything extraordinary. Defensively and offensively, it’s the same with OG being out. It’s going to be a collective effort for everybody to step up. You always talk about next man up, that’s what it is during this time of the year or the regular season.”
Anunoby appeared to suffer the injury while driving to the basket during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game. He began visibly limping, but remained in the game for a few plays and even attempted a dunk — though he was blocked. He asked for a sub and came out with 2:31 left in the game, went to the locker room and did not return.
He has arguably been the Knicks’ most consistent player this postseason — he is averaging 20.3 points on stellar 61.9 percent shooting from the field and 53.8 percent shooting from 3-point range. His defense — on Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu in the first round against the Hawks and primarily Paul George in this second-round series against the 76ers — has been superb.
Anunoby’s absence left a major hole to fill.
“OG’s been unbelievable,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said before Game 3. “He’s been amazing both in the Atlanta series and in this series. He has been as good as I’ve ever seen him. He just keeps getting better and better, it’s a testament to him to continue to just keep playing. He guards every position. His shooting’s been great, now he’s even, his cutting game is great. Once he dribbles inside the line, you used to kind of think ‘let’s force him inside the line and who knows what’s going to happen.’ Now he’s dunking on people and hitting that 17-footer. He’s been doing everything at a super high level. … I’m a big fan of OG’s.”
As the series shifts to Minnesota, the Timberwolves return home looking to respond in Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs, with our NBA player prop projections identifying several strong value spots on the board.
By breaking down the data and comparing it to the latest market lines, we’ve uncovered where the strongest betting edges lie for this pivotal matchup.
This one has become a staple for a reason, and there’s little indication that changes now. Expect Wemby to keep doing Wemby things and stay active on the boards.
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Stephon Castle Over 16.5 points (-112)
Projection: 17.18 points
Stephon Castle has been operating like a well-oiled machine throughout the playoffs, especially against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He’s shot 50% or better in both Game 1 and Game 2 against Minnesota and has cleared his points prop in each outing.
With that level of consistency, there’s little reason to expect the trend to slow down anytime soon.
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De'Aaron Fox Over 5.5 assists (-105)
Projection: 6.18 assists
De’Aaron Fox has cleared this assists line in five of the Spurs’ last seven playoff games, reinforcing how effective San Antonio is when he’s setting the table and keeping them within striking distance — or outright in control.
Playmaking is built into Fox’s game, and he’s not likely to drift away from what makes him most effective.
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Timberwolves Game 3 computer picks
Anthony Edwards Under 23.5 points (-115)
Projection: 20.95 points
The Timberwolves are taking a cautious approach with Anthony Edwards’ health, making it no surprise that his points prop is leaning toward the Under.
While he’d undoubtedly like to bounce back and help erase the disappointment from Game 2, Minnesota’s priority is keeping his minutes in check to avoid aggravating his knee issue and risking further setback.
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Rudy Gobert Over 10.5 rebounds (-135)
Projection: 11.56 rebounds
Rudy Gobert has been right on the edge of this rebounds line, grabbing 10 boards in both Games 1 and 2 against the Spurs.
With the Timberwolves looking to respond in Game 3, he should have another strong opportunity on the glass—and this time, it feels like he finally breaks through and hits the Over.
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Naz Reid Over 1.5 3-pointers
Projection: 2.04 3-pointers
Naz Reid has been knocking down threes at a hot clip against the Spurs, shooting 67% in Game 1 and 75% in Game 2.
He’s consistently been good for at least one or two triples throughout the playoffs, and with the series shifting back to Minnesota, there’s little reason to expect that trend to slow down now. He'll do enough from beyond the arc to clear the Over in Game 3.
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How to watch Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 3
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Friday, May 8, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
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SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 27: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings shoots against Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 27, 2021 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With free agency still more than a month away, teams already eliminated from the postseason are putting together their big boards. Targets they’re interested in. Assets they have available. Ways to start piecing together the puzzle that will become the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns roster.
We all have our theories about who the Suns should add, who they could add, and how they can make the money work. At the same time, the front office is building its own board. And according to reports, two names on that list are players still active in the postseason. Two players who bring very similar traits.
Per Clutch Points reporter Brett Siegel, the Suns have been linked to Dean Wade of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Harrison Barnes of the San Antonio Spurs.
Two early names are already being linked by sources to the Suns as free agent targets: Harrison Barnes and Dean Wade.
Inside Phoenix's offseason and other intel on the teams eliminated during the first round of the playoffs: https://t.co/KFbKYD4vHW
Both players are power forwards who can stretch the floor. Neither gives you much interior size, still, both provide a real presence from beyond the arc.
Harrison Barnes will be 34 next season and entering his 13th year in the league. He’s coming off his second season with the San Antonio Spurs and made $19 million last year. San Antonio does hold his Bird rights if they want to bring him back. Given the youth movement happening there, it’s hard to see them spending heavily to retain Barnes at this stage.
Dean Wade is interesting for different reasons. He’s 29 years old with six seasons of NBA experience, all spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s finishing up a three-year, $18.5 million contract. Cleveland is operating over the second apron, which means tough business decisions are coming. They also hold Wade’s Bird rights, still, retaining him could become difficult depending on how aggressive they want to be financially.
