Category: NBA

Follow all of Sunday's NCAA Tournament second round games with USA TODAY Sports' live updates.

Tennessee ruined the fun of Miami (Ohio) by dispatching the RedHawks rather handily in the first round, 78-56.

The Vols did so with little contribution from their star freshman Nate Ament, who went scoreless in just 18 minutes, as he was rested dealing with soreness from a high ankle sprain he suffered in late February.

John Calipari played possum: Now, he's got Arkansas back to Sweet 16

March Madness conference records: Big Ten leads at 11-2; How are SEC, Big 12 doing?

Ja'Kobi Gillespie picked up the slack with 29 points, including a 6 of 11 performance from behind the arc.

Virginia overcame a slow start for No. 14 seed Wright State to pick up the program's first NCAA Tournament win since they won the national championship in 2019.

Follow all of Sunday's NCAA Tournament second round games with USA TODAY Sports' live updates.

Rick Pitino vs. Bill Self.

Darryn Peterson NBA draft stock watch.

Zuby Ejiofor, a former Kansas player now Big East Player of the Year at St. John's.

More: Rick Pitino, Bill Self meet in March Madness after Hall of Fame coaches stood test of time

More: Zuby Ejiofor leading St. John's into matchup with former team Kansas

Sunday's second round game between No. 4 Jayhawks and No. 5 Red Storm in San Diego is a spicy matchup.

The winner advances to next week's Sweet 16 against No. 1 Duke in Washington D.C.

Here's what you need to know for Sunday's game:

HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.

St John's vs Kansas live score

What time is St John's vs Kansas?

• Time: 5:15 p.m. ET, Sunday.

March Madness conference records: Big Ten leads at 11-2; How are SEC, Big 12 doing?

What channel is St John's vs Kansas ? How to watch, streaming info

• The game is airing on CBS, streaming via Paramount+.

Kansas vs St. John's prediction, odds

Odds provided by BetMGM, as of 10:30 a.m. ET, Sunday.

• John Leuzzi: St. John's
• Jordan Mendoza: St. John's
• Ehsan Kassim: St. John's
• Blake Schuster: Kansas
• Moneyline: St. John's (-170); Kansas (+140)
• Spread: St. John's (-3.5)
• Over/under total: 143.5

Why did Zuby Ejiofor transfer from Kansas to St John's

Zuby Ejiofor, a 6-9 forward, started his college career at Kansas in 2022,  where he played for Hall of Fame coach Bill Self. Then he transferred to St. John’s in 2023 to play for Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.

“We didn’t want him to leave,” Self said Saturday. “We’re really happy for his success. We just don’t … We just hope it doesn’t come against us.”

What happened at Kansas and why did he choose St. John’s?

“I had a fun time at Kansas,” Ejiofor said. “I wouldn’t lie: I didn’t really want to leave. But I knew that in order for my future to keep progressing the way I wanted to go, that I had to probably look elsewhere for a bigger opportunity.”

Darryn Peterson 2026 NBA Draft mock draft prediction

Pick No. 2 overall to Washington Wizards.

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

While he is no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. The Wizards would put the All-Big 12 guard in a strong position to begin his career alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis. It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson while holding a usage rate as high as his has been this season.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Darryn Peterson stats

(all stats as of March 15)

• 19.8 points per game
• 4.4 rebounds per game
• 1.7 assists per game
• 44.2% field goal percentage
• 38.4% three-point field goal percentage

What Rick Pitino said about Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson

“He gets to the foul line, he’s got great size, got a beautiful looking jump shot with great arc,” Pitino said Saturday about Peterson. “His size presents a problem. When he uses the pick and roll, he’ll reject it, and his size getting to the rim’s great. He’s a great scorer. He’s going to be a great NBA player because he has an NBA game, and we’ve got our work cut out for him, trying to stop him. But, they have a well-rounded team.”

Rick Pitino NCAA Tournament history: When was Rick Pitino's last Sweet 16 appearance?

Rick Pitino has been to 13 Sweet 16s. His last trip to the Sweet 16 was in 2014-15 with Louisville.

Bill Self NCAA Tournament history: How many Sweet 16 appearances

Bill Self has been to 12 Sweet 16s in his coaching career.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kansas vs St John's live score updates, highlights March Madness Round 2

Oh, great. Another snoozefest of an Men's NCAA Tournament.

