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Butler's Heat chapter slammed shut long before Warriors' lifeless loss

Butler's Heat chapter slammed shut long before Warriors' lifeless loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

MIAMI – Boos and cheers alike met Jimmy Butler in his return to the Kaseya Center on Tuesday night. 

A mixture of both as a Miami Heat tribute video honoring Butler played during pregame introductions. Boos whenever Butler touched the ball once the game began, and cheers whenever he missed a shot or made a mistake. The loudest cheer of all regarding Butler was a play involving Andrew Wiggins, the main player the Warriors traded to the Heat to acquire Butler on Feb. 5. 

With the Warriors beginning the game uninspired and again having to swim upstream like their previous game against the Atlanta Hawks, Butler had his best chance of getting his new team going in what looked like a wide-open fastbreak. That didn’t stop Wiggins, who chased down Butler and blocked his dunk attempt, keeping the ball inbounds as it wound up going to the Heat. 

That’s the kind of night Butler and the Warriors endured in a 112-86 loss against the Heat.

Did boos outnumber cheers? Yes, undoubtedly. Did the arena ever feel hostile or over the top? 

Not once.

“Miami is a great place to live, and some people don’t ever seem too amped up around here,” coach Steve Kerr said. “They’re living the good life. It really wasn’t that rabid of an environment. It was typical Miami.” 

Butler sat alone at the end of the bench as the pregame tribute video played, looking up to watch but showing little, if any, emotion. Iconic moments from his tenure that lasted over five seasons were remembered fondly as they should be. He sipped his cup, put his Chapstick on, waved to the crowd for a second, and then it was time to play the game.

Throughout the week and days leading up to Butler’s return, he maintained the message that Tuesday night wasn’t any different than the Warriors’ previous 71 games. Just another Tuesday night, in his words. The past chapter is meant to be closed, continuously turning the next page of his personal story. 

The same sentiment was shared in the visiting locker room by Butler after the loss, too. 

“Like I always say, I got a lot of love for the city, for the fan base here,” Butler said. “Video was nice. I won’t say that there’s a lot of emotions, though. I think I went into this day level-headed. We wanted to win the game, and it didn’t go as we planned.” 

Coaches and teammates commended how Butler handled himself. He personally thanked them before and after the game for how they went about the situation as well. His time in Miami the past few days has been spent around his children, being by the water and enjoying a combination of sunshine, Bigface Coffee and dominoes. 

The weirdest part of all for him was arriving to the game. Pulling into the visitor’s parking lot and finding his way to the opposite locker room he was used to going to since the summer of 2019. 

Before the game, Butler didn’t mingle with former teammates and coaches the way Wiggins did with the Warriors. There weren’t any daps between Butler and Bam Adebayo, or even he and Tyler Herro. He was only seen briefly conversing with two Heat players: Kevin Love and Terry Rozier. 

But that doesn’t mean all Butler’s love for the Heat is lost. 

“It took me back to some good times when I was wearing a Miami Heat jersey,” Butler said. “Very appreciative of those times to help me become the player that I am in this league, the individual that I am in this league. The teammate, the leader – all of those things. 

“I don’t think I could be who I am today without my opportunity here.” 

The Warriors going into Tuesday were 16-4 since trading for Butler, losing three games in which he played. The Heat have spiraled, going 5-16 post-Butler. Once the game began Tuesday night, though, records went out the door. 

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had his squad ready to roll. The Warriors trailed 7-0 through the first two minutes. They eventually woke up and made it a two-point game with under two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Not once did the Warriors lead. 

Miami led by as many as 28 points, holding the Warriors to their second-lowest scoring night of the 2024-25 NBA season. The Heat shot an astonishing 68 percent from three (17 of 25), further emphasizing the Warriors’ Swiss cheese defense the last two games, both losses to teams with losing records. On a night where Steph Curry was subjected to street clothes on the bench nursing a pelvic contusion that has kept him out of the Warriors’ last two losses, the three-ball made all the difference. 

Butler scored the Warriors’ first two points of the night but never got going. He finished with 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting and was a minus-19 in 29 minutes. 

The bizarreness of the box score wasn’t Adebayo’s game-high 27 points, or Herro’s 20, but Alec Burks adding 17 while going 5 of 7 from deep. The 13-year veteran who played 48 games for the Warriors in the 2019-20 season would have led Golden State in scoring Tuesday night. 

As the final buzzer rang, Butler didn’t even turn towards the Heat bench, opting to walk straight down the tunnel and back to the Warriors’ locker room. 

“I don’t know what it’s like to return to a place,” Draymond Green said. “So I can’t necessarily speak to that, but I can imagine it’s emotional. He was fine. He was into the game, he didn’t make it about himself. It was unfortunate that we couldn’t get the win for him. 

