The top-seeded Detroit Pistons head west to face the banged-up Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Tuesday night.
The Nuggets’ injury report is lengthy, but Denver has stayed competitive, and my Pistons vs. Nuggets predictions call for the home team to cover the spread as the underdog.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this cross-conference tilt on Tuesday, January 27.
Pistons vs Nuggets prediction
Pistons vs Nuggets best bet: Nuggets +6.5 (-110)
The Denver Nuggets are 27-19 ATS this season, and they have covered in six of their last 10 games. Despite numerous injuries, Denver has found ways to stay competitive, and the team is 9-5 ATS across the last 14 games with Nikola Jokic on the sideline.
The Detroit Pistons are one of the best teams in the Association, and they are 24-19-1 ATS. Over the last 10 games, the Pistons are 6-4 ATS.
The Nuggets last played on Friday before Sunday’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies was postponed due to weather. Peyton Watson, Jamal Murray and Jonas Valanciunas are all probable tonight, and the trio should be closer to 100% after getting some extra time to rest.
For as good as the Pistons are, Denver has played too well recently to be spotted 6.5 points at Ball Arena. I'll take the home team and the points as the Nuggets continue to get the most from their deep group of role players.
Pistons vs Nuggets same-game parlay
The Nuggets are 27-19 to the Over this season, but they've hit the Under in nine of 14 without Nikola Jokic, including seven of the last 10 games.
The Pistons are 18-26 to the Under overall and 1-9 to the Under across their last 10 outings. Both teams rank in the top-10 in fewest points allowed, so I expect a low-scoring matchup at Ball Arena.
Peyton Watson's strong play is a big reason why the Nuggets have been competitive without Nikola Jokic. Over his last 13 appearances, Watson has averaged 32.2 PRA and gone for at least 27 in 10 of them.
He's expected to return following a one-game absence and should be well-rested after not playing since Thursday.
Pistons vs Nuggets SGP
Nuggets +6.5
Under 217
Peyton Watson Over 26.5 points + rebounds + assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Robinson on a heater
Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.9 triples per game this season, and he's hit 3+ treys in 28 of 42 contests.
He's been on a heater over his last eight games, knocking down 3.9 three-pointers per tilt at a 50.8% clip and hitting the Over on this line seven times.
Pistons vs Nuggets SGP
Nuggets +6.5
Under 217
Peyton Watson Over 26.5 points + rebounds + assists
Duncan Robinson Over 2.5 made three-pointers
Pistons vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Detroit -6.5 (-110) | Denver +6.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Detroit -260 | Denver +210
Over/Under: Over 217 (-110) | Under 217 (-110)
Pistons vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Denver Nuggets have hit the Moneyline in 16 of their last 25 games (+14.70 Units / 30% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Pistons vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN-DT, ALT
Pistons vs Nuggets latest injuries
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Have the New York Knicks stopped their slide? Wins over Brooklyn and Philadelphia are encouraging, but only so much so. And beating the Sacramento Kings will fall into that same category.
My Kings vs. Knicks predictions recognize New York’s struggles and the supposed source of them, and they will always put faith in said source.
The best shooting big man in NBA history has cleared this prop in 10 of his last 16 games, including four of his last five. Falling short on Saturday was a reflection of foul trouble, not shooting struggles. Towns has shot 38.5% from deep since December 23.
For him, that is a bit modest, but it's also worth noting he's shooting better on fewer looks — down to 4.1 threes per game. Towns is picking his moments.
Against the Sacramento Kings, a couple of early looks could mean KAT cashes this prop before halftime tonight.
Kings vs Knicks same-game parlay
This looks quite counterintuitive, but that is the point.
This same-game parlay pays out at a higher rate than it should simply because it is odd to pair Towns’ threes Over with his points Under. But Towns has hit multiple 3-pointers and still fallen short of this points prop six times in the last month.
Kings vs Knicks SGP
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 3-Pointers
Karl-Anthony Towns Under 20.5 Points
Knicks moneyline
Our "from downtown" SGP: Streaking Knicks
After their four-game losing streak furthered consternation about the Knicks in general, they have at least rattled off two straight wins while covering the spread in both of them.
Kings vs Knicks SGP
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 3-Pointers
Karl-Anthony Towns Under 20.5 Points
Knicks -13.5
Kings vs Knicks odds
Spread: Kings +13.5 | Knicks -13.5
Moneyline: Kings +525 | Knicks -750
Over/Under: Over 231 | Under 231
Kings vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Kings are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games, falling short of bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 5.1 points in those five games, even including the sole ATS win. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Knicks.
How to watch Kings vs Knicks
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSCA, MSG
Kings vs Knicks latest injuries
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The Oklahoma City Thunder live a charmed life, one in which no one really even notices that they have lost their last two games despite being double-digit favorites in both.
But the Pacers were highly motivated, and the Raptors are quietly decent. Neither piece of backhanded praise can be given to the New Orleans Pelicans.
My Pelicans vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, January 27, recognize Oklahoma City’s defensive trends, which may be relatively backfiring but are still hardly a worry.