Any hopes for the chaos that makes this event so raucously entertaining are officially over, buried under a pile of chalk dust. For the third consecutive year, no seed 12 or higher will make the Sweet 16. For the fourth consecutive year, only one-double digit seed will survive the first weekend.

And you can’t count Texas as a plucky underdog. Just ask Longhorns coach Sean Miller.

March Madness scores, highlights: An upset, near-misses alter Sweet 16 bracket

“I don’t think we ever want to sign up to be the Cinderella story because we are the University of Texas,” Miller said after his 11^th-seeded team beat Gonzaga on Saturday, March 21. “We represent the SEC as well.”

Randy Arozarena has apologized to Seattle Mariners teammate Cal Raleigh after Arozarena cursed out the catcher for not returning a handshake at the World Baseball Classic.

“I understand that with Opening Day a few days away, I don’t want it to be a distraction. Cal and I have talked and I apologized for what I said after the game," Arozarena said in a statement issued by the Mariners. “Nothing in the WBC takes away from the fact that we are brothers and teammates. He’s family, and we are both focused on helping the Mariners win the World Series.”

The incident between the two took place on March 9 when Arozarena reached down to greet Raleigh in his catcher’s squat at home plate, and Raleigh declined to offer his hand back in a game in which the Americans beat Mexico 5-3.

Arozarena, speaking to Mexican journalist Luis Gilbert in Spanish, said Raleigh “has to thank God that he has nice parents, well educated,” and added he recently hugged them during a friendly greeting at the team hotel.

He then used profane Cuban and Mexican slang to insult Raleigh before pivoting to English and saying Raleigh could shove his “good to see you” in his rear. Arozarena was born in Cuba but defected to Mexico to pursue an MLB career.

Soon after, Raleigh called Arozarena a baseball “brother,” while explaining there was no tension between the teammates.

“I love Randy, I do,” Raleigh said. “I hate that this is a thing. There’s no beef when we get back to Seattle. He’s my brother. We’re family.”

On Saturday night after their spring training game, Raleigh reiterated his feelings.

“We talked it out, and everything went great,” Raleigh said, according to MLB.com. “Randy knows that I love him, and he’s a brother, and it’s in the past and none of us are carrying this forward. We’re in a good spot.”

The Mariners open the season Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians.

Seattle is coming off a season in which it won the franchise’s first AL West title since 2001. Raleigh helped lead the way by becoming the seventh different player in major league history to hit 60 homers in a season.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information.

C.J. Cox suffered what appears to be a knee injury during Purdue basketball's NCAA Men's Tournament against Miami.

The sophomore guard drove for a layup early in the second half, was fouled on the attempt, and quickly went down grabbing his knee. Replays appeared to show Cox's knee buckling as he went up for the layup, before he was fouled.

REQUIRED READING: Purdue vs Miami live updates: March Madness game score, highlights

C.J. Cox injury update

Cox was down for a couple of moments, uttering expletives heard on CBS mics. He was helped off the court by the Purdue trainers, but was able to walk off on his under his own power to the locker room.

According to CBS sideline reporter Jon Rothstein, Cox is questionable to return to the game. He was reported to be running lightly in the locker room to determine whether he could return. Cox was able to return to the Boilermakers' bench, per the CBS broadcast.

Cox had 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting at the time of his injury. He hit three 3-pointers in three possessions for the Boilermakers to end the first half, to keep them within two points of Miami at halftime.

On the season, Cox is averaging 8.4 points per game on 44.8% shooting from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range. He is third on the team with 58 3-pointers entering play on Saturday.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CJ Cox knee injury: Purdue G leaves March Madness game with injury

Will Iowa State be without one of its key players in the second round of the NCAA Tournament?

The No. 2 seed Cyclones will take on No. 7 Kentucky on Sunday, March 22, and all eyes are on whether star forward Joshua Jefferson will be available against the Wildcats after suffering an injury in the first round. Jefferson hurt his left ankle early into the contest against Tennessee State, and wasn't able to return to the game.

It will be a key storyline with Iowa State trying to reach the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years. Here is the latest on Jefferson's status:

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The Portland Trail Blazers finish a five-game road trip at Ball Arena against the Denver Nuggets, looking to continue their hot streak.

Portland has won four of five, including the last three on the road. The Blazers have moved into eighth place and are looking to improve their seeding for the postseason Play-In tournament. 

My Trail Blazers at Nuggets predictions and NBA picks look for the Blazers to cover as a road dog on Sunday, March 22.