“We played like s–t, but I thought he handled it well.” 

In the final moments of the Warriors’ loss, as Heat fans headed towards the exit, one older man stood out in particular. Wearing a Miami Vice blue shirsey, it appeared he was one of the few still supporting Butler with a pink No. 22 on the back. The nameplate was the difference. 

Instead of “Butler” across his back, using white athletic tape and black marker, the fan had written “Wiggins.” 

This night wasn’t about closure, nor was it really about honor. The book has been slammed shut on Butler’s time representing the Heat, and now he and the rest of the Warriors have to move on even quicker to avoid disaster over the final 10 games of the regular season.

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What we learned as Kings' third-quarter surge not enough to beat OKC

What we learned as Kings' third-quarter surge not enough to beat OKC originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SACRAMENTO – That was pretty painful.

One night after taking it on the chin in a loss to the defending NBA champs, the Kings had a chance to save face and prove they belong in discussions about the playoffs.

Instead of cementing that idea, Sacramento slept-walked to a 121-105 loss to the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday at Golden 1 Center that extended the Kings’ losing streak to four games and opened the door to the very real possibility that they’ll be sitting at home when the postseason begins.

At 35-37, the Kings remain locked into the No. 9 slot in the Western Conference despite their recent skid, but their hold is tenuous at best. The Dallas Mavericks also lost but remain tied with the idle Phoenix Suns for the No. 10 position, both teams a half-game behind Sacramento.

Keegan Murray found a way to stand out, pouring in a season-high 28 points to go with six rebounds and three blocks. Zach LaVine showed signs of coming out of his shooting slump, scoring 19 points while going 7 of 16 from the floor. Keon Ellis added 12 points and four steals.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 32 points for the Thunder, who became the first team in the NBA this season to reach 60 wins. Oklahoma City has won 16 of its last 18.

The Kings end their homestand on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers before embarking on their final road trip, a six-game swing going through Orlando, Indianapolis, Indiana, Washington, Charlotte, Cleveland and Detroit.

Here are the takeaways from Tuesday’s game:

LaRavia Legend Grows

Jake LaRavia’s legend seems to grow with every game he plays for the Kings. He had 11 points, two rebounds and three blocked shots in another blue-collar effort at the state capitol.

The No. 19 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, LaRavia had a nondescript career during his first two seasons in the league. But the 23-year-old forward has been an instant hit with Sacramento fans since being acquired in a February trade.

Anything LaRavia does is met by wild cheers from the G1C crowd, and Tuesday was no different. At one point, he split a trio of defenders in the key and flipped the ball over the rim and into the basket.

Kings fans historically have gotten behind a player who has that do-whatever-it-takes mentality, and LaRavia embodies that fully. He showed that when he took a hard foul in the fourth quarter and crashed into the stanchion under the basket.

Perimeter Defense Goes Missing

The last time the Kings made a hard closeout on a 3-point shooter, it resulted in an injury to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum on Monday night. That might have played a role in how soft Sacramento’s perimeter defense was against the Thunder.

Rather than tightening up when the Thunder set up shots behind the arc, the Kings were reticent and stayed home, giving OKC multiple wide open opportunities.

The Thunder have been knocking down shots from the perimeter at a 37-percent clip all season, so that was nothing new for them.

The Kings didn’t defend the paint much better, surrendering 42 points in the key,

Is This The End?

This game had a bad feel to it from the beginning.

Save for a spirited push they made in the second half when they briefly got within nine points, it felt in many ways like the Kings were simply going through the motions rather than playing with the focus and intensity that comes during a playoff race. Communication on defense was an issue at times, and Sacramento didn’t have a lot of success with its half-court offense.

That they kept it together and didn’t fold up and go away quietly is a positive and bodes well as Sacramento heads into the home stretch.

With 10 games left in the regular season, there’s still time to salvage things — but it will take a much better and extended effort than what was on display against the Thunder.

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Lakers' Bronny James scores career-high 39 points in G League game: 'I belong out there'

Bronny James smiles and pumps his fists during a game with the South Bay Lakers
Bronny James reacts Monday during his career-best 39-point performance for the South Bay Lakers against the Santa Cruz Warriors in El Segundo. (Adam Pantozzi / NBAE via Getty Images)

Four days after playing the best NBA game of his young career, Bronny James did the same in the G League.

Starting for the Lakers' South Bay affiliate Monday night, the rookie scored a career-high 39 points in a 122-118 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo.

James made 14 of 21 shots, including four of eight from three-point range, and added four assists, four steals and one block in 38 minutes. He also committed seven turnovers, which tied for his most.

After the game, LeBron James posted a clip of his oldest son clearly enjoying himself on his big night.

