Category: NBA

A lot can change in just a few days, especially when it comes to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Back on Monday, the Sixers were without five main rotation players — Joel Embiid (oblique), Paul George (suspension), Tyrese Maxey (finger), Quentin Grimes (illness) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (elbow) — in their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. By Wednesday, the long hiatuses of both Embiid and George came to an end, and Grimes returned from illness. Philadelphia dominated the Chicago Bulls that night, putting up 157 points, notching their highest single-game point total in 56 years. Embiid and George had the best returns you could probably ask for after their stints sidelined, with Embiid scoring 35 points in just over 28 minutes played and PG adding 28 points in 26:20.

Now, it looks like the Sixers are on their way to getting yet another piece of the puzzle back. At practice on Friday, Oubre told reporters that he was ready to return for Saturday’s contest after an elbow injury has kept him sidelined since March 10.

Reinforcements are coming at the right time for Philadelphia, who face a tough opponent on Saturday with a visit to Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knueppel and the red-hot Charlotte Hornets riding a six-game win streak. They have gone 13-5 since the All-Star break.

Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters after practice on Friday that he’s “pretty sure” Oubre will play on Saturday, but some question remains on what exact role he would play in the contest.

Nurse also added that Embiid came out “pretty good” after his first contest in just about a month.

The optimistic news out of Friday continued in a way I am not really used to with this team. Tyrese Maxey, who has been out since March 7 with a tendon injury in his pinky, was throwing up shots alongside Embiid after practice. Nurse told reporters that Maxey has become “a lot more involved” in the last few days and that the guard has been focusing on keeping himself conditioned while the hand continues to heal.

No word on a potential return timetable for Maxey just yet, but it certainly sounds like things are headed in the right direction with him as well.

It’s a very good time for things to go right for the Sixers, too. As of Friday afternoon, the Sixers are seventh in the Eastern Conference at 40-33, but there is a lot of room for movement — up or down — around them right now. Numbers 8 through 10 in the East right now (Orlando Magic, Hornets and Miami Heat) are all 39-34, just a single game behind Philadelphia. Atop the Sixers are the Toronto Raptors, a half a game ahead in sixth, and the Atlanta Hawks, one game ahead in fifth.

We are entering the final push, with just nine regular season games remaining for the Sixers. Buckle up.

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The Los Angeles Lakers are finally back in La-La Land after a successful road trip, and waiting for them inside Crypto.com Arena are the lowly Brooklyn Nets. 

Brooklyn sits near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and brings a nine-game losing skid to Los Angeles, which has bookies listing the Lakers as hefty home favorites.

My Nets vs. Lakers predictions dig into how that opens up LeBron James’ potential as a playmaker.

Read more in my NBA picks for Friday, March 27. 

Nets vs Lakers prediction

Nets vs Lakers best bet: LeBron James Over 6.5 assists (-125)

With little threat of losing tonight, the Los Angeles Lakers are thinking about sitting Luka Doncic tonight. Doncic has put in a ton of minutes during the Lakers’ 10-1 SU run, and he's also been fighting through a tender hamstring.

He’s questionable against the Brooklyn Nets, which would leave a ton of touches on the table for Los Angeles. Doncic is a primary ball handler, and his absence slides LeBron James into that role. 

The veteran forward has averaged 67.5 touches during that 11-game span (Doncic is getting 90.5), with his potential assists sitting at 11.6. That’s produced 6.5 actual assists per contest during the streak.

An increase in ball-handling duties instantly juices LeBron’s playmaking prowess, which we see in his season production when Doncic is sidelined. In the past four games with Doncic out and James in, he’s averaged 10 assists per game. 

The Nets aren’t providing much in the way of defense as it tries to tank for a Top 3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Brooklyn has allowed more than 118 points against since the All-Star break and is among the worst teams in opponent assist-to-FGM rate (24th), with foes handing out over 27 assists an outing.

James’ projections all sit north of seven assists — and that’s with Doncic in the lineup. Should Luka sit, LeBron’s passing prop soars.

Nets vs Lakers same-game parlay

The No. 3 seed in the Western Conference is still up for grabs, so while Los Angeles may sit Luka, it doesn’t take the Nets lightly. Brooklyn is closing out a road trip in L.A. tonight, which probably has this losing team more concerned with off-court plans.

With James stepping up as a passer, Austin Reaves can be more of a scorer and pick up the slack with Doncic potentially out. Given the expected game script, Reaves could also get extra rest once L.A. pulls away in the second half.

Nets vs Lakers SGP

• Lakers +16
• LeBron James Over 6.5 assists
• Austin Reaves Under 5.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: The King's Court

The possibility of a Luka-less Lakers rotation puts LeBron in the spotlight. He’s projected to top his assists, triples, and rebound props tonight.

In the last four games without Doncic, LeBron has pulled down 6+ boards in each game while hitting two or more 3-pointers in two of those outings.

Nets vs Lakers SGP

• Lakers +16
• LeBron James Over 6.5 assists
• LeBron James Over 1.5 threes
• LeBron James Over 5.5 rebounds

Nets vs Lakers odds

• Spread: Nets +16 (-110) | Lakers -16 (-110)
• Moneyline: Nets +900 | Lakers -1600
• Over/Under: Over 222.5 (-110) | Under 222.5 (-110)

Nets vs Lakers betting trend to know

Brooklyn is 5-24 SU and 11-17-1 ATS (39.7%) in non-conference games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Lakers.

How to watch Nets vs Lakers

Nets vs Lakers latest injuries

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The shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies host the struggling Houston Rockets on Friday night at FedExForum.