Trail Blazers vs Nuggets prediction

Trail Blazers vs Nuggets best bet: Trail Blazers +9 (-110)

In addition to winning three straight, the Portland Trail Blazers have covered their last two as underdogs.

The Blazers can get back to .500, highlighting their improvement since the calendar flipped to 2026. They started the year six games below .500, but have been revived by Donovan Clingan, who leads the NBA in rebounds and is second in blocks since January 1.

While the Denver Nuggets could have their lineup intact for the first time since Nov. 12, Peyton Watson might not be at 100%, and Nikola Jokic has struggled with turnovers and poor shooting with the constantly changing cast around him.

Denver may win, but it'll hardly be a blowout.

Trail Blazers vs Nuggets same-game parlay

Portland has the No. 8 pace in the league, but things have slowed down on this trip. Three of the Blazers’ four games have had totals of 212 or less, and Portland has gone Under in three of them. Denver is 22nd in pace, so it won’t be pushing the tempo. 

Deni Avdija is averaging 7.0 rebounds and has 19 in the last two games. He hasn’t had fewer than six boards in the last five. The odds for his rebounding prop seem unusually generous, so we’ll jump on that low-hanging fruit.

Trail Blazers vs Nuggets SGP

• Trail Blazers +9
• Under 239.5
• Deni Avdija Over 6.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Joker's Wild

With the starting five finally intact again, look for Jokic to be more comfortable on the floor. Before the injuries started in November, he was averaging 13.1 rebounds, 10.9 assists, and had scored 30 or more in five of six games.

Since then, he’s down half an assist and more than half a rebound per night, and he’s topped 30 just 17 times in 30 games. Getting the gang back should help him find his old form.

His turnovers, up to 4.7 a game in March, should come down, and he’ll be more productive. His 3-point shooting didn’t fall off as much as his 2-point accuracy, and he’s had three games with multiple threes in the last five.

His rebounding also didn’t fall off. He’s had eight games with a dozen or more in his 11 March contests, and he’s averaging 13 over the last five games.

Trail Blazers vs Nuggets SGP

• Nikola Jokic Over 27.5 points
• Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
• Nikola Jokic Over 1.5 made threes
• Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 rebounds
• Deni Avdija Over 7.5 rebounds

Trail Blazers vs Nuggets odds

• Spread: Trail Blazers +9 (-110) | Nuggets -9 (-110)
• Moneyline: Trail Blazers +320 | Nuggets -400
• Over/Under: Over 239.5 (-110) | Under 239.5 (-110)

Trail Blazers vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Portland Trail Blazers have hit the Game Total Under in 16 of their last 21 away games. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets.

How to watch Trail Blazers vs Nuggets

Trail Blazers vs Nuggets latest injuries

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We thought the Phoenix Suns had turned a corner coming out of the All-Star break. The start was shaky — they dropped three of their first five — but then things started to click. They put together a four-game winning streak, and over one stretch they took six of seven. It felt like they were finding something, like the version of the team we had been waiting on was finally showing up after a rough February.

And then it stopped. All at once, it felt like everything came back down to earth. Five straight losses, the longest losing streak since last season. The momentum is gone, replaced by the same frustrations that had been lingering earlier in the year.

It is worth noting, though, that last year’s team had multiple losing streaks of five games or more, and that group was largely healthy. This version of the Suns is not. That context matters as we watch poor execution and questionable decisions continue to cost them games.

When the injury report dropped prior to Saturday’s game against the Bucks, there was a sense of helplessness that came with it. You look at the opponent, and Milwaukee is a team that is not exactly pushing for wins right now. It is a group that has openly leaned into shutting down Giannis Antetokounmpo and embracing the chaos that comes with that decision, and you think this might be an opportunity. Then you look at your own roster and reality sets in.

Half the team is in street clothes. Three of your five starters are unavailable. Multiple rotation players are out. At some point, it becomes less about strategy and more about survival. And we got the answer to the question that follows. How are you supposed to win like that? You are not.

That does not erase the frustration, especially when it comes to Devin Booker and late-game execution. That has been a theme during this losing streak, and it is not new. It has shown up at different points throughout his time in Phoenix. There are levels to being an All-Star. There are players who can elevate everything around them when the pressure rises, and there are players who carry you through the flow of a game but can waver when it tightens.

