BOSTON, MA - APRIL 5: The sneakers worn by Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Toronto Raptors on April 5, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The battle to stay out of the play-in spots in the East is real, with the team in fifth just 3.5 games up on the team in 10th. Two of those squads collide tonight when the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat.
Both teams desperately need a win after a tough stretch of games. My Heat vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks tell you why Toronto will prevail against the spread on Tuesday, April 7.
Heat vs Raptors prediction
Heat vs Raptors best bet: Raptors -1.5 (-110)
The Miami Heat currently hold the last play-in spot in the East, but they trail the Toronto Raptors, who are just above the play-in spots in sixth place.
The Heat are coming off a win, but it was only their third in the last 11 games.
This will be an interesting stylistic matchup as Toronto’s defense tries to slow down the high-tempo Heat, who rank fifth in offensive rating since the All-Star break.
The Raptors do this frustrating thing where they show their potential for three quarters, before a typically poor fourth costs them the game, just like their most recent loss to the Celtics.
However, they tend to perform better when they’re supposed to win, and they’re slight home favorites here. Additionally, their strength remains at the defensive end of the floor, where they rank 10th in defensive rating for the second half of the season.
They also do a solid job on the perimeter, ranking eighth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. This is important against a team that leads the NBA in pace and shots per game.
Meanwhile, the Heat rank 21st in defensive rating since the break. That should be enough to help Toronto cover this short spread at home and beat the Heat for the third time this season.
Heat vs Raptors same-game parlay
The Heat’s high pace of play and huge shooting output results in a lot of rebounds. Scottie Barnes has seen his rebounding numbers dip a bit lately, but he still averages 7.5 rebounds per game this season, and this is a great spot for him to get back to having a presence on the boards.
We also get a fun Norman Powell reunion tonight. The former Raptor returns to where he helped win an NBA championship in 2019, and the Toronto fans love him. Don’t be surprised if the guard, averaging 22.1 points per game this season, gets in a groove tonight.
Heat vs Raptors SGP
Raptors -1.5
Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
Norman Powell Over 17.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Heating the glass
The Raptors have also struggled on the glass of late, ranking 23rd in rebounding rate since the All-Star break. So, rebounds for all!
Heat vs Raptors SGP
Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
Brandon Ingram Over 5.5 rebounds
Andrew Wiggins Over 4.5 rebounds
Norman Powell Over 3.5 rebounds
Heat vs Raptors odds
Spread: Heat +1.5 | Raptors -1.5
Moneyline: Heat +100 | Raptors -120
Over/Under: Over 240 | Under 240
Heat vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors have covered the 1Q Spread in 12 of their last 16 games for +7.45 Units and a 41% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Raptors.
How to watch Heat vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
TSN, FDSN-Sun
Heat vs Raptors latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Kentucky Basketball is receiving a wide range of projections in way-too-early 2026-27 Top 25 rankings, reflecting uncertainty after a season of key departures and transfers.
Projected starting five (before Jelavić’s transfer, though he could still return): G Trent Noah, G Collin Chandler, F Kam Williams, F Andrija Jelavić, C Malachi Moreno Projected key bench: Brayden Hawthorne, Mason Williams
Roster Status
Graduating: Otega Oweh, Walker Horn, Zach Tow
Transferring: Denzel Aberdeen (graduating), Jasper Johnson, Brandon Garrison, Jaland Lowe, Mo Dioubate, and Andrija Jelavić
Undecided: Trent Noah, Jayden Quaintance, Kam Williams, Collin Chandler, Brayden Hawthorne, Reece Potter
College/Testing NBA Draft Waters: Malachi Moreno
Mark Pope’s top priority will be retention, especially keeping 7-foot center Malachi Moreno, who averaged 7.8 points per game and has high breakout potential. Veteran shooting guard Collin Chandler, averaging 9.7 points, will also hopefully anchor the backcourt, though he has not 100% confirmed his return yet.
As the Wildcats navigate departures, transfers, and player development, fans are left watching closely how the roster takes shape and how early projections will adjust leading into the new season.
It's fairly clear that Minnesota will be the No. 6 seed and Phoenix the No. 7 in the West, but that could become more official depending on what happens Tuesday. Here is what you need to know.
Playoff Scenarios
• Minnesota can clinch a playoff spot (and officially avoid the play-in) with a win over tanking Indiana and a Phoenix loss to Houston. • Conversely, the Suns can be locked into the play-in if they lose to the Rockets while the Timberwolves pick up the expected win over the Pacers. • Miami becomes locked into the East play-in with a loss on the road to Toronto.
Games to Watch
Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass
Miami's slim chances of getting out of the No. 10 seed in the East — and having to win two games on the road to make the playoffs — hinge on it racking up wins and getting help with one of Orlando/Charlotte/Philadelphia falling apart in the last week. Toronto is technically the No. 6 seed in the East but is just half a game ahead of the trio the Heat are chasing and needs wins to avoid the play-in. Toronto should be desperate, and if Miami loses this game it is locked into the play-in.
