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The Orlando Magic are on the brink of advancing and they'll look to get it done at home as our NBA player prop projections are all locked & loaded for Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons, with the model highlighting several high-value spots.

By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.

These Pistons vs. Magic predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, May 1.

Pistons vs Magic computer picks for Game 6

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

The Knicks have gone to six games in the first round in each of the last three seasons, but not all six-game playoff series are created equally.

While the Sixers and Pistons fought tooth and nail for all six games (especially Detroit), there are six-game series that aren’t as competitive as it sounds.

This was certainly that series.

Here are some stats. Do with them what you will:

• The Knicks outscored the Hawks by 105 points in this series. It’s the most lopsided six-game series in NBA history.
• The Hawks’ starting lineup had a +20.3 net rating in 391 regular-season minutes, the second-best high-usage lineup in the NBA. In this series? -14.4 in 86 minutes.
• The series had a +18.1 net rating. LOL.
• It was the third time this year the Knicks won a game by at least 49. In the first 79 seasons in franchise history, the largest margin of victory was 48 points.
• In the two games the Knicks lost, they either were tied or had the lead in the final minute.
• In 288 minutes in this series, the Knicks trailed for just 48:49. Outside of Game 3, the Hawks led for just 8:20 across the other five games. In total, Atlanta held a lead for just 17% of this series.
• The Knicks held a 10+ point lead for 129:25, or 45% of the series.
• The Knicks held a 20+ point lead for 56:29, or 19.6% of the series.
• The Knicks spent more time with a 20+ point lead than they did trailing in a six-game series.

Game 6 was one of the most baffling blowouts I’ve ever witnessed. I was busy in the second half, and I worried about a close game turning my night into a worrisome mess, but it was over well before I turned the game off. Even better, the Celtics and Sixers are bogged down in a Game 7 on Saturday for the right to face the Knicks on Monday.

But enough about how jaw-dropping Game 6 specifically was. This is about something different.

After Game 3, the vibes were rancid. I don’t need to go too in-depth on how we felt at that moment, but the vultures were circling on the entire franchise. There was also a certain vibe heading into Game 4.

“Jalen Brunson is being exposed by Dyson Daniels.”
“CJ McCollum is the next great Knicks villain.”
“Mikal Bridges is soft.”
“Quin Snyder is coaching circles around Mike Brown.”
“Even if they get through this series, the Knicks will get smacked by Boston in Round 2.”

There’s a million other quotes I could pull, but it was all falling apart. CJ McCollum looked like the Black Mamba, for crying out loud. The 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year was torpedoing the team in the final two minutes. Everything was just awful.

And then the Knicks beat the Hawks in each of the next three games by a combined 94 points. They practically spent 90% of the final three games with a 15-point lead. It was never, ever competitive after the buzzer sounded on Game 3.

What the hell happened?

Aside from the Hawks being complete and total fools’ gold, what happened was that a lion stopped playing with its food. Don’t believe me? Look at the stylistic changes after Game 3:

• Mike Brown played lineups without Brunson or Towns (excluding garbage time) for 22:47 across the first three games. The final three games? 3:15.
• After three games of Brunson trying to get his game off on Dyson Daniels, the Knicks moved to a more KAT-centric offense… until Daniels switched onto him, in which case Brunson took over again.
• No longer did the Knicks allow McCollum to get easy switches onto Brunson. They threw a variety of bodies at him, from Josh Hart to Mikal Bridges to Jose Alvarado.
• The defensive intensity. Not easy to quantify, but just watch the highlights and you’ll see.

Would a sweep have been more satisfying? Absolutely, nobody wants to deal with stress in the first round. But this wasn’t a typical six-game series. As much as you never quite felt safe until the very end, there was never a doubt in the world.

As soon as Game 3 ended, with the reports of emotions pouring out in the locker room, a switch flipped. It was exactly what the Knicks needed.

We know how inconsistent this team is. They went from looking like contenders to playing the worst defense in the sport for over a month before finishing the year with the second-best defensive rating in the final three months. We know they tend to sulk into bad habits. We know that the consequence of having a coach like Mike Brown, hired to be a stark difference to Tom Thibodeau, will trust his bench way too much.

After Game 3, the bench was tightened, the defensive scheme was shifted, the physicality increased, and the Knicks resembled a boa constrictor tightening around the entire city of Atlanta’s neck. No more Trae Young, no more 2021, this is the legacy of Knicks-Hawks now. Big difference between the way both teams act: rolling the dice on the Hawks logo at halftime wouldn’t have been disrespectful enough. That performance warrants a dump on that logo. Take notes, Rayford.

Those McCollum heroics gave them the kick in the ass they needed. And if they get to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, we’ll have him and the Hawks to thank.

Game 6 was a dream I never want to wake up from. As the Sixers have forced a Game 7 in Boston against the heavily favored Celtics, I’ll share a new “5 Sixers thoughts” column with you all…

My Paul George apology form

I hated the Paul George contract before the ink even dried on it. I hated how the last two seasons had transpired for the Sixers, with the signing of the aging, over-the-hill former superstar being emblematic of it all. He appeared as fraudulent of a “third star” as there ever was.

Well, over the Sixers’ last two wins against the Celtics, George has been the two-way beast he was during his prime. George, who will turn 36 on Saturday for Game 7, has been a smothering presence defensively while shooting a whopping 54.3 percent on three-pointers in the series overall. This is the “Playoff P” who I’ve cracked jokes about for so long!

Another performance like this from George in a birthday Game 7 win will have him going down as premier 21st century playoff Sixer. It’s wild even typing that!