So the question becomes, what is their value on the open market? And is it something the Phoenix Suns would be willing to pay?
There are other factors involved as well. If the Suns move off either Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale, or both, then Dean Wade becomes a much more intriguing target. You don’t want to overpay for him, still, he could replicate parts of the outgoing skill set while giving you more size in the process.
Harrison Barnes is different for me. On a veteran minimum deal, sure. Beyond that, I’m not interested at this point.
Given the fact that Phoenix will probably operate on the fringes instead of chasing splashy trades, these are the kinds of names you should expect them to be tied to. Moving off Allen or O’Neale is realistic, and doing so could open different ways to improve around the margins. You still have to replace what those players provide.
Wade shot 36.2% from three this season. Barnes shot 38.8%. Both are complementary pieces that can help in spot starts and rotational roles. The question becomes role expectation. They’re unrestricted free agents. Maybe they want more. Maybe they want starting opportunities, similar to what Tyus Jones once sought in Phoenix.
That’s where restraint matters. If starting promises are part of the pitch, the Suns should pass. You already have Rasheer Fleming sitting there. He should be getting starts at power forward next season, not veterans born during the Bush administration.
That’s my two cents. Let us know in the comments how you feel about the Suns being linked to these two players.
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks hired Mike Schmitz as general manager on Friday, naming the Portland Trail Blazers' assistant GM to his new role three days after introducing Masai Ujiri as team president and alternate governor.
The announcement gives Schmitz the title Nico Harrison held until he was fired in November, nine months after trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a move that backfired badly on the franchise.
The Mavericks said Schmitz would oversee day-to-day management and strategic alignment in the club's basketball operations department.
The move comes with Dallas still not having provided any clarity on the future roles of Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. They were named co-interim GMs when Harrison was fired and engineered the trade of Anthony Davis, the centerpiece acquired by Dallas in the Doncic deal, to Washington.
Schmitz and the Nigerian-raised Ujiri have strong ties to Africa. Schmitz has spent time working on youth basketball development in Ujiri's homeland and has served as an assistant coach with the Ugandan national team.
Schmitz joined the Trail Blazers in 2022 after spending five years as a draft analyst at ESPN.
“I have tremendous respect for Masai, this ownership group and the vision they have for the future of the franchise,” Schmitz said. “I'm excited to get to work alongside the talented people already in place and help build a championship-caliber organization.”
The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves meet in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinals series. The teams split the first two games in San Antonio. Game 3 is in Minneapolis. The Spurs are favored by 4.5 points. The over/under for the matchup is set at 216.5.
How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Moneyline: Minnesota Timberwolves +165 (36.2%) / San Antonio Spurs -198 (63.8%)
Over/Under: 216.5
Series schedule, results
Game 1:Timberwolves 104, Spurs 102 Game 2:Spurs 133, Timberwolves 95 Game 3: San Antonio at Minnesota (Friday May 8, 9:30 ET, Prime Video) Game 4: San Antonio at Minnesota (Sunday May 10, 7:30 ET, NBC/Peacock) Game 5: Minnesota at San Antonio (Tuesday May 12)* Game 6: San Antonio at Minnesota (Friday May 15)* Game 7: Minnesota at San Antonio (Sunday May 17)*
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 07: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 07, 2026 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. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The game of basketball can be complex. But often, its solutions can be simple. For the Lakers, there are two things they consistently haven’t been able to do this postseason: grab rebounds and control the basketball.
Against Houston in the first round, they eventually won the battle of the boards as the series progressed, but now in the second round, the Thunder are winning in this department.
Across two games, OKC has outrebounded Los Angeles 76-71. Turnovers have been even more concerning. The Lakers lead the playoffs in turnovers, averaging 18.1 per game. In their Game 2 loss, the Lakers had 21 turnovers, and the Thunder scored 26 points off them.
“You can start seeing some trends here,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said postgame. “We probably need to go back to the two keys we had against Houston which is take care of the ball and box out. It’s not on a high volume, but they’ve killed us in both games. Every time they’ve gotten an offensive rebound, they’ve scored.”
If you give the Thunder additional opportunities, they will make you pay. OKC leads the NBA in 2nd chance points, averaging 18 per game in the playoffs. Against the Lakers, that number has increased to 19. With LA struggling to take care of the ball and unable to retain possession on misses, it’s no surprise they are down 2-0 in this series.
“I think tonight, we did a good job with our first defense, but we have to clean glass,” LeBron James said. “We have to do a better job. We let Chet get some offensive rebounds and some putbacks, either get to the free throw line or some putbacks. [Against] a team like that, you can’t give up second-chance points. We did a great job in the Houston series as the series went on of being better at that. We got to do a better job of hitting and not allowing them to get second-chance points. When you’re able to hold a team like that to a first stop, I think we can get better at that.”
So far, the Lakers haven’t been able to execute on all phases of a game for four quarters. The reason is a combination of the Lakers not taking care of things and the Thunder making that happen. This is a tough matchup for the Lakers. OKC is the favorite to win it all and hasn’t shown any cracks in its armor.