Pelicans vs Thunder prediction
Pelicans vs Thunder best bet: Trey Murphy III Under 3.5 made threes (-145)
Amid the Oklahoma City Thunder's relative struggles, its 3-point defense has actually improved. The Thunder have long forced opponents to take an abundance of long-range looks, but they have cut down on those in recent weeks.
Has that been why Oklahoma City has been laying some eggs? Perhaps.
The usual trend of encouraging 3-point attempts was a direct and delightful byproduct of making life miserable in the paint. Opponents did not want to drive or attack the rim.
If that is less of a misery now, that is a long-term worry for the Thunder.
Tonight, it could lead to New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III living inside the arc more than expected. Fewer looks for Murphy should doom him to this Under.
Pelicans vs Thunder same-game parlay
Whatever is going on in Oklahoma City — most likely something as simple as fatigue and/or malaise — the Thunder are 4-8 against the spread in their last 12, a stretch that has also seen Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fall short of this prop six times.
Pelicans vs Thunder SGP
Trey Murphy III Under 3.5 made threes
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 32.5 points
Pelicans +14.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Thunderclapped
Gilgeous-Alexander has hit multiple 3-pointers in just three of his last 11 games.
Over/Under: Over 233.5 (-110) | Under 233.5 (-110)
Pelicans vs Thunder betting trend to know
While the Thunder have lost outright as double-digit favorites in their last two games, the Pelicans have won outright as underdogs in their last two games. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Thunder.
How to watch Pelicans vs Thunder
Location
Paycom Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
GCSEN, FDSN-OK
Pelicans vs Thunder latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Seven fans of Greek soccer club PAOK died in a minibus crash in Romania while traveling to a Europa League game at Lyon, Greece’s government confirmed Tuesday.
“Deeply shaken, I was informed of the tragic accident in Romania that cost the lives of seven young compatriots,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. “The Greek government and our embassy are in close coordination with the local authorities, providing every possible form of support.
“In these difficult moments, together with all Greeks, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and to the PAOK community,” Mitsotakis added. “We all share the hope that the injured will recover quickly. Our thoughts are with them.”
PAOK was in direct communication with the government, coordinating support for families and injured fans, and sending club representatives to Romania.
Also, supporters’ associations for rival clubs Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, Aris, and others issued messages of unity and condolences.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is not a doctor, but he played one in the Milwaukee Bucks locker room after last Friday's game, which he left with a calf injury. Antetokounmpo said this felt like his previous calf strains and that he would get an MRI, but expected to be out for 4 to 6 weeks.
The MRI confirmed the calf strain, but what's the Bucks' official timeline?
"There's really no timetable," coach Doc Rivers said, via the Associated Press.
That led to quick speculation that the Bucks might shut Antetokounmpo down for the season in hopes of improving their lottery odds (the Bucks can then use that pick as a trade asset around the draft to get more talent around Antetokounmpo). Rivers shot that idea down, mostly.
"There's no thought to that," Rivers said. "But listen, there's no timetable either."
No timetable is bad news for a Bucks team trying to climb back into the East postseason mix, but is 3-11 this season in games Antetokounmpo has missed. If we take Antetokounmpo at his word on his timeline, then he would be out at least through the All-Star break.
That means Antetokounmpo, voted an All-Star starter by the fans, will miss the game in Los Angeles, and he will miss too many games to be eligible for postseason awards such as MVP or All-NBA. It also means he will be out well past the trade deadline, further squashing the idea he could be traded before Feb. 5 (the Bucks have not made him available for a trade at any point).
This summer is going to be an interesting one in Milwaukee. The Bucks can use whoever they draft next June (they will have the second-best pick between theirs or New Orleans, with the best one going to Atlanta and the Pelicans getting the Hawks pick), plus future draft picks and some players on the roster, to try and trade for more talent to go around Antetokounmpo (they also would have a mid-level exception to use). Milwaukee can line all that up, put that new vision of the team and a max contract extension in front of Antetokounmpo. It will be his choice whether to sign and stay, or not sign and essentially force the Bucks to trade him (or risk losing him for nothing in free agency in the summer of 2027).
The question now is, will we see Antetokounmpo back on the court for the Bucks before this summer?
Down nine to start the second quarter in Denver, the team readied to go to the most unproductive bench in the league, scoring-wise. Seizing an opportunity in recent games, two-way center Drew Timme checks in for the Lakers in his new spot in the rotation next to fellow big man Deandre Ayton.
His impact was felt immediately. First, the previous Gonzaga star hits a relocation three off of a pass from LeBron James and follows it up catching a full court dime for the and-one finish, sealing his defender under the basket.
His entrance not only sparked a run for a massive road win, but unlocked a much-needed two big look that head coach J.J. Redick has been searching for.
“Just impact the game,” Timme said postgame following a win over the Raptors. “Whether it’s creating mismatches or you’re getting some open shots and just playing hard. I mean, obviously it’d be nice to score 20 points like the other day, but that’s just not realistic. You have to be adaptable and just find a way to make an impact.”
Adapt or die is not only a Darwinian life philosophy, but one for an NBA player hoping to make the jump from G League star to NBA rotation player. Timme arrived in South Bay this season and promptly increased his 3-point volume. He took just 1.2 per night in eight games with the Stockton Kings last season and upped it to five attempts per game in 14 contests with LA.