I can’t believe Sixers basketball has ever looked this smooth

This sequence is like the Industrial Revolution, but for Sixers playoff basketball:

This might be the best sequence of Sixers basketball I've seen in recent memory. Euphoric.

Whatever you're doing, stop for a minute to watch this. Trust me. 🔥👇 pic.twitter.com/9pBXIz59r0

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) May 1, 2026

It has never looked that easy. What am I watching? Are the Sixers actually peaking at the perfect time with a previously omnipotent opponent’s ship starting to leak? The last few days have been a godsend for a fan base that’s been kicked in the teeth for far too long.

The decision to go away from the black uniforms was wise

The Sixers, before the playoffs began, announced that they would be wearing their beloved Allen Iverson-era throwback black uniforms for every home postseason game. After losing a thriller in Game 3 and getting rocked in Game 4, however, that plan went out the window. With the Sixers winning Game 2 and Game 5 in Boston in their classic white uniforms, the team made the switch and went with them for Game 6 at home. Superstitious? Just riding the wave? Whatever it may be, it worked on Thursday.

I’ve long been a proponent of the old-school concept of home teams always wearing white in the NBA. If the Sixers can be victorious in Game 7 and advance to the second round against New York, they should keep up with this vibe until it stops working.

I’ve seen enough Payton Pritchard for a lifetime

A new villain emerges every Philadelphia sports playoff run and the latest is Payton Pritchard. The Celtics guard’s penchant for last-second, clutch shot-making has made him the player I’ve screamed at the TV about the most over the first six games this series. Every three he hoists feels like it’s going in. A 1-for-8 shooting night from deep in Game 6, however, had me elated. Another off game like that from Pritchard and the Celtics’ bench marksmen would do a whole host of good for the Sixers’ chances of nabbing a Game 7 win.

Even so, after Saturday night, I never want to see Pritchard go against the Sixers in the postseason ever again.

Going the distance

I can be quite tongue-in-cheek when it comes to my Sixers fandom, but I am living and dying with this series. The team has not advanced beyond the second round of the playoffs in a quarter of a century. I’ve been writing on and off this Sixers blog legitimately since I was a junior in college. I have dedicated immense mental bandwidth to this franchise that has provided very little return on investment. That’s the nature of sports, so it is what it is.

I know it would be pathetic to say about a mere first-round series, but, sheesh, I have only faint memories of Allen Iverson’s 2001 Finals run, so this legitimately might be the greatest moment of my life watching the Sixers if they can win Game 7 in Boston. With the way that Embiid has missed time with appendicitis, with how infuriated I’ve been with both Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse and, frankly, how disillusioned I’ve been with the failed promises of the Process, stealing yet another game in Boston would be downright cathartic.

I didn’t think the Sixers had it in them to win both Game 6 and Game 7 heading into Thursday night, but screw it. Let’s go for the throat. I have been adhering to the “house money” sentiment and I want the Celtics to sweat out every single one of the 48 minutes remaining in the series if the Sixers aren’t going to beat them outright, but I would love nothing more in this world than upsetting Boston one last time this spring.

LeBron James has earned his stripes.

He has a longer rope than almost any NBA player. This is perhaps the best player in NBA history. He’s got this writer’s vote, and this writer can vaguely recall Michael Jordan’s last season with the Chicago Bulls, so…

Well, unless you’re in your late 70s, you don’t recall Bill Russell’s prime anyway.

Let’s stick to the present. LeBron James gave Reed Sheppard a little shove in the last Rockets-Lakers game. Nobody flinched. Consider it a badge of honor for the young guard. If Sheppard was bothered, it didn’t show:

He proceeded to win the game for the Rockets.

It was a redemptive arc. Sheppard has been, to use technical language, not good in the 2025-26 NBA Playoffs.

Ime Udoka needs to trust him anyway.

Rockets need to lean on Sheppard

It’s been a season-long story. The Rockets have a desperate need for shooting and ball-handling. Sheppard provides plenty of the former…and more of the latter than Josh Okogie.

Yet, it’s not offense that has limited Sheppard’s opportunities. It’s the other end of the floor. Sheppard is a short guard. He is an undeniable liability on defense.

Udoka needs to play him anyway.

If anything, this series is a golden opportunity to test Sheppard’s postseason meddle (side note: Does anyone use the word “meddle” unless it’s being tested?). The Lakers are not exactly flush with guards whom he can’t handle. Amen Thompson has been dealing with Luke Kennard. Austin Reaves is currently something closer to The Ghost of Austin Reaves, and time will tell whether he can get right in Game Six. Marcus Smart is, and always has been, Marcus Smart.

Granted, postseason defense is not generally as simple as man-to-man. The Lakers have been hunting Sheppard, and rightly so. They’ll screen their way to a James crossmatch all night.

OK. How’s that working out? In Game Five, the Lakers scored a whopping 93 points. Thompson finally took Kennard out of the game. Reaves was rusty. The Rockets dared James to shoot. He won’t go 0/6 from deep regularly, but turning James into a shooter has always been the optimal strategy, and like lemonade’s status as a popular drink, it still is.

Simply put, without Luka Doncic, the Lakers just don’t have that much juice (or lemonade for the sake of thematic consistency). Their 107.6 Offensive Rating through this series is 12th out of 15 playoff teams. The issue is that the Rockets’ 9th-place 109.4 rating isn’t much better.

