Jose Alvarado has made himself a fixture in the Knicks rotation in a short amount of time. Thanks to quality defense and good decision-making, Alvarado has already helped New York’s title hopes after he was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of the trade deadline.
In 19 games with the Knicks, Alvarado has already proven to be an impact player down the stretch of the season. The cost to acquire the Brooklyn-born guard was minimal. The Knicks only had to send two second-round picks and Dalen Terry to the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire Alvarado.
Listed at just 6-foot, Alvarado has been an essential part of the Knicks’ defense, providing energy and effort. In 319 minutes with the soon-to-be 28-year-old guard on the floor, the Knicks are giving up just 102.8 points per 100 possessions, per NBA Stats, a number that would rank first in the Association.
Alvarado has been effective for the Knicks as a point-of-attack defender and has also excelled as a help defender. But where he makes a significant impact is his ability to be a defensive playmaker. Alvarado is averaging 2.4 steals per 36 minutes.
The stat fits perfectly with Alvarado’s “Grand Theft Alvarado” moniker. His ability to force turnovers has an effect on the offensive end, as it creates transition opportunities and easier looks for a Knicks team that can, at times, be methodical and stuck in the half court.
Most nights, Alvarado is facing a height disadvantage, but he’s been able to hold up mainly because of his smarts on the defensive end. It has allowed Knicks coach Mike Brown to trot out units with Alvarado and Jalen Brunson on the floor together. In 104 minutes together, the Brunson and Alvarado pairing has outscored opponents by 13.5 points per 100 possessions.
It’s a small sample size and not every opponent will make sense for the combination. But it gives the Knicks additional lineup options.
Scoring drought
Alvarado has gotten off to a slow offensive start with the Knicks, averaging 5.9 points in 16.8 minutes. The diminutive guard has struggled from deep, shooting a ghastly 29.2 percent from three on 65 attempts. Outside of a few electric nights, like a 26-point, eight-three-pointer night against the Philadelphia 76ers in February, Alvarado has been quiet.
Before scoring 16 points and hitting four three-pointers in a 136-110 win against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, Alvarado went nine consecutive games without nailing a three.
Alvarado has never been a great shooter, but he’s been able to knock down shots at a passable efficiency. He shot 34.8 percent from downtown in his first four seasons. The point guard should probably rebound from his slow shooting start before the end of the season.
Alvarado is thriving as a caretaker of the ball. He has a 4.3 assist-to-turnover ratio. The guard has also formed some chemistry with Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks All-Star center is who Alvarado has passed the ball the most to so far. In 200 minutes on the floor together, Towns is averaging 39.9 points per 100 possessions, according to PBP Stats. When Alvarado is on the bench, that number falls to 30.8 points per 100 possessions.
With the potential return of Miles McBride either during the end of the regular season or during the playoffs, Alvarado isn’t guaranteed substantial postseason minutes. Both he and McBride could potentially play together in specific spots depending on the matchup.
With his defensive impact, ability to set his teammates up and constant energy, Alvarado could swing a playoff game or two for the Knicks. The guard is just what the Knicks needed for this playoff run.
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 13: RJ Barrett #9 and Ja'Kobe Walter #14 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 13, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Toronto Raptors continue their travels to Arizona, where they will go toe-to-toe tonight with the Phoenix Suns. These teams meet twice a year, with the first contest going in Toronto’s favour.
So far on this road-trip, the Raptors are 1-1. They beat Chicago effortlessly and followed that up with a close but frustrating loss to Denver. Now, they face the Phoenix Suns who are sitting 7th in the West, four games outside of guaranteed playoff contention. Toronto maintains only a one-game advantage on the Hawks who have won nine of their last ten games.
Phoenix is currently on a five-game losing streak, with the first in that slide being handed to them by Toronto last Friday. The next three were all top-10 teams, making them understandable, but then last night they dropped one to the Bucks who are 29-41 this season. It’s safe to say that the Suns will be looking to end this slump.
Devin Booker and Jalen Green have been Phoenix’s biggest offensive players. Booker is averaging almost 26-4-6 and Green has almost 18-4-3. The tandem each had 30 points the last time they took on Toronto, so it would be unsurprising if they are called on again to have big scoring nights, especially while they remained shorthanded. Dillon Brooks continues to recover from hand surgery, Mark Williams with a stress reaction in his foot, and Grayson Allen with a knee injury.
The depleted lineup should play in the Raptors’ favour, as well as their rest advantage. Pace and transition play, both big aspects of Toronto’s game can be factors tonight. With only CMB wavering on availability, their full-strength roster and fresh bodies should be able to outpace the Suns.
To improve on their last contest with the Suns, they should look to slow Booker and Green and force others to score.
Their ability to close will be more important than anything else. Against Denver, like many games this season, they could get buckets to stay within striking distance in the last couple minutes, but a few poor decisions or selfish plays cost them the game. No amount of frustration with the whistle or missed calls should suggest driving into three defenders in the paint and forcing a shot is a good idea, or that it would yield points. And yet, all too often plays like that become the undoing of Toronto in the final seconds of games.
With only a dozen games left after this one, the Raptors need to decide how they’re going to handle close games before the postseason starts. What better time to start than now?
Probable Starters
Toronto: Jakob Poeltl, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley
The Boston Celtics will look to extend their four-game win streak when they host the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at TD Garden.
Anthony Edwards is out, and my Timberwolves vs. Celtics predictions expect Ayo Dosunmu to fill his shoes admirably and keep things close on the road.
Here are my free NBA picks for this prime-time matchup on Sunday, March 22.