That confidence continued once it entered into real rotation minutes. Instead of playing Timme at the center spot, Redick has placed him alongside a center, allowing him to be used as a spacing four. This archetype of player originally fell to the 33-year-old Maxi Kleber, who’s clearly unable to fill this position night to night
Timme has quickly shown competence playing this role off the bench. Watch below as Luka Doncic runs the team’s pet “77” action, a double on ball screen. Timme sets the first screen, flips to re-screen, and pops out while Ayon dives to the rim.
LA has been searching for an offensive punch off the bench, especially without Austin Reaves to help bolster the unit. That includes giving shots to scoring guards Nick Smith Jr. and Kobe Bufkin, fellow South Bay players.
Timme has even been given the confidence to call his own number, as shown in the clip below. Watch as he gets it in the corner against the smaller Tim Hadaway Jr. The rest of the team clears out as he backs down and scores with a nifty finger roll.
“The jumbo lineup to start the second quarter has been really impactful for us,” Redick said in a recent postgame. “The thing with that is with [Ayton], you got to make a decision because a lot of teams will put their five on Vando. With [Ayton] he can punish smaller players. Timme can punish smaller players.”
Those jumbo lineups are normally played next to LeBron James. In a short sample, those three have a +9.3 net rating.
There are two sides of the floor, though, and Timme will never be mistaken with a lock down defender but LA has found interesting ways to make up for his lack of foot speed, implementing more zone defensive schemes with mixed results.
Where he can help is with rebounding. When Ayton gets switched on the perimeter, as shown in the clip below, Timme has the size to come down and give support on the boards.
Timme went undrafted after a standout season at Gonzaga and is still on a two-way contract, meaning his games are still limited unless the Lakers convert him into a regular roster spot. These two big lineups might just be his opportunity to prove people wrong.
“I see it and it’s fuel and, at the end of the day, I’m a good player,” Timme said. “I believe in myself and my abilities and I believe that I can impact the game at any level, anywhere. Just carrying that belief with me helps push me on days where maybe I’m not as motivated, but it’s great to be able to have this opportunity and to be able to help the team, it’s great.”
Boy, can life in the NBA change in a heartbeat. One moment, you’re celebrating the first-ever clean injury report for the Phoenix Suns, the next, you’re in disbelief over Jalen Green heading to the locker room, grabbing his hamstring.
You accept that. The team is playing well, and Booker looks like he’s in one of those “takeover” modes. And then, of course, in true Suns fashion, he goes down with a nasty ankle injury. Life comes at you fast.
We’re lucky it’s just listed as a sprain with how it looked playing it back in slow-mo.
Devin Booker will be re-evaluated in one week after sustaining a right ankle sprain in Atlanta
Now suddenly, instead of getting the healthy team reps we all hoped for, the Suns are back in “next man up” mode. This piece was actually supposed to be about how Jalen Green’s return would impact the rest of the Suns. I had to scrap it and put together a survival kit instead. Luckily for Jordan Ott and company, this isn’t their first rodeo.
We don’t know exactly how long Devin Booker will be out. We do know just 36 games are remaining on the schedule, and each one will be vital in the Suns’ playoff run. The Western Conference is a bundle of teams vying for the 2-7 seeds, all within just a few games of each other.
Phoenix began its 5-game homestand with a loss against the Miami Heat on Sunday night. They play eight of their next nine games in Phoenix, so that helps. They absolutely have to get a win against a reeling Brooklyn Nets squad tonight at home.
Who Steps Up?
The obvious answer here is veteran Dillon Brooks. He has already seen an increase in usage and responsibility (on both ends) this season, so we can skip past him for now, though he will be an important piece in all of this.
We’ll need a lot more of this.
Grayson Allen is the next name that comes to mind, and he could sure use a refresh after a rough night against Miami on Sunday. He poured in 18 points, but most of his work came at the charity stripe, where he went 10-for-11. He shot just 4 of 18 from the field and 1 of 11 from three-point range.
Allen and Royce combined to go 1 of 18 from three-point range, which was a major reason why the team shot just 20% from deep in the loss. Ice cold.
As SPG notes below, the team ran a season-high 28 PnR’s for Grayson in the loss to Miami. An increase in usage and shot attempts for Allen is all but guaranteed for this next stretch. I expect a bounce-back game from Allen against the Brooklyn Nets.
They’re going to need him.
Grayson Allen ran his season-high 28 PnR's yesterday.
There's things the Suns can clean up in this time without Booker & Green, even for Allen, but his steadiness while playing multiple roles for them this season has proven valuable. pic.twitter.com/e6I7swE0VM
Collin Gillespie is the other candidate to continue his breakout season with an increased role yet again. They will likely be leaning on 30+ minutes from both Allen and Gillespie as long as Green and Booker remain sidelined.
Along with the noted increase in Allen’s on-ball usage above, Collin will likely be tasked with plenty of creation himself out of the PnR. They’ll need him to be in attack mode, hunting his own shot along with getting others involved.
Jordan Goodwin and Jamaree Bouyea are the other key pieces, who have shown they are more than capable of stepping up in big moments. Goodwin will compete every second he’s out there… we already know this.