"SMILE THROUGH IT ALL YOUNG [prince]!!!" James tweeted.

On Thursday, Bronny played a season-high 30 minutes for the Lakers in the absence of several of top players — including his father and Luka Doncic — and finished with a career-best 17 points and five assists during a 118-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Read more:Stephen A. Smith: 'I might have been wrong' about Bronny James' NBA readiness

That performance prompted ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith to say he "might have been wrong" when he stated that Bronny belongs in the G League.

Bronny returned to his more limited role with the Lakers on Saturday night, scoring two points on 0-for-4 shooting in seven minutes during a 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls. After he returned to South Bay on Monday, the NBA squad continued to struggle with a 118-106 loss to the Orlando Magic.

With the Lakers losing three straight games, it will be interesting to see if they call up Bronny and give him more minutes. He has averaged 2.3 points and 5.9 minutes in 23 games with the Lakers.

Bronny's previous high for South Bay was 31 points during a 122-110 win over the Rip City Remix on Jan. 24. He has averaged 22.4 points in 10 games in the G League.

Read more:Bronny James credits focus on his game for career-best 17 points during loss to Bucks

After his performance against Santa Cruz, James was asked on Spectrum SportsNet what he had been trying to prove on the court.

“Just that I belong out there," James said. "That’s all I’m trying to prove. A lot of people say I don’t, but I just come out, work every day, try to get better every day and prove myself every day.”

He added: "All the criticism that’s thrown my way, it’s just amazing to shut all that down and keep going.”

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Christie calls LaVine ‘incorrect' for Kings vibes comment

Christie calls LaVine ‘incorrect' for Kings vibes comment originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Kings interim coach Doug Christie doesn’t agree with guard Zach LaVine‘s recent comments. 

Following Sacramento’s 113-95 loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday night at Golden 1 Center, LaVine, visibly upset while speaking to reporters, referred to the Kings’ vibes as “not good” after falling under .500 for the first time since Feb. 7. 

Less than 24 hours later, while addressing the media prior to Sacramento’s matchup against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, Christie pointed to why LaVine’s comments were inaccurate. 

Or, as Christie said …

“He was incorrect,” Christie told reporters (h/t Sactown Sports 1140’s Brenden Nunes).

Sitting at 35-36, the Kings quickly are sinking in a tight West playoff race, winning just three of their last 10 games. 

The team’s struggles are reflected in LaVine’s most recent performances, averaging 12.7 points on 15-of-42 shooting (35.7 percent) from the field and 3 of 15 (20 percent) from 3-point range throughout Sacramento’s current three-game losing streak. 

As Christie alluded to, the Kings’ locker room atmosphere, with every excuse to feel down, was optimistic on Monday night. 

“I think when you ask a question like that, after you go through a little bit of a losing streak, it’s more about not being happy that you lost,” Christie added. 

“Like, I’m upset that I lost. But when I addressed them upstairs, everybody sat down, and the first thing I said was, ‘I’m happy to see that your vibe is right because I was about to say something.’ 

“But their vibe was spectacular. But that’s how it’s always been, and I know Zach takes this serious, and they all do, but there’s also understanding that your vibe ain’t only right when you’re winning… but I’m not about that, and that locker room ain’t going to be about that.

Like Christie, guard Keon Ellis echoed a sentiment that dispels any negative tension in Sacramento. 

As the regular season comes down to 11 games –  including a six-game road trip with stops against the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons – Christie hopes his team walks together, shoulder to shoulder. 

Even when the results aren’t going Sacramento’s way.

“It’s going to be about trying to figure it out, trying to problem solve, uplifting my brother, supporting my brother, and that goes with however many games you lose,” Christie concluded.

“And at the same time, we’re elated and happy when we win. But it’s a process to what we have to go through. It’s a lot that’s happened here in a really, really short amount of time, and that’s just a reality, no excuse. 

“We expect to win every game that we go out there and play, because I think that we have the talent to do that, and when it doesn’t, it hurts, and it’s supposed to hurt…”

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What we learned as Butler's Miami return ends in ugly Warriors loss

What we learned as Butler's Miami return ends in ugly Warriors loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

Jimmy Butler III’s return trip to Miami was less a revenge game than another stain on the Warriors’ suddenly spiraling season.

Golden State trailed from the start, never got close enough to touch the Miami Heat and wound up on the business end of a 112-86 walloping that delivered all manner of ominous signals.

This loss, the Warriors’ second in a row following a 124-115 beating by the Atlanta Hawks, continues their sudden return trip toward mediocrity. They’ve lost three of their last five games, and this one was a profoundly unsatisfying conclusion to a game that came with tangled emotions.