It’s up to the Lakers to create them, and that starts with controlling what they can control. In Game 3, they need to grab those boards and be smarter with the basketball. If not, they’ll be one step closer to elimination.
The Cleveland Cavaliers head home today looking earn a much-needed win over the Detroit Pistons, as they trail 2-0 in this second-round series.
My Pistons vs. Cavaliers predictions are looking for superstar guard James Harden to get back on track in front of the home crowd.
Here are my best free NBA picks for Game 3 from Rocket Arena on Saturday, May 9. Don't miss tip-off at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, and for more on this game, read Ed Scimia's Pistons vs. Cavaliers props.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win today.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3 prediction today
Who will win Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3?
Cavaliers: The Cavaliers kept things close in Game 2 despite a poor performance from James Harden, and Harden should get back on track in the pivotal Game 3. Donovan Mitchell has played his best basketball at home, and the Cavs are 31-14 at Rocket Arena compared to just 25-21 across all other venues this season.
Pistons vs Cavaliers best bet: James Harden Over 18.5 points (-120)
James Harden delivered a dud in Game 2, scoring 10 points on just 3-of-13 shooting while failing to do much as a rebounder or facilitator. He’s been hounded with a reputation for flopping in the playoffs throughout his career, and I expect him to respond with a bounce-back effort in Game 3.
Harden is averaging 19.6 points per game in the playoffs, and he’s scored 19+ in five of nine outings. He’s reached that scoring milestone in 21 of 35 games with the Cleveland Cavaliersoverall and in nine of 16 at home. He finished with exactly 18 points in three more home appearances.
The superstar guard has averaged 22.8 points at home compared to just 17 on the road in his first postseason run with Cleveland, scoring at least 18 in all four games at Rocket Arena and at least 19 three times.
It’s do-or-die time for Cleveland, and with the series — and his reputation — on the line, I’m betting on a big game from Harden.
COVERS INTEL:James Harden has scored 19+ points in 112 of 182 career playoff games, good for 61.5%.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3 same-game parlay
Harden has averaged 7.2 assists across 35 appearances with the Cavaliers, and he's dished at least seven dimes 23 times. Harden finished with exactly seven assists in four of five matchups against the Detroit Pistons this season, failing to do so only in his disappointing Game 2 performance.
The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in five straight road games, but they're 4-1 ATS across their last five at home. Cleveland will be playing with a major sense of urgency, looking to avoid a 3-0 hole that has never been overcome in playoff history.
I expect Harden to be better, and the combination of him and Donovan Mitchell will be too much for Detroit to contain.
Pistons vs Cavaliers SGP
James Harden Over 18.5 points
James Harden Over 6.5 assists
Cavaliers -4.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Comeback season
Donovan Mitchell averaged a career-best 28.7 points per game at home this season, scoring 26+ in 28 of 41 games at Rocket Arena and reaching that mark in 47 of 79 games overall. He averaged 29.8 points across four matchups with the Pistons, scoring 30+ and hitting the Over on this line three times.
Jarrett Allen bounced back from a poor showing in Game 1 with 22 points in Game 2. He's averaged 15.4 points across five matchups with the Pistons this season, hitting the Over on this line three times. Allen has averaged 12.8 points per game at home compared to just 10.6 on the road in this season's playoffs.
Over/Under: Over 212.5 (-110) | Under 212.5 (-110)
Pistons vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
The Cavaliers have covered the spread in four of their last five home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Tip-off
3:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Pistons vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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BRISTOL, CT - NOVEMBER 18: NBA Draft Analyst, Mike Schmitz looks at his phone during the 2020 NBA Draft on November 18, 2020 in Bristol, Connecticut at ESPN Headquarters. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Mavericks announced that Mike Schmitz will be the team’s next general manager, working under Ujiri. All of a sudden, the uncertainty surrounding Ujiri’s titles, neither of which were “general manager,” becomes a little clearer.
Schmitz comes to Dallas from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he has served as assistant GM since 2022. He is widely regarded as a keen talent evaluator. Shams Charania of ESPN first reported the news.
The Dallas Mavericks have hired Mike Schmitz as the franchise's new general manager under Masai Ujiri.
Schmitz worked as an NBA Draft analyst for ESPN before the Blazers hired him in 2022. Portland’s picks during Schmitz’s tenure in the Trail Blazers’ front office include Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Kris Murray, Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen.
Schmitz was suspended for two weeks without pay by the NBA in April after the team self-reported that Schmitz and his fellow co-general manager, Sergio Oliva, made illegal contact with Yang in 2023, two years before the youngster from China was eventually drafted by the team. The NBA fined the Blazers $100,000 for that self-reported violation.
In Dallas, Schmitz will “oversee the day-to-day management and strategic alignment of the Mavericks’ basketball operations department,” according to a press release from the Mavericks’ PR machine. His experience across both domestic and international ball-knowing landscapes make him a unique fit under Ujiri, who also specializes in procuring talent from overseas.