Memphis’ frontcourt is decimated with injuries, and my Rockets vs Grizzlies predictions expect Amen Thompson to have a tremendous showing on the glass.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this Western Conference showdown on Friday, March 27.

Rockets vs Grizzlies prediction

Rockets vs Grizzlies best bet: Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds (-135)

Amen Thompson is one of the Houston Rockets' best rebounders, pulling down a career-high 7.9 boards per game. He's recorded at least eight rebounds in 36 of 70 games overall, going for exactly seven rebounds 13 more times.

Thompson has corralled 8.3 rebounds on the road compared to 7.4 at home, and he's gone for 8+ in 21 of 36 away from Toyota Center.

Since the All-Star break, Thompson has pulled down 8.7 rebounds per game and recorded 8+ in nine of 18 appearances. He leads the team in rebounds over the Rockets' last seven games at 10.3, and he's hit the Over on this line five times in that span.

Alperen Sengun has taken a step back as a rebounder, grabbing just 7.7 boards per game across his last 10 outings, allowing Thompson to take a significant step forward in that department.

The Memphis Grizzlies sport one of the thinnest and smallest frontcourt lineups in the NBA, and the team has been highly vulnerable to opposing rebounders.

Over the last 10 games, Memphis has surrendered a league-high 49.7 rebounds, including the third-most offensive rebounds at 13.8. Thompson has been surging as a rebounder, and he should be even better in such a favorable road matchup.

Rockets vs Grizzlies same-game parlay

Thompson recorded 10 dimes in his last game out, and he’s reached that mark in five of his last 11. He’s dished 6+ dimes in 32 of 70 appearances, including 18 of 36 on the road. Thompson finished with 14 and seven assists in two matchups with the Grizzlies.

Tonight’s game should be a great bounce-back opportunity for the Rockets, but Houston has been disappointing as of late. After losing to the Chicago Bulls, they gave up a 13-point lead in overtime.

The Rockets could win in a blowout, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the shorthanded Grizz keep things close. Instead, I’ll bet the Over. Both teams are ranked in the bottom 10 in defense across their last 10 appearances, and buckets should come easily.

Rockets vs Grizzlies SGP

• Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
• Amen Thompson Over 5.5 assists
• Over 227.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Durant from Downtown!

Across the last 10 games, Memphis has allowed the fourth-most triples and the eighth-highest three-point percentage to opponents. Thompson should have ample opportunities to drive and kick out to Kevin Durant and Reed Sheppard or corral offensive rebounds and find shooters for second-chance buckets.

Durant has hit 3+ triples in three of his last four games, and he hit four in his last matchup with the Grizzlies. Sheppard has knocked down just 5-of-24 three-pointers across his last two games, but he’s due for a rebound performance in this favorable matchup.

Rockets vs Grizzlies SGP

• Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
• Amen Thompson Over 5.5 assists
• Reed Sheppard Over 3.5 three-pointers
• Kevin Durant Over 2.5 three-pointers

Rockets vs Grizzlies odds

• Spread: Rockets -12.5 | Grizzlies +12.5
• Moneyline: Rockets -900 | Grizzlies +600
• Over/Under: Over 227.5 | Under 227.5

Rockets vs Grizzlies betting trend to know

The Houston Rockets have only covered the Spread in 16 of their last 50 games (-21.40 Units / -39% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Grizzlies.

How to watch Rockets vs Grizzlies

Rockets vs Grizzlies latest injuries

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

The Boston Celtics host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night in a game Boston needs to win to stay ahead of the New York Knicks for second place in the Eastern Conference. Here are three big questions entering the matchup.

Will Boston be emotionally ready for surging Atlanta?

The last two games Boston played came against Western Conference contenders were a tale of two cities. First, it was the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the Celtics lost 102-92. Then on Wednesday, Boston welcomed Oklahoma City Thunder to TD Garden and, in an emotional game that was close throughout, prevailed 119-109.

The key will be whether Boston can shift its focus from two of the West’s best to a fifth-place Hawks team that has won three in a row. Atlanta is coming off an overtime win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, after beating the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.

Sometimes, the drop-off from high-profile games to a more routine conference matchup can open the door for an upset. Boston needs to stay sharp to protect home court and maintain its edge over New York who own the tiebreaker.

Who will step up if Jaylen Brown is unable to play

At the time of this writing, Jaylen Brown is questionable with left calf tightness. He’s appeared in 65 games this season and has carried a heavy load offensively, especially while Jayson Tatum was out.

If Brown is out, keep an eye on Payton Pritchard. He’s been a steady scoring option, though his last 20-point game came March 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he dropped 25. With Tatum still finding rhythm and potentially no Brown, this sets up as a spot where Pritchard could take on a bigger offensive role.

That said, this is a game against his hometown team, so it wouldn’t be a shock if Brown ultimately suits up.

Who will guard Jalen Johnson? 

The last time these teams met in Boston, the Celtics had no answer for Jalen Johnson, who led Atlanta to a 117-106 win. He finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, impacting the game on both ends.

Boston tried multiple looks defensively. Brown, Derrick White and Anfernee Simons all saw time on Johnson. Against smaller matchups, Johnson attacked the paint and used his 6-foot-8 frame effectively, while also knocking down 3 of 5 from deep. He’s shooting 34.9% from beyond the arc this season.

Atlanta may not have a clear No. 1 option, but it has a roster full of players who can heat up quickly. It’s a young, scrappy group, and if Boston doesn’t come out locked in, this could turn into a longer night than expected.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The East Region is the gift that keeps on giving.

Michigan State and UConn should have a high-intensity feel driven by two of the top coaches and defenses remaining in the tournament. Friday's Sweet 16 game just might not be aesthetically pleasing.