Timberwolves vs Celtics prediction
Timberwolves vs Celtics best bet: Ayo Dosunmu Over 26.5 points+rebounds+assists (-112)
Ayo Dosunmu has stepped up in a big way since Anthony Edwards went down, but he was starting to find his groove with Ant-Man on the court.
Across his last five, Dosunmu has averaged 29.6 PRA, hitting the Over on this line three times and finishing with 26 once more.
Over his last three as a starter, Dosunmu ranks second in points, rebounds, and assists, first in shot attempts, third in usage, and third in minutes.
The Minnesota Timberwolves' offense has been humming, and I expect Dosunmu to stay involved as a scorer, rebounder, and facilitator.
Timberwolves vs Celtics same-game parlay
The Timberwolves have covered the spread in 8 of 13 games without Edwards this season, including two of the last three.
The Boston Celtics have been average ATS at TD Garden, going 17-17 at home and 14-15 as the home favorite.
Minnesota’s offensive rating has climbed from 116.2 to 119.2 across its last three games. In that span, the team ranks third in points at a whopping 122.3.
Boston ranks 10th across the last three games at 119. Both defenses are elite, but offense has been the name of the game for both squads recently.
Timberwolves vs Celtics SGP
Ayo Dosunmu Over 26.5 points+rebounds+assists
Timberwolves +10
Over 220
Our "from downtown" SGP: Wolf pack
Julius Randle has averaged 25.8 points across 13 games without Anthony Edwards. Randle has scored 21+ in 10 of those 13, including two of his last three.
Bones Hyland has scored 12+ in seven of his last eight games and four straight. He's averaged 19 points over the last three games with Edwards on the sideline.
In 12 games played without Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert has averaged a healthy 13.8 rebounds, going for 12+ in 10 straight with Ant-Man out of action.
Ayo Dosunmu posted a 17/10/8 line in his last game out and went for 23/9/6 in the game prior. His odds to record a double-double are +1000, bringing this parlay to +4500.
For bettors looking for a little less risk, adding his o26.5 PRA line instead of the double-double brings this parlay to +1000.
Timberwolves vs Celtics SGP
Julius Randle Over 20.5 points
Bones Hyland Over 11.5 points
Rudy Gobert Over 11.5 rebounds
Ayo Dosunmu double-double
Timberwolves vs Celtics odds
Spread: Timberwolves +10 | Celtics -10
Moneyline: Timberwolves +325 | Celtics -425
Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220
Timberwolves vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Minnesota Timberwolves have hit the game total Over in 16 of their last 24 away games (+7.20 Units / 27% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Celtics.
How to watch Timberwolves vs Celtics
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Timberwolves vs Celtics latest injuries
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Purdue got close in 2024, reaching the national championship game with Zach Edey anchoring the post. Three starters on that team remain, including Smith.
The Boilers completely out-everythinged No. 15 seed Queens in the first round and get a second round matchup against No. 7 Miami.
The Hurricanes were almost equally impressive in their 80-66 first round win over No. 10 Missouri. Miami was led by a player all-too-familiar with the Boilermakers. Indiana transfer Malik Reneau scored 24 points in the Canes' win over the Tigers and has had plenty of battles with Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn. So that should be a fun matchup.
Miami have been a revelation in Jai Lucas' first year as coach. After going 7-24 last season, the Hurricanes are 26-8 and one win away from their first Sweet 16 since reaching the Final Four in 2023.
Here's more of what you need to know for today's game with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. The winner will face No. 11 seed Texas next week in San Jose.
Miami holds a 40-38 halftime lead following a jumper from Tre Donaldson before the intermission. C.J. Cox hit three straight 3-pointers for Purdue to even the game before Donaldson's last-second shot.
At halftime, Trey Renn-Kaufman leads Purdue with 12 points, while Fletcher Loyer has added 10 points and Cox has nine points. Shelton Henderson leads Miami with 10 points, while Dante Allen has eight and three others have at least six points.
Miami pulls ahead 31-29 with 3:59 left in the half on a dunk by Shelton Henderson, who is now up to 10 points for the game. Dante Allen also has eight points for the Hurricanes.
Trey Renn-Kaufman leads Purdue with 12 points, while Fletcher Loyer has added 10 points.
Purdue uses a 13-2 run to take a 19-12 lead over Miami with 12:17 left in the first half. The Boilermakers are shooting 7-of-11 from the field, with six assists already.
Fletcher Loyer already has 10 points, while Braden Smith continues to add to his assist total with two more early on.
Miami has jumped out to a 10-8 lead over Purdue following a pair of 3-pointers. The Hurricanes are 4-of-8 from the field and 2-for-3 from 3-point range. Meanwhile, the Boilermakers are 4-for-6 from the field.
Tre Donaldson hit Ernest Udeh Jr. for an alley-oop on the very first play of the game, eight seconds in.
Spero Dedes (play-by-play) and Jim Spanarkel (analyst) will have the call for the Purdue-Miami second-round matchup on Sunday, with Jon Rothstein serving as the sideline reporter.
What time is Purdue vs Miami?
Time: 12:10 p.m. ET, Sunday.
What channel is Purdue vs Miami? How to watch, streaming info
The game is airing on CBS, streaming via Paramount+.
"Malik Reneau and Tre Donaldson will be difficult matchups regardless of their Big Ten backgrounds. If the Boilers keep attacking inside out and controlling the boards, though, they're headed for San Jose."
"The much-improved defense from the last four games will have to carry over. If Purdue can get production from the post, where Miami thrived defensively against Missouri, packaged with solid enough defense, it'll win. Purdue's guards are good enough to expose the Hurricanes otherwise."
