Category: NBA

After a much-needed win on Monday in Washington D.C., the Golden State Warriors head north to try to make it two straight Ws. Unfortunately, they’re playing a much, much harder team: the Boston Celtics. In case you haven’t been paying attention to the NBA this year, the Celtics have had a magnificent season, despite Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear … and, just as importantly, Tatum has returned.

While the Warriors are still missing a lot of key players, they are mercifully getting healthier. Quinten Post, and Gary Payton II, who were listed on the initial injury reports with questionable health, are now listed as available. Draymond Green, who has been a staple of the injury report lately, is nowhere to be found. And not only is Kristaps Porziņģis absent from the injury report for what is the Dubs’ third-straight game against one of his former teams, but Steve Kerr revealed that the former All-Star is ready for a minutes increase.

That said, Boston is still the much healthier team. Here’s the full injury report.

Warriors

Out — Steph Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)

Curry has been traveling with the team, and Kerr revealed that he went through a workout on Tuesday. Golden State will provide an injury update on Saturday.

Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery)

Butler, who is out until probably January or February, surprised the team by joining them on their six-city road trip. Hopefully that means that his rehab is going well.

Out — Moses Moody (right wrist sprain)

It looked like Moody was close to a return, but sadly that no longer is the case. It’s looking like he’ll probably miss the entirety of the road trip.

Out — Al Horford (right soleus strain)

No updates on Horford. He’ll probably be out for a while, but hopefully is back in time to get in a rhythm before the play-in tournament.

Out — Seth Curry (left adductor strain)

Still just four games played this year for the younger Curry brother. What a bummer.

Out — LJ Cryer (left hamstring injury management)

It’s really such a bummer that Cryer has dealt with so many injuries at a time when there would be a bunch of minutes for him. He’s really impressed in the rare instances when he’s been healthy.

Celtics

Out — Nikola Vučević (right ring finger fracture)

Vučević was playing a key role for the Celtics after coming over in a deadline trade, but suffered a finger injury in his 12th game with the team. He’ll be re-evaluated shortly before the playoffs.

Enjoy the game, Dub Nation. It tips of at 4:00 p.m. PT on ESPN.

The history books will rightfully remember last year's March Madness as a chalk, with four No. 1 seeds in the Final Four and three No. 2 seeds in the Elite Eight. But as the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament first round gets set to begin on Thursday, March 19, it's perhaps worth noting what happened to the bracket on the first two days of college basketball's biggest event in 2025.

Five double-digit seeds pulled off upsets in the first round, including four from non-power conferences. Only one (No. 10 seed Arkansas) advanced to the Sweet 16, which significantly reduced the brackets busted and eventually led to just the second Final Four featuring all No. 1 seeds since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

The 2026 NCAA Tournament field is also seen as top-heavy by college basketball experts, but there are several intriguing opportunities for a potential Cinderella to emerge this year. Here's a look at five March Madness first-round games that could produce an upset this week:

Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers

March 18, 2026

Location: Toyota Center — Houston, Texas

TV: ESPN

Radio: KBME Sports Talk 790

Online: Rockets App, SCHN+

Time: 830pm

Probable Starting Lineups

Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun

Lakers: Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Lebron James, Marcus Smart, DeAndre Ayton

The NBA playoffs are just around the corner. Sure, there is still time for teams on the cusp to make one final push for the postseason, but for the most part, we know which teams are competing for an NBA title.

That said, many of the teams in the middle of the pack in each conference are jumbled up, so close together that a bad or good stretch could determine whether they get home-court advantage in their opening series or the conference semifinals.

As it stands right now, as of the afternoon of Wednesday, March 18, the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed Boston Celtics are just eight games ahead of the No. 8 seed Atlanta Hawks. In the West, the No. 3 and 6 seeds are within 1.5 games of one another.

A lot could happen between now and the end of the regular season that could shape the postseason. That said, it's still interesting to look at where each team would fall if the season ended today.

NBA playoff bracket

Records and standings through games played on Wednesday, March 18

*-indicates play-in team

Eastern Conference

1. Detroit Pistons (49-19)
2. Boston Celtics (45-23)
3. New York Knicks (45-25)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (42-27)
5. Toronto Raptors (38-29)
6. Orlando Magic (38-30)
7. Miami Heat (38-31)*
8. Atlanta Hawks (37-31)*
9. Philadelphia 76ers (37-32)*
10. Charlotte Hornets (35-34)*

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (54-15)
2. San Antonio Spurs (51-18)
3. Los Angeles Lakers (43-25)
4. Houston Rockets (41-26)
5. Denver Nuggets (42-27)
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (42-27)
7. Phoenix Suns (39-30)*
8. Los Angeles Clippers (34-34)*
9. Golden State Warriors (33-35)*
10. Portland Trail Blazers (33-36)*

When does NBA regular season end?

The regular season will end on Sunday, April 12. The play-in tournament will start just two days later on Tuesday, April 14 with games played through Friday, April 17.

The classic NBA postseason will begin on April 18.

How does NBA play-in tournament work?

The tournament is divided into three games for each conference.

The first game will see the No. 7 seed host the No. 8 seed with the No. 7 seed in the playoffs on the line. The loser will face the winner of the game between the conference's No. 9 and No. 10 seeds.

Whoever loses that third game will be eliminated from the postseason, while the winner will claim their conferene's No. 8 seed and a date with the No. 1 seed in the first round of the playoffs.

NBA playoffs schedule

• Play-in tournament: April 14-17
• First round: Begins April 18
• Second round: Expected to start early May
• Conference finals: Expected to start late May
• NBA Finals: June 3 - June 10/17 (dependent on series lengths)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who's in, out of NBA playoffs if the season ended today?

Throughout the season, we have used FTN’s new NBA StatsHub to help separate surface-level production from true impact. Those advanced metrics have provided the necessary context to effectively identify emerging stars, analyze trades, give insight into awards races, and provide analysis on the league’s top playoff contenders.

Now, as the regular season enters its final stretch, the focus shifts to identifying which stars are peaking at the right time. Using NBA StatsHub, let’s take a look at a few players who are playing at a high level since the All-Star break.

Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets

In the coming days, Kevin Durant will surpass Michael Jordan for the fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Yet, the 37-year-old Durant, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the middle of his prime, isn’t just stat-padding his Hall of Fame resume.

Since the All-Star break, he’s averaging 25.9 points on only 17.5 field goal attempts per game. He’s the only player in the league averaging 25+ points while shooting 50%-plus from the field, 40%-plus from 3-point territory and 90%-plus from the free throw line.

He leads the NBA by a substantial margin in Points Over Expectation (+5.5) in that span, with Luka Dončić (+4.1) and Anthony Edwards (+3.8) a distant second and third, respectively.

Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

Earlier this season, we examined the league’s most underrated scorers using Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation and came away wondering if Kon Knueppel could be the NBA’s next superstar.

Since that point, he’s averaged 19.7 points per game while shooting 49.3% from the floor, including 44.0% from 3-point territory. Since the All-Star break, he ranks sixth in the entire NBA in Points Over Expectation. He’s been Charlotte’s most valuable player during that stretch, with an incredulous +22.4 Net Rating.

Knueppel was +500 in the Rookie of the Year race when we wrote Feb. 18 that he has been the NBA’s most impactful first-year player. One month later, he’s -200 to win the award, looking like a clear and obvious favorite if he can stay healthy during the final month of the regular season.

James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers

Immediately following the Cavaliers trade for James Harden, ESPN gave Cleveland a B grade for the deal. CBS Sports gave Cleveland a C. Bleacher Report was the most critical, giving the Cavaliers a D+.

We gave Cleveland an A+ for the trade, arguing that Harden is still a high-impact player.

Since the trade, the Cavaliers own the second-best offensive rating in the NBA, despite Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen both missing substantial time due to injury.

A big reason for their success has been the play of Harden, who ranks 7th in the league in Points Over Expectation since the All-Star break. The team has a +4.7 Net Rating with him on the floor, benefitting from his playmaking ability, efficient scoring and veteran leadership.

The Cavaliers have emerged as the primary threat to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference. If healthy, they have their best chance to return to the NBA Finals since LeBron James left for the Lakers nearly a decade ago.

The Takeaway

Kevin Durant, Kon Knueppel and James Harden haven’t simply been filling the stat sheet on a nightly basis because they take a lot of shots or operate in a high-usage role for their respective team. These players are offering measurable, sustainable benefits to their club at the most important time of the season.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

If you thought the Utah Jazz’s overall record was bad, their mark against division rivals is even worse – and it’s not likely to get any better tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This feels like a hopeless task for a Utah team that’s 1-11 against the rest of the Northwest Division and firmly in full tank mode, but my Jazz vs Timberwolves predictions target one of the visitors’ youngsters getting a chance in the spotlight.

Check on my NBA picks for this clash on Wednesday, March 18. 

Jazz vs Timberwolves prediction

Jazz vs Timberwolves best bet: Cody Williams Over 20.5 points + rebounds + assists (-115)

The Utah Jazz don’t seem focused on boosting their win total, but the coming weeks give them a chance to evaluate their roster. That’s good news for Cody Williams, who has played 36+ minutes in six straight games, hitting this combo Over in five of them.

Williams posted an eye-popping 34-7-7 stat line on Sunday and should be active again as Utah navigates games without Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George.

Even though the Minnesota Timberwolves can be elite defensively, Williams doesn’t need to match his season averages to make this prop a winner.

Jazz vs Timberwolves same-game parlay

Even on the second night of a back-to-back set, the T-Wolves have the defensive studs to keep Utah at bay, but the offense will largely be in the hands of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

Randle is coming off back-to-back 32-point outings, and I expect DiVincenzo to bounce back from last night’s 0-for-8 dud, as he boasts a 39% mark from downtown.

Jazz vs Timberwolves SGP

• Timberwolves -13.5
• Julius Randle Over 25.5 points
• Donte DiVincenzo Over 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Stifle Tower

No one needs to tell the Jazz about Rudy Gobert’s impact. 

This SGP jumps on the Frenchman’s presence around the rim at both ends of the floor, and he’s coming off a monster effort last night, finishing with 19 rebounds and four blocks.

Naz Reid’s absence should also mean an uptick in minutes for Gobert.

Jazz vs Timberwolves SGP

• Rudy Gobert Over 12.5 points
• Rudy Gobert Over 13.5 rebounds
• Rudy Gobert Over 2.5 blocks
• Timberwolves -13.5

Jazz vs Timberwolves odds

• Spread: Jazz -13.5 (-110) | Timberwolves +13.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Jazz +550 | Timberwolves -800
• Over/Under: Over 230.5 (-110) | Under 230.5 (-110)

Jazz vs Timberwolves betting trend to know

The Timberwolves are 8-2 SU in their last 10 meetings with the Jazz. Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Timberwolves.

How to watch Jazz vs Timberwolves

Jazz vs Timberwolves latest injuries

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

Yesterday’s announcement that Giannis Antetokounmpo would miss some time with a hyperextended left knee probably came as a relief to many Bucks fans. Milwaukee is 6.5 games out of the East’s 10th seed with 14 games remaining, making it essentially impossible to climb back into the race, so there are plenty who feel the star should be—or should already have been—shut down. The temptation to tank and improve lottery position remains, even as other teams that exited the playoff hunt earlier already tanked harder. Though the Bucks are just 2-6 since Giannis returned from his calf strain, they have only just now moved into a tie for the ninth spot with the Bulls.

Today, we have a report from The Athletic’s Eric Nehm—later echoed by ESPN’s Shams Charania—that Giannis and the team are “at odds” about what to do moving forward. The Bucks, probably on the same side as most fans, want Giannis to remain sidelined as the year ends. A fair ask, considering he’s missed 32 games this season with a variety of lower-body injuries and the team isn’t really battling for seeding. Ever the competitor, Giannis doesn’t want to do that, though: he wants to play, presumably when/if he’s cleared.