Let’s take a sidebar to talk about Ime Udoka. Frankly, the pendulum has swung too far in the negative direction. Udoka’s offensive playbook is relatively rudimentary, but results-wise, what he’s done with this team is ultimately commendable.

But dear God, the man is stubborn. When it comes to defense, Udoka is like an obsessive dictator. Were those 93 points too many? Udoka wants what, 85-73 victories? Are we recreating the Spurs/Pistons Finals? Adam Silver will not like that. He may change the rules to outlaw defending shots within three feet.

So, why not try to score a few more points?

Rockets’ offense needs Sheppard

To be clear, this isn’t a harsh criticism of Udoka. Sheppard is averaging 31.2 minutes per game in this series. All that’s being suggested here is that he needs to be on the floor during any pivotal moment in Game Six (and hopefully, Game Seven).

More to the point, Sheppard has struggled to shoot the ball in this series. Yet, the offense hums when he’s on the floor. Sheppard is a better point guard than Amen Thompson, and the mere threat of his shooting changes the way the Lakers play defense. Relying on Sheppard gives the Rockets the best chance at making history and completing the first 0-3 comeback in NBA history.

Yet, there’s a bigger picture reason to play Sheppard. He’s 21. If he’s part of the future, he needs these reps. If he’s trade fodder, he needs to showcase his value.

If the data and eye test alike didn’t suggest that Sheppard is helping the Rockets win, that argument would not hold water. If the Rockets had acquired a point guard at the deadline, it’s possible that they’d be better off playing that point guard. They do, and they didn’t, so in Game Six, Udoka needs to put his full trust in Sheppard.

Even if LeBron James is hunting him.

Through graduation and early entry, Arizona has six players from the Final Four team eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft. And four of them are on the list of invitees to the annual NBA Draft Combine.

Seniors Tobe Awaka and Jaden Bradley and freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat are among the 73 players invited to the combine, set for May 10-17 in Chicago. Also invited are ex-UA players Kylan Boswell and Henri Veesaar, who finished their college careers at Illinois and North Carolina, respectively.

An invite to the combine is usually a strong indication of whether NBA scouts consider a player worthy of being taken in two-round draft, which is set for June 23. Last year Carter Bryant was the only player with UA ties invited to the combine, and he ended up going 14^th overall to the San Antonio Spurs, while Bradley went through the draft process but returned to Arizona for his senior season.

The deadline to withdraw from the draft and return to college is May 27, and according to ESPN some NBA scouts view Peat as a player who may end up coming back despite currently being projected as a late first-round pick.

Burries and Peat were among the 71 college players with eligibility remaining who declared for the draft, of which more than 20 didn’t get invites to the main combine. Many will participate in a G League combine, which provides the opportunity for a few to also get an invite to the second combine.

One ex-Wildcat that didn’t make the cut for either list was guard Anthony Dell’Orso, who is likely to play overseas and figures to end up back in his native Australia.

While the Sixers went into their round one series against the Boston Celtics not knowing whether Joel Embiid would be available for it, they did have something they haven’t in their previous three playoff matchups against Boston: wings to throw at their stars.

Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. possess enough length, speed and strength to hang with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Not having formidable defenders to throw at those two is what’s made Boston a matchup nightmare in years past, and that difference is a big part of what’s helped the Sixers come back to even up the series at 3-3.

The big adjustment the Sixers have made defensively is cutting down on over helping. Fewer double teams on drives has given the Celtics fewer opportunities to kick out to open threes. That starts with being able to stay in front of your man 1-on-1, and George has done a phenomenal job leading that effort.

“Those two guys are great wings and he’s got a battle every possession,” Nick Nurse said of George after Game 6. “They’re scoring, they are, but he’s making them really work for it.”

When asked specifically how they’ve been able to limit the drive and kicks, George didn’t want to give anything away — that’s for Boston to figure out watching film. He did get into the challenges of guarding the Jays and what he’s trying to do against them.

“Jayson and JB is as good as it gets,” George said. “They’re going to make tough shots, they’re going to challenge me, they’re gonna make me look bad at moments, they’re gonna embarrass me at moments, but I enjoy the matches, I enjoy the challenges. My whole career, I’ve always been excited on the defensive end.”

That excitement has been noticed by his teammates throughout the series. After Game 6, Tyrese Maxey said that George has been a great voice and leader in the locker room.

“Once he came back from his 25 games [suspension] he had a mission,” Maxey said, “and I think he’s accomplishing that mission, and he’s been really good. And we appreciate him and appreciate his sacrifice. He’s done a great job.”

Not only has George’s defense given the Sixers a fighting chance since the beginning of the series, but he’s helped unlock the offense as his shot continues to fall. He had his highest scoring game of the series, dropping 23 in Game 6, thanks in large part to going 5-of-9 from three-point range.

After the game, Nurse said he felt he’s seen George get more confident offensively every game of the series. They very much needed that to be the case after George only attempted eight shots in Game 1.

“I tell people I’ve just been gifted to score and be able to have a smoothness on the offensive end,” George said, “but defensively, I’ve always appreciated that side of the ball.”

The max contract the Sixers doled out has opened George up to a lot of criticism. The knock being that on the best version of this team, he’s a souped-up role player. Game 6 showed that when he, along with Maxey and Embiid, are rolling, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

“When I first came here, I told them I’ll get the stops that we need,” George said. “I was more than fine coming here to be the third option and allowing those guys to be themselves offensively.”

Between a 24-win season and a 3-1 series deficit, it took a long time for the Sixers’ signing of George to bear any fruit. There’s still no guarantee they complete the comeback and have a playoff series win to show for it.