Charlotte Hornets at Boston Celtics, 8 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
Orlando, Charlotte and Philadelphia are all 43-36 and tied for the 7/8/9 seeds in the East (and they are all just half a game back of No. 6 seed Toronto) — the Hornets need to win this game to help secure at least a top-eight seed and maybe climb out of the play-in altogether. Boston is likely to finish as the No. 2 seed in the East, but the Celtics are just 2.5 games ahead of the Knicks, so an ill-timed losing streak could see them fall a slot in the seedings. This is a potential first-round playoff preview, and Charlotte may be the team that the top three in the East would most like to avoid in the first round the way it has played of late.
Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns, 11 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
Phoenix can, in theory, make up the three-game difference between these two teams and climb out of the play-in out West, but both of those things are unlikely. Houston should be the desperate team here, it is just one game back of the banged-up Lakers for the No. 4 seed in the West and getting to host a first-round playoff series (likely against those same Lakers). Both teams could use the win in this nightcap of the NBA Tuesday.
The reaction was predictable; the Lakers came out flat against an already eliminated Dallas Mavericks team on Sunday. They were able to fight back behind a 30-point, 15-assist effort from LeBron James and a triple-double by trade deadline acquisition Luke Kennard, but Cooper Flagg had arguably his signature moment of his rookie season with 45 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to outlast LA 134-128, handing the shorthanded Lakers their second straight loss.
In the meantime, the other teams in the running for the third seed – the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets – have surged. The Nuggets have won nine in a row and overtook the Lakers for third place with their comeback over the Portland Trail Blazers, Monday, April 6. The Rockets, trailing by just one game, have also been red-hot with a six-game winning streak of their own.
So how much room do the Lakers have for error – if any at all? Here's what lies ahead for each team in the final week of the season:
Luka Dončić's MVP campaign was put to a premature end when he suffered a grade 2 left hamstring strain in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He's been ruled out for the remaining five games in the regular season, with his status unclear for the playoffs.
The standard timeline for a grade 2 hamstring strain is four-to-six weeks, which would make a return in the first round highly unlikely, but Dončić is currently in Spain to undergo an injection procedure in an attempt to expedite his recovery timeline. It's currently unclear how effective this treatment is or how much it can speed up the healing process.
Austin Reaves also went down with a grade 2 left oblique strain in the same game; he is also expected to miss 4-6 weeks as he rehabs in Los Angeles. If both timelines go completely as expected, the Lakers would likely need to advance to the second round in order for Dončić and Reaves to return to the floor.
LeBron James also landed on Monday's injury report as questionable for their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with left foot injury management, which has been persistent over the past month or so. Given the Lakers' reliance on the 41-year-old to carry them at least through the first round, it wouldn't be surprising for him to have a night off in at least one of the four games left in the regular season.
Remaining schedules for the Lakers, Nuggets and Rockets
Here are all the games left for each of the teams in the running for the No. 3 seed in the West:
Lakers remaining games
Tuesday, April 7: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Thursday, April 9: at Golden State Warriors
Friday, April 10: vs. Phoenix Suns
Sunday, April 12: vs. Utah Jazz
Nuggets remaining games
Wednesday, April 8: vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Friday, April 10: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Sunday, April 12: at San Antonio Spurs
Rockets remaining games
Tuesday, April 7: at Phoenix Suns
Thursday, April 9: vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Friday, April 10: vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Sunday, April 12: vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Who has the edge?
The Nuggets have championship experience and one of the greatest centers to ever play the game on their side in Nikola Jokić, but they unequivocally have the toughest remaining schedule out of the three teams. Denver's final two games are against the top two seeds in the West -- though Victor Wembanyama's status might be up in the air for that game.
The Rockets have endured plenty of growing pains along the way, but they're ending the season on just as strong of a note as they started it. This is the youngest of the teams vying for the third seed, and Kevin Durant is still every bit the matchup nightmare he's always been (burner accounts aside). Three of their final four games are against teams jockeying for playoff positioning, and their penultimate meeting with the Timberwolves can likely decide who ends up with the fifth seed.
The Lakers – on paper at least – have the most favorable remaining schedule after Tuesday's game against OKC, but their backs are against the wall after dropping a winnable game in Dallas. The Warriors are still trying to find their rhythm, but Steph Curry looked like himself in his return April 5, which could spell danger for anyone in the West. The Suns might still be fighting to get into the top six, but odds are they'll be locked into the play-in by then. The Lakers then finish off against the tanking Utah Jazz.
The third seed is still within reach, but LA is going to need their role players to step up, like Deandre Ayton had during their 15-2 March or how Luke Kennard did with his triple-double on Sunday. James has shown that he can still pull off amazing feats on the court, but it can't come down to just him if this shorthanded Lakers team is going to survive.