“Mike is one of the most respected evaluators and basketball minds in the NBA,” Ujiri said in the release. “He brings intelligence, discipline, humility and a relentless work ethic to everything he does. Just as importantly, he understands how to build an aligned, collaborative culture across every part of a basketball organization. We are building something special in Dallas, and Mike will be a major part of that vision.”
At least part of Schmitz’ quote in the release will be of interest to those fans wondering what the move means for Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, who served as co-interim general managers for most of the 2025-26 season, following the highly satisfying ouster of former GM Nico Harrison.
“Joining the Dallas Mavericks is an incredible opportunity,” Schmitz said in the release. “I have tremendous respect for Masai, this ownership group and the vision they have for the future of this franchise. I’m excited to get to work alongside the talented people already in place and help build a championship-caliber organization.”
Finley and Riccardi are net positives in the front office, even if they didn’t have the juice to squeeze the GM seat in the end. The fact that Schmitz acknowledged “the talented people already in place” may bode well for Fincardi’s future with the organization. NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Friday after Schmitz’ hiring that Riccardi is still planning to attend Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery, representing the Mavericks off-camera.
It was announced earlier today that Matt Riccardi, Dallas' co-interim GM alongside Michael Finley since Nico Harrison's November ouster, will represent the Mavericks in Sunday's lottery in the off-camera drawing room in Chicago … as planned before Masai Ujiri's hiring.
Schmitz has worked as an assistant coach for the Ugandan national team since 2018 and traveled around the globe as a scout for DraftExpress since 2012. Schmitz worked as a video coordinator for the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA G League during the 2012-13 season. He is a 2012 graduate of the University of Arizona.
The New York Knicks will try to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. The Knicks won the first two games. The 76ers are favored by 1.5 points in Game 3. Joel Embiid is listed as questionable for Game 3.
How to watch New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Date: Friday, May 8
Time: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Moneyline: Philadelphia 76ers -121 (52.4%) / New York Knicks +101 (47.6%)
Over/Under: 213.5Series schedule, results
Game 1:Knicks 137, 76ers 98 Game 2:Knicks 108, 76ers 102 Game 3: New York at Philadelphia (Friday May 8, 7 ET, Prime Video) Game 4: New York at Philadelphia (Sunday May 10, 3:30 ET, ABC) Game 5: Philadelphia at New York (Tuesday May 12)* Game 6: New York at Philadelphia (Thursday May 14)* Game 7: Philadelphia at New York (Sunday May 17)*
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: The sneakers worn by Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers before the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers return home in desperate need of a spark down 0-2, leaning on the energy of the Wells Fargo Center crowd as they try to claw back into the series.
For Game 3 against the New York Knicks, our NBA player prop projections are locked in, highlighting several high-value opportunities identified by the model.
By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.
If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, May 8.
Knicks vs 76ers computer picks for Game 3
Knicks
76ers
Brunson o26.5 points -112
George o2.5 3-pointers -135
Towns u11.5 rebounds +100
Oubre Jr. o11.5 points -125
Hart o4.5 assists -135
Maxey o6.5 assists +120
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Knicks Game 3 computer picks
Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points (-112)
Projection: 28.17 points
Jalen Brunson has been a driving force for the New York Knicks, helping them jump out to a 2–0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers. He was incredibly efficient in Game 1, shooting 67% from the field en route to 35 points, then followed it up in Game 2 with 26 points on 43% shooting.
He’s either cleared this prop or landed just short of it in recent outings, and he looks like he's well in position to keep that production rolling as the Knicks head to Philadelphia for Game 3.
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Karl-Anthony Towns Under 11.5 rebounds (+100)
Projection: 11.97 rebounds
Karl-Anthony Towns has posted 6 and 10 rebounds in Games 1 and 2 as the Knicks head on the road, and the task won’t get any easier on the glass in a hostile Philadelphia environment where the crowd will be eager to rattle him.
After falling short of this rebound line even at home in New York, it’s fair to expect an even tougher night trying to get there on the road in Philly.
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Josh Hart Over 4.5 assists (-135)
Projection: 4.83 assists
Josh Hart is currently listed as probable for Game 3 with a thumb injury, but if he’s cleared to play, expect him to be heavily involved on both ends as he looks to impact the game in whatever way the New York Knicks need.
From a production standpoint, Hart has consistently delivered in this area, clearing his assists line in 5 of 8 playoff games so far. He’s also recorded six assists in each of the first two games of this series against Philadelphia, reinforcing his steady playmaking presence.
Even with the thumb issue in the background, the expectation is that he continues facilitating and keeping the offense moving without much drop-off in involvement.
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76ers Game 3 computer picks
Paul George Over 2.5 3-pointers (-135)
Projection: 2.74 3-pointers
Paul George has been knocking down shots from beyond the arc with consistency. After drilling 67% of his threes in Game 1 against the Knicks and opening Game 2 on a heater with five made triples, he’ll look to stay aggressive from deep.
With that kind of rhythm already established, he should be even more inclined to keep firing from three-point range in front of the Philly crowd and push past this prop line.
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Kelly Oubre Jr. Over 11.5 points (-125)
Projection: 12.89 points
After putting up 12 and 19 points in Games 1 and 2 against the Knicks, Kelly Oubre Jr.’s scoring line looks well within reach. Philadelphia will need his offensive output — and then some — to help keep New York in check.