Bouyea’s return from concussion protocol could not have come at a better time. He is a sparkplug of energy himself and has shown he is fearless in getting his own buckets and picking up full court.
He was likely a bit rusty in his first game back against Miami, but once he settles into his role again, I expect him to be a major piece for this team while their star guards are sidelined.
Suns two-way player Jamaree Bouyea as he didn't play for 10 straight games before seeing action tonight vs. Heat (5 points): "Just getting adjusted and getting back in the flow of things, but it felt good to be back out there."
A blend of increased usage from Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen as your top two scoring options, along with a more aggressive Collin Gillespie? That gives you a shot if they can get the role players hot from deep and continue to play their relentless style of basketball.
Jordan Ott has plenty of options at his disposal, but it won’t be easy without Devin Booker’s gravity. These next few games are important for Phoenix to stay afloat as they push for a top-6 seed out West.
Last night, former Tar Heel and current Chicago Bulls guard Coby White caught fire against the Los Angeles Lakers to the tune of 23 points, five rebounds and six assists. While this is more common than not for the Goldsboro native, the significance of this is the fact that he made five of his 10 three-point attempts, which was good enough to pass Kirk Hinrich in the race to score the most three-pointers in Chicago Bulls history.
Coby White has tied Kirk Hinrich for 2nd-most 3-pointers in franchise history with 1,049. Zach LaVine, with 1,130, is the franchise leader.
Now that White holds the second-place spot in the franchise history books, the only player standing in his way is current Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine, who left the Bulls after draining 1,130. White is now less than 100 threes away from breaking the record, and while it feels inevitable that he will break it, there is a problem: the NBA trade deadline.
The NBA trade deadline is February 5th at 3 PM ET, and there has been a lot of noise about White potentially being traded since he is on an expiring contract. Should the Bulls keep him until the end of the season, he will become an unrestricted free agent, meaning that he could decide to take his talents to another team after the season is over anyway. It’s a weird situation because whichever team that takes him would need to acquire him with the intent of signing him to his inevitably larger contract following the season, but by no means would that team be required to do so. The Bulls find themselves in a weird spot because at this point White has more or less become their franchise player, but he also isn’t an All-Star caliber player right now. So then, what is worth more? Losing one of your best scorers only to risk having a less productive player, or sticking it out only for White to throw them the peace sign this summer? It’s a really messy situation that Bulls VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas has found himself in, but also for anybody that pays enough attention to this franchise…it’s not surprising to say the least.
Regardless, it has been a lot of fun seeing White grow as a player and become one of the better scorers in the NBA. Enduring the dysfunction that is the Chicago Bulls front office — and at one point the coaching staff — and managing to develop into such a good player is something that other Bulls draftees did not manage to pull off in the post-Jimmy Butler/Derrick Rose era. Regardless of whether or not he breaks LaVine’s record, his contributions in Chicago will not soon be forgotten.
Tonight's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday NBA excitement begins at 8:00 PM ET when the Milwaukee Bucks head to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers. Then, at 10 PM ET, it's the LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz in a West Coast showdown. Live coverage of tonight's doubleheader begins at 7:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock. See below for additional information on how to watch each game and follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
Tonight's game marks the third and final meeting of the season between the Clippers and Jazz. Utah won the first matchup 129-108 at home on October 22, before Los Angeles answered back with a 118-101 victory on January 1 to even the series.
The Clippers enter tonight's game on a hot streak, going 15-3 over their last 18 games, including wins in eight of their last nine games. Meanwhile, the Jazz are still searching for consistency, having lost six of their last seven and 12 of their last 15 overall.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
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The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, with just one loss in their last nine games. The Utah Jazz, on the other hand, are one of its coldest, scoring just a single victory in its previous seven outings.
The injury reports for both sides are busy, which leads my Clippers vs. Jazz predictions to L.A. center Ivica Zubac, who will be asked to pick up the slack against an ailing Utah frontcourt.
Clippers vs Jazz best bet: Ivica Zubac Over 14.5 points (-115)
Ivica Zubac’s scoring output is down in January compared to the first half of the season. Entering tonight’s tilt in Salt Lake City, the Los Angeles Clippers big man is averaging 12.5 points through 11 games this month.
His nightly scoring props had totals set as high as 16.5 and 17.5 points earlier this month before dropping to tonight's 14.5. However, this matchup with the Utah Jazz is a great buyback spot for Zubac’s offensive efforts.
He faces a Utah defense ranked worst in the NBA, with a notable soft spot inside. The Jazz could be down both starting bigs against Los Angeles, with center Jusuf Nurkic doubtful (illness) and standout forward Lauri Markkanen questionable (illness).
The Clippers could also need Zubac to pick up the scoring slack should Kawhi Leonard and Kris Dunn sit out Tuesday (both questionable). He did just that in the first meeting with the Jazz back in October, leading L.A. with 19 points on 9 of 13 shooting.
Zubac snatched three offensive rebounds in that contest and is a handful on the boards, hauling in 3.6 offensive rebounds a night and scoring an average of 4.2 second-chance points – third-most in the NBA.
Even at full strength, the Jazz have a tough time limiting second-chance looks, allowing 16.2 SCP per contest with the 12th-lowest rebound rate in the land. If Markkanen and Nurkic sit out, that’s a collective 17.4 rebounds per game gone from the lineup.