John Leuzzi: Purdue
Jordan Mendoza: Purdue
Ehsan Kassim: Purdue
Blake Schuster: Purdue
Moneyline: Purdue (-350); Miami (+275)
Spread: Purdue (-7.5)
Over/under total: 147.5
Braden Smith breaks Bobby Hurley NCAA assists record
Smith broke Hurley's record in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Queens on Friday, March 20. The senior from Indiana got the record on a dish to Trey Kaufman-Renn in the first half.
Smith finished the game with 1,083 career assists in his four year career with the Boilermakers. Purdue fans at the game gave Smith a standing ovation for the achievement.
Smith told USA TODAY Sports ahead of the tournament he was "ready to just get it over with" so he could put all of the attention toward winning Purdue's first national championship. Now with that in hand, the decorated guard can go for the two goals he had for his senior season.
"That's one of the reasons I came back, was to win and to get the record," he said. "Obviously, wanted to do it at a place that I've been for the three years prior. For me, just to be around a great bunch of guys and obviously great coaching staff, and do it with them, I think it makes it more special."
Who is Jai Lucas? Miami FL coach leads remarkable turnaround
Lucas came to Coral Gables from a star-making turn as recruiting director and assistant coach at Duke. He replaced a legend in Jim Larrañaga, who led the 'Canes to the Final Four in 2023 but saw the program fall apart after that, leading him to resign amid a horrid 7-24 season in 2024-25.
A little more than three months later, Lucas was brought in to get Miami back into the NCAA tournament. And that he did, using his recruiting acumen developed from his time at Texas through his tenure under Jon Scheyer to build an instant contender in the ACC, finishing third in the premiere basketball conference's regular-season standings. The Hurricanes went 25-8, by far the best single-season improvement in the country.
Matt Painter's March Madness record
Matt Painter has a 25-17 career record in the NCAA Tournament. This is his 18th trip to March Madness, 17th with Purdue (he led Southern Illinois to the NCAA Tournament before becoming Purdue's coach-in-waiting).
He's led the Boilermakers to eight Sweet 16s.
Dan Rorabaugh of the Palm Beach Post contributed to this story.
Prop #1: Donovan Clingan to record a double-double
-135 at bet365
The Portland Trail Blazers are just barely clinging onto a play-in spot in the Western Conference, but Donovan Clingan is doing his best to bring his team to the promised land.
The sophomore center has logged 31 double-doubles this season — good for eighth-most in the NBA — and he enters Sunday with a double-double in each of his last six contests.
Clingan is averaging 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game this month, so I don’t see him slowing down in a big game vs. the Denver Nuggets.
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: BlazerVision, Altitude
Prop #2: Jayson Tatum Under 2.5 threes
+105 at bet365
Jayson Tatum returned to the Boston Celtics lineup earlier this month following a 10-month rehab from an Achilles tendon rupture.
Unsurprisingly, the C’s star has not looked quite like himself since getting back on the court. He's shooting just 29.4% from 3-point range, well under his career average of 36.9%. He’s also made Under 2.5 threes in three of his last four games.
The Minnesota Timberwolves rank sixth in the league in threes allowed per game (12.5), so the treys won’t come easily for Tatum.
The rookie is averaging just 7.3 boards per game, so the line being set at 10.5 is a bit ambitious. Raynaud has also logged Under 10.5 rebounds in four of his last five contests.
The Brooklyn Nets are averaging just 84.6 field goal attempts per game — the third-fewest in the NBA. There won’t be many rebounds available, and Raynaud will hit the Under for a third straight game.
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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a new six-year contract with opening day starter Cristopher Sánchez.
The deal announced Sunday for last season's NL Cy Young Award runner-up begins in 2027 and will run through 2032 with a club option for 2033.
Terms were not immediately available.
Sánchez had been pitching under a $22.5 million, four-year contract that was through 2028.
He went 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 32 starts last season and struck out a career-high 212 batters. He's 30-21 overall in four full big league seasons.
Originally signed by the Tampa Bay Rays as an amateur free agent in 2013, Sánchez was acquired in a trade by the Phillies on Nov. 20, 2019, for infielder Curtis Mead.
Mead played in just 41 games for the Chicago White Sox last season while Sánchez has blossomed into one of the best pitchers in baseball and helped key the Phillies' run to consecutive NL East titles in 2024 and 2025.
The Phillies want to keep their postseason run going — four straight appearances headed into 2026 — and have locked up all veteran members of their staff to long-term deals.
KVITFJELL, Norway (AP) — Dominik Paris won his second race in two days Sunday as Italy went a perfect four-from-four at the World Cup finals.
A day after winning the downhill, Paris also was the fastest in the super-G, beating Austrians Vincent Kriechmayr by 0.07 and Raphael Haaser by 0.38 seconds.
“It's a surprise for me,” Paris said. “When I saw the green light at the finish line, I had to look twice because I couldn't believe it.”
Paris also won two World Cup races in one weekend in the Norwegian resort a year ago.
On the women’s side, Sofia Goggia and Laura Pirovano triumphed in the super-G and downhill races, respectively, and both secured the discipline title this weekend.
That, though, didn’t apply to Paris, as Swiss star Marco Odermatt had already been confirmed as the World Cup super-G and downhill champion a week ago, when he also locked up his fifth overall title.
Odermatt had a disappointing run in the last super-G of the season when he finished 1.97 seconds behind Paris in 19th, meaning he didn’t even score World Cup points.