According to KenPom, the UConn defense ranks 11th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency and the Spartans rank 13th. And both offenses look to get into transition but will focus on frontcourt play in the halfcourt set, with the Huskies led by Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban and Michigan State centered on Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper and high-flying forward Coen Carr.

These programs aren't foreign to March success.

The Spartans are in the Sweet 16 for the third time in four seasons and 17th in the past 28 years under Tom Izzo.

The Huskies are back in the Sweet 16 after winning back-to-back national titles in 2023, '24.

"I'm just excited," Huskies coach Dan Hurley said Thursday. "I feel like it's an honorable game for UConn, Michigan State. It's a great crazy Sweet 16 game. Excited to be in it."

Earlier this week, ESPN.com released a list covering the 10 best and 10 worst transactions since last offseason. To nobody’s surprise, the Dorian Finney-Smith signing was on the list coming in at number seven. So far this season, Finney-Smith is averaging just 3.2 points per game and has yet to score in double digits in any game.

At first the DFS signing seemed like a perfect deal for Houston, as he recently ended a season as one of the best role players in the NBA. His +14.2 on/off differential was third in the league behind only Nikola Jokic and Christian Braun on the Denver Nuggets. This is a big deal for a player who’s not a star. He looked to be the perfect wing for a team relying on star players like Kevin Durant. So what went wrong?

After undergoing ankle surgery in the offseason, Dorian Finney-Smith’s debut kept getting delayed. The whole process was really weird, as the Rocket’s front office nor head coach Ime Udoka gave many updates. Finally, on December 25, Dorian made his debut for the Rockets. At that point, the season was about a third of the way through, as Houston had played 34 percent of their games. Additonally, Dorian likely missed out on a full training camp and pre-season with the roster due to limited mobility after surgery. It is important to note that usually, when it comes to role players, their rhythm matters more than anything.

Perhaps what is the most frustrating aspect of everything is that Houston needed a player like Dorian Finney-Smith. They thought they were finding somewhat of a replacement for Dillon Brooks, but instead, the Rockets have had to put more stress on other players, such as Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant.

Reading everything so far, it seems like the situation is hopeless, but thankfully, that is not the case. Ime Udoka, the coach of the Rockets, is obviously attempting to integrate him before the postseason, even though the output is still lacking. Additonally, with Finney-Smith’s contract being a multi-year deal, there’s a possibility that next season could be better for him, as he will be coming into the year fully healthy.

Dorian Finney-Smith and the Rockets look to get back on track tonight as they face the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:00pm CST in Memphis. You can catch the game on Space City Houston, and as always, be sure to check back at The Dream Shake for pre and post-game content.

Alabama guard Aden Holloway, who was arrested on felony drug charges, was granted permission by a judge to leave the state on Friday as his team prepares to face Michigan in the Sweet 16 in Chicago.

The Crimson Tide say “nothing has changed with regard to Aden’s status with the team." Alabama listed Holloway as out on the availability report given to the NCAA on Thursday. That report is allowed to be amended up to two hours before the game.

The university removed him from campus last week “pending further investigation by the UA Office of Student Conduct.”

Holloway, Alabama’s No. 2 scorer, was arrested March 16 after authorities found 2.1 pounds of marijuana in his apartment. He was suspended indefinitely following the arrest, but coach Nate Oats has not ruled out the possibility of his return in the NCAA Tournament.

Holloway's attorney, Jason Neff, had requested his client be allowed to travel “on a trip out of the state" — without specifying where — departing Friday and returning Tuesday. Tuscaloosa County District Court Judge Joanne Jannik approved that travel Friday morning, according to court documents.

If Alabama were to win Friday night, it would play in the Elite Eight on Sunday.

Holloway's sister, Mila Holloway, is set to play for Michigan in the women's Sweet 16 on Sunday in Fort Worth, Texas, and could be playing in an Elite Eight game there on Monday.

Among the charges Aden Holloway faces is a count of first-degree marijuana possession, not for personal use, which is a Class C felony and carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000. The amount of marijuana authorities said they found was just below the 2.2-pound threshold for a drug trafficking charge.

Neff has said there is no proof his client was selling the drugs.

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

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As NBA MVP debates continue to intensify, the heavy favorite, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is slipping.

Both Victor Wembanyama and Luka Doncic have made up substantial ground on Gilgeous-Alexander, who seemed like a shoo-in to win the award.

Key Takeaways

• Gilgeous-Alexander had been shorter than -1000.
  
  
• Wembanyama recently shared three reasons why he felt he was the MVP of the league.
  
  
• Doncic averaged nearly 40 points per game over the last three weeks.

Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, is still a sizable favorite to win the league’s most prestigious individual award. However, after being shorter than -1000 at top online sportsbooks, his NBA MVP odds have dropped to as low as -500 (83.3% implied chance) at DraftKings. 

As SGA’s odds have declined, both Wembanyama and Doncic have experienced jolts in their odds to win the MVP.

Wembanyama could become the youngest MVP winner if he earns the confidence of the voters, assuming the mantle currently held by former Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose (22 years and 191 days old). He recently said that “it is still reasonable that there is a debate” as to who deserves the honor, before listing three reasons why he felt that he deserved it over his peers:

• He is the most impactful defensive player in the league
• The Spurs won four of five matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder
• His offensive impact goes beyond points

Asked Wemby to provide his 3 campaign bullet points for why he should be MVP https://t.co/HjRppaPLfYpic.twitter.com/FHXrFMjAi3

— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) March 24, 2026

With odds as short as +500, Wembanyama has at best an implied 16.7% chance—still a long way to go to catch the lead dog.

Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer, finds his shortest odds at Caesars at +1100 (8.3% chance). While he was always among the top 10 candidates for the award, he never made substantial headway until recently.

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the middle of an excellent stretch that caused them to rise from +8000 to +3000 in FanDuel’s NBA Finals odds just over the past couple of weeks. Their Slovenian superstar also played at an extraordinarily high level during that time, averaging 39.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists on 48% shooting over his last 11 games, eight of those coming against projected playoff teams.

Luka Doncic is the first player to average 40 points over a six-game span — all on the road — since MJ in 1986 😳

Luka Magic 🪄 pic.twitter.com/1TuT78Yu1T

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) March 26, 2026

Breaking down the NBA MVP race

While both Wembanyama and Doncic are making the MVP race a compelling storyline over the final weeks of the season, Gilgeous-Alexander is not going out of his way to lose the award.

Since returning from a right abdominal strain at the end of November, last year’s Finals MVP averaged 30.3 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.3 rebounds on 57.2% shooting in 12 games, 11 of those being wins. The Thunder also have the best record in the NBA, leading the Spurs by two games and the Lakers by 10 in the race for the first seed in the Western Conference.

Here’s a look at the players’ relevant stats:

• Gilgeous-Alexander: 31.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 55.7% FG, 39.3% 3PT, +7.8 on/off net rating
  
  
• Victor Wembanyama: 24.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.1 blocks, 1.1 steals, 50.5% FG, 35.1% 3PT, +16.9 on/off net rating
  
  
• Luka Doncic: 33.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals, 47.4% FG, 36.4% 3PT, +5.0 on/off net rating

A team's regular-season record has been an important part of determining the MVP in years past. That could spell trouble for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, who finish the year with a tough run of games.

OKC will face off against the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Lakers (twice), Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Phoenix Suns between now and their final game on April 12. Tankathon ranks that as the second-toughest remaining schedule, while the Spurs are only 20th, and the Lakers 22nd.

The head-to-head matchups between the Lakers and Thunder could also give Doncic a platform to vault in MVP odds if he puts together great performances and helps his team take down the conference leaders.

Sportsbooks get it wrong?

Sportsbook odds are not always perfect, but they are usually indicative of what is going to happen. However, there have been notable exceptions.

One recent case of sportsbooks getting their award odds completely wrong came in 2023.

Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest during a game, was an enormous favorite to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. He ended up losing it to then 39-year-old Joe Flacco, who only played in five games for the Cleveland Browns.

The Thunder, Spurs, and Lakers all have exactly nine games left in their regular seasons. The Thunder and Lakers will be in action on Friday night, and the Spurs will kick off the Saturday afternoon slate.

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

The Los Angeles Lakers (47-26), ranked third in the Western Conference, host the Brooklyn Nets (17-56), who are second to last in the East. The Lakers are heavily favored with a -16.5 spread and a -1600 moneyline. Both teams have played 73 games this season.

How to Watch Brooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Lakers

• Date: Friday, March 27

• Time: 10:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM PT

• Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California

• TV Channel: YES, SN-LA

• Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Team Records

• Brooklyn Nets: 17-56 (#14 in Eastern Conference)

• Los Angeles Lakers: 47-26 (#3 in Western Conference)

Odds

• Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -16.5

• Moneyline: Los Angeles Lakers -1600 / Brooklyn Nets +875

• Over/Under: 222.5

Earlier this week, NBA Players Association (NBPA) released the following statement rebuking the Bucks over their alleged desire to shut Giannis Antetokounmpo down for the remainder of the season following yet another injury:

“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court. Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked. We look forward to collaborating with the NBA on meaningful new proposals that will directly address and discourage tanking.”

So, before I pick this apart, let’s recap the injuries Giannis has sustained this season. First, he suffered a groin strain in November and was projected to be out 1–2 weeks; he returned in 11 days. Then, he suffered a calf strain in December and was projected to be out 4–6 weeks; he returned in 24 days. He then reinjured that same calf in late January and, again, was projected to miss 4–6 weeks; this time, he and the medical team finally took that timeline seriously, missing about five weeks.

Following that, after playing three games, he rolled his ankle in the March 10 contest against Phoenix, which clearly hindered him for the rest of the game, but of course, Doc took GA’s word that he was fine and allowed him to keep playing; he missed no games, and we have no clue if the effects of that were/are still lingering. His latest injury, for crying out loud, is a hyperextended knee in which he also rolled an ankle (again) on the same play. Suffice to say, I’m willing to bet he isn’t 100%.

With that in mind, let’s rip into this statement. In essence, the NBPA claims that Milwaukee does not want Giannis to play because they are tanking and his presence will hinder their pursuit to lose games. What’s likely happened here is that Giannis wants to play, the front office wants him to sit, and so he (or his camp) has tattled to the players association to pressure the team into letting him play. Now, judging by Antetokounmpo’s previous handling of injuries and admission that he hasn’t been as careful as he should’ve been (why it was ever in his hands to such a degree, I’ll never understand), I’m not sure he has built up a great deal of credibility in this area. As reported by The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, the team’s stance is that Giannis is not healthy, and that’s all we can currently go by.

Now, maybe Antetokounmpo is telling the truth that he’s good to go, and the team is playing politics. But as I have written about, those politics likely have very little to do with tanking, as the NBPA asserts, and a whole lot to do with keeping Giannis healthy going into one of the most consequential offseasons in Bucks history; the “losing games” part of it is just a side effect (or bonus, if you see it that way). Not to rehash the whole article, but a catastrophic injury would put an almighty spanner in the works as it relates to Milwaukee’s future. So, hear me when I say that while a fine from the NBA would be ridiculous on many levels, I would pay 20 fines, and that would still be preferable to him returning.