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Tyrese Maxey Over 6.5 assists (+120)
Projection: 6.56 assists
Whether Joel Embiid suits up for Game 3 or not, Tyrese Maxey will be the focal point in Philadelphia’s effort to keep their season alive and they’ll need him to do a little bit of everything.
Getting his teammates involved will be key to slowing down the Knicks, while also easing some of the scoring burden on his shoulders. That balance should work in Maxey’s favor with so much being asked of him.
The more Maxey leans into his role as a facilitator, the better chance the 76ers have of keeping New York off balance and less locked in on their primary playmaker.
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How to watch Knicks vs 76ers Game 3
Location
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Friday, May 8, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sits by the court before a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum on April 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks face a difficult decision this offseason regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo and his future with the franchise. Antetokounmpo could be seeking a trade to a team closer to competing for a championship as he enters his 30’s and the Bucks’ attempts at remaining competitive have fallen short, especially after a 50-loss campaign that saw Milwaukee miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
What the Bucks are saying about Giannis
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam spoke about Antetokounmpo’s future and what to expect from him to reporters, including Athletic insider Eric Nehm:
“Listen, Giannis has brought Milwaukee its second championship and the first in 50 years. He’s a phenomenal player. He’s a phenomenal person. He’s arguably one of the best basketball players in the world, and we will do what’s best for Giannis and what’s best for the organization… We don’t know whether Giannis will stay with us or not, but we’ll work through that with Giannis in the coming weeks.”
The Bucks appear to be putting the ball in Giannis’ court, at least publicly. If he wants to stay, the Bucks aren’t going to rush trading him away. As Haslam mentioned, he is one of the greatest players in franchise history, and the Bucks would be silly to trade him for a number of reasons. The owner also told reporters that if the decision is to trade him, they want to have it settled by the draft:
“I just think before the draft is a natural time, right? Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, then we ought to get a lot of assets, and it’s (general manager Jon Horst‘s) job to do it. If he’s here, then you build the team differently.”
Why the Bucks should trade Giannis
The Bucks could benefit from a trade as it will force them to start over with a clean slate to get the rebuild started. Antetokounmpo’s value may not be higher than what it currently is, so the Bucks should cash in and acquire a pillar or two that will help them lay the foundation for what the future of the team will look like. It’s not an easy decision to make and the Bucks have delayed this move for as long as possible, but they may be reaching the end of the road.
Why the Bucks should keep Giannis
Very few legends stay with one team their entire career, and it says something if the Bucks were capable of doing that with Giannis. It would help create a culture that could last way beyond the time Giannis plays his final game with the Bucks. This isn’t to say that once Giannis stops playing in Milwaukee, he won’t be remembered for his time with the franchise, but it will add an extra bit of legacy, satisfaction, and respect around the league if he were to stay with the Bucks for his entire career. The Bucks want to keep Giannis as long as possible, but their willingness to do right by their superstar is a sign of respect in itself, and the team has doubled down on that sentiment many times over the past several years.
Has Giannis played his final game with the Bucks? Chime in in the comments section below.
When last we saw the Lakers they were surrounding the Game 2 officials following their 125-107 loss to the Thunder. LA led that game at the half by a point but was outscored 68-49 in the second half to fall down 2-0 to OKC in the best of seven series.
Did they have a reason to gripe to the officials? There is no doubt that every game presents subjective situations. However, the larger question is will they get the calls they need to climb back into a series in which they are obviously the lesser team? Or does their attempt to question the game officials – which could easily be viewed as an attempt to intimidate them – merely showcase desperation? The Lakers need a spark and frankly, it matters not how they get one.
We will see the results on display Saturday night in Los Angeles for Game 3 of this Western Conference series.
The Thunder will take the court with immense confidence. They are 6-0 in the playoffs and on ethe verge of basically ending this series against the Lakers. Game 2 saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren led the way for the Thunder with 22 points apiece. Jared McCain had 18 in 18 minutes off the bench as OKC flexed in the second half to take the two games to none lead in the series. Austin Reaves had 31 and LeBron James 23 in the loss for LA. The supporting cast simply has not been good enough for the purple and gold.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Thunder vs. Lakers
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 8:30PM EST
Site: crypto.com Arena
City: Los Angeles, CA
Network/Streaming: ABC
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Game Odds: Thunder vs. Lakers
The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder (-375), Los Angeles Lakers (+295)
Spread: Thunder -8.5
Total: 211.5 points
This game opened Thunder -8.5 with the Game Total set at 208.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Thunder vs. Lakers
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG Luguentz Dort
C Isaiah Hartenstein
SG Ajay Mitchell
PF Chet Holmgren
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Marcus Smart
SG Austin Reaves
C Deandre Ayton
PF Rui Hachimura
SF LeBron James
Injury Report: Thunder vs. Lakers
Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Williams (hamstring) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Thomas Sorber (knee) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic (hamstring) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Thunder vs. Lakers
The Lakers are 30-14 at home this season
The Thunder are 32-10 on the road this season
The Lakers are 49-40-1 ATS this season
OKC is 43-44-1 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 48 of the Thunder’s 88 games this season (48-40)
The OVER has cashed in 45 of the Lakers’ 90 games this season (45-45)
Chet Holmgren was 7-11 from the field including 3-5 from deep
Lu Dort scored 3 points in Game 2
Dort has failed to reach double digits in scoring in the playoffs this season
Jared McCain scored 18 points in 18 minutes in Game 2
McCain was the game’s top 3-point shooter knocking down 4 (in 5 attempts) for the second straight game
Deandre Ayton pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds
Marcus Smart had 5 assists in Game 2 and has 12 for the series
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Saturday’s Thunder and Lakers’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Thunder -8.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 211.5
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The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery will be the last of its kind.