Booker has lived somewhere in between. He has had those moments where he takes over and lifts the team, and others where the consistency fades late. At the same time, he needs help. That part cannot be ignored. He is not without fault, but when the roster is this depleted, when the margin is this thin, asking one player to carry it all becomes unrealistic.

Injuries do not excuse everything, but they make winning feel a lot harder.

“We just want everyone back,” Suns head coach Jordan Ott said after the 108-105 loss to the Bucks on Saturday. “In a rhythm would be a blessing. We just want everyone back. Said it constantly. Tried to stay away from it the last couple of weeks. That’s what we’d like to do.”

And that is where the frustration lives, and you can feel it internally with this team as well. They are not healthy enough to win these games. They are healthy enough to compete, and that says something about the depth that has been built, but competing is not the same as finishing. Right now, it feels like the Suns are stuck in that in-between space. Not bad enough to fall apart, not whole enough to take the next step.

It feels like purgatory.

You can see where this is heading. The seventh seed is sitting there unless everything collapses, and the postseason is still out in front of them. So these final stretch of games become something else entirely. A waiting period. A place where frustration builds, even while knowing the version of the team on the floor is not the real version.

Because when this group is whole, it looks different. Dillon Brooks brings disruption and edge. Mark Williams changes the geometry of the floor. Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale space everything out and punish defenses from the perimeter. That version of the Suns is not something teams are excited to see in a playoff series.

This version is different. This is a team leaning on depth, playing guys in roles they were not originally meant to carry, trying to survive until reinforcements arrive. And those reinforcements still feel a week or two away.

So yes, the frustration is real. At the same time, it is tied to a version of the team that is incomplete. We are analyzing something that is not whole, watching a group grind through a brutal stretch that includes five games in seven nights.

The goal now is simple. Get to the other side. And when they do, it might not be perfect, it might not be everything, but it will at least feel like the version of this team you can believe in again.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves hit the road to take on the Boston Celtics tonight at TD Garden.

Our NBA player prop projections have found plenty of value on both sides, and we break it all down below.

For more NBA picks, check out our complete Timberwolves vs. Celtics predictions.

Timberwolves vs Celtics computer picks for March 22

Timberwolves	Celtics
Dosunmu u4.5 assists  +102	Hauser o6.5 points -115
DiVincenzo u13.5 points -110	Brown o1.5 threes +105
Reid o12.5 points  -105	Queta o9.5 points -115

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Timberwolves computer picks

Ayo Dosunmu Under 4.5 assists (+102)

Projection: 3.8 assists

With no Anthony Edwards, Ayo Dosunmu will need to take on more of a scoring role for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The guard has eclipsed his points line in four straight, and he'll likely opt to shoot the rock over looking to set up his teammates vs. the powerhouse Boston Celtics.

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Donte DiVincenzo Under 13.5 points (-120)

Projection: 11.7 points

Donte DiVincenzo can catch fire on any given night, but he's found himself in a scoring drought. He's eclipsed this point total in just two of his last five, and only four times in 11 March outings.

With no Ant, the C's can hone in on DiVincenzo more and put pressure on his shots from outside.

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Naz Reid Over 12.5 points (-105)

Projection: 14.1 points

Naz Reid has missed back-to-back games with an ankle injury, but all signs are pointing to him suiting up tonight. Reid is a stud off the bench, and he's never shied away from getting shots up.

With no Edwards, the volume will be there for Reid to eclipse this modest total.

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---

Celtics computer picks

Sam Hauser Over 6.5 points (-115)

Projection: 8.5 points

Sam Hauser can shoot threes with the best of them, and he can pass this total on deep balls alone. With the spread at -10.5, chances are Hauser will get more run tonight. His 38% shooting from deep will help hit this Over.

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Jaylen Brown Over 1.5 threes (+105)

Projection: 2.0 threes

Jaylen Brown has hit two long balls in two of his last three outings, and he's taken at least four in four straight. If his volume remains, he should have no issues drilling two treys.

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Neemias Queta Over 9.5 points (-115)

Projection: 10.9 points

Neemias Queta has developed into a rock-solid big for the C's, shooting 64% from the field. He just recorded 12 points against Memphis, and he'll be leaned on down low against Minny.

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How to watch Timberwolves vs Celtics tonight

Location	TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date	Sunday, March 22, 2026
Tip-off	8:00 p.m. ET
TV	NBC

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.