To be clear, the assertion that Milwaukee is tanking or has tanked at any point this season is laughable at best, and deceitful at worst. The Bucks do not pass the smell test of any of the tanking hallmarks. They haven’t abused the injury report in any shape or form, and the perfect example of that is Giannis. They allowed him to come back as soon as humanly possible from his injuries, despite (I assume/hope) knowing the risk that was involved; could you imagine how long the Jazz, for example, would have held Lauri Markkanen out if he’d suffered the same calf injury GA suffered? “Oh, Lauri? Yeah, we know he’s been out seven weeks now, but he’s just not quite right yet. Trust us.”

The Bucks have played their young guards into the ground all year long, so much so that Kevin Porter Jr. has had to sit out a bunch of games now because of synovitis in the same knee he had meniscus surgery on earlier this season. They have closed with their best-performing unit in every game, even when that came at a political price (think of the number of games Sims has closed over Turner). I am sure the NBPA is aware of the league’s actual tankers, who’ve been closing games with their third-string unit for months now, right? Right?

Most importantly, Milwaukee has never even had a clear green light to tank anyway because they don’t own their first-round pick outright! There has always been the threat that finishing below New Orleans would mean Milwaukee would have to swap further back in the draft, so on the most basic level, trying to lose every game was never a cogent strategy. Sure, the Pelicans being horrible for most of the season has been calming for Bucks fans watching their team lose a bunch of games, but losing was never the team’s goal.

And sure, there is incentive now for the Bucks to tank the remaining games because, with so few left, the Pelicans are unlikely to rise higher than eighth in the lottery odds, and the Bucks can lock down ninth, but that incentive hasn’t come to bear until the last few days. And frankly, if Milwaukee wanted to do exactly that, they should have the full right to do so! After all, there are seven teams below them who have been egregiously tanking for months! I mean, some of these teams started weeks before the All-Star break! Like, what are we talking about here? The players association is calling out the Bucks of all teams? I’m not sure they’ve thought this one through.

There you have it, NBPA. Your statement is nonsensical garbage, and whoever wrote it should be embarrassed. Go take your tanking accusations and apply them to the teams who deserve them—there are plenty to choose from.

The Atlanta Hawks (41-32) will face the Boston Celtics (48-24) in their third regular-season NBA matchup of the season. Both teams are ranked first in their respective divisions, with Boston favored by 4.5 points. The Celtics have a 67.7% implied probability of winning according to the moneyline odds.

How to Watch Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics

• Date: Friday, March 27

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

• Where: TD Garden | Boston, Massachusetts

• TV channel: Airing locally on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, NBC Sports Boston

• Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Team Records

• Atlanta Hawks: 41-32 (#5 in Eastern Conference)

• Boston Celtics: 48-24 (#2 in Eastern Conference)

Odds

• Spread: Boston Celtics -4.5

• Moneyline: Boston Celtics -210, Atlanta Hawks +170

• Over/Under: 224.5 (Over -115, Under -105)

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Let’s tip the weekend off with some slam dunks in the NBA player prop markets. With 10 games on the schedule, there’s no shortage of options.

My favorites for today include Ace Bailey doing his best to sabotage the Utah Jazz’s tank job, while Chet Holmgren takes the Chicago Bulls by the horns and stuffs the stat sheet.

Those and more NBA picks for Friday, March 27, below.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Chet Holmgren	Double-Double	+200
Ace Bailey	Over 20.5 Points	-105
Donovan Clingan	Over 14.5 Points	-115

Prop #1: Chet Holmgren Double-Double

+200 at bet365

The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to roll into a new winning streak when they play host to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

The Thunder can pull off these streaks because they can hurt you in so many ways. Just look at Chet Holmgren.

The Thunder big man is averaging 16 points and 9.9 rebounds in his 15 games played since the All-Star break. 

His rebounding prop is sitting at 8.5 for this matchup, but our Covers Prop Projections have him at 9.4 rebounds against a Bulls defense that surrenders the third-most opponent rebounds per game.

That has me looking at Holmgren’s double-double prop, which is priced at 2/1. 

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: CHSN+, FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma

Prop #2: Ace Bailey Over 20.5 Points

-105 at bet365

The Utah Jazz might have to start sitting down Ace Bailey if they want to fully embrace tank mode, because the Bailey breakout is for real.

Bailey is proving why he was worth a Top 5 pick. He’s averaging 21.9 points while shooting an impressive 42.9% from 3-point range over his last nine games. That includes putting up 32 or more points three times.

He gets a good matchup tonight against the Denver Nuggets. While Nikola Jokic and Co. are a machine on offense they are struggling at the other end of the floor. Denver ranks 21st in defensive rating and 18th in opponent made threes per game.

Expect another strong game from Ace tonight as he goes Over 20.5 points for the fourth time in five games.

• Time: 9:0 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: KJZZ, ALT

Prop #3: Donovan Clingan Over 14.5 Points

-115 at bet365

The Portland Trail Blazers are a really exciting young team and that includes big man Donovan Clingan. 

The second-year center is arguably playing his best basketball of the season. He’s averaging 16.8 points with a .598 effective field goal percentage over his last eight games, and I like Clingan to keep putting in work in tonight’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavs are a young team as well, with plenty of areas to work on, with the inside maybe being the most glaring. Dallas ranks dead last in the NBA in opponent points in the paint per game.

So, let’s back Clingan to go Over his point total of 14.5, a number that he’s topped in four of his last eight games.

• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: KFAA, KUNP

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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

March Madness is in high gear, and so there’s more interest to the upcoming NBA Draft, likely to take place on June 23 and 24 at its home since 2013, Barclays Center, Brooklyn. No, the dates are not yet official but the enthusiasm is.