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 25: Taurean Prince #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 25, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 25: Taurean Prince #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 25, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A win that everyone feels like a loss. The Brooklyn Nets hosted the Washington Wizards on Sunday afternoon. The team snapped their latest losing streak and came away with a 121-115 win.
The opponent tonight is stuck with nowhere to go. It’s been a lost season for the Milwaukee Bucks and they’re desperately trying to find out what their future is. They beat the Memphis Grizzlies at home on Sunday afternoon.
Where to follow the game
YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 7:30 PM.
🤕 Injuries
The following are out:
Nic Claxton
Noah Clowney
Egor Demin
Terance Mann
Michael Porter Jr
Day’ron Sharpe
Ziaire Willimas
Danny Wolf
Ben Saraf is probable.
The following are out:
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Kyle Kuzma
Kevin Porter Jr
Bobby Portis
Ryan Rollins
Gary Trent Jr
Myles Turner
🏀 The game
When you fancy yourself a championship contender and have one of the best players in the league on your team, you HAVE to find good young talent on the cheap. With a hard salary cap and roster restrictions, you’ve got to hit on the margins and hope that you develop young talent so you can remain in contention. The Bucks have failed to do that in recent years and it’s led them to this moment of truth. Shams Charania has been driving discussion on the Bucks’ dealings for the past few years and earlier this morning, published a story on ESPN that detailed the latest drama surrounding the team. This part in particular stood out:
Multiple moves by the front office, both in roster building and rotations, failed to work out this season, including most recently the signing of Cam Thomas after the 24-year-old guard was waived by the Brooklyn Nets. Horst touted Thomas as a key piece to the team’s playoff hopes and long-term contending ability, while Rivers compared him to two former elite scorers and Sixth Men of the Year he coached, Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford.
After averaging 24.3 points during a three-game win streak early in his Bucks tenure, Thomas’ production and minutes began to dwindle as the organization soured on Thomas. After not playing in three of his final five games in a Bucks uniform, Thomas was waived to make room for the Bucks to sign two-way big man Pete Nance to a multiyear deal.
The Bucks also cut the guaranteed contracts of second-round picks Tyler Smith and Chris Livingston out of training camp to keep Amir Coffey, who spent most of the season out of the rotation and was moved at the trade deadline along with Cole Anthony, another offseason signing.
There’s a lot bigger news in that Charania story, but we’ll save that for Friday.
Nolan Traore will look to put another good outing together. Traore made a season high five three pointers on Sunday and if he can continue to find success from deep, it will boost his stock on the team. On the season, he’s shooting just 32.4 percent from deep. But with time, maybe he can reach a higher level.
Turnovers will tell the story tonight. Both of these teams are in the bottom third of the NBA in turnover rate and whoever can create more TOs, the more they’ll be able to get out on the break to find easy baskets in transition. With so many players out tonight, it’ll be up to the ones on the court to make the most of their minutes.
As for the Tankathon, the Nets go into the game in third two games out of first and a game and a half ahead of fourth and fifth.
👀 Player to watch: Taurean Prince
Hey, an old friend! Prince has a solid contributor in his decade in the league and could be someone teams turn to if they need a steady veteran presence in the future. At 32 years old, he still has plenty to offer and could help a playoff team down the line. Whether that’s with the Bucks remains to be seen. They’ve got a lot going on right now.
Jalen Wilson will get the start for the Nets and he’ll be one of the guys looking to put up a good outing as he moves to the offseason. Jordi Fernandez is pressing as many buttons as he can to find players who can contribute and give good minutes as he winds this season down. Every day is an opportunity to make a lasting impression and we’ll see how Wilson makes the most of his tonight.
📺 From the Vault
Doc Rivers is heading to the Naismith Hall of Fame this fall, and he’s had success in various roles across basketball history.
Tonight's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday features an exciting doubleheader. The action starts at 8 PM ET, when the Charlotte Hornets head to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics. Then, at 11:00 PM ET, it's the Houston Rockets vs Phoenix Suns. Live coverage begins with NBA Showtime at 7:00 PM ET on Peacock. See below for additional information on how to watch each game. Follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
Kevin Durant makes his highly anticipated return to Phoenix tonight for the first time since being traded last summer. Durant, who spent the last 2.5 seasons with the Suns, missed the first meeting in Arizona this season in November due to a family situation.
The 37-year-old veteran has been the Rockets' most consistent player this season, leading the team with 25.9 points per game.
The Rockets, currently fifth in the Western Conference, have already clinched a playoff spot. They look to win their first postseason series since the 2020 season.
With just four games left on their schedule, the Suns are likely headed to the Play-In Tournament. They're currently seventh in the Western Conference, three games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for the sixth and final playoff spot.