But even if the Celtics prevail, George has at least shown to be the player the Sixers paid for two summers ago.

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Oh boy. There’s nothing better than a Game 7 showdown in the NBA Playoffs, and that’s exactly what we’ve got on our hands.

The Philadelphia 76ers have clawed their way back against the Boston Celtics, and I’m not about to stand in the way of the Sixers on Saturday night.

My same-game parlay calls for Philly to cover the spread, with Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre packing the stat sheet on the offensive end.

Here are my best 76ers vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for May 2.

Our best 76ers vs Celtics SGP for Game 7

SGP leg #1: 76ers +7.5

The Philadelphia 76ers have clamped down on the Boston Celtics the past two games, keeping Boston from the offensive glass while getting in the shorts of the C’s star players.

No matter what, the Celtics have a bad habit of sticking to their 3-point plan, and they’re dying on the perimeter. With Joel Embiid beating up Boston inside, Game 7 is going to be a lot closer than oddsmakers expect.

SGP leg #2: Kelly Oubre Over 9.5 points

Kelly Oubre Jr. is doing it all on both ends for the Sixers in this series. Not only is he guarding Boston’s best, but the versatile forward has shown flashes of offense as well.

Oubre has dropped 10+ points on the Celtics in four of the first six games and is coming off a 14-point performance, with projections calling for at least 13 points in Game 7.

SGP leg #3: Joel Embiid Over 4.5 assists

Embiid’s return has flipped this series on its ear. The 76ers center is exposing Boston’s lack of depth inside, and when the Celtics do send double teams, the seven-time All-Star is finding cutters and open shooters.

He’s dished out 22 total assists on 30 potential dimes through three games and will continue to serve as a conduit for the Sixers on Saturday.

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See our full 76ers vs Celtics Game 7 preview

Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his 76ers vs Celtics predictions for Game 7.

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See what the current line movement and updates are in the NBA Finals MVP odds race, along with Finals MVP betting trends, favorite analysis, and recent superstars to receive this award.

Live NBA Playoff bracket

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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.

In the midst of a Knicks beatdown, Mitchell Robinson wanted to administer one of his own.

The Knicks center was ejected in the second quarter of Thursday’s 140-89 massacre for going after Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, and video taken from the stands at State Farm Arena in Atlanta is even more chaotic than what viewers saw on TV.

Robinson tried to fight through anyone and everyone on the court, using every last inch of his 7-foot, 240-pound frame to muscle his way toward Daniel in a scene that did a number on a crowd with a heavy Knicks fan bent.

The alternate angle of this Knicks-Hawks fight is WILD.

Read more: https://t.co/QMCkiKOwvepic.twitter.com/oeDy8fTZbY

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 1, 2026

“Oh my god,” one onlooker said before letting out a scream. “I’m terrified.”

Other simply cheered for some sign of life from a Hawks team on the wrong side of a 72-22 score.

The entanglement with Robinson and Daniel began with 4:39 left in the first half, following OG Anunoby’s free throw that made it a 50-point lead.

Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu tried to separate Robinson from Daniels, with Knicks teammate Jalen Brunson trying to hold his big man back as things moved toward the stands.

One official took a tumble, and Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson isolated Robinson before things went too far and spilled off the court.

The brouhaha did not reach the crowd, though. If it had the NBA would be taking a closer look at things, according to The Post’s Stefan Bondy.

That’s a sigh of relief for the Knicks, who can take some solace in knowing the league has one fewer thing to take into account for potential punitive measures.

“It’s tough because when you’re up that big, stuff happens,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “If somebody feels like something that shouldn’t happen to them happened, it’s hard to keep your composure in that moment.

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“At the end of the day, that’s what we talked about and our guys did a good job of that for the rest of the game.”

Robinson did not speak after the game. He finished with six points on 3-of-3 shooting, adding three rebounds and a pair of blocks in his nine minutes.

If Robinson’s on-court message to Daniels didn’t get through, the big man sent it home with some social media missives after the win.

“Knew something was gone happen,” he wrote on Facebook. “My mental just not the same I’m just lost in the world at the moment.”

With apologies to Thanasis and Alex, the final edition of our pop quiz series focuses on the Bucks’ gaggle of off-ball guards/wings to round out the roster. Aside from Ryan, you’d be hard-pressed to say the other four met or exceeded expectations, and at least one fell well short of them. Here’s hoping for better results next here from whichever of this crew remains in Milwaukee.

Season in a snippet

AJ Green

78 GP, 29.1 MPG, 10.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.1 BPG, .424/.419/.855

Kyle’s end-of-season grade: C+

On the one hand, Green broke Ray Allen’s franchise record for made threes in a single season. On the other, it wasn’t until the Bucks were truly out of the race that Dairy Bird really showed up. Prior to the season’s final month, he shot .417/.407/.810, just 9.7 PPG on 6.9 3PA/game. He averaged 13.0 PPG with .445/.457/.950 on 8.1 3PA/game thereafter, highlighted by a career-high 35 points on April 10th. That’s production the Bucks really could have used in January or early March, as they tried to claw back into the play-in conversation amid Giannis injuries. AJG missed only four games and started 68, but after looking the part in 2024–25, he appears much less like an NBA starting guard today. That has a lot to do with his regression as a defender: the prior two years, he flashed really solid on-ball D, despite struggling a fair bit with team coverage (chalk that up to inexperience, maybe). He provided next to nothing on that end this season, which was a huge disappointment in my eyes. The only strides I really saw him make were as a playmaker: even if 1.9 APG looks like nothing, he had four-plus dimes a dozen times in 2025–26, up from seven the year prior.