Whatever it looks like next season, after Adam Silver pushes anti-tanking measures, the lottery is going to look very different. And likely more complex than the current one, which uses 14 numbered ping-pong balls in a lottery machine, creating 1001 possible combinations.
The reason for all the buzz — and the tanking this season — is that this is one of the deepest classes in recent memory, with scouts saying there are potentially three (some might say four) franchise cornerstone players at the top and great depth behind them. That starts with BYU's AJ Dybantsa (the No. 1 pick on most boards), Kansas' Darryn Peterson, and Duke's Cameron Boozer at the top of the list. Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery
How to watch the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery
The lottery will take place on May 10 at 3 pm ET and can be watched on ESPN.
What are each team’s odds?
Here are the odds for the 14 teams in the lottery.
No. 1 Washington Wizards
Odds to land No. 1 pick 14%; odds to land in top four 52.1% Washington is looking to add one more young, cornerstone player to a team that had a few nice young players already — Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson — plus added Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Whatever happens in this lottery, the Wizards expect to be in the postseason next year, not back here in the lottery.
No. 2 Indiana Pacers
Odds to land No. 1 pick 14%; odds to land in top four 52.1% If Indiana's pick falls out of the top four — basically a coin-toss chance — their pick goes to the LA Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade. Either way, with Zubac, a healthy Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and the rest of a core that went to the Finals a year ago, it's going to be a bounce-back season in Indiana. But put a top-four pick in that mix and it gets more interesting.
No. 3 Brooklyn Nets
Odds to land No. 1 pick 14%; odds to land in top four 52.1% Brooklyn used all five of the first round picks they had on players last year in the draft and... meh. It was not a great showing, although some had flashes of potential. Brooklyn is a team that needs some lottery luck to jumpstart their rebuild.
No. 4 Utah Jazz
Odds to land No. 1 pick 11.5%; odds to land in top four 45.2% The lottery gods owe Utah some luck — and keeping AJ Dybansta in Utah would be huge for the franchise — but those gods can be fickle. Either way, Utah is done losing: Adding a high draft pick to a core of Keyonte George in the backcourt with Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. up front, this is a team thinking playoffs next season.
No. 5 Sacramento Kings
Odds to land No. 1 pick 11.5%; odds to land in top four 45.2% Sacramento is in the midst of (another) rebuild, and they — and their passionate, long-suffering fans — deserve a break and a top pick to be a cornerstone for whatever is next.
No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies
Odds to land No. 1 pick 9%; odds to land in top four 37.2% With this team in a rebuild (including the expectation Ja Morant is traded this summer for more picks and/or young players), it's simple for the Grizzlies: Take the best player on the board. If the Grizzlies fall in the 5-8 range and get one of the dynamic young point guards in that mix, there would be a natural fit.
No. 7 Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans)
Odds to land No. 1 pick 6.8%; odds to land in top four 29.3% Actually, Atlanta's odds are slightly better than that because it has the swap rights to the better of New Orleans or Milwaukee's picks, so technically they have a 9.8% chance at the top pick and a 43.2% chance of landing in the top four. Wherever they land, they're adding another good player to a core being built out around Jalen Johnson.
No. 8 Dallas Mavericks
Odds to land No. 1 pick 6.7%; odds to land in top four 29% Can you imagine the uproar around the league — and the conspiracy theories that will fly — if the Mavericks get the No. 1 pick again? Wherever they fall, the Mavericks are looking to add a young talent to play with Cooper Flagg long-term.
No. 9 Chicago Bulls
Odds to land No. 1 pick 4.5%; odds to land in top four 20.3% Bryson Graham, the Bulls new head of basketball operations (a former VP with the Hawks) will be making this pick. He's got a lot of work ahead of him, but some lottery luck would speed up the process.
No. 10 Milwaukee Bucks
Odds to land No. 1 pick 0; odds to land in top four 13.9% Technically, the No. 10 slot has a 3% chance of jumping up to the No. 1 pick, but because Atlanta has swap rights, the Hawks would swoop in if the Bucks got lucky, and Milwaukee would get New Orleans's pick. On the optimistic side, if both New Orleans and Milwaukee jumped into the top four, the Bucks would get that pick. However, there is an 84.9% chance the Bucks pick at No. 10 or 11. What the Bucks ultimately do with this pick will depend on what is decided with Giannis Antetokounmpo before the draft.