Four Warriors scored in double figures, led by Jonathan Kuminga’s 15 points, but they were routed in every conceivable way.

Here are three observations from a nightmare on South Beach:

Butler vs. Wiggins

Two names were on the marquee at tipoff: Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins. They were traded for each other last month, and each was going to be a significant contributor to whatever happened on the court.

There wasn’t much of a battle, but Wiggins was superior. And his team won the war decisively.

The former Golden State NBA All-Star finished with 10 points (4 of 13 from the field, 2 of 4 from beyond the arc), five rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals. He played 28 minutes and finished plus-2.

Butler, who claimed this would be “just another game” on the schedule, coped with a mixture of cheers and boos throughout. He finished with 11 points (5 of 12 from the field, 0 of 2 from deep), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. He was minus-19 over 29 minutes.

Weakened Offense Expected, But Defense Also Putrid

Stephen Curry’s absence always compromises Golden State’s offense – and surely it did – but what is the excuse for the defense?

After consecutive games with porous defense, the Warriors realized they needed to upgrade their intensity. They were unable to do it.

The Heat cooked them in the first quarter, fired up a blowtorch in the second quarter and built 57-40 lead off 53.8-percent shooting from the field, including a preposterous 72.7 percent beyond the arc. Starting guards Tyler Herro and Alec Burks combined for 23 points on 8 of 10 shooting, including 5 of 6 from distance.

Miami shot 55.8 percent from the field, including 68 percent from distance.

Golden State in its two previous games allowed the Hawks to shoot 57 percent from the field, including 41.7 percent from deep, and the Toronto Raptors to post 56.4/42.3 percent splits.

Shoddy defense suddenly is becoming the biggest threat to the Warriors’ hopes of staying above the NBA play-in tournament fray.

Bench Came To Play

The only encouraging sign for Golden State came from the play of its bench.

With Buddy Hield, Gui Santos and Kuminga leading the way, the Warriors’ reserves punished those of the Heat, outscoring them 30-2 in the first half and 48-24 for the game. Hield scored 10 points and Santos had 13 on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3 of 6 beyond the arc. Santos and Gary Payton II (four points, 2 of 2 shooting) were the only two Warriors to shoot at least 50 percent.

How bad was the overall bench discrepancy? Golden State’s bench outscored its starters 30-10 in the first half and 48-38 for the game.

This was, for the starters, one of the lousiest performances of the 2024-25 NBA season.

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Thunder vs. Kings Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for March 25

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings Preview 

The Oklahoma City Thunder (59-12) and Sacramento Kings (35-36) are all set to square off from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

The Kings are on the second leg of a back-to-back. Last night they lost against the Boston Celtics. Now they play against the number one seed Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder are currently 28-7 on the road with a point differential of 13, while the Kings have a 5-5 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Thunder vs. Kings live today

  • Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
  • Time: 6:00PM EST
  • Site: Golden 1 Center
  • City: Sacramento, CA

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Thunder vs. Kings

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Thunder (-391), Kings (+308)
  • Spread:  Thunder -9
  • Over/Under: 227 points

That gives the Thunder an implied team point total of 117.08, and the Kings 112.4.

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday's Thunder vs. Kings game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

 Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder -9.5…

Thomas: “Second half of a back-to-back against a damn good Thunder team. I like this price a lot.”
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 today’s Thunder & Kings game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Oklahoma City Thunder on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Sacramento Kings at +9.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 227.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
 
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Thunder vs. Kings on Tuesday

  • The Thunder have won 4 of their last 5 at Western Conference Pacific Division teams
  • The Over is 41-30 in Thunder's games this season 

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
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Mavericks vs. Knicks Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 25

It’s Tuesday, March 25, and the Dallas Mavericks (35-37) and New York Knicks (44-26) are all set to square off from Madison Square Garden in New York.

The Mavericks are currently 15-21 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Knicks have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home. Dallas is 1-0 against New York with a win on November 27, 129-114.

Dallas has won two straight games after losing the four before, while New York is coming off a 17-point win over Washington that broke a two-game losing streak.