Whether the team’s medical staff clears him anytime soon is unknown. Yesterday’s report stated he’d be reevaluated in a week, so nothing appears imminent, but it’s not just the knee: he also sprained his ankle last week. Add that to the calf strain that hampered him from December into March, plus a groin strain in November, and it’s not hard to see him as less than 100% on the floor, no matter what he’s self-diagnosed. To the organization and fans, Giannis’ health is a top—probably the top—priority.

The issue here is weighing what makes Giannis happy. Even if they’re far removed from the race, he clearly wants to be playing. I don’t think the Bucks’ sole motivation here is necessarily to lose more games and move into a higher lottery position, even though this from Nehm might suggest that’s the case:

The Bucks, per league sources, have made it clear to their franchise centerpiece that it would be in their shared interest for him to sit out with the team currently 6 1/2 games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the final Play-In Tournament spot. While injuries have forced Antetokounmpo to miss 32 games already this season, league sources tell The Athletic the 10-time All-Star forward has informed the team he has no desire to cut his season short.

And later in the same article:

Bucks leadership has already approached Antetokounmpo about the idea of not playing another game for Milwaukee this season, which the franchise’s all-time leading scorer firmly rebuffed, league sources told The Athletic Tuesday.

“Shared interest” can merely just mean “we want you healthy, you want to be healthy” with no regard towards the standings. After all, it’s going to be tough for Milwaukee to move further down: at 28-40, they could stay in ninth depending on how Chicago finishes, but they are at least 4.5 games clear of other teams. Memphis is in eighth, with Dallas and New Orleans—who own the right to swap picks with Milwaukee—tied in sixth. All have 23 wins and either 44 or 46 losses. Even without Giannis, it will be nearly as hard to surpass those teams as it would be to make the playoffs. Those franchises are also trying to tank. On the flip side, they are 4.5 games clear of Portland in 11th, so the 9–10 range seems all but guaranteed, regardless of how long Giannis misses.

What I think this ultimately comes down to is being on the same page with Giannis. Of course, neither party wants him to sustain a more catastrophic, long-term injury. For their part, the Bucks want Giannis to extend this summer: he’s the most important player in franchise history, and without him, their profits completely dry up along with whatever title odds employing him brings (which are never zero, as long as he’s here, healthy, and in his prime). Giannis wants to be back in the business of competing in the playoffs, which could happen in Milwaukee as soon as next year if the Bucks play their cards right this offseason. One-year gaps in contention are common: see Golden State in 2019–20, Philadelphia and Phoenix last year, etc.

For Giannis’ part, he needs to listen to the medical professionals. On Sunday, he told trainers he thought he could have reentered the game, but they convinced him it wasn’t worth it since they were up double-digits at the time. Good on him for taking their advice. He said after the game he didn’t think he needed any imaging, but the Bucks had him undergo it yesterday anyway. Those results came back clean, per Doc Rivers.

I was in that postgame huddle on Sunday, and Giannis seemed outwardly positive about his conversation with the trainers and respected their opinion. But that’s just a single game, not the remaining 14, and it’s a medical opinion not being relayed by the front office. I don’t necessarily think this is the high drama some will undoubtedly spin it as, but the Bucks have a delicate line to walk here. Tanking isn’t something Giannis wants, and he’s going to approach this offseason looking for reasons to stay in Milwaukee. Being told not to play when he’s medically cleared—which he currently is not, we can safely assume—probably won’t sit well with him.

I’m of the belief that when the medical staff clears him to play, the front office should acquiesce. It’s incumbent on those professionals to clear him responsibly, affirming that no, he won’t be risking significant injury to play NBA basketball, whenever that may be. Whether that’s in a week or two, or it’s the final week of the season, we don’t know. But since his presence is pretty unconnected from their record at this point, and assuming Giannis continues respecting trainers’ opinions (he’s never indicated he has anything less than complete trust in them), the Bucks should let him play when they say it’s safe. Shutting him down unnecessarily strains a player-team relationship that must be preserved entering the offseason.

Globe Bracket Round 2: What is the best soundbite in Boston sports history?

Marcus Smart recalls 2018 incident that almost cost him his right hand

Warriors at Celtics preview: Kristaps Porzingis returns to TD Garden for the first time since leaving the Celtics

CelticsBlogOn International Women’s Day, one Celtics reporter reflects on her journey

Three big questions ahead of Celtics-Warriors

The Celtics are building an army of Derrick Whites

Luka Garza shares story that perfectly captures the Celtics season

Celtics, Warriors matchup will be lacking several key stars

CLNS MediaDoes Al Horford regret leaving Celtics? | Still Poddable

Celtics .com3/18 Game Preview: Warriors at Celtics

NBC Sports Boston ‘Like old times’: Tatum-Brown duo off to a dominant start for Celtics

NESNHow to Watch Celtics vs. Warriors Tonight: Channel, Live Stream & Start Time for NBA Game

Celtics Star Shares Beer With Jimmy Fallon On ‘The Tonight Show’

Celtics Skeptic Finally Changes Tune After Impressive Win Vs. Suns

Mass Live Experts release new Celtics vs. Warriors prediction after Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis headline new player props

Warriors injury report: Al Horford will not play in Celtics return

Celtics Wire Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors: Stream, lineups, injury reports, broadcast (3/18)

Today in Boston Celtics history, Brian Scalabrine, Kedrick Brown, Glenn McDonald born

Havlicek Stole the Pod: Checking in on awards races for the Boston Celtics, NBA

The AthleticA Jayson Tatum-Tom Brady comparison? Here’s one that’s hard to ignore

Boston Sports Journal Luka Garza’s trade deadline story perfectly encapsulates this Celtics team

BSJ Live Coverage: Celtics vs. Warriors 7:00 p.m. – Keeping things rolling

Hardwood Houdini Celtics have yet to even unleash their ace in the hole

Kristaps Porzingis brings the Celtics’ biggest secret to success to light

Celtics can’t overthink winning formula as Jaylen Brown defines new balance

Lack of buzz for Neemias Queta is a huge indictment of major NBA award

Celtics still feeling Al Horford’s impact even after his departure

CLNS MediaKristaps Porzingis NOT GOING TO CRY During Celtics Tribute | Pregame Interview

Jaylen Brown + Jayson Tatum Discuss REUNITING After Return from Injury | Celtics Daily

Luka Garza on Tight-Knit Celtics Locker Room | Celtics Interview

Fadeaway World Predicting The 8 Players Each NBA Team Will Protect In The Expansion Draft

Behind the Buck PassBucks’ envy is only growing over Celtics’ franchise-altering move

WEEI/YouTubeDo Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown deserve more credit as one of the best duos of all time?