For the Nets, with a high lottery pick, this year’s draft is seen as critical to their rebuild. More than one pundit has suggested that Sean Marks & co. hope to use their pick as part of a big upgrade, moving from two and a half dreary years of rebuild to perhaps what could be called a build. No longer will they be trying to lose.

Could it be analogous to what the franchise did in 2018-19 when a young team led by D’Angelo Russell wound up with the sixth seed … and enough NBA street cred to attract first Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as free agents, then James Harden in a trade. Don’t expect this build to follow that same scenario but the pick will be critical nonetheless.

This year will also be very different from last June’s draft. After failing to move up — not willing to pay a hefty price that could have included their 2026 pick — they chose quantity over quality, taking a historic if risky five first rounders, even adding one the night before the Draft! (Interestingly, the Nets went into last year’s draft with a No. 2 ranking in Tanathon’s draft power rankings. Same so far this year. They may not have five firsts like last year but a higher lottery pick plus two picks in top half of the second round could be a better haul in a generational draft.)

Now though, hopes are higher. For one thing, the 2025-26 tank — excuse us, “playing the probabilities” — is deeper than last seasons meaning higher odds on May 10, lottery night in Chicago. At the moment, the Nets floor looks like No. 4, maybe even No. 3. They’re in second and only a game out of the top spot, currently held by the Indiana Pacers. Of course, things could change.

And since the Nets sent out future draft assets to get their 2025 and 2026 picks back from the Rockets, it would be ideal for them to get payback. But mostly it’s because this draft is seen as a great draft with comparison to the generational drafts of 1996 and 2003.

With the NCAAs now in the Sweet Sixteen, draft speculation is a little subdued with Darryn Peterson and A.J. Dybansta already done for the season. That leaves Cam Boozer of Duke fighting for the Final Four and beyond.

All that said, here’s the latest mocks. Is there a consensus? Not really. Boozer, Dybantsa and Peterson all have their advocates. Of the eight we surveyed, six had the Nets taking one of the three, with the outliers being forward Caleb Wilson of North Carolina and guard Kingston Flemings of Houston. Interestingly, none had Nets choosing guard Darius Acuff of Arkansas.

Some mocks go with the lottery standings the day they post, others where they think Nets will land after the lottery. Some mocks only project the first round, others the full two. The Nets currently have two picks at Nos. 32 and 43.

ESPN

Jeremy Woo was out last week with his picks. He has Brooklyn in fourth and out of the running for the Draft’s Big Three of Cam Boozer, A.J. Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. Instead, he has them taking one of the next three, Caleb Wilson, the 6’10 ” forward out of North Carolina. He, along with Darius Acuff, Arkansas’ 6’3” point guard, and Kingston Flemings, Houston’s 6’5” combo guard, seem to the draftniks’ favorites just behind the Big Three although some are starting to suggest Acuff could move up and Peterson move down. Here’s his two-round takedown:

• #4 – Caleb Wilson, PF, 6’10”, North Carolina, Freshman
• #34 – Juke Harris, SG, Wake Forest, Sophomore
• #44 – Milan Momcilovic, PF, Iowa State, Junior

Here’s Woo’s take on Wilson and the fit:

Wilson opted to have surgery after breaking his thumb last week in practice, ending his season and depriving him of an opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament.

A first-team All-ACC selection, he has done enough to sit safely among the top picks even without taking the court again, showcasing his ability to play above the rim and two-way upside at power forward. Evaluators are curious how much more he can develop his 3-point shooting (25.9%) and ball skills, but Wilson plays exceptionally hard, having compiled 11 double-doubles and setting himself apart as an elite prospect. NBA teams have penciled him in as a top-four selection.

Brooklyn has built patiently, holding onto Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton at the trade deadline and will be hoping to add star power to the youngest roster in the NBA, no matter where this pick falls.

Bleacher Report

Jonathan Wasserman actually came closest to nailing the Nets preferences in 2025, projecting that Brooklyn would take Nolan Traore (at No. 19); Danny Wolf (at No. 26) and Drake Powell (at No. 27) in his final mock. So, we should pay attention to him!

This time around, with the third pick of the NBA, he has the Nets selecting Darryn Peterson, a 6’6’ shooting guard who drew comparisons to Kobe Bryant at the start of the season but lately, he’s dropped, inconsistency and injury with a wee touch of weirdness hurting his cause.

A productive yet confusing freshman season came to an end for Darryn Peterson after St. John’s buzzer-beater in the Round of 32.

Despite all the controversy around his injuries and in-game tap-outs earlier in the season, he still averaged 20.2 points on 43.8 percent shooting (38.2 percent from three) while playing 29.0 minutes a game. Peterson’s shotmaking skill remains as exciting it seemed at Prolific Prep.

Plus, concerns over the cramping have seemingly faded with Peterson playing over 30 minutes a game over the last month.

Falling from No. 1 to No. 2 or 3 may be caused more by issues with his decision-making and shot selection. Since his 18 points in 20 minutes against Dybantsa on February 2, Peterson shot 39.2 percent from the floor, often relying on difficult, contested jumpers. He also dropped to 51.9 percent finishing on layups, a number that could be caused by a variety of things, including poor spacing, overconfidence in his shooting and legs that aren’t likely at full strength.

At this point with the predraft process approaching, whether he goes No. 1, No. 2 or even No. 3 will come down to the eye of the pick’s beholder, as there doesn’t seem to be any consensus right now when ranking Peterson versus Dybantsa and Boozer.

Going deeper, he likes a wing and a big. Both are from west Africa, Yessoufou from Benin and Chinyelu, Nigeria.