The Suns, who have gone 4-in their last 12 games, look to turn things around before the postseason.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. Sunday Night Basketball coverage will also be available on NBC and Peacock. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
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NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule:
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The final week of the NBA season usually sees some unexpected results. As the Minnesota Timberwolves back into the playoffs, they are ripe candidates to provide one of those results, especially as the Indiana Pacers play what may be their best basketball of the season.
My Timberwolves vs. Pacers predictions and these NBA picks refuse to put any faith in Minnesota on Tuesday, April 7.
Timberwolves vs Pacers prediction
Timberwolves vs Pacers best bet: Pacers +12.5 (-105)
The Minnesota Timberwolves have effectively boxed themselves into the No. 6 seed in the West. They would need to go 4-0 this week while the Rockets go 1-3 to catch Houston for the No. 5 seed. But there is a worrying scenario for Minnesota. It could fall into the Play-In Tournament yet.
Every day that remains a possibility, anxiety will set in further for the Timberwolves. The organization already had to include two Play-In games amid the postseason ticket presale access for season-ticket holders. They are genuinely a loss or two away from having to answer questions about slipping into the Play-In Tournament.
Recognizing that stressor is the only reason this is not a bet on the Indiana Pacers to win outright. The Pacers have sprung three upsets as multi-bucket underdogs in the last two weeks, part of going 8-1 against the spread in their last nine.
Indiana has secured its needed draft lottery positioning. The Pacers can play as competitively as able. And with the Timberwolves without both Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, they are quite vulnerable to upsets. Edwards and McDaniels are no less than two of Minnesota’s three-best bucket getters, and many nights feel like they are the top two.
Without them, fading the Timberwolves becomes nearly an automatic bet; only the worry of falling to seventh in the standings should prevent Minnesota from losing outright.
Timberwolves vs Pacers same-game parlay
The mere option to bet a Mike Conley points prop is a surprise. He hit no more than one field goal in 12 of his last 16 games. Bench players like that do not usually warrant spots on the props board. But Conley is not a bench player right now. He has started his last five games, though only four of those were genuine. But in his last two games, Conely has hit 7-of-12 shots from deep, scoring 14 and 11 points. He may be finding a form that could actually contribute in the postseason.
Minnesota hopes Naz Reid finds that form soon. A nagging shoulder injury has clearly cut into his efficiency. Reid has cleared this prop just once in his last 10 games.
Timberwolves vs Pacers SGP
Pacers +12.5
Mike Conley Over 5.5 points
Naz Reid Under 14.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Perhaps Pacers
One of the best ways for Minnesota to avoid an upset is to have Reid hit multiple 3-pointers. Given he is 1-of-10 from beyond the arc in his last two games and has hit multiple 3-pointers in just three of his last 17 games, it is valid to wonder if Indiana might spring this surprise.
Timberwolves vs Pacers SGP
Pacers Moneyline
Naz Reid Under 14.5 Points
Timberwolves vs Pacers odds
Spread: Timberwolves -12.5 | Pacers +12.5
Moneyline: Timberwolves -800 | Pacers +550
Over/Under: Over 232.5 | Under 232.5
Timberwolves vs Pacers betting trend to know
While going 8-1 against the spread in their last nine games, the Pacers have exceeded bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 8.9 points, even when including the sole ATS loss; that number jumps to 10.4 points in the eight ATS wins. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Pacers.
How to watch Timberwolves vs Pacers
Location
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN-North, FDSN-Indiana
Timberwolves vs Pacers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
As we near another NBA postseason, the Sixers are likely going to be one of the teams participating in the Eastern Conference half of the bracket, either being the sixth seed or via the play-in. But it feels like the noise around the franchise entering the playoffs is sounding much quieter than previous postseasons. Of course, that’s probably a good thing for Philadelphia as the franchise has been known to let its fans down in the early rounds of the playoffs for the majority of the previous 10 years.
But we want to look forward not backwards here. With Jayson Tatum back in the fold, the Boston Celtics are certainly going to be the popular choice to get out of the Eastern Conference and make a run at their second NBA title in three years. But after that, who does anyone really feel confident in atop the East? The Detroit Pistons have not won a playoff series in nearly two decades. New York and Cleveland seem to regularly have second-round ceilings. Is anyone really afraid of the Atlanta Hawks?
That leaves your Philadelphia 76ers in an interesting position heading into the playoffs. Philly hasn’t really garnered a lot of national attention this season as most of the talking heads believe the Sixers have missed their window in the Joel Embiid era. The fanbase has certainly felt a bit apathetic this season. That’s not to say any of those assertions are incorrect, but it does lessen the pressure on the Sixers during the next month — and potentially longer.