Have Celtics Hit their Ceiling? State of JT/JB? Celtics Insider Mego Joins! ||The Greg Hill Show

Is Jaylen Brown a lock for First Team All-NBA? / Best part of Jayson Tatum’s return | Jones & Keefe

The Sports HubThe aftershocks of Jaylen Brown and his feud with officials

NewsweekCeltics Notebook: Shots at Jaylen Brown, Boston’s Biggest Threat?

Fadeaway World Marcus Smart Played 6 Years In NBA With A Broken Piece Of Glass In His Hand

USA TodayCeltics star Jayson Tatum leaned on family during his Achilles rehab

Duke RoundtableDuke Legend Jayson Tatum Facing One Major Issue After Injury Return

Locked on Celtics EVOLVING: How the Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum DYNAMICALLY Thrive Together

HeavyCeltics Get Strong Words on Jayson Tatum From Suns Guard

Jaylen Brown Reveals Controversial All-Time Starting Five

Celtics Release Unseen Footage of Jayson Tatum’s Return

SI .comInjuries Sap Star Power, Emotional Reunion, from Celtics-Warriors game

Player Reaction To Nikola Vučević Trade Explains Why Celtics Exceed All Expectations

Union Leader Warriors’ Kristaps Porzingis hopes to bring revenge tour to Boston

Sporty TraderWho is Most Deserving of NBA Coach of the Year?

The Sports Rush“Went to the Dentist the Next Day”: Derrick White Recalls the Time He Glued His Tooth Back On During an NBA Game

Clutch Points How Cubs’ Craig Counsell is channeling Joe Mazzula to prepare for World Series push

The Jazz have achieved 2 essential losses already on this quick road trip, and are looking to continue the trend Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, these are not the same Timberwolves we’ve gotten used to seeing in the Western Conference finals; they will be without star guard Anthony Edwards, who is projected to be out 1-2 weeks with right knee inflammation. This is unfortunate on 3 fronts. First; Anthony Edwards is consistently one of the most entertaining star players to watch in the league, and this contest will be worse without him. Second; a matchup with a player of Edward’s caliber provides very useful experience for the youngsters, who can use every minute of playtime versus star players in preparation for the Jazz 2027 playoff run. And, perhaps most importantly, third; the Jazz’s likelihood of pulling off a stunning win against the Timberwolves increases when Anthony Edwards is nursing a sore knee on the bench.

Nevertheless, the Timberwolves have every incentive to win – they’re currently tied for the 4th seed with the Nuggets and Rockets, so any separation in the race for home court advantage in the first round would be huge for them. And, on the other side of the same coin, the Jazz have a few incentives to lose. They are currently slotted with the 5th best lottery odds, which gives them a 99.4% chance of staying in the top 8 and keeping their pick in the loaded 2026 draft. However, they’re only 3 games behind the Sacramento Kings for the 4th worst record, which would guarantee their keeping the pick. This is to say that this game is enormously important for both parties.

Cody Williams will look to continue his momentum from his career high, 34 point night on Sunday versus the Kings. Additionally, Anderrson Garcia and Bez Mbeng will have another opportunity to show their defensive chops during their 10-day contract tryouts. If I had to bet on which Jazz player will have a big night, my money would be on Isaiah Collier – the combination of Keyonte George and potentially Ace Bailey (got whacked by Anderrson Garcia on a rebound all the way into the concussion report) out with injury, with the Timberwolves sometimes-shoddy guard point of attack defense, Isaiah will have the usage and matchups necessary to put up a big night statistically.

The Timberwolves, who have struggled a bit without Edwards this year (7 wins and 4 losses), will likely funnel additional usage to Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle. We will also get a good look at newest Timberwolf Ayo Dosunmu, acquired from the Bulls at the trade deadline, who took the open starting spot on 3/17 against the Suns with Edwards injured.

Which Jazz youngster are you hoping to see a big game from against the Timberwolves? Let me know below!

Injury Report

Utah Jazz:

Keyonte George – OUT (Hamstring)

Blake Hinson – OUT (Two-way)

Lauri Markkanen – OUT (Hip)

Jaren Jackson Jr. – OUT (Knee)

Walker Kessler – OUT (Shoulder)

Jusuf Nurkic – OUT (Nose)

Ace Bailey – QUESTIONABLE (Concussion)

John Konchar – QUESTIONABLE (Calf)

Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards – OUT (Knee)

Enrique Freeman – OUT (Two-way)

Julian Phillips – OUT (G League Assignment)

Naz Reid – OUT (Ankle)

Rokko Zikarsky – OUT (Two-way)

Jaylen Clark – QUESTIONABLE (Calf)

How to Watch

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis MN

When: 6 P.M. MT

Channel: KJZZ, SEG+

Radio: 97.5 FM 1280 AM, KSL Sports App

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is the best pick-and-roll player of this generation. He’s developed seemingly instant chemistry with his various pick-and-roll partners throughout his career.

The key to Harden’s success is two-fold. First, he’s incredibly skilled. Harden can make every pass on the court, creates space with his lateral quickness, has excellent touch, and has the strength to initiate and finish through contact. Additionally, he processes the game at an incredibly high level.

That second part is what head coach Kenny Atkinson believes makes him such a good pick-and-roll player.

“The number one thing I’m usually frustrated with coming out of watching game film is decision making,” Atkinson said. “Even the really, really good players, you get frustrated. ‘Man, there’s three choices here, why did you pick the wrong one?’ I’m not sure I’ve had one of those with James yet.”

Despite how well Harden sees the game, there can still be an adjustment period when you’re working with a new pick-and-roll partner.

Jason Kidd, one of the premier point guards of his generation and now head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, said that it would take him up to half a season before he really felt comfortable with playing alongside a new big. “You have to be able to understand and be truthful to your teammates about what their abilities are if you want to have success,” Kidd said.