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, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Mavericks vs. Knicks live today

  • Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: Madison Square Garden
  • City: New York, NY
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Mavericks vs. Knicks

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Mavericks (+245), Knicks (-305)
  • Spread:  Knicks -7.5
  • Over/Under: 222 points

That gives the Mavericks an implied team point total of 109.91, and the Knicks 113.82.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday’s Mavericks vs. Knicks game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Mavericks Team Total Under 106.5:

"Jalen Brunson, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis will not be available for this game, so I am expecting far fewer points when the Knicks and Mavericks meet this time. The first matchup had a combined 243 points and this game total is hovering in the low 220's. With Dallas being on a back-to-back after the 19-point win over Brooklyn last night, I like the Mavericks team total Under 106.5 against New York. The Knicks had Sunday and Monday off, so New York has a clear rest advantage."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

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 today’s Mavericks & Knicks game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dallas Mavericks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dallas Mavericks at +7.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 222.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Mavericks vs. Knicks on Tuesday

  • The Knicks have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Southwest Division teams
  • The Under is 7-3 in the Knicks' last 10 games
  • The Mavericks have covered the Spread in their last 3 matchups with the Knicks
  • The Knicks have won 8 of their last 10 games against teams with losing records

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

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Doc Rivers pushes back against "unfair" criticism of blown 3-1 playoff series leads

Doc Rivers has coached 20 teams to the NBA playoffs, has won more postseason games than he has lost, has won a Coach of the Year award (2000), has a championship ring from the 2008 Boston Celtics, is about to pass Phil Jackson for seventh on the all-time coaching wins list, and was named among the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history by the league.

However, ask most fans about Rivers as a coach and the first thing that comes up is the three blown 3-1 leads in playoff series — he is the only coach in league history to blow multiple 3-1 leads in the postseason.

Rivers pushed back against that narrative, speaking to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears.

"It is what it is. It's part of my legacy. There's nothing I can do about it. I got a team that was an eight seed up 3-1. That is coaching. That is not bad coaching. The one with the Clippers is the only one that got away. But people don't realize that Chris Paul was running on one leg [in 2015 with the Clippers] and we were also the underdog in that series. When you think about it, Houston had home court, not us.

"No one tells a real story. And I'm fine with that. It's unfair in some ways. I don't get enough credit for getting the three wins. I get credit for losing. I always say, 'What if we had lost to Houston in six?' No one cares. One of the things that I'm proud of is we've never been swept. All the coaches have been swept in the playoffs. My teams achieve. A lot of them overachieve and I'm very proud of that."

Maybe the most famous of those blown leads was in the bubble in 2020, when Rivers coached a title contender in the Clippers who were up 3-1 on the Nuggets and lost.

"No, in the bubble, I had a group of guys that didn't want to be there. [Ex-Clippers guard] Lou Williams said [on a podcast in 2023], 'Look, we were trying to leave. We made the decision that we didn't want to be there.' So, I felt that... And what bugs me about the bubble is I couldn't get them to understand that we had a chance to win [a title]. That's what bugs me. They wanted to go home more than they wanted to win. And I still don't understand that."

Rivers isn't totally wrong — his teams are making the playoffs and often with good seeds. The first of those blown leads was in 2003 when he coached an eight-seed Orlando team against top-seeded Detroit, getting that team up 3-1 was impressive. The 2020 blown lead against Denver, on a Clippers team with two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, will always be the one that got away.

Rivers is a quality NBA coach, without question. Whether he gets the most out of his team and knows how to motivate them in the playoffs is a legitimate question, but he will get another chance to prove himself this season with a Bucks team with high expectations but maybe not the roster to live up to them. Can he get this team to overachieve?

And hold on to leads?

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Warriors vs. Heat Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 25

It’s Tuesday, March 25, and the Golden State Warriors (41-30) and Miami Heat (30-41) are all set to square off from Kaseya Center in Miami.

The Warriors are currently 18-16 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Heat have a 2-8 record in their last ten games at home. Miami won the only meeting of the season, 116-98, as Jimmy Butler missed that meeting because of a suspension via the team.

Miami broke a 10-game losing streak with a 15-point victory over Charlotte on Sunday. Golden State is 16-4 since acquiring Butler and 9-2 over the last 11 games.

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, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Warriors vs. Heat live today

  • Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: Kaseya Center
  • City: Miami, FL
  • Network/Streaming: TNT / MAX

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Warriors vs. Heat

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Warriors (-191), Heat (+160)
  • Spread:  Warriors -5.5
  • Over/Under: 218.5 points

That gives the Warriors an implied team point total of 111.98, and the Heat 107.13.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday’s Warriors vs. Heat game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans Jimmy Butler to go Under 6.5 rebounds:

"Over the last 10 games, Butler averages 10.0 rebound chances per game and 6.4 of those converted and 7.4 converted on 11.4 potential boards in the past five outings. However, Miami is obviously his former team, so there will be more physicality in this game and potential for a blowout as well (in favor of Golden State). Butler recorded six or more rebounds in four straight games until four boards in the previous outing and 10-9 to the Under 6.5 rebounds since joining Golden State. I like Butler to go Under 6.5 boards at -105 odds."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

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 today’s Warriors & Heat game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Heat at +4.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 218.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Warriors vs. Heat on Tuesday

  • The Warriors have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference Southeast Division teams
  • Each of the last 4 matchups between the Warriors and the Heat have stayed under the Total
  • The Heat have covered the Spread in 5 of their last 6 games as a home underdog
  • The Warriors' last 4 versus the Heat have stayed under the Total

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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NBA Owners Set to Vote on Proposed European League

NBA owners are set to vote this week on a plan to launch a pro basketball league in Europe, one that would help expand the sport’s presence across the continent and give the NBA a chance to share more directly in the economics of that growth.