“It’s always much cooler if you can collect another globe after a good performance, but today was my worst performance in many years,” he said.
Odermatt is the only skier with multiple super-G wins this season, and he singled out his triumph in Kitzbühel in January as his best one.
“It’s for me the biggest super-G we have on the World Cup tour, and to win there the second time now in a row was a really cool race for me, a lot of emotions,” said Odermatt, who added Olympic bronze a few weeks later.
The next men’s race at the finals is Tuesday’s giant slalom, where Odermatt can secure his fourth globe of the season. He leads the GS standings by 48 points over second-placed Lucas Pinheiro Braathen.
John Calipari, that clever ol’ dog. He just unleashed the oldest strategy in the book.
Calipari played possum his final few NCAA Tournament appearances at Kentucky. Jack Gohlke poked Cal with a stick, and there was no movement. Big Blue Nation took Calipari for roadkill, boxed him up and gladly shipped him off to Arkansas.
Calipari continued the act and rolled over the first few months into his first season at Arkansas. Kentucky fans must have thought they’d suckered Arkansas with a Trojan horse, while the Razorbacks lost six straight games in January 2025.
Stick a fork in him, eh? Calipari’s been cooked to a crisp, right?
Nope, just a veteran move. Never set the bar too high, too fast. Rein in expectations, then hit the gas.
Well, look at Calipari now. He's speeding into a second consecutive Sweet 16 with Arkansas, pedal to the metal, cruise set to 90 in the hammer lane.
Folks, this rascal rope-a-doped us! He’s still got a punch left in him yet.
How John Calipari doubled down at Arkansas
Calipari hasn’t changed all that much, either. When he crashed out at Kentucky, he encountered fair criticism he’d not leaned into the transfer portal enough, preferring instead to stick to an assembly line of A-list freshmen. Calipari’s one-and-done bonanza worked well for a while at Kentucky, but then old teams started winning in March, and Calipari’s ‘Cats took a beating from a 24-year-old sharpshooter who transferred to Oakland from Division II.
Surely, for Calipari to resurrect his career, he’d have to navigate away from his super frosh ways, yes?
“It's going to be hard for me to change,” Calipari said of how he builds his roster, two weeks before he left Kentucky for Arkansas.
Well, perhaps he won’t have to change.
Instead of entering the transfer sweepstakes, Calipari doubled down with more McDonald’s All-Americans. Combine Calipari’s recruiting chops with the Tyson chicken man’s checkbook, and Arkansas’ roster swiftly took on a shade of blue-chippers.
Never mind transfers, because Calipari hooked five-star teenagers Darius Acuff Jr. and Maleek Thomas.
Roll out the basketball, and wee! Look at them go.
Acuff went off for 36 points in a second-round win against High Point. Thomas added 19.
Who needs transfers, when you've got freshmen like these two?
Arkansas will go as far as Darius Acuff takes it
To be fair, Calipari did crack the door to some transfers. His lineup features a healthy mix of youngbloods and old bucks who’ve made a few laps around the schoolyard.
Make no mistake, though, this is Acuff’s team. It's the freshman’s show.
"We put it in his hands, and I trust him, and the team trusts him," Calipari said on TNT after the second-round win against an upset-minded High Point team.
This being the year of the freshman in college basketball, Duke's Cameron Boozer sucks up a lot of the spotlight, and still nobody’s outplaying Acuff. He’s surging up the NBA mock draft boards, too.
Acuff’s point totals in the past six games: 36. 24. 30. 24. 37. 28.
Mercy, he's good, and he needed to be against High Point, considering Arkansas' defense took a nap.
Kentucky fans must be having flashbacks. Acuff is just the type of talent Calipari used to bring to Lexington, Kentucky. More studs are on the way, too. Calipari’s latest signing class includes three five-star recruits. And, at Kentucky? Zero. As in, zero recruits, period.
Mark Pope is toiling away with pricey transfers, and while the second-year Kentucky coach tries to meet the unrelenting demands of college basketball's most rabid fan base, Calipari's got his swagger back at Arkansas, free of the pressures of the Kentucky job.
To be clear, ‘Cats fans were within their right to be miffed at Calipari in the last few years of his tenure. He wasn’t meeting the standard, particularly in March. But, Pope’s team has been no great shakes this season, either, and now Calipari is off the mat, looking rejuvenated with an SEC rival. If you had to pick either Arkansas or Kentucky to reach the Elite Eight, the team in red with the bucket-burying freshman sure seems like the smarter play.
Don’t confuse Arkansas or Calipari for an underdog’s story. High Point was Cinderella, not Arkansas. Underdogs don’t land players like Acuff. This roster didn’t come from the bargain rack. Arkansas is fully invested in the Calipari era, and the Razorbacks need to win another game or two for this to truly be a season worthy of adoration.
The way the Razorbacks are playing, fresh off an SEC tournament title, you sure wouldn’t want them located within your region.
Apparently, Calipari didn’t need to change his ways. He just needed a change of scenery and for one of his blue-chip freshmen to play in March Madness like Acuff did against High Point.
Meanwhile, that ol' possum Calipari has his bite back.
"I'm incredibly honored and excited to be named the next head coach of the Providence Friars men's basketball program," Hodgson said in a news release from the school. "This is a program with a proud tradition, passionate fan base, and a city that truly embraces its team. We're going to build something that reflects that pride. We will be tough, disciplined, and relentless in our pursuit of excellence."
Hodgson guided the Bulls to a 15-3 American Conference record, winning both the regular season and conference tournament with 12 wins to end the season to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time as a head coach.