No. 11 Golden State Warriors
Odds to land No. 1 pick 2%; odds to land in top four 9.4% Stephen Curry is still there and still one of the league's best players, but the Warriors also need to look to what is next and draft (then develop) players that will be part of that future. They've had some high-profile misses on that front in the past.
No. 12 Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers)
Odds to land No. 1 pick 1.5%; odds to land in top four 7.1% Like if Dallas jumped all the way up, if the lottery gods favored the Thunder this year there would be an uproar. Whatever happens, the smartest drafting team in the league is going to add a lottery pick to its already dominant, young roster.
No. 13 Miami Heat
Odds to land No. 1 pick 1%; odds to land in top four 4.8% Miami could use the infusion of some more youth and athleticism in the roster, but this team isn't tanking and rebuilding, so what they will do with this pick remains a mystery.
No. 14 Charlotte Hornets
Odds to land No. 1 pick 0.5%; odds to land in top four 2.4% Adding another quality young player to a roster with standout rookie Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller will make this team even more of a must-watch group next season.
This is the last year the NBA will use this system to determine its draft order for teams that don't make the playoffs. Only the first four picks are determined by the lottery, picks 5-30 follow the reverse standings of whoever is left (although trades will impact which team actually makes those selections).
The system uses 14 numbered ping-pong balls, put into a lottery machine, creating 1001 possible combinations. Four numbered balls are randomly extracted at a time, and each lottery team is assigned a certain number of those combinations, based on its record, which gives us the odds for each team. This random extraction process is completed four times to select the top four picks.
Note that in the last two years, teams have jumped from way down the board up to No. 1. Two years ago, in 2024, it was Atlanta, with a 3% chance, that jumped to No. 1 and selected Zaccharie Risacher. Last year in 2025, it was famously Dallas with a 1.8% chance that leapfrogged everyone to get the No. 1 pick and select Cooper Flagg.
Which team has won the NBA Draft Lottery the most times?
Three teams have won the NBA Draft Lottery three times: The Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Clippers and Orlando Magic.
In an odd twist, the Cavaliers got the top pick in 2011 (the year they drafted Kyrie Irving) after acquiring the Clippers' pick at the trade deadline — if LA had held on to that pick, it would have made the top selection five times (and could have gotten Irving).
SAN ANTONIO, TX. - MAY 2026: San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) creates a turnover against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the second quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs, NBA Western Conference Semifinals, Game 2. NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via Getty Images
While Game 2 did not go the way any Wolves fans would want, it’s still an opportunity to reload and reflect. Canis’ Thilo Widder is joined by our Spurs’ sister site Pounding the Rock EIC JR Wilco to discuss what could change in a pivotal Game 3 return to Minnesota.
Thilo Widder
Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have called the last frat “slightly braggadocious” but alas, when else am I going to be able to use that word?
That was certainly a game. Not a good one, but it was certainly one. The Wolves guards imploded under the weight of a Stephon Castle without foul trouble while Jaden McDaniels unfortunately found himself on the wrong side of Scott Foster.
The Wolves continue to be one of the least consistent teams in the league, but a 16-7 run was enough of a run to build a 25 point lead that just got worse and worse. That run was the least of the numerous problems Minnesota had, as their guards shot 10/36 on the game.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 06: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles against Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 06, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ayo Dosumnu, who I highlighted as a swing player, had only a block and a steal in 10 minutes of playtime before getting injured again. Bones Hyland continues to play very badly. Anthony Edwards is still so clearly hobbled.
If that was a representation of the rest of the series, that would suck (for me as a fan at least, I’m sure you’d disagree). Fortunately for us as content creators and fans of good basketball, it probably won’t be.
On that note though, I’m curious what the biggest changes you saw and if they are sustainable. Obviously, DeAaron Fox and Victor Wembenyama played better, but that was always to be expected. What turned this from a neck and neck Game 1 to a blowout of that scale in Game 2?
J.R. Wilco
One of the reasons we watch sports is to see something that we don’t expect. And nothing fulfills that purpose less than a blowout. I had an absolute blast watching Game 1, and even though the evening ended poorly for me, I have good memories of that tightly contested game that felt like each play mattered.
In the regular season, when the other team goes on a run, you tell yourself that there’s plenty of time in the game and your team can definitely make it back. But in a game like we saw on Monday, even a seven point lead seems daunting. Both teams dialed into that extent is one of the joys of being a fan. Nothing else quite touches it.
Of course, another joy of being a fan is watching your team absolutely pummel a squad that they’ve recently lost to, and so I’m not gonna lie: Wednesday night was fun too. Just a different kind of fun. Fox was slithering through the lane. Wembanyama was flying all over the court — I mean that literally and not just vertically, because I saw a still shot of the rebound dunk he threw in for his first points, and Victor isn’t even on the screen when Julian Champagnie starts his shooting motion. And the screen covered all the way to mid court! Julian and Vassell pilled off one of the most rare plays in basketball, the alley-oop three-pointer. I’m still geeking out about it.
I’m also geeking out about the chess match Johnson and Fitch are engaged in. Here are the things that I think our responsible for the way, the Spurs ran the table.