League owners are considering a new league with eight to 10 franchises, according to someone directly familiar with the plans. It’s a “semi-open” proposal, the person said, meaning there would be up to four spots for the best teams in the EuroLeague—the continent’s top circuit with teams like Real Madrid in Spain and Greece’s Olympiacos—to compete in the NBA’s league the following year. The franchises in places like London or Paris could sell for at least $500 million, according to the proposal.

The league would sell the permanent franchise slots to outside investors, with the NBA holding 50% of the equity and franchise owners holding the other 50%, said the person, who was granted anonymity because the details are private. That’s a setup identical to the equity structure of the WNBA up until the league raised outside capital in 2022.

As it stands, NBA officials would prefer to sell those franchises to people outside of the league, the person said, meaning sovereign wealth funds, private capital, wealthy individuals or existing European basketball clubs.

NBA owners are set to vote on the proposal during league meetings this week in New York. A representatives for the NBA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. A rep for the Raine Group, which is advising the league on the matter, declined to comment.

The vote comes after more than a year of discussions about how the NBA might better optimize its business in Europe. The league has generated a few hundred million dollars annually from Europe in recent years, but interest on the continent is growing, as is the number of talented players. The NBA believes the basketball system in Europe and the Middle East could be worth as much as $3 billion in annual revenue, Sportico reported last year.

The NBA considered deeper partnerships with the EuroLeague and/or the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), including the possibility to utilizing the NBA’s marketing and commercial operations to assist the EuroLeague in selling sponsorships, Sportico previously reported. It also considered a more international competition beyond just Europe. Discussions about a new standalone league happened simultaneously.

Overseas opportunities have been a growing priority for the NBA over the last four decades, ever since the league did its first deal in China in the last 1980s. Despite the 2019 Hong Kong controversy, the league’s China endeavors have grown into a multibillion-dollar business. In 2021, the league launched the Basketball Africa League (BAL), operated in partnership by the NBA and FIBA. NBA Africa brought in strategic investors including a consortium led by Tunde Folawiyo, chairman of Yinka Folawiyo Group  and Helios Fairfax Partners, led by co-CEO Tope Lawani, for the NBA’s first standalone league outside of North America.

The NBA has played 40 regular-season games outside the U.S. and Canada, dating back to the 1990s, and dozens more preseason contests. It didn’t play regular season games in Europe until 2011, when it played in London. The league has held five regular-season games in France in the last few years.

There were 125 foreign-born players on NBA rosters at the start of this season, the highest total in league history. That includes 62 from Europe, including stars Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama. The past six NBA MVPs were non-American; there were just four in league history prior to that.

New leagues are popping up seemingly weekly across virtually every sport, basketball included. This year was the first season of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women’s circuit in Florida that featured some of the WNBA’s biggest names. Bloombergreported in January that Maverick Carter, LeBron James’ business partner, was advising a group looking to raise $5 billion for an international basketball league to “rival the NBA.”

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2025 NBA MVP race: Rankings, stats, analysis for Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Nikola Jokic, other top contenders

Look at the betting odds and one would think the NBA MVP race is over. According to BetMGM, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is -2000 to win his first MVP award this season, while defending MVP Nikola Jokic is second at +800.

From my vantage point, those odds make no sense. Every media member with a vote I have spoken to, or I have seen write on the MVP race, is torn (myself included). The margins in this race are razor-thin. It's a coin flip and there is no clear consensus. If anything, there seems to be a slight lean toward Jokic.

With just a few weeks left in the NBA season, let's break it down:

2025 NBA MVP Rankings:

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Ask me again in 48 hours and this order might change — it was flipped 48 hours ago.

Having Gilgeous-Alexander on top may be recency bias because I was in the Intuit Dome Sunday night when SGA and the Thunder played the Clippers — and he struggled, 7-of-29 shooting, 1-of-11 from 3. However, what impressed me was that he still impacted winning with his shot creation and dishing out eight assists, making a key deflection late, and having two blocked shots in clutch time — SGA's leadership was on display. He got them a win against a hot Clippers team (winners of 8-of-10) on a night he was cold and the Thunder were without their second and third best players (Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren).

That's what MVPs do.