"We are thrilled to have Bryan Hodgson join Providence College as the leader of our men's basketball program," Providence College President Fr. Kenneth Sicard, O.P., said. "Bryan brings a strong track record of leadership and a deep commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court. His dedication to integrity, hard work, and competitive excellence aligns closely with the values of Providence College. I am confident that the future is bright for Friar men's basketball, and I eagerly anticipate seeing the team reach new milestones under their new leader's guidance."
"We are very excited to welcome Bryan Hodgson and his family to Providence College," Providence College Athletics Director Steve Napolillo added. "Today we begin a new journey with Providence College men's basketball. It was my goal to find a head coach who would fit with our great athletic and academic institution. In addition, in this new revenue share/NIL landscape, I knew we needed a coach with the energy, passion and the skills to get us back to competing for championships and playing in the NCAA Tournament. Bryan has revived two Division 1 programs and it is our goal for him to bring new life into Friar men's basketball. He has 18 years of college basketball coaching experience, including five as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama. Over the last three years, Bryan has successfully used analytics, his recruiting skills and coaching to win 70 games. Bryan is a winner and we need a winning culture at Providence College. We are looking forward to the start of a new era in Friartown as we enter the 100th year of Providence College men's basketball."
Providence fired head coach Kim English on March 13 following a 15-18 record this season. English went 48-52 in three years with the program, never reaching the NCAA Tournament.
How old is Bryan Hodgson?
Hodgson was born on April 11, 1987, making him 38 years old during the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Bryan Hodgson coaching record
Here's a look at Hodgson's record as a head coach. He has never led a team to fewer than 20 wins in a season.
2023-24 (Arkansas State): 20-17, 11-7 Sun Belt
2024-25 (Arkansas State): 25-11, 13-5 Sun Belt
2025-26 (South Florida): 25-9, 15-3 American
Career: 70-37
Bryan Hodgson's coaching career
Here's a look at Hodgson's coaching career:
Head coach unless otherwise specified. Assistant role listed in parentheses
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 21: Ousmane Dieng #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks made up for their stinker in Utah, beating the Phoenix Suns 108-105, mainly due to a bunch of huge plays down the stretch. The Bucks moved the ball more and turned it over less than they did against the Jazz, resulting in a much more polished performance. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.
Obviously, Ryan made the biggest shot of the night, but I thought this was one of his best all-around games of the year. Had significant usage with KPJ out, and made good decisions with the ball, creating for himself and others. Showed great ability to play with the drop-man in pick-and-roll, pulling up from three and the mid-range, whether it was off a snake or a straight pull-up. Made an impact defensively as well.
Made a massive three late, but was caught a tad too deep in the drop on a few occasions, allowing Oso Ighodaro too much space in the pocket to get that floater off.
I thought Kuz was solid in this one, especially in the first half. Not much impact outside of scoring, but he made all his two-point shots (along with some timely threes), which is a good sign for him.
Scored six of his eight points in the second quarter, but all came in a crucial stretch where the game could have gotten away from the Bucks. Also made an impact by rebounding and setting some of the grittiest screens I’ve seen from a dude his size.
Grade: C+
Ousmane Dieng
32 minutes, 11 points, 5/11 FG, 1/3 3P, -2
If you just looked at the box score, you might think Ous played just OK. No, he was really good. Dieng was given the primary assignment on Devin Booker, and held him to 4/17 shooting. Ous had him in hell, especially throughout the fourth quarter; his size seemed to bother Booker, and crucially, his foul discipline was excellent. Yes, it wasn’t Dieng’s night from a scoring standpoint, but his defence might have won them the game.
Sneakily, Doc rolled with Nance over Kuzma to close this one, and it paid off in a huge way. It was him who located Myles Turner in semi-transition as the Bucks had a numbers advantage with just over a minute to go; ran down the middle of the lane and, without any wasted motion, caught it knowing he’d be swarmed, hitting Turner in the corner.
Back to his elite rebounding ways, eight of Sims’ 11 boards were of the offensive variety. Guess how many O-boards the team had? eight! Also had some great passes and, per usual, was great switching onto their guards and containing.
Had some important buckets to start the fourth with Rollins resting, but still wasn’t great on the whole.
Grade: C-
Taurean Prince
21 minutes, 8 points, 3/8 FG, 2/6 3P, +6
Even ventured inside the three-point line for a dunk. Defence was solid.
Grade: C-
Gary Trent Jr.
23 minutes, 11 points, 4/10 FG, 3/6 3P, +13
Made two huge threes in the fourth—one self-created (which is rare for GT) and one out of an ATO. He’s been building lately.
Grade: B-
Doc Rivers
Thought Doc coached a solid game. Opting to use Ous on Booker was great thinking. He got the likes of AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. shots out of ATOs when the team was desperately looking for a basket. Closing with Pete Nance for some extra size helped on defence down the stretch (along with his connective passing). Finally, I liked the strategy to blitz ball screens involving Suns rookie Khaman Maluach, who, at this stage in his career, needs a lot of work as a decision-maker on the short roll.
Grade: B+
DNP-CD : Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Cormac Ryan, Andre Jackson Jr.
Inactive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Porter Jr., Alex Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Gary Harris
Bonus Bucks Bits
Dieng on being given the assignment to guard Booker:
“I just love the challenge of guarding those players. Wasn’t my best night offensively, so just trying to make winning plays on the defensive end. He’s great at getting those fouls and getting to the free throw line, so just trying to show my hands, guarding him with my chest, and that’s it.”
Doc called this game “a team win,” highlighting how so many dudes contributed.