Player projections for Zubac are very optimistic, ranging from 14.8 to as high as 17 points tonight. My number comes out to 15.8 points, which should have the Over 14.5 priced around -125.
Clippers vs Jazz same-game parlay
The Clippers are rolling right now, while the ice-cold Jazz could be missing some big bodies tonight.
Zubac attacks the interior and picks up extra points on offensive rebounds.
James Harden could see more touches if Leonard and Dunn are out, which means more 3-point looks. He isn’t afraid to let it fly, and player models call for 3.6 makes from downtown.
Clippers vs Jazz SGP
Clippers -8.5
Ivica Zubac Over 14.5 points
James Harden Over 2.5 made threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Sour Note
Kyle Filipowski could see extra run and involvement with injuries to Utah’s big men.
Clippers vs Jazz SGP
Clippers -8.5
Ivica Zubac Over 14.5 points
James Harden Over 2.5 made threes
Kyle Filipowski Over 13.5 points
Clippers vs Jazz odds
Spread: Clippers -8.5 (-105) | Jazz +8.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Clippers -340 | Jazz +270
Over/Under: Over 233 (-110) | Under 233 (-110)
Clippers vs Jazz betting trend to know
The Over is 16-6 (73%) in the 22 games in which Utah has closed as a home underdog this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Jazz.
How to watch Clippers vs Jazz
Location
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Date
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Clippers vs Jazz latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The NBA's trade deadline is fast approaching. In the lead-up to the much-anticipated day, we take a look at which players’ stocks are rising and falling, and what it means for fantasy basketball.
→ Watch the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock! The Bucks and 76ers get things started at 8 p.m. before the Clippers play the Jazz at 11 p.m. ET. Both games are available on Peacock. Check your local listings for the NBC game in your area.
STOCK UP
Brandin Podziemski — PG/SG, Warriors
Given Jimmy Butler’s unfortunate season-ending injury and the Warriors’ need for another offensive weapon, it feels like now is the time for Podziemski. Even in a blowout win over the Timberwolves over the weekend that limited him to 22 minutes, he had a nice 12/5/6 line with four steals, which he followed with a 12/7/4 line in Monday’s rematch — the type of balanced effort on both ends of the floor that should be typical for him (see the recent Dallas game, where he posted a 9/4/10 line with two steals). Like with any other player, there will be highs and lows. But if Podziemski can hang onto his starting spot, it’s difficult to imagine that he won’t be a productive player from a fantasy basketball standpoint.
Grayson Allen — SG/SF, Suns
With Jalen Green and Devin Booker sidelined with injuries, who else, besides Dillon Brooks, is better equipped to take on more responsibility on the offensive end? To answer my own question — Grayson Allen. Even with him cooling off from beyond the arc lately, the volume and usage for a proven scorer like himself could realistically lead to more production. The efficiency could dip without Booker’s on-floor gravity, but having the ball in his hands a bit more could also elevate Allen as a playmaker – he’s averaging a career high 3.7 assists per game. It might take him a game or two to adjust to the new role, but there’s a chance for him to unlock even more in what’s been a career-best season to this point.
The Bucks are in a tough spot. They’re struggling to win games and have an injured superstar forward who is at the center of trade deadline discussions. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, the previously mentioned superstar, currently on the shelf, a path should be paved for Kuzma to consistently fill the stat sheet for the time being. Not only does the team need to fill the forward position with minutes, but they also need to replace some of Antetokounmpo’s scoring and rebounding, which should give Kuzma a high floor each time he takes the court. I’d consider him a double-double threat with potential to have some strong scoring performances while taking on more of the offensive burden. Stock up!
If the Kings ever decide to reboot this thing and start over with a young core, fantasy managers should keep recollection of that fun December run from Raynaud, when he averaged 15.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and posted 57.6/41.7/72.4 shooting splits across 12 games — Domantas Sabonis’ return to the lineup and now the starting unit has put a halt to the momentum the rookie forward had built up previously. Raynaud hasn’t scored in double figures or recorded double-digit rebounds in six straight games and has recorded fewer than 20 minutes in two of those appearances. It’s likely he won’t come close to the type of production he experienced when Sabonis was sidelined.
Mikal Bridges — SG/SF/PF, Knicks
Despite the Knicks’ rollercoaster ride of a season, Mikal Bridges has actually put up a very solid season from a fantasy basketball perspective. While his scoring is a bit down, his assists, rebounds, steals, blocks, and three-point production are all up from a season ago. However, the offensive production hasn’t been there of late — over the last three games, the veteran wing is averaging just 9.0 points while posting 31.4/18.8/100.0 shooting splits. The solution appears to be simple: make shots — this would be massively valuable in all fantasy league types, as he remains impactful on the defensive end amidst his shooting slump. But without the efficient scoring, the fantasy value slips.