To be fair, that's what Nikola Jokic does, too. He is averaging a triple-double this season — 29.1 points, 12.8 rebounds and 10.3 assists a game — and is having a better statistical season than any year he won the MVP. The compelling argument for Jokic is around the "valuable" part of MVP — Denver is not good when he is off the court. Jokic carries that team. We've seen some of that in the past week with Jokic out while dealing with an ankle issue, the Nuggets have a couple of wins but this team is not the same.

Jokic is a legit MVP. There's no shade here toward anyone who votes for him.

However, the argument that he drives winning more than SGA (or, at least, dramatically more) is flawed. First, Gilgeous-Alexander should not be faulted because Sam Presti did a great job of roster construction. Beyond that, SGA has more win shares per 48 minutes (he's 10th all-time in that category), and he's a better defender. Watch the Thunder and you can see how much he drives this team, he is the straw that stirs the drink on the best team in the league.

Also, I think this historical stat has weight: Ten times in NBA history the NBA's leading scorer was on a 60+ win team, something Gilgeous-Alexander will do this year. Nine of those players won MVP. The one that didn't was Michael Jordan in the 1996-97 season when voters gave it to Karl Malone, a case now seen as voter fatigue with Jordan.

All that said, I'll likely flip-flop my vote a few times before ballots are cast in April. This race is that close.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

This is the one spot on the ballot where there is confidence this is how the final vote will go down. I have former MVP Antetokounmpo as a relatively clear third and Celtics star Tatum as a clear fourth. Not that the gap between them is massive — it's not — but Antetokounmpo's slightly higher scoring (30.2 points a game, second in the league), slightly better defense and strength on the glass drive is more valuable in Milwaukee than Tatum's play is in Boston (as great as he is).

I imagine my final ballot will have these two in this order.

5. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Much like the top of the MVP ladder, this fifth spot is undecided, except it is far more wide open. If I had to cast a ballot today I would vote for LeBron James, but there are two Cavaliers — Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley — who have a legitimate case for this last spot on the ballot.

Mitchell is the archetype of an MVP, the leading scorer and primary shot creator on the team with the best record in the East, averaging 23.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists a night. He's the guy most likely to win the fifth spot on the ballot because he checks a lot of boxes for what we expect in an MVP, and the Cavaliers should be rewarded for their season.

However, is he even the best player on his own team? Because of his elite defense and all around offensive game, I would select Evan Mobley before him. Mobley is averaging 18.6 points a game, grabbing 9.3 rebounds, shooting 37.2% from beyond the arc, and is likely to win Defensive Player of the Year. For my money, he is more valuable than Mitchell in Cleveland.

There is one other thing in Cleveland: With the Cavaliers, every night it feels like their best player is someone different — it's a strength of the team that they have that many ways to win, but it doesn't help an individual's MVP case.

LeBron's case, like Mobley's, is based more on his all-around game — except he's putting up better numbers. LeBron is averaging 24.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists a game.

My belief in LeBron for the fifth spot was strengthened by his recent groin injury — watching L.A. without him, it was evident how much he means beyond just scoring to the Lakers. He's the guy who makes the defense work, the glue on offense who can fill different roles depending on what the game calls for, and the guy who just lifts up the play of everyone around him.

LeBron (and the Lakers) have also struggled in the couple of games since his return, and if that continues this fifth-place vote will change.

Just missing the cut: Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks), Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Stephen Curry (Warriors), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies).

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Why Kerr views Butler's long-term Warriors fit as ‘easily sustainable'

Why Kerr views Butler's long-term Warriors fit as ‘easily sustainable' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Although the Jimmy Butler era with the Warriors only is 20 games old, it’s safe to say it has been a success.

But that begs the question: Is it sustainable long-term?

Speaking to 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr convincingly believes so. 

“I think it’s easily sustainable because he loves to play basketball and he loves to win,” Kerr told Mark Willard and Dan Dibley. “And so, he fits right in with our guys and what we are trying to accomplish.” 

Since joining the Warriors, Butler has been part of the team for 20 games, 16 of which ended in victory.

Out of the 20 games, the six-time All-Star has played 19 games, with only two negative plus/minus totals and averaging 17.3 points, 6.5 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals. 

Butler has meant business, and his reaction to his lone injury absence against the Philadelphia 76ers in early March indicates his commitment to excellence. 

“We lost the Philadelphia game a couple of weeks ago,” Kerr added. “He sat that game out. He had a back issue, and as soon as the game ended, he came over to me and told me, ‘Coach, I’m sorry. I hate losing. I can’t sit out anymore games.’

“I told him, ‘You got to stay healthy. If you have to sit out a game, you have to sit out a game.’ And Jimmy said, ‘No way, we can’t lose anymore.’ “

Initially viewed with some skepticism, the Warriors’ acquisition has resulted in a relative success, benefiting veteran stars Steph Curry and Draymond Green as much as Golden State’s young core. 