Gary Harris

48 GP, 13.8 MPG, 2.7 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG, .442/.412/.889

Kyle’s end-of-season grade: C-

I don’t think anyone expected much from Harris, who many speculated would take on the Pat Connaughton break-in-case-of-emergency veteran role. At first, he scarcely played while the team wasn’t ravaged by injuries, but down the stretch, he played even less often, with just 13 appearances and 11 DNPs after February 1st. He too dealt with minor injuries during that span. However, he had several nice games in the first half, usually providing solid perimeter defense even at age 31, plus the occasional three. He hit double figures just once on November 14th. I would say he did what was expected of him as a deeper reserve on a minimum deal. Can’t ask for much anyway.

Andre Jackson Jr.

48 GP, 8.5 MPG, 2.4 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG, .328/.250/.625

Kyle’s end-of-season grade: C-

Ajax keeps hanging on in Milwaukee despite his fewest minutes since his rookie campaign. Believe it or not, this was the first time he shot worse than 37% from deep in a season, and it’s not as if his volume has ever changed. He continues to be a void on offense without showing any of the ball-handling and facilitation acumen he developed on UConn’s 2023 national championship team. So it’s up to him to prove his worth on defense, and he didn’t hang his hat on that either. He fell out of favor with Doc last season, but maybe Taylor Jenkins thinks he can take whatever defensive skills Jackson has left and create an actual NBA player. I’m not betting on it.

Cormac Ryan

11 GP, 24.6 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, .520/.458/.923

Kyle’s end-of-season grade: B+

Ah, finally something positive. I admit, Ryan deeply unimpressed me last summer league, and also didn’t stand out in limited preseason action. So I was nonplussed by Milwaukee’s decision to ink him on a two-way in late February. Looks like I was wrong about him, as the 27-year-old journeyman (he spent six seasons at three universities!) might just belong after all. Sure, it’s just 11 games, but the shot is definitely there, and he appears to have a bit more variety to his game than Green, the similarly-sized shooter he was naturally compared to. Ryan seriously popped in April with four games over 20+ and was in double-digits for eight of his 11 appearances. His two-way contract continues next season, and who knows, maybe the Bucks found themselves yet another rotation player not taking up a standard roster spot.

Gary Trent Jr.

65 GP, 21.2 MPG, 8.1 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.0 BPG, .387/.360/.769

Kyle’s end-of-season grade: D+

I saved the worst for last. GTJ famously started slowly in 2024–25 but, after being benched in early November, was great the remainder of the year, culminating in a sensational Pacers series. He was probably Milwaukee’s second-best player for those five games, so fans were thrilled when he took a Non-Bird raise to stay put last offseason. Once again, he kind of started slowly, but unlike last year, he never broke out of it. His best two-game stretch was probably Milwaukee’s 2-0 start out of the gate, because he shot just 37.4% over his next 19 games, taking us to the end of November. His shooting numbers sank further as we entered 2026, and after the season’s midpoint, he was generally out of the rotation. But a shoutout for 36 points in a loss to the Clippers on March 29th. That came during an eight-game stretch where he averaged 12.8 PPG on .450/.463/.625 shooting. Like Green, where was this when the games actually mattered?

Tantalising totals

(1) Green established a new career-best in assists against Miami in November. How many, and what was his previous best?

Click to reveal answer Eight, topping six from December 2024.

(2) True or false: Jackson also set a career-high in assists this season.

Click to reveal answer True, on March 23rd.

(3) In 11 games, Ryan topped which three former All-Stars in FG% and 3P%, all of whom played fewer than 20 games?

Click to reveal answer Trae Young (15 GP), DeJounte Murray (14), and Jayson Tatum (16). He was just 2.3% shy of overtaking Domantas Sabonis (19) in FG%. He also was no more than 3.6 PPG away from all but Tatum.

Atypically advanced

(1) True or false: Trent’s 3PAr (three-point attempt rate) was higher in 2024–25 than in 2025–26.

Click to reveal answer False: he took a career-high 72.3% of his shots from deep, shattering the previous high from last year at 65.9%

(2) According to Cleaning The Glass, Harris’ assist-to-usage ratio of 1.23 led the team. Whose was higher: Harris’ or James Harden’s?

Click to reveal answer Harris’. Harden was at 1.11.

Obscure optics   

(1) Trent’s notorious plus-minus issues resulted in a -9.2 net rating, per CTG. What two-time All-Star was just 0.2 points per 100 possessions better?

Click to reveal answer Brandon Ingram. Trent’s net was also better than Isaiah Stewart’s and Bruce Brown’s!

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How did you fare? Share your score in the comments, and don’t forget to drop your thoughts along with it—which stat stands out?

The league announced the 73 prospects who received invitations to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, which should provide plenty of helpful data.

Scouts and executives learn official measurements and athletic testing as as how players perform during interviews and scrimmages. But additionally, the invitation list alone lends helpful context to how evaluators around the league view this draft class.

Invitations are sent based on votes from each team in the NBA, who select which players they want to get a closer look at before the draft.

Players who did not receive an invite to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine may still earn their way to participation via the NBA G League Draft Combine, which begins two days before.

Full 2026 NBA Draft Combine List

This list is sorted based on consensus rankings from trusted mock drafts and big boards.