Support us and Let ‘Em Know with Homage!

Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Let ‘Em Know shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.

Harden is working through that process with Evan Mobley. The duo has been watching film together, trying to figure out how to best make their pick-and-roll game work. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but Tuesday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks showed that the Cavs can have success with that duo.

It’s important to acknowledge Mobley’s strengths and weaknesses. He’s not a physical screen setter. That isn’t a part of his game and won’t be unless he puts on considerably more muscle.

Mobley’s athleticism is what made him an All-NBA player last season. He has a quick first step and solid ball skills for someone his size. This allows him to be effective as a cutter and attacking one-on-one in space.

That profile has lent itself to him being more comfortable slipping screens (going up and setting a screen like normal, but moving before initiating complete contact) instead of making firm contact. You can still run an effective pick-and-roll with someone who more often slips screens; the process of doing so is just different.

“It’s just a feel, because you have to lead the defense more than anything,” Kidd said when asked what’s most important when playing with a big who likes to slip screens. “If I know that you’re going to slip, then I have to understand who’s guarding you and who’s guarding me to be able to get you the ball.”

Figuring out the correct way to get Mobley the ball in these actions has been an issue for Harden. Plays like the ones below show why.

Mobley needs to either set a hard screen or slip the screen more quickly for the action to work. In this clip, Harden is turning the corner with Mobley behind the play. Because there isn’t solid contact on the screen, the two defenders involved in the action are also on the same level as the ball, even though Mobley’s defender drops. This leaves the paint congested, and there’s no need for help defense to come.

The goal of a pick-and-roll is to create a brief advantage for the offense so that you’re effectively playing with an extra man for a split second because one of the defenders is taken out of a play. Setting a hard screen does that, but so does decisively slipping the screen instead of just floating.

This is a good example of that. Mobley gets downhill before his defender can react. The guard coming down isn’t able to take the pass away due to Mobley’s height advantage and the quality pass from Harden. By the time the opposing center comes to help, it’s too late.

Screens force defenses to make a decision. The Bucks decided to trap the ball handler when the Cavs set a screen. Mobley quickly getting away from that situation created an advantage on the backend.

Moving quickly and decisively is the key for Mobley. In this next clip, he makes more contact with Harden’s defender, but the advantage comes because he’s diving to the basket before the defense can react, not from any of the contact he made with the defender. And if Mobley gets a head of steam, he’s typically going to be able to finish well at the rim.

The goal of these actions is to create advantages for the offense. Mobley created that in this play below. By diving hard and then stopping at the free-throw line to keep a passing lane open, he caused the defense to collapse. This allowed Harden to find Dean Wade for a wide-open three.

It’d be premature to say that Harden and Mobley have figured things out because they both played well — scoring 27 each — in a win over a bad Bucks team that was without its two best defenders in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner. However, from a process perspective, this is the most on the same page the duo has been.

Even though it’s looked clunky at times, it’s important to acknowledge that the Cavs have thrived when Harden and Mobley share the floor.

The Cavs have scored 124.2 points per 100 possessions (96th percentile for offensive rating) and have outscored their opponent by 10.3 points per 100 possessions (92nd percentile for net rating) in the 250 minutes both have been on the court.

Mobley isn’t the typical, physical big man who has thrived with Harden in the past. However, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t able to make it work. The duo just needs to be on the same page and understand what the other is trying to do on that end of the floor.

And fortunately for the Cavs, the partnership is heading in the right direction if Tuesday’s game is any indication of things.

“They’re really starting to get some nice synergy in the pick-and-roll,” Atkinson said.

“

Golden State Warriors (33-35) at Boston Celtics (45-23)
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
7:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #69  Home Game #34
TV: ESPN, NBCSB, NBCSBA
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 95.7 the Game, Sirius XM
TD Garden

The Celtics host the Golden State Warriors for the 2nd, and final, game between them this season. The Celtics won the first game 121-110 at Golden State on February 19. These two teams tied the series last season with each team winning on the road. The Celtics are 212-141 overall, all time against the Warriors and 118-40 in games played in Boston.

There are plenty of story lines surrounding this game. Warriors coach, Steve Kerr, coached the last Olympics team and he treated Jayson Tatum shabbily, not playing him in 2 games and limited minutes in others. We could also talk about the 2 former Celtics on the team. Al Horford left Boston expecting to have a better chance at another ring but it hasn’t turned out that way. Kristaps Porzingis joined the Warriors at the trade deadline and although he has played in just 22 games this season, he played in the Warriors’ 1st game against the Celtics and is expected to play in this game as well.

The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 4 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1 game ahead of 3rd place New York, 3.5 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 6.5 games ahead of 5th place Toronto, 7 games ahead of 6th place Orlando, and 7.5 games ahead of 7th place Miami. The Celtics are 16-9 against Western Conference opponents. They are 23-10 at home and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.

The Warriors are 9th in the West, 20 games behind the 1st place Thunder, 8 games behind 6th place Minnesota, 6 games behind 7th place Phoenix, and 1 game behind the 8th place Clippers. They are half a game ahead of 10th place Portland and 9.5 games ahead of 11th place Memphis. They are 14-20 on the road and 3-7 in their last 10 games. They are 11-13 against Eastern Conference opponents and they are coming off a win in their last game.

After this game at home against Golden State, The Celtics will play one game at Memphis before a 3 game home stand against Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Atlanta. Then it’s back on the road for a 4 game trip through Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami and Milwaukee. They will then play two games at home against Toronto and Charlotte before one game on the road at New York. They will finish the season with 2 games at home against New Orleans and Orlando.

The Warriors are playing in the 3rd game of a 6 game road trip. They will finish it playing at Detroit, Atlanta and Dallas. They will return home for games against Brooklyn and Washington before one game on the road at Denver. They will then have a 5 game home stand where they will host San Antonio, Cleveland, Houston, Sacramento, and the Lakers. They will finish the season on the road against Sacramento and the Clippers.