The Bucks had no turnovers in the entire second quarter.
The Suns had four fouls with 9:41 left in the fourth, which has to be some type of record.
Wisconsin Badgers legend Frank Kaminsky joined Lisa and Marques on the broadcast to reminisce on his college days, among other topics.
The game had nine lead changes.
Up Next
The West Coast trip rolls on tomorrow, when the Bucks face the LA Clippers. Catch the game at 9:30 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.
The Washington Wizards attempt to end a 15-game losing skid when they visit Madison Square Garden and the New York Knicks.
Washington’s defense has been difficult to watch and easy to score on, and my Wizards vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks expect a fast-paced, high-scoring affair at MSG.
Wizards vs Knicks prediction
Wizards vs Knicks best bet: Over 228 (-110)
This Washington Wizards defense is awful. Over the last 10 games, the Wizards rank 29th in defensive NET and 129 points allowed per game.
Washington plays at the third-fastest pace in the league, and the combination of a fast tempo and leaky defense is why Washington is 7-3 to the Over in their last 10.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks' offense has been mediocre recently, but they’ll get clean looks all night long, and the faster pace should provide enough possessions to push this game Over the total.
Wizards vs Knicks same-game parlay
Mikal Bridges is in the middle of an eight-game scoring slump, thanks to a cold stretch from deep where he’s hit just 31% over his last 11 games.
That’s well below his season norm of 37%, but he’s been more productive at home, averaging nearly 14 points per game at MSG.
This sets up as a get-right spot, and I expect the 3-ball to fuel a strong scoring night for the former Villanova star.
Wizards vs Knicks SGP
Over 228
Mikal Bridges Over 12.5 points
Mikal Bridges Over 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Bombs away!
If NY has a defensive weakness, it's the perimeter. Across the past 10 games, opponents have connected on nearly 14 triples per night.
To that end, we’ll add Bilal Coulibaly and Tre Johnson's 3-point props as Coulibaly has cleared his total in four straight, and Johnson averages two made threes in his previous 10 contests.
Karl-Anthony Towns has hit 2+ triples in three of his previous five games and has the same good fortune as Bridges against this leaky Washington defense.
Wizards vs Knicks SGP
Tre Johnson Over 1.5 threes
Bilal Coulibaly Over 1.5 threes
Mikal Bridges Over 1.5 threes
Karl-Anthony Towns 1.5 threes
Wizards vs Knicks odds
Spread: Wizards +20 | Knicks -20
Moneyline: Wizards +1250 | Knicks -2500
Over/Under: Over 228 | Under 228
Wizards vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Wizards have gone Over the total in 17 of their last 24 games for +9.3 units and a 35% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Wizards vs. Knicks.
How to watch Wizards vs Knicks
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Monumental SN, MSGSN
Wizards vs Knicks latest injuries
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HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 21: Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets celebrates after the game against the Miami Heat on March 21, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Houston Rockets were locked into a close game with the Miami Heat in which they had given up a big Heat run, including a goaltend on Jabari Smith Jr. to give the Heat the late lead, but Amen Thompson tipped in the game winner at the buzzer off of a Kevin Durant miss to give the Rockets the 124-123 win.
AMEN SAVES KEVIN DURANT'S HISTORIC NIGHT 🚨
Amen Thompson hits the game-winner for the Rockets the same night KD passed MJ on the all-time scoring list 🚀 pic.twitter.com/CCcDP8ANAU
The Rockets were led by Kevin Durant’s 27 points, as he passed Michael Jordan for fifth on the all-time scoring list. KD also added 3 rebounds and 3 assists. He was 9-for-17 from the field and 5-for-9 from three. Thompson had 24 points and 18 boards on 10-for-17 shooting, as well as the game-winner. He was even 1-for-1 from three.
Reed Sheppard came to play, as he once again was the Rockets starting point guard. He finished with 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting and 5-for-8 from deep. He also added a game-leading 14 assists as well as 4 steals and turned the ball over zero times. Keep the kid out there, coach! The Rockets are now 10-2 when Reed starts.
Alperen Sengun had 19 points and 12 boards and Jabari Smith Jr. Had 13 points to send all five Rockets starters into double-figures.
The Heat were led by Bam Adebayo, who had a monster 32-points, 21-rebound night, but the Rockets were able to overcome that with a second straight night of quality team baskteball. They shot 52 percent and had 33 team assists to just 13 turnovers. What we’ve been learning is that the Rockets look way better with a point guard who can shoot in the lineup. It’s just a shame that it took Ime Udoke three-quarters of a season to figure that out as well.
The Rockets now move to 43-27 on the season and hold a half game lead over the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. They’ll be back in action on Monday, as they head over to Chicago to take on the Bulls.
Fans already faced impossibly long odds of creating a perfect bracket. So having upsets on Day 1 took out a massive chunk of brackets. However, the chalkiness of the ensuing games — with just one double-digit seed headed to the Sweet 16 — likely also eliminated a bunch of brackets.
As of 8 a.m. ET on March 22, four perfect brackets remain in either the ESPN or NCAA bracket challenges. The NCAA did not provide the full number of brackets entered, but ESPN did. Only two of the 26,029,409 remain.
The biggest culprit on Saturday was No. 11 Texas' upset win over No. 3 Gonzaga. Before the game, 120 perfect brackets remained. Following the Longhorns' win, we were down to 27.