Cam Thomas — SG/SF, Nets
The 2025-26 season has been a rough one for Thomas, the former 24.0 points-per-game scorer who is now averaging 16.2 points. He missed the Nets’ most recent game against the Clippers, but even before that absence, his fantasy production had been unspectacular. Here are some stats over his past four appearances that better paint the picture: 23 total points, zero stocks, 20 total assists on 7-of-33 from the field and 3-of-14 from beyond the arc. It’s been a rough stretch for Thomas, who’s seeing his minutes and role diminish as the season goes on. Where does he go from here? Better yet, where do the Nets go from here? The answer may provide clarity on what fantasy managers should expect for Thomas’ rest-of-season outlook. Until then, there’s not much to be optimistic about.
Whoever thinks that grown men are above high-school level drama don’t follow the NBA.
This season, we’ve already seen a superstar get punched (reportedly) for making fun of an opponent’s contract blunder, and a very mid player demand(!!!) a trade out of what he believes to be a “hostage” situation. Somehow, neither of those stories takes the cake, since an all-time great is now dragging out an inevitable divorce because he doesn’t have the cojones to look like the bad guy.
What makes it sillier is that Giannis had a teammate in Dame who went through this exact saga, which resulted in them teaming up. You’d think he might’ve learned a thing or two from that, but instead, he’s copying Dame’s playbook to the tee.
With the trade deadline fast approaching and the Bucks hitting rock bottom, there’s no better time to look at what they could do with their seemingly disgruntled superstar.
First, we need to map out everything that’s led up to this point.
Timeline
Rumours about a potential Giannis departure have gone on for much longer than 6 months, but let’s focus on this season for the sake of sanity.
Sept 29th: On media day, Bucks owner Wes Eden claimed that he and Giannis had a productive meeting over the summer that ended with the star affirming his loyalty to the franchise. An hour later, Giannis said that he does not remember such a meeting. Wait, what?
October 7th: Shams reported that the Bucks gave the Knicks an exclusive window to discuss a potential Giannis trade in August, after the Greek Freak revealed New York to be the only team he’d be open to playing for, outside of Milwaukee.
Oct 22nd – Dec 1: Milwaukee starts the season 9-13 — 8-8 with Giannis in the lineup, and 1-5 without him.
Dec 1: Giannis strains his right calf, which is the same injury that kept him out of the 2024 playoffs.
Dec 3: Just days after his calf strain, Shams reported that Giannis is meeting with the Bucks again to discuss his future, before Doc Rivers stated that there have been no conversations regarding Giannis’ future and that the star loves Milwaukee. Whatever you say, Glen.
Dec 18: Two weeks after, Giannis said that he can’t control what his agent discusses with the Bucks, then bizarrely stated that he’s enjoyed being “the hottest chick in the game,” given the circulating rumours. Umm, you do realize that your agent works for you, right Giannis?
Dec 27: Giannis returns from his injury, with the Bucks going 3-6 in his absence.
Dec 28: Giannis calls out a “disrespectful” question after a reporter asked if he wants to stay in Milwaukee, saying: “I’m here, I’m here.”
Jan 8: The Athletic publishes an exclusive one-on-one interview between Giannis and Sam Amick (paywall), where the Greek Freak says that he is invested in the Bucks and isn’t going anywhere. However, he followed up and said that those feelings only applied to that day, something that he apparently says a lot to his wife(???). Maybe you don’t realize this, Giannis, but you have a lot more power in the Bucks organization than you do in your marriage.
Jan 22: Giannis calls out his teammates after a loss, saying that “guys are being selfish,” following a four-game span where he had 13 field goal attempts or fewer in every match.
Jan 23: Giannis re-injures his right calf for the third time in less than two years and provided a self-diagnosed timeline of 4-6 weeks. The Bucks sit 11th in the East with a 18-26 record and remain 3 games out of the final play-in spot.
Got all that? Good, because we’re just getting started.
What can Milwaukee do at the deadline?
Despite the Bucks’ struggles, Eric Nehm has consistently reported (paywall) that Milwaukee only has intentions of buying at the deadline. That sounds ludicrous from the outside, but if you’re part of a front office in a small market that never attracts any free agents, it’s understandable to try and keep Giannis at all costs — especially considering that Milwaukee is +5.4 per 100 possessions with him on the court, which would be the 6th best mark league-wide.
The counterargument? Well, they’re -11.2 when he sits, tying the Wizards for the worst mark in the league, and the Bucks have played more minutes without Giannis this season due to his recurring calf injuries. From an unbiased perspective, it makes absolutely no sense to buy. First, due to their lack of assets and financial constraints, the only players they could acquire are heavily distressed assets like a Zach LaVine or Ja Morant – players who frankly aren’t very good. Secondly, even if they do make such moves, it’s been years since Giannis has strung together two months of health, so why would anyone expect him to last through an entire playoff run?
How does the draft factor into this?
The biggest X-factor in all this is the upcoming draft. Milwaukee still owns the “bad” end of their own 2026 pick swap between themselves and the Pelicans, with Atlanta owning the better half of that swap. In other words, the Bucks would have the lower draft position between the two picks, and given that New Orleans is already at the bottom of the league, Milwaukee could guarantee that both picks would have high lottery odds if they pull the plug on this season.
If it hasn’t dawned on you yet, there is a possibility that the Hawks (via the Pelicans) and Bucks get the 1st and 2nd picks of the upcoming draft, thus giving Milwaukee the #2 overall selection.
Yes, really.