1. AJ Dybantsa
2. Darryn Peterson
3. Cameron Boozer
4. Caleb Wilson
5. Keaton Wagler
6. Darius Acuff Jr.
7. Kingston Flemings
8. Mikel Brown Jr.
9. Brayden Burries
10. Yaxel Lendeborg
11. Labaron Philon
12. Nate Ament
13. Aday Mara
14. Hannes Steinbach
15. Jayden Quaintance
16. Karim Lopez
17. Cameron Carr
18. Bennett Stirtz
19. Christian Anderson
20. Koa Peat
21. Dailyn Swain
22. Morez Johnson Jr.
23. Chris Cenac Jr
24. Amari Allen
25. Ebuka Okorie
26. Isaiah Evans
27. Allen Graves
28. Joshua Jefferson
29. Henri Veesaar
30. Meleek Thomas
31. Tyler Tanner
32. Tounde Yessoufou
33. Tarris Reed Jr.
34. Zuby Ejiofor
35. Alex Karaban
36. Juke Harris
37. Luigi Suigo
38. Milan Momcilovic
39. Rueben Chinyelu
40. Sergio De Larrea
41. Ryan Conwell
42. Braden Smith
43. Flory Bidunga
44. Jaden Bradley
45. Richie Saunders
46. Trevon Brazile
47. Bruce Thornton
48. Malachi Moreno
49. Baba Miller
50. Ugonna Onyenso
51. Billy Richmond III
52. Izaiyah Nelson
53. Emanuel Sharp
54. Keyshawn Hall
55. Milos Uzan
56. Ja'Kobi Gillespie
57. Otega Oweh
58. Kylan Boswell
59. Matt Able
60. Maliq Brown
61. Jeremy Fears Jr.
62. Tyler Bilodeau
63. Tyler Nickel
64. Nick Martinelli
65. Dillon Mitchell
66. Andrej Stojakovic
67. Felix Okpara
68. Tobi Lawal
69. Jack Kayil
70. John Blackwell
71. Nick Boyd
72. Peter Suder
73. Tobe Awaka

Biggest snubs from 2026 NBA Draft Combine

Collegiate prospects who declared as as early entry candidates or have remaining eligibility have until May 27 to withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft if they wish to play in the NCAA next season. Players who did not receive NBA Draft Combine invitations are more likely to return to college.

SENIORS:

1. Tamin Lipsey
2. Rafael Castro
3. Malik Reneau
4. Duke Miles
5. Lamar Wilkerson
6. Quadir Copeland
7. Nate Bittle
8. Jaron Pierre Jr.
9. Jalen Washington
10. Robert McCray V
11. Elijah Mahi
12. Ernest Udeh Jr.
13. Jaden Henley
14. Trey Kaufman-Renn
15. Tre White
16. Malique Ewin
17. Darrion Williams
18. Josh Omojafo
19. Cade Tyson
20. William Kyle III
21. Oscar Cluff
22. Kashie Natt
23. Donovan Dent
24. Joseph Pinion
25. Tucker DeVries
26. Day Day Thomas
27. B.J. Edwards
28. Carson Cooper
29. Tre Carroll
30. KeShawn Murphy
31. Jaylin Sellers
32. Donovan Atwell
33. AJ Storr
34. Boopie Miller
35. Mark Mitchell
36. Seth Trimble
37. MJ Collins
38. Lajae Jones
39. Anthony Roy
40. Zach Cleveland

EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES:

1. Alex Samodurov
2. Elliot Cadeau
3. Acaden Lewis
4. Cruz Davis
5. Jacob Cofie
6. Vsevolod Ishchenko
7. Bassala Bagayoko
8. Finley Bizjack
9. Isiah Harwell
10. Paulius Murauskas
11. Mohammad Amini
12. Pavle Bačko
13. Francesco Ferrari
14. Keanu Dawes
15. Colby Garland
16. Anton Bonke
17. Eian Elmer
18. Dennis Parker Jr.
19. Sebastian Rancik
20. Aiden Tobiason
21. Rowan Brumbaugh
22. Kennard Davis
23. Gabe Dynes
24. Shane Blakeney
25. LeJuan Watts
26. Bryson Tucker

When is the 2026 NBA Draft Combine?

The 2026 NBA Draft Combine is held in Chicago at Wintrust Arena and Marriott Marquis.

The NBA G League Combine is from May 8 until May 10. The NBA Draft Combine is May 10 until May 17.

Five-on-five scrimmages typically broadcast on ESPN on Wednesday and Thursday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Combine invites offer first real clues to 2026 draft board

You can’t fake desperate.

The Rockets have had their season on the line in the last two games, and they’ve played like it. Houston dominated in a blowout win in Game 4 and then came to LA and won a close contest in Game 5.

Now, entering Game 6, it’s the Lakers who have to feel a bit nervous. A 3-0 lead has now shriveled away, and if Los Angeles doesn’t win, then we’ll have a Game 7 and the Lakers would be flirting with the most embarrassing series loss in the history of the sport.

Everyone, including the players, is well aware of the severity of the situation.

“We got to play desperate,” Marcus Smart said after the Game 5 loss. “Every possession matters for us and we really got to literally go out there and be ready to die. That was it. When I was on the other end, that was our motto…We have to be the desperate team. We know they’re going to come in in their place and be very desperate, very confident and we gotta be able to have to be able to respond in a good way with it.”

Despite how dire things have been for the Lakers, they still have the advantage in this series. They need to win just one game and the Rockets need two victories to end things. LA needs to use that advantage and channel the same desperation and urgency the Rockets have been playing with and get this series over with.