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If you follow NBA Draft conversations, you’ve likely heard some familiar narratives about Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs. Some argue the Spurs should have taken Kon Knueppel, as he fits into the team’s current needs as a knock-down shooter who can play on or off the ball. Others argue that Harper is held back by his role on a team that is contending for a championship.

In the Spurs’ 134-119 win over the Indiana Pacers, Harper’s role was changed from that of the first guard off the bench to a starter alongside De’Aaron Fox. The result was tying his career high with 24 points, adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists with no turnovers. We got a glimpse of a future when Harper plays a secondary role in the offense with Victor Wembanyama. That future is bright.

Anyone who has watched the Spurs this season understands that Harper is already elite at getting to and finishing at the rim. What struck me about his performance against Indiana was all of the other stuff he did offensively. He hit floaters in the lane, turnaround mid-range jumpers, and knocked down a spot-up three. The game was a sign of the big leaps he’s made over the course of the season.

Since the All-Star break, Harper is averaging 12.7 points and 4.2 assists while shooting 56.2% from the field and 43.9% from three. He’s evolved from an intriguing rookie to a legitimate offensive weapon who is up there with some of the most effective bench scorers in the NBA.

After the game, Harper talked about what it has been like to accept a bench role this season:

There is a load of maturity in that response. Harper has sacrificed the accolades and glory that other rookies, like Knueppel and Cooper Flagg, have received this season, for making a tangible impact on a winning team. Saturday night showed what Harper can do with an increased role. Harper can be a go-to scorer in the future. For now, he’ll keep helping the Spurs win as they approach the playoffs.

Takeaways:

• It was another ho-hum near 5×5 game for Wembanyama with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks, and a steal. The Pacers had no chance of scoring inside when he was in the game. San Antonio outscored Indiana 76-48 in the paint. There isn’t another player in the NBA who makes a bigger defensive impact than Wemby.
• What was even more impressive about Wembanyama’s performance was his playmaking. Is Vic the best seven-foot-four lob thrower of all time? It’s possible. There is nothing more fun than watching Wembanyama handle the ball and toss an alley-oop to Carter Bryant or Luke Kornet.
• Julian Champagnie went 0-5 from three on Saturday but still managed to make an offensive impact by attacking closeouts and getting to the basket. It was one of the most drive-heavy games I’ve ever seen Champagnie play. Adding that wrinkle to the Spurs offense would be huge. Champagnie has proven that he can finish at the rim with athletic dunks when he has a runway. It’s not often you get a shooting specialist who can also put the defense on a poster. Come playoff time, Champagnie will have to make the defense respect his ability to put it on the deck if they close out too hard.
• I’ve really enjoyed Jordan McLaughlin’s minutes this season. He plays hard defense, moves the ball well, and knocks down open shots when they come his way. Having a competent fourth guard is an underrated aspect of the Spurs roster, and allows them to rest guys like Stephon Castle to get them fully healthy for the playoffs.
• It just feels like Keldon Johnson is going to have a game-winning performance in a playoff game this season. When he is getting to the rim and knocking down spot-up threes, it boosts the Spurs to another level. He had 24 points on 10-12 shooting on Saturday, giving the Pacers no chance of getting back into the game when the starters got a rest. That kind of bench production is going to swing a playoff series in a month or two.
• Harper’s performance got me thinking: How soon will we see legitimate minutes from the three-guard lineup, including him, Fox, and Castle? It could be a dangerous lineup come playoff time, especially if Harper and Castle continue to knock down catch-and-shoot threes. We haven’t seen much of it this season, but with all three’s ability to get into the paint and create for others, you’d think it would make sense for Mitch Johnson to go to it more. I’d like to see more of those three playing together next year at the very least.
• Non-Spurs note here. I love Kobe Brown. He hit three triples for Indiana. He’s not a main rotational player, but is shooting 44% from three this season. He’s a big-bodied forward who can hit outside jumpers and showed a lot of offensive creativity when he was an upperclassman at Missouri. If the Spurs are trying to build out their wing room for cheap in the near future, Brown could be an effective buy-low depth piece.

Though the NBA season is rolling on, a good chunk of the basketball world puts it on the back burner every March to pay attention to the NCAA Tournament. And there are plenty of bets to be made for both leagues if that’s your thing.

This week at Mavs Moneyball, I kept the survey simple. First, I wanted to know how many of you planned to watch the tournament.