Certainly, a playoff-motivated Warriors won’t complain about Butler’s undeniable grit and winning mentality. 

“This guy is an amazing competitor, and he plays that way,” Kerr concluded. “But you don’t get to that level if you don’t love to play the game. 

“He loves basketball. He loves being out on the floor, and it’s been fun to watch him.”

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Cavaliers vs. Trail Blazers Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for March 25

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview 

The Cleveland Cavaliers (57-14) and Portland Trail Blazers (32-40) are all set to square off from Moda Center in Portland.

The Cavaliers are first in the Eastern Conference and have a 4.5-game lead on the Boston Celtics. They have won six of their last 10 games.

The Trail Blazers are 12th in the West, and three games out of a play-in spot.

The Cavaliers are currently 27-9 on the road with a point differential of 10, while the Trail Blazers have a 6-4 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Cavaliers vs. Trail Blazers live today

  • Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
  • Time: 10:00PM EST
  • Site: Moda Center
  • City: Portland, OR

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Cavaliers vs. Trail Blazers

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Cavaliers (-282), Trail Blazers (+230)
  • Spread:  Cavaliers -7
  • Over/Under: 231 points

That gives the Cavaliers an implied team point total of 118.08, and the Trail Blazers 114.44.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday's Cavaliers vs. Trail Blazers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Cleveland Cavaliers -7…

Thomas: “Donovan Mitchell is out for today’s contest, which is why this line is lower than 9.5. The Cavs are 6-0 without Mitchell this season. Only two games were decided by less than seven points.”
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 today’s Cavaliers & Trail Blazers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Portland Trail Blazers at +7.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 231.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Cavaliers vs. Trail Blazers on Tuesday

  • The Cavaliers have won 4 of their last 5 at Western Conference Northwest Division teams
  • The Over is 20-17 in the Trail Blazers' home games this season
  • The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 games against teams with winning records
  • The Trail Blazers are 22-15 ATS at home this season

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Spurs vs. Pistons Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 25

It’s Tuesday, March 25, and the San Antonio Spurs (31-39) and Detroit Pistons (40-32) are all set to square off from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The Spurs are currently 11-22 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Pistons have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home. Detroit won the only meeting of the season, 125-110 on February 21.

San Antonio has won the past three games, including a 34-point outing against the Raptors, while Detroit is 3-1 over the previous four contests.

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, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Spurs vs. Pistons live today

  • Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Little Caesars Arena
  • City: Detroit, MI
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Spurs vs. Pistons

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Spurs (+278), Pistons (-350)
  • Spread:  Pistons -8.5
  • Over/Under: 233 points

That gives the Spurs an implied team point total of 115.38, and the Pistons 119.81.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday’s Spurs vs. Pistons game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Pistons to cover:

"San Antonio is playing some quality basketball, albeit it has come against bad teams or ones with injuries like the 76ers, Knicks, and Pelicans, a win is a win in the NBA. The Pistons are focused and playing well, climbing the ladder and it's hard to see a slipup against the Spurs. While the Spurs have been impressive, especially in their last game, that may set the public up to think this will be a close game. It's Pistons or pass."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

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 today’s Spurs & Pistons game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the San Antonio Spurs on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the San Antonio Spurs at +8.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 233.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Spurs vs. Pistons on Tuesday

  • The Pistons have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Southwest Division teams
  • 4 of the Pistons' last 5 matchups with the Spurs have stayed under the Total
  • The Pistons have failed to cover in 5 of their last 6 games (83%)
  • The Spurs have covered the spread in 5 of their last 7 games (71%)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Watch Heat honor Butler with tribute video before Warriors game

Watch Heat honor Butler with tribute video before Warriors game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Heat paid homage to their former star forward on Tuesday as Jimmy Butler made his highly anticipated return to Miami.

Butler, who was traded to the Warriors at last month’s NBA deadline, was introduced for the first time in six years on the opposing end. Before Heat PA announcer Michael Baiamonte belted Butler’s name, Miami honored the six-time NBA All-Star with a special tribute video.

Fans in attendance rose to their feet while the 40-second video montage played inside Kaseya Center. After Baiamonte shouted his iconic “Jim-my Butler” intro, fans cheered and gave Butler a warm welcome back.

Butler embraced the crowd right back, holding his arms to the crowd before the introductions carried over to the Heat side.

Over the past few days, Butler has downplayed the emotions of this game but openly expressed his gratitude to the fanbase and city.

Butler led an often undermanned Heat squad to five postseason trips and two NBA Finals appearances.

Even though things didn’t end the way both sides had hoped, it’s clear Butler still has a lot of love for Heat fans — and the feeling is mutual.

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