The four remaining perfect brackets
Here they are. The four smartest (or luckiest) bracketologists (of more than 26 million) of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, according to the NCAA:
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 02: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Target Center on January 02, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Celtics defeated the Timberwolves 118-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Boston Celtics Date: March 22nd, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CDT Location: TD Garden Television Coverage: NBC, Peacock, Telemundo Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There’s a certain kind of loss that tells you everything you need to know about a team.
Not the buzzer-beater losses. Not the “we got unlucky” losses. Not even the “their best guy went nuclear” losses. I’m talking about the ones where you can rewind the tape, pause it in the middle of the second quarter, and say, “this is where it slipped away”, even if the final margin comes down to one possession and a corner three.
Friday night against Portland? That was one of those.
The Timberwolves had the opportunity sitting right there in front of them: finish the homestand 3–0, stack another win without Anthony Edwards, and create a little breathing room in the Western Conference standings. Instead, they walked away with a loss that dropped them from the fourth seed to the sixth. Minnesota now finds itself in a three-way tie with Houston and Denver, and, because the Wolves won’t allow themselves to have nice things, they hold none of the tie-breakers.
The worst part? You can’t even chalk it up to bad luck.
Yes, the final defensive sequence is what everyone will remember. Minnesota was clinging to a one-point lead and needed one defensive stop. Just one. And instead, they give up offensive rebound after offensive rebound, can’t secure the ball, can’t finish the possession, and eventually Jerami Grant is standing in the corner with six seconds left on the shot clock like he’s at an open gym, calmly drilling the go-ahead three.
Game over.
But if you think that’s why the Wolves lost, you weren’t paying attention. This game was lost long before Grant’s shot. It was lost on the glass. It was lost in the paint. And most of all, it was lost during a second quarter stretch that felt like watching a car skid off black ice in slow motion.
Portland scored on 10 of 11 possessions. It wasn’t just bad defense. It was a complete breakdown of structure, communication, and effort. The perimeter defense fell apart, which meant driving lanes opened up like automatic doors at a grocery store. The Blazers got uncontested looks at the rim. Minnesota couldn’t string together stops. And on the other end, the Wolves looked like five guys who had just met each other in the parking lot.
Ball movement? Gone. Shot selection? Questionable at best. Rhythm? Nonexistent.
By the time the dust settled, Minnesota was down 17 points, and the game had already tilted in a way that made everything else harder than it needed to be.
Now, to their credit, the Wolves did what they’ve done a handful of times this season. They fought back. They erased the deficit. They actually took the lead by the end of the third quarter and gave themselves a chance to win.
But that’s kind of the problem with this team, isn’t it? They’re constantly asking themselves to be perfect late because they weren’t disciplined early.
If they don’t dig that 17-point hole, they don’t need that final stop. If they don’t get outworked on the boards all night, maybe Portland doesn’t even have a chance to take that shot. If they defend with purpose for 48 minutes instead of 40, maybe we’re talking about a professional, workmanlike win instead of another postmortem.
At this point in the season, there are no moral victories. Not with the standings this tight. Not with the playoffs looming. Not when every game swings three spots in the bracket depending on how things break. Here’s the reality now: the Wolves have gone from flirting with the three seed to sitting in the six, tied with Houston and Denver, holding zero tiebreakers, and staring at a schedule that does them absolutely no favors. And oh yeah… Anthony Edwards is still out.
So now the conversation shifts from “can they climb?” to “can they survive?” Because coming up next is Boston, then Houston, and then Detroit. That’s not a stretch you ease into while trying to rediscover your identity. That’s a stretch that exposes you if you don’t have one.
Let’s start with Boston, because that’s the immediate problem. The Celtics are getting healthier. Jayson Tatum is back. Jaylen Brown is still Jaylen Brown. They’re one of the most complete teams in the league when they’re right, and unlike Minnesota, they’ve shown an ability to weather adversity without completely losing their footing.
And if we’re being honest, it’s not entirely clear how the Wolves match up with them right now without Edwards. Which doesn’t mean they can’t win. It just means the margin for error is basically nonexistent. So if they’re going to pull this off, it’s going to require a level of discipline and execution we haven’t consistently seen.
Here are the keys to the game…
#1 – Value every single possession.
The Wolves have had a bad habit lately of being careless with the ball and sloppy with their decisions, which often turn into easy transition opportunities. You cannot give Boston free points. Every possession has to mean something. Every pass has to have purpose. If Minnesota starts gifting the Celtics extra chances, this thing could get out of hand quickly.
#2 – Win the rebounding battle.
On Friday night, Portland outworked them, plain and simple. Boston doesn’t have a Donovan Clingan-type rim presence, but they absolutely will scrap, rotate, and crash when the opportunity is there. Rudy Gobert needs to be a vacuum. Julius Randle, who, let’s be honest, had a rough night against Portland, needs to be better. Nothing deflates a team faster than playing 20 seconds of good defense and then giving up an offensive rebound and a reset.
#3 – Hunt high-efficiency offense.
The second quarter against Portland was a masterclass in what not to do. Forced shots. Stagnant possessions. Hero ball without the hero. Against Boston, that’s a death sentence. This needs to be a connected offense. That means feeding Gobert around the rim, getting McDaniels and Randle downhill, and creating clean looks for guys like DiVincenzo, Bones, and Ayo. You’re not going to out-talent Boston without Edwards. You have to out-execute them.
#4 – Do not allow the avalanche. We’ve seen it too many times this season. A bad three-minute stretch turns into a bad five-minute stretch, which turns into a double-digit deficit that suddenly feels insurmountable. Boston is one of the best “run” teams in the league. They smell blood, and they go on those 12–2 bursts that flip games. Minnesota has to recognize those moments early. That’s on the players to stay mentally locked in, and it’s on Chris Finch to hit the timeout button before things spiral.