Nearly 8 in 1o of yall indicated you would be watching at least some of the games. If that’s the case, I hope you saw all of our coverage the last several weeks on potential Dallas draft picks.

The second question asked if you were watching if there was a specific position type you would focus on.

It seems everyone watching wants the Mavericks to find a guard for next season. I happen to agree but would take literally any player.

The next graphic and answer comes from the national poll. It’s about MVP.

I am starting to think that Spurs fans dominate the national poll. Y’all need to sign up and participate more. Luka not being a voting option really tells you how people feel about him this year.

The next question was Rookie of the Year centric.

Knueppel with a commanding lead in this vote and I think that’s how it comes down when NBA voters get their chance. The Hornets are a feel-good story and the Mavericks are very bad, no matter how good Cooper Flagg is. That’s something Kon will get to take advantage of.

This last one is about Coach of the Year.

Bickerstaff makes sense, the Pistons have outperformed. If Detroit can hold on with Cade Cunningham likely missing a few weeks with his collapsed lung, then he absolutely locks up the award. Charles Lee needs to get more love here though, as does Mazzula, as each coach has done a very good job this season.

Nebraska basketball is headed to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.

The No. 4 seed Cornhuskers defeated No. 5 Vanderbilt 74-72 when Tyler Tanner's potential game-winning half-court heave at the buzzer rattled in — then out — of the rim. It was Nebraska's second win ever in the Men's NCAA Tournament, both coming in the last three days, moving it to 2-8 all-time in NCAA Tournament games.

REQUIRED READING: Nebraska advances to first Sweet 16 in program history, survives Tyler Tanner heave

Of course, the honor of calling the game went to a 41-year veteran announcer for the Cornhuskers, Kent Pavelka. Following the game, Nebraska players made sure to find Pavelka and celebrate the historic moment with him.

#Huskers made sure to find @KentPavelkapic.twitter.com/YoaLiH5fkE

— Michael Bruntz (@michaelbruntz) March 22, 2026

Watch: Kent Pavelka calls Nebraska's win over Vanderbilt

Here is Pavelka's call of the final 41.5 seconds of Nebraska's second-round victory over Vanderbilt.

Heroes come and go.

But legends like @KentPavelka live forever.
pic.twitter.com/FJxbPLVbLv

— Nebraska Men's Basketball (@HuskerMBB) March 22, 2026

The win advances the Cornhuskers to the Sweet 16, where they will play the winner of No. 1 Florida and No. 9 Iowa in Houston.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nebraska players celebrate March Madness win with Kent Pavelka

We’re back, and so is Jayson Tatum! Welcome to the Celtics’ Top-5 Highest IQ Plays of the Week! 

Sure, we love the high-flying dunks and the deep, off-the-dribble step-back threes, but this is a place for the under-the-radar plays that might not get the credit they deserve. The plays that get the basketball sickos and nerds out of their chairs. The plays that even YOU could make in your weekly rec league game. 

Each week, the plays will be ranked from five to one—one being the smartest—and will only be taken from games that occurred within the past week. For this week, games from March 14th to March 21st are considered. The Celtics went 4-0 this week, with wins over the Wizards, Suns, Warriors, and Grizzlies.

And listen, I understand that these have basically become Derrick White’s top-5 highest IQ plays of the week, but it’s not my fault the guy is a complete and utter genius.

5. Patience

What a fun play this is. White finds himself in the paint without his dribble, but he doesn’t panic. He waits for his teammates to cut around him, because he knows their defenders might come to double as in common in situations where ball-handlers pick up the ball. And as soon as Garza’s defender loses sight of the cutter, Derrick knows Luka is open. But he doesn’t throw it right away; rather, he waits for Garza to make a cut, thereby improving his passing angle. Patience is key. Also, nasty finish from Garza.

4. Learning from peers

The Celtics are a principled team, built on a shared foundation of certain philosophies and tactics—and one of those principles is sealing on drives. When Boston’s big men set on-ball  screens, they do a great job of immediately getting into the middle of the paint and positioning themselves in a screening position such that both their defender and the guard’s defender are blocked from an easy contest. Theis used to do an amazing job of this years ago (and of course Gortat originally), and Garza has made it a cornerstone of his game this year, as mentioned in previous weeks of this column. Queta is learning from someone—whether it be the Celtics’ coaching staff, his teammates, or a combination of both—and it’s paying dividends for him and the entire offensive system.