• #3 – Darryn Peterson, SG, 6’6”, Kansas, freshman
• #33 – Tonde Yessoufou, SG, 6’6”, Baylor, freshman
• #45 – Rueben Chinyelu, PF/C, 6’10” Florida, freshman

It should be noted that if they keep the two seconders, at least one and may be both could be candidates for a two-way.

Tankathon

If you claim to be a Nets fan, don’t deny you refresh Tankathon.com at least 20 times a day. Admit it! That is the fist step toward overcoming an addiction. Unlike other addictions, however, it is not debilitating. That could change and lead to sprained index fingers by the end of June.

Not only does Matt Hoover’s site offer up-to-the-minute mocks, they also meticulously maintain the draft order, aka tank guide, for fans of lottery teams. Tankathon even offers a draft power rankings, based on the combined value of each team’s picks. (Nets are currently ranked No. 2 with their three picks in the top 45, just behind the Grizzlies with the nos. 7, 16 and 32.)

Tankathon believes the Nets will go the traditional route and take the country’s top player, 6’10” Cam Boozer of Duke. While their format is light on analysis unlike their rivals, they are long on video:

(Is this kid really only 19?)

In the second, Hoover thinks the Nets would be good with Boozer teammate, 6’6” guard Isaiah Evans and Australian Dash Daniels who like his brother Dyson, a defensive terror (and someone who Sean Marks travelled to Perth, Australia, 11,600 miles away, to scout — along with Karim Lopez — back in January.)

Here’s their summary:

• #3 – Cam Boozer, PF, 6’10”, Duke freshman
• #33 – Isaiah Evans, SF, 6’6” Duke, sophomore
• #43 – Dash Daniels, SG, 6’6” Melbourne, Australia, 18

Marks personally scouted Daniels in Perth, Western Australia back in January.

NBA Draft.net

Aran Smith, founder of NBADraft.net is often the outlier in mock draft projections, but the analysis is often top-notch with regular updates on some of the big names. That said, Smith is yes, unconventional again, projecting the Nets will take Kingston Flemings, the 6’4” Houston PG, at No. 4. Four mocks so far, four different projections.

Yes, in terms of rumored interest, Flemings is the only one of the consensus outside the top four who anyone in the media has suggested has the Nets attention, as Corey Tulaba of No Ceilings told Erik Slater of Clutch Points last month…

“A name that I think is really important for Nets fans to monitor from what I’ve heard around the league is Kingston Flemings of Houston. That is a name I’ve heard the Nets are kind of interested in and he’s been incredible this year.”

Drew Wolin of NBADraft.net thinks he’s got a good chance at making a mark

Projects as a high-level lead guard whose speed, poise, and efficiency translate well to the NBA game … Has the tools to impact winning early due to decision-making, defensive engagement, and ability to control tempo … Continued refinement of shooting mechanics and expansion of his scoring package could elevate him from a strong starter profile to an All-Star caliber guard … Defensive tools and mindset point to long-term two-way value … Winning habits, maturity, and coachability strengthen his overall projection and reduce long-term risk …

Flemings indeed hasn’t gotten a lot of attention. Powerfully built with a blazing quick step, the 6’5” sophomore is unlikely to fall out of the top 10 and is the type of player who often sneaks up the mock draft consensus in the last few weeks … and he is in the Sweet Sixteen.

In the second, Smith et al like Keyshawn Hall, a 6’7”, 250-pound 3-and-D candidate who is among this draft’s older players at 22. (Their mock like a couple of others don’t have the Nets picking in the forties. Perhaps the permutations of the draft order caused them to wait a bit.)

• #4 – Kingston Flemings, PG, 6’4”, Houston, freshman
• #33 – Keyshawn Hall, SF, 6’7”, Auburn, senior.

Sporting News

One thing about this round-up of mock drafts is how diverse the choices are at Nos. 3 and 4. There is no consensus on who the Nets should select … other than a high lottery pick. Last year, Khaman Maluach was for a long time the draftniks’ favorite to stroll across the stage wearing a Nets cap to a waiting commissioner. There was also a contingent who believed the Nets could wind up with Kon Knueppell!

The closest thing to a consensus – among fans at least – is A.J. Dybantsa and that’s not scientific. Reading though social media, the BYU forward is all smooth games reminiscent of, take your choice, Kevin Durant or Tracy McGrady. Heady comparisons. As Elliot Pohnl of TSN wrote recently in his latest mock:

Dybantsa plays with an incredible amount of force and assertiveness, which allows his athleticism to shine. Despite being surrounded by a mediocre BYU roster that got worse after the Richie Saunders injury, the Cougars were competitive in the Big 12. Dybantsa can take over games, and more importantly, he wants to take over games. He can handle the ball at a high level, and his length and athleticism helps him be a plus defender. His shot could use polish and he isn’t perfect offensively, but he has what it takes to be a franchise-changing selection.

Add to that Egor Demin’s endorsement of fellow Brigham Young product and you can see that if Dybantsa was still in March Madness, there’d be viewing parties among Nets fans. Alas, he is not. Also alas, Sporting News only does first round selections so no guesses on No. 32 or 43.

SB Nation

The Home Team.

Ricky O’Donnell thinks that Darryn Peterson will be the name called by Adam Silver, assuming Nets get that top three pick in the lottery. Peterson is the big question mark among the top 3 and O’Donnell thinks the 6’6” Kansas guard (also around) may not answer that question with an exclamation point.