“We got to play like our backs against the wall, right, Smart said. “We knew this was going to be a tough series. I think everybody knew that and it’s turned out to be exactly what we expected. Now the fun begins.”

Smart might have a different view on what’s fun than Lakers fans do, but let’s hope he can have his fun and win this game and the Lakers can spend the rest of the weekend preparing for a second-round series against the Thunder.

While there can clearly be frustration that a sweep has turned into a tight series, at this point, all that matters is getting to that fourth win over the Rockets.

“We don’t have a lot of time to dwell on it,” LeBron James said. “I mean, you can give yourself tonight, a little bit tomorrow, but sh-t, once we get on that plane and head down to Houston, we got to forget about it and understand what we’re going for. It’s going to be even harder, man. Like every game is harder. It’s so hard to close out a team in the postseason to win a series and this is our first time doing it as a unit. We’ll see what we got.”

The time is now for the Lakers to raise their intensity and be the team that closes out their opponent.

The last time Los Angeles has done this was in 2023, so we’ll see if this iteration of the Lakers has what it takes to finish the job.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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What is it about competitors from Philadelphia always going the distance?

The Philadelphia 76ers have followed the blueprint of Rocky Balboa, storming back to force a Game 7 clash with the Boston Celtics.

After trailing 3-1 in this opening-round series, the Sixers have rallied behind a defensive resurgence, with Kelly Oubre Jr. leading the way through his relentless energy and effort.

While he’s been key in slowing down Boston’s top weapons, Oubre has also shown he can make his presence felt on the offensive end.

Our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions like Philly’s forward to produce, and my NBA picks are taking Oubre to go Over a short points prop Saturday.

76ers vs Celtics prediction

Who will win 76ers vs Celtics Game 7?

76ers: After laying double digits in its first three home games, Boston is a way smaller home favorite for Game 7. That spread is anchored by Jayson Tatum’s tender calf, with the Celtics’ superstar officially ruled out for tonight.

Boston has a bad habit of sticking to the plan, and that’s not working. The 76ers have the momentum and mentality to keep this game closer than oddsmakers expect, and if Boston stays cold from deep, it’s over.

76ers vs Celtics best bet: Kelly Oubre Over 9.5 points (+100)

Defense is Kelly Oubre's calling card, but after a solid offensive start to the series, he disappeared in Games 4 and 5. 

His usage is modest to begin with, yet dropped from 16.4% in the opening three games — scoring 10, 12, and 17 points respectively — to just 8.6% in Games 4 and 5. That resulted in a total of only six points on 2-for-11 combined shooting. 

Oubre did find his way back into the offense in Game 6. His usage surged back to 17% and led to a 6-for-11 performance for 14 points.

Oubre was active off the ball and benefited from extra attention being thrown at Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Boston sent double teams at the 7-footer, opening up space in the dunker's spot for Oubre to cut to the rim. He was also able to get inside as a ball handler on high-screen action.

With Embiid serving as the biggest problem for the Boston Celtics defense, we could see Boston adjust its matchups and use bigger bodies like Neemias Queta or Nikola Vucevic to mind the 6-foot-8 Oubre.

From there, Oubre can face up and take those plodding players off the dribble or make them pay from outside, should those centers stay home.

His projections for Game 7 sit between 12.5 and 13 points. Oubre has scored 10 or more points in eight of his last 10 games and 11 of his last 16 outings since returning from an elbow injury at the end of March.

76ers vs Celtics same-game parlay

The Sixers have found another gear on defense and have done an excellent job of keeping the Celtics away from the offensive glass, limiting Boston to one bad shot per possession. The Celtics refuse to adjust their offensive approach, and that will keep this closer than oddsmakers expect.

Joel Embiid has been a game-changer against a soft Boston interior. The Celtics are having to throw extra bodies at the 76ers' big man, and he’s done a great job hitting cutters and finding shooters on kickouts. He's dished out 22 total assists on 30 potential assists the past three games.

76ers vs Celtics SGP

• 76ers +7.5
• Kelly Oubre Over 9.5 points
• Joel Embiid Over 4.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Oubre is A-OK

Kelly Oubre is one of the best two-way players in this series. He’s projected for as many as 13 points and seven rebounds in Game 7.

He's swatted at least one shot in three of the past four games, including two blocks in Game 6. If Philly is going to cover this spread, Oubre will have a big part in it.

76ers vs Celtics SGP

• 76ers +7.5
• Kelly Oubre Over 9.5 points
• Kelly Oubre Over 5.5 rebounds
• Kelly Oubre Over 0.5 blocks

76ers vs Celtics odds for Game 7

• Spread: 76ers +7.5 (-110) | Celtics -7.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: 76ers +235 | Celtics -290
• Over/Under: Over 206.5 (-110) | Under 206.5 (-110)

76ers vs Celtics betting trend to know

The Philadelphia 76ers have produced a 16-27 Over/Under record (63% Unders) as underdogs this season, including an 8-15 O/U mark when getting six points or more. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Celtics.

How to watch 76ers vs Celtics Game 7

76ers vs Celtics latest injuries

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

The season is over, and with it comes a clearer perspective on who this team is, what it accomplished, and how the hierarchy settles. That naturally leads to one of the more enjoyable exercises we do at the beginning and end of every season.

SunsRank.

It is the process of building out the roster and figuring out who the best players are. It is subjective by design, and that is what makes it work. What stands out every time is the shift, where we started, where we landed, and how much can change over the course of a season.