The Celtics have just one player on the injury report at this time. Nikola Vucevic remains out after surgery to stabilize a fracture in his right ring finger. The Warriors have 5 players out and another 2 players questionable. Jimmy Butler (knee), Seth Curry (thigh), Stephen Curry (knee), Al Horford (calf), and Moses Moody (wrist) are all listed as out. LJ Cryer (hamstring) and Quinten Post (foot) are both questionable. Finally, Gary Payton II (tibia) is listed as probable.

Probable Celtics Starters
PG: Derrick White vs De’Anthony Melton

SG: Jaylen Brown vs Brandin Podziemski

SF: Sam Hauser vs Will Richard

PF: Jayson Tatum vs Gui Santos

C: Neemias Queta vs Draymond Green

Celtics Reserves
Payton Pritchard
Hugo Gonzalez
Luka Garza
Amare Williams
Jordan Walsh
Baylor Scheierman
Max Shulga
Charles Bassey (10-Day)

2-Way Players
Ron Harper, Jr

Injuries/Out
Nikola Vucevic (finger) out
John Tonje (G-League) out

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Warriors Reserves
Pat Spencer
Gary Payton II
Kristaps Porzingis
Omer Yurtseven (10 Day)

2 Way Players
LJ Cryer
Malevy Leons
Nate Williams

Injuries/Out
Jimmy Butler (knee) out
Seth Curry (thigh) out
Stephen Curry (knee) out
Al Horford (calf) out
Moses Moody (wrist) out
Quinten Post (foot) questionable
LJ Cryer (hamstring) questonable
Gary Payton II  (tibia) probable

Head Coach
Steve Kerr

Key Matchups
Derrick White vs De’Anthony Melton
Melton is averaging 13.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He is shooting 42.5% from the field and 29.8% from beyond the arc. He is coming off a game where he finished with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 18 points, 3 rebounds 1 assist and 1 steal while shooting 53.8% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.

Jaylen Brown vs Brandin Podziemski
Podziemski is averaging 13 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.  He is shooting 44.7% from the field and 36.9% from beyond the arc.  In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 11 points 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block and 1 steal while shooting 62.5% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. 

Honorable Mention
Luka Garza vs Kristaps Porzingis
This is a battle of big men off the bench.  Porzingis has played in just 5 games for Golden State this season and in 17 games for the Hawks before being traded.  He is averaging 17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists.  He is shooting 45.8% from the field and 34.5% from beyond the arc.  He is coming off his best game as a Warrior in which he finished with 30 points, , 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.  In the first game against the Celtics,he finished with 12 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist while shooting 55.6% from the field and 40% from 3.

Keys to the Game 
Defense – Defense is always the key to winning.  The Celtics are 5th in the league with a defensive rating of 111.8.  The Warriors are 13th in the league, with a defensive rating of 113.4.  The Celtics are 2nd with an offensive rating of 119.7 while the Warriors are 14th and have an offensive rating of 114.3.    The Celtics need to play lock down defense consistently.  The Celtics need to especially defend the perimeter as the Warriors are 1st in the league making 16.2 threes per game.  They are 26th with 44.6 points in the paint per game. Of course, their biggest 3 point threat, Steph Curry is out for this game, but the Celtics can’t let up on defense because of it since other Warriors are capable of hitting shots as well. 

Rebound –  Rebounding is always a key to winning as you need the ball to score and a good way to get it is to grab rebounds. It takes effort to grab rebounds and the Celtics must make an extra effort to crash the boards and beat the Warriors to rebounds.  If they put out extra effort on the boards, that usually carries through to the rest of their game.  More rebounds gives them extra possessions and limits the possessions for the Warriors.  The Warriors are 22nd with 42.9 rebounds per game while the Celtics are 4th with 46.2 rebounds per game. 

Three Pointers –  Both of these teams shoot a lot of 3 pointers.  The Celtics are 3rd in the league, shooting 42.5 threes a game.  The Warriors are 1st, shooting 45.2 threes a game.  The Celtics shoot 36.2% from beyond the arc while the Warriors shoot 35.7% on threes. With Steph Curry out, they don’t shoot quite as many 3’s or quite as well but they still are dangerous from the perimeter.  The Celtics are tough to beat when their 3’s are falling but they struggle when they aren’t   They need to stay focused on taking and making good shots and if the 3’s aren’t falling they should take a page from Jaylen Brown’s book and drive into the paint. 

Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics play the best when they move the ball and find the open man.  They struggle more when players try to do too much and when the ball sticks with one player too long and when they take quick shots without looking for the best shot.  The Celtics are 30-2 when they have at least 25 assists and they are 16-0 when they have at least 29 assists.  They need to look to share the ball and not over dribble or try to take over at the expense of open teammates.  They have to be careful with their passes as the Warriors average 19.4 points off turnovers per game. 

Be Aggressive – The Celtics need to be the more aggressive team from start to finish.  They need to be aggressive in going to the hoop, in crashing the boards, in fighting for loose balls and in running the court.  They also have to be more aggressive on defense.  The Warriors are short handed and will be playing hard to make up for that.  The Celtics can’t slack off and expect an easy game because key Warriors are out.   Effort and being more aggressive will likely be the difference in this game.

X-Factors
Home Game vs Road Fatigue –   The Warriors have won 1 and lost 1 game on this road trip and have 3 more games to go on the trip after this one..   The Warriors are away from family and home and have the distractions of staying in a hotel and playing in an unfamiliar arena in front of a (very) hostile crowd.  Hopefully the Celtics crowd will be loud and rowdy and give the Celtics extra energy to avenge Kerr’s treatment of Tatum in the Olympics along with their loss in the 2022 Finals.

Officiating – Officiating always has the potential to be a factor in every game. Every officiating team calls the game differently. Some call it tight and others let them play. Some favor the home team while some call it evenly.   However the game is called, the Celtics must adjust to it and not allow the officiating to take away their focus on playing the game. They need to play well enough that a few bad calls won’t make a difference in the game. 

A Division II men's basketball coach removed from the court in handcuffs earlier this season is planning to file a lawsuit against Morehouse College and two of its campus police officers, according to the coach's attorneys.