The landscape of the Eastern Conference really hasn’t changed much in recent years too. Boston won the conference in 2022 and 2024, got to the seventh game of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2023 and was upset largely due to Tatum’s injury last year in the second round against New York. In that time, we’ve seen Miami make it to the Finals out of the play-in tournament, and an Indiana team that was not seeded in the top three of the conference in either of the past two seasons make the conference finals both years.
Maybe Paul George’s resurgence is real and a player who most Sixers fans wrote off and most NBA media members probably thought was one of the worst contracts in the NBA has a revenge tour planned in these playoffs. Could Embiid find a way to stay healthy for most of the postseason for once? How hungry will VJ Edgecombe be for his first dose of playoff action? Tyrese Maxey could certainly be the best player on the floor in almost any playoff game.
None of this is to argue that the Sixers are destined to play until Memorial Day. Monday night’s game in San Antonio was just the latest reminder that this team isn’t a serious contender. However, segments of the NBA playoffs are starting to feel a bit less predictable as evidenced by some of the other deep runs aforementioned Eastern Conference teams have made in recent years.
Sure, “Why not us?” might not be the most encouraging slogan for Sixers fans this spring. But for a franchise that has been understandably ripped time and time again around this time of year, expect the Sixers to be a looser bunch when the second season commences. Does that mean they’ll be a better bunch? Well, you’re guess is as good as mine on that one.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks to drive during the first half of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum on March 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns, at least in theory, have learned their lesson when it comes to chasing names and contracts in the pursuit of building a contender. Or at the very least, it feels that way after one full cycle removed from the Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal era. Two players that arrived with all the noise, all the expectation,and all the belief. Ultimately, they left behind more questions than answers and a franchise in financial purgatory. And that memory is not going anywhere.
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal will always be tied to what could have been, and Beal will remain part of the conversation for years to come, seeing as his dead cap implications continue to sit on the books. The organization has limited draft capital, limited flexibility, and a roster that has had to navigate the consequences of those decisions.
So when you start to hear rumblings out of Milwaukee, when the name Giannis Antetokounmpo starts to float into the conversation, the instinct is immediate. Look the other way. Do not engage. Do not get pulled back into the same cycle. Run, Forrest, runnnnn!
Why? Because it feels familiar. A superstar. A massive contract. A situation that is not entirely stable. A player who seems to be balancing multiple narratives at once. It is the kind of setup that draws attention, but also carries risk.
And yet, despite trying to look away, it is still a conversation worth having.
That is part of what makes this space fun. The hypotheticals, the what-if scenarios, the chance to explore ideas, even if you ultimately land on the same answer. That is exactly what popped up on The Feed over at Bright Side, in a community-driven discussion that asked the question out loud.
Even if your answer is no, and for many it is, there is value in walking through it. And community member zenzino asked the question.
What would you give up for Giannis? The Suns don’t have draft picks so the Bucks would want youth. Green & Rasheer? Green, Rasheer, and Man Man? I don’t know what I think about it. However, imagine the starting lineup of CG, Book, Brooks, Giannis, and Williams.
I provided my thoughts in the response on this Feed thread, but I thought I’d rewrite it here for posterity’s sake.
I’m out on this, and it’s not even a hesitant no. It’s a firm one.
The first thing that comes to mind is roster math. We’ve already lived this. The Phoenix Suns chased star power, pushed chips in, and watched depth and flexibility disappear. You move for Giannis, you are doing it again. Youth goes out, rotation pieces go out, and suddenly you are top-heavy and thin in all the wrong places. That equation does not change.
Then there is the wear and tear. He is an aging star who plays with constant force, and that comes with a cost. We have seen it since 2021. Bodies break down when you play that style for that long, and tying your future to that risk is not something I am interested in.
There is also the noise. Fair or not, it follows him. He wants to be embraced, wants to be seen a certain way, but there is always something lingering underneath. Comments, situations, and questions about what is really going on behind the scenes. I would rather not import that into a locker room that has stayed relatively clean in that regard.
Then it comes back to cost. You are not getting him without giving up something real, and for me, Rasheer Fleming is as close to untouchable as it gets on this roster. The value, the upside, the contract…that is the kind of piece you hold onto and develop. That is how you build something sustainable.
And even beyond that, what are you realistically offering that Milwaukee Bucks would even want? They are navigating their own version of this problem. Limited flexibility, trying to stay competitive, trying to manage their own future.
So for me, it is simple. Too much cost, too much risk, too many questions.
Hard no.
I do want to acknowledge the thought process that Bright Side community member FanSince93 brought up: in the past, the Suns have gone star-chasing, and it has worked out successfully. My response?
I hear you, and this is where the math matters more than the name on the jersey.
When Charles Barkley, Steve Nash, and Chris Paul arrived in Phoenix, the financial landscape allowed it. The Phoenix Suns could absorb those contracts and still build out a real roster around them. There was flexibility. There was room to breathe.
That is not the reality now.