They turned Edwards and Randle into passers by doubling and trapping, much like OKC did in last year’s WCF. When the Wolves doubled back on all of the talk about how Wemby would have to keep blocking every shot they took, he recognized that they weren’t coming at him and stayed down so he could just challenge and rebound instead of trying to go after every attempt. That kept Minnesota’s possessions mostly one and done. Third, San Antonio committed to running at every opportunity, especially after scores. They just had so many buckets early in the shot clock and Minny looked unprepared for those quick strikes.
Those are the things Finch needs to respond to. What do you see happening in Game 3?
Thilo
God, hard to say. The Wolves of yesteryear (or yesteryesteryear, I forget) were absolutely incapable of stopping the fast break, or any team with pace in general. I don’t doubt that this is a return to that form.
The Wolves are built first and foremost on turning defense into offense, not in the typical sense but by wearing out their opponents with their defense until Minnesota faces no pushback on the other end.
It is, by and large, a war of attrition.
However, for that to work, you cannot allow any easy points. 29 fast break points is far too much. Hell, 15 is probably too much for the “beat them with hammers” approach to work.
I think part of that problem will fix itself with Ayo and Ant getting healthier – more bodies back typically means less opportunities on the break – but I think the solution is in committing to one of two extremes
The Wolves of the past, the ones that would bleed points in transition, were violently pursuant of offensive rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns would crash the glass. Rudy Gobert would crash the glass. Jaden McDaniels would crash the glass. There were even possessions where Minnesota would leave Michael Conley Jr. as the only man back in pursuit of those ever alluring extra possessions.
Now, would I suggest doing that against the eight foot demigod and his trusty sidekick, possibly the fastest player in the league? No, probably not. That would be dumb and obscenely risky and I simply would not have the heart to bring that up in fear of being yelled at like an old school scout on the set of Moneyball.
But it is an option.
SAN ANTONIO, TX. – MAY 2026: Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch reacts during a timeout in the second quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs, NBA Western Conference Semifinals, Game 2. NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via Getty Images
The other, more likely option is far less fun. Instead of going all in on extra possessions, you do the opposite. You abandon the offensive glass as much as you can. A five-on-four break is infinitely easier to defend than a two-on-one or three-on-one alternative. Rudy Gobert becomes your only offensive rebounder. Julius Randle commits to getting back after his mid-range shots.
This sucks though. And more importantly, it doesn’t fix the turnover problem. Quite simply, this is also a part of who the Wolves are. They’re not 22 per game bad, but they tend to play fast and loose with the ball far too often.
Ultimately, I think Chris Finch will try incredibly hard to make this series be played in the half court entirely. That could mean a lot of conservative calls. Rebounding is the start of that, but I think Mike Conley probably gets more run, simply because he’s not as prone to bad choices as TJ Shannon or Bones Hyland.
To follow that up, I think Bones has lost his spot in the playoff rotation of this series. While the Thunder of last year absolutely broke Julius Randle with ball pressure and pass-forcing, the Spurs are breaking Bones by simply letting him overdribble.
That may not be a full answer, but it’s certainly a start: play slower, be more boring, keep going to the rim, and, Jaden, stop fouling.
To that point, it feels like the underspoken most important data point of this series will be who can foul out the opposing team’s perimeter stopper first. McDaniels and Castle are so hugely important in these next three to five games that it feels like losing either loses the game.
How did the Spurs play without Castle during the regular season? Is there a backup plan if he’s sitting like he was in Game 1? How do the Wolves attack him without burning through their usable possessions?
(God, Donte would be eating the Spurs drop coverage alive right now. Truly a crushing loss. Fly high, Big Ragu.)
J.R.
There was a point when one of the main fears I had about the T-wolves was how we could keep DiVincenzo from going off for an entire series. Talk about a man who can’t be left alone at the arc! I’ve been an admirer of Dante’s for a while now. All the best to him, and a quick recovery. Now to your questions.
San Antonio was 11-3 without Castle this year, but that was the regular season and we know that the playoffs are a different animal. But one of the accidental benefits of the Spurs’ bottoming out wasn’t just the timing, it was the repetition. Trading for Fox and then getting the second pick last draft means that we have a three-headed guard lineup, which is an incredible crutch to lean on when any of them have to take a breather, need a night off … or happen to foul out.
We love our Castle, no doubt, but I know a number of Spurs fans who swear that Harper will be even better than Steph. Yeah, the fact that backup plan is a rookie point guard would usually terrify me, but Harper isn’t your typical rookie, and he’s not yet the defender that Castle is, Dylan shoots for a higher percentage, is impossibly smooth around the basket, and takes better care of the ball. As much as Steph’s defense is missed when he’s not on the floor, the team plays quite well without him.
If the rest of this series turns into a battle of defensive aces struggling against foul trouble, that’ll be a shame. We already have too much talk about the timing and the frequency of the whistles in the rest of the matchups for that mess to invade ours too. But it’s 2026 after all, what else should we expect if not some top-tier controversy? Hopefully, we’re spared that, and Friday night’s game is another competitive and enjoyable contest.
Spurs
Timberwolves
COVERS INTEL:
Knicks
76ers