#5 – This has to be a Julius Randle game.
There’s just no way around it. Without Edwards, there isn’t a version of this game where the Wolves win and Randle is just “fine.” He has to be great. Not just as a scorer, but as a leader, a rebounder, a defender, a facilitator. Friday night was probably his worst performance of the week, and it showed. The engagement wasn’t there. The physicality wasn’t there, and it cost Minnesota the game.
The good news? We’ve seen the version of Julius that can carry this team. The one who attacks, who bodies people, who makes quick decisions, who bends the defense and opens everything up for everyone else. That version exists. Minnesota needs him to find it again… immediately.
This week isn’t about aesthetics. It’s not about style points. It’s not about proving anything to the national media or climbing some imaginary power rankings.
It’s about survival.
The Wolves had a chance to make things easier on themselves Friday night, and they let it slip. Now the margin is thinner, the schedule is tougher, and the stakes are higher.
They don’t have to be perfect, but they do have to be better.
And they have to figure it out quickly, because the standings aren’t going to wait for them to get comfortable.
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 21: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 21, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Saturday night marked the fifth straight loss for the Phoenix Suns, and you can feel the frustration starting to seep in. On the surface, the reasons are clear. The team is banged up. The injury report before games reads like a CVS receipt. It is long, it is exhausting, and it impacts everything. But even with that, they are right there late. But their poor decisions are costing them the opportunity to win.
They are in the game, within reach, close enough to grab it, and then it slips. They run out of gas. They run out of options. They run out of answers. Execution fades, possessions tighten, and the game gets taken from them. That is where this frustration lives. Because it is not about being blown out, it is about being close and not finishing.
After the loss to San Antonio, I was not mad. I was disappointed. There is a difference.
This one hits different. Losing to Milwaukee without Giannis brings out something else. This is not a powerhouse version of the Bucks. This is a team that is navigating the end of its season with a different agenda, one that includes positioning for the future. You can see it, and you can feel it. And still, the Suns could not take advantage.
That is where the frustration comes from. Because the opportunity was there. Another winnable game, another moment to stop the slide. And once again, it slipped away.
And it keeps coming back to the same place late in games. Devin Booker.
He is the highest-paid player on the floor. He is the one who is supposed to take control when things tighten, when possessions matter most. That is the expectation and that is the responsibility. Right now, it is not showing up consistently. You watch Ryan Rollins (who?) attack the rim without hesitation, getting downhill, putting pressure on the defense. Then you watch Booker settle. Midrange looks that are not falling. Turnovers at the worst times. Situational decisions that leave you scratching your head, like taking a two when you are down three with under 20 seconds left.
Those are the moments. Those are the possessions that define games, and right now, they are not going Phoenix’s way. Booker is the one who has to change that.
Did he look hurt? Yeah, there were moments where you could see it. A slight hobble, a lack of burst, something that did not look quite right. And maybe that is part of the explanation for a 4-of-17 night and only 14 points. But if that is the case, then adjust. Dictate the offense, do not become it. Lean into the guys around you. Let Collin Gillespie organize. Let Jalen Green attack. Let Jordan Goodwin bring that energy and pressure. Use your gravity to create opportunities rather than forcing yourself into every possession.
Because when you try to carry it while not at full strength, it can swing the wrong way. And in this one, it did. Yes, the team is injured. That is real. But it cannot be an excuse for poor decision-making. That is what is fueling this losing streak.
You look at a moment like tonight, up 91–84, with control of the game starting to tilt your way. Jalen Green was rolling, feeling it, and instead of settling into a quality possession, he pulled up for a 27-foot three. A heat check. And it missed. Momentum gone. That is the difference. Those are the possessions that matter. Not the highlight plays, not the runs, the decisions in between. The ones that either steady you or derail you. Right now, they are derailing the Suns.
Jalen Green cooking in the fourth…and then he takes a 27-footer. Decision making…will it ever improve?
The injuries make everything harder. They shorten the margin and they force different lineups and roles. But the decisions are what swing games, and too often, Phoenix is making the wrong one at the wrong time.
We know help is coming. The troops are on the sideline, and at some point, the opportunity to turn this around should be there. The problem is that the clock is not slowing down. The season is entering its final stretch, and the runway is getting shorter.
We gave Jalen Green about 20 games to find his legs and get comfortable again. What does that timeline look like for Dillon Brooks or Mark Williams? That is where this gets tricky.
It is a strange place to be. This is a team that has overachieved relative to preseason expectations, and now it feels like it is drifting back toward them. Injuries are the primary driver, everyone understands that. Still, you need more from your max player. That is part of the deal. Because even with everything working against them, the Suns have been in these games. They are right there. They simply cannot finish, and that is where the frustration turns into anger.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
It is funny how this works. I sit here writing about different players and how the Suns could best utilize them, and then they hear it. I say Collin Gillespie should probably move to the bench now, start getting comfortable in the role he will have once Dillon Brooks returns.
His response? 24 points. 6-of-11 from beyond the arc.
So maybe there is a lesson in there somewhere. Maybe I should keep writing those pieces, keep pushing buttons, keep saying what players cannot do. Because every time it happens, it feels like they go out and prove the opposite. And Gillespie did exactly that against San Antonio.
That performance gave him his 11th Bright Side Baller of the season, second only to Devin Booker. That says a lot about this season, about who he is, and about what he is becoming.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 71 against the Bucks. Here are your nominees:
Donovan Clingan
Jayson Tatum
Maxime Raynaud