You are already carrying $23.2 million in dead cap. That alone limits your ability to maneuver. Then you look at Devin Booker, who is set to take up 34.6% of the cap next season. Add Giannis Antetokounmpo at 35.4%, and you are sitting at 70% of your cap tied up in two players. Layer the dead cap on top of that, and now you are at $138.8 million committed. With a projected cap of $165 million, that is 84.1% of your total space gone before you even start filling out the rest of the roster.
That is not team building, that is irresponsible roster construction.
At that point, you are scraping for minimum contracts, hoping to hit on undervalued pieces, and asking a thin roster to hold up over an 82-game season and into the postseason. Depth disappears. Flexibility disappears. Margin for error disappears.
So yeah, the comparison to past eras does not hold. The structure is different. The constraints are tighter. And in this version of the NBA, you cannot stack two max-level players like that, carry dead money, and still expect to field a balanced, competitive team.
It looks good on paper. The reality underneath it is a roster that is too thin to sustain anything meaningful.
It is a good exercise, because it forces you to walk through everything. The history of the Phoenix Suns, how those teams were built, what worked, what didn’t, and whether something like this is even realistic. Because at the end of the day, Giannis Antetokounmpo is elite. And if you are talking about chasing a championship, elite talent matters. But so does fit. So does structure. So does balance.
I have lived on this island for a while now: Devin Booker is a star, but not a superstar. He is one of the best players in the league. He can carry you, he can elevate you, but he cannot do it alone. He needs help. He needs someone next to him who raises the ceiling of the entire operation. That part is real.
We have seen Phoenix try it. Kevin Durant was that swing. An elite player, a historically great scorer, someone who can get a bucket whenever you need it. And it did not work. Not because Durant is not great, but because what he brought was not what this team needed. They needed flow. They needed edge. They needed connectivity. They needed depth. KD didn’t give them that. He was elite, but he wasn’t the right fit for Devin.
And when you commit that much of your resources to the top of the roster, everything underneath it gets thinner. That is the part that does not get talked about enough. You become top-heavy, and when things tighten, when injuries hit, when the margins shrink, you feel it everywhere.
That is why the Giannis conversation stops for me before it really starts. Yes, he would work next to Booker. I believe that. But what is left after you make that move? What does the rest of the roster look like? How do you build around that financially? How do you sustain it?
Because balance is what wins.
Look around the league. The Oklahoma City Thunder have it. Youth, depth, and flexibility are all working together. But none of their guys have hit the max money threshold and the decisions they create…yet. The San Antonio Spurs are building toward it with Victor Wembanyama as the centerpiece, and again, youth is at the center, as it allows financial flexibility. In the East, teams like the Boston Celtics have managed their money in a way that supports their two max stars instead of suffocating the roster around them. That is the blueprint.
So yeah, it is fun to think about. It is fun to run through the scenarios. But I always land in the same place. I do not want to chase stars at the expense of everything else.
And that does leave a lingering question. How far can this team go with Booker as the centerpiece? Is there a ceiling there? Is there a moment when you have to make a different kind of decision? I do not have that answer yet. That is the part that will linger, that will carry into the summer, that will sit in the back of every conversation.
But I know this much. Giannis is not the answer to the questions I am asking.
The 2025-26 men's college basketball season came to an end on Monday, April 6, with maize-and-blue confetti falling from the rafters of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis after Michigan held on to beat UConn 69-63 in the championship game of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament.
One day after the Wolverines hoisted the NCAA championship trophy, cut down the nets and savored their one shining moment, they added a few other bullet points to a lengthy and impressive resume from the best season in program history.
To the no one's surprise, Coach Dusty May's team finished the season atop the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 on Tuesday, April 7. They were followed by, in order, UConn, Arizona, Duke and Illinois to round out the top five.
Though it finished with a relatively close championship game win, Michigan had one of the more dominant runs through the NCAA tournament in recent memory, winning their first five games by an average of 21.6 points, capped off by a 91-73 drubbing of fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in the Final Four.
With the season now complete, here's a look at the final Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 from the 2025-26 season:
Others receiving votes: Utah State 37; Saint Louis 30; UCLA 28; North Carolina 28; Saint Mary's 16; Miami (OH) 9; BYU 8; High Point 7; Villanova 4; UCF 3; Kentucky 3; VCU 2
AP Top 25
This section will be updated when the poll is released.
SAN FRANCISCO — Dissecting the final play of the Warriors’ loss to the Rockets in Steph Curry’s return, many fans’ eyes darted to Brandin Podziemski.
The third-year guard appeared to miss Draymond Green signaling for him to come to the top of the key and act as a second screener for Curry, who was forced to take a contested look that clanked off the rim as time expired in the 117-116 defeat Sunday night.
After practice a day later, Podziemski explained why he didn’t leave his spot on the left side of the floor, where De’Anthony Melton had also initially set up.