So what point is there in having Giannis return this season? Milwaukee is already 3 games out of the play-in, sitting 22nd in the overall league standings and just a half game ahead of the red-hot Hornets. There is a 4-game gap between them and the 25th-ranked Jazz, and another 4-game difference between the Jazz and the last-place Wizards. It might seem like a big hill to climb, but I don’t doubt Milwaukee’s ability to join that group when their .214 winning percentage without Giannis is worse than Washington’s — and that’s with them trying to win!
It makes way more sense for them to tank and get the highest pick possible. The chance to get one of Dybantsa/Boozer/Peterson is too hard to pass up, even if the odds of that happening are minuscule. Imagine if Milwaukee does end up with one of those prospects while also managing to trade for a reclamation project like Ja — a package involving Rollins and/or a lightly protected 2031/32 pick would be more than enough for any distressed asset, and I’d be lying if I said that a lineup including Ja/Giannis/Turner/lottery pick doesn’t intrigue me.
Again, I am not advising them to do that, but this franchise has made countless desperation moves as a last-ditch attempt to appease their star, and they’ve acquired criminals once-relevant players before. Even adding a mid-lottery talent could give the Bucks either an intriguing player to build around or use as a trade chip to acquire another star, which is the likeliest outcome.
Atlanta’s pick could play a big role in this as well. Would they be willing to include it in a potential package for Giannis, even if it ends up in the top-3? And if Milwaukee gets a high pick too, would they be more willing to deal the Greek Freak now that they have two potential cornerstone prospects to build around? Again, the chances of that happening are close to nil, but I’ve learned to never rule out anything after watching Dallas trade Luka and draft Cooper within the span of 5 months.
Final thoughts
A Giannis trade still seems inevitable. Even in the off chance that Milwaukee acquires a good starter along with a high pick, we’ve seen countless times that the two timelines “plan” just doesn’t work (see: Mavericks, Dallas, and Warriors, Golden State). Don’t expect him to be moved before the deadline, though, due to his injury and lack of a trade demand, but a divorce seems certain in the offseason. Still, another wrinkle in this convoluted saga is that Giannis can’t officially be offered an extension until October, and if both sides continue this situationship, it could drag out until the last minute.
So, get ready for many more months of this, peeps. The noise will only intensify from here.
This week, please check out Marilyn’s article on the Spurs’ recent complacency! San Antonio’s been in a lull ever since they beat OKC 3 times in 10 days, which is especially disappointing for a young team that hasn’t accomplished anything yet.
In this series, we’re looking at the biggest statistical differences between last season and the current one to understand how Celtics players have evolved while wearing the same jersey. Not every role change comes with an identity shift. Sometimes, it comes by filling a need. Neemias Queta’s season reflects that idea.
Coming into the year, Queta’s role was expected to evolve, but how? The answer became clear quickly. His minutes per game jumped by more than 10, one of the largest increases on the roster. His usage barely moved (+1.3%), and his scoring efficiency stayed almost identical. The Celtics didn’t ask Queta to change who he was; they asked him to fill the hole created by Luke Kornet’s departure.
That responsibility shows up first in the details. Queta’s turnover rate dropped sharply (-5.1%), while his assist rate held steady. He’s touching the ball more often without disrupting the offense, making quick reads and flowing naturally into the next action. His role isn’t to create, it’s to connect and screen for space.
Offensively, his shot profile barely changed. He’s finishing slightly less at the rim and taking marginally more short- and long-midrange shots, but nothing about his offensive diet suggests expanded freedom. The small drop in assisted field goals reinforces that point: Queta is still a finisher, just a more reliable one, now doing it on a larger volume and often against opposing starting lineups.
Where the impact becomes clearer is on the defensive end. Queta’s block rate (+0.3%) and steal rate (+0.6%) both increased, signaling greater activity. More importantly, the Celtics allowed 10 fewer points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor. That on/off differential speaks to positioning, rim deterrence, and structural defense more than highlight plays.
Another quiet but meaningful indicator is screen assists. Queta averaged 1.7 screen assists per game, a reflection of how often he’s involved before the shot even goes up. He’s creating space without needing the ball, a critical function in Boston’s offensive ecosystem, especially with a diminished spacing compared to last season.
Queta’s season isn’t about changing who he is. It’s about refinement and impact. Fewer mistakes, more repetitions, and a defensive presence that stabilizes lineups. Same jersey, different job.
Below is an overview of his statistical evolution, via Cleaning the Glass:
The Knicks (27*-18) return to Madison Square Garden tonight as heavy favorites against a lowly Kings (12-35) team that spanked New York just two weeks ago.
When the teams clashed on January 14, coach Mike Brown’s former club won almost wire-to-wire, beating the Knicks 112–101 behind DeMar DeRozan’s 27 points. DeRozan and OAKAAKUYOAK Precious Achiuwa muscled the Kings to a 32–17 first quarter, during which New York lost Jalen Brunson to a right ankle sprain just five minutes in. New York shot atrociously, making 8-of-41 from three. Mikal Bridges led the Knicks with 19 points, followed by OG Anunoby (15) and Karl-Anthony Towns (13).