In years past, it was a straight list. Rank them one through however many and call it a day. This season, the approach evolved. It became tier-based. Group the players first, define the buckets, then sort within them. It is cleaner, easier to digest, and creates better conversations. A compartmentalized approach that allows everyone to weigh in on where players belong within the structure that fits their impact.

So, utilizing the same logic that we did at the beginning of the season, here are the four tiers that players on the Phoenix Suns fall into:

Tier 1: The Cornerstones

These are the players the franchise rests on, the names etched into the season’s story before the first tip. They set the tone, and if the Suns succeed, it’s because these players delivered.

Tier 2: The Pillars

Not quite cornerstones, but strong enough to hold weight. These are the stabilizers, the players who give structure to the roster. If they rise, the ceiling rises.

Tier 3: The Wild Cards

Players who could swing the season one way or another. Their roles aren’t fixed, their impact is unpredictable, and that volatility makes them fascinating.

Tier 4: The Depth Pieces

The supporting cast. The ones who fill minutes, plug gaps, and sometimes win a game or two that no one expects. They may not grab headlines, but every season leans on players like these.

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Where did we land before the season began? Based on results from the community and our writing team, here is where the Preseason SunsRank 2025-26 landed:

#	BRIGHT SIDE COMMUNITY RANK	BRIGHT SIDE WRITERS CONSENSUS RANK
1	Devin Booker	Devin Booker
2	Jalen Green	Jalen Green
3	Mark Williams	Dillon Brooks
4	Dillon Brooks	Mark Williams
5	Ryan Dunn	Grayson Allen
6	Grayson Allen	Ryan Dunn
7	Royce O’Neale	Royce O’Neale
8	Collin Gillespie	Collin Gillespie
9	Nigel Hayes-Davis	Nick Richards
10	Oso Ighodaro	Oso Ighodaro
11	Rasheer Fleming	Nigel Hayes-Davis
12	Khaman Maluach	Khaman Maluach
13	Koby Brea	Jordan Goodwin
14	Nick Richards	Rasheer Fleming
15	Jordan Goodwin	Koby Brea
16	Jared Butler	Isaiah Livers
17	Isaiah Livers	Jared Butler
18	CJ Huntley	CJ Huntley

Wow. Looking back at that list is wild, isn’t it? Early-season perception drove much of where players landed. The Bright Side community had Jordan Goodwin 15th. The writers had him 13th. It will be fascinating to see where he ends up after this exercise. And we sure did overvalue NHD, didn’t we?

Now comes the fun part. This is where you go through the roster, in alphabetical order by last name, and decide who belongs in which tier. Drop your thoughts in the comments. Who was easy? Who gave you trouble? Who sits right on that line? Because there are a few that live there.

Once we have the tiers set, we move to the next phase. Ranking within them. That is how SunsRank takes shape, building toward a full 1 through 18 when you include the two-way players. It is a process. It is a conversation. It is a thought exercise I look forward to every time, because defining “best” is never universal. Everyone values something different. What drives you? Leadership, production, or impact on winning? Price for value paid, cultural significance, or grit? There are many factors and how to define who is better than who.

Our writing team is working through their rankings behind the scenes as well. Once it is complete, we will share everything, just like we always do. Transparency matters. If something stands out, we will have our writers explain their thought process. And we expect the same from you in the comments.

Appreciate you taking the time to be part of it. Let’s begin SunsRank.

Knicks fans were especially thankful for actress Anne Hathaway after New York’s historic win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series Thursday night.

Hathaway, a diehard Knicks fan and a Celebrity Row staple at Madison Square Garden, sent some good juju to the team during a Wednesday night appearance on “The Tonight Show,” telling host Jimmy Fallon that she “considered wearing an OG [Anunoby] jersey” on the show.

The star Knicks forward went off the next night, scoring 29 points in New York’s 140-89 series-clinching win. He also had seven rebounds and four steals in 27 minutes of action at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

Thank you Anne Hathaway for unlocking the demon inside of OG Anunoby pic.twitter.com/4ywiBS6yLA

— NBAFanBoy (@NBAFanBoyHQ) May 1, 2026

It’s unclear if Anunoby caught Hathaway’s remark, but some chalked it up to the actress igniting a fire in the NBA champ.

“Thank you Anne Hathaway for unlocking the demon inside of OG Anunoby,” one fan wrote in an X post, including a clip of Hathaway on the late night show.

“Huge Thank You to Anne Hathaway for turning OG Anunoby into a god,” another added.

Hathaway — promoting her new movie, “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which features a cameo from Knicks center Karl Anthony Towns — wore a pocket handkerchief that was Knicks’ blue and orange.

Knicks faithful noticed an uptick in Towns’ player stats since the sequel movie premiered last week in New York.

Karl-Anthony Towns since The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere

—17.3 ppg
—13.0 rpg
—7.5 apg
—7th + 8th triple-doubles in Knicks playoff history
—3.6 blocks+steals/game
—62.1 eFG%
—74.0 true shooting%
—OffRTG 130.1, DefRTG 94.7 (+35.4 netRTG)
—plus/minus of +84 in 125 minutes https://t.co/N99GAf9xEs

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) May 1, 2026

Towns had triple-doubles in Games 4 and 6, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on Thursday.

Knicks guard Mikal Bridges added 24 points in the team’s largest win in a playoff game in franchise history.

Hathaway and Anunoby have viral history.

In 2024, Anunoby nearly crashed into Hathaway while she was sitting courtside during a game at Madison Square Garden.

She later thanked him in an Instagram video, saying, “I’ve always wanted that to happen.”

Fallon played the clip while rehashing the moment with Hathaway on the show Wednesday.