Tuskegee University coach Benjy Taylor was never charged with a crime despite being escorted off the floor after a 77-69 loss at rival Morehouse and he will announce on Friday, March 20 in College Park, Georgia that he's seeking further legal ramifications from the incident. Taylor is being represented by well-known civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels, John Burris, Gerald Griggs and Gregory Reynald Williams.

Taylor's attorneys wrote in a news release announcing their intention to officially file a lawsuit this week that the treatment Taylor received "sparked national attention and outcry." In addition to Morehouse College, campus police officers "R. Clark and M. Roberson" were named by Taylor's legal team as defendants in the impending civil case. Daniels previously said Taylor had retained him to explore "all legal avenues."

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 100-92 on Monday, and now they're back for more at the Toyota Center on Wednesday, March 18.

Our computers have crunched the numbers to bring you NBA player prop projections for this quick rematch.

For more NBA picks, check out Zak Hanshew's Lakers vs. Rockets predictions ahead of tonight's 9:30 p.m. ET tip.

Lakers vs Rockets computer picks for March 18

Lakers	Rockets
Ayton o9.5 points -105	Sheppard o12.5 points -120
Doncic u31.5 points  -110	Eason o9.5 points -115
Smart o2.5 rebounds  +140	Sengun u8.5 rebounds -135

Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!

Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!

Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!

Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Lakers computer picks

Deandrea Ayton Over 9.5 points (-105)

Projection: 11.1 points

Deandre Ayton came up just short in Monday's contest, but we're going back to the well with the Los Angeles Lakers big man, who remains a steady presence in the paint.

The Lakers' superb 120.7 points per game rate sixth-strongest in the NBA over the last 10 games, and this is a low enough total that Ayton is appealing with his low ceiling but relatively high floor.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet ayton Now at bet365!/span

Luka Doncic Under 31.5 points (-110)

Projection: 30.3 points

Yes, Luka Doncic scored 36 points on Monday, but this Houston Rockets defense is excellent and can't be expected to lay down again.

The matchup is a hard one; when the Rockets are playing at home, they have allowed the second-fewest points per game to the opposing team's starting PGs over the last 10 games.

The Lakers also rank as the second-worst offensive rebounding offense over the last 25 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can eliminate extra opportunities for scoring and assists).

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet doncic Now at bet365!/span

Marcus Smart Over 2.5 rebounds (+140)

Projection: 2.7 rebounds

Marcus Smart isn't your prototypical rebounder, but this is a low enough number that he's cleared in six of his last 10 games. 

The matchup isn't super favorable, but that's accounted for with the +140 line.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Smart Now at bet365!/span

---

Rockets computer picks

Reed Sheppard Over 12.5 points (-120)

Projection: 14.6 points

Even though Reed Sheppard has been relatively quiet, going Under this total in three of his last four games, he had cleared 12.5 points in six straight before that. 

The Rockets check in as the best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore provide added opportunities for scoring and assists).

Plus, Sheppard still played 31 minutes on Monday, so his floor time hasn't diminished.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet sheppard Now at bet365!/span

Tari Eason Over 9.5 points (-115)

Projection: 11.2 points

Don't fret the fact that Tari Eason has scored double-digit points just once in his last 10 games. Despite Monday's five-point dud on 2-for-11 shooting, including 0-for-3 from deep, this should generally be a positive matchup.

The Lakers are vulnerable from beyond the arc, and Eason put up 13 points against the Lakers when these squads met on Christmas Day.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet eason Now at bet365!/span

Alperen Sengun Under 8.5 rebounds (-135)

Projection: 7.9 rebounds

Alperen Sengun has sat out the Rockets' last two games with a lingering back issue and was limited to 24 minutes against the Nuggets when he last played.

While he's averaged 8.9 boards this season, that injury may keep his minutes low and prevent him from being at his best when he is on the floor. The Rockets also play at a sluggish pace, which will take away volume, especially if Sengun isn't playing his full share in his first game back.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Sengun Now at bet365!/span

How to watch Lakers vs Rockets tonight

Location	Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date	Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Tip-off	9:30 p.m. ET
TV	ESPN

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.

MORE NBA PICKS

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

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz
Date: March 18th, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM CDT
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio

For one night at least, the Minnesota Timberwolves managed to pull themselves back from the edge.

With word breaking Monday night that Anthony Edwards would miss the game against Phoenix and then the even more concerning follow-up that the absence could stretch one to two weeks, Tuesday night had all the makings of a game that could send a season spiraling. The Wolves entered it already walking the tightrope in the Western Conference standings, with the Suns lurking directly beneath them and the play-in line looming dangerously close. Lose that game, and suddenly Phoenix is right back in the mix, Minnesota’s margin for error is basically gone, and all of the bad vibes from the past week get amplified. Win it, and the team could buy itself some breathing room and a little bit of hope they can tread water until Ant returns.

Thankfully for the Wolves, they answered the bell.

Things did not start in particularly inspiring fashion. Minnesota came out in the first quarter and defended like a team that had not fully grasped the gravity of the moment. Phoenix was getting to the rim at will. The Wolves were coughing up turnovers. The effort level and the execution both looked shaky, and before long the Suns had pushed out to an 11-point lead. It had all the signs of one of those ugly nights where the Wolves spend the first half sleepwalking, then have to talk themselves into urgency after the damage is already done. By the end of the first quarter, Minnesota had at least stabilized enough offensively to climb back within 39-36, but let’s be honest, giving up 39 points was not exactly the kind of opening act that builds confidence.

But to the Wolves’ credit, they actually responded like a serious team. Over the final three quarters, Minnesota allowed just 65 points. That is an enormous course correction and, frankly, exactly the kind of defensive resilience this team needed to show if it wants to be taken seriously without Edwards in the lineup. The game flipped because the Wolves finally started acting like the bigger, more athletic, more defensively imposing team. The rim protection came alive. The rotations tightened. Phoenix stopped getting those easy runway looks that had fueled the first-quarter surge. Once the Wolves got the game onto their terms, the Suns simply did not have enough resistance to hold up over 48 minutes.