Darryn Peterson looked like Gen-Z Kobe Bryant coming out of high school. He hasn’t lived up to that billing at Kansas due to a bizarre set of injury circumstances that included “traumatic” cramping and multiple soft tissue strains in his lower body. Peterson just doesn’t look as explosive athletically as he did in high school, but he still put up awesome per-possession scoring numbers in an off-ball role by showing off his elite shotmaking. His freshman tape looks more like Richard Hamilton or Tre Johnson than anything else, bending defenses by darting around screens and splashing shots all over the floor. The fact that his shooting touch and outside volume both look better than expected is an encouraging sign for his star upside if he can regain his physical gifts. I had Peterson at No. 2 for most of the year, but at this point I’m tempted to slide him down to No. 4. Part of that is because North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson looked awesome before his season-ending thumb injury. Part of it is because Peterson just didn’t meet our expectations this season.

O’Donnell has Cam Boozer at No. 1 and A.J. Dybantsa and No. 2. He, too, only goes one round deep in his projections.

CBS Sports

Adam Finkelstein is another vote for Cam Boozer who more than one draftnik thinks will carry the day (if available) because in addition to his skillset is that high character type Sean Marks & co. crave in the post Big 3 era. We’ve heard one draftnik describe Boozer in the simplest of terms: “the Perfect Net.”

This may be the easiest pick of the draft. Executives are terrified of missing on Dybantsa or Peterson if they end up reaching their full potential, but there’s little doubt that Boozer will be a long-term impact player. His resume of winning is unmatched, he’s physically ready for the next level and one of the smartest players in the draft. He’s a big-time rebounder, passer, has terrific hands and can operate at different spots on the floor offensively. Boozer has a war of a matchup Friday night against St. John’s and defensive menace Zuby Ejiofor.

The choice of a power forward would make for some interesting speculation come Draft Night. Boozer would not replace Nic Claxton or Day’Ron Sharpe in thinking about Nets big men. They all have different skillsets and fits. But of the Draft’s top three picks (if they get so lucky), he’s the one that would best round out the Nets team building exercise. Also, there’s no indication that the Nets are going to divert from their long-held belief in BPA — best player available. The reasoning is simple: you get a high lottery pick in a generational draft, you’re not drafting for next season. You’re drafting looking way down the road.

USA TODAY

That said, Bryan Kalbrosky thinks that A.J. Dybantsa makes the most sense because he is the prospect most likely to raise the Nets level of offense which, as he notes, is currently horrific.

The Nets have the worst offense in the NBA and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, who would likely go No. 1 overall depending on which team gets the pick. He emphasized that point during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances.

There may be other aspects of Dybantsa’s potential that could use some upgrades, including maturity, but the name of the game is buckets and he knows how to do that, as Kalbrosky notes. No second round projections from USA TODAY. You’ll see more draftniks delve into the second day of the draft the closer we get.

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The Boston Celtics will look to build on their impressive win over the Oklahoma City Thunder as they host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.

Jayson Tatum came up big on Wednesday, and I’m counting on him to lead Boston to cover again in my Hawks vs. Celtics predictions.

Read on for more analysis of this matchup in my free NBA picks for Friday, March 27.

Hawks vs Celtics prediction

Hawks vs Celtics best bet: Celtics -4.5 (-110)

The Boston Celtics have been working Jayson Tatum back into the lineup, and that fully paid off on Wednesday, when he put up 19 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists while playing more than 35 minutes against the Thunder.

Boston is now 7-2 with Tatum in the lineup this season. The 28-year-old is averaging 19.1 ppg and 9.2 rebounds per game, and while his shooting touch isn’t quite there yet, he showed improvement against the Thunder there as well, going 3-for-6 from three-point range.

The one thing that might make bettors question the Celtics tonight is the injury report. Jaylen Brown is out for tonight, which is a significant blow for Boston, but Derrick White and Neemias Queta will both be available after initial worries that the Celtics would be short-handed. 

With Tatum healthy and improving in every game, Boston shouldn’t miss a beat. 

The Atlanta Hawks continue to rack up wins since the All-Star break, but these wins have largely come against weaker competition. In their last two road games against quality opponents, the Hawks lost by 22 points to the Houston Rockets, then beat the Detroit Pistons by a single point in overtime on Wednesday.

As hot as the Hawks are right now, the Celtics are a different team with Tatum on the court, and they showed how tough they’ll be to beat at TD Garden down the stretch on Wednesday. 

Hawks vs Celtics same-game parlay

The shaky injury report for Boston has sent the total down several points in this game, and that’s enough for me to target the Over.

The Hawks have hit the Over in five of their last six games, and there’s more than enough offensive talent on both sides to hit this number.

I’m also taking Tatum to grab Over 8.5 rebounds, a total he’s hit in each of his last four games.

Hawks vs Celtics SGP

• Celtics -4.5
• Over 225.5
• Jayson Tatum Over 9.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Tatum Does it All!

With Tatum coming off his best game since his return from injury, I’m backing the Celtics star to shine again tonight, especially with a potentially limited roster around him.

I’ll add Tatum to pick up another double-double after recording three in his last four games. I also like him to get Over 5.5 assists after dishing out seven on Wednesday against the Thunder, and pick up Over 1.5 steals, which he’s done in two straight contests.

Hawks vs Celtics SGP

• Celtics -4.5
• Jayson Tatum double-double
• Jayson Tatum Over 4.5 assists
• Jayson Tatum Over 1.5 steals

Hawks vs Celtics odds

• Spread: Hawks +7.5 | Celtics -7.5
• Moneyline: Hawks +183 | Celtics -215
• Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5

Hawks vs Celtics betting trend to know

The Celtics have won five of their last six games by 5+ points. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Celtics.

How to watch Hawks vs Celtics

Hawks vs Celtics latest injuries

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