Brandin Podziemski stayed on the left wing late, saying he didn’t want to “bring a third guy into the equation” as the Warriors tried to free Steph Curry for the final shot. Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
“In those low-clock moments, you want to give your best players as much space as you can to … just make a play,” Podziemski said. “You don’t want to crowd them with bodies.”
Curry had scored eight points in the final five minutes to pull the Warriors from down double digits to within one with 11 seconds left. He brought the ball up the middle of the court, trailing Green, who attempted to free Curry from Amen Thompson.
It instead resulted in both Thompson and Green’s defender, Jabari Smith Jr., with their arms in Curry’s face as he heaved the game-winner that wasn’t to be.
Podziemski remained stationary on the left wing, even though Green appeared to motion at him as he curled to set the screen for Curry. The Warriors hoped to target Alperen Sengun, who ended up on Podziemski, but the young guard was concerned about involving a third defender.
“I think it was a little jumbled up because you had Steph coming down the middle of the floor and we had me and Melton and Draymond on the left side and I think Gary on the right side,” Podziemski said. “We all know we wanted Sengun in it. But as soon as I saw Dray go screen, I was like, ‘I’m not gonna bring a third guy into the equation.’ …
Steph Curry had the ball with a chance to win after scoring eight points in the final five minutes, but his contested look at the buzzer fell short in his return. AP
“I don’t want to run up there with Sengun just because I have Sengun on me, to bring another guy into his airspace, so I kind of just left it be where it was.”
Curry said the plan was to get Sengun in a pick-and-roll situation. Instead, “everything kind of got a little stagnant at the top of the key,” he said. “It seemed like there was a wall at the 3-point line and I couldn’t figure out exactly where to go.”
Draymond Green tried to free Steph Curry with a late screen at the top of the key as the Warriors attempted to create a final look against the Rockets. Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
The shot fell off iron and Curry’s return to the court received a rotten ending. With Green as their largest player on the court, they weren’t able to stop Sengun from converting in the paint to reclaim the lead after Golden State pulled ahead ever so briefly 115-114 with 20 seconds left.
“We probably could have done a couple things better on the last two possessions, one on defense and one on offense,” Kerr said. “But all in all, really, really impressive display from our guys getting back into the game, making big shots, big plays and giving ourselves a chance.”
The outcome didn’t matter much in terms of the standings, but it’s worth noting that there were other factors that altered the end of the game. In the NBA’s two-minute report released Monday, the league said that two calls should have gone in the Warriors’ direction that didn’t.
Curry should have been sent to the line for an and-one after converting a layup in traffic with 1:27 left. And Sengun’s three-point play with 1:01 to go should have been wiped out by a three-second violation, according to the after-action report.
Still, Curry had the ball in his hands with the chance to win the game.
“People probably say it’s a tough shot,” Podziemski said. “But I don’t think it’s a tough shot for Steph.”
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Two teams coming off rare wins will look to make it two in a row as the Brooklyn Nets host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.
Milwaukee is sitting much of what little talent they still have for this game, so my Bucks vs. Nets predictions are taking Brooklyn to cover.
Read on for my free NBA picks for Tuesday, April 7.
Bucks vs Nets prediction
Bucks vs Nets best bet: Nets +2 (-110)
Both of these teams are coming off wins despite playing with rosters that hardly resemble what they looked like earlier this season. The Milwaukee Bucks are counting on players like Ryan Rollins and Cormac Ryan, while the Brooklyn Nets have been led by options such as Jalen Wilson and Nolan Traore.
The list of injuries is astounding, with Giannis Antetokunmpo, Bobby Portis, Nic Claxton, and Michael Porter Jr. among the recognizable names that won’t be playing tonight.
So how are these teams winning? By playing other teams out of the playoff race, of course.
The Bucks have recent wins over the Grizzlies and Mavericks. On the other hand, Brooklyn has gotten its recent victories over the Wizards and Kings, possibly the two teams most committed to tanking in the entire league.
Fundamentally, the Bucks have been the better team this season, but today’s injury report has changed the calculus significantly.
Milwaukee will be without Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner, and Ryan Rollins, all players who started in the victory over Memphis. The Bucks' one advantage was in their depth of reasonably capable role players, and now we know they’re all siting out tonight.
The Nets at least bring back the lineup that has seen some limited success in recent games, with Traore in particular showing some growth late in his rookie season.
With what passes for more talent on the court and the healthier roster, I’m taking Brooklyn to cover.
Bucks vs Nets same-game parlay
Traore has been one of the few bright spots for the Nets late in the season. He’s averaged 15.8 ppg over his last four outings, and is getting lots of shooting volume, making him a good pick to hit his scoring total tonight.
However, with the overall lack of talent on the court — especially with all the players being held out by Milwaukee — I’m taking the Under, which has hit in four of Brooklyn’s last six games.