One of the biggest reasons Minnesota survived and then took control was Julius Randle, who once again stepped into the role of offensive centerpiece and delivered exactly what the Wolves needed. Randle finished with 32 points, building on the positive signs he had shown against Oklahoma City and looking much more like the early-season version of himself than the post-All-Star guy who had been drifting in and out of games. He attacked the paint, scored with force, and, most importantly, he looked like he understood that without Ant on the floor, this team was going to need him to be more than just a complementary scorer. It needed him to be the guy.

Next up was Bones Highland, who gave Minnesota exactly the kind of spark bench scorers are supposed to give but so rarely do on command. Bones poured in 22 points, injecting life into the second unit and helping keep the offense afloat during stretches where it might otherwise have bogged down. In a game where Minnesota desperately needed somebody other than Randle to create and convert, Bones stepped in as a microwave scorer.

The frontcourt also rediscovered its identity. Rudy Gobert, coming off a rough outing against the Thunder, reasserted himself around the basket and made the paint feel like a restricted government zone. Gobert finished with four blocks, and he wasn’t alone. Naz Reid also had four blocks, giving Minnesota a combined eight swats between its two most important interior defenders. More than the block totals themselves, it was the tone that mattered. The Wolves used their size, length, and rim protection to turn the game from a first-quarter track meet into a grind, and Phoenix never really recovered once that happened.

There’s not much time to savor it, though, because Utah is rolling into Target Center for the second night of a back-to-back. Under normal circumstances, a home game against a depleted Jazz team might feel like one you circle as a probable win and move on. But this Wolves team has spent the season proving that no game is actually easy if they decide to treat it like a formality. And with Edwards still sidelined, nothing gets to be taken for granted.

Utah, by all appearances, is actively angling for lottery position. They will be without Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic. Keyonte George, who went on that scoring binge to steal the last game from Minnesota in Utah, is out as well. Ace Bailey is listed as questionable. On paper, it looks like a setup. On paper, the Wolves hold a clear talent edge even without their superstar. On paper, this should be a “take care of business and move on” type of night.

But Wolves fans have seen enough “on paper” games turn into disasters to know better.

So with that, here are the keys to the game.

#1 – The Wolves cannot play with their food.

This has to be the theme of the night. They cannot look at Utah’s injury report and mentally chalk up the win before the opening tip. That is how bad teams get confidence. That is how random role players start feeling dangerous. That is how you wake up midway through the fourth quarter in a one-possession game wondering how the hell this happened. Even a tanking team still has NBA players, and those players would absolutely love to walk into Target Center, get extra run, and prove they belong. The Wolves need to choke this thing out early. Strong team defense, good pace, and focused execution need to be present from the jump so this game does not become a fourth-quarter survival test on tired legs.

#2 – Dominate around the rim.

Phoenix came in shorthanded in the frontcourt and the Wolves eventually made them pay for it. Utah is bringing a similar setup. This should be a game where Gobert once again functions as a force field around the basket. He needs to rebound, block shots, and make every Jazz drive feel like a bad idea. Randle and Naz also have to carry over the physicality from the Suns game. If Minnesota’s big three in the frontcourt treats this like a paint war, Utah simply should not have enough size or interior talent to hold up over four quarters. This is one of those games where the Wolves need to look bigger, stronger, and more punishing than the other team, simply because they are.

#3 – The ball movement has to continue.

One of the more interesting byproducts of Edwards being out was how willing the Wolves were to move the ball and play team offense. That’s not meant as some shot at Ant, because everyone understands why he dominates the ball at times. He’s the star. He’s the bailout option. He’s the guy who can rescue possessions when everything else fails. But with him off the floor, the Wolves had no choice but to trust the pass, trust each other, and keep the offense from stagnating. That led to better involvement from Bones and Ayo Dosunmu, and it gave the offense a little more collective rhythm. That has to continue. Against Utah, the Wolves can absolutely survive without Edwards’ individual offense if they maximize possessions, create good looks, and stay unselfish.

#4 – Clean up the turnovers.

The Wolves were better against Phoenix than they had been against Oklahoma City, but only because it was nearly mathematically impossible to be worse. Sixteen turnovers is still too many. Without their best player, the Wolves cannot afford to hand away possessions and give the other team transition points. Against a Jazz team that shouldn’t be able to generate much easy offense on its own, the absolute worst thing Minnesota can do is gift-wrap opportunities. This is where professional basketball comes in. Take care of the ball. Finish defensive possessions. Hit your free throws. Don’t make life harder than it needs to be. If the Wolves handle the basic stuff, their talent advantage should take over.

#5 – Julius Randle has to keep being Big Julius.

This is probably the biggest swing factor during Edwards’ absence. Earlier in the season, when Ant missed time with his foot issues, Randle carried the scoring burden and looked like a true offensive hub. Then he hit that post-All-Star funk and became a shell of that guy. The signs against OKC were encouraging, and the performance against Phoenix was more than encouraging and exactly what Minnesota needed. Now comes the challenge of doing it again. Randle has to keep scoring efficiently, keep making the right play when help comes, and keep balancing his own offense with the playmaking element that makes him so dangerous. When he draws defenders and kicks to open teammates instead of stopping the offense, Minnesota becomes much harder to guard. Without Edwards, that version of Randle is not just useful, it’s essential.

This is the kind of game that is easy to dismiss because it probably won’t be pretty and it certainly won’t feel gratifying. But these are the kinds of games that determine whether you stay well above the play-in line or spend the last two weeks of the season sweating every scoreboard update. Tuesday against Phoenix was a must-win, and the Wolves treated it like one after the first quarter. Wednesday against Utah needs to be approached the same way. Then comes Portland on Friday. These are the games Minnesota has to bank, especially while Edwards is sidelined, especially before the schedule stiffens again, and especially because they’ve already made this season harder on themselves than it needed to be.

Nobody is asking for art here. The expectation isn’t some beautiful, flowing masterpiece of offensive basketball. This team just has to be mature, focused, and professional. It needs to be one of those nights where the better team comes out, takes care of business, and moves on.

Given this team’s history, that still feels like a bigger ask than it should.

But if the Wolves are serious about holding their ground in the West while Ant is out, it’s exactly what they have to do.