3. Double O-boards

You could put this in the category of hustle rather than IQ, but it’s still important to note how good Derrick White is at tracking the ball off the rim and getting a fingertip on it. He somehow simultaneously lines up his attack of the offensive glass while also keeping track of where the ball is most likely to go, and it makes him one of the better corner crashers in the entire league. And then, after his second offensive rebound in 5 seconds, he beautifully throws the ball off a Wizard defender. Wow.

2. Mind-reading (what can’t Derrick do?)

This is the definition of off-ball instincts. While starting in good enough help-position to close out  to a corner shooter, White instantly reads Hauser’s overplay and knows Jalen Green is going to cut backdoor even before he does. Derrick then beats Green to the spot and contests beautifully before getting hosed by the refs. This is what it looks like to be engaged and active even when you’re not involved in the offensive action. 

1. Fastbreak finishing as a short guy 101

If you’re short and wondering how to finish in transition against bigger, longer, and more athletic players, watch this clip. The key to converting fastbreak layups as an undersized guard is disallowing the defender a running late to time up their steps. If you don’t make contact, the defender has a clear path to time accurately their jump and contest your layup. But if you get in front of them like an annoying car on the highway, you force the defender to slow down and throw off his timing. That’s exactly what Pritchard does on this play, and it’s textbook stuff.

Confession:

I have not watched enough Houston Rockets games this year.

I feel bad about it. I write about the team. I’ve never been an 82-game fan. Are you crazy? Living where I do is a factor. Some of these games start at 11 PM for me. I am writing this on my 39th birthday. You do the math:

I might be long past the point of counting sheep by the third quarter.

Yet for most of my life, I have been a 70-to-75-game-a-year fan. In 2025-26, I’m on pace for…maybe 55-60ish? It’s enough (in my opinion) to understand the team. It’s not necessary to see the same failings play out over (and over, and over, and over) again.

(Note: This was written before the big Hawks win. I’m not sure if that game changes much about the piece’s driving logic, but it may have changed the tone)

I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but I will give it a little kick. The Rockets don’t have a point guard. Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson can’t shoot. Sengun and Reed Sheppard can’t easily defend together. It’s hard to think of a wing joke here that doesn’t refer to chicken. The Rockets have too many wings, OK? Never mind a joke.

Some fans have identified Sengun as the common denominator. If he can’t play with either Thompson or Sheppard, he’s the obvious candidate to move. That would be a more viable argument if he hadn’t been the best overall player of the trio in their careers to date. What’s the solution here?

What would make the Rockets watchable in 2027-28?

Rockets face uncertainty

Moreover, Kevin “Don’t Call Me Michael” Dickerson Durant has had a tangible negative psychological effect on a team that’s generally felt it had strong chemistry. You can see it: You can feel it. It’s a dark cloud.

Durant is 37. Every other player that’s been mentioned here is barely old enough to drink in the United States. This creates a schism. Fundamentally, the Rockets have four options:

1. Rebuild
2. Retool
3. Consolidate
4. Stay the course

Option 4 is overwhelmingly likely heading into 2026-27. The Rockets would be wise to add any player who can shoot. They’ll likely lean on Fred VanVleet’s return to fill the ball-handling vacuum. Steven Adams will return, and otherwise, fans can expect to watch what they’re watching now in addition to those inclusions.

Let’s rule out Option 1. Options 2 and 3 loom as remote possibilities. It wouldn’t be a shock for the Rockets to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, but it would register as a surprise. They could move one of Sengun, Thompson, or Sheppard to alleviate some of the roster construction issues, but that would veer closer to shock than surprise.

It would be painful, and entirely unnecessary.

Rockets can afford to take a long view

Pretend Kevin Durant is not a Houston Rocket. Imagine a world where Rafael Stone traded Jalen Green for, let’s say, Khris Middleton, just to get off his contract.

(An intensely painful hypothetical, but bear with the thought experiment).

Say Dillon Brooks is gone, too. He spontaneously combusted, or retired to pursue spiritual purity: Doesn’t matter. The point is to imagine the exact roster the Rockets have this year without Durant.

They’d have a worse record. Durant has 8.3 Win Shares in 2025-26. This is a rudimentary (probably deeply flawed) approach. There’s a Butterfly Effect that isn’t quantifiable. For argument’s sake, let’s add an two extra wins and operate under the assumption that Houston would have six fewer wins if Durant were replaced with a league-average wing (so, roughly Middleton).