Sacramento arrives having lost five straight games and nine straight on the road. On Sunday, Detroit blew their minds with a 139-116 loss. The team is a cellar dweller with a –10.19 net rating, ranking 29th offensively (120.6 ORtg) and 28th defensively (130.8 DRtg). The Kings attempt the fewest three-pointers in the league, making 35% of them, but they are a strong midrange team, thanks to DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, and Zach LaVine. Defensively, they struggle across the board, allowing 49% shooting, 35% from three, and 121.2 points per game.
For the visitors, Zach LaVine is questionable with back soreness, Malik Monk is banged up, and Keegan Murray remains out. For the Knicks: the list is clean!
ESPN.com believes in New York! They favor our gang at 86%. Yowza! Sure, by the numbers, the Knicks should clobber these guys, previous game notwithstanding. What could go wrong? Hubris. In their last two games, New York pulverized Brooklyn by 50-some points and then withstood Philly’s best punches to escape PA and a winter storm with a reassuring win. ‘Twas reassuring because they’d been reeling for a few weeks prior to that. The past two games showed what rockers the ‘Bockers can be when they go full-tilt boogie.
There might be a temptation to coast tonight, and that could bite our heroes. Worse, some players might lope along at half-steam because their names have circulated in trade rumors. Hence, if the Knicks aren’t careful . . . oh, come on. The loss in Sacramento was a weird fluke. Tonight, Jalen Brunson and the boys will stomp on the gas pedal from the jump and press it to the metal all game, trying to see if they can actually beat a team by 60 points. In the end, the reserves will lose some ground in the final quarter, but the home team wins handily nonetheless. Knicks by 18.
Game Details
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM ET Place: Madison Square Garden, NYC TV: MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but the Cup final doesn’t count.
The Knicks led by 17 points with just over eight minutes to go on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. After a choppy first half that saw the Knicks get dominated by Joel Embiid and allow the Sixers to shoot 65% from the field, the Knicks had dominated the first 16 minutes of the second half and had all but salted the game away.
Karl-Anthony Towns had barely played due to early foul trouble, and the team had been forced to go to Ariel Hukporti in a key spot in the fourth quarter. Still, all the correct buttons were being pressed for the Knicks… until it didn’t.
As the team has done so many times in the month of January, the offense ground to a halt after a Hukporti’s layup with 8:17 left. The Sixers would score 12 straight points and cut the deficit to five before the next Knicks’ basket over three and a half minutes later. Over a span of 6:20, they scored just four total points and went 1-for-14 from the field and 1-for-4 from the foul line, a truly disgusting effort to nearly piss away a big win.
Yet, they held on. They held on despite some of the worst clutch basketball you’ve ever seen, missing half their free throws, and some ill-advised decisions. Part of that was the simple fact that a lot has to go right to overcome such a deficit in so little time, but the other part was an important lineup switch made by Mike Brown, whose seat had become unexpectedly hot after the team’s disastrous start to the month.
Towns fouled out in just 16 minutes with 5:24 left. It was another bleh game for him, which is a story for another day. Brown inserted Mitchell Robinson in the game, who was a team-best plus-14 in the game and was an integral part of the team’s massive third quarter by shutting down Embiid and demolishing Philly on the boards. The decision to ride Robinson past his likely minutes limit was a big one on its own.
But Robinson had already logged over 25 minutes, a minute off his season high. If he closed the game, he would be over 30 minutes for the first time since April 11 of last season and just the third time since the December 2023 stress fracture in his ankle seemed to permanently put him on a minutes restriction. As such, Robinson only spent 86 seconds in the game before being lifted for…
Deuce McBride. Not Hukporti or Mikal Bridges, it was McBride.
Despite facing a full-throttle and healthy Embiid, Mike Brown elected to go to a bold small-ball lineup, keeping Bridges on the bench to run out a never-before-seen Brunson-McBride-Shamet-Hart-Anunoby lineup. OG Anunoby has very rarely played a small-ball 5 as a Knick and this was a bold way to use it.
Did the lineup do well? Not really, the Sixers outscored the Knicks the rest of the way. What the lineup did, however, was take Embiid out of the rhythm he was gaining to start the Sixers’ run. The former MVP had scored eight of his team’s last 11 during this run and would only manage one putback layup the rest of the game.
This possession really stood out to me. OG Anunoby guarded Joel Embiid really tightly here and didn’t fall for the attempt at drawing a foul.
Anunoby’s strength is his strength. He lacks the speed to stick a guy like Tyrese Maxey or De’Aaron Fox or any small, shifty guard, but makes his money by being able to use his strength to stonewall players who use their physicality to get points. Embiid is one of those, especially when he’s on.
They also didn’t lose anything on the boards. Grabbing rebounds isn’t always about having the bigger or savvier center, but about effort. This ludicrous standing putback dunk was a big part of holding off the Sixers.
One of the reasons the Knicks made the change from Tom Thibodeau to Mike Brown is lineup versatility. There haven’t been the revolutionary five-out spacing lineups that people envisioned (Brown has reverted to a Thibs classic to start most games), but there have been occasional lineups and adjustments that are necessary over the course of an NBA season that make you think “This is why they made the change they made.”
He passed a big test on Saturday. There are undoubtedly more to come.
Kurt Helin
Raphielle Johnson