Bucks vs Nets SGP
Nets +2
Under 220
Nolan Traore Over 14.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Youth is served
Let’s go all in on two of Brooklyn’s young players who have been getting significant playing time lately to hit their props.
I’m sticking with Traore to hit his scoring Over, and combining that with a bet on the 19-year-old to hit Over 1.5 threes, something he’s done in three of his last four games.
I’ll also take Wilson to dish out at least three assists after picking up four dimes against the Wizards on Sunday.
Bucks vs Nets SGP
Nets +2
Nolan Traore Over 14.5 points
Nolan Traore Over 1.5 threes made
Jalen Wilson Over 2.5 assists
Bucks vs Nets odds
Spread: Bucks -2 | Nets +2
Moneyline: Bucks -140 | Nets +115
Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220
Bucks vs Nets betting trend to know
The Nets are 6-3 ATS in their last nine overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Nets.
How to watch Bucks vs Nets
Location
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN-Wisconsin, WLNY
Bucks vs Nets latest injuries
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It’s a jam-packed day of NBA action with 10 games on the schedule, but as is the case with late-season NBA, we’ve got a lot of massive spreads. Tonight's slate features five games with spreads at -10 or higher.
Sometimes, games with big spreads are best to attack with NBA player props. My NBA picks for today have plays in three of those games, including Ace Bailey continuing his strong play for the Jazz.
The Indiana Pacers are just winding down the clock on the season. They obviously have issues everywhere, but one of the best places to exploit them is on the glass.
Indiana enters this matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves ranked 24th in opponent rebounds per game and 27th in rebounding rate since the All-Star break.
The T-wolves have an obvious rebounding props candidate in Rudy Gobert, but the big man isn’t my favorite value on the board tonight. The honor belongs to guard Donte DiVincenzo.
While DiVincenzo hasn’t had much impact on the glass lately, he still averages 4.2 rebounds per game, and we’re getting the Over at 3.5 at plus money.
The other thing to like about this play is that the Pacers take the 12th most threes per game since coming out of the break. That means long boards to grab for DiVincenzo.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FDSN-North, FDSN-Indiana
Prop #2: Ace Bailey Over 17.5 points
-115 at bet365
The Utah Jazz have clearly gone full tank mode down the stretch, but one guy is still getting minutes and making the most of them: Ace Bailey.
Bailey is showing why he was worth a high lottery pick. He’s averaging 19.5 points per game over his last 15 games, which includes him shooting a solid 37.7% from 3-point range.
He gets an interesting matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. New Orleans has been playing better basketball once the team got healthy, but it was too little too late, and they're out of the playoffs.
On that note, though, Trey Murphy III is out for this game, and Dejounte Murray is questionable, two of their best defenders. That’s not great for a team that still ranks 19th in defensive rating since the All-Star break.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: KJZZ, GCSEN
Prop #3: John Collins Over 11.5 points
-115 at bet365
The Los Angeles Clippers are locked into a Play-In spot in the Western Conference, but playing those games at home is still on the table with a strong finish.
The Mavericks need that offensive outburst because they aren’t stopping anyone from scoring, particularly on the inside. Dallas enters tonight’s matchup ranked 24th in defensive rating and 27th in opponent points in the paint since coming out of the All-Star break.
That has me targeting John Collins. The power forward is in a groove, averaging 19.8 points over his last four games with a .704 effective field goal percentage, putting up at least 15 points in all four.
He keeps that going by dominating the Mavs down low.
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Now that the confetti has been swept up and the nets have been cut down, there is one final piece of business to close the book on the men’s college basketball season.
Michigan takes its rightful place as No. 1 in the season-ending USA TODAY Sports coaches poll after claiming the program's second title with a defeat of Connecticut. The Wolverines, who held the top spot for a stretch during the regular season, finishes atop the rankings for the first time since USA TODAY began administration of the coaches poll. Their previous title in 1989. The runner-up Huskies finish at No. 2 overall, though the Huskies did not receive every second-place vote among the 31 panelists.
Arizona lands at No. 3 overall. Duke, which entered the tournament at No. 1 , finishes ahead of semifinalist Illinois for the No. 4 spot despite falling short of the Final Four thanks to UConn’s buzzer-beater.
Houston lands at No. 6 in the final rankings, followed by Purdue and Iowa State. Florida, the first top regional seed eliminated, topples to No. 9. St. John’s rounds out the top 10.
It’s an impressive final poll for the Big Ten. In addition to ending its championship drought while sending two representatives to the Final Four, the league ends up with seven ranked teams in all as Wisconsin narrowly edges Utah State for the No. 25 spot.
The SEC lands six thanks to No. 24 Texas’s surprising run from First Four to Sweet 16. The Big 12 is next with five teams in the top 25, and the ACC lands four.
Kurt Helin
Donte DiVincenzo
John Collins
Ace Bailey