They’d have 35 wins. That would put them a game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers. The Clippers are old and virtually without future draft equity. Houston would unambiguously be in a better position than the Clippers in this hypothetical.

The Blazers are young: Does anyone think Portland is a dumpster fire? Isn’t the consensus that this organization is in a fine spot? OK, now ask yourself this: Don’t the Rockets have a comparably talented young roster? Doesn’t it feel like they’re even a little bit better?

Now, consider that the Rockets have a far more impressive collection of draft capital than the Blazers.

So, if the Rockets didn’t have Durant, they’d still be in a good place. They’d be young, talented, and major players in the draft game. The public is effectively penalizing them for having Durant, when in reality, Durant is house money. The money that’s been invested is still projecting a good return on investment.

The Rockets don’t need to do anything rash. They can run the same roster back next year. If the result is another disappointing season, they can look into options again.

They’re also quite likely to have a high lottery pick during that summer. The Rockets have swap rights with the Brooklyn Nets, and they outright own the Phoenix Suns’ first. Between those two assets, the odds are reasonably high that they’ll land a quality pick.

Yes, it’s generally perceived as a weak draft. So was the Anthony Bennett Giannis Antetokounmpo class. The draft is volatile, which can cut both ways. Supposing the Rockets land a good pick, they can take the guy they like the most, and either move forward with the same roster or a similar, but retooled one.

Can we talk about the 2029 draft? Houston owns the two most favorable of their own, the Mavericks’, and the Suns’ picks. Once again, they’ll be in a prime position to land a top pick. Nobody can say what that class looks like. For all we know, there’s a 14-year-old in Sri Lanka or Moldova who will be ready to change basketball by then.

To summarize: Acquiring Durant shifted the narrative around the Rockets to a present-focused discussion. Given that they have so much future-focused equity, it’s fallacious thinking. The team is depressing right now, but that shouldn’t distract anyone from the fact that they’re in a good, if complicated, position moving forward.

For now, let’s just try to watch them when we can.

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A five-game skid has snuffed out the Phoenix Suns’ hopes of climbing into the Top 6 in the West, and tonight they’ll face a Toronto Raptors team fighting to avoid that same play-in jeopardy.

Toronto enters as the No. 5 seed in the East, but there’s really no breathing room, and my Raptors vs. Suns predictions and NBA picks expect Scottie Barnes & Co. to rise to the challenge, especially with Phoenix on the second night of a back-to-back set.

Raptors vs Suns prediction

Raptors vs Suns best bet: Scottie Barnes Over 6.5 rebounds (-125)

Even if Victor Wembanyama has a hold on the Defensive Player of the Year award for the foreseeable future, Scottie Barnes belongs in the conversation this season, and I’m counting on another strong effort at that end of the floor tonight.

There’s nice value for this Over, with Barnes averaging 7.9 rpg this year and grabbing 7+ boards in three straight games.

The Toronto Raptors have the rest advantage, and that should show up on the glass, particularly with the Phoenix Suns' injuries on the wing. The Suns also take the fifth-most 3-pointers in the NBA, so there will be long rebounds to corral.

Raptors vs Suns same-game parlay

When the Raptors are at their best, Barnes is the spark, and RJ Barrett has also found a good rhythm lately, racking up 20+ points in eight of his last 10 contests and shooting 58% from the field in March.

I’m jumping on Raptors moneyline too, with the visitors posting a 20-14 SU road record this season.

Raptors vs Suns SGP

• Scottie Barnes Over 6.5 rebounds
• RJ Barrett Over 19.5 points
• Raptors moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Kentucky kings

With Kentucky in action today, what better time for an SGP built around two former Wildcats? Devin Booker dropped 31 points on the Raptors earlier this month and averages 5.9 apg this year, while Immanuel Quickley has racked up 22 dimes across his last three games.

Raptors vs Suns SGP

• Devin Booker Over 26.5 points
• Devin Booker Over 4.5 assists
• Immanuel Quickley Over 5.5 assists
• Raptors moneyline

Raptors vs Suns odds

• Spread: Raptors -2.5 | Suns +2.5
• Moneyline: Raptors -150 | Suns +125
• Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220

Raptors vs Suns betting trend to know

The Raptors are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 matchups against the Suns. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Suns.

How to watch Raptors vs Suns

Raptors vs Suns latest injuries

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